Photos: Northview Softball Is Ready For State Final Four
May 19, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs will open play in the Rural FHSAA Softball Final Four near Orlando.
No. 2 Northview (21-6) will take on No. 3 Branford (21-6). The winner will head to the state championship game at 1:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday against either Liberty County or Trenton.
First pitch Tuesday is at noon EDT at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, just outside Orlando. Fans can watch the game live on the NFHS Network. Fans can watch live video on the NFHS Network for a $13.99 monthly pass (which can be canceled at any time). NorthEscambia.com will have periodic updates on our Facebook page during the game; be sure to like our page for updates.
For a photo gallery from the last practice before state for the Northview Lady Chiefs, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Depart For State Softball Final Four
May 19, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs department the school in Bratt early on a foggy Sunday morning, headed to the Rural FHSAA Softball final four beginning at noon EDT Tuesday at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, just outside Orlando.
With a police escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Lady Chiefs headed to Whataburger for breakfast, where the restaurant’s windows were covered with player’s name and jersey numbers. Numerous fans lined the route, with signs of support and cheers for the first-ever Northview softball team to got to state.
Northview will play Branford at noon EDT on Tuesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Move Lower
May 19, 2025
Florida gas prices are moving lower again as millions of Americans prepare to travel for Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA.
Last week, Florida gas prices shot up 20 cents per gallon, going from $2.92 per gallon to $3.12. From there, the state averaged declined 7 cents per gallon through the weekend. On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.05 per gallon. That’s 46 cents less than the state average on Memorial Day 2024.
in Escambia County Sunday, the average price per gallon was $2.86. In Pensacola prices were as low as $2.68 multiple stations. In North Escambia, a low of $2.68 was also available at several stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Praytor Breaks Through, Pitching Shows Out In Pensacola’s Series-Clinching Win
May 19, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Blue Wahoos catcher Sam Praytor extended his arms outward, then welcomed two teammates dumping an ice bucket of energy drink over his head.
“I think if it were (just) water, it would be better,” said Praytor, smiling during the on-field, post-game interview.
On the hottest afternoon game this season, any momentary discomfort could be enjoyed. Especially after Praytor’s day, when he blasted a home run, legged out a triple, drove in two runs and adeptly handled five pitchers who combined to help deliver Pensacola’s 5-1 victory against the Rocket City Trash Pandas to win the six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
He came into the game going 0-for-9, his longest hitless streak. But continued effort in pregame workouts and help from team hitting coach Jason Krizan led to a big day.
“Me and Kriz… I’ve been working this week and making some adjustments and (Sunday) I felt like it really clicked and it paid off,” said Praytor, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star catcher, who set slugging marks during his three seasons, then became the Miami Marlins’ sixth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
A crowd of 3,737 endured the hot weather to see the Blue Wahoos win their first Sunday finale game since April 20. This one enabled them to take the series 4-2 against the Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos have now won five series this season and this one coming after dropping five of six games last week at Biloxi to lose grip of first place in the Southern League South Division. They entered the day trailing the Shuckers by one game.
After a 9-0 loss Wednesday to Rocket City, the Blue Wahoos regathered and returned to what has been the hallmark of this team with pitching, defense, some timely hits and series wins.
They’ll have an immediate chance to continue home field success, where they are 15-6 at Blue Wahoos Stadium – when facing the Birmingham Barons in a series that begins Tuesday.
“We’re excited,” Praytor said, acknowledging the fans nearby. “We’re glad to be back at home, playing in front of you guys (pointing to crowd), so please keep showing up and get ready for another good week.”
The game began for the Blue Wahoos in a good way. In the first inning, Nathan Martorella, Josh Zamora and Johnny Olmstead had consecutive singles with two outs to load the bases. With one swing, Mark Coley II cleared the bags, driving a ball into the left-center gap for a 3-run double.
After Blue Wahoos starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr allowed a second inning run, the Trash Pandas didn’t put up another threat the rest of the game.
In a designed bullpen game, Ortiz-Mayr worked three innings, followed by Luis Palacios, who earned his first win by going the next three innings. He struck out four and allowed just two hits.
Three other relievers – Jesse Bergin, Nigel Belgrave and closer Dale Stanavich – allowed just one hit apiece and combined for six strikeouts against just one walk.
“Our pitching staff is unreal,” Praytor said. “Every single one of those guys has the ability to pitch in the big leagues, so honestly It’s just a lot of fun to be catching them.”
Praytor extended the Blue Wahoos lead in the fifth inning when he led off with a home run, his second this season. He provided more insurance in the seventh when following Dalvy Rosario’s leadoff single with his triple in the outfield gap.
In the final four innings, Blue Wahoos pitchers faced just batters above the minimum and Stanovich closed out the game with a sweeper pitch and back-to-back strikeouts.
GAME NOTABLES
- The Blue Wahoos now have a 4-3 record in series finales. They had lost three consecutive Sunday games prior to the breakthrough this time.
