Ice Flyers Fall 3-2 To Evansville Thunderbolts (With Gallery)
January 17, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers fell 3-2 to the Evansville Thunderbolts on Friday evening.
The Ice Flyers had control of the game early. Tyler Burnie started the scoring just past the 15-minute mark of the first period, and Zack Jones followed shortly after, extending the lead to 2-0 heading into the 1st intermission.
However, Evansville put the pressure on the Ice Flyers in the second period. Connor Tait tallied their first goal, followed by Joey Berkopec later in the 2nd to tie things up heading into the final frame.
Both teams fought in the 3rd period, with Evansville putting 11 shots on goal and Pensacola putting 8, but neither team scored, sending them to overtime. Overtime remained scoreless, so the teams went to a shootout.
Evansville’s Scott Kirton scored first in the shootout. The Ice Flyers missed their first three attempts, while Billy Girard IV stopped both of Evansville’s 2nd and 3rd attempts. Myles Abbette scored again for the Thunderbolts on their fourth attempt. Sam Rhodes cut the lead. Evansville’s final attempt saw Tyson Gilmour lose his footing, giving the crowd a sense of momentum shift. However, Zack Jones was thwarted on the Ice Flyers’ final shot.
Both teams will see each other again Saturday night in front of an expected sellout crowd..
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Stallion Road Area In Cantonment
January 16, 2026
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED SUNDAY MORNING at 8 A.M.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) has issued a precautionary boil water notice is in effect in the Stallion Road area south of West Roberts Road
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- 2641-3000 Stallion Rd.
- 2600-2906 Monica Ln.
- 2822-2848 Pierce Ln.
This notice was issued due to a broken 4-inch water main.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours.
ECUA crews completed the repairs to the main and have flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Child Porn Sentencing Delayed for Former Beulah Firefighter As Prosecutors Work To Identify Numerous Victims
January 16, 2026
Sentencing has been delayed for a former firefighter assigned to the Beulah Fire Station who pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said 48-year-old Garey Anthony Buscaino had a decade-long pattern of producing and possessing child porn. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison and was set be sentenced on Thursday.
But a federal judge delayed the sentencing hearing for six weeks as federal prosecutors work to identify Buscaino’s victims.
“The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is still trying to identify all the minor victims in the images/videos possessed by the defendant along with compiling their victim impact statements and potential restitution requests,” U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg said in is motion.
“This is simply due to the volume of contraband,” the prosecutor wrote. “Because the government appears unable to complete this process prior to the current sentencing date, it is unable to properly and fully notify the victims and obtain victim impact statements to provide the Court. This is essential for a fair sentencing hearing – the parties agree the victims have a right to provide such impact statements prior to the imposition of sentence.”
Court documents reveal that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an online user in Northwest Florida possessed what appeared to be child pornography in a cloud account. Upon looking into the account and obtaining a search warrant for it, law enforcement determined that it not only contained child pornography from the internet but also what appeared to be hidden-camera-produced pornographic videos of unsuspecting minor females.
Based upon the content of the cloud account, and further investigation, FDLE linked the account to Buscaino and obtained a search warrant for his local residence and the Beulah firehouse. Located within, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force seized dozens of electronic devices from the defendant.
Prosecutors said those devices contained hidden camera produced porn videos of five minor females in various states of undressing in bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as thousands of graphic images and videos of sexual child abuse from the internet. Some of these images and videos captured victims as young as toddlers being sexually abused, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Molino Man, Out On Bond In Florida Meth Trafficking Case, Arrested On Atmore Drug Charges
January 16, 2026
A Molino man awaiting trial for trafficking methamphetamine in Escambia County, Florida, has been arrested on methamphetamine and drug-related charges in Atmore.
Atmore Police pulled over Mark Wayne McDonald, 56, on Highway 21 for an expired license plate after he was observed with no headlights at 1:25 a.m.
The officer checked the status of McDonald’s driver’s license and discovered he had a misdemeanor warrant for marijuana possession with the Loxley Police Department. The officer also noted suspicious behavior and requested consent to search the vehicle.
During the search, the APD officer reported the discovery of a small amount of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, and items used to ingest narcotics. McDonald was transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana first degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On November 26, 2025, McDonald was charged with felony trafficking methamphetamine after a traffic stop on Mobile Highway in Escambia County, Florida. McDonald, a passenger in the vehicle, was actively clutching bags of food from Whataburger as he spoke with deputies. A subsequent K-9 free air sniff of the vehicle resulted in a positive alert for narcotics.
Read more: Burger, Fries And Meth: Molino Man Charged With Drug Trafficking
A probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 32 grams (field weight) of crystal rocks, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The illegal substance was located inside a Whataburger bag containing a burger and fries that had been in his lap, according to an arrest report. Deputies also located a small amount of fentanyl, burnt tin foil, and various pieces of drug paraphernalia throughout the vehicle.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $55,000 Sold On Highway 97 In Davisville
January 16, 2026
Someone is over $55,000 richer after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Davisville.
The ticket sold at the State Line Gift Shop, on Highway 97 just south of Atmore, was the only winning ticket in the Thursday, January 15 midday drawing and is worth $55,272.07. There were no winning tickets in Thursday’s evening drawing.
