EREC Crew Members Continue To Help Restore Power In North Mississippi
February 1, 2026
The crews from the Escambia River Electric Cooperative are continuing to work in North Mississippi to help restore power after an ice storm over a week ago.
EREC is among the cooperatives providing mutual aid to other electric cooperatives in the area. Crews have been working in temperatures in the teens and subzero wind chills.
For additional photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back To Beat Marksmen (With Gallery)
February 1, 2026
The Ice Flyers bounced back in spectacular fashion on Saturday night, defeating the Fayetteville Marksmen 4-3 in front of a roaring crowd of 7,090 at the Hangar for Mardi Gras Night.
The Marksmen struck first when former Ice Flyer Sam Dabrowski opened the scoring. Captain Ethan Price responded midway through the first period, tying the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission. Marcus Fechko gave Fayetteville the lead with the lone goal of the second period, putting the Ice Flyers in a 2-1 hole entering the final frame.
The third period belonged to Pensacola. Mike Moran, Zack Bross, and Tim Faulkner each found the back of the net, propelling the Ice Flyers to a 4-2 lead. Trey Fechko brought the Marksmen within one at 4-3, but the Ice Flyers held strong to secure the victory and avenge Friday night’s loss.
The Ice Flyers return to action next week for Adult Jersey Giveaway Night.
Molino Man Arrested For DUI On I-110, Cocaine Possession
January 31, 2026
A Molino man was arrested by a state trooper on multiple charges after a traffic stop on I-110 in Pensacola.
Stephen Raye Simonds, 36, was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), refusal to submit to DUI testing, marijuana possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released on a $6,000 bond.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper observed a 1993 Chevrolet pickup truck on I-110 that was traveling at about 40 mph, failing to maintain a single lane, and sometimes stopping on the interstate.
Simonds failed DUI field exercises and was taken into custody before providing two breath samples of 0.037 alcohol levels, according to an arrest report. He then refused to provide a urine sample for controlled substance testing.
The trooper reported finding baggies with one gram of cocaine and 7.5 grams of marijuana in the vehicle.
The incident occurred on Christmas Day, but the arrest report was just released. Simonds has since entered a not guilty plea and is set to appear in court in March.
Escambia Animal Shelter Now Open On Sundays; Free Adoptions This Sunday
January 31, 2026
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center will open on Sundays, beginning this Sunday, February 1. Sunday hours will be 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
To celebrate the new expanded hours, adoption fees will be waived on all cats and dogs at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center this Sunday, February 1. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
Adoption fees will also be waived during the Pensacola Paw-di Gras event, taking place Sunday, February 1 from noon to 4 p.m. on Garden Street in Downtown Pensacola. The event features pet adoptions, a pet parade and costume contest, food trucks, vendors, and more.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
Pictured above: Bisbee the dog, a mixed breed male, and Bella the cat, a 4-year-old domestic shorthair. Both were available for adoption as of Saturday morning at the Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Rescue Shares Winter Weather Heating Safety Tips
January 31, 2026
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater and carbon monoxide safety.
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
Home Heating Tips
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
- Close all bedroom doors before going to bed. Remember this phrase: Close before you doze!
Portable Electric Heaters
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.
- Inspect for loose connections or cracked, damaged, or broken plugs, and replace before using.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas created when fuels like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane oil and methane burn incompletely, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Exposure to carbon monoxide can have fatal results. Due to being invisible and odorless, carbon monoxide has been known as the “invisible killer.”
Safety Tips
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations of the home, including outside each sleeping area and every level of the home.
- Test carbon monoxide alarms monthly. If the alarm sound is low, replace the batteries.
- If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, immediately move to a fresh air location and call 9-1-1.
- Make sure all vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear.
- If a vehicle is located inside a garage, make sure the garage door is open before starting the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Only use gas or charcoal grills outdoors.
- Use generators outdoors, as they produce carbon monoxide.
- Never use a gas stove to warm a home, as it can produce carbon monoxide.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Sleepiness
- Loss of muscle control
- Loss of consciousness
Those experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately get into fresh air and seek medical attention.
Smoke Detectors Save Lives
Escambia County Fire Rescue is available to provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors free of charge for residents. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call (850) 595-HERO (4376).
Florida Driver’s License Exams Will Soon Only Be In English
January 31, 2026
Beginning late next week, all driver’s licenses exams in Florida will only be in English.
