EREC To Reopen Walnut Hill Office Next Tuesday (But Not The Post Office Just Yet)
July 25, 2025
Escambia River Electric Cooperative will reopen their Walnut Hill office next Tuesday, July 29.
The post office will remain at the location, with postal services resuming at a later date once a contract is finalized with the U.S. Postal Service.
“We’re excited to reopen our Walnut Hill office and welcome members back,” Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC said. “We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and continued support. We’re proud to once again serve our Escambia County members from this location and look forward to seeing you in person.”
The utility office will operate weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., observing a lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m.
The EREC Walnut Hill office is located on Highway 99A next to Ernest Ward Middle School.
The office had been closed since August 2024 due to mold, which has since been remediated.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Symphony Performs At The Library
July 25, 2025
Three members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performed Thursday morning at the Century Branch Library and Friday morning at the Molino Library.
The performances were free and open to all ages.
Pictured: Members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performed Thursday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Another Ninth-Inning Comeback Sends Wahoos To Wild 10-7 Win
July 25, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
Down to their final strike in the ninth inning, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos drew on recent history for another improbable comeback and a 10-7 win over the Knoxville Smokies on Thursday night.
Smokies closer A.J. Puckett (L, 2-6), the Southern League’s saves leader, was given a chance to atone for a rare blown save in Tuesday night’s 13-inning Pensacola win. Once again, one out away from victory, the Blue Wahoos had other plans.
Trailing 7-6, Johnny Olmstead led off the ninth inning with a double. Two outs later, he was still at second base as Michael Snyder battled back from an 0-2 count. The Pensacola left fielder finally got a pitch he could handle, lining a sharp grounder past the Knoxville shortstop Jefferson Rojas to score Olmstead and tie the game 7-7.
Jared Serna followed with a go-ahead RBI double into the left field corner, scoring Snyder from first base for an 8-7 lead. Kemp Alderman and Nathan Martorella added on with RBI singles, capping a four-run ninth inning that sent the first-place Blue Wahoos to their fourth win in a row.
The game started on shaky ground for the Blue Wahoos, who got only 1.1 innings from starter Dax Fulton. The lefty allowed a season-high seven runs, leaving in the middle of a five-run second inning that gave the Smokies a 7-3 lead.
Pensacola’s first reliever, Justin King, faced only two batters before leaving with an apparent injury. Evan Fitterer entered on short notice to get the final out of the second, and ultimately steadied the waters with 4.1 scoreless innings of one-hit relief.
Aside from a three-run second inning highlighted by a Mark Coley II RBI double, the Blue Wahoos didn’t get much done against Smokies starter Tyler Schlaffer. That changed as soon as Knoxville turned the game over to their bullpen, as Nathan Martorella began the comeback in the sixth inning with a solo homer, his team-leading 10th, off Frankie Scalzo Jr. to cut the deficit to 7-4.
Jake Thompson delivered a two-out RBI single in the seventh inning, and Alderman doubled and scored on a Josh Zamora sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to draw the Blue Wahoos to within a run.
Jesse Bergin worked 1.2 hitless innings of relief before Will Kempner (W, 3-1) got the final out of the eighth to keep the deficit to 7-6. After Pensacola’s ninth-inning rally, Kempner worked a quiet ninth to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos have now scored 20 ninth-inning runs in their past 11 games after scoring just eight in their first 81 games of the season.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Friday night.
Committee Narrows List Of Applicants For Century Town Administrator
July 24, 2025
A selection committee has narrowed a list of 17 applicants down to 10 to be considered as Century’s next town administrator.
The committee — consisting of Mayor Ben Boutwell and council members John Bass and Henry Cunningham sitting with interim town manager Howard Brown — met this week.
“I think you’ve got a good group,” Brown told the committee. “We have not done background checks, reference checks. We have not vetted anyone yet; we are just discussing applicants.”
Bass said the town’s immediate need is an administrator that can meet immediate financial needs, grants, infrastructure and leadership. Cunningham added that “leadership is the most important part”, along with someone with financial procedural knowledge and that will be in Century full time.
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.
The town will now conduct background checks and vet candidates, and the council will decide how to move forward with selection. The committee council members are expected to conduct one-on-one phone interviews using a standardized set of questions before holding public interviews either in person or virtually with a subset of finalists.
According to the town charter, the final employment recommendation must come from the mayor and be approved by the council.
