Community Mourns Passing Of Firefighter Clay Brown In Vehicle Crash
June 27, 2024
The community is mourning the passing of firefighter Clay Brown, Jr., 27, who passed away Saturday, June 22 in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning. on Highway 87 north of Jay.
He was a career firefighter for Escambia County Fire-Rescue and a volunteer for the Jay Volunteer Fire Department.
Brown was born in Pensacola on Sept. 18, 1996, to James “Moo” and Jeanne Brown. He graduated from Jay High School in 2015 where he was a proud Jay Royal on the football and weightlifting teams. There, he made many lasting bonds of friendship on the field, in the weight room and the classroom.
While in high school, Brown discovered his calling to the fire service and, at age 16, joined the Jay Volunteer Fire Department as a junior volunteer firefighter.
Following his desire for service, Brown enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 1, 2016. He was stationed in Bremerton, Wash., and spent time in Everett, Wash. and San Diego, Calif. for the four years he served.
Brown was assigned to the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Nimitz. He had one deployment during his enlistment for seven months to the Persian Gulf, which placed his ship in position to conduct anti-ISIS strikes in Syria and Iraq. Following his time on the U.S.S Nimitz, Brown served as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS3) as an F4 for the remainder of this service.
Upon returning to his hometown of Jay, Brown enrolled in the Fire Academy to once again serve his community. He attended Northwest Florida State College for Firefighter I/II training, where he formed many bonds of friendship with soon-to-be firefighters.
Once his training was completed, Brown was hired on at Pace Fire Rescue District. From there, he moved to the Holley-Navarre Fire District – Station #41, and then found his permanent home with Escambia County Fire Rescue, serving at Station #1 in Bellview and finally at Station #7 in Ferry Pass.
Brown was an avid outdoorsman. He hunted and fished as often as possible. He was a usual participant during the Duck, Deer and Turkey seasons. Brown was a proud member of the Travis Road Hunting Club, where he enjoyed time at the “Hunting Camp” with his father and many of his father’s lifelong friends and their sons and daughters. Along with hunting, Brown also enjoyed hiking, spending much time in Idaho, which he considered his second home. His love of the outdoors extended to farming as he always looked forward to the planting and harvest seasons, always lending a helping hand to his farming friends.
Brown will always be remembered by his family, friends, and fellow firefighters as a happy and big personality who brought love and light into every room he entered. He was a member of the Full Gospel Community Church in Dixonville, Ala. where he accepted Jesus into his heart and his life, and received love and guidance from a special lifelong friend and pastor, Brother Bill Thompson.
lay Brown is survived by his mother and father, Moo and Jeanne Brown, of Jay, his sister, Kasey Yalch, special nephews, Jayce Clay Stokes and Jameson Haveard, and niece, Sawyer Haveard. He is also survived by Uncles John “Cliff” Cory Brown of Jay, Don McNabb of Levittown, Penn., Michael McNabb of Waveland, Miss., and Rick Sexton of Winchester, Calif.; Aunts, Vicki Dixon of Pace, Jeannie Johnson of Urbana, Iowa; Great Uncles Harry Hawthorne, Ray Daugette and Bruce Daugette of Milton, and numerous cousins on both sides of his family.
He is predeceased by his grandparents, Claude and Mary Nan Brown and William and Bertha (Boots) Sexton, all of Jay. Clay is also predeceased by his uncles, William Sexton, Jr. of St. Augustine, Fla., Mickey McNabb of Jemison, Ala., Wendell (Mac) McNabb of Jefferson, La., and Susan McNabb of Marianna, Fla.
Funeral Arrangements
The family of Clay Brown invites the public to the visitation, funeral and burial services.
Visitation Service: Thursday, June 27
- Location: True Worship Assembly of God, 13297 SR-87, Jay
- Time: 5-8 p.m.
- Additional Information: Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged
Funeral: Friday, June 28
- Location: True Worship Assembly of God, 13297 SR-29, Jay
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Additional Information: Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged
Burial: Friday, June 28
- Location: Full Gospel Community Church, 9851 Travis Rd., Brewton, Ala.
- Time: Immediately following the funeral service
Here’s An Update On K-9 Streeter, The ECSO K-9 That Chased Suspect Off Bridge
June 27, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Streeter is continuing to recover from injuries he received when he jumped off the Highway 90 bridge over the Escambia River in pursuit of a suspect Monday evening.
“Streeter is doing very well! He had some rib bruising and other minor injuries from the impact of his jump, but he is excited to let everyone know he will be cleared soon and back to chasing the bad guys,” the ECSO said Wednesday.
K-9 Streeter and his handler Deputy Stimmel stopped by the ECSO to see Sheriff Chip Simmons Wednesday.
Three suspects and a Streeter jumped from the bridge following a drive-by shooting and subsequent police chase.
One of the suspects was killed, one remains unaccounted for, and 19-year-old Jaquarius Trayquan Etheridge, has been charged with murder while engaged in a crime for the death of the suspect, attempted murder for the drive-by shooting, fleeing and eluding, and a weapons offense. He is jailed without bond.
For more details on the incident, click here.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Graduate Matthew Johnson Commissioned
June 27, 2024
Matthew Johnson, a 2020 graduate of Tate High School was commissioned as a U.S. Navy ensign Saturday at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York
Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. He was commissioned by his mother, Lt. Kendra Smith, U. S. Navy Nurse Corps.
His father, retired U. S. Navy Master Chief Neal Johnson and his grandfather, U. S. Army veteran Ken Moore placed his ensign shoulder boards during the commissioning ceremony.
