Century Seeking Attorney General Opinion To Help To Untangle ‘Copy-Paste’ Charter Mix-Up
July 16, 2026
The Town of Century is reaching out to the state’s top legal officer to resolve a confusing contradiction in its town rules. This week, the Town Council authorized its attorney to request an informal legal opinion from the Florida Attorney General on how to fix an accidental drafting error in the town charter without having to run a costly public election.
Here is a breakdown of what happened, why it matters, a seemingly ignored conundrum, and how the town hopes to resolve the issue.
The Conflicting Rules: How Century Got Here
The confusion stems from a mix-up between three different eras of the town’s charter:
- The 1979 Charter: Originally, Century held its local elections in odd-numbered years, with officials serving two-year terms.
- The 2014 Amendment: To save money and boost voter turnout, the town voted in June 2014 to align its local elections with federal, state, and county elections, which take place in even-numbered years. Since then, all local elections have successfully run on this even-year schedule.
- The 2024 Amendment: In November 2024, voters approved a charter change to extend the terms of the mayor and council members to four years.
- The Oversight: When drafting the 2024 paperwork, organizers accidentally reused outdated language from the 1979 charter. Because of this “scrivener’s error,” the updated charter now says the mayor and council seats one and two must be elected in odd-numbered years — directly contradicting the 2014 rule keeping them in even-numbered years.
Why the Town is Asking the Attorney General for Help
The Town Council wants to clarify that all municipal elections will officially remain in even-numbered years. However, they need to know how they are legally allowed to correct the mistake.
- Option A (The Simple Route): Pass a local town ordinance to correct the text. Under Florida law, cities are generally allowed to change election dates and transition terms by ordinance without asking voters for permission.
- Option B (The Complex Route): Hold a public referendum. If state law requires a voter referendum to fix this specific drafting error, the town will have to put the question on a ballot.
An Additional Conundrum
There is an additional conundrum that was not addressed by the council.
The town charter states that it can only be changed by voter-approved amendments. But the 2014 amendment that created the even and odd year mistake was never presented to voters. It was only approved by the town council.
The town chartre states: “A charter amendment to be voted on by the town shall be presented for voting by ballot title. The ballot title of a measure may differ from its legal title and shall be a clear, concise statement describing the substance of the measure without argument or prejudice. Below the ballot title shall appear the following question: ‘Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?’ Immediately below such question shall appear, in the following order, the words ‘for approval’ and also the words ‘against approval’.”
What’s Next?
Town Attorney Matt Dannheisser has submitted the request to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for an informal opinion.
If the Attorney General agrees that a simple ordinance is enough, the Town Council can clean up the charter’s language quickly at an upcoming meeting. If the state rules that voters must weigh in, town officials will have to move quickly to get the correction on the ballot in time for the November 2026 general election.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Moped Rider Dies After Colliding With Motorcycle In Escambia County
July 16, 2026
A moped rider was killed and two others were seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a crash involving a motorcycle on New Warrington Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred at approximately 5:13 p.m just south of Twin Oaks Drive in Escambia County.
According to the FHP crash report, a motorcycle was traveling south in the third lane of New Warrington Road. At the same time, a moped was traveling west in the median crossing. Troopers say the moped rider attempted to cross the southbound lanes and failed to yield to the motorcycle, resulting in the collision.
The rider of the moped was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
The passenger on the moped—identified in the report as a 34-year-old female from Mobile, Alabama—and the rider of the motorcycle—a 37-year-old male from San Antonio, Texas—were both transported to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
File photo.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man For Child Sexual Abuse Materials
July 16, 2026
An Escambia County man has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse materials.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Christian Baker, 33, of Pensacola, for possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. The arrest is part of FDLE’s statewide initiative to identify and apprehend offenders who target children and share files depicting child sexual abuse.
In June 2026, agents received cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, reporting that an unknown user of an AI-powered application uploaded four files containing images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Agents traced the associated IP address to Baker’s residence.
On July 9, agents conducted a residential search warrant at Baker’s address and seized multiple electronic devices for forensic review. Initial review at the scene found one file of CSAM on one of Baker’s devices. The file depicted the lewd, sexual exhibition of an infant female child. Baker also admitted to uploading other CSAM files to his AI-powered assistant.
Baker was arrested on five counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He was booked in the Escambia County Jail on no bond.
Further forensic review of the seized devices recovered thousands of additional CSAM files, many of which depicted female children as young as infants to three years old. Agents obtained an additional arrest warrant on July 14 with 15 additional counts of child sexual abuse materials. In total, Baker faces 20 counts of possession of CSAM and one count of using a two-way communication to commit a felony.
SRIA Expands Trolley Hours And Services For 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show
July 16, 2026
The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) is extending public transportation hours along Pensacola Beach on Friday, July 17, and adding extra buses to the schedule on Saturday, July 18, for the 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show, which this year celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and America’s 250th birthday. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend one of the nation’s largest air shows, making the free trolley and bus service one of the easiest and most convenient ways to access the event.
On Friday, July 17, the SRIA’s three free open-air trolleys will begin transporting passengers at 7:30 a.m. and extend service to Park East, located approximately one mile east of Portofino Island Resort, until 6 p.m. After that, the regular trolley route will resume until midnight.
On Saturday, July 18, beginning at 6:30 a.m., the SRIA will operate four buses, in addition to the three open-air trolleys, and will extend service to Park East until 6 p.m. Following the air show, the three open-air trolleys will return to their normal operating schedule until midnight.
On both Friday and Saturday, buses and trolleys will transport passengers between Park East, Park West and Casino Beach, the air show’s show center. Passengers will only be picked up and dropped off at designated trolley stops. Each stop will be clearly marked with a bright ECAT feather flag.