In this week’s 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. Pictured inset: Ben Boutwell. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Arrest, Investigation Continues Into Shooting Last Week In Century
July 24, 2025
The investigation is continuing into a July 15 shooting that left a Century man with critical injuries.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said on Wednesday that there have been no new developments in the case, and they have not named any suspects.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened at a home on Ashford Alley, just off Mayes Street and Jefferson Avenue.
The adult male victim told deputies that he was asleep when he heard someone open his door and was then shot twice — once in the arm and once in the eye.
He then walked about a quarter mile to a residence in the 6800 block of Jefferson Avenue, passed numerous homes, before getting someone to call 911 around 3:20 a.m., according to the ECSO. The victim was transported by Escambia County EMS to the Marie McMurray Park on Pond Street and then airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola hospital as a “trauma alert”.
There was no one in the home on Ashford Alley when it was searched by deputies.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Woman Faces Federal Charges For A Fraudulent Tax Return Scheme
July 24, 2025
An Escambia County woman faces federal charges for a fraudulent tax return scheme.
Khristine Harper, 41, was indicted in federal court for 20 counts of aiding or assisting in preparation of false tax return and one count of identity theft.
If convicted, she faces up to 65 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tate Cheerleaders Hold ‘Totally Awesome’ Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Camp (With Gallery)
July 24, 2025
New skills. Lots of fun. New friends. Unforgettable memories.
This week’s Lil Aggies Cheerleading Camp was huge. In fact, it was the largest ever with over 150 kids, according to Coach Morgan Norwood.
And, it was totally tubular. Like, totally with an 80s day, a surf theme day, and an awesome Aggies Spirit Day.
For a photo gallery from this year’s cheer camp, click here.
Now, Norwood said, the cheerleaders are getting ready for the next clinic on August 23. Registration will be $100, and the little cheerleaders will receive a t-shirt and have a chance to cheer at the home football game on August 29. (We’ll have the registration form here on NorthEscambia.com as soon as it’s available.)
For a photo gallery from this year’s cheer camp, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Communications Deputy Chief Graduates From FSU Leadership Program
July 24, 2025
Escambia County Emergency Communications Deputy Chief Mark Carter recently graduated from the Florida State University Certified Public Manager program.
The FSU Certified Public Manager program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program for public managers and supervisors. It features 31 days of classroom instruction, complemented by homework assignments and open-book exams. Typically, the program involves eight four-day courses, scheduled every two to three months, allowing most students to complete it within 18 to 24 months.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Serna’s Big Blast Sends Wahoos To 5-2 Win Over Smokies
July 24, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their third in a row on Wednesday night, defeating the Knoxville Smokies 5-2 on the strength of a Jared Serna three-run homer.
With two on and two out in the fifth inning, Serna turned around a 2-0 offering from Smokies starter Sam Armstrong (L, 2-7) and sent it into the left field bullpen to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead.
The blast followed a positive trend for the Blue Wahoos, who have now hit eight three-run homers since June 1 after hitting only one in the season’s first two months.
The Smokies jumped ahead 1-0 in the second inning, turning a Felix Stevens leadoff walk into the game’s first run on an RBI single from Ethan Hearn. Blue Wahoos starter Ike Buxton labored through 3.0 innings, walking five batters but allowing only one run on one hit before departing.
Serna’s homer made a winner out of Luis Palacios (W, 2-2), who turned in 3.1 innings of effective relief with only one unearned run allowed. It was the 22nd career win for Palacios in a Blue Wahoos uniform, the most in team history.
Palacios allowed a two-out RBI double to Corey Joyce in the bottom of the fifth, but right fielder Grant Richardson gunned a throw home to cut down B.J. Murray Jr. trying to score the tying run from first base. With the lead still intact, Palacios and Nigel Belgrave (S, 2) stranded Knoxville runners in scoring position in the next three innings before a Michael Snyder two-run single in the top of the ninth extended the Pensacola advantage to 5-2.
Belgrave got the final eight outs to lock down the Blue Wahoos win, finishing with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth inning.
With a win and a Columbus Clingstones loss, the Blue Wahoos now lead the South Division by 3.5 games in the second half race.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Thursday night.
File photo.
Man Accidently Shoots Himself Near Walnut Hill, ECSO Says
July 23, 2025
A man is recovering after accidentally shooting himself early Wednesday morning near Walnut Hill.
The man told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office he was walking through the woods on his property in the 5000 block of Sandy Hollow Road when his AK-47 accidentally discharged, resulting in a serious leg injury.
He sought treatment at Atmore Community Hospital shortly before 4 a.m. An update on his condition was not available.
File photo.