Century’s Pediatrician Is Moving — But Only Across Town
July 8, 2025
Century pediatrician Dr. Marian Stewart will be moving soon — but only a few minutes down the road as she continues to remain a key part of pediatric health care in the area.
Beginning July 21, Dr. Stewart will see new and existing patients at Community Health Northwest Florida Century Adult and Family Care at 6021 Industrial Boulevard. Her practice’s phone number will remain the same at (850) 724-4054. The change moves Dr. Stewart just a short, 5-minute drive from her current location on Church Street to the west side of North Century Boulevard.
The move brings Community Health Northwest Florida’s adult and child care under a single roof in Century.
Stewart has practiced in North Escambia and Santa Rosa counties since early 1999 and joined Community Health Northwest Florida in 2017. She graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine after receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida. She completed her residency locally, and Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, specializing in pediatrics.
Pictured top: Community Health Northwest Florida on Industrial Boulevard in Century. Pictured below: Dr. Marian Stewart’s previous office on Church Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Mostly Clear Tonight
July 8, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Perdido Landfill Accepts Clean Concrete, Rock And Tile For Free
July 8, 2025
he Perdido Landfill in Escambia County accepts materials such as clean concrete, pavers, rock, and tile free of charge.
These materials are reused to create aggregate for building roads throughout Escambia County, preventing them from ending up in the landfill.
Materials can be dropped off at the Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
File image.
FHP Continues Investigation After Man Claims Responsibility In Fatal Nine Mile Road Hit And Run
July 8, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate a fatal hit-and-run crash on June 20 on Nine Mile Road. However, no charges have been filed to date, despite the surrender of a man who claimed to be responsible.
The crash occurred around 4 a.m. on East Nine Mile Road at University Parkway.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that an unidentified man, later positively identified as a 41-year-old from Cocoa, Florida, was struck in a crosswalk while attempting to cross Nine Mile Road. He was hit by an unknown make and model white SUV traveling eastbound. The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Baptist Hospital.
The white SUV fled the scene without stopping to render aid or report the crash, according to troopers. The 34-year-old male suspected hit-and-run driver was identified and turned himself in to the Florida Highway Patrol the same evening. The suspected hit-and-run vehicle was also located and is in the possession of FHP investigators.
“We are still in an open investigation,” FHP Captain Jason King told NorthEscambia.com on Monday afternoon. “We have to confirm or deny the man’s claims that he was the driver. We just have to be 1000% sure before we press charges.”
Driver’s License Driving Exams Available Saturday, July 12 During Special Event
July 8, 2025
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford will offer special hours on Saturday, July 12 for driver’s license driving exams for new drivers.
The exams will be offered at the Brentwood office at 5045 N Palafox Street.
Click here to request an appointment.
Appointments are for first time drivers who are residents of Escambia County and who are taking the test for the first time.
File photo.
Charles Austin Lowery
July 8, 2025
Charles Austin Lowery, Colonel, US Army (Ret.), 88, of Bratt, FL, passed away July 5, 2025, in Bay Minette, AL. Charles was born April 20, 1937 to Barney Lee Lowery and Dorothy Burgess Lowery in Little Rock, AL. In his early years, Charles served in the United States Army National Guard as a Colonel and later retired. He also retired as a technician for the NAS medical research lab. He was an active member of Bratt Assembly of God. Charles
loved gardening and spending time making memories with his family, whom he loved dearly.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents; his son; Bruce Lowery, his brothers; Robert Lowery, Bill Ray Lowery, John Edward Lowery, and Toby Davis, his sisters; Christine Hicks, Louise Fore, and Bessie Ray Allen.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 70 years; Reita O’Farrell Lowery, his daughters; Sandra (Sammy) Day of Atmore, AL, and Robin (Todd) Parker of Walnut Hill, FL, his son; Charles Alan (Becky) Lowery of Bratt, FL, and his daughter-in-law; Julie Van Pelt Brantley of Spanish Fort, AL, his nine grandchildren; Kelly Day (Jason) Gurganus, Natalie (Roland) Sandoval, Cody (Leigh Ann) Parker, Dustin Parker, Charles “Jake” (Danielle)
Lowery, Austin (Mollie) Lowery, Bradley (Kelsy) Lowery, Michael (Rachel) Lowery, Jessica Lowery, and eleven great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Charles Austin Lowery will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL, with full military honors.
Pallbearers will be Jake Lowery, Austin Lowery, Cody Parker, Dustin Parker, Bradley Lowery, and Michael Lowery.
Visitation for Mr. Lowery will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and The Wounded Warrior Project.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Harold Eck
July 8, 2025
John Harold Eck was born on December 28, 1943, to John Eck and Edna Hiebert Eck in Haskell County, Kansas. He peacefully passed away on July 2, 2025, reaching the age of 81 years.
