New 440 Lot Development Proposed Off Highway 29 Near Neal Road
January 14, 2024
A new 440-lot residential development named Bella Terra is proposed for the Cantonment area.
Mullins, LLC has submitted plans to the Escambia County Development Review Committee for the multiphase development at the southwest corner of Cedartree Lane and Highway 29. The southernmost boundary of the project area extends to Neal Road.
The project is proposed in three phases, the earliest starting construction in the Fall of 2024 with completion in the Fall of 2025. The later phase is proposed to begin in the Summer of 2025 with completion by the Summer of 2026.
The plans are currently in an initial application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and are set for staff internal review. Public meetings have not yet been scheduled.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Murdered After Trying To Stop Fight On Atmore Street
January 14, 2024
An arrest has been made in a Saturday morning murder in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department responded to reported gunfire just before 11 a.m. in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue and Bragg Street.
They found a 39-year old Okeema McCants suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. McCants was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
“Witnesses stated that Mr. McCants was driving on Martin Luther King when he stopped to try and stop a physical altercation between a group of males in the street. Multiple shots were fired shortly after Mr. McCants tried to intervene,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Witnesses provided police with a description that led to the arrest of 25-year old Charles DeWayne Walker of Atmore about two hours later. Atmore Police said he was in possession of a handgun stolen from Jefferson County, Alabama, at the time of his arrest and had an outstanding warrant for theft of property.
Walker was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on a charge of murder.
Investigators are attempting to identify the subjects involved in the altercation. Anyone with information is asked to call Atmore Police at (251) 368-9141.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
January 14, 2024
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Two applicants will be appointed for service beginning in March 2024.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain representative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a lay consumer member.
A lay consumer member shall not at the time of appointment be, and shall have never previously been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession. The term “member of any closely related profession” includes but is not limited to carpenters, painters, certified building inspectors, commercial construction supervisors, interior designers/decorators, fencers, landscapers, building material suppliers, and construction quality managers.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
MLK Day Celebration Parades Planned In Century, Cantonment
January 14, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parades and events are planned for Monday in Century and Cantonment.
Cantonment
The 17th Annual D. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Parade will roll at 4 p.m. Monday. Line-up begins at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. There is no entry free, but participants are required to have plenty of candy and/or trinkets for the kids. Each car or float should also have a symbol or picture that pertains to the work of Dr. King.
For more information, call Dr. Mary Floyd at (850) 390-1912 or Latisha Neal at (850) 288-1308.
Century
The Century Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Day will begin with a parade.
The parade will line up at 8 a.m., Monday, Jan. 15, at the old Carver Middle School. Floats are welcome and there is no fee to enter. The parade will roll out at 9 a.m. and end at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4, where the main program will begin at 10 a.m.
A special guest speaker, along with former Century resident Ramon Hale, Mayor Luis Gomez as guest attendee, and members of Century area churches will provide song, music, movement, the written word and more. For more information, contact Marilyn Robinson, Robert Mitchell, Helen Mincey, Melvin Whatley or Cynthia McKinney
Mistakes, Misfortune Continue As Ice Flyers Endure 5-2 Loss To Roanoke Friday
January 14, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers had their four-week slide hit a new low.
In a game that highlighted the team’s current woes, the Ice Flyers were buried by a five-goal deficit after two periods and the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs breezed to a 5-2 win Friday night, which became Pensacola’s seventh consecutive loss.
Since the start of December, the Ice Flyers have managed just three wins in 13 games. The latest setback became a fourth consecutive defeat on home ice at the Pensacola Bay Center. The two teams had a rematch Saturday night as the Ice Flyers sought to end their struggles.
“There is something going on right now and we have to figure it out internally,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “It is frustrating to see. It is not for a lack of talent, we just need for guys to really start elevating.”
After his team trailed 5-0 at the second intermission, Graham lit into players in the dressing room. The Ice Flyers responded with their best 10 minutes of the game, getting goals from Houston Wilson – his second of the season – and Ivan Bondarenko.
But that was followed by the Ice Flyers taking two penalties in a 15-second span that gave Roanoke a 5-on-3 advantage. The Ice Flyers killed both penalties, then pulled goaltender Stephen Mundinger with more than five minutes remaining for extra attacker but weren’t able to generate any further surge.
“Unfortunately, I had to go in there and lose my mind like an idiot after the second period,” Graham said. “Why should I have to bring the pom-poms out and act like an idiot to get a response (from players)? This is professional hockey. That is non-negotiable. I should not have to coach effort and attitude.”
Roanoke, the defending Southern Professional Hockey League champions won for the sixth time in the team’s past seven games. The Rail Yard Dawgs (17-7, 3 OT losses, 35 points) entered weekend in fourth place in league standings.
Friday’s game was the Ice Flyers midpoint of their season. The Ice Flyers (13-15, 26 points) have slipped to just a one-point lead in sixth place.
“You start the see the frustration of guys and you can’t execute as a professional athlete when you are slamming your stick on the glass and … we can’t have that,” Graham said. “We need leaders to lead and go out and play with their hearts on fire.
“It’s just not enough right now. Everything is magnified when you are going through something like this.”
The Rail Yard Dawgs scored the game’s first goal when Justin Daly backhanded a loose puck with his back turned into the net. He scored the team’s next goal three minutes later off a 2-on-1 break and wide-open look. Matt O’Dea followed by finishing a 3-on-1 advantage.
The second period started with a Roanoke goal three minutes into play that caused Graham to lift starting goaltender Riley Morris and insert Mundinger into the net.
During that period, Malik Johnson hit the left goal post on what fooled the goal judge into briefly lighting the lamp. But the puck remained in the goalie’s circle just above the line and was cleared out.
