Escambia Man Shot By Officer Last Year Indicted On Federal Charge Of Attempted Murder Of Deputy
July 20, 2025
An Escambia County man has been indicted in federal court after allegedly trying to kill a sheriff’s deputy late last year.
The indictment charges 21-year-old Darrion Kayne Finley, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempting to kill an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The ECSO attempted to pull over a stolen vehicle driven by Finley, using a PIT maneuver to forcibly stop the vehicle. Finley, armed with a handgun, fired shots toward deputies from within the vehicle and after exiting the vehicle with a handgun, the ECSO said. Deputies returned fire, striking Finley.
He is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola on Tuesday. If convicted, Finley faces up to life in federal prison.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Lower Rain Chance, Hot And Humid On Sunday
July 20, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 107. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday, A Committee Will Consider 17 Applicants For Century Town Administrator
July 20, 2025
A selection committee will meet this week to consider 17 candidates for Century town administrator, who will work as the chief operations officer of the town and carry out the mayor and town council’s initiatives.
The administrator will report directly to the elected mayor.
The diverse pool of applicants includes five applicants with immediately local area ties – Alan Fowler of Alabama, who currently works with the town as a water and wastewater consultant, former state representative Dave Murzin, who now owns an economic development consulting firm in Pensacola; Century native Jeff Peacock who recently ran unsuccessfully for Congress; Lisa Rouse, who is operations and marketing manager for two technology firms in Pensacola; and Brian Underwood of Fairhope, who is grants director for Baldwin County (AL) Commission.
The recruitment process has drawn interest from across the country. The applicants bring a wide and diverse range of experience,including municipal management, public safety leadership, economic development expertise, and nonprofit administration.
According to the job description, the salary range for the position is $112,000 to $137,000, with the likely salary offer between the minimum of $112,000 and the midpoint of the range, or about $124,500.
An applicant will be recommended by a selection committee that includes Mayor Ben Boutwell, council members John Bass and Henry Cunningham, interim town manager Howard Brown, and key staff members. Brown has stated that he will not apply for the town administrator position. According to the town charter, the final hiring recommendation to the council must come from the mayor.
The selection committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22 for a workshop, which is open to the public, in town council chambers. In a workshop, the committee will not be able to take a formal vote.
The applicants, listed in alphabetical order are:
- 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.
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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.
- Kelliyah Cherubin (Orlando area, FL): Cherubin is a former admission counselor at Everglades University with experience in case management, community outreach, and nonprofit operations. She holds a Master’s degree in public administration and specializes in stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and event coordination.
- 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.
- George Calvin Dickens III (Savannah, GA): Dickens is a fire safety maintenance inspector for Georgia Southern University (Armstrong Campus) and a fire engineer for the City of Savannah. He has extensive experience in fire safety, emergency management, and municipal operations, with certifications in fire inspection and hazardous materials handling.
- 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.
- Roger Allen Fowler (Camden, AL): Currently an area manager for ClearWater Solutions, overseeing water and wastewater operations in Florida and Alabama. As a ClearWater employee, he currently manages Century’s water and wastewater plants and supervises Jay’s wastewater facility. He has 16 years of experience in water/wastewater construction, operations, maintenance, and compliance.
- Nicholas Frigiola (Live Oak, FL): Frigiola is the Community Redevelopment Director for Live Oak, Florida, where he manages multimillion-dollar redevelopment projects and grant funding. He previously served as a Community Redevelopment Officer for the Saint Cloud Police Department and has expertise in public safety and community engagement.
- Derrick Harris (Hot Springs, AR area): Harris serves as Director of the Tri-Lakes Metropolitan Planning Organization, where he manages multimillion-dollar transportation projects and federal grant programs. He has extensive experience in public speaking, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure planning.
- Vance Lipsey (Mount Calm, TX): Lipsey is the former City Administrator for Ranger, Texas, where he oversaw municipal operations, strategic planning, and urban development. He has experience managing small-town dynamics and seasonal population fluctuations, as well as implementing infrastructure and community development projects.
- 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.
- Tracy D. Roles (OK): Roles is a former city manager for Ada, Oklahoma, and assistant city manager for Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He has over 20 years of experience in municipal government and public safety, specializing in law enforcement, emergency management, and community engagement.
- 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.
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.
Tate Grad Taite Davis Commits To LBW
July 20, 2025
Taite Davis, a 2025 Tate High School graduate, has committed to continue his academic and athletic journey at LBW (Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, AL). NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic.
Blue Wahoos’ Bats Silenced In 5-1 Loss To Lookouts
July 20, 2025
Thomas White left the mound shaking his head following one of his shortest starts this season. That became the kind of tough feeling his teammates experienced.
