Blood Drive Today At The Century Library
July 29, 2025
The Big Red Bus will be at the Century Branch Library today, July 29 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. for a OneBlood blood drive.
Donors will receive a $20 eGift card and top handle drinkware. Donors will also receive a wellness checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening. An ID is required.
The Big Red Bus will also be at the Flomaton Library on Friday, August 1 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
NorthEscambai.com file photo.
Man Sentenced For Smuggling 46 Pounds Of Marijuana Into Pensacola Airport
July 29, 2025
An Oregon man has been sentenced for trying to smuggle 46 pounds of marijuana into Pensacola through the airport.
Tony Do, 30, was sentenced to one year in state prison followed by a decade of probation after he pleaded no contest to charges of marijuana trafficking and marijuana smuggling.
Do flew into the Pensacola International Airport from Portland, Oregon, on September 10, 2024.
The DEA Northwest Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area had received a tip that Do was flying in under “suspicious circumstances” and met him. He told the agents that he had no return flight and was visiting a friend before giving consent to search his two suitcases.
Both suitcases contained clothes with a “heavy masking agent odor of laundry detergent and dryer sheets”, according to an arrest report. Agents reported finding 40 vacuumed-sealed bags of marijuana that had a total weight of 46 pounds.
‘Threads of Hope’ To Provide School Clothes For Needy Kids. Here’s How To Help.
July 29, 2025
Waterfront Mission has launched Threads of Hope. The community initiative aims to provide clothing assistance to homeless and at-risk students across the Gulf Coast as they prepare for the new school year.
The program encourages community members to purchase Waterfront Thrift gift cards, which are distributed directly to local school districts, including Escambia and Santa Rosa. The districts then distribute gift cards to families in need, allowing them to purchase suitable clothing for their children.
Each gift card purchase supports Waterfront Mission’s broader programs that provide meals, shelter, and recovery services to individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction.
“We first learned about the urgent need for clothing from our partners at Escambia County Homeless Student Services,” said Mark Isbell, vice president of PR and Development. “As we spoke with them, we realized just how powerful our community could be if we came together. With the support of our generous thrift shoppers and the communities surrounding each of our seven stores, we knew we could expand this outreach across every school district we serve.”
The program has a goal of $15,000 in gift cards for the campaign by September 1. The gift cards can be purchased online at WaterfrontThrift.org or at any of the seven store locations in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Milton, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Mobile, or Foley.
New Requirements For Teen Drivers In Florida
July 29, 2025
New requirements will go into effect on Friday, August 1 for teen drivers in Florida.
The requirements will apply to teens ages 15–17 seeking a Class E Learner’s Permit.
Effective August 1 in Florida, all new teen drivers must complete the following:
- 6-Hour Driver Education Course (DETS)
- REAL ID-compliant documents
- Proof of residential address
- Parental consent
Teen and their families can find course information at FLHSMV.gov or FLVS.net.
Teens that are at least 14-years-old who complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course before August 1, 2025, may be exempt from the 6-hour Driver Education requirement, provided they obtain their learner’s permit within one year of course completion.
Driver Education Exceptions
The following individuals are not required to complete the new 6-hour Driver Education course:
Teens who already hold a Class E Learner’s Permit or Operator’s License
Individuals transferring a valid Learner’s Permit or Operator’s License from another state
Teens with a valid TLSAE certificate dated before August 1, 2025 (valid for up to one year)
Mary “Penny” Butler Pittman
July 29, 2025
Mary “Penny” Butler Pittman, age 76, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida, surrounded by loved ones. Born on September 19, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, Penny brought warmth, creativity, and a deep devotion to family into every aspect of her life.
Penny was a gifted artist who found joy and expression through painting and quilting. Her works were not only beautiful, but imbued with heart—each one a reflection of her vibrant spirit. She was a dedicated wife, a wonderful mother, and a fiercely loyal sister. Her family was the center of her world, and her love was steady, unconditional, and ever-present.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Cecil “Josh” Joshua Pittman; children, Michelle Paquette, Jennifer “Jenny” (Matthew) Fromsdorf, Michael “Mike” (Brittany) Paquette, David Pittman, Mac (Holly) Pittman, Nathan (Shannon) Pittman, and Elain (Adam) Gardner; beloved sister, Darlyn Butler; brothers, Skip (Karen) Butler and Randy (Stephanie) Butler; sister-in-law, Kristin Butler; 13 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents, James “Jim” Butler and Bennie Jo Butler; and her brother, Jodie Butler.
