Judge Says No Probable Cause For Charges Against Man Charged In Century Hit And Run That Injured Five
February 10, 2025
A judge says there is no probable cause for charges against a Panama City man that was charged with a hit and run crash February 1 in Century that injured five people, including children.
Following the crash, Dexter Ivey Smith, 35, was charged with felony hit and run for failure to stop or remain on scene at a crash with injury, along with misdemeanor battery and driving with a revoked license. According to court records, Escambia County Judge Kristiana Lightel found that no probable cause exists, the charges were dropped, and Smith was released from custody.
After the ruling, FHP filed a careless driving citation against Smith. That case is pending.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. February 1 on Highway 29 near the southern town limits.
The driver of a northbound pickup truck was struck by a northbound SUV driven by Smith approached at a high rate of speed, according to troopers. The pickup truck overturned multiple times, coming to rest on the shoulder just north of Salter’s Lake Road. Smith’s SUV rotated into the paved median of Highway 29.
The 38-year-old female driver of the pickup truck and her passengers — a 45-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 13-year-old male and a 6-year-old female — all sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A witness told troopers that a white male in his mid-thirties with short black hair and a long nose fled from the scene. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office later received a report of a man matching the description outside a nearby home. The witness identified Smith as the driver that fled the scene of the crash.
FHP said Smith was charged with battery for throwing a flashlight at the passenger of the second vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Candidate Qualifying Begins Today For Century Mayor, Vacant Council Seat
February 10, 2025
The Century Town Council held a rare Sunday meeting to consider to set election dates to fill a council seat and for mayor, a position currently occupied on an interim basis by Alicia Johnson.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned.
The ordinance approved Sunday set the following dates:
The ordinance will set the following dates for a special election:
- Special Primary Election Date: March 18, 2025
- Special General Election Date: April 29, 2025
- Qualifying Period:
- Monday, February 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Voter Registration Deadlines: February 17, 2025, for the primary; March 31, 2025, for the general election
Today, February 10, the Supervisor of Elections Office will have staff available at the Century Town Hall to assist candidates in filing for office.
To qualify for the council seat, a candidate must be a registered voter in the Town of Century and pay an election assessment of 1% of the $3,715 annual salary, equal to $37.15, plus a $12.85 file fee for a total qualifying fee of $50.
To qualify for mayor, a candidate must have been a registered voter in the Town of Century for at least six month and pay an election assessment of 1% of the $10,132 annual salary, equal to $101.32 plus a $25 filing fee for a total qualifying fee of $126.32.
Unlike many other local offices, there is no option to qualify by petition.
The council plans to swear in the winning mayoral and council candidate during a special meeting on Tuesday, May 13.
Last month, the council was deadlocked on a choice from three applicants to fill the empty council seat, opting to leave the position open until after the special election.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Aggie JV Cheerleaders Place Eighth In The Nation
February 10, 2025
The Tate High School junior varsity cheerleaders placed eighth in the nation over the weekend.
The JV Aggie cheerleaders were the first Tate Aggies JV squad to earn a sport in the finals at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship. They placed eighth in the JV Tradicional division in the Orlando competition.
The Tate varsity cheerleaders, who won the runner up spot in the state a week before, also competed in nationals.
“It’s been a tough one but we will come back stronger and use this season as a learning experience,” the varsity squad said on social media.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2025 Northview Lady Chiefs Softball Rosters Announced
February 10, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs have named their 2025 varsity and junior varsity teams.
The rosteras are as follows:
VARSITY
- Addysen Bolen
- Riley Brooks
- Bailey Burkette
- Mary Clayton Dawson
- Jamison Gilman
- Aubrey Hadley
- Kylie Langham
- Mikayla McAnally
- Daviona Randolph
- Avery Stuckey
JUNIOR VARSITY
- Auna Arredond
- Amanda Frenandez
- Brielle Garcia
- Zoey Grice
- Aviya Labue
- Allison Nafel
- Bella Sanspree
- Chloe Satterwhite
- Julianna Tidwell
- Abigail Williams
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Jay Home Heavily Damaged By Fire That Claimed Life Of Pet
February 10, 2025
A residential structure fire heavily damaged a home near Jay Sunday afternoon.
The midday fire in the 2800 block of Highway 4 near Shell Road caused heavy damage and claimed the life of one pet, according to officials.
The Jay, Allentown, Berrydale, and Century fire departments responded, along with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the blaze.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Slow Down Construction Spots
February 10, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, Feb. 9, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Feb. 9 through Thursday, Feb. 13, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Tarragona Street, from East Chase Street to East Wright Street, will encounter daytime alternating, intermittent lane closures Friday, Feb. 14 for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 9, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, for paving operations and thermoplastic striping.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction related traffic disruptions Sunday, Feb. 9 through Thursday, Feb. 13, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- S.R. 742 Routine Underground Maintenance at Audubon Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 10 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for maintenance on underground utilities.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance near O’Reilly Auto Parts – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- I-110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over City Streets Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 9 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent westbound lane closures Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 9 and Monday, Feb. 10 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Feb. 9 through Thursday, Feb. 13, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Feb. 9 through Thursday, Feb. 13 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Feb. 9, through Friday, Feb. 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 10 through Friday, Feb. 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Up A Dime Since Last Week
February 10, 2025
Florida gas prices are up about a dime since last week on average, according to AAA.
