By The Numbers: Escambia County EMS Responded To Over 93,000 Calls In 2025
January 6, 2026
It was a busy year for Escambia County EMS in 2025 with over 93,000 calls for service.
According to numbers released by the county on Monday, Escambia EMS responded to the following in 2025:
93,682 calls for service
56,323 transports
2,860 CORE appointments
4,985 motor vehicle accidents
978 cardiac arrests
410 standby events (such as sporting events, air shows, events)
Additional EMS stats for 2025 include:
• Pediatric emergency responses: 5,269
• Critical airway interventions: 1,269
• Medications administered : 40,538
• Training hours: Approximately 2,000
UPDATE: FHP Says Century Woman Failed To Yield In Saturday Crash That Injured Five
January 5, 2026
UPDATE: The Florida Highway Patrol said Monday that a 63-year-old Century woman failed to yield in a Saturday crash that injured five people on Highway 29 south of Century.
The crash occurred at about 12:50 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Bluff Springs Road and involved a GMC Terrain Denali and a Ford Expedition.
FHP said the Century woman was driving the GMC east on Bluff Springs Road when she attempted to cross all four lanes of Highway 29 but failed to yield to the approaching Ford.
Three of the five people involved were transported to area hospitals by Newman’s Ambulance with minor injuries.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash temporarily closed the Highway 29 northbound lanes and later reduced northbound traffic to a single lane around the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sex Offender At Lake Stone Campground Charged With Failing To Register
January 5, 2026
A 49-year-old registered sexual offender was arrested after authorities discovered him living at a campground in Century while claiming to be a homeless resident of Alabama.
Robert William Glenn was taken into custody on a felony charge for failing to report a change in his residence or transient address to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began on December 27, when an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the county-operated Lake Stone Campground on west Highway 4 for a welfare check. During the encounter, Glenn claimed he was currently homeless and living in his truck in Brewton, according to an arrest report. He further claimed he possessed an Alabama driver’s license, though a records check later revealed he had no identification from that state and actually held a valid Florida license.
Glenn told the deputy he was only at the campground to help a woman with her ill ex-husband and to take children to school. However, the camp host and neighbors provided sworn statements contradicting his story. The camp host reported that Glenn had been staying at the site since December 2, 2025, and had even used his Florida driver’s license to complete the check-in paperwork. Neighbors added that Glenn appeared to be living at the camper “90 percent of the time” and that his vehicle was rarely gone overnight.
“While on scene, I verified the welfare of the children residing in the camper and did not see anything that caused me concern about their welfare,” the ECSO deputy wrote in the arrest report.
Glenn told deputies that he reports weekly to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama where he is registered as homeless.
Under Florida law, sexual offenders must report a “transient residence” within 48 hours if they remain in a county for three or more days, the ECSO said in the report. Records show Glenn signed a document in October 2025 acknowledging these requirements and stating his intent to move permanently to Alabama, the report states.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, adjudication was withheld against Glenn in 1997 in Escambia County, Florida, on a charge of a lewd or lascivious act involving a child under 16.
Glenn remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Courtney Geiger Named Lipscomb Elementary Teacher Of The Year, County Top 5 Finalist
January 5, 2026
Courtney Geiger was named the Lipscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
She has also been selected as a Top 5 finalist for Escambia County Teacher of the Year, with the winner to be announced in the coming weeks.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves New 30-Year Franchise Agreement With EREC
January 5, 2026
Escambia County has approved a new 30-year utility franchise for Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
EREC, a member-owned cooperative, was founded in 1939 to bring affordable electric power to Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
A franchise agreement granted to EREC by the county on January 1, 1995, was set to expire on December 31, 2025.
Last month, the Escambia County Commission approved a new franchise agreement by ordinance for a term of 30 years. Under the agreement, EREC will pay a franchise fee to the County in exchange for the nonexclusive right and privilege of supplying electricity and other services within the unincorporated areas of the county free of competition from the county.
EREC will pay the following franchise fees to Escambia County:
- $10 per month for each customer in residential service categories;
- $10 per month for each customer in small commercial service categories;
- $75 per month for each customer in general service demand categories;
- $300 per month for each customer in general service large demand categories; and
- $3,000 per month for each customer in large transmission service categories.
The new franchise agreement will expire on December 31, 2056.
Pictured: A power substation on Highway 99A near Oak Grove that serves EREC members in the Walnut Hill area. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Mark Your Calendars: MILO, The Mobile ID And Licensing Office, Is Coming To Century
January 5, 2026
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Mobile Identification and Licensing Office (MILO) will be in Century on January 15 and February 19 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
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/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.
This initiative aims to bring services to areas of Escambia County that may have limited access to traditional tax collector offices, particularly during disaster recovery or for residents in assisted living facilities, community centers, and correctional facilities.
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.
Escambia Students Return Tuesday. And The Next Holiday Is Coming Soon.
January 5, 2026
Teachers are back at school today for a workday in Escambia County, Florida, and students will return on Tuesday following the long Christmas break.
But when is the next holiday?
The next holiday is just two weeks away. Students and teachers will be out of school on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. After that, students will be out as teachers work on February 16 for a professional development day. Coincidentally,, that’s also Presidents’ Day.
When is Spring Break?
Spring Break is March 16-20 for students and teachers.
Reminder: Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree With ECUA
January 5, 2026
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will pick up real Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
Customers are asked to remove all decorations from their trees and cut the trees so that no portion is longer than six feet. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the regular garbage or recycling containers.
ECUA will compost the trees with the other yard waste at the Biosolids Composting Facility.
For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Lower Than Last Year, But Global Uncertainty Looms
January 5, 2026
Florida drivers are paying less for gasoline than they did a year ago, but uncertainty in global markets could change that, according to AAA.
Sunday’s state average of $2.83 per gallon was 8 cents more than a week ago, 15 cents less than a month ago, and 29 cents less than a year ago.
In Escambia County, Sunday’s average was $2.62, among the lowest cost metro areas in the state. A low of $2.39 could be found at the warehouse clubs. In North Escambia, the low price was $2.41 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment
While recent developments in Venezuela have drawn attention, oil prices remain relatively stable. Friday’s closing price for U.S. crude oil was $57.32 per barrel, up just 58 cents from the previous week. Although Venezuela was once a significant producer of crude oil, its exports have been limited for years due to sanctions. Analysts say global supply remains sufficient, though any major disruption could put upward pressure on prices.
“Florida gas prices are lower than a year ago because oil supplies have been steady and demand has softened compared to previous years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While global events can influence prices, there’s no indication yet that recent developments will have a significant effect.”
Learn The Fundamentals Of Playing The Dulcimer At The Molino Library
January 4, 2026
You can learn the fundamentals of playing the mountain dulcimer at the Molino Library on Monday.
The “Fundamentals of Dulcimer” class will be held from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.. on January 5. The class is free, and no experience or materials are required. Dulcimers are provided for the class.
Pictured: A previous dulcimer class at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
