Art Of The Wild: Animal Tales Program At The Library (With Gallery)
June 13, 2025
Animal Tales visited the Century Library on Thursday with “Art of the Wild” as part of the summer reading series.
From large lizards and legless lizards to birds and a hedgehog named Sonic, children were excited to learn about the animals and the importance of reading.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Animal Tales “Art of the Wild” program will be presented again on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Molino Library.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad Named To Mississippi State Ag And Life Sciences Hall Of Fame
June 13, 2025
Cora Andrews of Cantonment, a 2018 Tate High School graduate, is among 18 inaugural Mississippi State undergraduate and graduate members of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Hall of Fame.
Established this year, the hall of Fame recognizes an undergraduate and graduate student from each of the college’s nine departments who have made a lasting impact at MSU.
To be considered for the honor, undergraduate students must have senior standing, master’s students must be at least one year into their program, and Ph.D. students must be at least two years into their program. Department heads, in consultation with faculty and undergraduate coordinators, select the students who best represent their unit.
“Students can make an impact through their leadership, innovation and service, among other factors,” said Darrell Sparks, CALS associate dean and professor. “We want to recognize the work that goes above and beyond academic excellence.”
Andrews was also named Outstanding Agricultural and Extension Education Masters student in Teaching, Research, and Service.
While at Tate, Andrews was the chapter and district FFA president.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Report: Cantonment Man Says His GPS Caused Him To Wreck; FHP Charged Him With DUI
June 13, 2025
A Cantonment man who said his GPS caused him to wreck was charged with DUI and resisting after a wreck on Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 45-year-old Ian Jared Keatts turned his black Cadillac SUV into the ditch on the north side of Highway 29 and Archer Road intersection. Keatts told the trooper that he was traveling north on Highway 29 “when his GPS told him to make a right turn into the ditch”, according to a FHP report.
“| observed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, slurred speech and bloodshot watery eyes,” the trooper wrote in the arrest report. “| also observed a green wristband from Seville Quarter downtown. He was asked to exit the vehicle, and | was told to hold on.”
“He was asked again to exit the vehicle and refused to exit the vehicle. He was given a lawful order to exit the vehicle, and he refused. | reached in for his right wrist and he pulled away trying to break my grip,” the trooper continued. “He was removed from the vehicle and escorted to the ground and placed in handcuffs.”
FHP said Keatts provided beath samples of 0.139 and 0.140 above the legal limit of 0.08.
Keatts was charged with DUI and resisting an officer. He was released on a $2,000 bond.
Escambia School District Commits $45,000 to Support 10 New Military Veteran Teachers
June 13, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools recently received $45,000 to be paid to our first-year teachers who are retired or honorably discharged veterans.
This year, the district had 10 eligible teachers to receive a $4,000 bonus. Of those 10 teachers, five qualified for an additional $1,000 each for teaching a designated critical shortage subject area or school assignment. Teachers should receive the payment before June 30. Last year, eight Escambia County teachers were eligible.
One North Escambia area teacher is receiving the bonus. Jeffrey McMillan, an ESE teacher at Tate High School, served in the U.S. Army before becoming an educator.
Tax Collector’s MILO Records 38 Transactions (And A Chicken Plate) In Walnut Hill On Thursday
June 13, 2025
About 20 people took advantage of the chance to do business with the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office during a one-day event in Walnut Hill on Thursday. And one customer showed a little Walnut Hill hospitality by bringing a “not too spicy” chicken plate for the workers.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services from Tax Collector Scott Lunsford. From driver’s license renewals and replacements to titles and registrations, MILO can handle most vehicle-related services except written and driving taxes. The portable office also includes property tax, business tax receipt and other tax collector services.
Thursday, MILO was inside the Walnut Hill Community Center (also known as the Ruritan Building) with 38 transactions completed for tags, driver’s licenses, etc.
Up next, MILO is scheduled to be at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on July 17.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bramwell Homers In Back-And-Forth Wahoos Loss To Trash Pandas
June 13, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos twice took leads in Thursday night’s game against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, but were unable to hold either in a 5-4 loss.
After a scoreless first three innings, the Blue Wahoos took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a line drive RBI single from Kemp Alderman against Rocket City starter Mitch Farris.
Spencer Bramwell extended the lead in the fifth inning, launching a 469-foot home run to left-center field with Shane Sasaki aboard for a 3-0 lead. Bramwell’s second homer of the season and third as a professional marked the longest documented homer for the Blue Wahoos since a 473-foot Jerar Encarnacion blast in May 2022.
Farris settled back into a groove after the long ball, ultimately delivering 6.1 innings and striking out a season-high 10 batters. The Trash Pandas charged back against Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, getting on the board with a solo home run from Josh Crouch in the fifth and tying the game 3-3 in the sixth on a Sam Brown RBI single and Evan Edwards sacrifice fly.
The Blue Wahoos reclaimed a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning without a hit, turning two walks and a Cole Fontenelle error at third base into another run against reliever Brady Choban (W, 1-2). But once again the Trash Pandas countered, tying the game in the bottom of the frame with a David Calabrese solo homer against Jesse Bergin (L, 1-1). A two-out walk to Mac McCroskey extended the inning for Nelson Rada, who delivered the go-ahead RBI double to give the Trash Pandas a 5-4 lead.