On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.17 per gallon. That’s 10 cents more than a week ago, 6 cents more than last month, and 2 cents more than this time last year.
“Florida gas prices continue to follow the same pattern of rising and falling within about the same range every week or two,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices showed some weakness this past week, but not to a degree that would signal any significant relief at the pump.”
In Escambia County, the average price was $2.86 per gallon Sunday in Escambia County. A low of $2.69 was available in North Escambia at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment. In Pensacola, the low price was $2.59 at stations on West Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two, Dressed As Workers, Charged With Stealing AT&T Phone Cable In Century
February 9, 2025
Two men have been charged with stealing thousands of dollars worth of AT&T phone lines in Century.
Kenneth Wayne Gibbons, 55, and David Lee Gibbons, 40, were each charged with first degree felony theft of copper.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of State Line Road and Shady Lane in Century after a the ECSO was notified that a GPS tracker alarm attached to AT&T phone lines was sending an active tamper alert. The tracker was attached after a previous tampering incident in January.
A deputy arrived to find two men, later identified as Kenneth and David Gibbons in orange and yellow traffic standing near a Dodge Ram with a strobing orange light and an attached trailer. The trailer contained 780 feet of 400 pair and 200 pair telephone wire that had been cut into transportable lengths according to an arrest report. AT&T said the wire was valued at $12,314.
Both suspects were released from the Escambia County Jail on bonds of $10,000 each. The arrest report does not state the familial relationship, if any, between the two men.
Pictured: David and Kenneth Gibbons were arrested for copper theft along State Line Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Southeastern Grocers Buying Back About 170 Winn-Dixie, Harvey’s Locations From Aldi
February 9, 2025
Southeastern Grocers is buying back about 170 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations from Aldi.
Aldi completed the purchase of Southeastern Grocers and their Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket stores in the Southeast back in March 2024, including all Winn-Dixie stores in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Friday night, a consortium of private investors, spearheaded by the current CEO and President of Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), Anthony Hucker, and C&S Wholesale Grocers, announced it has acquired Southeastern Grocers and its Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket banners, including about 170 grocery stores in five southern states, including Florida.
Aldi still plans to complete its previous conversion plan with a total of approximately 220 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket stores to be converted to the ALDI format over a multi-year conversion process that began in March 2024, and is expected to conclude in 2027.
Earlier this week, an Aldi vice president told NorthEscambia.com that the former Winn-Dixie on Nine Mile Road, which closed for renovations in later September 2024, will reopen as an Aldi “sometime in the spring”. The Germany-based Aldi has not announced any other store conversions in Escambia County. It was not known after Friday night’s announcement exactly which local Winn-Dixie Stores will be part of the Southeastern Grocers acquisition.
Aldi said Friday it expects to open 225 new stores in the U.S. during 2025, partly by converting some of the Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations.
“Weare profoundly grateful and deeply honored to continue serving the communities we cherish. Our culture and path forward are firmly grounded in our 100-year legacy—a legacy built on strong values and a shared purpose of caring for one another, said Anthony Hucker, chair, CEO and president of Southeastern Grocers. “Throughout this transformational journey, our commitment to thoughtful, purpose-driven growth remains strong and propels us forward with renewed momentum. As we reinvest in the store fleet, we are inspired by listening loudly to the voices of our customers, to elevate and revolutionize our customer experience and store offerings, so that each step we take will reflect our dedication to our people and our communities.”
Pictured top: The Winn Dixie store in Cantonment.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Manslaughter For Shooting Cantonment Man In Lounge Parking Lot
February 9, 2025
A man has been convicted of shooting a Cantonment man in the summer of 2023 at a Pensacola lounge.
Michael Andrew Rodriguez, now 40, was originally charged with second degree murder but was convicted by an Escambia County jury of a lesser offense of manslaughter.
Rodriguez is being held without bond as he awaits sentencing on February 20.
He shot victim Damon Caldwell in the neck at Sam’s Lounge on Old Corry Field Road on July 21, 2023. Video surveillance showed a confrontation between Rodriguez and Caldwell outside the lounge before Rodriguez draws a firm and shoots Caldwell, who falls to the ground. Rodriguez then backs away, firing multiple additional shots toward the crowd near Caldwell. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies noted in their report that Caldwell never presented a firearm or any other weapon and did not utilize any other form of deadly force against Rodriguez.
Rodriguez later contacted law enforcement and told deputies that he planned to turn himself in, but he failed to do so. The ECSO tracked Rodriguez him and arrested him, as he told them he “knew he messed up”.
An Escambia County woman is awaiting trial and an accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Rodriguez, her boyfriend, after the shooting. According to investigators, Deomi Polyzos drove to the lounge and picked Rodriquez up after the murder before making stops ” presumably to dispose of evidence/the firearm utilized”, an arrest report states
Polyzos remains free on a $75,000 bond with a schedule court appearance in late February.