Monday Morning Storms Cause Hundreds More Power Outages
May 13, 2024
North Escambia and Santa Rosa County power outages on the upswing after this morning’s storms.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative was reporting 199 members without power as the day started — nine in Escambia County and 189 in Santa Rosa County.
At 11:15 a.m. there were 2,037 EREC outages — 394 in Escambia County and 1,643 in Santa Rosa County.
Also at 11:15 a.m. Florida Power & Light reported 975 outages in Escambia County, 1,137 in Santa Rosa.
After Friday morning’s storms left over 10,000 without power, EREC received restoration help from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc., Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, and MDR Powerline Construction.
Pictured above and first below: A contract lineman crew works to replace snapped and downed EREC power poles on North Highway 99 near Walnut Hill Friday. Pictured bottom: The downed lines before restoration started. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Complete Big Week With Special Mother’s Day Win
May 13, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos wore their usual pink, floral jerseys, but many added pink-colored shoes, batting gloves and even pink bats to recognize Mother’s Day.
No matter the occasion, however, the ballclub has so far performed its Sunday best.
After spotting Birmingham a pair of first-inning runs, the Blue Wahoos responded with a pair of three-run innings and their pitching did the rest in a 6-4 victory against the Barons, thus putting a rose bouquet on with five wins against a first-place opponent at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
If this series against the Southern League’s hottest team were a gauge, the Blue Wahoos (20-13) figure to like this performance measurement heading into a new week. The Barons (20-12) entered the series with a 19-7 record that was by far the best in the league.
The Mother’s Day win, delighting a crowd of 4,302 that included many moms and their children, pushed the Blue Wahoos to a 5-1 record on Sundays this season. This one included a parade of area school children before the game, between-inning contests with mothers involved, and families on the field afterward playing catch in the outfield.
“We’re pumped. We’re awesome,” said Joe Mack, the Blue Wahoos catcher and designated hitter, who went 3-for-5 Sunday to cap a big for him, as the team now hits the road for a six-game series against Montgomery.
“We’re ready to go, ready to get that series going and get us started off hot,” Mack said in a post-game interview with Blue Wahoos broadcaster Carter Bainbridge.
Mack went 9-for-22 in the six-game series with two RBI. He reached base at least twice in each of the last four games.
“Just being more simple with it and believing in the process and believing in God and everything. That is the main factor of life,” said Mack, who grew up in Williamsville, New York, located near Buffalo, and was chosen in 2021 by the Miami Marlins in the competitive balance round of that draft.
“Just not trying to do too much and keeping my approach to the left side to the field and just put myself in a good position to help the team as best as possible,” Mack said, when reflecting on his approach Sunday.
After the Barons took a 2-0 lead against Blue Wahoos starter Paul Campbell, who then settled into a groove, the Blue Wahoos quickly answered in their half of the first inning.
The first five Blue Wahoos batters reached base against Barons righthander Drew Thorpe, the Chicago White Sox No. 3 overall ranked prospect, who was dominating in his earlier start this week. He carried a 5-1 record and 1.01 earned run average into the game.
It was different this time around. Thorpe did not survive the first inning.
With the bases loaded, Thorpe gave up an RBI single to Mack, followed by a two-run single to Paul McIntosh. After being lifted with two outs in the first, the Barons used five relievers.
The Blue Wahoos, meanwhile, countered with four relievers to follow Campbell, who earned his fourth win in working five innings, giving up five hits, recording five strikeouts and issuing just one walk.
After the Barons tied the game in the fourth inning, the Blue Wahoos answered with a 3-run fifth inning that became decisive.
Nathan Martorella led off with a single, went to third on Mack’s double, then McIntosh was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jacob Berry hit a ground ball that third baseman Jason Matthews bobbled for no play, thus scoring Martorella.
Cody Morissette had an RBI groundout and Harrison Spohn added an RBI single to make it a 6-3 lead.
