Century Opens Millennium Time Capsule. Here’s What They Found.
January 3, 2025
The Town of Century opened a millennium time capsule Friday afternoon finding a lot of wet items and a few notable glimpses at local history.
The time capsule was buried in front of the town hall on January 1, 2000, and set for opening in January 2025. Over the past 25 years, water filled the concrete vault. Murky, dirty, stinky water also infiltrated the plastic bags and other containers inside. Most of the newspapers and other paper items were mush. Many photos had been printed on inkjet printers of the day, and the photos had washed away.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Several people present on Friday discovered items that they had placed in the capsule, or items from now-deceased relatives. A form created by the town back in 2000 asked residents to write down what was in each bag, along with their contact information and heirs with the apparent intent of returning the items in 2025. It should be noted that the form also asked for social security numbers because times were different in 2000, potentially exposing names, addresses and social security numbers of current local residents.
Some residents took family items home, and the Alger Sullivan Historical Society took the rest of the items to dry out what they can and document.
And, in a bit of a surprise, the lid covering the vault was signed by numerous people, most if not all of were high school students (it’s pictured in the gallery).
Coming up by Monday on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll take a look at some of the treasures from the capsule and hear a unique local history story.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Homicide Arrest Made After Woman Shot, Ran Over At Apartment Complex Behind Nine Mile Kohl’s
January 3, 2025
A homicide arrest has been made following the death of a woman after being shot and ran over Thursday night 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 a 30-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds.
“The investigation determined that she had been shot and then run over by a vehicle multiple times. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries,” ECSO said.
The investigation led deputies to the suspect, 30-year-old Charles Jerome Carson-Dowdy. He was arrested in Spanish Fort, Alabama. He is in the Baldwin County Jail awaiting extradition back to Escambia County to face a homicide charge.
New Sensory-Friendly Hours Begin Saturday At The Molino Library
January 3, 2025
The Molino Library will begin offering monthly sensory-friendly browsing hours beginning Saturday, January 4.
Sensory Saturdays are designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for individuals who are neurodivergent and/or have special needs and their families.
The special hours will be on the first Saturday of the month at the Molino Library from 8-10 a.m. A sensory room will be open from 8-11 a.m. filled with comfortable seating, sensory activities, toys, engaging fidgets, and fun brain games. Users can come and go as they please.
The library opens for everyone as usual at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Additionally, WFPL now has Sensory Tool Kits and Calm Corner kits available every day for patrons to check out.
The sensory hours will also be available at the Tryon Library on the second Saturday of the month beginning in January and at the Bellview Library on third Saturdays beginning in February.
Pictured: Children’s books at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Homicide Investigation Continues After Man Shot Near Pine Meadow Elementary
January 3, 2025
A homicide investigation is continuing after a man was shot and killed late Wednesday night in not far from Pine Meadow Elementary School.
The adult male was shot about 11:45 p.m. outside a home on Tommy Street, just off Cove Avenue. The man was transported to any area hospital where he later died.
No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Additional details have not been released.
File photo.
Barrineau Park Bridge Has Reopened
January 3, 2025
The Barrineau Park Bridge over the Perdido River reopened Thursday afternoon being closed earlier this week due to water over the road and bridge following weekend rains.
It’s common for water to flow across the roadway and bridge when the river rises.
The Perdido River near Barrineau Park reached 11.8 feet on Tuesday night, just shy of minor flood stage of 13 feet. By Thursday night, the river was down to 5.5 feet.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Self-Storage, RV Storage Facility Proposed For Central Commerce Park
January 3, 2025
A new self-storage facility is proposed for the Central Commerce Park in Cantonment.
The Power Boulevard Storage project would be located on Power Boulevard, according to an Escambia County Development Review Committee application filed this month by Hammond Engineering on behalf of owner Ryan Sieg.
The project would include an 18.300 square foot climate-controlled self-storage building that would include an 800 square foot office, four miscellaneous size standalone self-storage buildings and a milled asphalt lot with a 5,000 square foot covered pavilion for the additional parking of recreational vehicles.
The development includes two parcels totaling five acres at 1521 and 1531 Power Boulevard, across from ESA South and Custom Control Solutions. The lots are currently wooded and undeveloped. The facility would be connected to Power Boulevard by two new asphalt driveways.
The property, according to property appraiser records, belongs to Power Drive Development, Inc.
The proposed development has not yet been set for a Development Review Committee meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Florida Hunting And Fishing Licenses Are 50% Off Today
January 3, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offerenced substantial discounts on select resident hunting and fishing licenses through today, January 3.
An executive order signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis provides a 50% discount on the annual and five-year Gold Sportsman licenses, as well as Youth Lifetime Sportsman licenses (for ages 0-17). Additionally, the annual freshwater/saltwater fishing combination license is reduced to only $5.
Residents can purchase the discounted licenses online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, in person at their local tax collector’s office or through the Fish|Hunt FL App, available on Apple and Android devices. Additionally, the discounted one-year and five-year Gold Sportsman licenses can be purchased at any participating license agent, which can be found by going to GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, selecting “Purchase Recreational Licenses & Permits” and clicking on “Locate an Agent.”
Sunny And About 60 Today, Much Colder Next Week
January 3, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Widespread frost, mainly after 5am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers. Low around 40. South wind around 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 45.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 45.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Traffic Stop
January 2, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested by police with multiple drug charges including fentanyl trafficking after a traffic stop.
Cole Peyton Johns, 28, was charged with trafficking four or more grams of fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting arrest without violence, possession of a drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.
On Christmas Eve, a Pensacola Police Department officer stopped Johns for suspended license on K Street. PPD said Johns provided his name and date of birth because he did not have his driver’s license. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 responded and alerted on the vehicle.
During a search, officers located a backpack in the vehicle, and Johns fled on foot, according to an arrest report. He was apprehended by police at the corner of West Gregory and North K streets.
Inside the backpack, PPD officer reported finding four pipes with fentanyl residue, along with 31.4 grams of powder in plastic baggies and a pill bottle that tested positive for fentanyl. The report states officers also found nine and one-quarter Alprazolam pills, multiple small baggies, two scales with suspected fentanyl residue and a handgun with seven unspent rounds in the magazine.
According to the report, Johns confessed he owned the backpack and told police that the narcotics were heroin but offered a “silent acknowledgement ” when told the field test showed fentanyl. He also admitted to police that he sold narcotics and that the firearm belonged to him.
Johns was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,500 bond.
After 578 Days, Longest Resident Ever At Animal Shelter Goes Home
January 2, 2025
The longest resident ever at the Escambia County animal shelter found a home just in time for the holidays.
Daisy spent 578 at the shelter.
She was adopted in time to spend her best Christmas ever with her new family.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.