Century Backtracks On Community Center Rental Rate Hike
December 4, 2025
The Town of Century backtracked on a community center rental rate hike after public pushback and reported decreased usage.
In June, the town council raised the rental rate for a community center to $500 for everyone, including a $150 refundable cleaning deposit, up from a low of $200 with a $100 refundable deposit for churches and nonprofits.
After that, the town reported that usage went down. As we reported last month, organizers of the annual Century-Flomaton Improvement Association (CFIA) told the council that the future of their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony was at risk due to cost.
After discussion at a workshop this week, the council dropped the rental fee to $350 with a$150 deposit that will be refunded if the facility is clean and undamaged. Security, provided by either the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office or a Florida-licensed security company, will be required at the renter’s expense for all events with more than 75 attendees. All renters will be required to sign a hold harmless agreement.
The council also voted to waive the rental fee for the MLK Day event, but still require the $150 refundable deposit and security.
In the future, the town council will consider other rental waivers on a case-by-case basis for nonprofits and governmental agencies, but they’ve decided the deposit and security requirements won’t be waived.
Pictured: Improvements inside the Century Community Center on West Highway 4. The bottom photo shows the yellow walls and moldy ceiling tiles in January 2025. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Public Schools Hiring Additional Campus Security Officers
December 4, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools is hiring additional Campus Security Officers to begin training in May 2026.
“Campus Security Officers are ECPS employees trained by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office whose sole mission is to protect students and staff in our public schools across Escambia County,” said ECPS Protection Services Director Kyle Kinser. “All personnel are put through rigorous screening.”
Ideal candidates should have prior law enforcement and/or military experience and must have a passion for working with children.
Successful applicants will go through an extensive training curriculum with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that prepares them to safeguard schools. Candidates will be paid throughout their training and will be hired as a Campus Security Officer upon successful completion of training. The position is currently posted and any interested applicant should apply immediately, as the screening process is extensive.
Selected candidates begin with a starting salary of $33,978.00 for 10 months of employment. Once the training process has been completed, candidates are eligible for a variety of benefits.
Pictured: Campus security officers train for the current school year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Don’t Try Nothin Stupid’: Report Details Failed Bank Robbery Attempt, Desperate Plea By Woman, 63
December 3, 2025
A 63-year old woman that is charged a failed robbery attempt at Nine Mile Road bank on the day before Thanksgiving passed a note asking for a specific amount of money and with a plea for help, according to an arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
Gwendolyn Delores Brown was charged with communications fraud obtaining $300 or more and grand theft $10,000 to $20,000.
According to the arrest report from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Brown entered the bank just before noon on November 26 and passed a demand note to a bank employee. The note was explicit, demanding$16,000.
According to the report, the note stated “I demand that you put in the bag $16,000 dollars or the family will sulfer and don’t try nothin stupid.”
The employee, who was sitting at a desk in the lobby, initially went behind the teller line to alert colleagues and the manager that they were being robbed. Fearing for the safety of the suspect’s alleged hostages, another bank employee instructed colleagues to provide the cash, the report states. A total of $16,000 in U.S. currency was placed into a white zippered bank bag and handed over to Brown.
Immediately after receiving the money, Brown reportedly began crying and shared a frantic story with the bank staff. She claimed she had been sent into the bank by unknown individuals who were holding her son hostage and threatening to harm him. The location of the alleged hostage was initially stated as a car in the parking lot, but later changed to her home address.
Multiple deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a hold-up. Upon arrival, deputies quickly searched the bank and neighboring shopping center parking lot but found no individuals in distress or vehicles matching the suspect’s initial claims.
The responding deputy then established contact with Brown, who provided her address and alleged that a man named “James,” described as a black male in his 50s or 60s, was holding her so, due to a debt owed by her husband. Deputies were immediately sent to the home address to perform a welfare check. During the investigation at the bank, the deputy noted that parts of Brown’s account seemed inconsistent.
While speaking with a bank employee who was familiar with Brown from previous transactions, the employee noted that the suspect was “shaky and not herself.” According to sworn statements, this employee attempted to calm Brown, who then claimed to have received a phone call from an unknown number stating that the bad men left and her kids were safe.
In a separate account, a friend of Brown, who was scheduled to meet her for lunch at a Waffle House across the street, was interviewed by deputies. This individual revealed that Brown had been under significant stress, including facing the possibility of losing her house to foreclosure and dealing with medical issues involving a brother in South Florida. The friend also confirmed that Brown resided alone in her home.
The $16,000 in cash was recovered by a bank employee shortly after Brown received it, as she was crying and speaking with staff. The bank confirmed it wished to press charges.
Brown was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Jail. She was released on a $5,000 bond early Thanksgiving morning.
Evidence submitted in the case includes a black beanie cap, two bus passes, the demand letter, and written statements from witnesses.
Pictured: The Ensley Branch of Regions Bank on Nine Mile Road minutes after an alleged failed robbery attempt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP I-110 Operation Leads To 8 DUI, 3 Super Speed Arrests, Citations
December 3, 2025
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Florida Highway Patrol conducted an enforcement operation on I-110.
Troopers from the Pensacola District targeted DUI offenses and aggressive driving. The operation resulted in eight DUI arrests, five criminal arrests, three “super speeder” arrests, and 10 traffic citations.
Photo courtesy FHP for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Claus Is Coming To A Library Near You
December 3, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to a library near you.
Santa will hear Christmas wishes, and parents are invited to use their phone or bring a camera for photos.
Century Library
- Thursday, December 4, 4:30 p.m.
