Century Borrowing $7 Million For Water System, But Will Only Pay Back $700K
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will borrow just over $7.06 million for drinking water projects, but they will never be required to pay back most of the loan.
Total project costs come in at nearly $8.95 million, and the town has received over $1.88 million in grants, leaving a total loan balance of just over $7.06 million.
Due to Century’s state economic designation by FloridaCommerce as a Rural Community, Century will receive 90% principal forgiveness, requiring total payments of about $706,000 on the State Revolving Fund loan.
With principal forgiveness and grants, the $8.95 million in drinking water system improvements will only cost the town approximately $706,000 over time.
A vote by the town council this week authorizes Mayor Ben Boutwell to execute the loan paperwork.
The drinking water system improvements include:
Well Improvement Projects
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Well No. 1 Improvements Constructed in 1963, this facility has not seen significant upgrades since its original build. The planned rehabilitation focuses on modernizing the wellhouse structure, replacing the electrical system, piping, and treatment equipment, and installing a SCADA system to improve overall reliability.
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Well No. 2 Improvements Built in 1983, Well No. 2 requires similar structural and technical modernization. While the town is currently using a Legislative Appropriation and a Pilot grant for specific needs like lime equipment and electrical work, they intend to use SRF funding to supplement these grants as bid pricing dictates.
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Well No. 3 Improvements This well, which exclusively serves the Century Correctional Institute, has been out of service since failing in 2023. The project involves drilling a new well and rehabilitating the existing structure and equipment to ensure the 1,350 inmates have a reliable primary water source.
System-Wide Infrastructure Projects
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Tedder Road Booster Pump Station Intended as a backup for the prison, the existing station failed in late 2023 and the current replacement is undersized. The town proposes installing a new, sufficiently sized duplex skid-mounted system equipped with SCADA to properly coordinate operations with Well No. 3.
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Water Service Renewals The town’s system is plagued by significant water loss due to old copper, galvanized, and polybutylene service lines that frequently leak. This project aims to replace these aged services throughout the entire system with new tubing and modern connections to the water mains.
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Utility Billing Software Century’s current billing software is obsolete and unable to track water production or reconcile non-revenue water. Replacing this system is considered critical for meeting SRF program goals, enhancing fiscal accountability, and improving asset management reporting.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
April 23, 2026
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition and one by ambulance.
One student did not survive. A mother screamed in agony.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Newman’s Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Brewton Fire Department, Williams Funeral Home, and others.
Photos by Katie Fowler and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hands-On Earth Day: Local Students Tackle Environmental Issues
April 23, 2026
Wednesday, students across North Escambia were busy on taking part in Earth Day hands-on projects designed to protect the environment.
At Jim Allen Elementary School, Ms. Cole’s class worked hard to keep the school — and the planet– clean.
At Tate High School, Stephanie Gzybowski’s class brought learning to life with a hands-on oil spill simulation. Students explored real-world environmental challenges by using floating oil booms, skimmers, absorbents, and dispersants to clean up a simulated spill.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
The activity gave students the opportunity to think critically, problem solve, and better understand how science is used to protect our oceans and environment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Killed In I- 10 Crash Near Highway 29 Exit
April 23, 2026
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Wednesday afternoon on I-10 in Escambia County.
The crash happened about 5 p.m. on I-10 Westbound at the Highway 29 exit. The Florida Highway Patrol said a Hyundai Tucson driven by a 25-year-old Daphne, Alabama, man was traveling west in the lane next to the motorcyclist.
“For reasons unknown and currently under investigation the Hyundai Tucson left its travel lane and struck the motorcycle and caused the motorcycle to leave the roadway and collide with a guardrail,” FHP said.
The motorcyclist, a 33-year-old Pensacola man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
File photo.
Forest Service Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Is Friday In Century
April 23, 2026
The Town of Century will host a National Arbor Day tree giveaway by the Florida Forest Service on Friday morning.