- The win gives the Blue Wahoos a 37-13 all time record against Rocket City. The Trash Pandas’ first season in the Huntsville, Alabama area was 2021. This includes a 22-8 record at home.
- Pregame activities Sunday included a parade of school children who completed the Kazoo’s Reading Program organized by the Blue Wahoos. There were 203 free tickets distributed to kids who read four required books during the school year. The final parade of school children will be next Sunday.
- The Hellen Caro Elementary School Choir from Pensacola performed the National Anthem, as well as a rendition of God Bless America in the seventh inning.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Tuesday through May 24.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Verizon Purchase Of Frontier Communications For $20 Billion Is Approved
May 19, 2025
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier.
Locally, Frontier is the traditional copper landline and DSL provider in Walnut Hill, Molino, Bratt, and Atmore.
Last September, Verizon agreed to buy Frontier for about $9.6 billion and absorb $10 billion in Frontier debt.
“By approving this deal, the FCC ensures that Americans will benefit from a series of good and common-sense wins,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said. “The transaction will unleash billions of dollars in new infrastructure builds in communities across the country—including rural America. This investment will accelerate the transition away from old, copper line networks to modern, high-speed ones.”
The FCC said Verizon will be able to upgrade and expand Frontier’s existing network in 25 states, bringing more fiber to more communities. Verizon’s new fiber deployments will enable the retirement of old copper networks, ensuring that more communities benefit from advanced technologies. Following the transaction, Verizon expects to deploy fiber to 1 million or more American homes annually.
Pictured: The Frontier Communications switching central office near Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny And Warm To Begin The Week
May 19, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Escambia Approves Firefighter Raises, $34 Million For New or Expanded Fire Stations
May 18, 2025
The Escambia County Commission has approved $34 million in unallocated Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds to build or expand five fire stations, enhancing fire protection in the county. Additionally, the commission has approved raises for firefighters.
The board approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Escambia County Professional Firefighters, raising the hourly wage for beginning firefighters to $16, an increase of $3 per hour. The increase will cost the county about $1.7 million annually.
The board also approved a plan presented by Commissioner Ashley Hofberger. Her proposal included the addition of a second fire station in Cantonment and living quarters to an existing station in Dogwood Park.
The plan aims to make the following improvements:
- 7209 Lillian Hwy – Replacement, $8.5 million
- New Fire Station 24, Highway 97 and Kingsfield Road in Cantonment, $6.5 million
- New Fire Station in Paradise Beach, $6.5 million on a site to be determined
- Replacement station at 9350 Gulf Beach Highway, $8.5 million
- Molino Station 21/Dogwood Park, 4307 White Ash Road, add living quarters, $4 million.
Hofberger identified the locations with the assistance of Escambia County Fire Chief Adam Harrison. Her proposed timeline includes issuing a request for proposals by June 1, proposal evaluation by August 1, and groundbreakings by March 1, 2026.
Hofberger’s motion to approve the plan was seconded by Commissioner Steven Barry, who noted that the plan may be too aggressive.
The commission is also considering a new firefighter training center in Brownsville, and a new fire station in District 3 (estimated at about $4 million, if a need is determined).
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Station 21 on Whish Ash Road in Dogwood Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New 268 Lot Subdivision Proposed By Road Prison In Cantonment
May 18, 2025
A new Jaxson Estates North, 268 lot residential subdivision with multi family lots, has been proposed just south of the Escambia County Road Department and Road Prison on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
According to documents filed Friday with the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) by developer Thomas Henry, the subdivision would be on 38 acres sandwiched between the Road Prison to the north and the existing Jackson Estates subdivision to the south.
The application states that there are 13 acres of wetlands on the west side of the parcel that will not be developed, according to submitted drawings.
The proposal is not yet set for a public meeting or review by the DRC.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Testing Goals Accomplished: Kingsfield Elementary 4th Graders Silly String Teachers (And There Were Tattoos)
May 18, 2025
Kingsfield Elementary School fourth graders recently had a little fun with silly string and teachers Jessica Kerkela and Kenli Orozco.
The students earned the time to silly string the teachers for making, and breaking, goals on FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) testing. And the students were also able to give temporary tattoos to Kerkela and Orozco.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Era Begins: Century Council To Meet With Newly Reelected Mayor, New Council Member
May 18, 2025
The Century Town Council will hold its first meeting on Tuesday with newly reelected Mayor Ben Boutwell and new council member John Bass.
The council is expected to:
- hear a mid-year financial report from the town’s accountant,
- consider a job description and discuss hiring a town administrator,
- consider the extension of a public works agreement with the Florida Department of Corrections,
- consider hiring a gas utility service worker.
The council begins with a bill list review at 6:15 p.m., followed by the regular council meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: Ben Boutwell (above) was sworn in as Century mayor on May 9, and John Bass (below) was sworn in as a council member. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
