A Little Chill Tonight: Low Near 40
February 13, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a chance of showers between 9am and noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 10 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Got this2025 Tate Baseball Rosters, Diamond Girls Announced
February 13, 2025
Tate High School Baseball has named their 2025 teams and Diamond Grils. They are:
VARSITY
- Brayden Beck
- Aiden Bramblett
- Nathan Connors
- Griffin Cook
- Taite Davis
- Connor Dethlefs
- Shepphard Edgar
- Cal Foxworth
- Logan Kimmons
- Bryton McClellan
- Nathan Ozuna
- Jackson Peterson
- Kaleb Posta
- Kaden Posta
- Cohen Rush
- Landon Stoos
- Evan Taylor
- Zane Warrington
JUNIOR VARSITY
- Lance Brady
- Beau Bryant
- Mason Bryant
- Hunter Clayton
- Dylan Dirks
- Jonathan Flynn
- Kannon Ham
- Cooper Halfacre
- Cade McNair
- Aydan Nigam
- Ethan Priest
- Levi Reed
- Chandler St. Amant
- Brody White
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FRESHMAN
- Bryson Adams
- Kash Brown
- Tanner Clark
- Jordan Edmond
- Trenton Godwin
- Carter Petero
- Camden Siefert
- Falcon Sidner
- Hunter Taylor
- Cayden Thompson
- Parker White
- Elijah Wilbanks
- Mason Williams
DIAMOND GIRLS
- Brooke Alvare
- Kadyn Austin
- Callen Beaty
- Mya Beane
- Abigail Blackburn
- Rieslin Colvin
- T’Niyah Denson
- Jocelyn Hawkins
- Kyra Hawk
- Ashton Helton
- Shelby Holden
- McKenna Hughes
- Olivia Johnson
- Maddie Jarman
- Savana Lowery
- Addy Lynn
- Adrianna Middleton
- Olivia Noble
- Laila O’Neal
- Caidance Peterson
- Courtney Reichard
- KayLee Ramey
- Cherish Simpkins
- Falcon Sidner
- Jasmine Stanger
- Kacie Tolbert
- Marcia Tolbert
- Beatrice Tosi
- Lillian Vige
- Savanna Wadsworth
- Kylie Williams
- A’Miyah Williams
- Madison Wise
- Lauren Womack
NWS Confirms EF-1 Tornado Hit Industrial Park Tuesday, Injuring Three
February 12, 2025
The National Weather Service has confirmed it was an EF-1 tornado with winds peaking at 95 mph that hit the Ellyson Industrial Park on Tuesday afternoon, causing three minor injuries.
It happened about 4:25 p.m.and traveled about 1.5 miles.
The NWS said the tornado first touched down about a quarter mile south of Copter Road and just east of Paul Star Drive. At the starting point, several boats were pushed into fencing with a few boats overturned. The tornado moved northeast across an industrial complex, causing significant damage to some metal roofs. Metal side paneling and doors were also blown out on a few buildings. Three minor injuries were reported in this area. The tornado quickly weakened as it moved north of Copter Rd and lifted near Addison Drive with only some small tree debris located.
Two people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, while one person was evaluated on scene.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ben Boutwell Is Century’s Next Mayor; Three Seek Council Seat
February 12, 2025
Former Century Mayor Ben Boutwell will be the next mayor of Century. He was the only candidate to qualify for the seat before the noon deadline on Wednesday.
Boutwell was automatically elected as the only candidate for the mayoral position. We are awaiting confirmation of his swearing in date from the town.
Three candidates — John Bass, and Kathryn Fleming, and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison — qualified for an open seat on the town council. They will face off in a special primary election on March 18. If no candidate receives 50% plus on vote, the top two will move on to the special general election on April 29.
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 was named interim mayor and then elected to the position without opposition in a special election. 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.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect an official decision that the one candidate must receive 50% of the vote plus one vote in order to win the primary without a general elect.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Severe Weather Possible Wednesday And Wednesday Night
February 12, 2025
Multiple rounds of severe weather are possible Wednesday and Wednesday night.
The first round will happen during the day, with a second round from very late Wednesday night and continuing through the predawn hours Thursday.