The winning numbers were 13-15-19-22-29.
Pictured: The State Line Gift Shop on HIghway 97, next door the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Escambia County Students Can Apply For Free Eye Exams And Glasses
January 16, 2026
Time is running out for students in Escambia County Public Schools to apply for free comprehensive eye exams and, if needed, glasses through the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program.
The non-profit announced it will once again offer its services if the school district can get 30 approved applicants at five schools in the county.
The application period is closing soon. To apply, click here.
Need to Know Program Info:
Florida students at a listed school
Low Income
Pre-k through 12 grade
Can reapply every school year
6-12 week processing time
All information is kept confidential and not shared with any other entity.
During December, the program provided free eye exams to 165 children, and 127 will be receiving a free pair of glasses.
Pictured: A doctor from the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program conducted free eye exams at Bratt Elementary in December. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida (Yes, Florida) Has Snowplows At The Ready
January 16, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation has snowplows and bridge deck anti-icing sprayers for use in Northwest Florida. On Thursday, FDOT crews took the time of access the winter weather equipment — just in case.
With possible freezing temperatures and precipitation in the forecast for the weekend across the district’s 16-county territory from Escambia to Jefferson County, the department wanted equipment and crews to be ready.
Crews will be on standby and actively monitor conditions to deploy the bridge deck sprayers to apply anti-icing products on bridges and overpasses if needed. FDOT’s winter weather plan is designed to keep Florida’s highway system safe and operational in all types of weather conditions.
Accumulation is not yet in the forecast for Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
In January 2025, FDOT’s winter weather response plan went into full force to remove snow and ice from I-10 and other critical corridors to get them open as quickly as possible. I-10 was closed across Northwest Florida.
Pictured above and below, FDOT crews clear snow and ice from I-10 in January 2025. Pictured bottom: Crews check FDOT equipment on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Final Regulatory Approval Granted For Verizon’s Purchase Of Frontier Communications
January 16, 2026
Verizon Communications and Frontier Communications announced Thursday that the companies have received all regulatory approvals and expect to close the Verizon $20 billion acquisition of Frontier on January 20, 2026.
NorthEscambia.com first reported the sale in September 2024.
In the North Escambia area, Frontier is local telephone company that still provides traditional landline service and DSL in Walnut Hill, Molino, Bratt and Atmore. The company does not currently offer fiber in the North Escambia area.
Over approximately four years, Frontier in other areas of the nation has invested $4.1 billion upgrading and expanding its fiber network, and now derives more than half of its revenue from fiber products at 7.2 million fiber locations. Frontier s committed to its plan to build out an additional 2.8 million fiber locations by the end of 2026.
Frontier has not announced any specific plans for their local markets.
According to the companies, Frontier customers as a whole will have has access to Verizon premium offerings and experience for Frontier’s consumer and small business customers, and Frontier’s premium broadband offering will unite with Verizon’s premium mobile offering.
“The path to closing the Frontier acquisition marks a significant milestone in Verizon’s evolution and is a bold step forward in Verizon’s transformation to regain market leadership,” said Verizon CEO Dan Schulman. “Upon closing, we will be uniquely positioned to offer our customers the best combined mobility and fiber experience for mobile, home internet, and other essential services across a significantly expanded footprint. Verizon is wholly focused on serving and delighting our customers and earning their trust and loyalty. After the transaction closes next week, our greatly expanded footprint will enable us to provide more value to more households and businesses in more regions, driving our growth and benefitting our customers and our shareholders.”
New offers for Frontier and Verizon customers are slated to launch after closing.
Following the closing of the transaction, the common stock of Frontier will be delisted from Nasdaq and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The last day of trading for the common stock of Frontier is expected to be January 16, 2026.
Pictured: The Frontier Communications switching central office near Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deputies Searching For Missing, Endangered 1-Year-Old Last Seen With Her Parents
January 15, 2026
UPDATE: Anastasia Mason has been safely located in Uriah, Alabama, and has been released to the Department of Children and Families. Jami Owens was also located and arrested.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is trying to locate a missing and endangered 1-year-old girl who was last seen over a month ago.
Anastasia Grace Mason was last seen December 2 in the 6900 block of Pensacola Boulevard. She was last seen with her father, 36-year-old Thomas Zachariah Mason, and mother, 30-year-old Jami Makala Owens. The sheriff’s office said Owens has two active outstanding warrants, but did not disclose the nature of the warrants.
The sheriff’s office did not specify why they believe the child is in danger.
If you see the child or the parents, or have any information on their whereabouts, you are asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
New Escambia Sheriff’s Office Badge Honors 250 Years Of America
January 15, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has unveiled a new badge commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Every element of the badge tells a story. It features the 13-star flag alongside today’s 50-star American flag, the Sheriff’s star, and the years 1776–2026, united by the image of a Minuteman, a symbol of the courage, resolve, and vigilance that have defined our country since its founding.
The meaningful tribute was made possible through a partnership between the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation, whose support helped bring the commemorative badge to life.
“As we reflect on 250 years of liberty, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that built this nation: service, integrity, and dedication to the communities we protect,” the ECSO said