Wahoos Johnston, Monteverde, Yan Named Southern League All-Stars; Randel Named Manager of the Year
September 28, 2023
Three Pensacola Blue Wahoos players were recognized for their outstanding 2023 seasons , as Troy Johnston, Patrick Monteverde and Jefry Yan were named to the Southern League All-Star Team. Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel was recognized by his peers as the Southern League Manager of the Year.
Johnston, who was named a Southern League All-Star for Pensacola in 2022, returned to the Blue Wahoos for a second season and had an even more impressive offensive year in 2023. As an everyday first baseman for the Blue Wahoos, Johnston led the league in OPS at .963 and established a career-high mark in home runs with 18. His 83 RBI broke a Blue Wahoos single-season record, and he continued to hit after an August promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville. His 116 RBI across two levels were the most in all of Minor League Baseball in 2023.
Monteverde enjoyed a breakout campaign that saw him represent the Marlins in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in July. After a dominant start to the season that earned him Southern League Pitcher of the Month honors, the left-handed starter remained effective throughout 21 Double-A starts. He finished with a 10-5 record and a 3.32 ERA, striking out 114 batters in 114 innings and leading qualified Southern League pitchers in winning percentage.
Yan, back for his third season as a member of the Pensacola bullpen, was handed closer duties mid-season and ultimately picked up 13 saves in 14 tries. The lefty finished 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA with the Blue Wahoos, striking out an impressive 91 batters in 51.0 innings and holding opponents to a .201 average.
Randel becomes the first Pensacola manager ever to win Southern League Manager of the Year honors, and just the second Marlins Double-A manager to be recognized by his league (Carlos Tosca, Portland Sea Dogs, 1996). In his third year as Blue Wahoos manager, he led the club to its best winning percentage in franchise history (.581) and has followed up a championship season in 2022 with another appearance in the Southern League Championship Series. Despite balancing 63 different players who suited up for the Blue Wahoos in the regular season, Randel maintained a steady hand and saw the Blue Wahoos secure a winning record in all but one month.
The Blue Wahoos lost game two of the Southern League Championship Series Tuesday night, ending their season.
by Erick Bremer
Bonnie Ruth Black Cummings
September 28, 2023
Bonnie Ruth Black Cummings, age 82, of Atmore, AL passed away on September 27, 2023.
She was born on June 29, 1941 in Atmore, AL to Harry Comer Black, Sr. and Verma Ruth Rowell Black. She was a member of Canoe Baptist Church. She worked for Vanity Fair Corporation for many years and later cherished time taking care of her family especially her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved gardening and cooking. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles L. Cummings and her brother, Harry Comer Black, Jr.
She is survived by her sons, Charles M. (Traci) Cummings of Canoe, AL, Leslie Wayne Cummings of Canoe, AL and Gary Eugene Cummings of Canoe, AL; her daughter, Teresa Cummings (Tony) Hadley of Canoe, AL; seven grandchildren: Clayton, Klinton, Leslie, Dustin, Dylan, Jacob and Annalyn and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Waylon Stuckey officiating. Interment will follow in Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 1-2 p.m. at Johnson- Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Drugs At Perdido Rec Area, Boating And Fishing Violations
September 28, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Waters and Hahr were patrolling at the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when they observed a subject conceal himself behind the sandbar and begin to roll a cannabis blunt. The officers interrupted him and informed him that illegal drugs are a violation within the recreation area. He was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
Officers Waters and Hahr were patrolling at Heron Bayou when they observed a vessel return to the ramp without navigation lights. A resource inspection revealed he had an oversized redfish in the cooler. The man was charged with harvesting an oversized redfish.