Tree species available will include mayhaw, redbud, sycamore, and sweetbay.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while the supply lasts at the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
strong>Pictured: A 2055 tree giveaway in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wyatt Caps 31-Year Tate Career With Regular Season Finale Win Over Choctaw
April 23, 2026
Tate High School head softball coach Melinda Wyatt ended her last softball regular season Wednesday night with an 11-8 Aggie win over Choctawhatchee.
Wyatt is retiring this season after 31 years at Tate, where she is 487-212 as a varsity and JV coach. [Read more: Aggies Honor Retiring Head Coach Melinda Wyatt]
The Lady Aggies had a bit of surprise for Wednesday night — the team and staff all wore t-shirts with her likeness and the words “Weight Room!!” on the back, and they wore temporary face tattoos of Wyatt’s face.
Taylor Robinson went 3-4 for the Aggies with a double in the sixth and singles in the first and third innings. Madison Smillie led the Aggies, going 4-5. Brelynn Morris, Kaylie Mitchell, Emorie Nelson, and Ke’Anna Smith each had multiple hits.
Middleton earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, surrendering five hits and five unearned runs in two and two-thirds innings while striking out two and walking one. Kaylyn Relstab collected the save in four and one-third innings, allowing four hits and three unearned runs while striking out three.
Tate finished the regular season at 10-13 overall, 1-4 in the district.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Dane King Signs With Coastal Alabama
April 23, 2026
Northview High School senior Dane King signed on Wednesday afternoon to play baseball at Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Williams Fans 10 In 4-2 Wahoos Loss To Biscuits
April 23, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 4-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night despite a career-high 10 strikeouts from starting pitcher Alex Williams.
Williams (L, 0-3) surrendered three early home runs that proved to be the difference in the game, but led a Pensacola pitching performance that kept the Biscuits to only a single in their final six innings.
Will Simpson opened the scoring for the Biscuits with a two-run homer to left field, and Xavier Isaac followed immediately after with a solo shot of his own for a 3-0 Montgomery lead. Mac Horvath led off the second inning with a solo homer to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the fifth inning thanks to an infield error and an RBI double from Garret Forrester, but that would be all the damage done against Jack Kartsonas (W, 1-1). The Biscuits starter worked 5.0 innings allowing just an unearned run on four hits.
After 2.0 scoreless innings of relief from Luis Palacios, the Blue Wahoos drew the score to 4-2 in the eighth inning when Forrester was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-out RBI single from Michael Snyder. That would be their final threat, as Derrick Edington (S, 2) worked around a two-out single in the ninth to lock down the save.
Gage Miller extended his hitting streak to a team-high eight games with a third-inning single.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits with a doubleheader on Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Century Parts Ways With Water, Wastewater Company; Hires Employees Directly
April 22, 2026
The Town of Century is ending its contract with a company that was managing the town’s drinking water and wastewater services and compliance and will, instead, transition to a consultant and a full-time employee.
Century’s $17,410 per month contract with Clearwater Solutions expired on Friday, April 17.
Tuesday night, the council voted to approve consultant and operator contracts with Alan Fowler, former area manager for Clearwater and the person that performed the regulatory compliance services for Century under Clearwater.
A 12-month, $1,000 per month, consulting contract with Fowler was approved, along with a 60-day water-operator contractor agreement for $3,000 per month. This agreement will be in force until a newly hired employee obtains his state certification.
The council voted to hire Clemente Brooks of Flomaton as a wastewater and water operator for $28 to $31 per hour, with the Fowler contract covering regulatory until he obtains certification. Brooks is currently employed with Clearwater and providing services to Century under that now-expired contract, according to his application.
Fentanyl and Firearms: Convicted Felon Arrested in Early Morning Stop
April 22, 2026
An early morning traffic stop led to the arrest of a man in Escambia County.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Airway Drive and Prichard Avenue.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Broadwater after deputies discovered a significant cache of illegal items in his possession. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the seizure included trafficking amounts of fentanyl, along with methamphetamine, cocaine,various drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.
Broadwater was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, concealing a firearm during the commission of a felony (fentanyl trafficking), violation of a domestic violence injunction (by possessing a firearm against the order), trafficking fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.