Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For Manslaughter
September 21, 2021
Corey Reuben Bates has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for manslaughter with a weapon.
On February 13, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a stabbing on Esperanto Drive. The victim had been residing with the Bates’ grandfather and mother.
He was told could no longer stay at the residence due to his continued use of controlled substances. After the grandfather heard what sounded like an argument outside of the residence on the back porch, the victim entered the house bleeding from his chest and stated that “Corey” had stabbed him. The victim died a short time later due to the injury.
After law enforcement located Bates, he eventually admitted that he had stabbed the victim after the two had an argument.
Assistant State Attorney Jeremiah Monahan stated, “what was taken away from the victim’s family they will never get back—his life.”
Police Search Area Near Bratt For Body Of Murdered Pensacola Woman
September 20, 2021
Authorities searched a wooded area near Bratt Monday afternoon for the body of a Pensacola murder victim.
Giles Curt Jones, 38, was charged with first degree murder for the death of 40-year old Latonya Antionette Baxter. She was reported missing by her daughter on September 12, the day after his vehicle was confirmed to be in Century.
Acting on a tip from the public, officers from the Pensacola Police Department, assisted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, were on 4-wheelers and on foot to search areas along Highway 168 east of Pine Barren Road, a little less than two miles from Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com was on the only media there as the area was searched for the body. Nothing was found.
For more exclusive photos, click or tap here.
Pensacola Police spokesman Mike Wood said the department is asking anyone with trail or game cameras in the North Escambia area to check them for anything suspicious, especially during the day on September 11.
A picture of an obviously deceased Baxter was found on Jones’ phone, according to Pensacola Police. The photo was taken at 1:54 on Saturday, September 11. About noon that day, Jones’ 2009 Nissan Maxima with Florida tag #45BAFU was captured on camera northbound on Highway 29 in Century. The vehicle headed back south on Highway 29 through Century about 3 p.m.
The body has not been located, and Wood told NorthEscambia.com shortly after Jones’ arrest that authorities believe the body may be somewhere in the Century area or just across the state line in Alabama.
Police said Baxter shared her home in Pensacola with her daughter, and her roommate Jones. Investigators located blood in Baxter’s bedroom and other locations on the property. Blood was also found in Jones’ vehicle, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
For more exclusive photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
International Paper Tests New Emergency Alert System
September 20, 2021
International Paper in Cantonment tested new emergency alert system on Monday.
The new, louder system has both a warning siren and voice capability, according to spokesperson Whitney Fike.
A system test is planned for 1 p.m. each Wednesday. People in the area will hear a “this is a test” type announcement and warning siren.
We’ll more information in a future story here on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rain To Start The Week; Big News Is Lows In The 50s By Midweek
September 20, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Northview Homecoming Parade Set For October 1. Here’s How To Enter For Free.
September 20, 2021
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, October 1.
The parade will travel from Bratt Elementary School to Highway 4 to Northview High School. Line up will be at 12:30 p.m., and the parade will roll at 1 p.m.
Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to participate. For more information and a registration form, click or tap here.
There are some changes to homecoming parade traditions this year due to COVID-19 restrictions:
- There will be no homecoming pep rally following the parade.
- Only school floats will enter the Northview campus. No one else will be allowed.
- No pork sandwiches/meals or other food/drinks will be sold.
- There will be no Kona Ice
- Students will return to seventh period following the parade
Pictured: The 2019 Northview High School homecoming parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
If 4th Graders Wrote Their Own Constitution, What Would It Say? (Hint: There’s Food And Naps)
September 20, 2021
If kids could write their own classroom constitution what would it say?
The Byrneville Elementary School fourth graders of Room 43 celebrated Constitution Day last Friday by writing their own “Classroom Constitution”.
It started with great virtues like being fair, being kind, and working hard to the very best of their abilities.
And then there were a few perfect world clauses…the right to eat whenever they want, naps everyday at 1:30 (well, except for music days), free time and free talk time (freedom of speech, you know).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arrr Matey! Century Library Celebrates Talk Like A Pirate Day
September 20, 2021
The Century Branch Library celebration National Talk Like a Pirate Day on Saturday.
Children were able to create their own pirate crafts and practice using their pirate vocabulary. (And no one had to walk the plank.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Hires New Facilities Management Director
September 20, 2021
Escambia County has hired Rob Hogan as the director of facilities management.
Hogan’s first day on the job will be September 28. He brings more than 24 years of management experience and more than 20 years of progressive facility management and construction experience. Hogan most recently has served as the director of facilities and interim director of purchasing for Union County College in Cranford, New Jersey, since 2016.
“I am really excited by the possibilities presented with this opportunity and serving the Escambia County community,” said Hogan. “Having been life-long residents of New Jersey, Kath and I are looking forward to relocating to the sunny gulf coast of Florida.”
The Facilities Management Department is responsible for the maintenance, repair and security of county-owned and leased buildings, along with utilities, capital lease management, space needs planning and oversight of capital improvement and renovation projects at all county facilities. Its divisions include Custodial Services, Design & Construction Administration Team, Maintenance, and Utilities.
Hogan earned an MBA and a bachelor’s in science degree in business management from Rowan University as well as associate in science degrees in chemistry, hazardous materials management, and chemical engineering from Gloucester County College. He also earned the following certifications: Facilities Management Professional from International Facilities Management Association, Educational Facilities Manager and Educational Transportation Supervisor from Rutgers University/NJ Department of Education, FEMA-LS363 Multi-hazard Emergency Planning for Higher Education.
Florida Gas Prices Up Average 10 Cents As Production Remains Lower
September 20, 2021
Florida gas prices are now holding steady after unexpectedly jumping 10 cents last week. The state average price of $3.10 per gallon is a new 2021 high, seven cents more than the previous high, set back in early August.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $3.04, up two cents from a week ago and the same as a month ago. Several stations in Cantonment were at the $2.99 price point Sunday night, while one of the Pensacola wholesale clubs came in at $2.86.
Pump prices increased alongside rising crude oil and gasoline futures prices. The price of crude increased 4% last week on reports that Gulf of Mexico energy infrastructure is still recovering from Hurricane Ida.
Most of the onshore oil refineries — that went offline because of the hurricane — have reportedly already or are in the process of restarting. However, weekly EIA data showed that offshore oil production remained low. Weekly figures from the EIA show US crude production dropped 13%, to hit a 2-year low of 10 million barrels per day. That figure improved by 1% to 10.1 million barrels per day last week.
Gary Doyle Cooper
September 20, 2021
Gary Doyle Cooper, 66, of Cantonment, Florida, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 17th, 2021. Gary was born on Dec. 23, 1954, to the late Leslie Doyle Cooper and Betty Loftin Merian. He graduated from Pensacola High School in the Class of 1972.
Before retirement, Gary was employed as a Maintenance Supervisor at Monsanto/Solutia Performance Material. He served in many other roles and stayed busy after retirement with his family and friends. He was a proud Freemason and Shriner throughout the majority of his life. Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed going to all sorts of car races and shows, traveling, fishing, finding good bargains, and being the best Husband, Dad, and friend to so many.
Gary is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kim Cooper; three sons, Cody Cooper, Zach Cooper, and Kyle Cooper; two brothers, Terry Cooper and Keith (Angela) Cooper; step-mother, Annie Ruth Cooper; step-brother, Larry Carraway; and many great aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. with funeral services from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home (1000 S Hwy 29). Burial will be held shortly after the ceremony at Pensacola Memorial Gardens (7433 Pine Forest Rd.).