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
Nurse Practitioners Would Gain Recognition With Salzman Bill On Doctor Titles
January 15, 2026
Legislation filed by State Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola) passed the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee today, its first stop in the 2026 legislative session. HB 237 would allow Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who have earned doctoral degrees to use the “Doctor” title in clinical practice, aligning Florida with national standards and recognizing the advanced training of these essential healthcare professionals.
The bill permits doctoral-prepared NPs – those with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Ph.D.- to use the title when clearly identifying their professional role. Salzman’s legislation requires that NPs using “Dr.” also state their professional designation to maintain transparency for patients.
“If you’ve earned a doctorate in the medical field, you deserve to say so, just like in any other profession,” Salzman said. “This bill ensures patients understand the training behind their care while offering fairness and recognition to our Nurse Practitioners.”
Other states allow doctoral-level professionals, including pharmacists, physical therapists, audiologists, and psychologists, to use the “Doctor” title in clinical practice when properly identified. HB 237 brings Florida in line with that practice.
The bill promotes patient trust, recognizes rigorous education, and helps recruit and retain highly trained NPs, a growing part of Florida’s healthcare workforce amid physician shortages.
File image.
Suspect Now Charged In Scooter, E-bike Thefts On UWF Campus
January 15, 2026
A suspect has now been charged in connection with stealing e-bikes and scooters over a two-month period from the University of West Florida campus.
Blaine Earl Cunningham, 42, was charged with dealing and trafficking in stolen property. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on the felony charge.
UWF Police said the case was solved with the help of surveillance video that showed a vehicle being used to transport the stolen e-bikes. Investigators tracked down the vehicle at a home, and that’s where they found the stolen property on Tuesday morning.
Police said over 20 e-bikes and scooters were recovered.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the University of West Florida Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fake Cop Reportedly Pulls Over Woman In Century, Searches Her Vehicle
January 15, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of a man impersonating a law enforcement officer and pulling over a woman in Century.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on January 5 in the 7400 block of North Century Boulevard — very near the ECSO Century Precinct.
A woman reported that a man in a dark-colored vehicle used two small blue lights in the center of his dash to pull her over. He approached the vehicle, displayed a badge**,** and asked for her driver’s license before asking for permission to search her vehicle. He then asked if she had any narcotics. She was unharmed and reported that nothing was missing from her vehicle after the 15-minute search.
She later became concerned and called the ECSO.
She told deputies that she did not recognize the badge, but stated that it was not a star like an ECSO badge, and she did not believe it was the Florida Highway Patrol. Deputies contacted other law enforcement agencies in the area.
The Sheriff’s Office said it appeared to be an “isolated incident” having received no additional reports.
Anyone with information on the incident or the possible impersonator is asked to call the ECSO (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The ECSO said if a motorist is unsure if a law enforcement officer trying to pull them over is real, the driver can turn on their hazard lights, slow down, and call 911 or dispatch to verify the traffic stop.
NorthEscambia.com image is for illustrative purposes only and not the actual vehicle.
Beulah Regional Park To Close Next Week For Improvements
January 15, 2026
The Beulah Regional Park will temporarily close on January 20 for upgrades and addition of amenities throughout the park. The park is expected to reopen in mid-March, weather permitting.
Improvements to Beulah Regional Park will include four new pickleball courts, fencing, picnic table pavilions, and more. Several ADA upgrades will be made throughout the park, including the addition of two new ADA-compliant parking spaces, sidewalks to and from the parking lot, and improved connectivity to existing amenities. A splash pad is also planned, according to a county graphic.
Drainage enhancements are also planned throughout the park to minimize areas with standing water and improve overall park aesthetics.
Additional upgrades are also underway for the Beulah Senior Citizen Center, including a new basketball court, playground, and walking track resurfacing. The Beulah Senior Citizen Center will remain open while improvements are completed.
Beulah Regional Park is located at 7820 Mobile Highway, and the Beulah Senior Citizen Center is located at 7425 Woodside Road.
Lipscomb Elementary Fifth Graders Explore Roy Hyatt Science Environmental Center (Gallery)
January 15, 2026
Fifth grade students from Lipscomb Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Issues Boil Water Notice For Part Of Hwy. 4A And All Of Backwoods Road
January 15, 2026
This boil water notice was lifted on Thursday afternoon, January 22.
The town of Century has issued a boil water notice for a portion of Highway 4A and Backwoods Road.
The notice for 662-1050 of Highway 4A and all of Backwoods Road.
The boil water notice was issued after a contractor struck a 6-inch water main.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Anyone with question should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
SOS Mode? No Service? Verizon Reports Major Outage
January 14, 2026
UPDATE: About 9:30 Wednesday night, Version said, “The outage has been resolved. If customers are still having an issue, we encourage them to restart their devices to reconnect to the network.”
Users across the North Escambia area reported that their phones were stuck in “SOS” or similar emergency modes with no service on Wednesday afternoon.
At our office in North Escambia, Verizon service was restored at about 1:40 p.m., and down again by 3 p.m.
Verizon reported a major outage across the nation, including portions of South Alabama and Northwest Florida.
“We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience,” Verizon said about 2 p.m. The company did not give an estimated time for service restoration.
If you still don’t have service, you can get back online or make a call by just connecting to a Wi-Fi network and making sure Wi-Fi calling is turned on. If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, you can still make an emergency call to 911.