Mobile Dental Unit Providing Services In Century On Monday
November 21, 2025
The Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNWF) mobile dental unit will visit Century on Monday.
The first mobile dental day in Century is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, November 24, at Community Health on Industrial Boulevard. Dates for additional visits will be announced at a later time.
“The dental department is excited to once again provide much-needed dental consults, exams and cleanings to the citizens of Century, utilizing our mobile dental unit,” said Dr. Gabriel Hernandez, DDS who also serves as chief dental officer. “We look forward to providing much-needed dental access to a population with limited options for dental care.”
Essentially a portable dentist office on wheels, the dental unit has the capability of providing multiple chairs for basic dental examinations and cleaning. It’ll be working outside of the CHNWF Century office at 6021 Industrial Boulevard, off Highway 4.
Arrangements will be made for anyone that needs more complicated dental work at one of the CHNWF offices.
To make an appointment with the mobile dental team for the Century visit, call (850) 912-8880, Ext. 13065. Patients will need to bring their insurance information and identification to the appointment.
“Our mobile dental unit benefits our community by making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible, which in turn improves patient outcomes,” said Chandra Smiley, CEO of CHNWF. “Providing access to dental care in Century is a perfect example of what a mobile unit can do to overcome healthcare barriers, especially among vulnerable populations and in rural communities without easy access to healthcare facilities.”
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Highland Christmas Market Is Saturday In Molino
November 21, 2025
Highland Baptist Church will host the Highland Christmas Market on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. until noon.
The market will feature gifts, crafts, and food.
Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino.
Suspect Indicted For Sexual Battery Of Child, Murder, Arson And Animal Cruelty After Trailer Fire
November 21, 2025
An Escambia Man has been indicted for murder, sexual battery of a child, arson and animal cruelty .
A grand jury returned indictments against John Henry Walston, Jr., for two counts of first degree murder, one count of sexual battery of a child under 12, one count of arson, and one count of animal cruelty.
In the early hours of November 7, 2025, emergency responders were called to a house fire on Flaxman Street where two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Walston allegedly sexually battered one of the children before he killed both children and then set his house on fire.
Walston is due back in court on November 26.
Tate Aggies Win Nailbiter Over Bartram Trail To Advance To Tourney Semifinal
November 21, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat the Bartram Trail Bears in a 21-19 nailbiter in the 4A-7A Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) regional finals Thursday night.
Tate took a 7-0 lead on a quarterback keeper—by sophomore Tanner Clark—as time expired in the first quarter. Clark added the second score on the night for the Aggies on another QB keeper with 31 seconds to go in the half.
With about a minute to go in the game, the Bears were inside the 12-yard line when the Aggies picked it off to seal the win.
For a photo gallery, click here.
*Look for a gallery with the cheerleaders, band, fans, and more coming soon.
Tate will host Chiles in the 4A-7A semifinals on Friday, November 28—the day after Thanksgiving.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Seek First Playoff Win In Two Seasons On Saturday
November 21, 2025
Two months ago in Tigerville, South Carolina the University of West Florida football team walked away with a 25-17 win over North Greenville to improve their season record to 4-0. It was the first tight game the Argos had played in all season, needing a fourth quarter scoring drive to widen their lead to eight points. The Argos defense then needed a stop which they got by the graze of a knee in the redzone. The call was controversial at the time as NGU’s quarterback Dylan Ramirez found an open receiver in the back of the endzone to score what was thought to be touchdown, setting up a two-point conversion to tie the game. But the refs blew the play dead and credited Eli Webb with a sack to end the game.
It wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the Argos this season but they got the job done and faced some much needed adversity in a game to help the team march forward to a 9-1 record.
The Argos will now face that same North Greenville team at home on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. for the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Trailblazers are coming into the game on a three-game win streak including a 34-20 win over UNC Pembroke to win the Conference Carolinas title. UWF is entering the game following a regular season finale loss to Valdosta State in overtime.
With a win-or-go-home mindset, coming off a loss and the adversity faced in the previous NGU matchup, the Argos are hungry and prepared to win their first NCAA playoff game in two years.
The first round game features two of the top quarterbacks in the country. Marcus Stokes is a legitimate Harlon Hill Award nominee and has led the Argos to a prominent offense all season. The redshirt sophomore was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year this week. He’s thrown for 2,886 yards and 28 touchdowns. Ramirez was named the Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year following a season throwing for 2,747 yards and 21 touchdowns.
The Argos’ defensive front will be a major factor in the outcome of the game with getting pressure on Ramirez. UWF has registered 34 sacks this season – tenth most in NCAA DII. The defense also boasts the top run defense in the nation, allowing just 48.9 rush yards per contest. The defensive unit is led by GSC Defensive Player of the Year Ja’Kobe Clinton who led the conference in tackles for loss and sacks.