Matthew Johnson will serve as a Merchant Marine officer with the Military Sealift Command at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
Pictured: Matthew Johnson, a 2020 graduate of Tate High School. was commissioned Saturday at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To 150 Months In Federal Prison For Drug Possession
June 27, 2024
An Escambia County aman was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison on drug possession charges.
Darnell Devaughn Burnett, 40, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing heroin, a quantity of fentanyl, and a quantity of cocaine.
On June 13, 2023, a state search warrant was executed at Burnett’s residence in Escambia County. During the search of the residence, law enforcement located and seized 829 grams of methamphetamine, 137.9 grams of heroin, small quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, a digital scale and bags used for drug distribution. Evidence introduced at the sentencing hearing established that at the time the search warrant was executed at his residence, Burnett was on state probation for drug distribution charges.
“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe and serve a critical role in removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Through their efforts, this defendant – a prior offender currently serving a probationary sentence – will face the significant consequences of his continued criminal conduct. We will continue to support our law enforcement partners as we work together to investigate and prosecute criminals distributing drugs in North Florida.”
Burnett’s prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.
Molino 12U All-Star Softball Wins State Championship
June 27, 2024
Molino 12U All-Star softball are state champions . Up next, they are headed to the World Series in Gardendale, Alabama, July 10-14. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Piece Together Wild 7-6 Win over Shuckers
June 27, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Wednesday night, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 7-6 in a game full of unexpected turns.
Starting pitcher M.D. Johnson was hit in the arm by a comebacker from his second batter faced, and left after 0.2 innings. Four different Pensacola pitchers got the final 25 outs, with Dale Stanavich (W, 1-0) earning his first Double-A win and Austin Roberts (S, 12) earning a six-out save in a tense team effort.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board immediately in the first, as leadoff batter Jakob Marsee drew a 10-pitch walk against starter Bradley Blalock, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Joe Mack. The Shuckers countered with a two-out, two-run double from Eric Brown Jr., taking a 2-1 lead.
Cody Morissette tied the game 2-2 with an RBI triple in the second, and came in on a Sean Roby sacrifice fly to put the Blue Wahoos ahead 3-2. A three-run third, highlighted by a Diego Infante RBI single, gave the Blue Wahoos a 6-2 edge.
The Shuckers chipped away with two-run homers from Brock Wilken and Lamar Sparks in the middle innings to tie the game 6-6. After surrendering the game-tying homer, Stanavich buckled down with 2.0 scoreless innings to allow the Pensacola offense to reclaim the lead.
Jacob Berry delivered the eventual game-winning hit, an RBI single off Adam Seminaris (L, 0-3) in the sixth inning. Matt Pushard escaped a jam in a scoreless seventh, and Roberts earned his league-leading 12th save with a perfect last two frames.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Thursday. First pitch from Keesler Federal Field is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Here’s Where To Donate Food Today In Donut Strike For Manna
June 27, 2024
The 2024 Donut Strike for Manna that continues today
Local law enforcement and fire departments are teaming up again to fight hunger for the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna.
Donation locations for Thursday and Friday are in the graphics below.
strong>Pictured top: Donations were collected in 2023 for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Arrest Made In 2023 West Nine Mile Road Hit-And-Run That Killed Molino Man
June 26, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has made an arrest in the hit and run death of a Molino man last November.
William Ervin Lawler, 46, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
The crash happened about 8:40 p.m. on November 15, 2023, at West Nine Mile Road and Allegheny Avenue. The Florida Highway Patrol said 20-year-old Justin Kent’s motorcycle was struck by a silver sedan that fled the scene. Kent was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The silver sedan was captured on video (pictured above). FHP Traffic Homicide investigators were notified of a 2003 Infiniti M45 that was located abandoned with damage consistent with the crash. Troopers said Lawler attempted to salvage the vehicle in Alabama and signed it over to a junked car business.
FHP seized the vehicle in question, completed the investigation and filed a warrant for Lawler’s arrest.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $200,000.
First Responders Donut Strike For Manna Begins Today. Here’s Where To Donate Food.
June 26, 2024
Local law enforcement and fire departments are running to the rescue once more, teaming up again to fight hunger for the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna that begins today.
Local law enforcement and fire departments are going on strike later this month — once again teaming up again to fight hunger for the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna.
The brave men and women are going on strike against the doughnuts from Wednesday, June 26 through Friday, June 28 to encourage the community to fight local hunger by supporting Manna. They won’t give in until truckloads of nutritious food have been donated to the cause.
Donation locations are in the graphics below.
Each day of the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations.
Food donations and financial gifts to Manna may also be dropped off at their headquarters, 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, any day during the week of the Strike, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Because the cost of food and other essentials is rising, Manna is experiencing even greater demand than is typical in the summer months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “At the same time, food donations are down, as everybody feels the pinch on their budgets. Every day, our first responders see children and families who are struggling — and we are so grateful for their efforts to impact change.”
This is the seventh year of the Donut Strike and so far, the pastry protest has raised more than 160,000 healthy meals to help fight hunger in our communities.
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.
Pictured top: Donations were collected in 2023 for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $55,000 Sold On Highway 97 In Davisville
June 26, 2024
Someone is over $55,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Davisville.
The Quick Pick ticket sold at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 was one of two winning tickets in the June 25 evening drawing and is worth $55,099.86. The other winning ticket was sold at a Publix in Wilton Manors in the Miami metro.
The winning numbers were 2-9-27-28-30.