Officers Waters, Hahr, and Allgood were on patrol and checking boats in Pensacola Bay when they observed a subject fishing alone on a vessel. Upon conducting a fisheries inspection, the subject stated he had some lane snapper. He opened his fish box to show the officers and they observed four juvenile red snappers. He was charged with undersized and over the bag limit of red snapper. Another man was found in possession of an undersized flounder and was charged accordingly.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Valdez and Mullins were on patrol conducting resource inspections at boat landings on Escambia River. They located two subjects recovering their vessel at Williams Landing. After contacting the subjects, the officers conducted a boating safety and resource inspection and discovered 16 largemouth bass in a cooler on the boat. The daily bag limit is five bass per person. Both subjects were charged with taking over the bag limit.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Local Students Gather For ‘See You At The Pole’ Worship Events
September 27, 2023
Students across the area took part in the annual See You at the Pole event Wednesday.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a national student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
At Tate High School, the SYATP is sponsored by First Priority and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured: (top of page to bottom) See You at the Pole student-led events Wednesday morning at Tate High School, Northview High School, Ernest Ward Middle School and Byrneville Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Briefly Placed On Elevated Security Status
September 27, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary was placed on an elevated security status Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called due to a suspicious person near campus.
The person was not armed and did not enter the campus, according to the ECSO; the security level was just a precautionary measure.
Century Rejects 280% Tax Increase, Can’t Approve A Budget
September 27, 2023
A nearly 300% property tax increase in Century failed Tuesday evening, leaving the town without a new budget. And what happens next was not immediately clear.
The town council had previously given unanimous tentative approval to a a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 290.66% greater than the rolled-back rate of .2356 mills.
Because the tax increase is so high, the state required unanimous approval on a final vote Tuesday, but the millage rate failed on a 4-1 vote with council president Dynette Lewis dissenting.
“I’m just not in favor of an increase at all,” Lewis said. “That’s a 290% increase, and I’m just in not in favor.”
Without a tax rate, the council was unable to vote on an $8 million budget proposed by interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. The $8 million tentative budget is up more than $2 million (39%) over last year’s $5,8 million, mostly due to grant funds. It included a 3% raise for all employees, plus another $15,000 for the mayor to provide discretionary raises.
The town will head into the next fiscal year on October 1, but they will be able to spend funds under the tentative budget.
Town Clerk Leslie Howington attempted to call the town attorney by phone to find out what happens next on the millage rate but reached his voicemail.
It appears the town could be forced back to square one on a property tax rate with new advertising and new meetings.
Pictured top: Century Council president Dynette Lewis reviews the mayor’s budget Tuesday evening. Pictured below: A Century millage rate hearing. Pictured inset: No member of the public attended the meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Defeates Blacksher 3-0
September 27, 2023
The Northview Chiefs defeated the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs 3-0 Tuesday evening.
Northview took straight sets on their home court, 25-13, 25-20, 25-23.
Northview (8-3, 1-2) will travel to Jay (8-4, 4-1) at 5 p.m. Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Battery, Assault With Deadly Weapon In Domestic Incident
September 27, 2023
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A Cantonment man is charged with striking his estranged wife and son and threatening the son with a firearm.
Dale Wayne Simpson, 69, was charged with felony aggravated assault with deadly weapon and two misdemeanor counts of battery.
Simpson allegedly pushed his wife into a wall and struck her in the arm with a closed fist, according to an arrest report. He is also accused of pushing his son against his will, striking him in the mouth with closed fist and pointing an semi-automatic handgun at his head, the report continues.
He put the magazine in the handgun and chambered round before pointing it at his son, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said.
The alterations occurred during a verbal and physical argument, deputies said. The victim said the confrontations stemmed from an alleged affair.
Simpson was released on a $10,000 bond.
A Few Showers Possible Into Wednesday Evening
September 27, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. East wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 62.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
FWC Seeks Contracted Nuisance Alligator Trapper For Escambia County
September 27, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program is accepting applications for a contracted nuisance alligator trapper in Escambia County.
Applicants must pass a criminal history check, have no fish or wildlife law violations and possess a valid, working email address.
To learn more about becoming a contracted nuisance alligator trapper and to apply online, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator and click on “Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program.” Applications must be received by Monday, Octotber 2. For more information, email FWCGator@MyFWC.com.
Pictured:A nuisance alligator captured by a FWC contractor near Highway 4 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
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