Mayor Enthusiastic About Century’s Future After Regional Economic Forum
March 6, 2026
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell left Miramar Beach Thursday afternoon encouraged and enthusiastic about future opportunities for Century.
Boutwell, Town Administrator Dave Murzin, and Town Council President Dynette Lewis attended the two-day 2026 FPL Northwest Florida Economic Summit with business, civic, and community leaders from across the Panhandle. It’s known as the premier forum for bringing leaders together to collaborate, share ideas, and look forward at the economic future of Northwest Florida.
“It was a very good event for Century to attend,” Boutwell said. “As I was talking to people, I was really pushing economic development for Century.”
A big focus of his conversations was an industrial park with ready-to-build lots with infrastructure already in place. “The industrial park could be vital for us; it’s a blank canvas,” Boutwell said.
District 5 Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member and chairman Kevin Stephens said that he, Boutwell, and Rep. Michelle Salzman spent a lot of time talking about Century. He said they talked about infrastructure needs, including wastewater treatment plant upgrades, even suggesting ECUA could assist the town.
“As you know,” Stephens said, “ECUA has a lot of experience building a new sewer treatment plant and we would be a great resource for collaboration.”
Pictured top: District 5 Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member and chairman Kevin Stephens, Rep. Michelle Salzman, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, and Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons at the 2026 FPL Northwest Florida Economic Summit in Miramar Beach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portwood Homers Twice, Reid Once; Bridge Throws No-Hitter As Northview Beats PCA
March 6, 2026
Northview 11, Pensacola Christian 0
With two home runs from Jase Portwood, a Sam Reid homer, and a no-hitter from Jackson Bridges, the Northview Chiefs shut out Pensacola Christian 11-0 on Thursday in Pensacola.
Portwood hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to left field before hitting another two-run homer in the seventh inning. Reid’s two-run home run to left field also came in the seventh.
Jackson Bridges threw a no-hitter, striking out two and walking two in seven innings.
Up next, the Chiefs will host the Jay Royals on Friday.
NAS Pensacola Implements To Visitor Access Rules, Including Background Checks
March 6, 2026
As the war continues in the Middle East, Naval Air Station Pensacola has implemented new visitor access rules, including a background check.
Public visitation to NAS Pensacola’s areas of public interest – including the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Lighthouse – remains open from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Until further notice, all visitors over the age of 18 must be vetted through the NAS Pensacola Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the south end of Navy Boulevard before being granted access to the installation. Screened individuals must then use the installation’s West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
The NAS Pensacola access control center will open for public visitors at 8 a.m.
All individuals who do not hold a Department of War Identification Card who are 18 years of age and older planning to visit areas of public interest such as the National Naval Aviation Museum or the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum will need to follow these steps:
- Visitor Control Center: Before accessing the installation, all visitors must first go to the Visitor Control Center located at the main front gate at the south end of Navy Boulevard. Use the left lane when approaching the installation. All visitors 18 and older must present a valid government-issued ID, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a U.S. passport.
- Background Check and Pass: At the Visitor Control Center, individuals will undergo a routine background check and be issued a visitor pass.
- Proceed to the West Gate: Once a visitor pass is granted, individuals will then proceed to the West Gate entrance, located at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway, to access areas of public interest onboard the air station.
- Anticipate longer than normal wait times: Visitors are encouraged to plan and allow extra time to transit through the security process. Although visitation is encouraged, installation operations take precedence.
- Security Searches and Forbidden Items: All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches. Weapons, backpacks, coolers, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
McLellan Throws Shutout As Tate Beats Southwest Christian
March 6, 2026
Tate 3 Southwest Christian School 0
Bryton McLellan threw a complete game shutout as the Tate Aggies shut out the Southwest Christian School Eagles 3-0 on Thursday.
Bryton McLellan pitched seven innings, allowing just one hit, no runs, walking one and striking out four.
Kaden Posta, Evan Taylor, and Brody White had one hit each for the Aggies.
Tate will take on George County on Friday.
FDOT Officially Announces Highway 97 Resurfacing Project To Begin
March 6, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation on Thursday officially announced a $14 million project to resurface Highway 97 from Highway 29 in Molino to the Alabama state line at Atmore.
As we previously reported, the project will begin this month, but FDOT’s Thursday update did not provide an exact start date.
The 22-mile project will include milling and resurfacing the roadway, updated signs and pavement markings, and drainage improvements. Many of the stormwater drainage improvements will be made at the Highway 29 intersection to alleviate historic flooding by installing an additional box culvert across the southern leg of the intersection and two additional cross drains on the northern leg of the intersection.
Drivers may experience intermittent lane closures and restrictions between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. This project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2027; the contractor has 567 days plus any weather delays for completion once work begins.
Highway 97 was last resurfaced in 2009-2010 at a cost of $5 million.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
Tate Boys Tennis Beats Pace
March 6, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team earned another win Thursday, defeating Pace 5-2. The Aggies, now 7-1 overall, will host Escambia at home on Tuesday, March 10.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click any image to enlarge.
Firefighters Extinguish Grass Fire At FPL Solar Farm In Molino
March 5, 2026
Firefighters battled a brush and grass fire midday Thursday at the Florida Power & Light Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center on Pilgrim Trail in Molino.
According to Joe Zwierzchowski from the Florida Forest Service, the fire was in 4-5 inch grass around rows of solar panels. Forestry allowed the fire to burn towards a road and used a “small amount” of water to extinguish it.
Multiple units of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
There was no damage to any equipment, and the solar center continued to function normally, Sarah Gatewood, an FPL spokesperson, said. The cause of the fire fire remains under investigation.
Pictured: Solar panels at the FPL First City Solar Energy Center in McDavid, similar to those at Sparkleberry in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Fiery Cantonment Wreck (With Gallery)
March 5, 2026
There were no serious injuries reported in a fiery crash on Wednesday night in Cantonment.
The driver of a Hyundai Elantra apparently rear-ended a Dodge Ram pickup truck on Highway 95A at Neal Road. Following the collision, the Hyundai burst into flames, but everyone was able to escape the fire.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Undergo Annual Inspection (With Gallery)
March 5, 2026
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday morning at the school, with cadets undergoing face-to-face scrutiny with a Navy commander.
The inspection was conducted by Navy Commander Jonathan Shaw, NJROTC Area 10 manager. Shaw went face to face with the cadets, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience.
Click here for a photo gallery.
The day’s events included a command brief, drill, and personnel inspections, exhibition teams, and a pass in review. Several cadets were also promoted.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Schools Will ‘Unplug’ On Friday
March 5, 2026
Escambia County Public Schools will observe ‘National Day of Unplugging’ across all campuses on Friday.
ECPS said in order to draw attention to the serious mental and social harm addiction to technology causes for our youth in the United States, the will take a day to ‘unplug’ and focus on intentional personal interaction. Schools are encouraged to promote activities which bring students together, without technology.
“It’s a small step, but an important one,” said ECPS Superintendent of Schools Keith Leonard. “Actually, this idea came from our Student Advisory Council, who collectively saw reliance on technology as a real problem at their schools. We are proud they recognized this and wanted to do something about it.”