Century Council Takes First Step To Set Clear Direction For The Future
October 22, 2025
“We need to change what normal is, what we used to do.”
That’s how a Century council member John Bass explained his vision for a plan for a new Century.
Tuesday, the Century Town Council held a workshop to discuss goals and a clear direction for the town’s future.
Bass, who spearheaded the meeting, said he wants to put objective for the town on paper.
The council discussed everything from park bathrooms, to walking paths, to first aid training for employees to just generally cleaning up the town. Ultimately, they finished the meeting by deciding to continue the goal planning process with input from the community and business leaders and the Century Chamber of Commerce.
After meeting with the chamber, the council plans to hold a town hall meeting for citizen input on December 2 at 5:15 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
October 22, 2025
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are Emily Wears and Joshua Johnson, both seventh graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Night Of Creepy Crawlies Is Friday At Cantonment’s Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
October 22, 2025
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment will host its annual Fall Open House, “Night of Creepy Crawlies” on Friday.
The event is free and open to the public on Friday, October 24 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment.
The event will include:
- Birds of prey with the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida
- Creepy crawly creatures with Sunset Wildlife Connection
- RHEC’s remarkable resident reptiles
- Naturalist led “Spider Hunt” through the woods
- Blasting off into space in the inflatable planetarium (seating is limited – sign-up for a showtime upon arrival to the event required – $2 donation suggested)
- Amazing aquatic creatures in the RHEC Beach House
- Fun activities with Frances M Weston Audubon Society
- Birding equipment with Birds Unlimited
- The RHEC merch table
- Food trucks (there is a fee for food)
The center, which is operated by the Escambia County School District, is requesting donations:
- Monetary donations
- Gift cards (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, grocery stores, pet stores)
- Black Oil Sunflower Birdseed
- Fruit and Nut Birdseed
- Floating Turtle Sticks for aquatic turtles
- Reptile Sticks for tortoise and box turtle
- Collard and kale greens
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Copy paper
- Bleach
- Clorox Wipes
- Live crickets
- Hand sanitizer
- Reptile Light Bulbs
- Reptile Heat bulbs
- Newspapers
Pictured: Last year’s Night of Creepy Crawlies” at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Perdido Landfill To Close Early On Saturday
October 22, 2025
The Perdido Landfill will close at noon on Saturday, October 25 for new scale software installation.
Normal operating hours will resume Monday, October 27.
The Perdido Landfill is located at 13009 Beulah Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview ‘Mini Cheerleaders’, Fans And Band
October 22, 2025
The Northview High School “Mini Cheerleaders” recently had a chance to show of their newly learned skills.
The Northview Mini Chief Cheer Clinic was held back in September for participants ages 5-12. Campers learned individual cheer skills, partner stunts, and a spirit dance.
They had a chance to perform during the third quarter of last Friday night’s football game with the Northview cheerleaders.
For a bonus photo gallery with the mini-cheerleaders, fans and the band, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Killed In Highway 4 Crash In North Santa Rosa County
October 21, 2025
A Santa Rosa County woman lost her life in a crash Monday afternoon in north Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 54-year-old Milton woman lost control of her vehicle, ran off the roadway for an unknown reason, overturned, and struck a utility pole. She was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
The crash occurred about 1 p.m. on Highway 4 west of Three Notch Trail, or about six miles east of Berrydale.
Beulah Man, Who Worked As School Custodian, Charged With Child Sex Crimes
October 21, 2025
A Beulah man who was working as a school custodian has been charged with trying to lure a child for sex.
Chad Lane Wren, age 56 of Beulah Road, was charged with soliciting or luring a child to engage in sexual conduct, traveling to meet a child for obscene purposes, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
All of the charges filed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are felonies. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $30,000.
Wren resigned from his position of custodian at Blue Angel Elementary School.
“The safety and wellbeing of all students is our primary concern,” Escambia County Public Schools said in a statement. “The appropriate actions have been taken by your school district and law enforcement will follow through on these charges.”
