Century Seeks Bids For Trash, Recycling Contractor For The First Time In Years
July 17, 2025
For the first time in a decade or more, the Town of Century is requesting bids for garbage collection, and they are potentially adding recycling services.
The town currently contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
In July 2020, Century renewed a five-year contract with Republic Services without seeking bids from other potential providers.
Now, the town is accepting proposals for an exclusive franchise for solid waste collection and recycling services for a five-year term.
The deadline for licensed companies to submit a bid is 2 p.m. on August 11.
For residential customers, the town is seeking weekly garbage and yard waste collection, bi-weekly recycling, and quarterly bulk waste service.
According to the most recent rates we received from the town, residential customers pay $27.44, plus tax, per month for one per week collection with additional cans at $5.92 each. The trash service is billed on residents’ water bills.
Pictured: Century’s solid waste contractor, Republic Services, collects along Jefferson Avenue. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Manny Diaz Jr. Introduced As UWF Interim President
July 17, 2025
The University of West Florida on Wednesday formally introduced Interim President Manny Diaz, Jr. to the campus and community.
Diaz was approved by the Florida Board of Governors on June 18, following his appointment by the UWF Board of Trustees on May 27. He replaces Martha Saunders, who announced her resignation in May.
Diaz emphasized expanding academic excellence, growing workforce-aligned programs, and strengthening UWF’s impact across the region.
“I am honored to step into this role and lead the University of West Florida into this next chapter,” Diaz said. “UWF has a proud legacy and a promising future, and I look forward to working alongside our students, faculty, staff and community partners to continue building on its momentum. Together, we will advance and explore new opportunities to serve our region and state with excellence.”
Diaz’s leadership will focus on strengthening academic excellence and expanding UWF’s research capacity, growing workforce-aligned programs and partnerships, promoting access and affordability for students, and enhancing the University’s role in driving economic and community development across Northwest Florida.
Diaz most recently served as Florida’s Commissioner of Education, a role he held from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, he served in the Florida Senate from 2018 to 2022 and the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2018, where he held several leadership positions including chair of the Senate Education Committee.
Diaz’s term as interim president is for one year. His base annual salary is $643,000, but that can be extended if he is named the permanent university president.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect Charged In Fatal Escambia County Shooting
July 17, 2025
A suspect has been charged in a fatal shooting Wednesday in Escambia County.
Michael Stephen Johnson, 58, was initially charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting in the area of Wilson Avenue and Kincaid Street about 4:40 p.m. The ECSO had responded to a disturbance call earlier in the day at the same location where the victim had been trespass warned. Deputies say the victim returned, an argument ensued, and it ended with the fatal shooting
Repeat Escambia County Offender Gets 40 Years In Firearm Case
July 17, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Bryan Alexander Hicks was sentenced to 40 years by Circuit Court Judge Amy Brodersen. He will be required to serve at least 30 years as a mandatory minimum. On October 2, 2022, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office sergeant made a traffic stop Hicks’ vehicle on Creighton Road. Deputies located a container containing eight rounds of ammunition which had been thrown from the vehicle along with a firearm magazine inside of the vehicle. Deputies retraced the path driven by Hicks, and they located a stolen .380 Ruger containing 32 rounds of ammunition and a Glock 17 9-mm pistol along Creighton Road. Both firearms were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for DNA analysis. Hicks’ DNA was located on the .380 Ruger.
On May 21, a jury found Hicks guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The jury also found that he is a habitual felony offender, a habitual violent felony offender, and as a violent career criminal.
At sentencing, Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Frederick V. Longmire highlighted the defendant’s extensive prior record which includes seventeen prior felonies and ten prior misdemeanor offenses ranging from robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of cocaine, resisting law enforcement without violence, and possession of marijuana.
“The defendant’s actions and continued propensity to commit crime indicate he remains a danger to citizens of Escambia County, Florida, and a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison is necessary,” Longmire said.
Free Sand For Storm Prep Still Available In Escambia County
July 16, 2025
Escambia County has still has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas due to a tropical system that is expected to bring significant rain to the area in the next few days.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile the shower and thunderstorm activity is disorganized and is forecasted to continue moving westward. Potential development of a tropical system remains at 40%. Further development could occur if the system moves far enough offshore. While there is still uncertainty in the system’s eventual track, residents are reminded to remain weather aware.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis 24 hours a day at the following locations:
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A
- Ferry Pass Middle School – 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (NW cornerschool property on Parazine Street)
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are typically available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mayor Casts Vision For Century’s Future, Details Millions In Ongoing Projects
July 16, 2025
Speaking Tuesday evening in the museum dedicated to Century’s past, Mayor Ben Boutwell outlined what he sees as Century’s very bright future.