Molino Library
- Wednesday, December 10, 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, December 18, 4:30 p.m.
Bellview Library
- Tuesday, December 9, 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, December 10, 4:30 p.m.
Tryon Library
- Thursday, December 4, 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 16, 3:00 p.m.
Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, December 3, 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday, December 20, 10:30 a.m.
Westside Library
- Thursday, December 11, 4:30 p.m.
Brownsville Library
- Saturday, December 6, 10:30 a.m.
Southwest Library
- Wednesday, December 17, 4:30 p.m.
Pictured: Santa’s visit to the Century Library last year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Hits High Note With Four Students On Florida All-State Band
December 3, 2025
Ransom Middle School’s music program has hit a high note, setting a new school record with four students successfully auditioning and earning a coveted spot in the prestigious Florida All-State Band this year.
The students are :
- Chase Redman (trombone)
- Aiden Harris (trombone)
- Braylen Barton (alto saxophone)
- Cooper Boddy (baritone saxophone)
The unprecedented achievement marks the first time in Ransom Middle School’s history that such a high number of students have been selected for this elite honor.
The students demonstrated exceptional musical skill and dedication in a rigorous audition process, competing against the best young musicians across the state of Florida. Being selected for the All-State Band is a prestigious accomplishment, showcasing their hard work, passion for music, and excellence in performance.
The Florida All-State Band will perform at the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Annual Professional Development Conference in January, where students will have the opportunity to perform alongside other top young musicians from around the state.
School administration and faculty have expressed immense pride in the students for their musical accomplishment.
Escambia County Felon Sentenced On Federal Drug And Firearm Charges
December 3, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison on drug and firearm charges.
John Cody Hawthorne, 32, previously pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Court documents show that Hawthorne, who was on state probation at the time, was in possession of multiple firearms, as well as illegal narcotics. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hawthorne’s residence and located seven firearms in his bedroom, one of which was a short-barreled rifle, as well as over 400 live rounds of ammunition, marijuana, methamphetamine, ballistic body armor, and several thousand dollars.
“I applaud the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners to remove this violent felon from our streets,” U.S. Attorney John P. Heeking said. “Keeping our communities safe is our top priority, and my office will aggressively prosecute repeat offenders like this defendant with the full force of the law.”
“Hawthorne’s seven and a half year sentence reflects both the seriousness of his actions and our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. “We are proud of our partnerships and the effect they have on making our community safer.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Tate Softball To Host Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp
December 3, 2025
Tate Aggies Softball will host the Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp on Tuesday, December 9 from 6-8 p.m at the Tate softball complex. It was rescheduled from December 4 due to a rainy forecast.
The cost is $75 per player for 6U through eighth grade with a Santa hat and shirt included. Food and drink for players are included, and limited concessions will be available.
Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. To register online, click here.
Man Traversing North Escambia On A Mission To Walk Across America From Top To Bottom
December 2, 2025
When Tim Hickle decided he would retire after 40 years as a buyer in the construction industry, his wife said he needed to find something to do. And he did.
Walking across America from north to south.
“So I went online and I searched the things to do when you retire, which is a horrible idea,” the 64-year-old said Monday afternoon on Pine Barren Road near McDavid.
“But I found this guy that walked Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. It was something I thought I could do. The more research I did, the more I found there were just hundreds and hundreds of people that go from coast to coast each year.”
He eventually settled on a north-south route from northern Minnesota, at the northernmost point of the U.S. at the Canadian border, to Key West, Florida. He retired in May and started his walk on June 8; he hopes to reach Key West by the end of February.
He’s made it over 180 days and 2,700 miles to North Escambia. He has about 900 miles to go.
He crossed into Florida on Sunday and spent Sunday night at Lake Stone near Century before hitting the road again. He planned to spend Monday night at the Bogia Boat Ramp on Bogia Road off Highway 29 before heading to the Molino Fire Station by Tuesday night.
As he walks, he pulls what he has nicknamed the “Copper Kettle”. It’s a simple camper cart he designed and built that carries his supplies and provides a place to sleep. The cart weighs about 120 pounds. “It has a memory foam mattress, sleeping bag, pillows,” he said. “Anything that needs to stay dry goes inside.”
Hickle is not walking to raise money or draw attention to any cause.
“It’s just a personal goal to walk from the far north in the Lower 48 to the far south in the Lower 48. There’s a lot to be said for downsizing to the point where everything I need fits into 22 square feet. I don’t mean to be anti-commercial or anything, but less is more for me.” Along the way, he recharges electrical items as he can, items like his phone and caution lights for the back of the camper.
Hickle is keeping in touch with his wife back home in Colorado as he walks, joining her when he can by phone or video—especially on Mondays when he helps her babysit their grandchild.
“We are about to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary,” he noted. He is going to miss that anniversary as he walks. One of the best parts of the walk, he said, is meeting people.
“I’m doing this at a walking pace so that I can have human interactions,” he said. “I can have a conversation with someone by the road that is getting the mail or mowing their grass. We are going to have some kind of interaction.”
“They are really the high points of his journey.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Kicks Off The ‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign
December 2, 2025
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, launched its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign on Monday, Dec. 1. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, life-saving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings. In 2024, 14 bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths, while three bulbs were changed in the city.
“We encourage all of our residents to practice fire safety throughout the holiday season and join us as we ‘keep the wreath green,’” Fire Chief Adam Harrison said. “While fire safety needs to be practiced year-round, we tend to see an increase in fires during the colder months. Let’s keep this season full of cheer and do our part in keeping the wreath green.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.