Escambia County Firefighters Rescue Kitten From Car Engine
August 5, 2025
Escambia County Fire Rescue worked Monday morning to rescue what has become a furry new friend. The kitten was stuck in the engine compartment of a vehicle. Firefighters removed several plates from under the vehicle to reach the kitten. The little kitten was rescued unharmed and is now in the care of a family member of an ECFR firefighter. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Name 2025 Volleyball Teams
August 5, 2025
Northview High School Volleyball has named their teams for the upcoming 2025 season.
VARSITY
- Sophia Adkins
- Emma Bowman
- Hartlie Bowman (JV/Varsity)
- Riley Brooks
- Amanda Fernandez-Santis
- Jessie Joyner
- Keeli Knighten
- Julianna Little
- Mikayla McAnnallly
- Daviona Randolph
- Maggie Stewart
- Avery Trawick (JV/Varsity)
JUNIOR VARSITY
- Alexa Beasley
- Addysen Bolen
- Hartlie Bowman
- Emma Godwin
- Brielle Garcia
- Aubrey Hadley
- Sophia Ikner
- Olivia Levins
- Natalia Morales
- Natalie Rodgers
- Makinzi Roley
- Isabella Sanspree
- Avery Trawick
- Kiley Webb
- Kinley White
- Bailey Yuhasz
Breakfast And Lunch Are Free For Every Student At 44 Escambia Schools; Others Must Apply
August 4, 2025
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 44 schools and centers in Escambia County. Applications must be submitted for free or reduced price lunches at all other schools.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
Parents at these schools should plan on providing their child with money for their meals until eligibility is established to avoid creating a deficit in their account. Funds can be added to student accounts online at myschoolapps.com.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and was not related to the pandemic. The program is federally funded.
Meal applications, or payment, will be required at:
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Kingsfield Elementary
- Suter Elementary
- Brown Barge Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Tate High
- West Florida High.
Free meal schools are:
Elementary Schools
- Bellview Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- C.A. Weis Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- O.J. Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
Middle Schools
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Beulah Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Workman Middle
High Schools
- Escambia High
- Northview High
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest High
- Washington High
Other Schools and Centers
- Acceleration Academy
- Achieve Academy
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Hope Horizon
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Success Academy
Pictured: An Escambia County School lunch as served to students during the last school year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Citizens, State Leaders Speak Out On School Board Tax Increase Amid Declining Enrollment
August 4, 2025
State leaders and hundreds of local residents took to social media Sunday to question why the Escambia County School Board raised property taxes as enrollment fell by about 4,200 students over the past five years.
A 1.5 mil increase is expected to net about $52 million for the district.
“So let me get this straight… Escambia School Board wants to RAISE property taxes because they have LESS workload,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia wrote on X while sharing the NorthEscambia.com story and tagging Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Typical big government logic. This is proof that they are spending way too much on administration and not enough in the classroom.”
Hundreds of readers commented on the story, many questioning a perceived illogical decision to require more money from property owners to pay a system with 4,200 fewer students. Others, however, defended the district’s actions, citing increasing costs.
Florida District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman joined the discussion to assure constituents that she is questioning the move with other state officials.
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In a post on Salzman’s official Facebook page on Sunday, Salzman said she discussed an audit of Escambia County with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and CFO Ingoglia on Saturday. She said the two main talking points centered around the Escambia County Children’s Trust and the Escambia County School Board tax increase.
“As your state representative, I’ve been working hard in Tallahassee to cut taxes and ease the burden on hardworking families,” Salzman said. “That’s why I’m disappointed to see our local school board move in the opposite direction by raising property taxes while we are working to eliminate them.”
“At a time when inflation and cost of living are already straining household budgets, we should be looking for ways to do more with less, not asking families to pay more,” she continued. “I encourage our local leaders to respect the sacrifices our community is making and to join us in prioritizing responsible budgeting and transparency.”
Salzman said she would use her relationships with partners across that state that she will use “for the people”. And she added, “PS. Thank you, NorthEscambia for highlighting this.”
Pictured top: On Sunday, Rep. Michelle Salzman posted this selfie taken with Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia. Photo for NorthEscambia.com.
On Tuesday, Century’s Town Council Expected To Select Finalists For Town Administrator
August 4, 2025
On Tuesday, the Century Town Council will take the next steps in selecting a new town administrator.
The committee — consisting of Mayor Ben Boutwell and council members John Bass and Henry Cunningham sitting with interim town manager Howard Brown — narrowed a list of 17 applicants down to 10. Town staff members have since completed preliminary background checks on all of them.
During a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the council is expected to discuss the applicants and select those that they wish to formally interview. Council members will be encouraged to complete individual one-on-one meetings with the selected candidates prior to August 19 , when formal public interviews will be held at a council meeting.
