Local Hero’s Homecoming: Cantonment Veteran Injured In Operation Epic Fury To Be Honored On Saturday
March 12, 2026
A Cantonment veteran injured during Operation Epic Fury will be welcomed home Saturday evening at the University of West Florida.
Medically retired former serviceman Hunter Girdner joined a contract crew with four other men, answering the call once again alongside the U.S. Army in Operation Epic Fury.
During this deployment, his team was located in a targeted area and was attacked. While relocating, the Cantonment veteran noticed one of his squad members was left behind. While running back to rescue his teammate, he was hit by shrapnel and critically wounded.
He underwent several operations to include removal of a kidney, spleen repair, and more at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
“He is heading back home now and I am asking for YOU to spread the word and come line the streets, fill the room and simply share a prayer as we welcome him back to Northwest Florida,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said.
Salzman will join Lt. Governor Collins, Sen. Don Gaetz, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, and others will be there to welcome him home along with prayer from U.S. Marine Corps League Chaplain Tim Chandler.
The welcome home event will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday in the UWF Conference Center (Building 22).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registered Escambia Sex Offender Now Facing Federal Child Porn Charges
March 12, 2026
A registered sex offender from Escambia County is now facing federal child ponorgraphy charges.
Donschee Ricky Montrell Foster, 33, was indicted a federal grand jury charging him with one count of possession of obscene material, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of being a registered sex offender while committing child exploitation crimes.
Jury trial is scheduled for April 6 at the federal courthouse in Pensacola.
If convicted, Foster faces a mandatory minimum 20 years’ imprisonment. Foster remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service in the Santa Rosa County Jail pending trial.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pensacola Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
No Injuries In Wednesday Night Highway 196 SUV Rollover
March 12, 2026
There were no injuries in a single-vehicle rollover crash Wednesday night on Highway 196.
The crash occurred just before 8:20 p.m. in the 3600 block of Highway 196 near Schifko Road, about 2.5 miles west of Highway 29. The vehicle came to rest on its side on the highway.
The adult female driver of a Toyota SUV refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristu Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Quintette Road Bridge Crash
March 12, 2026
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash on the Quintette Road Bridge over the Escambia River on Wednesday afternoon.
A Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Versa collided on the bridge, but both drivers escaped serious injury.
For additional photos, click here.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Connors Strikes Out 12 As The Tate Aggies Shut Out Pine Forest
March 12, 2026
Tate 10, Pine Forest 0
The Tate Aggies shut out the Pine Forest Eagles 10-0 on Wednesday at Tate.
Pitcher Nathan Connors earned the win, giving up no hits and no runs in four innings, striking out 12 and walking three. Aiden Bramblett pitched one hitless, scoreless inning, striking out two.
Evan Taylor and Cal Foxworth each had two hits for the Aggies. Foxworth and Brody White each had two RBIs for the Aggies.
Up next, the Tate Aggies (9-4) will host the Milton Panthers (4-8) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
A JV game scheduled for Wednesday was canceled.
Cantonment Woman Charged With DUI After Striking Pedestrian On Beulah Road, FHP Says
March 12, 2026
A Cantonment woman was arrested Tuesday following a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on Beulah Road, north of Nine Mile Road.
Crystal Jane McKnight, 43, was allegedly driving a pickup truck when she struck a construction worker with the vehicle’s mirror.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, McKnight attempted to leave the scene but was stopped by the victim, who followed her in his work truck.
Responding troopers noted that McKnight smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, and was slurring her words, according to an arrest report. She reportedly struggled to maintain her balance and nearly fell during initial contact.
McKnight consented to field sobriety exercises, during which investigators observed multiple signs of impairment, including failing to maintain balance and struggling to follow instructions.Following her arrest by troopers, McKnight provided breath samples that registered blood alcohol levels of .144 and .142, both well above the legal limit in Florida, the report states.
She was transported to the Escambia County Jail and charged with DUI involving property damage or personal injury. McKnight was released Wednesday on a $1,500 bond.
Century Council Members Split On Strategy To Nearly Double Water Rates
March 11, 2026
Water bills are going to increase significantly in Century, but just how much, and how fast, is under discussion.
As we reported last week, Town of Century water system customers are facing a potential rate hike that would nearly double the cost of water usage, alongside smaller increases for wastewater.
Tuesday evening, the Century Town Council held a public meeting to hear input from citizens, but only one resident showed up.
A rate study from the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) showed the town must raise rates in order to remain financially viable and make payments on six outstanding loans.
FRWA presented two rate hike recommendations: one with a large increase now, and the second with three small increases over the next two-and-a-half years that will actually cost consumers more.
The first scenario would double the current base rate for 2,000 gallons from the current $13.59 to $26.64 beginning April 1 and continue for three years before incremental increases to $29.11 in 2029. Usage tiers over 2,000 gallons a month would nearly double for up to 5,000 gallons (from $2.59 to $5.08) with other increases for additional usage. For an average customer using an average 5,000 gallons of water per month, the water cost would rise from $21.36 to $41.87, while the study says the combined water and wastewater cost would rise from $48.95 per month to $70.84 in April, with additional increases to $80.56 by 2029. That study says that is comparable to other towns of similar size.
