Tate Aggies Girls Tennis Tops Washington
March 10, 2023
The Tate Aggies girls tennis team earned an overall win over Washington Thursday afternoon. The team improvies to 8-1. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Used Facebook To Lure Minor For Sex, Task Force Says
March 9, 2023
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly sending an obscene photograph and trying to lure an underage girl for sex through Facebook. She was actually a police officer.
Terry Maurus Jackson, Jr., 40, was charged with using a computer to seduce, solicit, or lure a child, and distributing obscene material to a minor.
Jackson allegedly sent a nude photograph of his privates and groomed a 13-year old persona into meeting to have sex, according to an arrest report.
A detective assigned to the North Florida Internet Crime Against Children (ICAC) Task Force used a covert Facebook profile that contained images of her as a juvenile. She was contacted by Jackson who asked if she was single, if she wanted to “smoke weed” and what part of town she lives, according to his arrest report. During the conversation, the detective states that she is 13-years old. He provided his phone number and began to try to make a plan to meet the girl, the report continues.
During subsequent conversation, Jackson is again told the girl is 13, and he continues to groom her, convincing her to skip school and meet him or go to Pensacon with him before having sex, the arrest report continues.
When Jackson was arrested at his residence on Well Line Road, Jackson told the deputy that he knew what he was being arrested for, and that his Facebook account had been hacked. Jackson’s phone was seized at the time of his arrest.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $20,000.
The North Florida ICAC Task Force is composed of law enforcement officers from federal, state and local agencies and is responsible for investigating crimes involving the exploitation of children, specifically those that are facilitated using the internet and related technology.
Upcoming Forest Tour Near Walnut Hill To Focus On Preparing For Natural Disasters
March 9, 2023
The Florida Forest Service in partnership with the Florida Land Stewardship Program is hosting a workshop for hurricane preparation and recovery of forested lands on March 23.
The event will be on the Chris Jones property at 3700 Highway 97A in McDavid from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch provided. The cost is $15 per person and space is limited. Those interested may register and pay at https://fls-tour032323.eventbrite.com/.
Topics will include selecting the right tree species and planting stock, improving the stand to enhance forest health and wildlife habitat, preparing for and recovering from hurricanes and other natural disasters as well as discussing the sources of technical and financial assistance available to landowners.
For more information, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at Cathy.Hardin@FDACS.gov or (850) 587-5237, or Chris Demers at cdemers@ufl.edu or (850) 846-2375.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
March 9, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named their February Students of the Month. They are kindergartners Laila Hale and Camden Clarke. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Distributions Friday In Walnut Hill, Saturday In Gonzalez
March 9, 2023
There will be food distributions on Friday and Saturday in North Escambia.
Walnut Hill, Friday March 10
There will be a Feeding the Gulf Coast food distribution for the Walnut Hill community on Friday, March 10.
The food distribution will begin at 9 a.m. at Bradberry Park at 4760 Highway 99A, just behind Ernest Ward Middle School.
Gonzalez, Saturday March 11
A food distribution will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 11 and continue while supplies last at the Gonzalez United Methodist church. Vehicles can begin lining up at 7:30 a.m., and organizers say there will be enough food for at least 300 families. The distribution is made possible by Farm Share, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens with ECUA District 5, International Paper, the Marine Corps League, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aaron Erskine, Thompson Trucking, and other community partners.
Pictured: A previous Justified Incarcerated Ministries food giveaway in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Part 2, After The Fog: Tate Beats Niceville
March 9, 2023
The Tate Aggies defeated Niceville 9-2 Wednesday in the second part of a game that was suspended due to fog on February 24.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The Aggies will be at Washington Thursday evening at 7:00.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton PD Welcomes K-9 Kain, A Month After Their Previous K-9 Died
March 9, 2023
The Flomaton Police Department is welcoming a new K-9, about a month after their previous K-9 passed away.
K-9 Kain is an 18-month old German shepherd trained by Central Alabama Police K9 in Clanton, Alabama.
Kain is National Narcotic Detector Dog Association certified and will be partnered with Cpl. Charles Land.
Flomaton Police K-9 Boo passed away February 3 after suffering sudden health complications
Tate High’s Cassie Jackson Signs To Play Soccer At Faulkner University
March 9, 2023
Tate High School senior Cassie Jackson signed Wednesday to play soccer for Faulkner University.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Maecy Mysak, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Trying To Kidnap Girl, 11, From School Bus Stop
March 8, 2023
A man who tried to kidnap an 11-year old girl from a school bus stop before heading to work off Muscogee Road in Cantonment was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday.
Jared Paul Stanga, 32, previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping, aggravated assault, and battery.
In May 2021, a white Dodge Journey pulled up to the girl waiting at the bus stop on Old Corry Field Road and Perdido Street. That’s when Stanga tried to grab the girl, but she fought back.
Stanga’s employer informed investigators that he worked at a company site just off Muscogee Road across the Florida/Alabama line.
According to his supervisor, Stanga sent a text message at 7:02 a.m. saying that he would be late for work because he had to take his child to school. The supervisor said he thought this was odd because he believed Stanga’s child goes to virtual school.
He arrived at work about 7:45 a.m., parking his vehicle behind a barn. His co-workers said the parking location was odd, and Stanga’s behavior and demeanor were out of character. The co-workers told investigators that he repeatedly took calls from his wife in private Tuesday when he always talks to her on a headset in front of all of them.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was waiting when Stanga arrived home on Betty Road. They found that the front chrome bumper of his vehicle had recently been painted black — they could smell fresh paint and see recent drips. Stanga had changed clothes, according to the report, between leaving work and arriving home, but the slides and blue jeans were in plain view inside the vehicle.
Stanga also had a blue substance smeared on his left arm. It was the same color as the slime the young girl was playing with at the time of the attempted abduction.
FPL Customers Will See A Bill Increase In April Following PSC Vote
March 8, 2023
Florida Power & Light customers will see an increase on their bills next month after two Public Service Commission approvals on Tuesday.
In Northwest Florida, a current FPL 1,000 kWh residential bill of $159.79 increase $3.50 to $163.30 beginning in April. Outside the former Gulf Power territory in Northwest Florida, FPL’s other customers will see a $14.79 increase from $129.59 to $144.38.
A proposal would see a fuel cost decrease in April for Northwest Florida FPL customers with that typical 1,000 kWh bill dropping $4.44 to $158.86.
The PSC also approved spreading hurricane recovery costs across the entire FPL footprint. All FPL customers will share in financial burdens created by Hurricanes Michael, Sally and Zeta, all of which hit the Panhandle. That will cost each FPL customer across the state about $1.50 a month for 12 months on the typical bill, saving Panhandle customers $9.54 over the previous plan.