Century Considers Development Fee Increases Up To 900%
November 6, 2025
The Town of Century is considering the first update to their permit fees schedule in 11 years, with proposed fees increasing from 100% to 900%.
The town’s current plans review fee schedule, adopted in 2014, sets rates for planning actions such as development certificates, sign review, and comprehensive plan amendments. The town currently contracts with the planning agency Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) for plan reviews, and that generally is costing more than the fees paid by citizens as the existing fees no longer reflect true administrative costs.
“These (fees) haven’t been adjusted since 2014, so we basically lose money on every permit that we take in the door,” Town Administrator Dave Murzin said.
ECRC has proposed fee updates:
The proposed fees are less than those charged by Escambia County.
“We don’t necessarily want to make a profit,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said. “We just want to break even.”
Before moving forward with any fee changes, the town council decided this week to schedule a meeting with Eric Christianson with ECRC for further discussion.
NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Parade Honors Veterans (With Gallery)
November 6, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Veterans Day Parade.
First grade teachers and students worked hard to recognize and celebrate those who bravely served.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Students Attend SEC Soccer Tournament
November 6, 2025
This week, local schools took field trips to watch the SEC Soccer Tournament.
McArthur Elementary School students (pictured below) with perfect attendance through the end of October were able to take a walking field trip to nearby Ashton Brosnaham Park to watch as No. 2 Vanderbilt defeated No. 10 Alabama by a score of 2-1.
Fourth and fifth grade students from Lipscomb Elementary (pictured top) also attended the Vanderbilt versus Alabama game.
The tournament continues Thursday with the championship game on Sunday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Breakfast And Lunch: Have Your Say In Choosing Menus For Next Semester
November 6, 2025
What would you like to see on the menu for breakfast and lunch for Escambia County Public Schools?
The Escambia County School District is asking for input into menus for next semester.
Surveys are available the links below, divided by grade level.
Pre-K: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M99W99W
Elementary School: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M9QRVPJ
Middle School: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JZJ2TKM
High School: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M9NHPJW
Pictured: Teriyaki chicken with rice was on the menu earlier this week at Tate High School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Little Warmer Today; Possibly Freezing Next Week
November 6, 2025
We can expect more sunshine today with a slightly warner afternoon with temperatures near 80. After a chance of rain Friday, lows may bottom out below freezing by Monday night.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 28.
Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 36.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Pictured: The largest supermoon of 2025 rising over North Escambia Wednesday night. The November moon is the “Beaver Moon” in North America, in reference to the time of year when beavers become more active as they prepare for winter. It is also known as the Frost Moon, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Is Saturday
November 6, 2025
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 56th Annual Fish Fry on this Saturday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire department. The community event promises delicious food, family fun, and the chance to support a great cause.
For just $12 per plate, attendees can enjoy a meal featuring grilled or fried catfish, grilled chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread, and a selection of homemade desserts. Door prize drawings will be held throughout the day.
In addition to the food and festivities, a blood drive will be held in partnership with the One Blood Big Red Bus to encourage attendees to “Save Lives, Donate Blood.”
The Walnut Hill Fire Station is at 7760 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Brutal Second Degree Murder Of His Girlfriend
November 6, 2025
On Wednesday, an Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal second degree murder of his girlfriend.
It took a jury less than 30 minutes to convict Davarius James of the murder of Claudette Robinson.
On February 3, 2025, Robinson was located deceased in her residence. Her injuries included bruises over her body, broken ribs, a broken breastbone, and injuries to her throat. Evidence established that her boyfriend, Davarius James, had attempted to contact friends and family members for help over the course of that day, however, he failed to call 911 or seek medical treatment for the victim. A family member called 911 at 3:29 p.m. and officers and investigators responded to the scene. James was located and apprehended two hours later and taken into custody.
James told investigators that Robinson was injured when she fell twice earlier that morning.
During the trial, polie testified to search terms found in the victim’s phone including google searches asking how to determine if someone was dead, how long someone can live off CPR, and searches about how to tell if someone had been choked by the neck.
Associate Medical Examiner, Dr. Lorraine Lopez-Morell testified that the victim’s cause of death was “multiple blunt force trauma” and that broken cartilage in the victim’s throat and a broken hyoid bone indicated manual strangulation. Robinson’s injuries were described as being similar to injuries seen in a car crash.
