Shed And Camper Burn Near Jay
August 27, 2025
Fire departments from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties responded to a shed and camper fire Tuesday night.
The fire was reported shortly after 8 p.m. in the 2900 block of Highway 4 near Jay, just east of Shell Road.
The Jay, Allentown and Berrydale fire departments responded from Santa Rosa County, while the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senator Don Gaetz: ‘Century Has Every Reason To Go Forward’
August 26, 2025
Two years ago, if you had asked Florida Senator Don Gaetz if Century should be dissolved as a town, the answer would have been a resounding yes. But now his opinion has changed with different town leadership in place.
“If we were where we were two years ago, I’d be right at the front of the line, saying, let’s dissolve the city, let’s end the pain,” he said.
But now, the senator says he sees great hope for a future for Century.
“Now I believe that Century has every reason to go forward and be progressive,” Gaetz said. “It is because we have Mayor (Ben) Boutwell and we have representative (Dave) Murzin. We have their city council who are getting things done and moving the city forward.”
NorthEscambia.com sat down at the table Monday afternoon for a frank and honest conversation with Gaetz, his legislative aide Keri Pitzer, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, and former state representative Dave Murzin. Murzin is Century’s future administrator — the town council has voted to hire him and will consider a finalized employment contract on September 2.
Gaetz said the previous government turmoil in Century essentially prevented the Florida Legislature from investing state funds in Century, a turmoil that even led Gaetz’s counterpart in the Florida House, Rep. Michelle Salzman, to claw back millions of dollars in state grants.
“But now you have leadership, now you are more organized, now I want to see what we can bring to Century,” the statesman said.
The Escambia County Legislative Delegation — which is Gaetz, Salzman and Rep. Alex Andrade — will hear legislative asks from government and constituents in a September 9 meeting in Molino.
Boutwell said his top legislative asks would include funding to continue upgrading wastewater lift stations and paving. He said for too long Century has taken a band-aid approach and infrastructure needs a more serious approach.
“I think we are now going in the right direction with this town,” Boutwell said.
“I do too,” Gaetz interjected, adding that the onboarding of Murzin, a two-term state representative who was term-limited out, as administrator will be another major step forward for the town.
The mayor also said he would like to see a spec building in the town’s industrial park. A spec building is a building constructed without a specific tenant in mind to attract industries that are in need of immediate space.
“Everybody talks about needing building space, but no one ponies up and builds it,” Murzin said.
Gaetz cautioned that due to cuts in Florida’s budget, no municipality should expect legislative funding without the municipality providing some matching funds. “With no local match, the legislature is just going to brush it off the table,” he commented.
Century has once again been designated by FloridaCommerce as a Rural Community, which makes it eligible to have matching fund requirements waived for state programs and grants. It was recently reinstated after lapsing and was reinstated for the remainder of the year after Boutwell and Salzman went to work to regain the designation for the town. Gaetz said he would do all that he can to make sure Century remains a state-designated Rural Community.
Pictured: Florida Sen. Don Gaetz (in the light-colored jacket) and his legislative aid met Monday afternoon with Century Mayor Ben Boutwell (in the white shirt) and Dave Murzin. The meeting was held at the Century Branch Library as air condition repairs at Century Town Hall continue. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Open Houses Tonight; Middle Schools On Thursday
August 26, 2025
Open house events will be held this week at middle and high schools in Escambia County.
- All high school open houses will be held on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m.
- All middle school open houses will be held on Thursday, August 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Elementary school open houses will be held on September 9 and 11.
Book Fair This Week At Ernest Ward, Family Night Thursday
August 26, 2025
A book fair is ongoing this week at Ernest Ward Middle School, and there’s a chance for families to shop.
The Scholastic Book Fair at Ernest Ward will be open for families to shop during this week’s open house beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 28.
The book fair will only accept cash, or debit and credit cards. Checks will not be accepted.
Man Indicted On Federal Charges For Killing Woman At Apartment Complex Behind Nine Mile Kohl’s
August 26, 2025
An Alabama man has been indicted on federal murder charges for allegedly fatally shooting and running over a woman January 2 near an apartment complex behind Kohl’s on Nine Mile Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to the area of an apartment complex on Baldridge Drive about 8:30 p.m. to find that 30-year-old Starmichael L. Tucker had been shot several times. She later died at the hospital.
Charles Jerome Carson-Dowdy, 30, is now facing federal charges of cyberstalking, interstate domestic violence, murder through use of a firearm, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
If convicted, Carson-Dowdy faces up to life imprisonment on the charges in the Indictment.
Carson-Dowdy is scheduled to make his initial appearance and arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola on Thursday.
The case is being investigated jointly by the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, which conducted the initial investigation.
Northview Chiefs JV Downs Flomaton, Varsity Falls In Four Set Match (With Gallery)
August 26, 2025
The Northview Chiefs and Flomaton Hurricanes had a split night on Monday in Bratt. The Hurricanes took the varsity win, while the Lady Chiefs took the JV match win.
Flomaton 3, Northview 1
The Northview Chiefs varsity volleyball team was defeated by the Flomaton Hurricanes in a four-set match on Monday evening in Bratt. Despite a strong effort and a victory in the second set, the Chiefs were unable to overcome the Hurricanes’ consistent play.
