George Stone Corrections Graduates Ready For Duty With Escambia County
August 28, 2025
A dozen new corrections officers will be joining Escambia County Corrections following their graduation from the George Stone Criminal Justice Training Center. The graduation marked the completion of a rigorous 420-hour training program designed to prepare them for careers in corrections.
The graduates were:
- Thomas Accardi
- Fernando Almanzar
- Jessica Bizzell
- Marc Blanton
- Marc Clarke
- Jeshua Collado
- Rachel Kanter
- Robert Kersey
- Deandra McClain
- Stephan Schultz
- Daniel Tipton
- Tyra Yelverton
“In a country of over 260 million adults, less than 1 in 600 wears the uniform of a corrections officer,” Escambia County Corrections Captain Shawn Hankins said. “These silent professionals stand watch behind the walls – protecting those who can’t protect themselves, maintaining order where few dare to go, and upholding justice from the inside out. We encourage you to support these everyday heroes and honor their unseen sacrifice.”
Over the course of three months, the trainees participated in an intensive curriculum that combined physical training, academic studies, and hands-on certifications. The program, recognized for its demanding nature, equipped the students with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle the complexities of working in corrections.
The training curriculum covered essential topics including defensive tactics, physical fitness, and specialized certifications such as CPR, first aid, and firearms. Students also participated in academic courses that explored the legal, ethical and procedural aspects of corrections work.
Century Proposes Property Tax Rate, And It’s A Decrease
August 27, 2025
The Town of Century has set a proposed tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, which is effectively a decrease.
The town has set a tentative millage rate of .9204, the same rate for several years.
That is 7.85% less than the rolled-back rate of .9988 mills, according to filed documents. The rolled-back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. While Century’s tax rate will hold steady, it is by definition a tax decrease as it is lower than the rolled-back rate.
The Town of Century’s process is ongoing as they finalize their budget for the upcoming fiscal year. During a budget workshop on Tuesday, accountant Robert Hudson said the proposed budget is nearing completion. He said the town still needs estimated costs for employee insurance, workers’ comp, and liability, but noted employee health insurance costs are expected to decline.
A tentative first reading of the budget has been set for Monday, September 8 at 5:01 p.m., with the second reading and approval tentatively set for Monday, September 22 at 5:01 p.m.
Pictured: the Town of Century held a budget workshop on Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Library Services Director Retiring; Interim Named
August 27, 2025
Escambia County is looking for a new director for the West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL).
Library Services Director Todd Humble has notified Escambia County that he intends to retire effective November 18.
Deputy Director of Library Services Christal Bell-Rivera has been named interim director of Library Services.
The WFPL Board of Governance will recommend a new library services director to the county administrator in the coming weeks.
Pine Forest Road Residential Fire Under Investigation
August 27, 2025
The cause of a residential early Tuesday morning fire in Cantonment is under investigation.
The fire was reported at 2:12 a.m. in the 4000 block of Pine Forest Road, just north of Highway 297A and Publix.
Heavy flames were visible as the first firefighters arrived on scene at the single-story home. The fire was brought under control by 2:36 a.m.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Lose Heartbreaker On Late Lookouts Homer
August 27, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos were an out away from extending their most impressive element this season.
One swing put a blemish on perfection.
Chattanooga’s Ruben Ibarra launched a one-strike pitch from reliever Jesse Bergin over the left field wall, lifting the Lookouts to a 4-3 comeback win Tuesday night against the Blue Wahoos to begin their six-game series.
It was the first time in 46 games the Blue Wahoos lost a lead in the ninth inning. They were 45-0 when leading after eight innings this season, 46-1 when up after seven innings.
But this was a game that began in bizarre fashion and ended with the Blue Wahoos sustaining their fifth consecutive defeat, falling to 1.5 games behind the Montgomery Biscuits in the Southern League South Division second half race.
Four of the Blue Wahoos first 11 batters were hit by pitches from Chattanooga starter Hunter Parks, who struggled from the outset to gain command of his fastball. He was removed with two outs in the second inning, along with manager Jose Moreno, who was tossed out the game by the home plate umpire.
The Blue Wahoos had eight baserunners before getting their first hit in the fourth inning. They led 1-0 at the time. Those missed opportunities, however, eventually proved costly.
In the second inning, Mark Coley II was plunked by a Parks pitch and scored on a bases-loaded ground out.
The Lookouts took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning with Cam Collier’s two-run homer off Blue Wahoos starter Alex Williams. It spoiled a solid night for Williams, who went 4.2 innings, struck out seven, gave up six hits and those two runs on one swing.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when Coley II beat out a potential double-play and allowed Kemp Alderman to score.
Alderman then came up big in the seventh when he blasted a low pitch like a golf swing out of the ballpark to provide a 3-2 lead. It stayed that way with Blue Wahoos new reliever Colby Martin displaying a 100-mph fastball in the eighth inning to get out of 3-0 counts.
In the eventful ninth, Bergin walked leadoff batter Leo Balcazar. But after striking out Jay Allen II for the second out, after Allen had three hits in the game, he seemed in good shape facing Ibarra.
It didn’t turn out that way.
The Lookouts then turned to their closer Trevor Kuncl, one of the best closers in all levels of Minor League Baseball, who recorded his 19th save following Gage Miller’s two out single.
These teams will now play a doubleheader, beginning at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday with the Blue Wahoos as the home team in one game, the visiting team in the other. It’s a makeup from a postponed game in Chattanooga when these teams last met.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
WHEN: Wednesday Thru Sunday.
Tate Student Council: ‘Orange You Glad We Crushed The 2nd Week Of School?’
August 27, 2025
The Tate High School Student Council recently brightened the start of the school year for the faculty with a unique appreciation event. The council hosted an “Orange You Glad We Crushed The 2nd Week Of School Celebration” as a way to show gratitude for the hard work of educators. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.