Legislators Hear Funding, Policy Requests During Molino Meeting
September 10, 2025
Local governments, nonprofits and citizens had a chance to address the Escambia County Legislative Delegation Tuesday evening at the Molino Community Center. The delegation is comprised of Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman, Rep. Alex Andrade and Sen. Don Gaetz.
A few members of the general public addressed the delegation on issues ranging from concurrency, development and flooding, to long-term and healthcare and comments about the legislators’ responsibility to citizens. Most of the speakers had funding and program requests for the non-profits community service organizations and programs.
Local governments were also able to bring forth appropriation requests for the upcoming legislative session.
Gaetz cautioned that the legislature cut $3 billion from the state budget last session, and the cuts will continue.
“My prediction is that this year, we will spend $2 billion less,” he said. “So consequently, if you think were tight last year, you ain’t’ seen nothing yet.”
Some of those governmental requests or comments were:
CENTURY
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell thanked the legislators for previous state funding that is currently leading to ongoing projects in the town.
“We realize the state will face fiscal constraints in the coming years. With that in mind, our request will be focused and strategic. We will be asking for assistance with projects stimulating economic growth, directly address health and safety issues for residents,” Boutwell said. “These are the investments that will have the greatest long term impact on Century’s future,” Boutwell said. “Together, we can strengthen what we call Blackcat Pride…Thank you for your continued support. With your help, Century will continue to rise.”
ECUA
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Executive Director Bruce Woody said ECUA was requesting funding for a sewage expansion project in West Ensley. The project service boundaries would be Jones Street to the south, Highway 29 to the west, Barber Street to the north, and Orange Avenue to the east.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Escambia County will request funding for a South Navy Boulevard improvement project, public safety improvements for the Escambia County emergency communications system, and a water quality and flood mitigation project. The county will also support legislation to allow county code enforcement to designate vessels as derelict, which must now be done by other agencies.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Let’s do what we can during the legislative session to make certain that students are being educated in their public schools and that those school districts are receiving the funding. There is some discrepancy in how the vouchers are being used versus school district funding,” Escambia Public School Superintendent Keith Leonard told the delegation. “We need your help.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7 Cat Pak Morning Show Nominated For CMA Award
September 10, 2025
The Cat Country 98.7 Cat Pak Morning Show has been nominated as one of five radio shows nationwide for the 2025 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Award for small markets from the Country Music Association (CMA).
The announcement was made Tuesday morning in Nashville by the CMA.
The Cat Pak Morning Show previously won the award for CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2022.
The winners of the 59th Annual CMA Awards will be honored during the November 19 ABC telecast from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to been seen locally on WEAR 3.
Flomaton Police Seek Vehicle Theft Suspect
September 10, 2025
The Flomaton Police Department is seeking the public’s held in identifying a vehicle theft suspect.
The man allegedly stole a silver car (pictured behind him” from an employee at the We Care Thrift Store in Flomaton.
Anyone with information on the alleged theft is asked to call FPD Sgt. Clay Smith at (251) 296-5811.
After Five-Year Closure, Bidding Process Underway To Replace Freedom Road Bridge In Century
September 10, 2025
The Freedom Road bridge in Century has been closed for five and a half years, and bids are finally being accepted for a replacement bridge.
“I’m excited about it. My big thing is removing the delays for EMS, the fire department, and school buses. It’s about safety,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said Tuesday afternoon. “It will also mean convenience for residents there. They will have their street back.”
On January 29, 2020, the town suddenly closed the bridge on Freedom Road, just east of Jefferson Avenue. Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com a few days later showed the dangerous conditions that led to the emergency closure. Several pilings under the wooden bridge were no longer properly supporting the structure, and some of the pilings were split or had extreme deterioration (pictured left and below).
On Tuesday, the town held a pre-bid conference with two contractors interested in bidding on the construction of a replacement bridge. Bids are due by October 7.
Century received a nearly $1.257 million legislative appropriation for a new Freedom Road bridge, and about $1 million remains for construction after project design and permitting, according to the town’s engineer, Dale Long.
Construction will begin in very late 2025 or very early 2026. The project is set to be completed within 280 days of start, which would put the new bridge in place in the second half of 2026.