After slugging their way to a 16-3 rout a night earlier, the Blue Wahoos were held in check with two hits and one run in a 5-1 loss Saturday against the Chattanooga Lookouts before the customary capacity crowd of 5,038 on Fireworks Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Making his second home start, White, 20, the Miami Marlins’ top-rated prospect, gave up a pair of runs on four hits before being pulled after throwing 64 pitches in the third inning. The 2.2 innings were the same as White lasted in his Double-A debut at home on June 20 against Montgomery. It was only his second true outing in a 20-day span. He didn’t pitch for the Blue Wahoos on their past road trip at Columbus, then worked one inning with former Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack last Saturday in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Of his 64 pitches, 44 were strikes. White’s elevation to Double-A on June 17 brings a natural learning curve he is navigating.
His third pitch of the ballgame Saturday left the ballpark. Lookouts lead-off batter Austin Hendrick connected to send the ball caroming off the wall above the right field home run line. In the second inning, White gave up a leadoff single, then Ruben Ibarra followed with a run-scoring double. White worked out of that inning, then was lifted with two outs in the third.
The Blue Wahoos got their lone run on Nathan Martorella’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first, scoring Jared Serna. That hit proved the only hit the Blue Wahoos produced until the sixth inning. Chattanooga starter T.J. Sikkema retired the next 13 batters he faced before exiting after the fifth inning. The Blue Wahoos’ only threat occurred in the eighth inning when loading the bases with two out on an error and two walks.
But there were several crowd-pleasing elements in this game. The Blue Wahoos celebrated with one of their game-day employees on her “Home Run For Life.” Erika Brigman, a member of the RS3 Food and Beverage team overcame injuries sustained two years ago when struck by a drunk driver. The team wore specialty “Salute To Service” jerseys with U.S. Navy “call signs” as nicknames on the back. Most of the crowd stayed for the fireworks show.
This weekend series with Chattanooga, the Cincinnati Reds affiliate, concludes Sunday at 4:05 p.m. with the Blue Wahoos sending Jacob Miller (2-4, 4.34 ERA) against the Lookouts’ Zach Willeman (1-0, 0.90).
GAME NOTABLES
Blue Wahoos starting catcher Ryan Ignoffo was injured when hit on his hand by a pitch Friday night by Chattanooga’s Donovan Benoit, the former Pensacola Catholic High grad. Ignoffo’s status is yet to be determined.
In response to Ignoffo’s absence, the Blue Wahoos added catcher Nestor Rios from the Florida Complex League-Marlins, the developmental level team. The club also announced outfielder Fenwick Trimble was activated from the injured list.
The Blue Wahoos players again wore their Navy “call signs,” a military version of a nickname, on the back of their jerseys in Saturday’s game. Those jerseys were then part of a silent auction/live auction that happened during the game.
The game paused after the fifth inning to honor Pensacola resident Brigman in the Home Run For Life ceremony.
Brigman was on her way to lunch in 2023 when the car she was riding in was struck by a drunk driver along Pine Forest Road. Erika’s friend stayed by her side as she was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital. The injuries she sustained included a broken right foot, right leg tibia, both kneecaps, her left upper arm and a punctured a lung. However, the major damage was done by the seat belt as it created numerous internal injuries and broke her back. Erika was treated by Ascension Sacred Heart’s emergency and trauma team – the only one in the area with Level I trauma status. After a few months in the hospital and rehab, she spent a year with her family in North Carolina before spending the last year back in Pensacola to continue recovering.
Two years later, Erika is now able to walk again without assistance.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Changes made:
Combined short, related sentences into more cohesive paragraphs.
Grouped the “GAME NOTABLES” and “WANT TO GO?” sections into bulleted lists for better readability.
Removed the “—” separator before each bullet point in the “GAME NOTABLES” and “WANT TO GO?” sections.
Added a line return between each paragraph for improved visual separation.
Added headings with horizontal lines above them for “GAME NOTABLES” and “WANT TO GO?” to structure the response better.
Former Escambia Firefighter Assigned To Beulah Indicted On Federal Child Porn Charges
July 19, 2025
A former firefighter assigned to the Beulah Fire Station has been indicted in federal court on charges related to a decade-long pattern of producing and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Garey A. Buscaino, 48, is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola next Tuesday.
The indictment charges Buscaino with the production of child pornography of four different minor females between 2015 and 2025. He is also charged with the possession of child pornography involving minors under the age of 12 years old.
If convicted, Buscaino faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment as to each minor victim for the production of child pornography and up to 20 years’ imprisonment as to the possession of child pornography involving minors under the age of 12 years old.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Previous State Charged From FDLE
In May, state charges were brought against Buscaino by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He was charged with with seven counts of video voyeurism of a child under 16 years of age, 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
FDLE’s investigation began in April 2025 after agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alerting agents to a cellphone user uploading child sexual exploitation files to a cloud account.
