Ribbon Cutting Set For Community Park In Gonzalez
March 21, 2025
A ribbon cutting has been set for the new Jennings Gonzalez Park at 1552 Goldenrod Road.
The park has been open to the public since February 10 and is open each day from sunrise to sunset. The. community park features a playground with a slide, numerous climbing structures, and additional play features for all ages.
The ribbon cutting will take place on Wednesday, April 2 at 2 p.m.
Jennings-Gonzalez Park is Escambia County’s second park addition in District 5 recently, following the newly-opened Paper Park near International Paper in Cantonment.
“This new park offers even more opportunities for children and families in District 5 to get outside and play, which is a critical part of creating a wonderful quality of life for our residents,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I appreciate the Jennings family and the greater Gonzalez community for their support and continued contributions in District 5, and I’d like to thank our Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments for continuing to add amenities like this that our residents will enjoy for many years to come.”
RELATED STORY: New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course Is Now Open
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Falls To First Academy In Aggie Classic Championship (With Gallery)
March 21, 2025
On a cold, windy night in the Aggie Nation, Tate fell 13-7 to The First Academy Royals of Orlando in the 30th Annual Aggie Classic championship game.
The Royals took a 6-2 lead in the second with five runs on five hits, including a two-run homer to right field.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Kaden Posta went 3-4 for the Aggies at bat. Nathan Connors had two RBIs to lead Tate, as he went 2-5 for the night, and Kaleb Posta went 2-4.
Lance Brady opened the mound for the Aggies, giving up seven hits and six runs in one inning as he walked one and struck out one. Keelan Beasley threw four and a third innings in relief, surrendering three hits and five hits (three earned) while walking four and striking out five. Conners went for one and two-third innings, allowing two runs and two hits.
Following spring break, Tate returns to action with a trip to the Pine Forest Eagles on March 25.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jake Livingston’s Big Blackcats Dream: A New Gym for Century’s Kids
March 20, 2025
Jake Livingston, a resident of Century, is, without a doubt, a sports fan. But more than that, he is fan of sports and opportunities for kids.
Everybody around Century, and pretty much every Northview High School student or fan ever, just loves Jake. Or Northwest Escambia football. Or the Century Blackcats youth sports leagues. And he loves them, everyone back. He does not know a stranger.
Jake is always looking for a way to help with youth and sports.
This week, Jake arrived at the Century Town Council meeting with what just looked like a roll of Christmas wrapping paper in his hand. Despite his autism, he sat quietly and patiently through two hours of the local government meeting waiting his turn to speak during the public form portion at end of the meeting. You see, Jake had something to say — for the kids.
“Council, I’ve got something that is going to bring economics to Century like you’ve never seen before,” he said as he approached the council table and unrolled his Christmas wrapping paper. Hand drawn on the back was Jake’s big idea. His really big idea.
“I drew this out by myself,” he said. “This is for some of the ideas I had for the place.”
Jake presented his plans for a new Blackcats gym for youth sports. (The former Century High School mascot was the Blackcats, and Blackcat Pride has remained a big part of the community since the school closed 20 years ago.)
Smoke coming out of a Blackcats scoreboard when the kids score in the gym. A food room, locker for every and plenty of fan seats were all part of the plan.
“These kids need a place to play basketball inside where they don’t get rained on,” he said. “That’s why I brought this out here to y’all.”
“Go Blackcats!”
Jakes dream will actually become reality in the not so horribly distant future.
The state terminated $12.8 million in grants with the town for two bridges and a hurricane shelter that will double as a community center and multi-purpose building — including a basketball court. However, the state funds were awarded to Escambia County and the projects will continue.
The $10 million project is currently in the early stages and is being managed by the Escambia County facilities department. Land on Hecker Road was transferred from Pensacola State College to Escambia County at no cost to the county, under the conditions that it must remain a community center/shelter. Phase I will include an environmental study. From there, they will bid for design and move forward with the process. Escambia County said negotiations are ongoing as an environmental review has been advertised and a consultant has been selected.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
March 20, 2025
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition.
One student did not survive.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
For a more photos, click here.
“You can talk about something all day long and it doesn’t set in their minds,” Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry said. “When they see something in person, and they see the blood, or they see the people being put in the ambulance, they see the people being put on life flight, they see the people getting put in a hearse, it brings it home a little bit more for them, makes it a little more personal.”
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Newmans Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Williams Funeral Home. Peach Ford/Chevrolet Wrecker Service, Lambeth Fire Department, and Brewton Fire Department.
Photos by Katie Fowler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Th
e demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
Special Election Sample Ballots Mailed To Escambia County Voters
March 20, 2025
Sample ballots for the April 1 special general election have been mailed to all registered voters who do not currently have a vote-by-mail request on file. Voters can expect their sample ballots to arrive in mailboxes early next week. All registered voters in Escambia County are eligible to participate in the April 1 Special General Election. Your sample ballot will also contain early vote information, vote-by-mail information, and your home precinct for election day.
