Century Borrowing $7 Million For Water System, But Will Only Pay Back $700K
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will borrow just over $7.06 million for drinking water projects, but they will never be required to pay back most of the loan.
Total project costs come in at nearly $8.95 million, and the town has received over $1.88 million in grants, leaving a total loan balance of just over $7.06 million.
Due to Century’s state economic designation by FloridaCommerce as a Rural Community, Century will receive 90% principal forgiveness, requiring total payments of about $706,000 on the State Revolving Fund loan.
With principal forgiveness and grants, the $8.95 million in drinking water system improvements will only cost the town approximately $706,000 over time.
A vote by the town council this week authorizes Mayor Ben Boutwell to execute the loan paperwork.
The drinking water system improvements include:
Well Improvement Projects
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Well No. 1 Improvements Constructed in 1963, this facility has not seen significant upgrades since its original build. The planned rehabilitation focuses on modernizing the wellhouse structure, replacing the electrical system, piping, and treatment equipment, and installing a SCADA system to improve overall reliability.
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Well No. 2 Improvements Built in 1983, Well No. 2 requires similar structural and technical modernization. While the town is currently using a Legislative Appropriation and a Pilot grant for specific needs like lime equipment and electrical work, they intend to use SRF funding to supplement these grants as bid pricing dictates.
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Well No. 3 Improvements This well, which exclusively serves the Century Correctional Institute, has been out of service since failing in 2023. The project involves drilling a new well and rehabilitating the existing structure and equipment to ensure the 1,350 inmates have a reliable primary water source.
System-Wide Infrastructure Projects
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Tedder Road Booster Pump Station Intended as a backup for the prison, the existing station failed in late 2023 and the current replacement is undersized. The town proposes installing a new, sufficiently sized duplex skid-mounted system equipped with SCADA to properly coordinate operations with Well No. 3.
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Water Service Renewals The town’s system is plagued by significant water loss due to old copper, galvanized, and polybutylene service lines that frequently leak. This project aims to replace these aged services throughout the entire system with new tubing and modern connections to the water mains.
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Utility Billing Software Century’s current billing software is obsolete and unable to track water production or reconcile non-revenue water. Replacing this system is considered critical for meeting SRF program goals, enhancing fiscal accountability, and improving asset management reporting.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Few Areas Receive Wednesday Rain; Sunny And Warm Thursday Before Rain Chances Return
April 23, 2026
A small portion of the North Escambia area received some much-needed rain on Wednesday afternoon. Isolated showers brought up to about three-tenths of an inch of rain in area from Bratt to McDavid (pictured above), according to radar estimates.
The North Escambia area is looking at a warm and increasingly active weather pattern as we head into the weekend. While Thursday offers plenty of sunshine and highs in the low 80s, humidity and rain chances begin to climb by Friday afternoon. The most significant weather arrives Saturday, with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon hours. Conditions remain warm throughout the outlook, with daytime highs peaking near 87 degrees by early next week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 3 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Pictured top: Water ponds on Highway 164 at at Highway 29 in McDavid on Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
April 23, 2026
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition and one by ambulance.
One student did not survive. A mother screamed in agony.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Newman’s Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Brewton Fire Department, Williams Funeral Home, and others.
Photos by Katie Fowler and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hands-On Earth Day: Local Students Tackle Environmental Issues
April 23, 2026
Wednesday, students across North Escambia were busy on taking part in Earth Day hands-on projects designed to protect the environment.
At Jim Allen Elementary School, Ms. Cole’s class worked hard to keep the school — and the planet– clean.
At Tate High School, Stephanie Gzybowski’s class brought learning to life with a hands-on oil spill simulation. Students explored real-world environmental challenges by using floating oil booms, skimmers, absorbents, and dispersants to clean up a simulated spill.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
The activity gave students the opportunity to think critically, problem solve, and better understand how science is used to protect our oceans and environment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Killed In I- 10 Crash Near Highway 29 Exit
April 23, 2026
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Wednesday afternoon on I-10 in Escambia County.
The crash happened about 5 p.m. on I-10 Westbound at the Highway 29 exit. The Florida Highway Patrol said a Hyundai Tucson driven by a 25-year-old Daphne, Alabama, man was traveling west in the lane next to the motorcyclist.
“For reasons unknown and currently under investigation the Hyundai Tucson left its travel lane and struck the motorcycle and caused the motorcycle to leave the roadway and collide with a guardrail,” FHP said.
The motorcyclist, a 33-year-old Pensacola man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
File photo.
Forest Service Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Is Friday In Century
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will host a National Arbor Day tree giveaway by the Florida Forest Service on Friday morning.
