‘Blindsided’ – Century Council Members Balk At Water, Wastewater Contract Over Lack Of Information
August 6, 2026
Blindsided.
That’s how Century Town Council President Dynette Lewis described a five-year, $17,410 per month contract with a company to run the town’s water and wastewater treatment facilities.
This week, the entire council balked at signing the contract, not because they disagreed with mayor’s recommendation to hire the company, but because council members never saw the contract and really didn’t know what was happening.
Mayor Ben Boutwell requested approval of the contract with Clearwater Solutions, the company that has provided the services for years. Council members only received a one-page proposal in advance of the meeting and have yet to see the actual contract with all of its terms and conditions.
“It’s unfortunate that we are just hearing about this, and we were not given anything that we were able to read over this and come to an understanding on the agreement prior to this meeting,” Lewis said. “That’s basically an element of surprise at a meeting.”
She said she did not see the immediacy of a vote this week, but Boutwell, who attended the meeting by phone, said a contract would lower the month-to-month payment from $20,000 to the $17,410 per month.
Council member John Bass interjected that he believed the town missed a step and the council was not informed.
Back in April, the council voted to end an expiring contract with Clearwater and directly hire two Clearwater employees, one as a contractor and one as an operator.
The mayor said both individuals are still running Century’s water and wastewater systems, but they still work for Clearwater, and they were hired on paper but never actually went to work for the town due to a Clearwater agreement.
“I feel it’s interesting that we didn’t hear anything about it until now,” Lewis said, “at a particular time we have a proposal placed in front of us at the meeting.”
“I don’t want to vote on this because I don’t feel like I have enough information,” Shelisa Abraham said. “I would like to be able to compare the old one (contract) to this one. I did not appreciate us approving to hire people, and we find out (differently) at the meeting and are expected to give a decision tonight. We haven’t had time to get details or make a well-informed decision.”
With recent rate increases, Century can afford the Clearwater contract, Boutwell said, describing the company as a “great partner for the last several years.” The council agreed, but opposed taken action without reviewing the contract.
Following a unanimous vote to table action on the Clearwater contract, Lewis said, “It seems like we should have somebody in place that should be providing these issues where we’re not basically blindsided like this.”
The town council is expected to consider the contract again at their next meeting on August 25.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Injured In Apparent Accidental Wednesday Night Shooting
August 6, 2026
An adult male suffered an apparent accidental gunshot wound on Wednesday night in Cantonment.
The shooting was reported around 10:15 p.m. on Calloway Street, south of Booker Street. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the man suffered a gunshot wound to his side.
The man, reportedly in his 50s, was transported to an area hospital.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Arrested On Multiple Sexual Battery, Minor Exploitation Charges
August 5, 2026
A 70-year-old Cantonment man has been arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office following allegations of sexual battery and explicit communications involving a minor.
Gonzalo Quinones is facing multiple felony charges, including sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12 years of age, lewd or lascivious conduct, and transmitting information harmful to minors.
According to the arrest report, the investigation began in late June after the victim’s family discovered inappropriate and explicit text messages sent from Quinones’ phone number. The family noted that similar messages had been received previously, but they initially believed the texts were sent to the minor by mistake and had been intended for someone else.
A subsequent forensic interview conducted at the Gulf Coast Kids House with the now 14-year-old girl uncovered additional allegations of physical abuse dating back several years, beginning when the victim was 9 years old.
Deputies noted that Quinones initially claimed he was not in his right mind when sending the messages. He later declined to meet further with investigators upon consulting legal counsel.
Quinones remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $345,000. An Escambia County Judge has appointed an expert for a competency evaluation in response to a motion filed in the case, according to court records.
Century’s New ‘Backyard Apartment’, Tiny Home Rules Move Forward To Legal Review
August 5, 2026
The Town of Century is moving closer to modernizing its rules on backyard homes, shifting from its previous “Accessory Apartment” regulations to a newly drafted Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance.
Following guidance from town council workshops held in June and July, Emerald Coast Regional Council planner Eric Christianson submitted the draft update to Section 90-81 of the town’s Land Development Code. The proposed policy aims to expand housing options and support multigenerational living while protecting the character of residential neighborhoods.
