Ice Flyers Create Special Moment In ‘My Wish’ Day for Young Boy
December 25, 2024
by Bill Vilona
Nine-year-old Dalton White had never held a hockey stick, put on a helmet or attended an Ice Flyers game. The young local boy, who is battling through an illness, got to experience all of that recently through Covenant Care’s My Wish program.
The day served as a heartwarming reminder of how sports can create unforgettable memories and bring joy to those who need it most. For White, what started as a simple wish to experience hockey turned into an extraordinary day filled with surprises, smiles, and the warmth of the Ice Flyers family.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Putting all of the usual game day preparations aside, the Ice Flyers organization dedicated the entire morning to making sure White’s wish was nothing short of extraordinary. The second he entered the arena with his mother, Laura, he started the journey of being a high-profile player signing with the team.
The day began with White meeting Team Owner Greg Harris and receiving a warm welcome from the staff, who captured the special moments with photos and video. White then visited the office of Head Coach Gary Graham, and then signed his official contract, becoming the youngest Ice Flyer in team history.
“These special charity moments, especially when they involve kids, those are the ones closest to my heart,” Graham said. “You get a chance to really have a one-on-one impact with someone. Dalton really got the limelight on him, so it was incredible to see how he handled it.”
After signing his contract, he checked in with the team equipment manager, Jim Chesnut, to get his team-issued gear. Chesnut cut down his sticks to size for him to use before walking him into the locker room to meet his fellow teammates. The team welcomed him with open arms as they introduced themselves before showing him his stall where his very own Ice Flyers jersey with his last name and his number 17 was on display, as well as his own team helmet and gloves.
His day did not stop there. He was then escorted to the team’s media room where he took photos and videos for “marketing content” just like all new players do. White and his mother then got to visit the team’s merchandise stand to pick out some swag before heading to the team’s press conference room for his official signing interviews.
Joined by Paul Chestnutt from Fox 101.1 FM, Ice Flyers correspondent Bill Vilona, and recently retired WEAR 3 ABC Sports Director, Dan Shugart, White began his press conference by announcing he would keep his helmet on for the interviews.
White said he was introduced to hockey by watching Tampa Bay Lightning games with his uncle. That led him to decide to have his My Wish Day be one with a hockey team and the Ice Flyers happily stepped up to make his day special.
“I have been on skates before, but I’m not really good at it,” said White, sheepishly, as he smiled through the press conference. “Getting my own jersey (with his chosen number 17), a stick signed by the players and helmet… it’s cool. It’s fun.”
From receiving his own personalized jersey to being “signed” by Coach Graham, every moment was crafted to make Dalton feel special. The genuine enthusiasm from the players, staff, and especially Coach Graham, transformed what could have been a day in the hospital into a day of magic and wonder for this brave nine-year-old.
“This is exactly what My Wish is about—giving Dalton a day away from illness and pain,” said Aaron West, vice president of the Covenant Care Foundation. “We couldn’t make wishes come true without donors and incredible partners like the Ice Flyers. They went above and beyond, creating an amazing experience and capturing moments that will become cherished memories for Dalton and his mom.”
Later that night, he performed the ceremonial puck drop and watched the Ice Flyers game – his first time seeing professional hockey up close in an arena setting – with his mother, along with other family members sitting right on the glass.
“When I was first contacted by Aaron and Angela at the Covenant Care Foundation regarding Dalton’s wish, I knew instantly that I wanted to get the entire organization involved and make his day with us like no other he’s had or we have had,” said Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris. “Being a part of days like these makes you take a moment to truly think, and if you’re in a position to do something for someone, you do it. This day with Dalton will hopefully last a lifetime for him, but the other side of it is that it will definitely last a lifetime for all of us a part of this day.”
As White and his family headed back to their hotel that evening, they carried with them memories that will last a lifetime. His journey from watching Tampa Bay Lightning games with his uncle to becoming an honorary Ice Flyer showcases the beautiful way sports can touch lives and create magical moments that transcend the game itself.
George Stone Students Fabricate Unique Christmas Tree
December 25, 2024
Welding students at George Stone Technical College fabricated the most unique of Christmas trees.
The daytime and evening welding classes worked together to make a metal Christmas tree.
For over 55 years, George Stone Technical College has been preparing individuals for rewarding careers and providing local businesses with a highly skilled workforce. The Escambia County School District provides over 25 career and technical eduation programs.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House Ethics Releases Scathing Report On Matt Gaetz
December 24, 2024
The House Ethics Committee has released their report on Matt Gaetz following a yearslong investigation that Gaetz was involved in a range of illegal conduct. He has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations.
The Committee conclude that Gaetz “violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress”.
The allegations against the former Congressional representative included that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, which in Florida would be a felony.
“There is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl,” the Committee found. “The Committee received credible testimony from VictimA herself, as well as multiple individuals corroborating the allegation.” The Committee found that there was no reason to doubt the alleged victim’s credibility. Gaetz denied the allegation but refused to testify under oath.