A victory on Saturday will head coach Kaleb Nobles first playoff win at the helm with UWF.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN + which does require a subscription to watch. Tickets to attend the game are still available.
Woman Injured In Bratt Pine Barren Road Crash
November 21, 2025
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. on North Pine Barren Road about one-third of a mile north of Breastworks Road.
The driver of a Nissan car was southbound when her vehicle left the road, struck a small ditch and overturned into woodline. She was able to walk out of the vehicle after first responders removed the windshield.
The adult female was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with injuries that were not considered to be serious.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
PSC Approves FPL Rate Schedule Increase
November 20, 2025
Thursday morning, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a Florida Power & Light comprehensive four-year rate settlement agreement with state regulators. The agreement reduces FPL’s original revenue request by nearly one-third.
The agreement uts FPL’s four-year revenue request by approximately 30%, keeping Northwest Florida rates nearly flat for a couple of years. The agreement, developed in collaboration with a broad coalition of customer groups, sets rates for 2026 through 2029.
In Northwest Florida, the typical residential customer bill will drop nearly $2 next year, going from the current $143.60 to $141.36 in 2026. In the ret of Florida, the typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill will increase by $2.50 a month, or about 2%, from the current $134.14 to $136.64.
The settlement significantly scales back FPL’s initial rate request.
Beginning in 2027, FPL customers in NorthWest Florida will pay the same rates as the remainder of the state. Panhandle customers will see an overall average monthly increase of $6.79 by the end of the four-year agreement, while the rest of the state will have increased by $14.01.
“We appreciate the Florida Public Service Commission’s thorough review of our rate plan. Today’s vote enables FPL to continue to deliver some of America’s most reliable electric service and meet the needs of our fast-growing state—and we project will keep customer bills well below the national average through the end of the decade,” said FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel. “As we begin our second century of serving Florida, approval of this plan is a win for our customers and a win for the entire state.”
Sheriff’s Dive Team Recovers Car From Bluff Springs Lake
November 20, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered a vehicle from a lake Wednesday evening in Escambia County.
The unoccupied Honda Civic was found in a gravel lake in a remote area of the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area off Bluff Springs Road near the Escambia River about two miles south of Century.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Witnesses told authorities that the driver got out of the vehicle at a boat launch, accidentally leaving the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle rolled down the boat launch into the lake and then floated slowly until it sank nearly 100 feet from shore.
With the assistance of a boat and crew from the Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, the ECSO located the vehicle using sonar in about 15 feet of water.
The Sheriff’s Office dive team assisted a wrecker company in hooking to the sedan. The vehicle was slowly winched to the shore, where it was confirmed that no one was inside.
Preliminary information indicated the vehicle, which had a Colorado license plate, had not been reported stolen.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident as a traffic crash.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves Development Fee Increases Up To 900%
November 20, 2025
The Town of Century has updated their permit fees schedule for the first time in 11 years. Fees are increasing from 100% to 900%.
The town’s current plans review fee schedule, adopted in 2014, set rates for planning actions such as development certificates, sign review, and comprehensive plan amendments. The town currently contracts with the planning organization Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) for plan reviews, which generally costs more than the fees paid by citizens as the existing fees no longer reflect true administrative costs.
Town Administrator Dave Murzin, Mayor Ben Boutwell and ECRC Planner Eric Christianson have agreed that the town has been losing money on every permit issued, rather than at least covering costs.
The permit fee schedule, approved 4-0, with council president Dynette Lewis absent this week, is as follows:
The proposed fees are less than those charged by Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphic, click to enlarge.
Eagle Scout Project Drains Flooding, Brings Relief To Panhandle Equine Rescue
November 20, 2025
Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER) in Cantonment is breathing a sigh of relief following the successful completion of a much-needed drainage project spearheaded by a local Boy Scout.
Thomas Beck, with Boy Scout Troop 632, chose PER as the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout Service Project, installing a French drain for the main barn to combat chronic flooding issues caused by heavy downpours. The project, completed during a very productive day at the facility, is expected to significantly improve conditions for the horses and volunteers.
Beck selected the non-profit PER for his project because he felt their mission was worthy of the effort.
The new French drain system will divert water away from the barn, a critical improvement that addresses a long-standing challenge and ensures a drier, safer environment for the rescued horses.
Boy Scout Troop 632 meets at Windy Hill Baptist Church in Beulah.
Pictured: Thomas Beck’s Eagle Scout Service Project was the installation of a french drain around the barn at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. Beck is pictured above, far right in the top row. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