Vote by mail ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on election day. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot back at least seven days prior to the deadline. Voters may drop their vote by mail ballots off at any early voting locations as well as the main SOE office.
Any voter has the option to vote-by-mail. Requests must be made for each new election cycle. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is Thursday, March 20 for the April 1 special general election.
File photo.
FFA Members Attend ‘Ag On The Hill’ In Tallahassee
March 20, 2025
Florida FFA members took part in the 2025 Ag On The Hill day in Tallahassee this week.
FFA members from Northview High School were among those taking part.
Members met with their state representatives and senators to discuss key issues impacting Florida FFA and agricultural education.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Person of Interest In Suspicious Munson Death Found Deceased in Louisiana
March 20, 2025
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that a man wanted for questioning in a suspicious death near Munson has been found deceased out of state.
Michael Glenn Davis, 60, was found deceased March 6 in the rural Munson area. An autopsy was underway to determine the cause of death.
Authorities had been seeking to question Johnny Drew Mobley, who was previously considered a person of interest in connection with the case.
The SRSO said Mobley (pictured) was found deceased in West Monroe, Louisiana, on March 15. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed. The investigation into Mobley’s death is ongoing, and Santa Rosa County authorities are working closely with West Monroe Police Department to gather more details.
Tate Advances To Aggie Classic Championship With 12-2 Win Over BTW
March 20, 2025
The Tate Aggies advanced to the championship game of the 30th annual Aggie Classic with a 12-2-win Wednesday night over the Booker T. Washington Hornets of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Kaleb Posta earned the win for Tate, surrendering one run on two hits (one earned) in five innings, walking one and striking out three. Bryton McLellan pitched one shutout inning in relief, allowing one hit.
Hunter Clayton had two hits and four RBIs at the plate for the Aggies. Nathan Connors and Cal Foxworth each added two hits for Tate.
Tate will host First Academy Royals from Orlando at 7 p.m. for the Aggie Classic championship.
Here is the complete Aggie Classic schedule for Thursday:
Tate High School
- 4:00 Bixby, OK vs Olympia, FL
- 7:00 First Academy, FL vs Tate, FL
Gulf Breeze High School
- 7:00 Broken Arrow vs Gulf Breeze, FL
Catholic High School
- 4:00 Blanchard, OK vs Neal, AL
- 7:00 Catholic vs Charles Page, OK
Washington High School
- 4:00 Washington, OK vs Noble, OK
- 7:00 Yukon, OK vs Washington, FL
Escambia Man Arrested for DUI, Hit-and-Run After Crash with Police SUV
March 20, 2025
A 48-year-old Escambia County man was arrested on charges of DUI and hit-and-run after crashing into a police vehicle.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol , the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday while the Pensacola Police Department was setting up a perimeter to search for a stolen vehicle.
FHP said Wendell Snow, driving a Dodge pickup truck, approached from behind and collided with a marked PPD SUV that had its emergency lights activated and was slowly moving down the outside lane of Creighton Road.
The officer inside the SUV, a 25-year-old male, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Snow attempted to flee but was stopped several blocks away and detained. Troopers determined he was heavily impaired. He was arrested for hit-and-run and his third DUI offense in over a decade.
Political Newcomer John Bass Wins Election To Century Town Council
March 19, 2025
Political newcomer John Bass easily won election to an open seat on the Century Town Council in a special primary election on Tuesday.
Three candidates appeared on the ballot on Tuesday for Century Town Council Seat 4.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons.
“I am a life long citizen of Century that has appreciated and enjoyed the work of many others before me. Now I feel it’s my responsibility to help lead the way for future generations of Century residents.,” Bass, a retired correctional officer with an associate’s degree in electronic engineering, wrote in response to a questionnaire from NorthEscambia.com.
- John Bass – 75
- Kathryn Fleming – 27
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison – 26
With a 128 votes cast, Bass needed 65 votes to win — 50% plus one additional vote — to avoid a run-off in an April general election. There were 858 voters qualified to vote in Tuesday’s election, putting the voter turnout in the non-partisan race at almost 15%.
There were 85 votes in-person on Tuesday, with 54 of those going for Bass. A total of 43 votes were cast by mail prior to election, with the majority (21) going to Bass.
Both Fleming and Harrison took to the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page Tuesday night to congratulate Bass.
One candidate, Ben Boutwell, qualified for the position of mayor. He was elected automatically, and that contest did not appear on the special primary ballot. [Read: Century's Next Mayor Ben Boutwell Is Ready To Get To Work]
Boutwell and Bass will be sworn into office in early May.
Pictured top: John Bass (submitted photo). Pictured inset: There were 43 vote-by-mail ballots that were tabulated. Pictured below: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender announces special primary election results Tuesday night at the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