FDLE Charges Gang Associate With Scheme To Smuggle Drugs Into Prisons Across Florida
October 21, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has charged a Miami man with a scheme to smuggle drugs into state prisons in Florida.
FDLE charged Dimy Paraison, 52, with a long list of serious felonies.
The 15-month investigation began in June 2024 when the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office (SRCSO) requested FDLE to assist in a drug smuggling investigation. A number of arrests made in Santa Rosa and Escambia County were identified involving the introduction of contraband through inmate visits.
During the investigation, Paraison was identified as an associate of the ZOE Pound Gang, a Haitian Criminal Street Gang. His position was to recruit individuals to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into several Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities throughout Northwest Florida.
Throughout the investigation, agents and DOC staff seized approximately 387 grams of substituted cathinones (bath salts), 1.2kg of marijuana, over 190 grams of Spice (synthetic cannabis), 123 strips of LSD, over 180 grams of methamphetamine, over 500 grams of tobacco, and four cell phones.
In February 2025, Paraison was stopped by Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) on his way to a contraband drop at a DOC Facility. He attempted to flee, and was arrested after a vehicle pursuit. He is currently in custody at Alachua County Jail.
FDLE charged Paraison with
- continuing a criminal enterprise (life felony)
- introduction of contraband (2nd degree felony)
- conspiracy to introduce contraband (3rd degree felony)
- conspiracy to traffic controlled substances (1st degree felony)
- trafficking in controlled substances (substituted cathinone) (1st degree felony)
- trafficking in controlled substances (methamphetamine) (1st degree felony)
- possession wits or deliver cannabis (3rd degree felony)
- use two-way communication device to facilitate a felony (3rd degree felony)
- money laundering (3rd degree felony)
Paraison’s bond was set for $1.5 million. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
FDLE said the investigation is ongoing and active.
Students At 28 Escambia County School Can Qualify For Free Eye Exams, Glasses
October 21, 2025
A non-profit vision program is offering free eye exams and glasses to students at 28 schools in Escambia County.
The program is through the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program, a subsidiary of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, and provides comprehensive eye examinations with prescription glasses when needed at no cost to the family. It is funded by entities that include the Florida Department of Health and the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
“Each participating school must have at least 30 approved applicants in order to provide the service,” said Escambia County Public Schools Health Services Coordinator Betty Hagans, MSN, RN. ” I am hopeful that many students will benefit from this program.”
The program is available to qualified students in the following schools:
- A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Bellview Elementary School
- Bellview Middle School
- Beulah Elementary School
- Blue Angel Elementary School
- Bratt Elementary School
- Ensley Elementary School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Ferry Pass Middle School
- Holm Elementary School
- Hope Horizon Academy
- Jim Bailey Middle School
- Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- McArthur Elementary School
- Molino Park Elementary School
- Montclair Elementary School
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Navy Point Elementary School
- Oakcrest Elementary School
- O.J. Semmes Elementary School
- Pensacola High School
- Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Sherwood Elementary School
- Weis Elementary School
- West Pensacola Elementary School
Need to Know Info:
Florida students at a listed school
Low Income
Pre-k through 12 grade
Can reapply every school year
6-12 week processing time
All information is kept confidential and not shared with any other entity.
Melissa Venable Named Kingsfield Elementary Teacher Of The Year
October 21, 2025
v has been named the Kingsfield Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
From the school:
Family and friends are proud to celebrate Melissa Venable, who was recently named Teacher of the Year at Kingsfield Elementary.
With 18 years of teaching experience, Melissa has spent most of her career in kindergarten, shaping young minds with patience and love. When she was moved to 5th grade, she embraced the change with grace, humor, and heart. She’s known for her kindness, wit, and willingness to help anyone. Always putting others before herself.
This recognition is well-deserved for a teacher who gives her all to her students and school every single day.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
