The State Has Again Designated Century As A ‘Rural Community’. Here’s Why That’s A Big Deal.
July 22, 2025
Century has once again been designated by FloridaCommerce as a Rural Community.
The designation makes Century eligible to have matching fund requirements waived for state programs and grants.
Century first received the designation in 2022, but it lapsed when previous administrations failed to submit necessary paperwork.
But after his election, current Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Rep. Michelle Salzman and other partners went to work to reinstate the Rural Community designation. According to FloridaCommerce, the reinstatement will expire on December 31, giving Century an opportunity to formally reapply.
Sometimes Century may be eligible for a grant, but meeting a financial match requirement might be difficult, Boutwell said, adding that the designation is a big deal for the small town.
“It’s a big deal to have this back,” Boutwell said. “It means that we may receive a grant but might not be required to provide the matching funds. It will really help out.”
Century was able to obtain the Rural Community designation by having an agriculture-related employment base, a population of less than 25,000 and three qualifying economic distress levels. Those factors are a high poverty rate, low educational attainment, and below-average median household income.
Salzman said she’s glad to see Century once again with Rural Community status with the state, but she would not support the designation for the rural part of Escambia County.
“It’s great for Century, but I don’t support it for everybody. “It’s only a small pot of state money that is divided.”
Pictured: Rep. Michelle Salzman and Century Mayor Ben Boutwell held a sit-down lunch meeting to discuss Century’s future after he was sworn into office in May 2025. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged In Family Disturbance
July 22, 2025
A Cantonment man is facing felony charges after a family disturbance.
Edward Wickham, 33, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a person subject to a domestic violence injunction. As of Monday, he remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $17,500.
Deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance call after the relative reported Wickham pulled a knife and threatened to stab her.
According to the arrest report, the victim stated that Wickham had been displaying aggressive behavior due to continued drug use. She recounted an incident where, after she called him for dinner, he became enraged, grabbed her face with both hands, and shook her. She then entered his room to retrieve a TV remote she believed he had taken, at which point he allegedly produced a switchblade knife, pointed it at her, and threatened to stab her, causing her to fear for her safety. She then told him she was calling the sheriff’s office, and he left the residence.
Deputies located Wickham in the area and placed him under arrest. According to the ECSO report, a search of his backpack revealed an unloaded silver revolver. Deputies said Wickham stated he was aggravating everyone all day and denied stealing the remote. He claimed he grabbed a Gerber multi-tool, not a knife, to protect himself and did not open it or display a blade. He did not provide a reason for possessing the firearm.
According to the ECSO, Wickham has an active permanent domestic violence injunction, including firearm possession, that was served on him in 2015.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra To Perform At The Century And Molino Libraries
July 22, 2025
The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will present a special musical performance this week at the Century and Molino libraries.
The programs will take place on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Century and Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Molino.
Each location will host a different performance. All ages are welcome
Escambia Woman Gets 20 Years For Fentanyl Trafficking
July 22, 2025
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to state prison for fentanyl trafficking.
Jorgina Ann Nichols, 41, was sentenced by Judge Linda Nobles to 20 years for two counts of trafficking in fentanyl, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of introduction of contraband into a county jail facility.
On the morning of September 26, 2024, officers conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle in which Nichols was riding. A search of the vehicle located over six grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and narcotics paraphernalia. Nichols was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail where, later that day, she was caught in her cell holding an ounce of fentanyl.
Nichols entered a no contest plea to the court. Under Florida’s drug trafficking statutes, her 20-year sentence must be served day for day and she was assessed $150,000 in fines.
Tate Cheerleading’s Lillian Abner Commits to D1 Morehead State
July 22, 2025
Lillian Abner is the Tate High School cheerleaders’ first college commit of the 2025-2026 season. She is set to continue her academic and athletic career at Morehead State. The NCAA Division I school is renowned for its 54 college national championships. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blaise Ingoglia Sworn In As Florida CFO
July 22, 2025
Monday, Blaise Ingoglia was officially sworn in by Governor Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Ingoglia replaces Jimmy Patronis, who was elected to represent Florida’s First Congressional District in a special election to replace Matt Gaetz.
He is a longtime ally of DeSantis, a homebuilder, former state senator, and former Florida GOP chairman.
As Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal, Ingoglia serves as the state’s top financial watchdog, a member of the Florida Cabinet, and the head of the Florida Department of Financial Services. As CFO, he oversees billions of dollars in state funds and is charged with protecting taxpayer dollars, strengthening Florida’s fiscal health, and delivering essential services that support the state’s excellent economy.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Robb Whitfield Named New Athletic Director At Flomaton High School
July 22, 2025
Robb Whitfield has been named the new athletic director at Flomaton High School and assistant principal at Flomaton Elementary School.
Whitfield is a Tate High School graduate and spent a total of 14 years coaching baseball and football at Tate and West Florida high schools.
