Cantonment WWII Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient Celebrates 108th Birthday
February 6, 2025
A Cantonment man celebrated his 108th birthday Wednesdayday at the Sodalis Senior Living Facility.
Army veteran Duane Brewton was born February 5, 1917. He was married for 78 years and has four children and a multitude of children and grandchildren.
Brewton has told facility staff that the secret to a long life is putting God first and taking care of your health.
He served in Europe during World War II. While serving in the Army infantry, Brewton was awarded the Purple Heart after an artillery shell exploded near him and caused critical injuries from multiple shrapnel wounds.
Brewton had a big birthday cake and celebrated the momentous occasion with family and friends.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Tate Aggies Upset Top-Ranked Gulf Breeze, Head To District Championship
February 6, 2025
The Tate Aggies will play for the 6A District 1 district championship on Friday.
The No 5. Aggies upset the No. 1 Gulf Breeze Dolphins 65-62 Wednesday night in Gulf Breeze.
Also Wednesday night, No. 3 Milton beat No. 2 Crestview 67-53.
Friday night, Milton will host Tate for the district title.
File photo.
National Signing Day: Salazar, Hearn Ink To Play College Football
February 6, 2025
Wednesday, two Tate High Aggie football players signed to play football at the next level on National Signing Day.
Judas Salazar sight with Culver Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, and Ramon Hearn sighed with McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas.
Both are National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) schools.
Pictured top: Signing day for Judas Salazar (left) and Ramon Hern (right) Wednesday at Tate High School. Photos for courtesy Tate Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Reducing January Electric Bills For Members Following Extreme Cold
February 5, 2025
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is giving members a reduction on their January bills following record breaking cold and history snowfall to help alleviate the financial strain caused by increased electricity usage.
EREC is removing the Purchased Power Cost Adjustment (PPCA) charge for January. The PPCA reflects the fluctuating costs of fuel and electricity generation. This charge varies based on the market price of fuel and the cost of generating electricity.
“Our members are our top priority, and we recognize the challenges that come with unexpected weather extremes,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO and General Manager of EREC. “By removing the PPCA charge, we aim to provide some financial relief while maintaining reliable service.”
EREC said members will save from $15 to $50, depending on usage. For a typical customer using 1200 kwh of electricity, the reduction will be about $20.
For most members, the charge is listed as purchased power cost adjustment line item on their bill. For customers with multiple accounts, including those with water from EREC, the charge is listed as fuel adjustment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Seeks Necklace Containing Remains Of Her Sisters That Was Lost Near Bratt Park
February 5, 2025
A Bratt woman is searching for a special memorial necklace that was lost in or near a Bratt park. The necklace contains the ashes of both of Amanda Holt’s sisters.
“I never take it off, but three days ago I went to take my son walking to Bratt park,’ she said. “My necklace latch broke and my necklace fell off my neck. I didn’t notice it was gone till I got to the park.”
Holt said she walked against traffic along Highway 4 from Pine Barren Road to the Travis Nelson Park. She said the necklace is likely somewhere along Highway 4 or in the park, which is located on Highway 4 at Bratt Road. Also on the chain, she had two rings and a plate that says “just breathe” on it.
She has re-walked the route but has been unable to find the necklace.
“I lost my sisters once and this feels like I’m losing them all over again,” Holt said. “This necklace is very important to me.”
Anyone that finds the necklace can contact us at news@northescambia.com or on our social media channels and we will put you in touch with Holt.
Pictured below: Looking east along Highway 4 from the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Council To Hold Sunday Meeting To Finalize Special Election
February 5, 2025
The Century Town Council will hold a rare Sunday meeting to consider final approval of an ordinance setting election date 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 when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned.
The required first reading of the special election ordinance was held January 28, postponed from a planned January 21 meeting that was canceled due to snow and ice. The town required a local weekly newspaper of general circulation to publish a required advertisement on January 16, but the newspaper informed the town of an “issue with placing the ad” on January 21. Because the town was closed due to inclement weather, the town was unable to respond, and the advertisement was delayed.
