Registration Deadline Friday For Tate High ‘Under The Lights’ Youth Football Camp
July 16, 2026
The deadline to register for the upcoming Tate High School “Under the Lights” Youth Football Camp is this Friday, July 17.
The camp will take place on Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. each evening. It is open to young athletes in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to hit the field and learn directly from current Tate Aggie players and coaching staff, participating in the same drills the high school team uses.
Registration includes a camp T-shirt. To secure your player’s spot before the Friday deadline, you can sign up through the online registration form.
Hurricane Center Gives Gulf Area A 20% Chance Of Development
July 15, 2026
The National Hurricane Center has identified an area in the Gulf that has a low chance of tropical development over the next week.
“An area of low pressure is expected to form during the weekend over the northeastern Gulf of America. Subsequent slow development of this system is possible while it moves slowly northeastward over the northeastern Gulf and/or near the southeastern coast of the United States by early next week,” the NHC said in a Wednesday morning advisory.
The NHC put the chance of formation near 0% over the next 48 hours and 20% over the next seven days. The development may be in the Gulf off the coast of the Big Bend of Florida or after it crosses Florida into the Atlantic.
If the tropical system should reach storm status, it would be named Bertha and likely be just a rain event, according to current models.
The general area and potential track does not include Northwest Florida at this time.
One Person Injured In Three Vehicle Crash On Highway 29 In Molino
July 15, 2026
One person was injured in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in Molino.
The crash happened about 6:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196. The crash involved a passenger car, a pickup truck that rolled over in the intersection, and a Dodge 3500 truck pulling a trailer load of hay.
One person from the overturned pickup truck was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The cause of the crash, which temporarily closed southbound Highway 29, is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Council Spends Over an Hour Debating Resident Over Water Bill
July 15, 2026
The Century Town Council limits public forum speakers to three minutes, but spent well over an hour on Tuesday night in a back and forth with a local resident about her water bill.
Senecca Bright, a resident of Alger Road, approached the council about rising utility bills, which she attributed to multiple faulty water meters, including a one-month bill for $644.13.
The $644 bill was easily explained, according to Town Clerk Carrie Moore. She said it was a simple billing error that added an extra zero to the gallons used. She said the bill had already been adjusted down to actual usage of under $100. That bill, like all Century utility bills, included not only water usage, but also sewage and garbage collection. And those rates were increased across the board earlier this year..
Moore (pictured left) held up a 41-page report showing hour-by-hour water usage at Bright’s residence that, she said, showed an ongoing leak or water usage. She said Bright’s total bills have been around $200 for the past several months, with only about $50 of that for water.
After Bright received a new meter during a town-wide replacement project, the town replaced her meter with new meters twice after her complaints, the clerk said.
Moore characterized Bright as having been “nasty and despicable” in wanting her money back, not a bill credit for any incorrect amounts. Meanwhile, Bright attacked Moore’s character numerous times, saying that she was a liar, that she was extremely rude, and that she threatened to call the police. Moore said she finally stopped dealing with Bright, referring her to another staff member when she started calling six to seven times a day “screaming”. Bright also said Town Manager Dave Murzin was rude and did not follow through on promises to correct her bill.
Bright claimed that she never had a leak and had recently had someone “professional” make that determination.
“I can tell you with certainty that water went through that meter,” Moore said. “State law requires you (referring to the town) to pay for the water you pump.”
As the conversation passed the one hour mark, council member John Bass said, “We have no proof of the amount you were overcharged; there is no way the town can know this is what happened.”
“I don’t see where the town actually made a mistake,” he added.
The council took no formal action on the bill.
NorthEscmbia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Oak Grove Rollover Crash
July 15, 2026
One person was injured in a single-vehicle rollover Tuesday night in Oak Grove.
The 21-year-old male driver claimed he hit a deer before his Chevrolet sedan traveled off the roadway and overturned. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash happened around 9:40 p.m. on North Highway 99 just south of Eubanks Road, just over a half mile from Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baldwin Deputies Seek Woman Missing Since 2022 With Possible Escambia County Connection
July 15, 2026
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is turning to the public for assistance as investigators breathe new life into a 2022 cold case involving a missing and endangered Alabama woman.