The 10 applicants selected by the committee, in alphabetical order, are:
- Charles V. Anderson
- Darryl LeTroy Bell
- Peter Cavalli
- Timothy J. Day
- David J. Murzin
- Jeff Peacock
- Lisa Rouse
- Jared Schumacher
- Brian Louis Underwood
- Fred Ventresco
More information on each applicant is at bottom.
According to the town charter, the final employment recommendation must come from the mayor and be approved by the council.
In a July 22 selection committee meeting, Boutwell recommended:
- Charles V. Anderson
- Peter Cavalli
- Timothy J. Day
- David J. Murzin
- Lisa Rouse
- Jared Schumacher
- Brian Louis Underwood
Cunningham recommended:
- Charles V. Anderson
- Peter Cavalli
- David J. Murzin
- Brian Louis Underwood
- Fred Ventresco
Bass recommended:
- Charles V. Anderson
- Darryl LeTroy Bell
- Peter Cavalli
- Timothy J. Day
- David J. Murzin
- Jeff Peacock
- Jared Schumacher
Here is more information about each applicant selected by the committee in alphabetical order:
- Charles V. Anderson (Saint Petersburg, FL): Anderson is the former city manager for Treasure Island, Florida, where he led disaster recovery efforts and managed multimillion-dollar budgets. With decades of military and local government experience, he specializes in crisis management, infrastructure planning, and personnel leadership.
- Darryl LeTroy Bell (current city unclear): Bell is a former manager with extensive experience in municipal governance, economic development, and public works. He has managed cities such as Palatka, FL, and Muskegon Heights, MI, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, infrastructure improvements, and community revitalization.
- Peter Cavalli (Tampa, FL): Cavalli is the founder of Tampa Bay Training, LLC, and a former town manager for Kenneth City, Florida. He has extensive experience in public works, emergency management, and workforce development, as well as training programs for municipalities and private sector clients.
- Timothy J. Day (Cape Coral, FL): A former district manager for multiple Community Development Districts in Florida, Day brings over 30 years of experience in city/town management, law enforcement, and public safety. He has managed utility modernization projects, FEMA disaster recovery efforts, and financial audits for municipalities. He also served as a City Council member in Cape Coral for nine years.
- David J. Murzin (Pensacola, FL): Murzin is currently the Director of First Place Partners, representing economic development in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. He is a former state representative for Florida. He has extensive experience in legislative leadership, economic development, and disaster recovery, having worked closely with local governments across Northwest Florida.
- Jeff Peacock (Pace, FL): Peacock is a mathematics teacher at Navarre High School and a former COO for nonprofit organizations. He has a background in strategic planning, operational management, and public policy, with degrees from Harvard University and the University of Chicago. A Century native, he was recently an unsuccessful candidate for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
- Lisa Rouse (Pensacola, FL): Rouse is the director of operations and marketing for two technology firms and a public sector consultant. She specializes in financial systems, utility oversight, and personnel development. A Pensacola resident, she is deeply involved in local civic groups and community engagement.
- Jared Schumacher (Taneytown, MD): Schumacher is the grants manager for Westminster Rescue Mission and a former town manager for Boonsboro, Maryland. He has expertise in grant writing, capital improvement projects, and municipal operations, with a focus on financial compliance and public trust restoration.
- Brian Louis Underwood (Fairhope, AL): Currently serving as grants director for Baldwin County Commission, Underwood has managed multimillion-dollar grant programs for infrastructure and disaster recovery. He previously served as executive director of the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program and has extensive experience in strategic planning, environmental stewardship, and intergovernmental coordination.
- Fred Ventresco (KS): Ventresco is a seasoned municipal manager with over 17 years of experience leading several municipalities. His most recent positions were a “brief, while-needed” position as city administrator in Holecome, Kansas, and town administrator in Pinetops, North Carolina. He has expertise in budgeting, personnel management, infrastructure projects, and emergency preparedness, having served as town administrator in multiple states.
For a previous story that lists all 17 applicants, click to enlarge.
Editor’s note: Information for each applicant is a brief summary taken from more complete resumes, applications and/or cover letters submitted to the Town of Century. Applicant’s information and claims were not independently verified by our staff.
Pictured top: (L-R) Henry Cunningham, Howard Brow and John Bass at a July 22 selection committee meeting. Pictured inset: Ben Boutwell. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Philly Cheesesteak Restaurant Plans Nine Mile Road Expansion
August 4, 2025
A Pensacola restaurant is planning a new location on East Nine Mile Road across from Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Mojo’s Famous Philly, which has a location on North Pace Boulevard, plans to construct a 3,500-square-foot restaurant on a vacant .63-acre lot in the 700 block of East Nine Mile Road. The lot, located between a car wash and self storage facility, is currently vacant.
Plans filed with Escambia County indicate the restaurant will be drive-thru only and will not serve or sell alcohol. The restaurant serves wings, Philly cheesesteaks, and more.
The proposal is set for a pre-application meeting at 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6 at with the Escambia County Development Review Committee at 3363 West Park Place.
