Jace Gandy Named New Flomaton Hurricanes Head Football Coach
February 14, 2025
The Flomaton Hurricane have hired Jacy Gandy as their new head coach.
Last season, he was a co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Spanish Fort Toros after working as defensive coordinator for the Northview Chiefs. He also served as a defensive coordinator for the Tate Aggies.
Longtime Flomaton High School head football coach Doug Vickery announced his retirement in December after 19 years with the Hurricanes. uring those 19 years, Vickery led the Hurricanes to their first-ever state championship in 2018, and there have been five quarterfinal appearances. Three of his boys played football for Flomaton during his tenure.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County HERricane Camp Applications Open For Girls Grades 7-9
February 14, 2025
Escambia County Emergency Management is invited girls entering the 7th,, 8th, and 9th grades to apply for the HERricane: Escambia 2025 Program.
The four-day-long camp will be held June 10-13 at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.
HERricane is a girls’ summer camp to help rethink and improve outreach and engagement around emergency preparedness. The HERricane program was launched in Arlington, Va. in 2017 and has expanded throughout the United States since then. HERricane empowers women to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management through a week-long “camp,” and includes long-term professional development opportunities. Its mission is to develop and elevate women as leaders in emergency management and related careers while expanding the image of these professions as a positive force for improving public safety and government.
For an application, click here.
The HERricane Escambia Advisory Board will select up to 20 girls to participate in the 2025 program. The camp is FREE for students to participate. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 28. HERricane may be rescheduled or canceled in the event of severe weather, natural disasters or real-life emergencies.
This program is open to young girls living in Escambia County who will be entering grades 7-9 for the 2025-2026 school year.
Applications for HERricane must be filled out by hand using a blue or black ink pen and should not be completed by a parent/guardian. To submit your application, please mail or drop off applications at the Escambia County Public Safety building, located at 6575 N. “W” St., Pensacola, FL 32505. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Applicants may also scan the completed application and email it to HERricane@MyEscambia.com.
Tate Aggies Easily Beat Washington; Northview Falls To Milton
February 14, 2025
The Tate Aggies varsity and junior varsity made quick work of the Washington Wildcats Thursday, while the Northview Chiefs varsity and junior varsity slipped to the Milton Panthers.
Tate 24, Washington 1
After scoring 16 in the first inning, the Tate Aggies beat the Washington Wildcats 24-1 Thursday night.
Nathan Ozuna had a second inning solo homer to left field as he went 3-3 for the night. Griffen Cook was also 3-3. Cal Foxworth was 2-3 with five RBIs. Hunter Clayton had four RBIs, while most of the team had at least one RBI in the big win.
Taite Davis earned the win for Tate, giving up four hits and one unearned run in four innings, walking one and striking out three.
Tate 18, Washington 0 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies shut out Washington 18-0 Thursday.
Lance Brady, Aydan Nigam, and Chandler St.Amant had three RBIs each for Tate. Brady had four hits in five at bats.
Milton 11, Northview 5
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Milton Panthers 11-5 Thursday in Bratt.
Braynt Mason surrendered two hits and three runs in four innings on the mound for the Chiefs while striking out six and walking three. Jase Portwood pitched two, allowing five hits and six runs while walking two and striking out three.
Jayden White went 2-3 to lead Northview at the plate. Cole Davis, Kelan Jury, and Jayden White each had one RBI for the Chiefs.
Northview will host Walton at 6:30 on Friday.
Milton 11, Northview 8 (JV)
Milton’s junior varsity defeated Northview 11-8 Thursday.
Kobi Fiorenti had three RBIs for the JV Chiefs, while Caleb Levins had two. Will Strawbridge was 2-2 at bat.
Christian Roberts went three and a third innings for Northview, allowing six hits and nine runs while striking out six and walking five. Tyler McAnally was on the mound for one and two-third innings, allowing eight hits and 11 runs while striking out eight.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Patricia Raines
February 14, 2025
Patricia Raines, age 70, longtime resident of Florida and Alabama, passed away on February 4, 2025 while residing in Gladstone, MO. Patricia was born on June18, 1954 in Atmore, AL to Walter Woodrow and Irene Stacey Raines. She was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed collecting recipes and cooking. Patricia is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Martha Salter and Ruth Cameron.