In the second scenario presented by the FRWA, there would be three smaller increases — April 1, 2026; October 1, 2026; and October 1, 2027. Under the second option, the base rate would increase from $13.59 for 2,000 gallons to $20.39 before going to $25.48 in 2027 and $29.74 by 2029. The average user consuming 5,000 gallons per month would see their water and wastewater bill increase from a current $48.95 to $61.01 in April and eventually $81.95 in 2029 for water and wastewater.
Tuesday, two council members — Henry Cunningham and John Bass — expressed an inclination to choose the multi-step second scenario, while the other three members of the board said they prefer the first scenario.
The one citizen in attendance said she would choose the first scenario with the big rate increase on April 1.
“I would do one and get it over with,” Emma Fletcher said. “But I know a lot of people in Century won’t be able to afford (it).”
Bass and Cunningham both mentioned concerns about the impact on the elderly and households with small fixed incomes.
“I know it’s going to be hard,” Bass said. “There is going to be a lot of people… that get their water cut off, and they won’t be paying anything.”
The council is set to choose one of the rate increases at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:15 p.m.
Pictured: Century council member John Bass (top) and Mayor Ben Boutwell (inset) review a water rate study Tuesday evening. Pictured: Council members Sparkie Harrison, Dynette Lewis, and Henry Cunningham at the meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue To Train At Ascend Performance Materials Under New Agreement
March 11, 2026
Escambia County and Ascend Performance Materials recently entered an agreement for routine and technical fire rescue training at Ascend on Chemstrand Road.
The agreement was unanimously approved by the Escambia County Commission recently.
Ascend Performance offers enhanced training that relates to hazardous materials and technical rescue, which are services currently provided by Escambia County Fire Rescue, according to the county. The training props at Ascend consist of rail cars**,** confined spaces, rope rescue, and propane fires.
“These skill sets will transition from on-premises to any area of Escambia County. Additionally, the knowledge gained from the facility and its operations will only increase efficiencies in the event of an emergency,” the county said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enalrge.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Machine Gun Conversion Devices On Facebook
March 11, 2026
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to selling machine gun conversion devices on Facebook.
Alaisjah Dayshawn Perkins, 22, pleaded guilty in federal court to the receipt, possession, transfer, and making of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record and not identified by a serial number. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 19.
According to court documents, on April 26, 2025, law enforcement officers observed posts on a Facebook profile advertising the sale of machine gun conversion devices (MCDs). An undercover officer communicated with Perkins between April and May 2025, conducting multiple undercover purchases of the devices.
During the execution of a search warrant at his home, officers located tools and supplies for manufacturing MCDs. Upon his arrest, a bag containing 13 MCDs was found in his pocket. The devices were sent to the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for technical examination. Experts determined they were designed to convert AR-style firearms from semi-automatic to fully automatic.
This case was a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF.
McAnally, Womack Pitch Northview Shutout Of Miller; NHS JV Wins; Tate Drops Two To Navarre
March 11, 2026
Northview 9, T.R. Miller 0
Mikayla McAnally and Peyton Womack combined to throw a shutout as the Northview Chiefs defeated the T.R. Miller Tigers on Tuesday night in Bratt. The game opened with McAnally in the circle, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out seven and walking one. Womack threw two no-run innings in relief, surrendering one hit while striking out three and walking one. Bolen led the Lady Chiefs with three RBIs as she went 2-3. Brooklynn Allen and Avery Stuckey also both went 2-3 at the plate.
Northview 10, T.R. Miller 2 (JV)
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat T.R. Miller 10-2 on Tuesday. Allen went a complete game five innings, allowing one hit and two runs (none earned) while striking out eight and walking one. Katie Jones led the JV Lady Chiefs, going 2-2 at the plate. Jones and Kiley Webb each had two RBIs.
Navarre 6, Tate 3
The varsity Tate Aggies fell 6-3 to the Navarre Raiders on Tuesday night. Sarah Mitchell pitched a complete game for the Lady Aggies, allowing two hits, six earned runs, walked 12 and struck out six. Madison Smillie led Tate at bat, going 3-4, while Jordyn Banks went 2-3 with two RBIs. Ke’Anna Smith had one RBI.
Navarre 5, Tate 3 (JV)
In junior varsity action on Tuesday, the Navarre Raiders topped the Tate Aggies 5-3. Bailey Parden was in the circle for three and a third innings for Tate, allowing four hits, three unearned runs, and striking out one. Khloe Gibson went for one and a third innings, surrendering two hits, two earned runs, and walking two. Melanie Ramirez, Mckynleigh Montano, Kaylyn Relstab, and Bailey Parden each had one hit for Tate, while Ramirez, Montano, and Parden each had one RBI.