Three Candidates Qualify For Century Council Seat, Zero For Mayor

February 11, 2025

Three candidates qualified Monday to seek an open seat of the Century town council. but no one qualified to run for mayor.

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.

John Bass
Kathryn Fleming
Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison

Qualifying will continue through noon Wednesday at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, in Pensacola.

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 months 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 special primary election for the Town of Century will be held on Tuesday, March 18, and the special general election will be held on April 29.

Pictured top: (L-R) Century council candidates John Bass (submitted photo), and Kathryn Fleming and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison (NorthEscambia.com photos).

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia Health Department Offering Free or Low-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings

February 11, 2025

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) will host the 3D Mobile Mammography bus to provide free or low-cost mammograms to women in the community.

The mammograms will be available on Thursday, February 20 at the Health and Hop Clinic, 1718 East Olive Road in Pensacola.

Eligibility for Free Mammogram Screenings

Must meet each of the four criteria below:

1 Females ages 50-60
–(females ages 40-49 with a parent, sister, brother, or child that’s had breast cancer)
2. Have a household income that is less than or equal to 200% of the poverty level
3. Have no health insurance to cover the cost of a clinical breast exam, mammogram, or pap smear
4. Primary residence is in Florida

To see if you qualify for these screenings, call (850) 316-2706.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Veterans Outreach Events Planned In Byrneville, Davisville, Molino

February 11, 2025

The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold three public meetings in North Escambia to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.

Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.

Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates at community centers in North Escambia:

Friday, February 14: Byrneville Community Center, 1707 Highway 4A in Byrneville
Friday, March 14: Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97 in Davisville
Wednesday, April 9: Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.

Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.

For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.

NorthEscambia.com graphic.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Tate Lady Aggies Beat Escambia (With Gallery)

February 11, 2025

The Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Escambia Gators 15-0 in their preseason opener Monday night at Tate.

Kara Win went 3-3 for the Aggies with a double in the fourth, triple in the third and a single in the second inning. Jordan Smith was 2-2 at the plate. Tate also had one hit each from Peyton Womack, Aubree Jordan, Lacy Wilson, Amburleigh Laird, Madison Smilie, Kylie Mitchell, and MyKamia Padgett.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Jordan Smith earned the win in the circle for the Lady Aggies, allowing one hit and no runs in two innings while striking out six and walking none. Mykamia Padgett threw two innings of shutout ball for Tate in relief. She gave up no hits, striking out four and walking none.

The Lady Aggies will host West Florida at 6:30 Thursday in another preseason game.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Boil Water Notice Issued For Ernie Road, In The 4000 Block Of Hwy 196

February 10, 2025

**The boil water notice has been lifted.**

Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice following the repair of broken water main.

The notice is in effect until further notice for Molino Utilities customers on all of Ernie Road and customers between 4025 Highway 196 and 4460 Highway 196

The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.

This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.

For any additional information, contact the utility at (850) 587-5538.

This story will be updated with the boil water notice is lifted.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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 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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.