Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Park With Gun, Drugs
May 14, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office charged a Cantonment man with possession of drugs and a firearm at the Escambia County Skate Park on Chimes Way.
Vontarius Lavont Gulley, 19, was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, being in possession of a handgun on his person at age 19, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, and obstruction of justice resisting officer without violence.
Deputies responded to a reported robbery at the park on May 3 where an alleged victim told deputies that he had been robbed by a man that ran towards Chaser’s Lounge on W Street. That’s where deputies spotted a man matching the description of the alleged robber. The man, later identified as Gulley, immediately ran from deputies.
A deputy gave chase on foot, reporting that Gulley held up a handgun with an extended magazine in his right hand before throwing the firearm under a parked vehicle. He was taken into custody.
Deputies returned to the park, but the supposed victim had left the scene and could not be located. According to an arrest report, a 9mm handgun was located under a vehicle in the lounge parking lot, where the deputy reported seeing a fleeing Gulley throw it.
Deputies located 273 grams of synthetic cannabinoids in Gulley’s bag, the report states.
Gulley told deputies that he was in the park when he observed a male holding the bag, and the male reached into the bag as if he had a gun. He stated he believed the man was going to harm him. He stated the male dropped the bag, which he picked up before running out of fear of being harmed. He denied knowing about the narcotics in the bag.
Gulley was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,500 bond.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
May 14, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for April. Pictured with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger (right) are math/inclusion teacher MaryBeth Geary; Jesse McElhaney, eight grade; Wyatt Jones, seventh grade; Colton Hopper, sixth grade. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Collector Bringing Mobile Services to Century Thursday, Walnut Hill In June
May 14, 2025
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on Thursday, and upcoming dates and locations have been announced through July.
MILO, a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, will be at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on Thursday,May 15 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:
- May 15, 2025: Billy G. Ward Courthouse
- July 17, 2025: Billy G. Ward Courthouse
Future MILO Dates in Walnut Hill:
- June 12, 2025: Walnut Hill Community Center, Walnut Hill, FL
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.
Olmstead Delivers Walk-off Win As Wahoos End Losing Streak
May 14, 2025
by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos didn’t have much to celebrate on the end of their road trip.
They got some relief Tuesday night back home.
With their offense still in a slumber, the Blue Wahoos got clutch pitching, then a game-winning, two-out single from Johnny Olmstead in the 11th inning for a 3-2 walk-off win against the Rocket City Trash Pandas to end a five-game losing streak.
Moments earlier, reliever Jesse Bergin became the biggest star for Pensacola, after loading the bases with a pair of hit batters, then striking out the next three batters with well-placed fastballs to end the threat and keep the score tied.
A crowd of 3,112 on a Doggone Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium watched a game where the Blue Wahoos had chances to take a lead, but again could not produce a big hit. This was the issue in Biloxi last week when the team dropped the final five games of the series and scored just eight runs combined in those games.
But Tuesday was different from a pitching perspective.
The Blue Wahoos got an outstanding start from Jacob Miller, who worked five innings, allowed four hits, no runs, one walk and five strikeouts.
The four relievers behind him were also plus points.
Zach McCambley worked two scoreless innings, striking out four of the seven batters he faced. Jacob White had a tough break in the ninth when a wild pitch led to a tying run. Josh Eckness worked two innings, gave up a run but retired the final two batters.
The Blue Wahoos missed a chance in the 10th to win the game, but caught a break when Bergin pitched out of a jam, then Olmstead jumped on a first pitch fastball to win the game, scoring Jared Serna.
The teams will have a quick turnaround, playing at 11 a.m. Wednesday in an Education Day game with school children from the region attending.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: Wednesday’s game is a special 11 a.m. start for Education Day with area schools, but is also open to all fans who want to attend the only mid-day game of the season; Thursday Thru Saturday games start at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game starts at 1:05 p.m.– the final 1:05 start until mid-September.