Following the air show each day, trolleys serving Portofino Resort/Park East will be staged on Via de Luna Drive in front of Sidelines Sports Bar and the Hampton Inn (facing east). Trolleys serving Park West will be staged on Fort Pickens Road in front of the Surf & Sand Hotel and The Sandshaker (facing west).
Due to the significant traffic congestion expected on Friday and Saturday, trolley service to the access road stops, including The Grand Marlin, Radical Rides/Laguna’s, Quietwater Beach and the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, will be temporarily suspended until 6 p.m. each day. Regular service to those stops will resume afterward and continue until midnight.
Passengers wishing to return to their vehicles as quickly as possible after the air show should board the first available buses immediately following the performance. Because of the traffic congestion that occurs after the show, riders who miss the first departure should expect extended wait times before buses and trolleys are able to return to the show center.
The SRIA also reminds visitors to use only the designated pedestrian crosswalks when crossing roadways throughout Pensacola Beach.
The official 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show, celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and America’s 250th birthday, will begin approximately 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 18. Free trolley and bus service is provided by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, with transportation operated by Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT).
File photo.
Santa Rosa Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Fatal Pickup Truck Crash
July 16, 2026
A Milton man was charged with DUI manslaughter following a severe single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning that claimed the life of a 17-year-old passenger in Santa Rosa County.
The incident occurred on July 15, 2026, at approximately 1:46 A.M. on Munson Highway.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 22-year-old Dylan Shane Barnhill of Milton was operating a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck southbound when the vehicle traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder. The truck reentered the road and continued south before running off the west shoulder a second time.
Troopers report the pickup then began rotating in a counterclockwise direction, crossing both the north and southbound lanes before exiting the roadway onto the east shoulder. The right side of the vehicle collided with a tree, causing the truck to counter-rotate and strike a second tree.
The force of the impact detached the front right door of the pickup, ejecting the 17-year-old passenger. The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Barnhill was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Further investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol determined he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Following a DUI investigation, Barnhill was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on a charge of DUI manslaughter.
FHP indicated that additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Daytime Heat; Scattered Weekend Showers
July 16, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Registration Deadline Friday For Tate High ‘Under The Lights’ Youth Football Camp
July 16, 2026
The deadline to register for the upcoming Tate High School “Under the Lights” Youth Football Camp is this Friday, July 17.
The camp will take place on Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. each evening. It is open to young athletes in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to hit the field and learn directly from current Tate Aggie players and coaching staff, participating in the same drills the high school team uses.
Registration includes a camp T-shirt. To secure your player’s spot before the Friday deadline, you can sign up through the online registration form.
Hurricane Center Gives Gulf Area A 20% Chance Of Development
July 15, 2026
The National Hurricane Center has identified an area in the Gulf that has a low chance of tropical development over the next week.
“An area of low pressure is expected to form during the weekend over the northeastern Gulf of America. Subsequent slow development of this system is possible while it moves slowly northeastward over the northeastern Gulf and/or near the southeastern coast of the United States by early next week,” the NHC said in a Wednesday morning advisory.
The NHC put the chance of formation near 0% over the next 48 hours and 20% over the next seven days. The development may be in the Gulf off the coast of the Big Bend of Florida or after it crosses Florida into the Atlantic.
If the tropical system should reach storm status, it would be named Bertha and likely be just a rain event, according to current models.
The general area and potential track does not include Northwest Florida at this time.
One Person Injured In Three Vehicle Crash On Highway 29 In Molino
July 15, 2026
One person was injured in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in Molino.
The crash happened about 6:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196. The crash involved a passenger car, a pickup truck that rolled over in the intersection, and a Dodge 3500 truck pulling a trailer load of hay.
One person from the overturned pickup truck was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The cause of the crash, which temporarily closed southbound Highway 29, is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Council Spends Over an Hour Debating Resident Over Water Bill
July 15, 2026
The Century Town Council limits public forum speakers to three minutes, but spent well over an hour on Tuesday night in a back and forth with a local resident about her water bill.
Senecca Bright, a resident of Alger Road, approached the council about rising utility bills, which she attributed to multiple faulty water meters, including a one-month bill for $644.13.
The $644 bill was easily explained, according to Town Clerk Carrie Moore. She said it was a simple billing error that added an extra zero to the gallons used. She said the bill had already been adjusted down to actual usage of under $100. That bill, like all Century utility bills, included not only water usage, but also sewage and garbage collection. And those rates were increased across the board earlier this year..
Moore (pictured left) held up a 41-page report showing hour-by-hour water usage at Bright’s residence that, she said, showed an ongoing leak or water usage. She said Bright’s total bills have been around $200 for the past several months, with only about $50 of that for water.
After Bright received a new meter during a town-wide replacement project, the town replaced her meter with new meters twice after her complaints, the clerk said.
Moore characterized Bright as having been “nasty and despicable” in wanting her money back, not a bill credit for any incorrect amounts. Meanwhile, Bright attacked Moore’s character numerous times, saying that she was a liar, that she was extremely rude, and that she threatened to call the police. Moore said she finally stopped dealing with Bright, referring her to another staff member when she started calling six to seven times a day “screaming”. Bright also said Town Manager Dave Murzin was rude and did not follow through on promises to correct her bill.
Bright claimed that she never had a leak and had recently had someone “professional” make that determination.
“I can tell you with certainty that water went through that meter,” Moore said. “State law requires you (referring to the town) to pay for the water you pump.”
As the conversation passed the one hour mark, council member John Bass said, “We have no proof of the amount you were overcharged; there is no way the town can know this is what happened.”
“I don’t see where the town actually made a mistake,” he added.
The council took no formal action on the bill.
NorthEscmbia.com photos, click to enlarge.