Grant Richardson drew a leadoff walk in the ninth against Rocket City closer Sammy Natera Jr. (S, 5), but was stranded at second base to end the game. The Blue Wahoos managed only four hits on the night, and none after Bramwell’s fifth-inning homer.
With the loss, the Blue Wahoos failed to gain ground on the first-place Biloxi Shuckers in the first half division race. They remain 5.0 games back with 9 to play before the standings reset in the second half of the season.
The series against the Trash Pandas continues on Friday, with a first pitch from Toyota Field scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
‘Rest Easy My Prince’ – Animal Sanctuary’s Missing Exotic Cat Found Dead
June 12, 2025
A sad update to a story we brought you last week.
Jack, an exotic Geoffroy’s cat, which has been missing from a Molino animal sanctuary, has been found dead.
“Jack the Geoffroy’s cat was found dead this morning by a neighbor. It looks like he passed a few days ago, I believe that it was most likely due to the extreme weather we have been experiencing in the area,” Sunset Wildlife Director Margaret Lynds said Thursday afternoon.
Jack was discovered missing on June 5 from the sanctuary on Cotton Lake Road, not far from the Camp o’ the Pines on Highway 29. Lynd said that his exhibit was vandalized, and he was released or escaped.
Volunteers spent countless hours searching, setting traps, and doing everything they could think of to find Jack.
“We are still keeping the reward in case someone knows something,” Lynd said. “Please speak to your children, especially teenagers, to see if they have heard or seen anything about the vandalism that occurred a week ago. “Things like this happening is why it so important to educate our children about the importance of animals and the nature around us. Humans are the smartest species on the planet. This means that it is our job to protect it and the living things that share this beautiful planet with us.”
Anyone with information can contact the ECSO at (850) 436-9620, or FWC at (850) 488-4647.
“Jack, you were an incredible animal and you will greatly missed. Thank you for being an amazing ambassador for your species and helping me to educate about our wild brothers and sisters. Rest easy my prince,” Lynd said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Century Resident With Long Criminal History Charged With Pensacola Murder
June 12, 2025
A former Century resident with a long criminal history was arrested by U.S. Marshals Wednesday afternoon in Tallahassee for a fatal shooting at the Pensacola Village Apartments late last month.
Antonio Demetrius Ewing, 34, is charged with second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Pensacola Police have released few details about the murder about 6:15 p.m. on May 30 at the apartment complex on Fairfield Drive. A man was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and transported to the hospital where he later died.
Ewing remained in the Leon County Jail in Tallahassee awaiting transfer back to Escambia County.
In 2010, Ewing was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges related to a 2009 crime spree in which he robbed the Molino Tom Thumb, stole tires in Century to fix a flat on the getaway car and then escaped from deputies after he was arrested.
He was later implicated in an attempt to pass counterfeit money at Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard and other local businesses in the area. He was sentenced to 11 months in the county jail.
Ewing also served time in state prison for grand theft, robbery by sudden snatching, burglary, weapon possession by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed weapon. On January 27, 2025, he was released from prison after serving three years for cocaine possession and obstruction.
Pictured below: Antonio Demetrius Ewing was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 2009 crime spree that included the armed robbery of the Molino Tom Thumb. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Salzman To Host Constituents Day On Friday With Local, State And Federal Officials
June 12, 2025
Rep. Michelle Salzman, in partnership with local, state, and federal officials will host in-person mobile office hours on Friday to assist constituents with casework issues. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of the district offices a more convenient way to receive county, state, and federal casework assistance.
Expected to attend are:
- Representative Michelle Salzman’s Office
- Senator Rick Scott’s Office
- Congressman Jimmy Patronis’ Office
- County Commissioner Lumon May’s office
- County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger’s office
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Hope Florida
- Department of Health
- Florida Division of Blind Services
- Center for Independent Living
- Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division
The event will take place from noon until 2 p.m. on Friday, June 13 at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office – Brentwood at 5046 North Palafox Street.
“I’m honored to host the upcoming community outreach event. It’s a valuable chance for elected officials to connect with community members and support them in addressing government-related concerns,” Salzman said.
Multi-Agency Traffic Enforcement Efforts Nets Dozens Of Citations, Arrests
June 12, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol announced on Wednesday that dozens of citations were issued and arrest made during a recent traffic enforcement operation.
FHP partnered with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and the University of West Florida Police Department for the focused enforcement detail aimed at enhancing roadway safety.
The operation resulted in:
109 overall violations
11 DUI arrests
1 drug arrest
57 speed citations
10 misdemeanor criminal traffic-related offenses
5 commercial vehicle inspections
1 move over violation
43 written warnings
FHP said the enforcement detail was strategically planned to target high-risk behaviors on area roadways, including impaired driving, aggressive speeding, and other criminal traffic offenses. Officers from all five agencies conducted saturation patrols and mobile enforcement zones at known trouble spots, maximizing visibility and deterrence.