“We know that we are running out of room in the south end of the county, and people are moving north,” Boutwell told the members of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society at The Leach House Museum.
With new town council members and support of state officials, he said Century will move forward.
Boutwell detailed numerous projects totaling millions of dollars currently underway in the town — most funded by grants.
Those ongoing projects include:
- Wastewater Lift Station Rehabilitation – $3.3 million — Century Correctional, Century Woods Apartments, Highway 4 West, Jefferson Avenue, Pond and Jefferson
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements — $5.577 million — construction underway
- Water Well Rehabilitation on three water wells — $264,877 — electrical work
- Water Well Rehabilitation $334,707 — building and site renovations
- Century Correctional Water Well — $1.37 million
- Freedom Road Bridge Replacement — $1.3 million — estimate completion October 2026
- Tedder Road Water Service Line Replacement –$150,000
- Water Improvements, Billing Software $150,000
- Multi-Use Facility/Shelter — $10.3 million — finishing environmental works soon; design forthcoming, construction completion estimated November 2026
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mark Your Calendar: Escambia County School Orientations, Open Houses Set
July 16, 2025
Mark your calendars — orientation sessions and open house dates have been set for school in Escambia County.
Here is the schedule:
ORIENTATIONS
Elementary
- All Schools: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Middle School
- 6th Grade Orientation (except Ernest Ward): Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
High Schools
- Tate High 9th grade – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Northview High – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Pensacola High – Wednesday, July 30, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Escambia High — Thursday, July 31, Last names A-M from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and last names N-Z from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Booker T. Washington High 9th grade – Monday, August 4, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Pine Forest High – Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- West Florida High 9th grade – Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
OPEN HOUSES
- Open House sessions are a chance for parents to become familiarized with their students’ teachers and classroom policies and procedures, and are typically held in the evening, several weeks into the school year.
Elementary
- Tuesday, September 9, 2025 and Thursday, September 11, 2025 – 5:00 pm
- See Schedule: Elementary School Open House 2025
Middle Schools
- All Middle Schools on Thursday, August 28, 2025 – 6:00 pm
High Schools
- All High Schools on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – 6:00 pm
Greg Blackmon Named New Interim Assistant Principal At Tate High School
July 16, 2025
Greg Blackmon was approved by the Escambia County School Board on Tuesday night as a new interim assistant principal at Tate High School.
Blackmon was most recently athletic director at Tate High.
Pictured: Greg Blackmon (left) is congratulated Tuesday night by Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vandalism Strikes Bratt Park Dedicated to Fallen Marine
July 16, 2025
Vandalism at a Bratt Park dedicated to the memory of a fallen Marine is under investigation.
Someone spray-painted several parts of Travis Nelson Park on Highway 4. Pavilions and the playground were painted, much of it with vulgarities that we are choosing not to show. The vandalism was discovered on Monday.
Some of the vandalism appears to refer to the rapper Tyler, The Creator and his music.
Escambia County Parks and Recreation stated the vandalism will be cleaned up this week.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Collector Bringing Mobile Services to Century Thursday
July 16, 2025
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in North Escambia this week.
MILO, a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, will be at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, July 17, From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, including:
- Driver License Services: Renewals, replacements, out-of-state license conversions/reciprocations, and address/name changes.
- Identification Cards: First-time issuance and renewals.
- Vehicle Services: Registration renewals and replacements, title transfers, and parking placards.
- Tax Payments: Property tax payments.
- Business Tax Receipts: Applications and renewals.
- Certified Driver Transcripts
Written and driving tests are not available at the MILO unit.
This initiative aims to bring services to areas of Escambia County that may have limited access to traditional tax collector offices, particularly during disaster recovery or for residents in assisted living facilities, community centers, and correctional facilities.
Future MILO Dates in Century:
- August 14, 2025: Billy G. Ward Courthouse
Florida drivers may renew their vehicle registrations for a period of one or two years and may renew up to three months in advance of the registration expiration. Vehicle registrations expire at midnight on the first owner’s birth date unless the owner is a business.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.