Cantonment Convicted Felon Facing Drug And Weapons Charges

January 22, 2023

A convicted felon from Cantonment is facing drug and weapons charges after encountered deputies at a convenience store.

Justin Jamal Nettles, 35, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine and resisting arrest without violence. He was released on a $21,000 bond.

An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed Nettles at a Raceway gas station on W Street. Nettles ran from the deputy but was captured after a short foot pursuit. A 9mm magazine was located in his pocket,

After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle Nettles had occupied, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun was found in the floorboard, according to an arrest report, along with a $1 bill with cocaine on it in the driver’s door handle.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Nettles has a total of eight felony convictions, including robbery with a firearm.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Rep. Salzman Announces Winners Of Essay Contest To Be House Page Or Messenger

January 22, 2023

Rep. Michelle Salzman has announced the winners of an essay contest to select pages and messengers for the 2023 House program.

The winners nominated to serve in the program are Bella Trivison and Timothy Kinsella.

Pages and messengers work one week at the Florida Capitol during the 60-day regular legislative session. They assist representatives and their staff during the busy time while observing state government in action.

While performing their duties, pages and messengers have the opportunity to observe lawmakers, lobbyists, staff, and constituents working together in the legislative process. Opportunities will include committee meetings, House sessions in the chamber, and occasionally press conferences with notable people or celebrities.

The page and messenger program is a longstanding tradition in the Florida House of Representatives, dating back to 1865. Each student who serves as a page or messenger will have his or her name appear in the Journal of the House. This will be an official record of their time spent in the Florida House to perhaps one day show their children and grandchildren.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia Unemployment Rates Falls Over The Last Month

January 22, 2023

The Escambia County unemployment rate fell last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.4% in December, down from 2.7$ in November. That represented 3,652 people out of work out of a county workforce of 149,773. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.0%, or 4,393 people.

The area unemployment rate dropped to 2.3 percent over the year in December 2022, down 0.5 percentage point from 2.8 percent reported in December 2021. The area’s private sector employment increased by 3.2 percent over the year in December 2022, adding 5,300 jobs. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 5,337 over the year, a 2.3 percent increase.

The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were education and health services, increasing by 1,700 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,200 jobs.

“Florida continues to outpace the nation and withstand negative headwinds due to federal policy,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I look forward to building off our success with record tax relief in the upcoming legislative session.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Arbor Day Tree Giveaways Held Saturday In Molino, Pensacola

January 22, 2023

Florida Arbor Day tree giveaways will be held Saturday in Molino and Pensacola.

Live oak, dahoon holly, mayhaw, and Walter’s viburnum were available at three simultaneous events at the Molino, Bellview and Tryon branches of the West Florida Regional Libraries

UF IFAS Extension/Escambia County had funding support from Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department and International Paper, and volunteer support from Our Corner (formerly Keep Pensacola Beautiful), the Florida Forest Service, and Escambia County Master Gardeners.

For more photos, click or tap here.

A tree giveaway was held Friday in Century from the Town of Century and the Florida Forest Service. Click here for more.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Trouble Spots

January 22, 2023

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The middle car parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 (I-10) Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, is temporarily closed for construction. The front car parking lot and truck parking area remain open. As work progresses, sections of the sidewalk will continue to be closed to allow crews to upgrade the sidewalks and curbs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Directional signage will be in place to guide pedestrians while the sidewalks are under construction.
U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Jan. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Jan. 22 through Thursday, Jan. 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Jan. 22 through Thursday, Jan. 26 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures from U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday, Jan. 27 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter outside southbound lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, Jan 23 through Friday, Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. while crews remove and replace existing concrete curb and gutter.
Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures and lane shifts at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe. Flagging operations will be in place to direct drivers.
U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Escambia River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mitchell Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 to 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 for routine bridge maintenance.
U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 from 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 to 4 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27 for routine bridge maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Jan. 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The median crossover at the intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 98 will remain closed to perform necessary road widening activities.
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Jan. 22, through Friday, Jan. 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
Gulf Breeze Parkway (U.S. 98) Turn Lane Operations at the Corner of S.R. 399 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday, Feb. 10 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction at the new Cefco.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Two EREC Team Members Complete Certified Journeymen Linemen Program

January 21, 2023

Two Escambia River Electric Cooperative team members are now certified journeymen linemen.

Kyle Strickling and Tyler Prescott completed the rigorous lineman apprenticeship program through the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association.

“We are very proud of the hard work and time spent by these guys,” says Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC. “Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life.”

Becoming a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience, and ongoing mental toughness. Shortcuts are not an option and there is no room for error in this line of work.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Middle School Dean Arrested For Soliciting Sex From A Student

January 21, 2023

The dean at Warrington Middle School is facing multiple sex offense charges for allegedly soliciting sex from an underage male student.

Darreyel Devahn Laster, 33, was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a person under the age of 18, using a computer to seduce or solicit a child, and committing a sex act. He was released on a $75,000 bond.

Laster was dean when the student attended Warrington Middle School and later saw him at Escambia High School, an arrest report states.

The student said “he was being provided marijuana and alcohol along with being asked to perform or receive (a sexual act) from his former (redacted) dean, Darreyel Laster”. Laster later gave him a bag of marijuana “and smoked some with him later that day,” according to the report.

“While smoking together, Darreyel Laster tried to get (the student) to let him perform oral sex on him,” the report states. Laster allegedly went to the student’s home and left alcoholic beverages outside his window, texting and asking him to “check by your window”.

At one point, investigators said Laster touched the student in a “provocative manner” and “caressed” his arm.

The student blocked Laster’s phone number, but he reportedly kept texting him using different numbers.

With an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigator listening and recording the call, the student called Laster back early Thursday morning. According to the arrest report, Laster agreed during the conversation to a sexual act with the student.

According to Escambia County Public Schools, Laster resigned Thursday afternoon and is no longer employed by the district. He was hired in December 2021 as the Warrington Middle dean. He has not worked at any other schools in the district.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Funeral Services Held For Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond, 104

January 21, 2023

Funeral services were held Friday for local Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond who passed away January 10 at age 104.

Following the funeral service at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, a graveside service was held at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS USS Pennsylvania. CWO4 USN (RET.) Emond, spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.

After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.

He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.

Last May, Emond broke his own world record when he led the Pensacola Civic Band in the seventh annual Pensacola Memorial Day Concert at the Community Maritime Park amphitheater.

He held the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” for leading the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes”. He set the previous record at age 103 last November in Washington, D.C.

Photos for, and NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.