Due to various requirements, the town said the final adoption of the ordinance setting the special election must be held at a special called meeting on Sunday, February 9.
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 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Voter Registration Deadlines: February 19, 2025, for the primary; April 8, 2025, for the general election
Last week, 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.
Pictured: The Century Town Council meeting Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Airport Transformed Into Pensacola Intergalactic Airport
February 5, 2025
Pensacola International Airport has partnered with Pensacon for its annual transformation into Pensacola Intergalactic Airport, assuming the temporary name and stellar decor to commemorate the 2025 Pensacon convention scheduled for February 14-16.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the temporary change renaming the airport Pensacola Intergalactic Airport on Tuesday. The signage throughout the terminal highlights iconic comic and science fiction characters and welcome messages.
“Our relationship with the Pensacola Intergalactic Airport has been such a wonderful way to not only promote Pensacon, but also show travelers how great our city is in supporting events like ours. Each year, our celebrity guests are impressed when they come off the plane and feel like they are already immersed in Pensacon,” Pensacon CEO Mike Ensley said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Library Security Cameras Proposed For Molino, Century, Southwest Branches
February 5, 2025
West Florida Public Libraries is looking to add security cameras at the Molino, Century and Southwest library branches.
The Escambia County Commission will consider a $140,655.91 proposal from Security Engineering, Inc. for camera surveillance systems at the three libraries. According to BOCC agenda item for Thursday, the cameras will “enable real-time monitoring and rapid response to security incidents, greatly improving safety. This proactive measure will safeguard valuable assets and create a secure environment.”
- Century Branch Library – $39,743.37 – Six interior, six exterior cameras
- Molino Branch Library $39,743.37 – six interior, five exterior cameras
- Southwest Branch Library $43,340.49- five interior, five exterior cameras
The projects includes all installation, accessories, networking equipment and other supplies. The cameras will be connected to the library’s server at the downtown library.
The Escambia County cost will piggyback on a bid awarded by Okaloosa County To Security Engineering.
Pictured: The children’s area at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Playoff Hopes Dashed For Tate And Northview Girls Basketball, Tate Soccer Teams
February 5, 2025
Playoff hopes ended Tuesday night for the Tate and Northview girls basketball teams along with the Tate soccer teams.
BASKETBALL
Girls Rural Class District 1
- In Girls Rural Class District 1 basketball quarterfinal action, the No. 6 Northview Chiefs fell 83-32 to No. 3 Century. Central will advance to the semifinals on Thursday at No. 2 Paxton.
Girls 6A District 1
- In the Girls 6A District 1 basketball quarterfinals, the No. 6 Tate Aggies lost to No. 3 Crestview by a score of 46-25. Crestview will travel to No. 2 Milton on Thursday, while No.1 Niceville will host No 4 Pace. The district championship will be held on Saturday.
SOCCER
Class 6A Girls Tournament
- In the Girls 6A District 1 regional soccer quarterfinals Tuesday night, the No. 7 Tate Aggies fell 3-0 to No. 2 Niceville. It was the first postseason appearance by the Lady Aggies soccer team in 18 years.
Class 6A Boys Tournament
- In the Boys 6A District 1 regional soccer quarterfinals, the No. 7 Tate Aggies lost 5-3 to No. 2 Horizon in Winter Garden.
Pictured: The 6A Tate Lady Aggies took on the 1A Northview Lady Chiefs last month. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Weightlifters Qualify For State
February 5, 2025
Two Northview High School weightlifters are headed to state after their performance at the 1A R1 Regional Championship.
In the 101-pound weight class, Maggie Stewart secured a 5th place finish with a total lift of 190 pounds.
In the 119-pound division, Aaliyah Fountain earned a 3rd place finish, lifting a total of 265 pounds.
Steward and Fountain both qualified for the upcoming tate meet.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