Taylor Elizabeth Gipson, 32, was reported missing in July 2022. According to authorities, she was last known to be living in the Lillian, Alabama area, but investigators believe she may have subsequently traveled into Escambia County, Florida.
Gipson is described as being approximately 4 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing around 120 pounds. She has multiple distinct scars on her face and neck. BCSO that Gipson suffers from a cognitive brain injury that is unrelated to her disappearance. The injury severely affects her judgment and behavior, making her highly vulnerable.
Because of her cognitive disability, authorities have classified her as a missing and endangered person. Investigators also noted that she has been known to use false names in the past and has ties to the homeless community.
As the search continues across state lines, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that even the smallest detail could be the break investigators need to solve the case.
Have You Seen Her?
Anyone who has any information regarding the whereabouts of Taylor Elizabeth Gipson, or who may have seen her in Baldwin County or Escambia County, Florida, is strongly encouraged to contact Cold Case Investigator Cadenhead at (251) 972-8589 (Option 7) or (251) 937-0202.
Tossed Stanley Cup Leads To Arrest For Cocaine Trafficking, Weapon
July 15, 2026
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after deputies saw him tossing a Stanley cup and rummaging around in his vehicle.
Tristan Salter was charged with trafficking cocaine, concealing a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were investigating a separate case on Smiley Avenue when they observed him throwing a Stanley cup across a fence into a neighbor’s yard before reaching around in the backseat of his vehicle.
When deputies searched the vehicle and the Stanley cup, they reported finding a firearm, 104 grams of cocaine, 507 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Smiley Drive is located a few blocks south of East Nine Mile Road and the John R. Jones Athletic Park.
Florida Prisoner, 74, Becomes The Oldest Inmate Executed In State’s Modern History
July 15, 2026
Dennis Michael Sochor was executed Tuesday evening for the death of 18-year-old Patricia “Patty” Gifford in Broward County 44 years ago, becoming the oldest person put to death by the state since executions were revived in 1977.
Sochor, 74, was executed by lethal injection at 6:16 p.m. (EDT) at Florida State Prison, according to the Department of Corrections.
The execution occurred hours after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his latest motion for a stay.
Sochor was 18 days older than Dusty Ray Spencer when he was executed June 18 for killing his estranged wife. The execution was the tenth in Florida this year.
According to court documents, Gifford went to a bar with a friend to celebrate New Year’s Eve 1981, where they encountered Dennis Sochor and his brother Gary Sochor. The friend was escorted to a car in the parking lot, where she fell asleep. The brothers took Gifford in Dennis Sochor’s work truck, intending to get breakfast. Instead, Dennis Sochor stopped his truck in a secluded spot and took Gifford out of the vehicle.
Sochor confessed that when Gifford refused to have sex with him, he became angry, choked her until she died, and disposed of her body, which was never found, records state. Sochor told police his brother wasn’t with him at the time.
The Gifford family released a statement Tuesday thanking prosecutors, investigators and others who carried the case forward and to “correct a painful misconception” that Patty Gifford “willingly went off with Dennis Sochor and his brother Gary.”
“Sochor’s conviction and sentencing in 1987 gave our family a measure of justice, consolation, and closure in knowing that he would never again be free to hurt another woman,” according to the family’s statement provided by Patricia Gifford’s brother, Bob Gifford
“When he confessed in 1987 and led detectives to the Alligator Alley area in an attempt to locate Patty, we also came to understand that her remains would likely never be recovered.”
“Today marked the end of a legal process that lasted nearly half a century,” the statement continued. “Patty’s remains were never recovered, but her life was never lost to us. She was our sister, our daughter, our friend, and she mattered.”
Sochor is the 17th prisoner executed in the U.S. this year. Besides Florida, there have been four inmates put to death in Texas, two in Oklahoma and one in Arizona.
There were 47 executions last year, with Florida accounting for 19, the most in one year for the state in the modern era.
Because of the increased pace of executions, Rev. Jeff Hood, Sochor’s spiritual advisor, challenged Gov. Ron DeSantis to attend an execution to experience what corrections officials go through. Hood also questioned the selection of aged inmates for the latest round of executions.
Sochor may not hold the oldest executed distinction for long.
