Century’s Freedom Road Bridge Replacement Stalls Again: The Town Needs Another $700K
October 27, 2025
The Freedom Road bridge in Century has been closed for over five and a half years, and it looked like a new bridge would be in place by the second half of 2026. But now, the project is on hold once again as the Town of Century is forced to seek additional funding.
Century received a nearly $1.257 million legislative appropriation for a new Freedom Road bridge, and about $1,067,788 remains today for construction after project design and permitting,
The town recently opened bids for the project with the low bid of $1,612,966.06 from F&W Construction Company. With engineering and inspection costs, the town needs about $700,000 more.
“The town will be seeking multiple potential grant sources to cover the shortfall and complete this project,” Century Administrator Dave Murzin said. He said the shortfall was due to rising construction costs since the Legislature funded the project.
Two other bids were received on the project: RBM Contracting at $1,733,878.30 and Chavers Construction at $2,274,427.50.
On January 29, 2020, the town suddenly closed the bridge on Freedom Road, just east of Jefferson Avenue. Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com a few days later showed the dangerous conditions that led to the emergency closure. Several pilings under the wooden bridge were no longer properly supporting the structure, and some of the pilings were split or had extreme deterioration (pictured left and below).
File photos/graphics for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 Eastbound To Be Closed Tuesday Night, Detoured Across Nine Mile Road Exit
October 27, 2025
I-10 eastbound will be closed at Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) on Tuesday, October 28, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for bridge beam placement operations.
Drivers will be detoured via the I-10 eastbound ramps at Nine Mile Road. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
The work is part of the $55 million I-10 bridge replacement project over Nine Mile Road, which aims at improving safety and expanding capacity for the estimated 62,000 drivers who travel this corridor daily.
The project is currently scheduled for completion in mid-2028. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Night Of Creepy Crawlies Held At Cantonment’s Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
October 27, 2025
More than 500 visitors and volunteers descended upon the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment Fridayt night for the annual “Night of Creepy Crawlies” The popular event offerened fun, adventure, and educational opportunities for all ages.
Attendees kicked off the evening by using flashlights to head down a trail in search of spiders.
A variety of educational area kept visitors engaged. The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida taught guests about birds of prey, specifically vultures and owls, and led a scavenger hunt through the Beach House. Bird enthusiasts also sharpened their skills in a bird identification game with Wild Birds Unlimited and participated in birding color activities with the Francis M. Weston Audubon Society.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Sunset Wildlife Connection introduced attendees to a live scorpion, tarantula, Pac Man frog, and a rabbit. The center’s own resources were put to good use as well; guests made cool observations using RHEC microscopes and crawled into the planetarium to blast off into space with a full-dome movie focusing on “Earth, Moon, and Sun.” Many of the center’s resident reptile ambassadors were also on hand to greet the crowd.
In addition to the “creepy crawly” events when the Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association (EAAA) offered the chance to peer through telescopes, and there were food trucks.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center’s next big event will be the “Night of Nature” on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5:30 until 8 p.m.
The center is operated by the Escambia County School District on Tobias Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century First Baptist Church Celebrates 121st Anniversary
October 27, 2025
Century First Baptist Church celebrated its 121st anniversary on Sunday.
It was established in 1904 with 25 charter members. The land for the building was donated by the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and much of the materials used in the construction were either donated or discounted to the young church by them.
In the beginning, services were held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. In 1947, the church began meeting every Sunday under the leadership of B.A. Hawkins.
The church continues to worship in the original building. Many renovations and improvements have been made in recent years.
Since 1904, the church has been led by 33 pastors and several interim pastors.
Sunday’s anniversary service was led by Bro. Roger Richards and featured Bro. Dan Kirkland with special music, and a churchwide dinner followed.
Pictured: The Century First Baptist Church on NorthEscambia.com photos last Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Softball Players Read To Jim Allen Elementary Kindergarten Students
October 27, 2025
Recently, players from the University of West Florida Argos softball team read to kindergarten students at Jim Allen Elementary School and taught the students about teamwork. The visit was organized by the nonprofit ReadyKids! Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices are Slightly Higher Than Last Week, AAA Says
October 27, 2025
Florida gas prices continue to fluctuate, but remain low compared to the rest of the year. Last week, the state average declined 4 cents, increased 9 cents, then declined 3 cents.
