Cantonment Woman Charged With Felony Child Abuse
January 11, 2024
A Cantonment woman is accused of felony child abuse.
Bobbie Baumebusch HidleBaugh, 58, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a felony charge of cruelty toward a child. She was released on a $15,000 bond.
The investigation began after a child was reported to have a “big knot” on her forehead and a bruised, bloodied lip.
The age and relationship of the child to HidleBaugh was redacted from an ECSO arrest report.
The Department of Children and Families was notified.
Candice Blackburn Is The Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year
January 11, 2024
Candice Blackburn is the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February. Blackburn is a finalist.
Woman Killed In Wednesday Morning Escambia County Wreck
January 10, 2024
A 34-year-old Escambia County woman was killed when she crashed into a utility pole Wednesday morning on Mobile Highway.
The single vehicle crash happened around 7:45 a.m. near the intersection of Annandale Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman suddenly veered to the left in her Hyundai Sonata, crossing the center line and opposing traffic lane before leaving the roadway and crashing into a power pole.
She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Two children — girls ages 6 and 9 — were transported with minor injuries.
Person Rescued After Being ‘Launched’ From Dumpster Into Garbage Truck
January 10, 2024
One person was rescued after being “launched” into a garbage truck from a dumpster in Escambia County.
The incident happened about 9:45 a.m. in the 7900 block of Pine Forest Road.
Escambia County Fire Rescue. said “a person was launched into the garbage truck and trapped inside.”
With the use of ladders inside the truck, firefighters were able to safely rescue the patient. Once secured, the patient was transported to an area hospital.
Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baptist Urgent Care On Nine Mile Closed, To Reopen As ER and Urgent Care
January 9, 2024
Baptist Medical Park Urgent Care-Nine Mile is closed until February 6, 2024, for the final construction preparations of the new combined Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care.
Patients needing urgent care services can visit Baptist Medical Park Urgent Care-Airport at 5100 N 12th Ave.
File photo.
Century Looks To Hire New Auditing Firm
January 9, 2024
After missing a state law mandated audit deadline every year for about a decade, the Town of Century is looking to hire a new auditor.
The town previously contracted with Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors of Pensacola, but that relationship came to an end when their contract expired September 30.
Warren Averett’s other local government clients include Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, City Milton and Santa Rosa County. Interim town manager Howard Brown said the town does not wish to hire Warren Averett again.
The Century “Auditor Selection Committee” met Tuesday night to begin the process of selecting a new auditing firm by issuing a request for proposals for a new firm while following state guidelines.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.
As of January 9, Century’s 2021-22 fiscal year audit that was due June 30, 2023, had not been received and posted online by the Florida Auditor General, as NorthEscambia.com first reported on December 31.
The last audit with the state three months late for fiscal year 2020-21 found a deficit balance in the General Fund of $2.9 million and in the Natural Gas Fund of $1.8 million. A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
A 2019 grand jury report that found gross mismanagement in the town, over a million dollars lost in utility operations, missing natural gas, about $3 million improperly borrowed from accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and a state of financial emergency. The town has never worked to follow many of the grand jury recommendations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Closed Today
January 9, 2024
Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools and district offices are closed on Tuesday.
School in Escambia County (Alabama) Schools will be on an e-learning day on Tuesday.
“We anticipate normal district operations will resume on Wednesday, January 10,” stated Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Of course, we’ll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff.”
For more cancellation information, click or tap here.
Monday Evening Fire Destroys Home In Century
January 9, 2024
The cause of a Fire that destroyed a home in Century Monday evening is under investigation.
The fire was reported shortly after 600 in the 400 block of Cedar Street just south of Old Flomaton Road.
The first firefighters arrived to find the home fully involved in fire. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to bring the fire fully under control.
There were no injuries rereported and no immediate word on the cause of the fire. The Florida State Fire Marshal was called to investigate.
The Century, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Jay Fire Department and Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched to the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Four People Shot In Escambia County
January 9, 2024
The investigation is continuing after four people were shot early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
Two victims were located in the area of Bainbridge Avenue and Graupera Street about 1 a.m.. On had been shot in the hip; the second was shot in the thigh
Two other victims arrived at the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds.
All are expected to survive.
The Sheriff’s Office said a home invasion turned into a shootout.
At last report, no one has been charged, and further details have not been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Atmore Capital Murder Suspect Released From Jail After Waiting Six Years For Trial
January 9, 2024
An Atmore capital murder suspect has been released from jail after waiting six years for trial.
Yeldon Rostchild was indicted for capital murder in July 2017 and was set to go to trial this week after waiting over six years for his court date. But instead, he was set free from jail on January 3.
“The capital murder case no longer exists,” appointed defense attorney Christine Hernandez told our news partners at WPMI.
According to the NorthEscamia.com archives, Donta Demorris Russell of 176 Patterson Street in Atmore was found dead after the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at 1980 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Atmore in April 2017.
Rostchild was developed as a suspect and indicted in July 2017.
“It’s not a matter of evidence from the state. This is a matter of it didn’t exist. This man’s been in jail for six years. It didn’t exist? Yet, it’s all in narratives and police officer’s written notes, but it doesn’t exist? We’re talking audio statements, finger prints, we’re talking reports, cell phones. They said they had search warrants. There’s no search warrants. They say they have Facebook, they didn’t have any of that,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez raised evidentiary issues with the court and asked the judge to dismiss the case.
“We amended the capital murder charge by agreement to an obstruction of justice charge. Anytime a case is this old the evidence tends to weaken and that was the case here. We settled on time served…”
In an email, District Attorney Stephen Billy told WPMI, “We amended the capital murder charge by agreement to an obstruction of justice charge. Anytime a case is this old the evidence tends to weaken and that was the case here. We settled on time served…”
A trial date has not been set for Rostchild’s co-defendant Darrel Brown.