Under the draft ordinance, property owners could construct up to one ADU on conforming lots where a primary home already exists. The draft allows ADUs in Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Rural Residential, and Mixed Use categories. However, planners noted that explicit language in the town’s Comprehensive Plan is clearer for Low Density Residential and Medium Density Residential zones, meaning the inclusion of Rural Residential and Mixed Use properties will undergo special review by the town attorney.
Key structural and utility standards in the draft include:
Structure & Size: Units can be attached or detached, capped at a maximum of 700 square feet. ADUs cannot exceed the floor area or height of the main dwelling.
Separation & Setbacks: Detached units must maintain at least 10 feet of separation from the main house and sit in the rear yard. Roofline setbacks are set at five feet for attached structures and 10 feet for detached structures.
Utilities & Parking: Every ADU must have separate water, sewer, and electric meters, generating tap fee revenue for the town. Shared utility setups will be treated as standard home additions rather than ADUs. Each unit also requires one dedicated off-street parking space.
Strict Compliance: The ordinance explicitly prohibits any variances, waivers, or adjustments to these requirements.
The proposed ordinance now moves to legal review by the town attorney, while the regional council prepares an impact report assessing how the policy change will affect Century. Town council members will have the opportunity to review both reports and make further adjustments before scheduled public adoption hearings.
Christianson said Tuesday night that he estimated just over 450 parcels, about half of all parcels, in Century might qualify for an ADU. Once legal review is completed and the ordinance is complete, he places to present an impact report to the town council.
Pictured: A citizen addresses the Century Town Council on Tuesday night regarding a proposed implementation of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First Look At The Design For New $10 Million Shelter In Century
August 4, 2026
We are getting a first look at the design for a new multimillion dollar community shelter in Century.
The Town of Century was awarded $10 million Florida Department of Commerce’s Rebuild Florida grant to turn the old Century High School gym property into a multipurpose facility that will also serve as a shelter during hurricanes or other disasters. Grant management was later redirected from the town to Escambia County.
The project has reached the 30% plan status showing the overall size, shape, orientation, and functional layout of the building, which retains the basic structure of the old gym and expands it. Plans show several new additions, including a large main lobby, an 812 square foot computer lab, two multipurpose rooms about 900 square foot each, a kitchen, two locker rooms, and offices and small flexible spaces. The structure will feature the complete rehabilitation of the gymnasium.
For more design images, and October 2025 photos of the Century High gym and property, click here.
Built in 1960 out of steel, concrete, and solid brick, the former Century High Blackcats gym has spent years being ravaged by time and vandals. Despite heavy interior damage, officials note the building remains remarkably resilient.
“It has good bones,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell noted during a walkthrough last year. “With a steel frame and solid brick and concrete construction, it will make a good shelter.”
The remnants of the Century Kayo Stanton Football Stadium behind the gym will be demolished for safety reasons. The stadium was heavily damaged in an EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, 2016. Century High School was closed and merged with Ernest Ward High School into the present-day Northview High School, which opened in 1995.
A timetable for finals plans and construction is not yet available.
Pictured: A first look at the design plants for a new community shelter in Century, building upon the structure of the former Century High School gym. Below are are photos of the gym from October 2025. Images for NorthEscambia.com, NorthEscambia.com photos.
ECFR: Clothes Dryer Sparked Friday Night Cantonment Apartment Laundry Room Fire
August 4, 2026
The fire that damaged the laundry room at a Cantonment apartment complex on Friday night was sparked by a clothes dryer, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue.
ECFR said their investigation determined the fire was started by an electrical malfunction inside the dryer.
The fire was reported shortly after 9 p.m. at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments at 850 North Highway 29. Firefighters arrived to find heavy black smoke inside the laundry room. The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes, and damage was confined to the laundry room.
There were no injuries reported.
The responding Escambia County Fire Rescue stations included Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Osceola.
Pictured below: Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue stations responded in heavy rainfall on Friday night at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Picturd above: An electrical malfunction with this dryer was blamed for the fire. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Monday Crash At Highway 29 And Neal Road
August 3, 2026
One person was injured in a crash on Monday at Highway 29 and Neal Road in Cantonment.
The crash, which involved a Honda Civic, Nissan Pathfinder, and a Ford F-150, shut down northbound Highway 29 for a short period of time.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released more information.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