Her legacy of creativity, compassion, and unwavering loyalty will live on in all who knew and loved her.
A celebration of Penny’s life will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home 1000 S. Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida 32533 on Thursday, July 31st, at 8am.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements
William A. ‘Bill’ Blackwell
July 29, 2025
William A. “Bill” Blackwell, 71, of Cantonment, FL, passed away surrounded by family Friday, July 18, 2025. Bill married his high school sweetheart Janice in 1971 and graduated from George Stone High School in 1972. He then enlisted in the US Army and later became an HVAC instructor for the US Army Corp of Engineers.
As a freemason he was a member of the Cantonment Masonic Lodge No.322. He started and ran a prominent HVAC company in Pensacola, Blackwell Heating & Air, for almost 40 years before selling the business and retiring in 2017. Bill thoroughly and passionately enjoyed forestry, hunting, fishing and outdoors at his Peterman, AL farm for many years before and after retirement. After being diagnosed with ALS he moved back closer to family and continued care.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents James M. and Alice T. Blackwell and his brother James M. Blackwell, Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Janice B. Blackwell; son and daughter-in-law, William I. “Billy” and Kelley Blackwell; daughter, Tonya B. Stillwater; grandchildren, Tyler Blackwell (Katie), William “Cole” Stillwater, Skye Stillwater, Landon Blackwell and Layla Bush; great grandchildren, Reed Blackwell and Arabella Stillwater.
Memorial service will be 11am Friday, August 1st at Faith Chapel South, 100 Beverly Pkwy. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. .
Honorary pallbearers will be Steven Johnson, Arlan “Chris” Christoffersen, Gerald Tompkins and Aaron Stillwater.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association to help find a cure for this horrible disease. The family would also like to extend extreme gratitude towards the Veterans Affairs, Gracepoint Home Care and Community Hospice.
Office Phone Outage At Town Of Century
July 28, 2025
The Town of Century is experiencing temporary difficulties with their office phone system.
The town is able to receive calls on its main line, but staff are unable to hear callers.
An estimated time of repair is not yet available. Once service is restored, citizens can call (850) 256-3208.
Federal Drug Trafficking Charges Filed Against Cantonment Man After Undercover Buys
July 28, 2025
Federal drug trafficking charges have been filed against an Escambia County man.
Carlton Dewight Shoemaker, age 51, of Carver Street, was indicted in federal court for three counts of possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Using an FDLE documented criminal informant, ATF purchased crack cocaine and methamphetamine on two occasions from Shoemaker in a hotel room , according to federal court documents, and a semi-automatic handgun was presented in the room.
When a search warrant was later served, investigators reported finding 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, three ounces of marijuana pre-packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms with ammunition.
If convicted on all counts, Shoemaker faces up to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Firearm Charges
July 28, 2025
An Escambia County man was indicted on federal firearms charges.
Jason Wayne Coleman, 41, was indicted in federal court for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Coleman faces a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment for each count.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Century Changes Land Development Code To Allow For New ATM
July 28, 2025
Earlier this year, the Town of Century modified its parking requirements, allowing the construction of an ATM in the parking lot of the local grocery store.
The space allocated for the PenAir ATM in the Food Giant parking lot on North Century Boulevard would have reduced the number of available parking spaces below the land use code requirements for the store.
In an ordinance passed in March, the town reduced the number of required parking spaces for a food store from five to four per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area. The ordinance also reduced the number of mandatory spaces for general businesses by one per 1,000 square feet. Other parking requirements for commercial establishments were not changed under the land use ordinances. Current parking requirements are pictured below (click to enlarge),
A similar PenAir ATM was recently constructed in the parking lot of the Cantonment Marketplace shopping center and the Winn-Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment.\
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