The big delay in the project to date, according to officials, was waiting for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.
File photos/graphics for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Clear, Low 60s For Wednesday Night
September 10, 2025
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Tate Volleyball Sweeps Choctaw in Road Victories
September 10, 2025
In a clean sweep Tuesday night for Tate volleyball, all three Aggies teams came away with victories on the road against Choctaw.
Tate 3, Choctaw 1
The Tate High Aggies varsity volleyball team mounted a spirited comeback to defeat Choctaw in four sets on Tuesday night.
After dropping the second set, the Aggies responded with tenacity, taking the third and fourth sets to seal the victory. The final scores were 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, and 25-23.
Up next, the Tate Aggies will travel to Pace on Thursday night.
Tate 2, Choctaw 1 (JV)
The Tate High Aggies JV volleyball team showcased their determination in a three-set victory over Choctaw on Tuesday night.
After a strong start, the Aggies took the first set with a score of 25-21. Choctaw fought back fiercely in the second set, evening the match with a 25-18 win. In the deciding third set, Tate’s players rallied and dominated the court, securing a decisive 15-12 victory to clinch the match.
Tate 2, Choctaw 1 (Freshmen)
The Tate High Aggies freshmen volleyball team overcame an early deficit to defeat Choctaw in a hard-fought, three-set match on Tuesday night.
After dropping the first set in a nail-biter, 25-23, the Aggies rallied with strong play in the second, winning 25-21. The momentum carried into the final and decisive set, ultimately taking the set 18-16 to win the match.
Milbrandt Masterful In 4-0 Wahoos Win
September 10, 2025
The Blue Wahoos didn’t have a big night at the plate.
But on this night, they didn’t need one.
Taking advantage of errant pitching, the Blue Wahoos scored all four runs without a run-scoring hit and cruised their way to a 4-0 victory against the Columbus Clingstones to begin their final series of the season Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos got a run in the second inning off a wild pitch, then loaded the bases in the fourth inning and scored three runs with on a bases-loaded walk and pair of wild pitches from Columbus starter Drue Hackenberg.
That was the ballgame.
Blue Wahoos starter Karson Milbrandt, making his second start since joining the team from the High-A level Beloit Sky Carp, was outstanding. He worked six innings, gave up just three hits, no walks and recorded six strikeouts to earn his first Double-A win.
The win pushed the Blue Wahoos (66-67 overall, 32-32 second half) closer to a winning second half and season record, which would be the goal now that the team has been eliminated from post-season.
Milbrandt, 21, set a tone, throwing 60 strikes on 89 pitches and showing the depth and quality of pitching within the Miami Marlins minor league system. He’s rated as Miami’s No. 17 prospect overall in the latest MLB Pipeline rankings.
It became another rough outing for Hackenberg (2-7, 7.01 ERA), who entered the year ranked No. 12 in the Atlanta Braves system. He was the Braves’ second-round pick in 2023 out of Virginia Tech.
In the second inning, the Blue Wahoos Payton Green drew a one-out walk. He then stole second and scored when Hackenberg threw a wild pitch that caromed toward the Blue Wahoos dugout, allowing Green to score.
There was one out in the fourth inning when Hackenberg walked Colby Shade with the bases loaded, scoring Tony Bullard who had singled. With two out, Hackenberg uncorked two more wild pitches that scored Green and Gage Miller for the 4-0 lead and ended Hackenberg’s outing.
Three relievers, newcomers Chase Centala and Jack Sellinger along with Jesse Bergin, all delivered shutout innings to follow Milbrandt and end the game in 2 hours, 19 minutes.
GAME NOTABLES
— Earlier Tuesday, six Blue Wahoos players, Dub Gleed, Gage Miller, Emaarion Boyd, Colby Martin, Jack Sellinger and Connor Caskenette, joined in the morning with group sales executives Jessica Voigt, Jada Washington and Hannah Moret in traveling to the Feeding the Gulf Coast warehouse location in East Milton.
The group spent 90 minutes packing food gift boxes for elderly residents in the area. All of this prior to Tuesday night’s game. This has been a recent annual project for the Blue Wahoos to aid volunteer efforts organized by Feeding the Gulf Coast.
