Derek Rice
January 29, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Derek Rice, age 46, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, nephew, brother, and friend, who left us far too soon. Derek passed away peacefully on January 28th, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children.
Derek was born on May 3rd, 1978, in Flomaton, Alabama. He resided in his hometown of Century, Florida where he played football and many other sports in his youth and was in the first graduating class of Northview High School (1996). Derek previously served on the Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park Board of Directors and the Northview Chiefs Quarterback Club. He lived a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering dedication to his family. Derek was a devoted husband to Casey for 15 years, a proud father to Chandler, Braiden, Adam, Mary, Madison, and Cooper, and a proud Paw Paw to Margo and Avery.
Derek was an avid Auburn Tigers and WWE fan which brought him joy and created lasting memories with his family. He was known for his quick wit, love for sports, and humor which left a lasting mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
He found his greatest joy in spending time with his family—whether it was cheering at his children’s games and events, card games with friends, sharing stories of his children and grandchildren, attending Auburn games, or simply enjoying time at home. His legacy of love and strength will continue to guide those he leaves behind.
Derek is survived by his wife, Casey (Peterson) Rice, his children, Chandler (Maria) Rice, Braiden Rice, Adam Peterson, Mary (Anijah) Stewart, Madison Rice, and Cooper Rice, his grandchildren, Margo Rice and Avery Rice, his sister, Whitney (Tim) Dunsford, neices, nephews, and a host of extended family and friends who will cherish his memory forever.
Derek was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marilyn Rice, and grandparents, Willie and Geraldine Davis.
A celebration of Derek’s life will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church in Bratt, Florida at 11am. Flowers can be delivered directly to the church located at 5410 Hwy 99, Century, FL 32535. Donations can be made as well, to assist with final expenses. It was at Derek’s request for the service to be casual for those that attend to celebrate his life. Auburn attire is encouraged.
Though his time with us was far too brief, Derek’s impact on the lives of those he loved is eternal. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those who knew him…until we meet again.
Kimberly Rae Proksch
January 29, 2025
Kimberly Rae Proksch, born on January 16, 1963, to Joe E. Crowe and Patricia Mae Zeitler, passed away peacefully at home on January 26, 2025, surrounded by her husband, Sister and two of her Brothers After a courageous battle with cancer since 2006, Kimberly is now reunited with her parents and her oldest brother, Terry Crowe, in eternal rest.
Kimberly dedicated 14 and a half years of her life as a correctional officer at Century Correctional Facility in Century, Florida. She retired in 2006, shortly before her cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenges she faced, Kimberly remained a beautiful and outgoing individual who brought comfort to those around her with her warm heart and open arms.
She found great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially laying on the beaches of Pensacola, Florida-a place that brought her peace and happiness. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Kimberly is survived by her stepfather Brent Liles of Laplace, Louisiana; siblings Patricia and Randy Ruttenberg of Bettendorf, Iowa; David Crowe of Bettendorf, Iowa; Timothy Crowe and Daniel Crowe of Moline, Illinois; Cynthia Grabrian of Denver, Colorado; and Shannon Liles of Pace, Florida. Including Nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A celebration of Kimberly’s life will take place in two locations: one in the Quad Cities and another in Pace, Florida, at a later date to accommodate loved ones from both regions.
Rest in peace, Kimberly Rae your memory bring comfort to all who loved you
Kimberly Rae Proksch
January 29, 2025
Kimberly Rae Proksch, born on January 16, 1963, to Joe E. Crowe and Patricia Mae Zeitler, passed away peacefully at home on January 26, 2025, surrounded by her husband, Sister and two of her Brothers After a courageous battle with cancer since 2006, Kimberly is now reunited with her parents and her oldest brother, Terry Crowe, in eternal rest.
Kimberly dedicated 14 and a half years of her life as a correctional officer at Century Correctional Facility in Century, Florida. She retired in 2006, shortly before her cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenges she faced, Kimberly remained a beautiful and outgoing individual who brought comfort to those around her with her warm heart and open arms.
She found great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially laying on the beaches of Pensacola, Florida-a place that brought her peace and happiness. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Kimberly is survived by her stepfather Brent Liles of Laplace, Louisiana; siblings Patricia and Randy Ruttenberg of Bettendorf, Iowa; David Crowe of Bettendorf, Iowa; Timothy Crowe and Daniel Crowe of Moline, Illinois; Cynthia Grabrian of Denver, Colorado; and Shannon Liles of Pace, Florida. Including Nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A celebration of Kimberly’s life will take place in two locations: one in the Quad Cities and another in Pace, Florida, at a later date to accommodate loved ones from both regions.
Rest in peace, Kimberly Rae your memory bring comfort to all who loved you
Jimmy Patronis Wins Republican Primary For Republican Congressional Seat
January 28, 2025
Jimmy Patronis has won the Republican nomination for the Congressional seat vacated by Matt Gatz. Patronis was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Patronis, the winner of Tuesday’s Republican primary will face Democrat Gay Valimont and write-in candidates in the general election on April 1.