Patricia is survived by her daughter, Laura (Robert) Evans and granddaughter, Dominque McGhee of Brewton, AL; her brother, Walter Billy (Shirley) Raines of Kansas City, MO and her sisters, Helen Raines of Oak Grove, MO, Mary Dale (Ray) Hyde of Pelham, AL and Hazel (Buddy) Beasley of Westwego, LA.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson- Quimby Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Former Northview Coach Wes Summerford Named WFHS Jags Head Coach
February 13, 2025
Wes Summerford has been named the new head football coach for the West Florida High School Jaguars.
Summerford spent the last five seasons as head coach for Northview, where the Chiefs were state runner-up in 2022. At Northview he was 2022 FHSAA Class 1R Coach of the Year and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
“West Florida is where I fell in love with coaching football and this is a homecoming for me,” Summerford said Thursday morning has he was introduced to the Jaguars team. He previously worked as the outside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for West Florida.
“Wes Summerford knows West Florida. He understands our students. He knows what it’s going to take to build a winner,” WFHS Athletic Director Todd Leonard said. “Coach Summerford demonstrates great leadership, he has a great understanding of our school, and he has the right temperament to fit our program.”
A timetable for announcing his replacement at Northview has not been announced.
Summerford was 32-23 overall during his tenure with the Chiefs. Northview recorded winning seasons from 2020-2022, including 13-1 in their run to the state championship game in 2022. The Chiefs went 4-7 in 2023 and 2-8 last season.
Pictured: As Northview High head football coach, Wes Summerford led the Chiefs to the state runners-up spot during a game against Hawthorne in Tallahassee. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Next Mayor Ben Boutwell Is Ready To Get To Work
February 13, 2025
“It’s time to get this town prospering.”
That’s what Ben Boutwell said Wednesday afternoon after learning that he will be the next mayor of Century — his second time in the town’s top office.
Boutwell was automatically elected as the only candidate to qualify for a special election that includes the mayor’s seat. He will be sworn into office in early May.
He said he will soon be working hard during the transition period back into office.
“I will see what’s going on and what they have been working on since I’ve been gone and see how we can move forward,” he said. “I’ll go into the office next week and meet the new employees, sit down with Alicia (Johnson, the interim mayor), go over things and meet Mr. Brown (Howard Brown, the interim town manager). I’m excited about the things to come.”
Boutwell defeated incumbent Henry Hawkins for mayor during the 2020 elections before resigning in August 2023 after tumultuous period with the town council, particularly then council president Luis Gomez, Jr. Gomez ran unopposed again in 2024 but resigned for medical reasons at the first meeting of his term in January 2025. Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor to replace Gomez.
During Boutwell’s turn, the town received over $25 million grants and funding allocations for infrastructure improvements and quality of life projects.
Century then lost millions of those grants during Gomez’s term, but Boutwell said he is looking forward to once again working with state and county leaders.
“I will work however I can to partner with the county and state for the town,” he said. “I am excited about that park of it, going to the next level on economic development.”
Also during his term, 50-year-old Brazilian manufacturing company Algaplast signed a lease on a town-owned Century Industrial Park in May 2023. The company invested $2.5 million in their Century facility that officially opened in January 2025 with about five employees. The next week, they announced plans for a $1.6 million expansion with an estimated 10 additional full-time jobs.
Picture top: Former, and future, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell outside the town-owned industrial building has seen millions invested and now houses the American arm of an established Brazilian manufacturing company. Pictured inset: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $3.255 million to the Town of Century for economic development during Boutwell’s term. Pictured below: Algaplast signs a lease for a Town of Century owned building in May 2023 as then mayor Boutwell looks on. Pictured bottom: Boutwell worked outside what is now home to Algaplast. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Charges Century Man With Felony, Wildlife Violations
February 13, 2025
A Century man is facing state wildlife violations and a felony charge brought by state officials.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) charged 50-year-old Alex Alexander Burt with misdemeanor violation of Florida administrative code and felony possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $13,500 bond.
On January 23, FWC officers were patrolling when they observed a pickup truck parked adjacent to an abandoned house off Salters Lake Road in Century on property that is adjacent to the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area. It is an area FWC said has heavy foot and vehicle traffic to enter the management area. Officers were aware of an area being baited with a large amount of corn within the management area directly in front of a hunting blind atop a permanent wooden stand. Officers entered the area and announced their presence as state police.
And individual with an air gun and Burt with nothing in his hands exited the blind, according to an arrest report. Burt told FWC officers that he was hunting and identified a shotgun that was still in the blind in his, and he also had two shotgun shells in his pocket, an arrest report states. FWC said Burt had additional shells in a purple Crown Royal bag, for a total of 20 12-guage shotgun shells.