Sunday’s state average was $2.92 per gallon. That’s 2 cents more than last week, 7 cents less than last month, 24 cents less than last year.
The state’s lowest priced metro area was Pensacola at an average of $2.67. In North Escambia, a low of $2.46 was available at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Price cycling remains a common occurrence at Florida’s gas pumps,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The good news for drivers is that the higher end of that trend is much lower than it used to be.”
NAS Pensacola Assists Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Non-Mission Essential Personnel Ahead of Hurricane Melissa
October 26, 2025
Approximately 864 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola over the weekend as part of a Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season.
Family members, civilian employees and contractors and pets were all part of the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement, arriving on five different flights, as Hurricane Melissa, potentially a major storm at projected initial landfall in Jamaica with a second landfall anticipated early next week in Cuba, could impact Naval Station Guantanamo Bay operations and could experience significant weather events including downpours, strong winds and storm surge.
“The safety and well-being of our Navy family is always a primary concern,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra ‘Mamasan’ Newman. “The Sailors and civilian employees here are dedicated and adaptable, making sure they accomplish our Navy mission –and right now that’s taking care of our Navy family from Guantanamo Bay.”
This non-mission essential personnel movement will allow Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to minimize operations during the storm and expedite recovery operations after the hurricane has passed. The naval station has an estimated 5,500 personnel and families living and working on the installation.
NAS Pensacola was notified of the non-mission essential personnel movement Oct. 24, and Newman said preparations began instantly. “Our Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) established an Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), and our lodging and dining facilities prepared for the influx of people. The NAS Pensacola team is proud to be part of an operation contributing to the safety and well-being of our service member’s families.”
EFACs are established at specific locations by FFSC’s to provide assistance to service members, their families and other eligible personnel following a large-scale emergency. EFACs provide a wide range of services to military personnel, civilians and their families including counseling, information referral, financial assistance and housing assistance.
NAS Pensacola’s Navy Lodge and Navy Inn provided lodging accommodations for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-essential personnel, and local American Red Cross representatives are also providing assistance.
NAS Pensacola, the only Navy installation in the Gulf with both a deep-water port and active airfield, previously received non-mission essential personnel during 2016’s Hurricane Michael, and also serves as a safe harbor for numerous U.S. Coast Guard and USNS ships during extreme weather situations.
Story by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jon Jezreel Japay Andres.
US Navy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Charged In Accidental Shooting Of 16-Year-Old At Walnut Hill Party
October 26, 2025
A 16-year-old was shot early Sunday in Walnut Hill. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting has been ruled accidental, but the teen who discharged the firearm has been arrested.
The shooting happened around 12:05 a.m. Sunday near South Highway 99 and Morgan Road.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Melony Peterson said the victim was shot by another 16-year-old at a party. The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The victim remains in critical condition.
Late Sunday morning, Peterson said the 16-year-old male who discharged the firearm has been charged with grand theft and possession of a firearm by a minor. She confirmed the shooting is still ruled accidental, and the teen has not been charged in connection with the injury.
The shooting incident remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two-Alarm Fire Damages Commercial Building On Oil Plant Road In Jay
October 26, 2025
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Saturday night commercial structure fire near Jay.
Firefighters from across the area responded to the two-alarm fire on Oil Plant Road in Jay shortly after 9 p.m. The Allentown, Berrydale, Munson, Skyline, and Whiting Field fire departments from Santa Rosa County, Ladder 5 from the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, and the Flomaton Fire Department all responded to the blaze, which heavily damaged a building and at least one vehicle.
Lifeguard Ambulance, Santa Rosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
There were no injuries reported. Additional details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Critically Injured When Vehicle Crashes Into Wooded Area Near Jim Allen Elementary
October 26, 2025
A man was critically injured Saturday when he crashed his vehicle into a wooded area near the intersection of Highway 95A and Eden Lane, near Jim Allen Elementary School.
The 55-year-old man was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with critical injuries to his leg.
His Chevrolet Impala SS came to rest in the wooded area.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