— Before the game, the Blue Wahoos announced several roster moves. Top relievers Josh Ekness and Nigel Belgrave were elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. Righthanded pitcher Xavier Meachem was added from the Beloit Sky Carp.
— Righthanded pitcher Will Schomberg was named the Southern League pitcher of the week, following his memorable performance last Friday in Biloxi. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning, finishing with a career-high seven innings pitched, allowing three hits in the seventh, but compiling 10 strikeouts in the game to match a career best.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Blue Wahoos 2025 Final Series
WHO: Columbus Clingstones vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday Through Sunday. Gametimes are at 6:05 p.m. through Saturday; a special 1:05 p.m. start for Sunday’s final game of the season.
Armed Escambia Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms And Narcotics Possession
September 10, 2025
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to federal firearm possession and narcotics charges.
Terrance Josiah Fasold, 31, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Court documents state that law enforcement was investigating Fasold regarding a stolen firearm. Law enforcement located Fasold at the Red Roof Inn in Pensacola, Florida. Fasold fled from law enforcement and discarded a bag containing more than 40 grams of fentanyl. A search of Fasold’s hotel room was conducted and law enforcement located more fentanyl, as well as cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and several loaded firearms. Fasold is a convicted felon and has multiple prior felony convictions for drug related offenses.
Fasold faces up to life imprisonment, and a lifetime of supervision upon release.
“I deeply appreciate the hard work by our state and federal law enforcement partners to get this violent drug trafficker off our streets,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025, at 3:00pm at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Barbara Lynette Cannon
September 10, 2025
Mrs. Barbara Lynette Cannon, age 80, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025.
She was born in Century, Florida, and has lived in Flomaton more than 55 years. She was a graduate of Jay High School.
Mrs. Cannon enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her younger years she loved working in her flower gardens, cooking, and visiting with friends in the neighborhood. One of her favorite things to do was shopping. She worked several jobs during her lifetime. She owned and operated a clothing store called Pauline’s located in Flomaton and Brewton. Later in life, she worked at Atmore Hospital and then Jay Hospital working in dietary department. But her favorite job was being a caregiver to her grandchildren.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Joel) Ellison of Flomaton, AL; her son, Kenneth Cannon of Flomaton, AL; grandchildren, Melissa Cannon, April (Cale) Simons, Jake Cannon, Leah (Dustin) Yuhasz, Kameron Cannon, and Courtney (Levi) Watson; and her great-grandchildren, Rhett Madden, Addie Lynn Simons, Parker Yuhasz, Calen Simons, Brooks Yuhasz, and Laynie Louise.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Jerry Cannon, her mother, Bernice Bush Wise; brother, Jerry Burgess; sister in law, Louise Burgess.
Those who loved Nanny will remember her strength, her laughter, and the way she made everyone feel at home. Her legacy of love and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. Ricky Tedder officiating and family friend Mr. Earl Jones speaking. Interment will follow in Rock Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 12, 2025, from 1:00PM until 2:00PM at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers – Cale Simons, Dustin Yuhasz, Gerald Burgess Jr., Jimmy Burgess, Jeremiah Johnson, William Burgess, John Rowland.
Honorary Pallbearers – Ken Brewton, Ben Thompson, Kris Cane, Shannon Dale White.
Escambia Mosquito Control To Spray Tonight In Cantonment Area
September 9, 2025
Weather permitting, the Escambia County Mosquito Control Division will conduct fogging missions today, September 9, in portions of Cantonment.
Spray areas are listed below, scroll down.
Mission hours vary, but typically occur in the evening hours from 6-9:30 p.m. All operations are dependent on weather conditions.
Spray Area #46 East: Cantonment (pictured top)
- North: Muscogee Road
- South: West Kingsfield Road
- East: South Highway 29
- West: South Highway 97
Spray Area #46 West: Cantonment
- North: Muscogee Road
- South: West Kingsfield Road
- East: South Highway 97
- West: Beulah Road
Spray Area #50B: Cantonment
- North: Vantage Road
- South: Muscogee Road
- East: North Highway 29
- West: River Annex Road