The reported found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid women to have sex with him, including the underage girl in 2017, during his first term in the House.
The report included the following charged the Committee said summarizes payments made by Gaetz to women and Joel Greenberg, a one-time friend of Gaetz that is now service an 11-year prison sentenced after pleading guilty in 2022 to sex trafficking.
Last week, Gaetz wrote in a post on X that was fully exonerated by the Department of Justice.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
To read the full report, click here.
Photos: Christmas Activities At Jim Allen Elementary
December 24, 2024
During December, the students at Jim Allen Elementary School celebrated the Christmas season with a variety of activities.
There was Polar Express Science in Ms. Rudd’s class, Grinch Day, Elf hats, Polar Express pajama day and more
For a big photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s The Christmas Closure And Trash Schedule You Need To Know
December 24, 2024
Escambia County
In observance of Christmas, Escambia County offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25:
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
Escambia County Extension Office
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Waste Services Administration and Perdido Landfill
Escambia County Area Transit Administration
The Perdido Landfill will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Regular hours will resume Thursday, Dec. 26.
ECUA
Residential and commercial for Christmas – Wednesday, Dec. 25: Collection will be made on Thursday, Dec. 26. Thursday’s collections will be on Friday, and Friday’s collections will be on Saturday. ECUA offices will be closed on December 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.
ECAT Bus Schedule
ECAT buses will run a modified schedule Tuesday, Dec. 24. The last bus will depart from ECAT at 5:30 p.m., and commuter route 60 will depart at 6 p.m. Service will not run Wednesday, Dec. 25. Regular service will resume Thursday, Dec. 26. The UWF Express Trolley will resume service Saturday, Jan. 4, and the campus trolleys will resume service Monday, Jan. 6.
Century
The Century Town Hall will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25. The regular Wednesday trash pick up will be delayed to Thursday, Dec. 26.
Pictured: Palafox Place on a rainy December day. Photo by Kathy Boyle for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letters To Santa From Byrneville Elementary Third Graders
December 24, 2024
NorthEscambia.com asked second and third grade students at Byrneville Elementary School to write letters to Santa. The letters have already been forwarded to Santa to make sure he knows all their special wishes.
Today, we are publishing letters from Diane deJarnette and Julie Luker’s third grade classes.
For all of the third grade letters, click here.
For Monday’s post with the second grade letters, click here.
Cause Of ‘Major’ Fire At Ascend Remains Under Investigation
December 23, 2024
A large column of thick, dark smoke could be seen for miles Sunday evening from when what was described by local officials as a “major” fire broke out at Ascend Performance Materials in Gonzalez, according to local officials.
Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue units responded to the plant on Old Chemstrand Road to assist Ascend’s staff firefighters, according to Davis Wood, Escambia County Fire Rescue public information office
Wood said no evacuations were ordered, and there was no immediate danger to surrounding neighborhoods.
“A fire was reported in one of our operating units,” Osama Khalifa, director of corporate communications and government affairs told NorthEsambia.com Sunday evening. “Our on-site fire department responded to the scene. Additionally, we called the Escambia County Fire Rescue for assistance responding. The fire was contained and no injuries were reported. All Ascend personnel have been safely accounted for.”
Khalifa said there was no immediate threat to the nearby community. He said the company was still working to determine the cause of the fire.
Additional information obtained by NorthEscambia.com indicated that the fire was in a multi-story building. After the fire was declared to be out, ECFR cews have remained on scene for follow-up and clean-up operations.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letters To Santa From Byrneville Elementary Second Graders
December 23, 2024
NorthEscambia.com asked second and third grade students at Byrneville Elementary School to write letters to Santa. The letters have already been forwarded to Santa to make sure he knows all their special wishes.
Today, we are publishing letters from Hope Linton’s and Susan Moorhead’s second grade classes. We will publish the third grade letter on Tuesday.
For all the second grade letters, click here.
The wishes included: Xbox, a big doll house (and dolls), a drone with cameras, paint and craft supplies, teddy bears, Legos, bikes and more.
NorthEscambia.com, images, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home Being Used For Storage Near McDavid
December 23, 2024
Fire destroyed a mobile home being for storage Sunday afternoon near McDavid.
The fire in the 200 block of Cox Road, just west of Highway 29, was reported just before 4 p.m.
Escambia County Fire Rescue was able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby occupied home. There were no injuries, and no immediate word on the cause the fire.
The McDavid, Century, Cantonment and Walnut Hill stations of ECFR were dispatched to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Photos: Gingerbread House Day At Lipscomb Elementary
December 23, 2024
Students at Lipscomb Elementary School recently took part in Gingerbread House Day.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Students put their creativity to the test, building the most colorful and festive gingerbread houses that they could imagine. From icing-covered rooftops to candy cane fences, every house was a masterpiece
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
