One Injured In Highway 4 Crash Near Century
February 21, 2025
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover on Highway 4 west of Century on Friday morning.
The driver of a small pickup truck was westbound on Highway 4 just past Tedder Road when they left the roadway for an unknown reason and overturned in the ditch. The pickup came to a stop after hitting several small trees.
The driver’s injuries were not considered to be serious.
The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UPDATED: Two Year, $4.7 Million Highway 29 Reconstruction Safety Project In Century Is (Almost) Complete
February 21, 2025
UPDATE: The Florida Department of Transportation provided erroneous information on Thursday, telling us in an email that this project is complete. However, workers were back out with temporary lane closures Friday, and FDOT advised NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon that there is more work to come on the project.
“It is anticipated to continue for another two to three weeks, but after this weekend there should be no more effects on traffic in that area,” Kohen Johns Brannon, FDOT public information specialist, said in an email Friday afternoon.
When we photographed the project area on Thursday, all four lanes of traffic were open, and there were no workers or equipment in the work zone.
We apologize for the incorrect information initially provided by FDOT. The story below has been updated accordingly.
After just over two years, a $4.7 million state safety project to resurface Highway 29 in Century is now almost complete, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Traffic was flowing in all four lanes on Thursday. As work continues, FDOT says no traffic impacts are expected beyond this weekend.
The FDOT project included a major reconstruction and realignment of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line.
FDOT also upgraded traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
The project included reconstructing a 700-foot curved segment of Highway 29 from north of Henry Street to Cottage Street — a curve that was the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
The first lane closures for the project occurred in late January 2023, with four lanes reduced to one lane in each direction for most of the project.
Pictured: Traffic flows on all four lanes of Highway 29 in Century on Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Horse Judging Team Places 10th In The State
February 21, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse judging team recently placed 10th overall in the state during a competition in Tampa.
Individual team members placed as follows in the state:
- Harleigh Grace Parsons – 25th
- Neveah Tidd – 32nd
- Noah Luker – 72nd
- Emma Hassebrock – 90th
Team members are Noah Luker, Harleigh Grace Parsons, Emma Hassebrock, Neveah Tidd, and Brylynn McGhee.
On the preliminary test and state qualifier in December, the team placed first in the state with Emma Hassebrock placing second in Florida with her individual score.
Autumn Williams and Olivia Meacham have coached the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse judging team for two years.
Pictured are Olivia Meacham (coach), Harleigh Grace Parsons, Neveah Tidd, Brylynn McGhee, Emma Hassebrock, Noah Luker, and Autumn Williams (coach). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Salzman Files Bill To Lower Firearm Purchasing Age To 18
February 21, 2025
Rep. Michelle Salzman has filed a bill to lower the legal age to purchase a rifles and long guns in Florida from 21 to 18.
“The ability to purchase and utilize a firearm is your constitutional right, and reinstating those rights is the right thing to do for Floridians,” Salzman said. “We must stop infringing on the
constitutional rights of law-abiding adults who are old enough to serve in our military and make other significant life decisions.”
HB 759 would repeal the age restriction implemented in 2018, which raised the minimum age for purchasing rifles and long guns from 18 to 21. Rep. Salzman argues that this current law unfairly restricts the Second Amendment rights of responsible young adults.
Salzman emphasized that her bill does not change other existing firearm regulations or background check requirements; she said it simply allows young adults to exercise their constitutional rights fully.
ECSO Hosts Coffee With A Cop At The Parking Latte
February 21, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held “Coffee With A Cop” Thursday morning at The Parking Latte on Highway 29.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s work in the community. It is a great way for Escambia County deputies and community members to come together, build relationships, and, of course, drink coffee.
Click here for a photo gallery.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation and sponsors provided free coffee during the event. Organizers said the event was a huge success.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Low Around 30 For Friday Night
February 21, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Tate Softball Beats Crestview; Tate Baseball Bests Washington
February 21, 2025
SOFTBALL
Tate 17, Crestview 3
The weather was freezing cold, but the bats were hot as the Tate Lady Aggies powered past Crestview 17-3 in a rule-ruled four inning game Thursday night.
Mykamia Padget drove in five runs on three hits for the Lady Aggies, including a homer to left field. Taylor Robinson had a solo home run to center field.
Peyton Womack and Blakely Campbell both went 2-4 for Tate.
Jordan Smith earned the win for Tate, allowing three hits and one run in four innings while striking out two and recording no walks. Padgett tossed one inning, allowing two hits and two runs with one strikeout and three walks.
Up next, the Lady Aggies will travel to Gulf Breeze on Friday night.
BASEBALL
Tate 11, Washington 1 (Varsity)
With a six-run fourth inning, the Tate Aggies beat Washington 11-1 on a cold Thursday night.
Kaleb Posta earned the win on the mound for Tate. He gave up four hits and one run in five innings while striking out four and walking none. Bryton McLellan had one non-run inning for the Aggies.
Posta went 2-4 at the plate, leading the Aggies with three RBIs. Nathan Conners was 2-3.
Tate 12, Washington 1 (JV)
The Tate junior varsity bested Washington 12-1 Thursday night .
Cooper Halfacre started for Tate, giving up no hits and one unearned run in three innings while striking out five and a walking two.
Brody White went 2-3 for Tate, leading at the plate with three RBIs.
MILO Brings Tax Collector Services To North Escambia
February 21, 2025
Dozens of people took advantage of the chance to do business with the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office during a one-day event in Century on Thursday.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services from Tax Collector Scott Lunsford. From driver’s license renewals and replacements to titles and registrations, MILO can handle most vehicle-related services except written and driving taxes. The portable office also includes property tax, business tax receipt and other tax collector services.
Tuesday, MILO was inside the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century, helping residents with 18 title or registration transactions and 10 driver’s licenses.
MILO is usually in North Escambia about once a month. Dates and times are announced in advance on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tonight’s Lady Chiefs Softball Game To Start Earlier Than First Planned
February 21, 2025
Friday night’s Northview Chiefs softball game will start earlier than first planned.
The Lady Chiefs will host the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m., following a 4 p.m. junior varsity game.
Northview’s Thursday varsity game at Pensacola Catholic was canceled due to weather.
File photo.
Highway 97 Crash Claims One Woman’s Life, Injures Two Others
February 20, 2025
A single vehicle crash on Highway 97 claimed at least one life on Wednesday afternoon.
A southbound vehicle left the roadway and struck a pine tree. The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver, a 79-year-old woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her passengers, women ages 78 and 75, were airlifted in critical condition by LifeFlight and AirCare helicopters to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. All three were from Pensacola, FHP said.
The crash occurred just before 4 p.m. on Highway 97 between Tungoil Road and Hendricks Lane. The roadway was closed for hours following the wreck.
Witnesses told troopers that they felt like the driver may have suffered a medical emergency, but FHP did confirm that a medical condition caused the crash.
NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
