Man Hit By Vehicle On Highway 29 Near Highway 97 In Molino
November 23, 2025
An adult male was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning in Molino.
The man was in the outside northbound lane of Highway 29 for an unknown reason when he was hit by an SUV. The incident occurred between Raines Road and the Highway 97 intersection about 12:20 a.m. The crash closed northbound Highway 29.
The man was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital.
This was the second pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Highway 29 in Molino this weekend. About 8 p.m. Saturday, a man was hit on Highway 29 near Mathison Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Hands-On Heroes: Scouts Witness EMS, Fire Rescue, and Trauma Care in Action
November 23, 2025
Scouts has a chance to see first responders in action on Saturday at the Hadji Shrine on Nine Mile Road during the Pensacola Bay First Responder Camporee, hosted by the Gulf Coast Council.
In a demonstration, Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to a staged motor vehicle crash with two ejected patients. In the scenario, one patient experienced minor injuries, while the second was a trauma patient.
First responders demonstrated to attendees how they would respond to the scenario in real time. LifeFlight arrived and transported the critical patient while ECFR worked to extricate a third patient trapped in the vehicle.
The scenario demonstrated to attendees the teamwork required to achieve the best possible outcome. Prior to ECFR and EMS arrival, Escambia County Emergency Communications provided crucial information to the responders in order to best prepare them for when they arrive to the incident.
As the first responders were working the incident, ECFR Battalion Chief Dan Brask provided a narration to attendees.
Participating agencies included: Escambia County Fire, Escambia County EMS, LifeFlight, BRACE, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Escambia County Emergency Communications and the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manny Diaz Named The Solo Finalist For UWF President
November 23, 2025
The University of West Florida Presidential Search Committee has selected Manny Diaz Jr. as the sole finalist for the UWF Board of Trustees to consider as the University’s seventh president. There were 84 applicants.
“The Presidential Search Committee worked diligently to recommend the best candidate to serve as UWF’s next president,” said Zack Smith, chair of the UWF Presidential Search Committee. “After reviewing all of the applicants and conducting in-person interviews, it became clear that Interim President Diaz’s experiences of working in higher education, shaping education policy in the Florida Legislature, and serving on the State University System of Florida Board of Governors — while also serving as Florida’s Education Commissioner — have uniquely prepared him to be UWF’s next president.”
Diaz has served as interim president of UWF since July 2025 and brings a record of leadership in education policy, organizational strategy and initiatives focused on student success and innovation. He is a lifelong educator, whose career spans roles as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and chief operating officer of Doral College, followed by service as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and a member of the Board of Governors. Prior to his appointment as commissioner, he served in the Florida House and Senate, where he became a leading voice on education policy and sponsored numerous initiatives supporting students, families and teachers.
The presidential search committee process followed state law and Florida Board of Governors’ regulation to include stakeholder input; the development of a position profile; marketing of the position; identifying and screening the most qualified candidates; and then recommending a finalist to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
The UWF Board of Trustees is responsible for selecting the University President, whose appointment is then subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
As a next step in the process, the University will host an open public forum with Diaz, as well as an interview with the UWF Board Of Trustees.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Man Dies, Woman Injured In Baldwin County Crash
November 23, 2025
An Escambia County, Florida, man was killed in a crash Saturday morning in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Alabama State Troopers said a Kia driven by 64-year-old Lee H. Hill of Pensacola left the roadway about 18 miles north of the Robertsdale city limits and struck a tree. Hill, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Troopers said a passenger in the Kia, 59-year-old Cassandra Allen of Pensacola, was also not wearing a seat belt and was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. An update on her condition was not available.
Troopers are continuing to investigate.
File photo.
Two Injured In Molino Road Pickup Truck Rollover
November 23, 2025
Two people were injured in a rollover crash Saturday night in Molino.
A pickup truck rolled over after the driver lost control on Molino Road near Veazey Lane about 11:45 p.m. due to wet roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The truck came to rest on its roof in a ditch.
Escambia County EMS transported the male driver, an 18-year-old from Molino, and the passenger, a 17-year old female from Molino, to the hospital with minor injuries.
The Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Roll Past North Greenville To Advance To Second Round Of NCAA Playoffs
November 23, 2025
The ninth-ranked Argos (AFCA coaches poll) flushed away the disappointment of their Nov. 15 overtime loss against Valdosta State and began the NCAA Division II playoffs with a surging 43-19 victory Saturday against North Greenville in their Super Region 2 matchup at PenAir Field.
UWF (10-1), which attained double-digit wins for the fourth time in the program’s nine-year history, provided reason for all team components to celebrate. The Argos amassed 479 yards of offense, had just one turnover, were often ferocious with their defensive pass rush, run-stopping and tackling, plus excelled in the kicking game.
The Argos played like a team making a point.
“That was my challenge to the guys,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles. “They were ticked off about the result last week. We didn’t feel like we did enough. So, we tried to answer the challenge and we got after it during the week of practice and I think we showed what we are capable of.”
This was only the second home playoff win in team history – the first for Nobles in this third season as head coach – and will enable the Argos to be home for Thanksgiving and their second-round playoff matchup Nov. 29 at 1 p.m. against No. 16-ranked Newberry (S.C.) College (10-1) at PenAir Field.
“That’s huge. When you get to this time of the year, there is so much extra advantage to playing at home and not getting on a bus for however many hours it would be,” Nobles said. “It’s not easy, especially during Thanksgiving week.
“You want to enjoy Thanksgiving and not have to get on a bus. We have no school this week, so it will be full focus on football within our 20-hour (mandated practice time) rule, which is exciting.”
The Argos produced numbers to excite. They rushed for 265 yards and held North Greenville to 24 yards. They had five quarterback sacks, caused three fumbles, nearly had a goal-line stand and answered every time North Greenville had a chance to get an emotional edge.
After a scoreless first quarter and a frustrating game-opening possession for UWF, the Argos expanded a 15-7 halftime lead by scoring on their first possession of the second half, then put the game away with an early fourth quarter touchdown.
“I loved how we got a little bit of adversity early in the game, but just really proud of our guys and how they played the whole game,” Nobles said. “It was hot, it was humid. We knew that, we talked about that. We wanted to be committed to run the football and control the line of scrimmage on both sides and I would say we did that.”
It was a far different kind of game that when these teams met Sept. 20 at North Greenville and the Trailblazers battled back with a chance to tie on the final possession before UWF held for a 25-17 win.
“We had a good plan going into the game and it didn’t turn out the way we wanted,” said North Greenville coach Nate Garner. “I felt pretty good going into halftime. The guys in the locker room were locked in and ready to go.
“They were fighting their tails off in the first half. They got us within a score there at the end of the half and I felt pretty good, pretty confident, coming out for the second half.”
Here’s how Saturday unfolded.
FIRST HALF
The Argos got a 71-yard return on the opening kickoff by Kendrick Watkins-Hogue to the North Greenville 27. But the Argos were called for a block-in-the-back penalty that instead placed the ball at the Argos 10-yard-line. They were whistled for three more penalties, two of which wiped out touchdowns.
After 14 players which consumed nearly seven minutes off the clock, the Argos’ were stopped on an incomplete fourth down pass.
Their next possession was one play, an interception by quarterback Marcus Stokes.
The Argos offense broke through when Stokes finished on an 8-play, 81-yard drive by bulling his way into the endzone on a 4-yard run with 5:14 left in the half. A penalty ensued on the play and UWF chose to go for the 2-point conversion, then converting for a 8-0 lead.
Watkins-Hogue then caught a 54-yard pass from Stokes, after the QB rolled out, avoided a sack and threw a pass on the run over top a defender that Watkins-Hogue caught and ran for the score.
North Greenville answered with its best possession of the game, going 75 yards in 48 seconds on six plays. It culminated when Trailblazers quarter Dylan Ramirez threw a 25-yard scoring pass.
SECOND HALF
A stunning start. UWF surprised with an onside kick, coming out of halftime, that kicker Tyler Patterson perfectly placed and Watkins-Hogue recovered at the Trailblazers 41. Five players later, running back TJ Lane scored the first of his two touchdowns on an 11-yard run that gave UWF a 22-7 lead.