Flomaton started strong in the first set, taking an early lead and winning 25-14.
The Chiefs responded with determination in the second set, quickly finding their rhythm. Northview’s strong performance evened the match, as they took the set with a score of 25-21.
However, the Hurricanes came back to win the next two sets, 25-20 and 25-19, to claim the overall victory.
For more photos from the varsity match, click here.
Northview will look for redemption on in a district game at Baker on Thursday.
Northview 2, Flomaton 1 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs junior varsity volleyball team secured a victory against the Flomaton Hurricanes Tuesday in Bratt, winning the match in a three-set battle by the score of 2-1.
Northview started the match strong, taking control in the first set. Their consistent serves and effective offense allowed them to build a commanding lead, and they closed out the set with a solid 25-17 win.
Northview started strong in the first set, winning 25-17 with consistent serves and effective offense.
However, the Flomaton Hurricanes responded with determination in the second set. They quickly found their rhythm and put the Chiefs on the defensive. Flomaton’s strong performance evened the match, as they took the set with a score of 25-18.
The Chiefs maintained their focus and managed to edge out the Hurricanes in the final moments, winning the decisive set 15-12 to claim the overall victo
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Sentenced To Federal Prison For Possessing Machine Gun
August 26, 2025
Two Escambia County men have been sentence to federal prison for possession of a machine gun.
Kewhan Landrum, 19, and Deyonte’ Betties, 21, were sentenced to 36 months and 40 months, respectively, in federal prison after previously pleading guilty.
According to court records, in October of 2024, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized a Glock pistol from Landrum’s possession. The pistol had a machinegun conversion device attached to it, allowing it to function and fire as a machine gun. Law enforcement discovered Landrum acquired the weapon from Betties. Law enforcement also discovered evidence that Betties was in possession of several other firearms with machinegun conversion devices. Landrum and Betties had consistently been engaged in trading firearms and narcotics.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the ATF and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Tate Freshmen Win, Catholic Edges Out The JV And Varsity Aggies
August 26, 2025
The Tate Aggies freshmen defeated the Catholic as the Crusaders edged out the Aggies JV and varsity during Tate’s first home games of the season on Monday.
Catholic 3, Tate 1
The Tate Aggies lost their first home volleyball match against the Pensacola Catholic Crusaders, with a final score of 3-1.
Tate struggled in the first set, losing 25-12. However, they fought back in the second set, winning 25-22 to tie the match. Pensacola Catholic then won the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-16, to secure the victory.
Up next, Aggies will host Pensacola High on Wednesday and will be at Pine Forest on Thursday
Tate 2, Catholic 1 (Freshmen)
The Tate High School Aggies freshmen volleyball team defeated the Catholic High School Crusaders 2-1 in a three-set match in their first home game of the season.
The Aggies lost the first set 22-25, but they rallied in the second set to win 25-22.
The decisive third set went down to the wire, but the Aggies secured the win with a 15-12 victory.
Catholic 2, Tate 1 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity volleyball team lost to the Catholic Crusaders 2-1 Monday night.
The Aggies struggled in the first set, losing 25-8 to Catholic.
The Aggies won the second set 25-22, but in the decisive third se Catholic won 15-13 .
Cantonment Residents Facing Felony Child Neglect Charges For Kids Allegedly Living In Filth
August 25, 2025
Two Cantonment residents are facing multiple child neglect charges. Deputies maintain they failed “to provide the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the children’s physical health, and living in an unsanitary household with dirty diapers, food, feces, and urine on the floor.”
Hannah Marie Nichols, 24, and Matthew Daniel Glover, 25, were each charged six felony counts of child neglect.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to the home last week to arrest Glover on an outstanding Santa Rosa County warrant for violation of probation in a previous child neglect charge. They found him hiding in the attic of the home.
“I observed the residence to be in complete disarray and filthy. There were many used diapers, with visible urine and feces in them, scattered on the floor with some piled in a bedroom containing a pack and play. The bedroom containing the pile of used diapers had papers on top, which were molded,” a responding deputy wrote in an arrest report. “I further observed urine and feces covering the bathroom floor and scraps of old, discarded food on the floors throughout the residence. The bathtub contained discarded empty drink containers, with many large flies in the bathroom, indicating that the bathtub had not been used recently.”
“The kids appeared to have not bathed and had full diapers, with one child appearing to have old, flaking paint on their arm,” the ECSO report continues. “The mattress on the top bunk of the bunk beds did not have support slats beneath it, leaving a child susceptible to falling through it, should they climb to the top,.” I observed insect activity within the home, to include flies, gnats, and cockroaches.”
According to the ECSO, Glover and Nichols were the only two adults in the home. The ages of the children involved were redacted from the arrest report.
Nichols remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $30,000, while Glover’s bond was set at $18,000 with a hold on the outstanding Santa Rosa County warrant.
Century Town Hall Reopens After Week-Long Closure
August 25, 2025
The Century town hall reopened on Monday after a week-long closure.
According to the town hall, utility payments made last week will be credited to accounts on Monday. There will be no late fees due to the town hall closure, and bill notices being mailed late. The town said service disconnects will resume on August 27 rather than the typical 25th.
The town hall was closed for a complete HVAC system replacement, including ductwork.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.