Undefeated UWF Football Ranked No. 1 In NCAA Regional Rankings
November 6, 2025
UWF is the No. 1 team in Super Region Two in the Monday’s release of the NCAA Division II regional rankings.
The 9-0 Argos sit atop the list of the top-10 teams in the region. Super Region Two consists of programs competing in the Gulf South Conference (GSC), Conference Carolinas (CC), South Atlantic Conference (SAC) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
The Argos, who are also ranked No. 3 in multiple national polls are coming off a 51-38 road win over No. 15 Delta State, setting up a GSC Title shot on Saturday, Nov. 15 when the team hosts Valdosta State at Pen Air Field for the final game of the regular season.
UWF has beaten three nationally ranked opponents this season including No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne in the season opener, No. 8 West Alabama on the road in October and No. 15 Delta State this past Saturday.
NCAA postseason play will begin on Saturday, Nov. 22.
SUPER REGION TWO RANKINGS (As of Nov. 2)
- West Florida (9-0)
- Albany St. (8-0)
- Benedict (7-1)
- Newberry (7-1)
- Wingate (7-2)
- Kentucky St. (7-1)
- Delta St. (7-2)
- Carson-Newman (6-2)
- UNC Pembroke (8-2)
- Emory & Henry (6-3)
Teresa Jeanette Irving-Nisewonger
November 6, 2025
Mrs. Teresa Jeanette Irving-Nisewonger, age 54, passed away at a Pensacola hospital surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Mrs. Teresa was born in Fresno, California but had been a lifelong resident of Flomaton, Alabama. She was an avid Auburn fan and loved dirt track racing. She was one to always put everyone before herself. She loved and adored her grandchildren and family. Teresa is preceded in death by her stepmother – Catherine Irving; niece – Lindsey Irving.
Mrs. Teresa is survived by her father – Terry Irving of Salem, Missouri; mother – Jeanette Thompson of Flomaton; husband of 28 years – Richard Nisewonger of Flomaton; son – Jacob Irving of Pensacola, FL; daughter – Morgan Nahgonbe-Heinze of Flomaton; two brothers- Arthur Irving of Bakersfield, CA. and Joshua (Rhiannon) Irving of Texas; three sisters – Christal (Kevin) Maxwell of Salem, Missouri, Elizabeth (Chris) Hendrickson of Bend, Oregon, and Lorie Cree of Bakersfield, CA.; two grandchildren – Jordyn Nahgonbe-Heinze and Wyatt Bush.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Liberty Baptist Church with Bro. Tony Richburg and Bro. Rusty Burnham officiating. Interment at Hollywood Cemetery in Flomaton, AL.
Pallbearers – James Green, C.J. Linam-Green, Christopher Blackburn, Chris Nahgonbe-Heinze, Joshua Irving and Anthony Lucero.
Century Man Facing Felony Charges For Fraudulent Food Orders, Stolen Credit Card
November 5, 2025
A Century man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to alleged fraudulent food orders using stolen credit card information.
Toney Maurice Harrison, 28, was charged with two counts of felony fraudulent use of credit cards, three counts of petit theft, and two felony counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,000.
The initial complaint, which triggered the investigation, centered on transactions made at Flounders Chowder House in late August. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, staff noticed a pattern of to-go orders placed with stolen credit card information, resulting in the restaurant losing payment after the transactions were flagged as fraudulent. Video evidence reportedly showed Harrison retrieving multiple food orders totaling $150.95 on separate dates in August.
The investigation escalated when Harrison was identified by restaurant management while allegedly attempting to collect another alleged fraudulently purchased order. When he was detained, a deputy collected Harrison’s Pink Apple iPhone from the scene as evidence.
A subsequent search warrant executed on the phone revealed evidence. The report states that screenshots found on the device showed receipts for online orders from both Flounders Chowder House and McGuire’s Irish Pub. These receipts were cross-referenced with transaction logs, confirming two additional incidents of fraudulently purchased food totaling $130.06, and linking Harrison to the use of stolen credit card information across both businesses.
The report states that additional orders may be verified as fraudulent.