DeSantis has already signed a death warrant for Dominick Anthony Occhicone, 80, who is set to be executed on July 28 for killing his former girlfriend’s parents four decades ago.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
MILO Mobile ID And Licensing Unit In Century On Thursday
July 15, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on Thursday, July 16.
The mobile unit will be available from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse. The next visit to Century is planned for August 20, followed by September 17 stop at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
The event was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed to tomorrow.
MILO offers a convenient way for residents to access essential tax collector services, including:
- Driver License Services: Renewals, replacements, out-of-state license conversions/reciprocations, and address or name changes.
- Identification Cards: First-time issuance and renewals.
- Vehicle Services: Registration renewals and replacements, title transfers, and parking placards.
- Tax Payments: Property tax payments.
- Business Tax Receipts: Applications and renewals.
- Certified Driver Transcripts
Written and driving tests are not available at the MILO unit.
Florida drivers may renew their vehicle registrations for a period of one or two years and may renew up to three months in advance of the registration expiration. Vehicle registrations expire at midnight on the first owner’s birth date unless the owner is a business.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Century, The Town’s Only Childcare Facility, Closes Permanently On Friday
July 14, 2026
After 18 years, the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center will close permanently on Friday.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking that we have to go through with and close the doors in Century,” La-Vonne Haven, executive director of the Gulf Wind Council of Camp Fire U.S.A., told NorthEscambia.com. “They have all been truly incredible kids.”
On April 5, 2008, Haven cut the ribbon (pictured left) for the childcare facility in a municipally owned building in the Century Industrial Park, capping a nine-year dream of meeting a critical need for childcare and a VPK program in Century.
The facility opened with 18 students enrolled before the first day of operation and a license to serve up to 75 children. Hundreds of children from not only Century, but also surrounding communities, are Camp Fire graduates.
“Over the years, we have cherished the moments spent with your children and have enjoyed watching them grow and thrive in our care,” Haven said in a letter to parents announcing the closure. “Thank you once again for allowing us to be a part of your child’s life. We will always hold fond memories of our time together and wish you and your family all the best in the future.”
“Your employment with Camp Fire Century will officially end on July 17, 2026,” Haven wrote in a closure and termination notice to employees. “We sincerely appreciate your hard work, dedication, and contributions to the company…Thank you for your service.”
She signed her name to the employee notice, followed by “Wo-He-Lo” — a phrase known by all Camp Fire kids. The name is an acronym created by combining the first two letters of the words “Work, Health, and Love”, the Camp Fire motto.
Haven said that as of last Friday, there were only four children and two staff members remaining at the Century facility as the closure neared.
What Lead To The Closure Decision?
She said the reason for the closure is simply economics and changing times.
“Everything is just so, so high, and the money just isn’t there,” she said, “We tried everything we knew how to raise money, but nothing came to fruition.” She also noted that qualified teachers became progressively harder to find.
The Century Center was the last for the Gulf Wind Council of Camp Fire U.S.A., based in Pensacola. Their other facilities in Pensacola have already been closed, including most recently a childcare facility at Pensacola State College.
Haven, now 86, said she contributed 35 years to childcare in the area, and, more recently, contributed tens of thousands of her own money to Camp Fire in an attempt to make payroll and keep the doors open.
“It’s about kids, not about Camp Fire,” she said, emotion evident in her voice. “It’s about the kids.”
The Lease
In September 2004, the Town of Century leased two buildings, totaling 4,200 square feet, to the non-profit Camp Fire for $1 per year on a 100-year lease. At the time, Century’s mayor and council felt like it was a good deal to finally bring a licensed childcare facility to the town, providing childcare for working parents and educational opportunities for young children.
Camp Fire has notified the town that they are terminating the lease and anticipate being out of the building by July 31.
What’s Next?
In response to a request from NorthEscambia.com last Friday afternoon, Haven said Camp Fire will donate most of the facility’s property — essentially a fully outfitted childcare facility and playground — to the Town of Century, or the next occupant of the building, if it is a non-profit that will operate a childcare center.
Local, county and state leaders went to work on Friday afternoon, and a preliminary plan was reached to tentatively bring another non-profit into the building to operate a state-certified childcare facility. NorthEscambia.com will post a follow-up story if the plan becomes a reality, or if the Town of Century moves forward with leasing the buildings to any other entity.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