Friday, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that, beginning Friday, February 6, all driver license knowledge and skills examinations will be administered exclusively in English. This change applies to all driver license classifications, including exams administered orally.
Previously, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver license classifications were offered in multiple languages, while Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver License (CDL) knowledge exams were only available in English and Spanish. Under the updated policy, all driver license knowledge and skills testing will be conducted in English.
To implement this change, FLHSMV has updated its driver license testing system statewide. Language translation services will no longer be permitted for knowledge or skills examinations, and any printed exams in languages other than English will be removed for use.
Northview Baseball: Gold Beats The Garnet (With Gallery)
January 31, 2026
The Gold team beat the Garnet 10-3 on a cold Friday night during a Northview Chiefs intrasquad baseball game in Bratt.
The game gave the Chiefs a chance to sharpen their skills before preseason play begins next week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
80’s Night: Ice Flyers Fall 8-6 To Fayetteville
January 31, 2026
The Ice Flyers hosted the Fayetteville Marksmen on Friday night for 80’s Night, but despite a thrilling comeback attempt, fell short in a high-scoring affair, losing 8-6 to the visiting Marksmen.
The game got off to a fiery start with former Ice Flyer Sam Dabrowski and Samson Mouland dropping the gloves, energizing the crowd at the Hangar. Fayetteville wasted no time getting on the board, with Trey Fechko scoring early. Marcus Fechko extended the Marksmen’s lead to 2-0 at the 9-minute mark. Tyler Burnie cut the deficit to one for the Ice Flyers, but Marcus Fechko notched his second of the night, giving Fayetteville a 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Ice Flyers came out firing in the second period, with Captain Ethan Price scoring just seconds in. Ryan Leith answered back for Fayetteville, but the remainder of the frame belonged to Pensacola. Sam Rhodes tallied two goals, Tyrone Bronte found the back of the net, and Captain Price closed out the period with his second of the night, giving the Ice Flyers a 6-4 lead heading into the final frame.
Despite their comeback, the Marksmen seized control in the third period. Matt Wiesner scored twice, while Shane Murphy and Sam Dabrowski each added goals, propelling Fayetteville to an 8-6 victory.
The Ice Flyers are back in action Saturday night for Mardi Gras Night.
Escambia Man Arrested For Animal Cruelty For Abandoning Dogs On Cantonment Road
January 30, 2026
A man was arrested Thursday on animal cruelty charges after he allegedly dumped two dogs with no food or water on Becks Lake Road in Cantonment.
Bryan Wayne Mott, 60, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on two counts of animal cruelty — abandonment of an animal.
The incident occured on January 21 when an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a red Chevy Silverado traveling on Becks Lake Road with two dogs in the bed of the truck. A short time later, the same truck passed the deputy again, this time without the dogs.
Moments later, a concerned citizen flagged the deputy down and reported that a red truck had just dumped two dogs and fled the area. The deputy immediately responded, located the dogs on a dead-end portion of Becks Lake Road, and safely placed them in the back of his patrol vehicle.
After running the vehicle tag and reviewing surveillance footage, the deputy identified Mott as the driver and owner of the red Silverado.
When contacted, Mott initially denied any knowledge of the dogs, then provided several conflicting explanations about how the dogs ended up abandoned without food or water and the end of Beck’s Lake Road. Surveillance video later confirmed his truck traveling north with the dogs at Old Chemstrand Road and Highway 29.
Animal Control responded, and the dogs were safely turned over to their care.
FHSAA Merges Rural Class With Class 1A For Football
January 30, 2026
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Board of Directors voted in emergency session on Thursday to combine Rural Class and Class 1A into a single classification for two years, beginning with the upcoming season.
FHSAA policy requires at least 24 schools for there to be a rural classification. With only 16 schools meeting the criteria, the board voted to merge the classifications to ensure a consistent competitive structure.
FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon called the emergency meeting after after many rural schools moved to the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA).
“The rural schools that want to be part of the state series can now do so,” said FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon.
The Board also voted to allow the creation of an independent league under FHSAA authority, giving independent schools the option to participate with the potential for postseason play.
The FHSAA will provide updated classification details to schools in the coming weeks.
In the Northwest Florida area, Northview, Jay, Baker, Blountstown, Central, Chipley were in the Rural Class for football. There are no Northwest Florida schools in 1A football.
According to the SSAA website, the only members school in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties is Lighthouse Private Christian Academy in Gulf Breeze.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs lost to the Jay Royals 28-20 on October 10, 2025. Both teams were in the Rural Class. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
