Century Correctional Institution Is Reaccredited
January 15, 2025
The Century Correctional Institution is among seven correctional institutions in Florida to be reaccredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) during the organization’s annual conference in Orlando.
The standards created and refined by the ACA represent fundamental practices that ensure staff and inmate safety and security, enhance staff morale, improve record maintenance and data management capabilities, and improve the function of the facility and agency at all levels.
Over the last year, ACA audit teams from across the country visited Century along with the Florida Women’s Reception Center, Reception and Medical Center, Santa Rosa, Lancaster, Marion and Suwannee correctional institutions to conduct comprehensive on-site audits of all aspects of prison operations. Each of these institutions were 100 percent compliant with mandatory standards.
“Each year, our staff consistently strive for excellence and maintain our position as a national leader in correctional practices. I take great pride in their daily dedication, which has earned us recognition for reaccreditation at these institutions,” said Florida Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Richard Comerford. “Achieving ACA accreditation is a key opportunity to highlight our hard work, strengthen our foundation, and reaffirm our commitment to public safety. I want to express my gratitude to our leaders across the state who remain steadfast in their commitment to our essential mission.
NorthEscambia.com (above) and submitted (below) photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Thursday In Century
January 15, 2025
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century on Thursday.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, January 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Billy G. Courthouse is at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Northbound At Mitchell Creek Bridge In McDavid Closed Early Thursday Morning
January 15, 2025
Motorists can expect intermittent northbound lane closures on the Highway 29 bridge over Mitchell Creek early Thursday morning between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m.
The bridge is just north of Highway 164 and the McDavid Fire Department.
The Florida Department of Transpiration said routine bridge maintenance will take place during the northbound lane closures.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
DeSantis, Ivey Order Flags Raised For Trump Inauguration, Putting Jimmy Carter Mourning In Hold
January 15, 2025
The governors of Florida and Alabama have ordered flags raised to full staff on Monday as Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term as president, putting the mourning period for President Jimmy Carter on hold.
“On this unique occasion where we simultaneously celebrate the service of an incoming President and commend the service of a former President, our nation’s flag will be prominently displayed at full staff to honor the tradition of our founding fathers and the sacrifices made by those who have served to ensure the torch of liberty continues to burn strong,” reads the memo from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Federal law, as cited in 4 U.S.C. §6, enumerates times and occasions for display of the U.S flag, including Inauguration Day, January 20,” Ivey reasoned in her memo. ” Accordingly, flags at state buildings in Alabama should be raised to full staff on Monday, January 20, 2025, to honor the inauguration of the new president.”
President Joe Biden ordered flags to half-staff for 30 days from the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
But U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on social media Tuesday that flags will be at full staff Monday for Inauguration Day.
“On Jan. 20, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump. The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter,” Johnson wrote on X.
In addition to Florida and Alabama, Republican governors in Iowa, Texas and Tennessee also issued flag orders on Tuesday.
In each state, flags will return to half-staff on Tuesday, January 21, as the 30-day mourning period for Carter continues.
Slight Chance Of An Overnight Sprinkle
January 15, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 3am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 52. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers likely. High near 64. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Tuesday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of rain or freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: A slight chance of rain or freezing rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Mostly Cloudy Tonight, Low In The Upper 30s
January 14, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. High near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
M.L.King Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
EREC Selects Seven Students 2025 Tallahassee Youth Tour
January 14, 2025
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has selected seven area high school students to attend the 2025 Youth Tour in Tallahassee on February 12 and 13.
During their two days in Tallahassee, the students will get an up close and personal look at state government in action.
The students are:
- Olivia Doyle, Northview High School
- Kaylee Oswald, Northview High School
- Major Rowell, Jay High School
- Brea Lyle, Jay High School
- Jayme George, Central School
- Aurora Godwin, Central School
- Gabriella Magdaleno, Central School
After the trip, two of the students, one from Escambia County and one from Santa Rosa County, will be chosen for the annual EREC tour to Washington, DC.
Pictured above: (top row, L-R) Olivia Doyle, Northview High School; Kaylee Oswald, Northview High School; Jayme George, Central School, (second row) Aurora Godwin, Central School; Gabriella Magdaleno, Central School; Brea Lyle, Jay High School; and (bottom) Major Rowell, Jay High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Hiring New Town Clerk After Current Clerk Departs For Century
January 14, 2025
The Town of Flomaton is searching for a new town clerk after their current clerk was hired away by the Town of Century.
Century voted last week to hire Carrie Moore, who has worked as the Flomaton town clerk since April 2021.
RELATED: Century Once Again Hires Town Clerk Away From Flomaton, Hires Billing Clerk
According to a job posting, durite for Flomaton’s next clerk will include municipal clerk, utility billing, municipal treasurer, cash receipting & account receivables/payables, general ledger, budget, payroll, banking, and deposits. The job is Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. with some evening meetings.
Applications are being accepted at Flomaton Town Hall, 2125 Ringold Street through January 17. A salary range for the position was not posted.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Public Schools Sets Legislative Priorities for Upcoming Session
January 14, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools has developed a list of legislative priorities for the upcoming Florida legislative session.
Items on the ECPS priority list include:
- Extending Senate Bill 896 (passed in 2022), which provides an alternative pathway for veterans seeking subject-area certification by removing the baccalaureate degree requirement for a temporary educator certificate if certain requirements are met.
- Eliminating barriers to the reemployment of high-quality personnel after retirement.
- Increasing the base student allocation by 5%.
- Providing funding for full-day Pre-K.
- Increasing transportation categorical funding to more closely reflect actual costs.
- Opposing a Senate bill related to custody sharing that makes schools responsible for time-sharing arrangements and imposes criminal prosecution and penalties on individuals who release a child to the wrong person.
File photo.
Escambia Extension, Helton Brothers Farm Donate Pallets Of Peanut Butter
January 14, 2025
Escambia County Extension teamed up with local peanut producers Helton Brothers Farm to deliver two pallets of peanut butter to local institutions that provide help to those in need.