Damaging winds up to 60 mph are possible, along with a few tornadoes.
— Did you know? We provide live updates during severe weather on our NorthEscambia.com Facebook page. —
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 56. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Former Century Mayor Ben Boutwell Qualifies As Candidate For Mayor
February 12, 2025
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
Former Century Mayor Ben Boutwell is the only candidate to qualify so far for an upcoming special election to fill the mayor’s seat.
Qualifying continues until noon Wednesday for mayor and for an open seat on the Century Town Council. Three candidates — John Bass, and Kathryn Fleming, and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison — were the only ones to qualify through Tuesday for the council seat.
Boutwell defeated incumbent Henry Hawkins for mayor during the 2020 elections before resign in August 2023 after tumultuous period with the town council, particularly then council president Luis Gomez, Jr.
Gomez was named interim mayor and then elected to the position without opposition in a special election. 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.
The upcoming special election is to fill the mayor’s job as well as the council seat vacated by Johnson.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Domestic Violence Battery By Strangulation
February 12, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation of a woman.
Kelley Rashad Liston Thoms, 35, was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the victim showed injuries consistent with her allegation that Thomas grabbed her by the neck with his right hand until she could not breathe. She said Thomas had tried to start a fire in a fireplace while stating that he would burn the house down, according to an arrest report, after a verbal altercation evolved and they began to break each other’s possessions.
Thomas told deputies that he did not try to burn the house down, but he forgot that the fireplace was “clogged”. He said that he did not put hand on or choke the victim and she tried to kick him several times, the report continues.
In their report, a deputy noted that there was smoke in the house, a hole in the living room wall, and the residence was in disarray. He also noted that alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
February 12, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School named their December students and employee of the month.
They are:
- 6th Grade: Haley Miller
- 7th Grade: Dillan Seamans
- 8th Grade: Bailey Yuhasz
- Employee of the Month: Amanda Bailey
Pictured (L-R) Amanda Bailey, Haley Miller, Dillan Seamans, Bailey Yuhasz., and Principal Tyvanna Boulanger.
Applications Now Open For 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program
February 12, 2025
Escambia County’s Neighborhood and Human Services Department is now accepting applications for the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program. The program is open to Escambia County youth ages 16-24 interested in an opportunity to receive paid work experience this summer.
Online applications are available now at MyEscambia.com/youthemployment until Monday, March 10 at 3 p.m. Physical applications are not available. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECSYEP will be able to work up to 30 hours a week, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Last summer, over 200 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Engineering, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must submit complete application packet by prescribed deadline.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, FL, at the time of application and for the duration of program participation.
- Must complete up-front job readiness preparatory training classes.
- Must complete post-employment debriefing sessions.
- Must not have any felony convictions.
- If enrolled in school, must submit enrollment verification.
- Must be between the age of 16 years old and 24 years old at the time of enrollment.
- Must show proof of identify (state-issued driver’s license or state ID card).
- Must show proof of address.
- Must meet hiring criteria of the temporary employment agency.
- Must submit completed application with all supporting required documentation to be considered.
- Must attend the end of the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony.
For additional information, call Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3927 or (850) 595-1620.
ECSO Basic Recruit Academy Recognized By State
February 12, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Basic Recruit Academy recently received a “Perfect Audit” for the 2023 / 2024 year. This Meritorious Award was presented by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Glen Hopkins and FDLE Director Chad Brown at the Criminal Justice and Standards quarterly commission meeting held in Orlando.
The ECSO was one of 11 training academies out of 48 in Florida that were recognized for a “Perfect Audit”. This award means that ECSO Basic Recruit Academy has been recognized by the State of Florida as being one of the top academies in Florida, going beyond minimum standards set by FDLE.
In February 2023, under the direction of Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, the CJSTC approved the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to administer their own in-house Basic Recruit Academy. Since then, three academy classes have graduated, and the fourth academy class will graduate in May.
Academy Staff: Lieutenant Drew Kilgen, Sergeant Brittany Tate, Deputy 1st Class Timothy Graves, Deputy Aaron Myers, Deputy Timothy Cole and Curriculum Coordinator Leilani Powell.