Escambia Man Sentenced To 30 Years For Sexual Battery Of A Child
August 4, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the sexual battery of a child.
Tracy Edward Williams pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery by a person in familial authority. He was also designated a sexual predator by Circuit Court Judge John Simon
Prosecutors said Williams admitted to sexually abusing a minor child in his custody over a period of several months in 2024.
Wahoos Win Fifth Straight In Rainy Season Finale
August 4, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos picked up their fifth win in a row Sunday afternoon, defeating the Biloxi Shuckers 8-4 in a rainy series finale.
After an 87-minute rain delay, the Blue Wahoos bats unleashed a barrage of runs in the first four innings. Kemp Alderman led the way with a 4-for-4 day, including two home runs, a double and five RBI in the win.
“We’re just seeing it big and trying to hit the ball hard,” Alderman said. “Swing at strikes, take the balls and score runs.”
The Ole Miss product got things going early, pulling a no-doubt, two-run homer out to left in the bottom of the first off of Biloxi’s KC Hunt (L, 6-7).
Josh Zamora added to the lead in the second with a two-run home run to left of his own in the second inning. The home run was Zamora’s eighth of the year and marked the team’s fourth of the series.
Alderman’s second home run came in the third, on a high fly ball down the right field line, just barely getting over the wall.
“[I’m] just trying to keep it simple and play the game like a kid,” Alderman said. “Have fun and try to do good, and help the team win.”
Biloxi’s offense pushed across a run quickly in the first thanks to a Blake Burke RBI single to left, scoring pinch-runner Adam Hall. The Shuckers added two more in the third, as Garrett Spain and Jheremy Vargas each picked up RBI groundouts after having runners on second and third with no outs.
The Wahoos found three more runs in the fourth. After a Jared Serna single up the middle to drive in Michael Snyder, Alderman unleashed a double off the wall in left-center to drive in two.
Biloxi added one in the fifth on a wild pitch by left-hander Justin King, allowing Ethan Murray to score from third.
Jacob Miller (W, 3-4) earned the win for the Blue Wahoos after tossing 5.0 innings of three-run ball, including three strikeouts.
Evan Fitterer notched his 259th career strikeout in a Blue Wahoos uniform in the seventh inning, setting a new franchise record for career strikeouts after tying the record of 258 on Wednesday.
The Wahoos bullpen continued its dominance on Sunday. King, Fitterer, Will Kempner and Josh Ekness combined for 4.0 innings of one-run relief to secure the Blue Wahoos’ fifth straight win.
“[We’re] just going out there and playing clean, good baseball, sticking together as a group and playing until the final out,” Alderman said.
With six weeks left in the regular season, the Blue Wahoos lead the race for the Southern League South second-half title over the Montgomery Biscuits by 6.5 games.
The Blue Wahoos will hit the road to take on the Biscuits for a six-game set next week, beginning on Tuesday. First pitch from Montgomery will be at 6:35 CT, as Alex Williams (3-1, 2.55 ERA) takes the mound for the Blue Wahoos.
Escambia School Board Votes To Increase Property Taxes As Enrollment Declines
August 3, 2025
The Escambia County School Board has voted to approve a tax increase. The 1.5 mill increase is expected to net around $52 million for the district.
The total proposed millage rate is 4.644 mills, which is 15.4% greater than the rollback rate that would generate the same funding as last fiscal year.
The increase passed 4-1, with District 1 member Kevin Adams casting the lone dissenting vote. “I told my constituents, if you support the half-cent sales tax, I will never raise your property taxes.”
Other board members say the increase was necessary due to declining enrollment and a reduction in state funding.
“We cannot put that burden onto the taxpayer,” Adams said, noting that he has never voted for a tax increase during his tenure and he would stick to a campaign promise.
The district says enrollment is down by about 4,200 students over the past five years, with much of that drop due to school vouchers. A decreased enrollment means a decrease in state funding based on the student count.
“We’ve been cutting back for years,” David Williams, District 3 School Board member, said. “We’ve been making do with less for years, and I think the public needs to understand this is nothing new to us. This is a means of last resort. We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t have to… we have been cutting and cutting and cutting.”
“We’ve got to get back on track to resize this district,” Adams said.
“It’s a tough spot that we are in here,” District 5 member Tom Harrell said. “This is something that has happened over a period of time, and we probably could have weathered this storm had we not had such a drastic reduction in funds for this year.”
Harrell, who describes himself as a strong conservative, said he decided a week ago to vote against the increase. “But now it’s my belief that we are in a critical position here.”
“I did it for the children,” Harrell added to explain his support of the increase. “I did it for the district. I did it because it was the right thing to do at this time and this place.”
Northview Seniors Celebrate Senior Sunrise
August 3, 2025
Members of the Northview High School Class of 2026 celebrated “Senior Sunrise” on Saturday morning to mark the beginning of the upcoming school year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.