The final four innings, the Blue Wahoos bullpen took over. In the ninth, however, the Barons made it suspenseful when by loading the bases with one out. Blue Wahoos reliever Matt Pushard induced a run-scoring groundout for the second out and then got dangerous clean-up hitter Tim Elko to fly out on a 1-2 curveball to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos will take Monday off, then leave on Tuesday morning for Montgomery and their second road series against the Biscuits. They lost five of six games to Montgomery in the second week of the season, but have since played well with a 13-3 record in their last three series.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Montgomery Biscuits
WHEN: Tuesday Thru May 19th.
WHERE: Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery, Alabama.
Pickup Truck Burns After Crashing Off Pine Barren Road Bridge
May 12, 2024
A pickup truck crashed off a Pine Barren Road bridge and burned early Sunday morning.
The crash happened about 3:25 a.m. at a bridge over Canoe Creek, just south of Highway 168.
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to find the red Toyota Tundra off the bridge and fully involved in fire in the edge of the creek. The crash has just recently occurred; the truck’s headlights were still on.
There driver of the vehicle was not on the scene following crash. There were no known injuries.
The crash and fire caused minor damage to the wooden wing wall of the bridge; the bridge remains opens.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol are investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EREC Continues Power Restoration Efforts
May 12, 2024
Escambia River Electric Cooperative hopes to finish power restoration in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Sunday.
As of 1 a.m. Sunday, EREC was reporting 889 members still without power in Escambia County and 1,777 in Santa Rosa County.
Over 10,000 members lost power during severe storms before daybreak Friday.
Manpower hard at work to restore power on Saturday included 14 from Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, 30 from Withlahoochee, 70 from MDR and nine from Cheloco Cooperative. The total including EREC line workers and support staff was 197.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary Recognized North Escambia Teachers Of The Year
May 12, 2024
The Rotary Club of Cantonment recently recognized teacher of the year from 12 schools located North of Nine Mile Road.
Rotarian Jim Prim worked with District 5 School Board Member Bill Slayton to organize the program.
The following teachers were recognized:
- Mary Lewis, Jim Allen Elementary
- Genia Bashore, Bratt Elementary
- Jennifer Smith, Kingsfield Elementary,
- Rionna Wages, Lipscomb Elementary
- Candace Blackburn, Molino Park Elementary
- Rosanna Newman, Westgate School
- Cassi McGee, Pine Meadow Elementary (also ECSD teacher of the year)
- Lisa Thomas, McArthur Elementary
- Glenda Bell, Ernest Ward Middle
- Angela Rose, Ransom Middle
- Megan Carroll, Northview High School
- Cristy Mills, Tate High School
Superintendent Keith Leonard was also in attendance. This is an annual event sponsored by Cantonment Rotary.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Littering And Red Snapper
May 12, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Cushing and Waters conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel in Bayou Chico that was returning from a fishing trip. Officer Waters discovered one red snapper in the cooler. The owner of the vessel stated he didn’t know how it got in there. He was issued a citation for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Land and Mullins received information about a litter complaint in Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. A large television and multiple contractor bags of discarded painting supplies had been illegally dumped in the area. The officers identified potential subjects and interviewed them and they admitted to dumping items in the area. Each subject was issued a notice to appear. The subjects returned to the dump site to clean up the area and dispose of the items properly.
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.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Areas
May 12, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 12 through Thursday, May 16 as crews place barrier wall.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform median work and barrier wall installation:
- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, May 12 through Thursday, May 16 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Outside lane closures on Nine Mile Road near Exit 5, Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Traffic on I-10 is shifted to the outside and will be in place until early 2025.
- Traffic on Nine Mile Road has shifted to the inside and will be in place until mid-2024.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through late 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signs are in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
- The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) from north of I-10 to Davis Highway Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform construction activities:
- Alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway, Sunday, May 12 through Thursday, May 16 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Traffic flaggers will be present to safely guide drivers through the work zone.