Natural Gas Station Proposed Adjacent To Century Courthouse, Apartment Complex
May 13, 2025
A new natural gas gate station is proposed next to the courthouse and an apartment complex in Century.
A gate station is the point in a natural gas delivery system where gas is transferred from high-pressure transmission pipelines to a local distribution network.
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday is expected to convey a half acre piece of county-owned property along North Century Boulevard next to the Billy G. Ward Courthouse to the Town of Century. The property was escheated to the county in 2021.
The Town of Century was awarded federal funding from the PHMSA Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety Modernization Grant to construct a new gate station.
The town currently receives natural gas from BP through their original gate station built in the 1950’s. It is located several miles outside the town on Poplar Dell Road, just behind the Poplar Dell Baptist Church on Highway 168. The project will connect the town’s gas distribution system to the Peninsula Pipeline, enabling access to Florida Gas Utility’s (FGU) aggregated supply network. This connection is expected to result in cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced safety.
A few years ago, FGU proposed the installation of the new gate station during the Peninsula Pipeline’s construction phase, but the Town Council did not approve the project at that time. When the Town revisited the proposal,
construction had already been completed. As a result, they are now working with grant funding and have shifted focus to a new location for the gate station.
The gate station would be located adjacent to the courthouse and in front of the Century Park Apartments. There is no timetable for the start of construction.
Pictured top: Graphic showing the location of a proposed natural gas gate station in Century marked in red. Pictured below: The piece of property located next to the courthouse. Pictured bottom: Century’s current gate station on Popular Dell Road. NorthEscambia.com photos/graphic, click to enlarge.
Older ECSO Law Enforcement Memorial Relocated To Molino
May 13, 2025
An older Escambia County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement memorial has been moved to Molino.
The stucco memorial, dedicated to the fallen men and women of the ECSO, is located next the Sheriff’s Office Molino substation is open to the public.
It was relocated to Molino from the front of the ECSO main office on Leonard Street to make room for new memorial plaza.
The ECSO will hold their annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the new memorial site on the front lawn of the ECSO main office at 1700 West Leonard Street. The public is invited to attend.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Create Your Own Unique Bird Feeder For Free At The Century Library
May 13, 2025
Want to create your own unique bird feeder?
Stop by the Century Branch Library on Tuesday or Wednesday. They library will supply a wooden bird feeder, and you supply the imagination to create your own one-of-a-kind bird feeder while supplies last.
The Century Library is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays at 7991 North Century Boulevard.
NorthEscambia.com generated image for illustrative purposes.
Northview High NJROTC Holds Unit Change Of Command Ceremony
May 13, 2025
The Northview High School NJROTC held a Unit Change of Command ceremony on Monday.
The unit recognized Cadet Damon McDuffie (Command Master Chief), Cadet Talaysha Curry (Unit Executive Officer) and Cadet Will Nowlin (Unit Commanding Officer).
Cadet Kate Stinson was recognized as outgoing Unit Commanding Officer.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Has Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Until Thursday
May 13, 2025
Escambia County Animal Welfare has partnered with Bissell Pet Foundation for the “Empty the Shelters” adoption event, offering free adoptions on cats and dogs one year or older starting until Thursday, May 15. Puppies will be
available for $50, and kittens will be available for $25. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
Adoptable pets can been seen at 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
File photo.
Parent Awareness Night At Bratt Elementary To Address Online Predators, Social Media, Vaping, And More
May 13, 2025
Bratt Elementary School will host a Parent Awareness Night on Thursday, May 15.
The informational session is designed to educate parents and guardians about critical dangers currently facing children.
The event will cover a range of vital topics, including the risks posed by online predators, the potential harms associated with social media use, the realities of human trafficking, and the growing vaping epidemic among young people.
A question-and-answer session will feature guest speakers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and CDAC Behavioral Healthcare, providing attendees with an opportunity to ask questions and gain expert insights on these challenging issues.
The event will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the school, 5721 North Highway 99 in Bratt.