Century Christmas Parade Rescheduled To December 21
December 13, 2024
The Century Christmas Parade that was scheduled for Friday night, December 13 has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 21 at 11 a.m.
The Century Christmas Parade will begin at PSC, 440 East Hecker Road and end at Anthony Pleasant Park. At 11 a.m. Saturday, it will travel onto East Hecker to Mayo Street to Front Street, to Jefferson Avenue to Pond Street to the Jefferson Avenue Loop. The parade will loop back around to the corner of Pond and Jefferson, turning on Jefferson to Highway 4 before ending at Anthony Pleasant Park.
Flomaton Hurricane Head Coach Doug Vickery Retiring After 19 Years
December 13, 2024
Longtime Flomaton High School head football coach Doug Vickery has announced that he retiring from coaching in the state of Alabama.
Vickery has been the head coach for the Hurricanes for 19 years. During those 19 years, Vickery led the Hurricanes to their first-ever state championship in 2018, and there have been five quarterfinal appearances. Three of his boys played football for Flomaton during his tenure.
Vickery has not said will be next for him.
Above and below: Flomaton head coach Doug Vickery. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom two photos: The Flomaton Hurricanes and Vickery celebrate their first ever state championship. Trent Penny/Anniston Star for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Charged With Drug Trafficking After Fleeing Traffic Stop In Century
December 13, 2024
A Castleberry, Alabama, man that fled from deputies after a traffic stop in Century is behind bars.
Nykelle Lee Johnson, 44, was charged with possession of drugs with the intent to sell, trafficking of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, driving with a suspended license, and resisting an officer.
At about 7:15 p.m., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Johnson’s vehicle on North Century Boulevard near East Highway 4. They discovered Johnson was driving with a suspended license. Johnson fled from deputies but was detained a short time later.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies located a brown paper bag in Johnson’s possession that contained over 40 grams of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, other narcotics, and marijuana.
Tate High’s Tristen Showalter Signs To Play Softball At Reid State
December 13, 2024
Tate High School’s Tristen Showalter signed Thursday to play softball with the Reid State Lions. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Aggravated Battery Of A Woman Near Bratt
December 12, 2024
An Atmore man has been charged with assaulting a woman near Bratt before stealing her phone.
Bryson Lane Bowen, 24, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, battery, and theft.
The victim described Bowen as her “on again off again” boyfriend, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly called her from a bridge on Still Road near Bratt where he held an open knife and demanded that she open the truck of the car before he slammed his head into the trunk of the vehicle, causing damage. The victim ran, but he chased her and grabbed her in a bear hug, according to an arrest report. She ran to her car to drive away, and Bowen got into the passenger seat where he tried to take her phone and snatched the steering wheel several times, the report continues.
Deputies said she stopped the car in the area of Highway 99 and Highway 164 where she ran away. Bowen fled, she said, taking her phone from the vehicle.
The incident happened on November 22, and a warrant was issued for Bowen when deputies were unable to locate him. He was arrested this week and booked into the Escambia County Jail where he remained Thursday morning with bond set at $3,000.
DeSantis Gives State Employees Three Extra Days Off For The Holidays
December 12, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis has announce that state employees will get three extra days off for the holidays. In addition to Christmas Day and New Years Day—state offices will also be closed on December 23, December 24, and December 31.
“Florida is in great shape, and we want to reward our state employees,” DeSantis said. “After a full year—including three costly hurricanes—we hope these extra days off allow for state workers to spend more time with their families and loved ones during this holiday season.”
The office closures on December 23rd, December 24th, and December 31st are in addition to regular office closures on December 25th and January 1st.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Next Week In Century
December 12, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century next week.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, December 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Billy G. Courthouse is at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Emergency Dispatchers Celebrate Decades Of Service
December 12, 2024
Escambia County Emergency Communications celebrated several employee milestones in 2024, recognizing eight employees’ years of service to the county.