Complete election details coming Wednesday morning on NorthEscambia.com.
ECUA Doubling Up Trash Collection For Tuesday Routes Missed Due to Snowstorm
January 28, 2025
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is stepping up their collection efforts for sanitation customers on their Tuesday routes, which was canceled last week due to our historic snowstorm.
“Our Tuesday route was not collected at all last week,” ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody said in an email Monday afternoon. “We recognize that created some difficulties for customers who, as a result, will have more trash than can fit in the ECUA cans they possess”
“Knowing that we are picking up two-weeks’ worth of trash on the January 28th routes, we are committed to pick up everything you bring to the curb that would normally go into an ECUA trash can,” Woody said.
ECUA will operate two trucks on each route Tuesday — the normal automated truck got cans plus a rear-loader truck that staff on the back of truck that will manually pick up any additional plastic bags s of trash set out beside the ECUA can, or small items that might have otherwise gone into the trash can.
“We are going old school with personnel riding the back of the extra trucks to pick up those extra bags,” ECUA District 5 representative Kevin Stephens said.
There are exceptions to the extra collection for the Tuesday collection customers (map below):
- Larger, bulk waste items (e.g. furniture, white goods, mattresses, other large items) still need to be scheduled for pick-up by either using the Recycle Coach app or calling Customer Service at (850) 476-0480. They need to be scheduled because we use a different type of collection vehicle for large, bulk-waste items.
- Loose items need to be in either a plastic trash sack or another container.
- Picking up items outside of the ECUA container is being done only on our January 28th routes because they were missed last week due to the snow-storm. On all other dates, trash collection is limited to what will fit inside the ECUA can
As a result of last week’s record-breaking snowstorm, the Perdido Landfill was closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The reopened on Friday and agreed to open on Saturday and Sunday for the ECUA to operate. That allowed ECUA to collect Wednesday, Thursday and Friday routes last week.
Pictured: ECUA cans await pickup on Tuesday, January 21 on North Highway 99 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Adult Injured, Four Minors Uninjured In Highway 29 Rollover Wreck
January 28, 2025
One adult was injured and four children escaped injury in a single vehicle rollover crash Monday night in Mcdavid.
The driver of a southbound vehicle lost control on Highway 29 near Byrneville Road just before 6 p.m. and ran into the median. The vehicle struck a storm drain and overturned.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
In the photo agove, the caution tape was added to a signpost and barrel that were placed to mark the storm drain following the crash.
Firefighters Rescue Horses From Overturned Trailer
January 28, 2025
Firefighters rescued several horses from an overturned trailer in Beulah last weekend.
At 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to vehicle crash involving a large horse trailer that was overturned on its side with four horses inside the trailer. ECFR said two horses were quickly rescued, while firefighters cut a rail to free the leg of a third horse. A fourth horse passed away.
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are investigating.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Today Is The Congressional Special Primary Election. Here’s Who Is On The Ballot.
January 28, 2025
Today is the Special Primary Election in the race to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress.
The 2025 Special Primary Election is for Republican voters only. The State of Florida holds closed primary elections, meaning only registered Republicans will be eligible for the 2025 Special Primary Election There is only one Democratic candidate, Gay Valimont so there is no Democratic primary. Today’s primary winner will face Valimont and write in candidates during the general election on April 1.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., midday, and 4:00 p.m. until polls close.
A completed Vote By Mail ballot cannot be returned to a precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. today. If you requested a Vote By Mail ballot but chose not to return it, you can vote at your polling place on Election Day. Though not required, we request that you bring your unvoted ballot package so it can be cancelled.
More Like Florida Winter — Low Tonight About 45, 70 Wednesday
January 28, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Voting In Century Today? The Precinct Has Moved To The Courthouse
January 28, 2025
The voting precinct for Century has moved from the town hall to the courthouse, effective with today’s Congressional primary.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender said the precinct moved to the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard beginning with the January 28 primary vote for the Florida 1st Congressional District seat vacated by Matt Gaetz.
Voters in Century previously cast their ballots in the council chambers at Century Town Hall. That sometimes led to conflicts between century town meetings and election days.
The courthouse is owned by Escambia County, eliminating those scheduling conflicts.
“Voters and election workers have shared the positive experiences they have had using the Billy G. Ward Courthouse during early voting, and we are excited to make this our Election Day location moving forward,” Bender said recently. “I appreciate the Clerk of Courts for working with us and understanding the benefits it has for the voters of Century.”
Century voters should have received a letter in the mail from Bender reminding them of the change.
The early voting location in Century was already at the courthouse. However, the Century but the early voting location did no open in advance of the January 28 primary.
The Billy G. Courthouse is located at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.