“It kinda changed momentum and it was kind of hard to bounce back from that,” Garner said. “They had a good plan for us offensively and honestly we thought they were going to pass the ball (more) a little bit and they established the run game and kept it going.”
Nobles said the decision for the onside kick was made earlier in the week, finalized in the halftime locker room.
“We thought we saw something and we got it coached up at halftime and make sure our guys were good wit it,” Nobles said. “Our kicker was already outside practicing when we called him back in to make sure he knew. I love how we executed that.”
After North Greenville scored to trail by nine points, the Argos answered back when Stokes scored on 9-yard run to complete a 75 yard drive.
North Greenville again scored to get within 10 points, but UWF scored the final two touchdowns of the game on runs by Jay Sharp and Lane.
The Argos offensive line opened gaping holes in the second half and UWF’s three runners – Stokes, Lane and Sharp – did the rest.
“We challenged our O-line this week and they felt like they did a good job running the football last week, but we still left some stuff out there,” Nobles said. “We challenged them this week and said, hey we’re going to run the ball and push the ball behind you as much as we can.
“We felt we got a little too exotic on offense the first time we played these guys and we were really controlling the tempo in the first game,” Nobles said. “I said to our offensive staff this week, hey no gadgets. Our offensive line perked up when they heard no trick plays, we’re going to run the ball.
“We needed to be physical this week. And physicality when you make it to the playoffs is not an option, it’s mandatory.”
COACH NOBLES
“I don’t know if (first playoff win as head coach) has really hit me. It’s only because of how well the players played today and this is truly a team game. I do get a lot of credit for things, but I tell people, I didn’t play a single play. I didn’t do anything the players didn’t do on the field. They won the game. They did a great job of executing and listening to us as coaches. It is exciting to get a first playoff win in year three but it’s because of what the players did and they earned the result.”
Written by by Bill Vilona
Photo: Elijah Nall/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Releases Details In Highway 29 Crash That Killed Teen Early Saturday Morning
November 22, 2025
Updated Saturday, Nov. 22 at 12:35 p.m.
A teen was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday morning on Highway 29 in Cantonment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported around 12:37 a.m. on Highway 29 near the Valero convenience store, across from International Paper.
FHP said a 17-year-old male driver was exiting the Valero parking lot, attempting to make a left turn onto Highway 29. A red Dodge being driven by a 26-year-old male was northbound and struck the driver’s side of the Toyota. Troopers said the 17-year-old was wearing a seat belt but was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Any charges in this case are pending the completion of the traffic homicide investigation,” FHP said Saturday afternoon.
Editor’s note: A report issued Saturday morning by FHP stated the 17-year-old was unrestrained, but troopers updated that information and said Saturday afternoon that he was wearing a seat belt.
File photo.
Former Escambia Firefighter Assigned To Beulah Pleads Guilty Federal Child Porn Charges
November 22, 2025
A former firefighter assigned to the Beulah Fire Station has pleaded guilty to 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.
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.
“Protecting our children from exploitation and the predations of sick individuals like this offender remains one of my office’s highest priorities, and I deeply appreciate the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners who helped bring him to justice,” John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida said. “My office will continue to relentlessly pursue offenders who victimize our children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
When he is sentenced in January, Buscaino faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each minor victim for production of child pornography and 20 years for possession of child pornography involving minors under the age of 12.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
November 22, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School named their employee and student of the month for October. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Miguel Espinoza, eighth grade; Dillan Stuart, seventh grade; Addisyn Steege, sixth grade; and Robin McCall, PE coach. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE To Announce Arrests In ‘Major Drug Trafficking Operation’ In Escambia County
November 22, 2025
Monday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will hold a press conference in Pensacola with law enforcement partners to announce recent arrests in a drug trafficking operation in the Escambia County area.
FDLE said it will “announce multiple arrests and seizures in major drug trafficking operation”.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass is scheduled to conduct the press conference, which is not open to the public.
Last Wednesday, FDLE made the somewhat unusual move of making a public announcement that law enforcement conducting multiple search warrants in Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com will have updates on Monday.
File photo.