Dad was raised on the family farm near Copeland, Kansas, as the fourth oldest of 15 children. He had good memories of growing up in a rural setting on the home place and attending school at the one room Independence school.
He gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, on January 11, 1956 by Minister Orlan Wedel. His conversion experience was clear to him, which he always appreciated.
After receiving his primary education, he attended Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, which helped prepare him for teaching special needs children and working at a mental health hospital in Aurora, Colorado. After his time in Colorado, he went on a six-month motorcycle tour of Europe which provided him with a lot of experiences that he enjoyed sharing throughout the years.
Following his travels Dad moved to Walnut Hill, Florida. While working there, Dad recommitted his life to the Lord and was faithful to his vows until the end. During this time in Florida, he fell in love with our mother Latayne Ann Sigafoose. They were married on December 21, 1975 by Minister Wilbert Peters. Our folks were blessed with three children. We always felt Dad’s love, support, and interest in our lives which meant so much to us.
Dad liked growing plants from an early age which inspired his lifelong occupation of being a farmer. He enjoyed improving land and watching his crops grow and took satisfaction in a job well done. Dad worked hard and provided well for us as a family. He had a generous nature and was blessed for it throughout his life.
Dad’s interests included reading, railroads and trains, growing flowers, gospel tract work, visiting friends and neighbors, and providing encouragement and a listening ear to young people.
He looked forward each week to attending Church and Sunday School. His relationship with God was important to him, and provided an anchor throughout his life, leaving us an example to follow.
In later years, as Dad’s health declined, God granted him a softness of spirit and a resignation to whatever the future held. We are thankful that he is at rest and look forward to meeting him in Heaven.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Latayne; three children: Silas and Stephanie, Prescott Valley, Arizona; Emily and Warren Wiebe, Linden, Alberta; Abigail and Quenton Unruh, Atwater, California; nine grandchildren; siblings: Judith Sigafoose, Evalena and Galen Litwiller, Bonnie and Jerry Haynes, Barbara Unruh, Jeanette and Milton Koehn, Carol and Doug Seiler, Anita Haynes, Steven and Leonida Eck, Helen Redding, Charles and Bethany Eck, Mitzi and Paul Dykast, Ernest and Patricia Eck; and sister-in-law, Brooxene Koehn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, one brother, one sister, and four brothers-in-law
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church, Walnut Hill, Florida. Ministers Carlos Koehn, Ben Koehn, Brian Decker, and Darin Litwiller officiated. Internment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens, Walnut Hill, Florida.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
FHP Identifies Driver in Double Fatal Perdido Key Crash As Off-Duty Deputy
July 7, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed Monday afternoon that an off-duty Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy struck and killed two pedestrians Saturday morning on Perdido Key.
“We can confirm the vehicle involved was an unmarked Escambia County Patrol Car with the law enforcement officer returning home from an off-duty job. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee was not actively patrolling nor on duty.,” FHP Captain Jason King said. “The Florida Highway Patrol remains diligent and focused on our investigation into this crash, as we are with all of the ones we unfortunately have to work.”
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Perdido Key Drive near River Road, when the unmarked law enforcement vehicle, driven by a 47-year-old Pensacola man, struck the pedestrians as they were crossing the roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The pedestrians, a 20-year-old Hoover man and a 20-year-old Calera woman, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The vehicle driver was not injured.
No charges have been filed, as the the FHP investigation continues. FHP does not release names of those involved in traffic crashes.
Davisville And Gulf Beach Highway Convenience Store Burglaries Under Investigation
July 7, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two convenience store burglaries on opposite ends of the county that they believe may have been committed by the same suspect.
As employees arrived Monday morning to open the Marathon at Highway 97 and Nokomis Road in Davisville, they discovered an overnight burglary. The burglar smashed the front door of the business and took cigarettes and a bank bag, according to the ECSO.
The suspect was wearing dark clothing and a face covering.
The ECSO said the same suspect is believed to be responsible for another similar convenience store burglary over the weekend on Gulf Beach Highway.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? Escambia Commission To Consider Ballot Referendum
July 7, 2025
The Escambia County Commission this week will begin considering placing a referendum on the ballot in 2026 to again ask voters if they want an elected or appointed superintendent.
The Escambia County School Board voted on February 18 to support sending the question back to voters.
The board voted 3-2 to place a referendum on the general election ballot. The referendum was introduced by District 5 member Tom Harrell**,** with Harrell, Kevin Adams**,** and Paul Fesko voting in favor. Board members Carissa Bergosh and David Williams were opposed. The school board then sent the referendum to the county commission, which must approve placing the question on the ballot.
“I feel very strongly about this,” Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said in February. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
This Thursday, the county commission will vote on scheduling a public hearing on placing the initiative on the ballot. If scheduled, the public hearing will be held August 7 at 5:31 p.m.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.