Burt was also cited for administrative code violations for baiting deer, not possessing a valid or current hunting license, WMA stamp or deer permit. Additionally, FWC cited Burt for not earning proper hunter orange.
The other individual with Burt in the hunting blind was also issued multiple citations.
Tate High Drama’s ‘The Addams Family Musical’ Opens Tonight
February 13, 2025
Tate High School’s production of The Addams Family Musical: School Edition opens tonight at the school.
Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with an afternoon show on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Admission is $10 at the door, cash only.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Teachers, Support Staff Could Receive A Pay Raise
February 13, 2025
A pay raise cold be on the way for teachers and support staff in Escambia County.
Escambia County Public Schools, the Escambia Education Association (EEA), and the Union of Escambia Education Staff Professionals reached an agreement to improve salaries for teachers and educational support employees for the 2024-2025 school year.
The agreement provides an incremental raise for teachers that ranges from $800 to $3,000. Specific dollar amounts will be assigned using teachers’ current salary levels and performance ratings from the prior school year. The new minimum teacher salary will increase from $47,500 to $48,300. The education support employees will receive a 1% COLA and eligible employees will also receive a step roll (2%). School bus operators will receive two step rolls (4%) and other select employee groups will receive pay grade increases in lieu of a step roll, according to the agreement.
“This achievement reflects hours of dedicated effort and a shared commitment to those who serve our schools. While we celebrate this progress, we recognize that our work is far from over. We remain committed to fighting for further improvements that uplift our educators, support staff, and students. By continuing this collaborative effort, we aim to set a standard for excellence that other districts can look to as a model. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who played a role in these negotiations. Your dedication to the betterment of education in Escambia County has made this success possible. Together, we will build a stronger, more supportive educational community—one where both educators and students can thrive.”
Darzell Warren, Escambia Education Association president and Nicole Lindsey, Union of Escambia ESP president provided the following joint statement: “After extensive negotiations, we are proud to share a major victory for our educators and support staff in Escambia County. The Escambia Education Association and the Union of Escambia ESP have successfully reached a settlement with Escambia Public Schools, securing meaningful improvements in wages and working conditions.
“This achievement reflects hours of dedicated effort and a shared commitment to those who serve our schools. While we celebrate this progress, we recognize that our work is far from over. We remain committed to fighting for further improvements that uplift our educators, support staff, and students. By continuing this collaborative effort, we aim to set a standard for excellence that other districts can look to as a model. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who played a role in these negotiations. Your dedication to the betterment of education in Escambia County has made this success possible. Together, we will build a stronger, more supportive educational community—one where both educators and students can thrive.”
Over the next few weeks, the unions will be advertising the agreement and delivering ratification packets containing ballots for each work site. “It is important to make all of our employees aware of the upcoming ratification process. All union members and non-members should be well-informed and participate in the vote. The vote results are presented with the salary increase request for School Board approval.” stated Caroline Gray, ECPS chief negotiator. “At this time, voting will likely take place at the end of February, and the items will be on the Board Agenda for the March 18, 2025 meeting.”
Here’s What To Know About The Upcoming Century Special Election
February 13, 2025
Three candidates will appear on the ballot during and upcoming special election for Century Town Council Seat 4.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons.
- John Bass
- Kathryn Fleming
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison
One candidate, Ben Boutwell, qualified for the position of mayor. He was elected automatically, and that contest will not appear on either the primary or general ballot. [Read: Century's Next Mayor Ben Boutwell Is Ready To Get To Work]
The special primary election with the county council candidates on the ballot will be held Tuesday, March 18.
A candidate that receives 50% of the vote plus one will be declared the winner. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to the special general election on April 29.
Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard in Century. The election is nonpartisan.
Voter registration deadlines are February 17, 2025, for the primary and March 31 for the general election. To be eligible to vote in the Century elections, you must be a registered voter and a resident of the Town of Century. Registration for the primary election closes on Monday, February 17, and registration for the general election will close on Monday, March 31.
If you wish to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the Town of Century primary and/or general election, you must contact the Supervisor of Elections office by phone (850) 595-3900, by email at votebymail@escambiavotes.gov, by fax at (850) 595-3914, or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail. Requests must be received by 5 p.m. 12 days before the scheduled election.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council candidates John Bass (submitted photo), and Kathryn Fleming and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison (NorthEscambia.com photos).