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.
New Palafox Project Begins Monday In Downtown Pensacola
January 4, 2026
Pensacola’s New Palafox project is set to get underway on Monday.
The $10.7 million project will transform the downtown area with sidewalk expansions, brick-paved intersections, new trees and landscaping, safety features for pedestrians, and an upgraded stormwater system.
For more project renderings, click here.
Palafox Street from Garden to Main Streets has an incentivized completion date of May 24, 2026. Romana and Intendencia Streets are to be completed by September 3, 2026, and Government and Zarragossa Streets are to be completed by November 11, 2026. Work will be conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All business storefronts will remain accessible during construction. There will be pedestrian crossings during construction, allowing people to move from one side of Palafox to the other. Nearby parking—including 412 free parking spaces—will also remain accessible.
New 7 Brew Coffee Proposed For Nine Mile And Pine Forest Intersection
January 4, 2026
A new 7 Brew coffee shop has been proposed for West Nine Mile Road.
An application was filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) for a new drive-thru only coffee shop at 2159 West Nine Mile Road, at the corner of West Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads. The property is the site of an AT&T Store.
A drawing filed with the DRC shows the coffee shop development will also include the lot occupied by Maynard’s Donuts and Coffee.
The 7 Brew will be 530 square feet.
A new 7 Brew will soon open at the corner of Nine Mile and Chemstrand roads near Aldi, and a DRC application was filed in July for a location at East Nine Mile Road and University Parkway, near Target.
Megan Bryan Named Ernest Ward Middle Teacher Of The Year
January 4, 2026
Megan Bryan was named the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Holly Kendrick Named Ransom Middle Teacher Of The Year
January 4, 2026
Holly Kendrick was named the Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
850 Night: Ice Flyers Beat The Yard Dawgs 3-1 (With Gallery)
January 4, 2026
Looking to rebound from last night’s loss, the Ice Flyers hosted 850 Night at the Hangar, facing off against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs in front of 5,693 fans on Saturday evening.
The Ice Flyers got off to a strong start in the first period. Zack Jones opened the scoring, and just two minutes later, Tyrone Bronte doubled the lead to 2-0.
Early in the second period, Mike Moran extended the advantage to 3-0. Samson Mouland then energized the crowd and his teammates, with a scrum with Trey Deloury
.
The third period featured plenty of back-and-forth action. Joe Widmar broke through for Roanoke late, scoring their only goal with two minutes remaining. The Ice Flyers held strong to secure a 3-1 victory.
The team now heads on the road to Quad City next weekend before returning home for their only three-game homestand of the season, January 16-18, against Evansville on Friday and Saturday, and Macon on Sunday