30 Years of Service
- Melanie McGlothren
- David Milliron
- Sandra Zani
20 Years of Service
- Christy Buscaino
- Shanae Dunn
- Robin Payne
10 Years of Service
- Heather Bell
- Jennifer Hurd
“I am truly thankful for each of these individuals,” Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton said. “Not only are they exceptional employees, but they are also wonderful people who genuinely care about their team members, first responders and the community. They serve admirably with little recognition and have made countless impacts on the lives of others. The full extent of their work may never be known, but their efforts have touched countless lives and truly make a difference.”
The emergency dispatchers combined gave over 170 years of serving Escambia County as the first voice on-scene.
Escambia County Program That Provides Bus Or Plane Tickets To Get Homeless Out Reaches Milestone
December 12, 2024
An Escambia County program that offers transportation assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness who are seeking to reunite with their family, friends, or other support networks has reached a milestone.
The voluntary “Real Change Project Reconnect” has now assisted 100 individuals since it was launched in February with a goal of reducing homelessness in Escambia County and offering resources to those wanting to travel to locations where they have a better support system to help them get back on their feet.
Joseph “J.J.” Johns, Jr. was the 100th person to receive assistance through Project Reconnect, using the program to get a bus ticket to San Antonio, Texas in hopes of a fresh start. Johns said he has experienced homelessness the entire year he’s been in Pensacola, and he is looking forward to new opportunities in Texas.
“I’m just hoping for employment and somewhere I can basically start over and get a secure place to live,” said Johns, who has a shelter waiting for him in San Antonio. “The goal is to find employment opportunities where I can work a job and save money and find a place to live, and hopefully a career.”
Without the Project Reconnect program, Johns said there is no way he’d be able to afford the bus ticket to San Antonio.
“Without this, I’d be out there in the rain,” Johns said. “This would not be anything I could do on my own.”
Real Change Project Reconnect is funded by Escambia County and facilitated by Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. Through the program, eligible individuals and families are provided with a bus or plane ticket to their chosen destination, provided they can demonstrate that family, a job, or support network is in place for them.
Kathleen Schuster, who manages applications for Project Reconnect as the Director of Tender Hearts Caring Hands at Ministry Village, said she’s excited about the number of people who have been helped through the program.
I think it’s fantastic, especially giving them the opportunity to go home,” Schuster said. “Because they’re just stuck. Most of them are stuck. If they have the money to buy a bus ticket, they probably need that money more just to survive on the streets. So this gives them the opportunity to get where they need to go.”
Ministry Village at Olive also provides participants a meal, hot shower, and a snack bag to take with them on their trip.
Schuster emphasized that the goal of the program isn’t to remove people who are experiencing homelessness in the area, but to help them connect with opportunities and resources.
“We’re trying to get them back to a place where they can have a fresh start,” Schuster said. “We know where they’re going, they’ve been contacted, so all of these people aren’t just being sent somewhere to be in the same situation they’re in now. It’s a step up.”
Drayton Smith, Executive Director of Ministry Village at Olive, added that some individuals end up stuck in an area they don’t want to be through no fault of their own, often due to empty promises for jobs or housing.
“The people that are coming want to do better for themselves,” Smith said. “They’re looking for a helping hand — not a hand out, but a hand up.”
Currently, approximately $17,382 of the $30,000 allocated for the program has been spent for the 100 individuals who have received assistance so far. Escambia County Governmental Liaison Liz Kissel, who manages the program for the county, said there are plans to continue funding the program due to its success.
The following individuals and families may be eligible for Real Change Project Reconnect:
- Individuals and families seeking family reunification and housing with their family or other support system.
- Individuals and families who have identified employment and need only short-term social service support to facilitate their transition to the arrival community.
- Individuals and families who have affordable permanent housing or other shelter options awaiting them in a community where they have family or social supports.
Tate High’s Blakely Campbell Signs To Play Softball At University of Mobile
December 12, 2024
Tate High School’s Blakely Campbell signed Wednesday to play softball for the University of Mobile Rams. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