The investigation identified Buscaino as the account holder. FDLE said their investigation revealed that Buscaino had hidden video cameras and secretly recorded a juvenile in stages of undress.
The report states that FDLE agents located 96 images that appeared to be taken inside Buscaino’s home of a child about 12-14 years old “without the knowledge of the minor” between September 11, 2024, and April 10, 2025. FDLE said agents also located seven video files that “appeared to be recorded without the minor victim’s knowledge”.
“Each of the seven video files depicted the same minor victim nude while either dressing or undressing, in a circumstance where she had an expectation of privacy,” the report states. One five and a half minute video appeared to have been taken by a camera placed underneath a piece of furniture, agents said. Another video, according to the report, was taken with the camera inside a laundry hamper with holes in it.
On May 15, agents served search warrants at Buscaino’s primary residence and a secondary residence. Multiple electronic devices were seized, and a preliminary forensic review located several voyeurism videos and hundreds of files depicting the sexual abuse of children, investigators said.
During the execution of the search warrant, agents reported finding hidden cameras within Buscaino’s bedroom, including one disguised as an electronic cigarette and another disguised as a wall charger. Several GoPro-style cameras were also located.
“When questioned about the electronic devices within the residence, Buscaino invoked his right to legal counsel,” the FDLE report states.
Authorities said USB drives were recovered from inside the residence that contained child sexual abuse material, including children as young as four years of age being sexually abused.
FDLE said they also located approximately 1,000 images of child erotica stored with a cloud service provider and attributed to Buscaino. The images, FDLE said, depicted young children in sexuall suggestive poses but they did not meeting the statutory requirements of child sexual abuse material.
Escambia County confirmed that Buscaino is employed as a county firefighter.
“We are aware of the arrest of Firefighter Garey Buscaino and are currently reviewing potential personnel action,” the count said in a statement after the arrest. “Although the charges filed against him are not related to his duties with Escambia County Fire Rescue, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement should they need any information from Escambia County as they conduct their investigation.”
Today: Escambia Animal Shelter Offering Free Cat And Dog Adoptions
July 19, 2025
The animal shelter in Escambia County has free cat and dog adoptions through today.
Adoptions are free for cats and dogs one year or older. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
The shelter is once again. taking part in the Bissell Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event.
Since its inception in 2016, Empty the Shelters has helped more than 324,000 pets find loving homes and is now the largest funded adoption event in the country. The program partners with more than 815 animal welfare organizations across 49 states and Canada.
View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday.
Two Injured In Nine Mile Road Crash
July 19, 2025
Two people were injured in a Nine Mile Road crash during heavy rain on Friday.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 19-year-old Escambia County woman was traveling west on West Nine Mile Road near I-10. As she attempted to pass another car in heavy rain, she lost control, and her vehicle overturned and was struck by the other car.
The SUV driver and the driver of the other car, a 20-year-old female from Niceville, were both transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Principal Arrested For DUI
July 19, 2025
An Escambia County School District elementary school principal was arrested on a DUI charge after a head-on collision.
Amy Hicks Roby, 53, was charged with DUI property damage and cited for driving on the wrong side of the road by the Florida Highway Patrol. She was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
The crash occurred around 8 p.m. on East Olive Road at Kipling Street, near the Dreamland Skate Center. FHP said Roby was headed east on Olive Road, failed to maintain a proper lane, and collided head-on with a Hyundai Sonata.
Roby first told troopers that she didn’t know how the crash occurred. Troopers noted in their report that her speech was slurred with a strong odor of alcohol coming from her person.
person.
She later told troopers that she had three to four margaritas at Vallarta’s restaurant before the crash.
“She stated that she began drinking alcohol around 4 p.m. and stopped she believed at 8 p.m. The collision occurred at approximately 7:43 p.m.,” the FHP arrest report states. She provided a breath alcohol sample of 0.1; the legal BAC level in Florida is 0.08.
Roby is the principal of Hellen Caro Elementary School.
Atmore Police Captain Passes Away
July 19, 2025
An Atmore Police Department captain is being remembered as a dedicated public servant, father and husband.
Captain Christopher James Corbitt passed away Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 45.
He began his law enforcement career in 2004 with the Alabama Department of Corrections, where he served honorably for 12 years. In 2016, he joined the Atmore Police Department, where he remained a dedicated and respected member of our agency until his passing.
“His loss is deeply felt by his family, friends, and all who had the honor of working alongside him,” Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said.
Corbitt is survived by his wife, his children, parents, and numerous other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 21 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bay Minette. Burial will follow at Guy’s Chapel Methodist Cemetery. For the complete obituary, click here.
“Rest easy, Captain. We have the watch from here,” Brooks added.