Tree species available will include mayhaw, redbud, sycamore, and sweetbay.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while the supply lasts at the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
strong>Pictured: A 2055 tree giveaway in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wyatt Caps 31-Year Tate Career With Regular Season Finale Win Over Choctaw
April 23, 2026
Tate High School head softball coach Melinda Wyatt ended her last softball regular season Wednesday night with an 11-8 Aggie win over Choctawhatchee.
Wyatt is retiring this season after 31 years at Tate, where she is 487-212 as a varsity and JV coach. [Read more: Aggies Honor Retiring Head Coach Melinda Wyatt]
The Lady Aggies had a bit of surprise for Wednesday night — the team and staff all wore t-shirts with her likeness and the words “Weight Room!!” on the back, and they wore temporary face tattoos of Wyatt’s face.
Taylor Robinson went 3-4 for the Aggies with a double in the sixth and singles in the first and third innings. Madison Smillie led the Aggies, going 4-5. Brelynn Morris, Kaylie Mitchell, Emorie Nelson, and Ke’Anna Smith each had multiple hits.
Middleton earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, surrendering five hits and five unearned runs in two and two-thirds innings while striking out two and walking one. Kaylyn Relstab collected the save in four and one-third innings, allowing four hits and three unearned runs while striking out three.
Tate finished the regular season at 10-13 overall, 1-4 in the district.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Dane King Signs With Coastal Alabama
April 23, 2026
Northview High School senior Dane King signed on Wednesday afternoon to play baseball at Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Williams Fans 10 In 4-2 Wahoos Loss To Biscuits
April 23, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 4-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night despite a career-high 10 strikeouts from starting pitcher Alex Williams.
Williams (L, 0-3) surrendered three early home runs that proved to be the difference in the game, but led a Pensacola pitching performance that kept the Biscuits to only a single in their final six innings.
Will Simpson opened the scoring for the Biscuits with a two-run homer to left field, and Xavier Isaac followed immediately after with a solo shot of his own for a 3-0 Montgomery lead. Mac Horvath led off the second inning with a solo homer to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the fifth inning thanks to an infield error and an RBI double from Garret Forrester, but that would be all the damage done against Jack Kartsonas (W, 1-1). The Biscuits starter worked 5.0 innings allowing just an unearned run on four hits.
After 2.0 scoreless innings of relief from Luis Palacios, the Blue Wahoos drew the score to 4-2 in the eighth inning when Forrester was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-out RBI single from Michael Snyder. That would be their final threat, as Derrick Edington (S, 2) worked around a two-out single in the ninth to lock down the save.
Gage Miller extended his hitting streak to a team-high eight games with a third-inning single.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits with a doubleheader on Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Paul Francis Rydzowski
April 23, 2026
Paul Francis Rydzowski, 70, of Wing, Ala., died as the result of an accident near his home on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Mr. Rydzowski was born Nov. 9, 1955 in Century, Escambia, Fla. to Ramon Francis Rydzowski and Gloria Marie Fleming Rydzowski. He worked all his life, beginning in grade school working in his grandparent’s grocery store. During his adult working years Paul began his career at Ingalls Ship Building in Pascagoula, Miss.; he then worked as a salesman at Stanton’s in Century, Fla.; next he worked at CSX Railroad for 18 years; and finally retired after 22 as a Lieutenant in the Florida Department of Corrections in Crestview, Fla. He also worked weekends and off hours as security for FDOT roadside rest area on I-10.
Paul possessed a giant heart and loved his family deeply. He took great pride in maintaining the appearance of his yard and surrounding areas. He saw it more as a fun activity than a chore that must be done. In addition, he also highly valued being a good neighbor and helping anyone in need. He loved nature, the simple things in life, sitting on the back porch, drinking coffee and watching deer eat acorns. He was a hard-core Alabama fan and loved stock car racing. He was active in his church and a respected member of the community.
Mr. Rydzowski is survived by his wife, Karen Cook Rydzowski of 21 years; one son, Ronald William “Ronny” (Robin) Rydzowski of Satsuma, Ala.; one daughter, Elizabeth Anne “Beth” (Dwayne) Higdon of Brewton, Ala; two stepsons, Eric (Tabitha) McLeod, Brandon (Leah) Adams; five grandchildren, Joseph Rydzowski, Emma Rydzowski, Stephanie Whatley, Troy Rydzowski Higdon and Chloe Higdon; four step-grandchildren, Shawn McLeod, Trent McLeod, Hunter Adams and A.J. Reed; and brother, Steven Ray (Donna) Rydzowski of McDavid, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one daughter, Charity Joanne “Sissy” Rydzowski Polk.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 24, at Union Hill Church of Christ in Wing. The funeral will be at the church with Brother Pat Brinn and the Pastor Jarrod Knoll officiating. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Troy Rydzowski Higdon, Trent McLeod, Joseph Rydzowski, Shawn McLeod, Nick Higdon and Micheal Stanford
Honorary pallbearer will be Hunter Adams.