“We get a breakaway and it’s off the post. They get a bounce it’s in the back of the net,” Graham said.
“I liked our start (to the game). We were breaking pucks out well; we were snapping the puck around and everything was going good. Their first goal was a very harmless thing, a loose puck in the side slot and guy throws it at the net and in.
“The problem with our team right now… we’re so fragile and when that happens how do we respond and come out of it. The next five minutes, guys were trying to do too much. We had a couple bad turnovers, gave them momentum and that’s the issue right now with our group.”
“It’s a good group of guys, but when we have adversity right now during this losing streak, everybody wants to start trying to be the hero and do it all themselves, instead of sticking to the gameplan.”
Ice Flyers winger Joseph Widmar, acquired in recent trade with Peoria, continued his solid play with two assists and was the only Ice Flyers player with a plus-2 in the plus-minus category. He now has 26 assists on the season, the most in the league and is the fourth overall scorer.
The Ice Flyers had a “Hockey Night in Pensacola Theme” with fans encouraged to wear jerseys of their favorite NHL team and plenty of NHL teams were represented.
Highway 29 Critical Injury Crash In Molino Under Investigation
January 13, 2024
At least one person was critically injured in a wreck Friday afternoon in Molino
A GMC Denali pickup and a plumbing company work van were involved in the crash.
The intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road was closed by the crash just before 3 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three Sentenced To Prison As Accessories In 2018 Walnut Hill Murder
January 13, 2024
Three accessories in a 2018 Walnut Hill murder were sentenced to prison Friday.
Christopher James Logan Stacey will spend 40 years in prison with credit for 1,612 days served in the county jail awaiting trial. Jessica Thomas was sentenced to 30 years. Alexis Shiffner-Cain was also sentenced to 10 years plus five years probation.
Christopher Alan Stacey was convicted in September of lesser charges of second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. He was originally indicted for first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree premeditated murder.
After his arrest, Stacey claimed the shootings were self defense. Court motions and denied appeals from the Florida First District Court of Appeals delayed the trial, but all of Stacey’s self defense motions were eventually denied.
In June 2018, Dalton Davis was found dead in a truck in Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road near Atmore. Troy Dewayne Boutwell was found in critical condition near the road after crawling from the truck but survived his injuries. They were shot nine miles away at a home on Highway 164 near Walnut Hill (pictured bottom), according to investigators.
His ex-wife, Jessica Nicole Thomas, was charged with accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder for the shooting at her home on Highway 164. Stacey’s son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, and Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain were also both charged with accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder.
Thomas and Shiffner-Cain pleaded guilty while Christopher James Logan Stacey pleaded no contest in 2019.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwell had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the suspects in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat in a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of the Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey, resided with Thomas at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resided in the home, the report states.
Boutwell, the victim that survived the July 2018 shooting, was killed in a single vehicle wreck on March 13, 2021, on Highway 4A about three miles west of Century. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; there were no passengers in the vehicle. [Read more...]
Pictured below: Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son James Logan Stacey sat on a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home. Pictured middle below: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill. Pictured bottom: Investigators say two men were shot inside this home on Highway 164 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Undersize Fish, Illegal Dumping
January 13, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Corbin observed a vessel return to a local boat ramp at night. Two subjects began displaying their catch on the bow of the vessel to take a photo. A resource inspection was conducted, and the subjects were found to be in possession of undersized sheepshead and flounder. One of the subjects claimed responsibility for keeping the undersized fish and was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
Officer Lugg was on patrol when he observed a vehicle pull into a location known for illegal dumping. The subject proceeded to remove trash from his vehicle and a stop was conducted. The subject and passenger were identified and the passenger had an active warrant out of Escambia County. The subject was cited for littering and advised to clean up the area, the passenger was placed under arrest on the warrant and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson was traveling on Quinette Road when he noticed a vehicle in front of him operating without a tag. Officer Roberson conducted a stop on the vehicle. When the officer made contact with the operator of the vehicle, he showed several obvious signs of impairment. The driver agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject performed poorly on the tasks. Officer Roberson arrested the driver and transported him to the Escambia County Jail.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Northview Boys Top Baker 45-38
January 13, 2024
The Northview Chiefs varsity boys defeated the Baker Gators 45-38 Friday night in Bratt.
Northview had 40 total rebounds.
Senior Jikeir Hudson led the Chiefs on their home court with 11 ponts. Luke Diamond had 10; Austin Dunsford 9 points; and Jacob Spence added 8 points; Jarrett Bodiford had 5 points for Northview while Jaques Moorer contributed 2.
Tuesday, Northview will travel south to take on Pensacola Christian Academy.
High Speed Chase Ends With Crash, Arrest On Pine Forest Road
January 13, 2024
An Escambia County man was jailed after leading deputies on a pursuit Thursday afternoon.
Ja’Corey Tyquell Clay, 25, was charged with fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, cocaine possession and marijuana possession.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Clay fled from deputies during a traffic stop attempt near Untreiner Avenue and Lepley Road.
Clay “drove towards another deputy’s vehicle, causing the deputy to take evasive action to avoid collision by driving off the road. Deputies canceled the pursuit due to safety concerns,” ECSO said. Deputies located Clay’s vehicle a short time later traveling north on Pine Forest Road and a second traffic stop was attempted.
“The pursuit ended when Deputy Beaty bumped the fleeing vehicle, which led to the vehicle ultimately hitting a trailer and coming to a stop in a ditch,” ECSO said in a statement. The pursuit ended in a ditch at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Clay was taken into custody by Deputy Beaty and K-9 Maddox. He was booked into jail with bond set $22,500.