After three years at W.S. Neal Middle School, he moved to W.S. Neal High School as the assistant principal and athletic director for the past two years.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Youth Benefit From Escambia Summer Youth Employment Program
July 21, 2025
Over 200 local youth gained valuable on-the-job experience while working toward their future career goals during the annual Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program.
Through the paid internship program, participating youth worked up to 30 hours per week in various county departments and with partner agencies, learning a variety of practical job skills along with workplace etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.
Two of the youth worked behind the scenes at Century Town Hall since early June as part of the Youth Employment program, working on filing, paperwork and scanning documents to help modernize record keeping.
“We are very appreciative of them; they have been a big asset,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said. “We loved having both of them here.”
Aaliyah Fountain of Walnut Hill is a 2025 Northview High School graduate. She plans to attend Pensacola State College in the fall. She’s undecided on a major, but she’s looking at political science as a strong foundation for law school on her way to becoming a criminal or divorce lawyer.
“This summer program was a huge learning experience and opportunity,” Fountain (pictured left) said. “It opened my viewpoint as to how things are ran and how people that hold positions make decisions.”
“Being able to be in those rooms where decisions that had an actual impact on the community had to be made and watching the mayor and all his amazing team work to do what’s best was so awesome to watch,” she added. “As well as watching Ashtin and Shanti (office staff) handle hostile people with the most gracious hearts.”
“I thank God for this opportunity he allowed me to have this summer,” Fountain said.
Shelby Rydzowski of McDavid is attending Pensacola Christian College where she is majoring in professional writing. She hopes to become a romance or fantasy novelist, or perhaps teach as a second resort.
“This has been a really amazing opportunity to learn about Century,” Rydzowski (pictured left) said. “I had never set foot in here (town hall), and it’s been great to see all of the little roles that make up the big picture of how a town operates.”
The Youth Employment Program
In addition to learning new skills through their day-to-day work duties, program participants received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them feedback about their job performance.
Youth worked in a variety of county departments this summer, including Animal Welfare, the Board of County Commissioners, Building Services, Corrections, County Administration, Development Services, Engineering, Escambia County Area Transit, Human Resources, Library Services, Natural Resources Management, Neighborhood and Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, and Public Works.
Several interns also spent the summer working for community partners and constitutional offices, including Circuit Court Judge Miller, the City of Pensacola, Community Health Northwest Florida, Cordova Mall, the Escambia County School District, Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, Just Ice Served LLC, and the Town of Century.
“The goal of this program is to give young people an opportunity to learn the skillsets to be able to get jobs and to be employed,” District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. “Through the Summer Youth Employment Program, we hope to expose them to opportunities and create an atmosphere where they would want to live, work and play right here in Escambia County. The sky is the limit for these bright young people, and I’m excited to see the positive impact they will make as they work toward reaching their goals.”
Escambia County’s 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program participants were recognized by May and Neighborhood and Human Services staff for their hard work this summer during a ceremony Friday, July 18 at the Brownsville Community Center.
“I know that internship opportunities make a difference in the lives of children,” Commissioner May said. “Maybe because they made the best relationships that they could possibly make with staff, with other commissioners, they’ll get an opportunity one day to stay right here in Escambia County and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Pictured: Escambia County Summer Youth Employment participants Shelby Rydzowski of McDavid (top) and Aaliyah Fountain of Walnut Hill (below) worked at the Century Town Hall. NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office K-9 Locates Endangered Person Using ‘Scent Kit’
July 21, 2025
Escambia County Deputy Katie Touchstone and K-9 Buster were able to successfully locate an endangered person last week with the help of a “Scent Kit.”
The person had been missing for between two and four hours. Utilizing a Scent Kit, Touchstone and Buster were able to track the missing person over a half-mile trail, and determine the person’s direction of travel. They were able to guide patrol units to the area where the subject was safely located unharmed.
The Scent Kit essentially preserves the unique smell from a person, allowing the K-9 to get a whiff of the person before searching for those who are missing.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is a participating agency in Florida’s “Bringing The Lost Home” program with the Scent Kit.
To learn more about how Scent Kits can help locate a missing person, visit ScentEvidenceK9.com.
Florida Attorney General Charges Woman With Exploitation of Elderly Escambia Man
July 21, 2025
A Panama City woman faces charges of financially exploiting an elderly Escambia County man under her care.
The investigation alleges Lewis abused her role as the victim’s power of attorney, systematically withdrawing funds directly from the victim’s bank account.. Between August 9, 2022, and February 28, 2023, Lewis allegedly transferred approximately $46,788.60 to her accounts and made cash withdrawals. The Florida Attorney General’s Office states Lewis did not use the money to benefit the victim, who was residing in a nursing facility at the time.. Lewis did not use the money to benefit the victim, who was residing in a nursing facility at the time, according to the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
“We will not tolerate those who take advantage of vulnerable Floridians for personal gain,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Our office will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who abuse positions of trust and exploit the elderly.”
Lewis is charged with one count of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will prosecute the case through an agreement with the State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit.