Peanuts Night: Ice Flyers Fall To Fayetteville In 9-Round Shootout
January 18, 2025
Despite facing a 3-1 deficit heading into the final frame, the Ice Flyers mounted an impressive comeback to force overtime, though ultimately fell short in a 9-round shootout Friday night — Peanuts Night.
Alex Wilkins opened the scoring for Fayetteville, but the Ice Flyers evened the score when Matt Wiesner benefited from an unusual bounce in the first period.
Marksmen forwards Khristian Acosta and Dalton Hunter propelled Fayetteville to a 3-1 lead with back-to-back goals, scored just 12 seconds apart, to end the second period.
Jake Hamilton gave the Ice Flyers a boost with his sixth goal of the season, cutting the deficit. Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira tied the game 3-3 with a power-play goal to close out regulation.
Neither team managed to break through in the overtime period, sending the game to a shootout that would ultimately require nine rounds to determine a winner.
The shootout remained scoreless through six rounds until Ice Flyers forward Doug Elgstam finally broke through, sneaking one past Marksmen goaltender Ryan Kenney. However, the celebration was short-lived as Ryan Nolan quickly responded for Fayetteville to even things up. The marathon shootout finally came to an end in the ninth round when John Moncovich secured the victory for the Marksmen.
The Ice Flyers will host the Fayetteville Marksmen on Saturday for game two of their three-game series.
Scoring Summary
First Period
FAY 1, PEN 0
10:11 Alex Wilkins (1) – Unassisted – PP
Fayetteville capitalized on a power play to score the game’s first goal.
FAY 1, PEN 1
17:14 Matt Wiesner (6) – Cayden Cahill
A shot by Matt Wiesner ricocheted off the glass and bounced off the back of the Marksmen’s goalie, Ryan Kenney, to tie things up.
Shots on goal: FAY 11, PEN 18
Second Period
FAY 2, PEN 1
17:48 Khristian Acosta (3) – Alex Ambrosio, John Moncovich
Fayetteville took the lead with Khristian Acosta’s shot on a 2-on-1 rush.
FAY 3, PEN 1
18:00 Dalton Hunter (14) – Unassisted
12 seconds after Acosta’s goal, Dalton Hunter weaved around the Ice Flyers defense and sent a shot past Brody Claeys to extend the Marksmen’s lead to two.
Shots on Goal: FAY 10, PEN 15
3rd Period
FAY 3, PEN 2
13:05 Jake Hamilton (6) – Cayden Cahill
Jake Hamilton’s well-placed shot found its way through traffic and into the back of the net, giving the Ice Flyers the momentum boost they needed for their third period comeback.
FAY 3, PEN 3
15:05 Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira (5) – Nick Pryce
The Ice Flyers tied things up with Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira getting a much needed goal on a powerplay opportunity.
Shots on Goal: FAY 3, PEN 14
Overtime
None
Shootout
Ice Flyers – Doug Elgstam
Marksmen – Ryan Nolan
Marksmen – John Moncovich
Total Shots: FAY 30, PEN 52
When Will The New Nine Mile Aldi Store Open?
January 17, 2025
The process of converting one former Escambia County Winn Dixie grocery store into an Aldi is continuing, but Aldi remains quiet on an opening date.
In March 2024, the Germany-based Aldi completed the purchase of all Winn Dixie stores.
The former Winn-Dixie store located at 312 East Nine Mile Road closed for renovations in late September. A new Aldi sign is now up on the building, but Aldi is not confirming a planned opening date.
“We can confirm the Winn-Dixie store located at 312 East Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL closed for renovations in September,” an Aldi spokesperson told NorthEscambia.com this week. “The store will reopen to the community as an ALDI over the next several months.”
In Escambia County, Aldi operates standalone stores on South Blue Angel Parkway and Mobile Highway. There is also a store in Pace.
“Associates at this location (Nine Mile Road) have the opportunity to be the first to apply to newly converted ALDI stores,” Aldi said. ” In addition, ALDI is committed to doing its best to minimize the impact and provide support and opportunities to associates at converting stores, including the option to remain with Winn-Dixie and transfer to a neighboring store.”
Meanwhile, Aldi is not saying which, if any, other Winn Dixie stores in Escambia County will be converted to Aldi stores in the future.
“As we work through this transition period, conversion plans are still being finalized, and we will share more information as it becomes available,” the Aldi spokesperson said.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mississippi Man Faces Up To Life After Escambia County Murder Conviction
January 17, 2025
A Mississippi man faces up to life in prison after being convicted of a 2021 Escambia County murder.
A jury found Dewitt Charles Echols guilty of second degree murder. He will be sentenced in March.
On August 23, 2021, deputies were called to the 10000 block of North Loop Road. Upon arrival, they discovered a 33-year-old James Johnson dead with a gunshot wound sitting in the driver’s seat of a brown Chevrolet Malibu. The engine to the car was still running.
The U.S. Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Echols in Hattiesburg, Mississippi following the murder.
Jay High Student Charged With Weapon, Drug Possession After Weapon Found In Vehicle
January 17, 2025
A Jay High School students was arrested after a weapon and drugs were found in a vehicle.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said the student, who has not been identified, was charged with possession of a weapon and drugs.
The Santa Rosa County School District said a weapon and other items were found during the search of a student vehicle, and the items were seized.
“At no time were students or staff in any danger. Our staff is following all protocols, adhering to the code of student conduct, and following Florida State Statutes to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone. At this time, further action will be addressed by Santa Rosa County Sherriff’s Office,” the district said in a statement.
Cantonment 10,000 Pound Food Distribution Rescheduled
January 17, 2025
THIS DISTRIBUTION HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 28. — Times and location will be the same.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host a 10,000 pound food distribution on Tuesday, January 28 at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street.
The event will start at 3 p.m. Attendees should like up facing north on Webb Street. Must have an identification to receive food.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Lady Aggies Down Northview 56-37 (With Gallery)
January 17, 2025
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 56-37 Thursday night in Bratt.
Sam Williams led the Lady Aggies will 12 points, while Kaylie Mitchell added 11 and Amerie McGee had 10. Sarah Mitchell, Grace Best and Taylor Malone added six points each. Kahari Davis had three, and Brelynn Morris had two.
Stats for Northview were not entered Thursday night.
The Northview Lady Chiefs will travel to Laurel Hill Friday night at 6:00, and the Lady Aggies are next scheduled to be in action January 23 at Santa Rosa Christian.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Missing Endangered Runaway Teen Located
January 16, 2025
UPDATE: Alyssa Harper has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered runaway teen last seen Wednesday in Cottage Hill.
Alyssa Rosemary Harper, 14, was last seen in the 700 block of Eden Lane.
She was wearing a black hoodie, a grey shirt, grey sweatpants, and white Converse-style shoes. She is 110 pounds, 5 feet, 2 inches tall, and has strawberry blonde hair.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
DeSantis Picks AG Ashley Moody For Rubio Senate Seat
January 16, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday morning that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will take Marco Rubio’s seat in the U.S. Senate. She will the second woman to represent Florida in the Senate chamber.
Rubio, a three-term senator was President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be his secretary of state. He is awaiting confirmation as soon as next week.
“I pledge to you as United States Senator, supporting the REINS Act, supporting any effort to rein back in our out-of-control federal agencies. Make sure politics have pushed out of it,” Moody said. “Make sure we bring down spending. I am all for that, and I got the backs of the American people, DOGE and President Trump.”
Florida’ top law enforcement office, Moody ran on a campaign promise to be a prosecutor, not a politician. She previously worked as a federal prosecutor and was elected as a circuit judge in Tampa’s Hillsborough County.
Moody will serve in the U.S. Senate until the next general election in 2026, when she will need to run in order to keep the seat.
In Orlando Thursday morning for the announcement, DeSantis said Moody has a record of getting things done.
“This is a once in a decade, maybe even once in a generation, opportunity,” DeSantis said. “This current Congress is ultimately going to determine whether we do usher in that revival of the American experiment, or is it just going to be status quo, passing the buck and nothing ever changes.”
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday morning in Orlando that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will take Marco Rubio’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Crash Claims Brewton Man, Injures Woman
January 16, 2025
An 83-year-old Brewton man was pronounced deceased at the scene of a single vehicle rollover crash just before daybreak Thursday on Highway 29 in McDavid.
The crash happened about 6 a.m. on Highway 29 about a mile north of Champion Drive and the West Fraser Sawmill.
The Florida Highway patrol said the man was the driver of a Chevrolet S10 pickup truck that was traveling south. He ran off the roadway, crossed over the median and northbound lanes before running up a small embankment and colliding with a tree. The pickup overturned, coming to rest on its passenger side in a ditch. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.
His passenger, a 62-year-old Brewton woman, was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital in critical condition. Neither individual was wearing a seat belt, according to troopers.
The crash closed northbound Highway 29 for about an hour.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Applications Accepted Until Noon Friday For Century Town Council Seat Appointment
January 16, 2025
Noon Friday is the deadline for interested Century residents to apply for appointment to a vacant seat on the town council.
Last week, Luis Gomez, Jr. resigned as mayor for medical reasons effective Friday, January 10, just as his new four-year term was beginning. After volunteering for the position, Seat 4 town council member Alicia John was appointed interim mayor. She will serve until a special election is held. and she has indicated that she will run for the seat.
Johnson’s interim move into the mayor’s office opened her seat on the town council. The town is accepting applications from citizens looking for an interim appointment to the town council to serve until a special election is held. Applications are due to noon, Friday, January 17.
The town announced Friday, January 10, that applications should be hand submitted or mailed to the Town Clerk’s Office, 7995 North Century Boulevard, Century, FL 32535 or hand-delivered between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to the same address. Applications can also be emailed to mwalker@centuryflorida.us.
Click here to download the application.
The town council is expected to review the applications and make a decision on an interim member on January 21.
NorthEscambia.com photos.