Pensacola Ice Flyers Beat Macon 3-2
January 19, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers wrapped up a three-game weekend at the Hangar on Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Macon Mayhem.
Andrew Poulias got the home team on the board first with a goal just past the 5-minute mark in the 1st period. Macon’s Caleb Huffman evened things up with a powerplay goal at the end of the first frame. The second period remained quiet until Sam Rhodes reclaimed the lead for the Ice Flyers with 35 seconds left in the period. However, Huffman tied it up again for the Mayhem early in the 3rd period.
Neither team could find the back of the net in regulation, sending the game to overtime. After a scoreless overtime period, the teams headed to their second shootout of the weekend. This time, the Ice Flyers came out on top. Macon made their first two attempts while the Ice Flyers missed theirs, but they stayed in it, making the next four with Sam Rhodes, Cam Gaudette, and Zack Bross keeping the team alive. After Billy Girard made the save on Macon’s 6th attempt, Sam Rhodes sealed the deal with his second shootout goal of the game.
The Ice Flyers will recoup after the long weekend and head to Knoxville for a pair of games on the January 23rd and 24th.
Snow In Northwest Florida (With Gallery)
January 18, 2026
For the second year in a row, snow fell in Northwest Florida on Sunday morning.
It was not nearly the amount of snow, up to 10 inches, that fell in North Escambia in 2025, but many people were treated to a light dusting and a few great photo opportunities. However, others, especially across extreme northern Escambia County, didn’t see anything but a few snowflakes.
For photo gallery #1, click here.
For photo gallery #2, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured in Saturday Afternoon Crash On Highway 95A In Cantonment
January 18, 2026
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. just north of Highway 29 when a Chevrolet pickup truck and an Infiniti SUV collided. After the initial collision, the pickup truck left the roadway and struck a large pine tree.
The victims were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating; troopers have not released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambiac.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cold Sunday Ahead, Middle 20s Sunday Night
January 18, 2026
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from late tonight until 8 a.m. on Monday due to very cold conditions with a wind chill as low as 22 expected,
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
MLK Day: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Escambia County Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton Retires
January 18, 2026
Escambia County Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton retired last month after over 30 years of service and dedication to the citizens of Escambia County. He was honored during a retirement ceremony, surrounded by his family and co-workers.
Hamilton’s public safety career began as a volunteer firefighter at age 17. He eventually became an EMT before transitioning to a career as a 911 dispatch operator. Since then, he remained with Escambia County Emergency Communications, holding positions such as emergency dispatcher, dispatch supervisor, operations manager, and, finally, emergency communications chief.
The Escambia County Commission honored him with a proclamation, stating, “His lifelong service embodies the very best of public service: dedication, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to protecting the lives and well-being of others.”
Hamilton is a North Escambia resident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Injuries Reported In Saturday Afternoon Three-Vehicle Crash On Highway 29
January 18, 2026
At least one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The crash occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. just north of Neil Road.
A Mercury Mountaineer and a passenger car collided on Highway 29. The Mountaineer then left the roadway and collided with a parked Chevrolet van belonging to a local pilot escort company.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
MLK Day Parades, Celebrations Planned For Monday; New Route For Pensacola Parade
January 18, 2026
Annual MLK Day parades and celebrations are planned across the Escambia County area for Monday. For the Pensacola parade, there is a new route due to the Reimagine Palafox construction project.
Cantonment MLK Parade The 19th Annual MLK Parade will be held Monday in Cantonment. Parade line-up begins at 3 p.m., and the parade will start at 4 p.m. from Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. There is no entry fee.
Century MLK Celebration and Parade An MLK Celebration program will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Ag Building at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard. Guest speakers will include Mayor Ben Boutwell, and there will be live music from area church choirs and children’s groups. Immediately after a meal provided by the Century-Flomaton Improvement Association, there will be a motorcade from the Ag Building to the Century Business Center on Pond Street.
Atmore MLK Parade The annual MLK Parade will roll at 10 a.m. from Houston Avery Park and end at the Emmanuel Faith Center at 710 E. Ridgeley Street with food, door prizes, a guest speaker, and entertainment.
Pensacola MLK Parade The Pensacola MLK Parade for 2026 is set for Monday, January 19, 2026, kicking off at 11 a.m. at Spring & Garden Streets downtown with the theme “With Unity, We Won’t Turn Back,” featuring Grand Marshal Lumon May. Due to construction on Palafox Street, there is a new route this year. Rather than traveling all the way down Palafox Street, the parade will detour one block east to Jefferson Street south of Garden Street (map above).
The parade route and float staging areas will close to vehicular traffic approximately three hours prior to the start of each event. Parking is prohibited along the parade route and in designated no-parking areas. Vehicles will be towed if found on the parade route or the additional “no parking” zones when road closures begin.
Street closures will extend to Tarragona Street, DeVilliers Street, and Main Street, consistent with closures implemented during the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and the Pensacola Christmas Parade. Heavy parade and float traffic is anticipated between Wright Street and Main Street, along with impacts to Garden Street, Palafox Street, and Spring Street.
Controlled Burn Escapes Lines Saturday Night Near Bratt
January 18, 2026
Firefighters responded to a controlled burn that grew out of control Saturday night near Bratt.
The fire in the 8000 block of Bratt Road, near Camp Road, was reported around 7:30 p.m. Firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue were able to contain the approximately one-acre fire, and the Florida Forest Service responded.
No structures were reported to be in danger from the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
January 18, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing, from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 22, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on I-110, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 22, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 22, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Jan. 18, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Jan. 18, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I- 110 ramp – The week of Sunday, Jan. 18, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Beginning Monday, Jan. 19, a new temporary traffic configuration will be implemented on Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street. Garden Street travel lanes will be shifted to the south to provide a dedicated work zone on the north side of the street for construction activities. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Periodic 24-hour side street closures north of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for ECUA water main upgrades. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 22, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 23, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Jan. 18:
- Intermittent lane closures may occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure from Elva Street to Raymond Hobbs Street Monday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 18, through Friday, Jan. 23, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) –Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 22, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for striping operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over East Bay - Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction operations.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Operations just west of Stewart Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, Jan. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construct of left turn lane.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Ice Flyers Drop Wiener Dog Race Night Game To Evansville
January 18, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers lost their second consecutive game to the reigning league champions Saturday night.
The Evansville Thunderbolts won 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 8,082 at the Hangar on Wiener Dog Race Night.
Evansville struck first with Derek Contessa scoring the lone goal of the first period. Tyrone Bronte tied things up early in the second period, hoping to shift the momentum in the Ice Flyers’ favor. However, Evansville’s Eelis Laaksonen reclaimed the lead later in the 2nd period.
Both teams struggled to find scoring opportunities in the third period, and Evansville left with a 2-1 victory over the Ice Flyers. Pensacola was coming off a 3-2 loss to Evansville on Friday night.
The Ice Flyers cap off the three-game weekend Saturday afternoon.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