- The right turn lane on Scenic Highway at the Olive Road intersection will be closed Friday, May 10 through Thursday, May 16 for guardrail replacement. Drivers will use the through travel lane to turn right onto Olive Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Westbound over Blackwater River Resurfacing Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent I-10 westbound lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (Exit 28) to the east end of the Blackwater River Bridge, Sunday, May 12 to Thursday, May 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities and paving operations. Drivers are reminded the I-10 westbound travel lanes are currently shifted slightly toward the inside of the roadway. The shift is expected to remain in place through May.
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R. 87 and C.R. 178, Monday, May 13 through Friday, May 17 as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street - Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, May 12 through Thursday, May 16 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform roadway widening and sidewalk reconstruction work.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, May 12, through Friday, May 17, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Operations West of Moll Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 13 through Thursday, May 16 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. for turn lane operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Jay Royals Win 1A District Crown
May 12, 2024
The Jay Royals claimed the regional baseball championship Saturday with a 3-1 defeat of Paxton.
No. Jay will face No. 2 Lafayette in the state semi final on March 15 in Fort Myers.
Happy Mother’s Day! Rain Begins Tonight And Continues Through Tuesday
May 12, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. High near 79. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 82. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
McIntosh Blast Lifts Blue Wahoos To Series Win Against Barons
May 12, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
This first six weeks of the season have not gone the way Paul McIntosh desired.
With his family in town Saturday, one sweet swing helped brighten the vibe.
McIntosh perfectly timed a 3-2 pitch in the sixth inning and launched a three-run homer that proved decisive in the Blue Wahoos’ 3-1 victory against the Birmingham Barons, thus clinching the series and delighting a sellout crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It was the Blue Wahoos’ (19-13) fourth win in five games against Birmingham (20-11), which has nine of the Chicago White Sox top 30 prospects on the roster and entered the week with a runaway lead for best record in the Southern League.
The latest win occurred during another stupendous Saturday at the ballpark.
This one included a postcard sunset, another sellout crowd, a pregame honor for Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel, a mid-game “Home Run For Life” to honor a recovering two-time stroke survivor, post-game fireworks provided by Bodacious Shops and Café, and a ballpark sleepover of local youth members of Scouting America.
It was quite the night, of course.
McIntosh joined with Blue Wahoos pitcher M.D. Johnson, who earned his first mound victory with another strong start, to win the night for Pensacola.
Johnson produced his best outing, which followed his previous best last week. He worked six innings, allowing just three hits and one run with no walks and six strikeouts.
When Johnson struck out Birmingham’s Edgar Quero, the No. 5-rated prospect for the White Sox, to end the sixth, he pumped his fist, pounded his glove and walked into congratulatory teammates in the dugout. One night earlier, Johnson was engaging fans by passing out team posters on Giveaway Friday.
His show of emotion Saturday led into the eventful bottom half of the sixth.
Left fielder Nathan Martorella continued his impact since joining the Blue Wahoos this week by leading off with a single. Joe Mack followed with a walk.
With one out, McIntosh battled into a 3-2 count against Barons reliever Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, who was just added Saturday to the Barons’ roster following a trade with the Texas Rangers.
The next pitch was a hanging slider. McIntosh barreled the pitch into a towering blast that cleared the leap of left fielder Wilfred Veras and became a game-changing 3-run shot.
“I actually did see him (Hoopii-Tuionetoa) before… in the Arizona Fall League (in October), so there was some sort of familiarity there,” McIntosh said. “I just tried to put together my best swing with a couple guys on.”
It was McIntosh’s first homer of the season and he entered that at-bat with just one hit in 13 prior at bats. His batting average had dipped under .200.
But that swing was the boost the Blue Wahoos needed. From there, this team’s excellent bullpen took over. Angel Macuare (2 innings) and closer Austin Roberts threw up zeroes to seal the game. They allowed just two hits with four strikeouts.
Roberts ended the game by striking out Tim Elko on a 96-mph fast ball that froze him.
The series will conclude on Sunday with Barons starter Drew Thorpe (5-1, 1.01 ERA) against the Blue Wahoos’ Paul Campbell (3-1, 1.88) in a weeklong matchup that has showcased both teams’ deep pitching strengths.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium