Tate Falls 3-2 To Top Ranked Buchholz In 6A Baseball Regional Quarterfinals
May 2, 2025
It came down to the wire in game two of the 6A Region 1 semifinals on Thursday night as the Tate Aggies fell to Buchholz 3-2 in Gainesville. Tate lost to the top ranked Bobcats in game one Wednesday night.
Thursday night’s game was tied at two in the bottom of the seventh when Buchholzs scored one run on a single.
Nathan Connors (pictured above) allowed eight hits and three runs in six and one-third innings, striking out five and walking three.
Nathan Ozuna went 1-2 for the Aggies at bat with one run batted in. Cal Foxworth went 2-3, Hunter Clayton was 1-3 and Griffin Cook was 1-2.
Buckholz will face No. 2 Pace in the regional finals with game one of three next Wednesday. The winner will advance to the 6A state semifinals in Fort Myers.
Tate’s season ended at 16-14.
Photos by C.J. Gish – Mainstreet Daily News for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walks Give Wahoos Wild 6-5, 11-Inning Win Over Barons
May 2, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
Fresh off their best April in team history, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos began the month of May with a wild 6-5, 11-inning win over the Birmingham Barons on Thursday night.
Two bases-loaded walks in the top of the 11th forced in the eventual game-winning runs as the Blue Wahoos (17-7) outlasted the Barons (12-11) in their longest game of the season.
Pensacola jumped ahead 1-0 in the first against Barons starter Riley Gowens, loading the bases with two singles and an error before Nathan Martorella brought in a run with a double-play grounder.
The Barons became the first opponent this season to score a first-inning run against the Blue Wahoos, ambushing starter Evan Fitterer with a two-run single from Ryan Galanie to take a 2-1 lead. The Blue Wahoos had outscored opponents 16-0 in the first inning through their first 23 games.
Rikuu Nishida added to the Birmingham lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning. With severe weather surrounding Regions Field on all sides, light rain in the fifth inning almost caused a rain delay just as the game became official.
The two teams played on, and the Blue Wahoos reclaimed the lead in the sixth with a Kemp Alderman RBI groundout and Martorella two-run double. Their 4-3 edge would be short-lived, however, as Birmingham’s Jacob Burke hit a RBI single off Pensacola reliever Zach McCambley in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game 4-4.
Nigel Belgrave contributed 3.0 hitless innings of relief to help send the game to extras, and Josh Ekness (W, 2-0) came up big in the bottom of the tenth after the Blue Wahoos had left the bases loaded in the top half of the inning. Ekness needed only 10 pitches to get three outs and strand the potential winning run at third base, extending the drama to the 11th inning.
The Blue Wahoos didn’t manage any hits against Gil Luna (L, 0-3) in the top of the 11th, but drew four walks to force in two runs. Mark Coley II pushed across the first run with a two-out free pass, and Jared Serna followed suit with the RBI that would prove to be the difference. Ekness allowed an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, but struck out Burke to finish off a 6-5 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series on Friday against the Barons.
James Arnold Peterson
May 2, 2025
James Arnold Peterson, 76, of Pensacola, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2025.
James is survived by his daughters, Melony and Tiffany Peterson; five grandsons, James (Kayla) Thornton, River Peterson, Levi Black, Nathaniel Black, and Oaklynn Black; four great-grandchildren, James Thornton, Kendra Thornton, Kimber D’Acquisto, and Kylie D’Acquisto.
His life was a testament of his unwavering faith, commitment to family and friends, and strength of character. These values will continue to inspire his loved ones for generations to come.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in recognition of his service as a proud Vietnam veteran.
His life will be celebrated at Faith Chapel North on Saturday, May 31, at 1:00 p.m.
Eight Years Later, Mother’s Plea Continue For Clues In Molino Murder
May 1, 2025
Thursday marked eight years since Anna Louise Brown was murdered while jogging on Gibson Road in Molino.
On Sunday afternoon, April 30, 2017, Brown, 38, was found face down on the side of the road near the Alligator Creek bridge. She had been shot multiple times.
The search for her killer continues.
“My one hope for the case is that there be an arrest made, and the person who is responsible for Anna’s death be incarcerated for the rest of their life,” Anna’s mom Sue Brown told NorthEscambia.com on Thursday afternoon. “That person has had eight free years.”
“I would advocate for the person responsible to do the right thing and turn themselves in,” she added.
Brown pleaded for anyone that knows anything about the case to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured below: Anna Louise Brown was found murdered near this bridge on Gibson Road on April 30, 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weather Cancellation: Sawmill Day In Century Rescheduled For June
May 1, 2025
UPDATE: SAWMILL DAY AS BEEN CANCELED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 3 AND IS RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 7.
The Alger Sullivan Historical Society is set to host its 35th Anniversary Sawmill Festival on Saturday, promising a full day of fun, community, and nostalgia in Century’s Historic District.
Running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the festival will feature a classic car and bike show, with awards presented at 3:00 p.m. Attendees can look forward to live entertainment, including performances by the Southern Revival Band and Nashville recording artist Ricky Crook.
Beyond the music, visitors can enjoy local food, crafts, and a variety of vendors. There will also be contests, raffles, museum tours, and exhibits that highlight the rich history of the area.
Vendor spaces are available for $20. Those interested can contact Christina at (850) 377-6752. Vehicle enthusiasts can register bikes for $15 and classic cars for $25.
The free event will be held in the historic district at the corner of 4th Street and Jefferson Avenue.
For a photo gallery from the 2024 Sawmill Day, click here..
Pictured: Sawmill Day in 2024. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Drop Game 1 In Regional Quarterfinals To Buchholz
May 1, 2025
The Tate Aggies slipped 3-2 to the Buchholz Bobcats on Wednesday night in Gainesville in the first meeting of a beat-of-three series 6A Baseball regional quarterfinals.
Buchholz (29-1) will host Tate (16-13) at 7:00 CT tonight in game two. A third game, if necessary, will move back to Tate Saturday night.
Zane Warrington struck out 10 for Tate in six innings Wednesday night, allowing three hits and three runs and walking two.
Brayden Beck went 1-for-3 at bat for the Aggies with one RBI. Griffin Cook, Hunter Clayton, Taite Davis and Kaden Posta each had one hit.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Increasing Rain Chances Into The Weekend
May 1, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Today Is The Deadline To Apply For Teacher Hiring Event On Saturday
May 1, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools is hosting an in-person Teacher Hiring Event on Saturday. to fill teacher positions for the 2025-2026 school year, but the deadline to apply to attend is today, May 1.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway in Pensacola.
All interested persons must have a bachelor’s degree or higher, complete the online application to attend the hiring event, and must submit official transcripts before the day of the hiring event. Full-time teaching positions at all grade levels will be available for the 2025-2026 school year.
Applicants should be prepared for on-the-spot interviews and job offers, and must bring their resume and identification cards. Onboarding will be completed at the hiring event with our teams from Human Resources and Risk Management departments.
“We want our schools to be fully staffed for the new school year in August and persons interviewing may have the opportunity to secure a teaching position before leaving the event,” said ECPS Director of Human Resource Services Melia Adams. “We need educators who will make a great impact on the lives of our kids.”
School administrators and staff will be conducting interviews. Available instructional positions include English, math, science, social studies, music and art education, elementary education, special education and foreign languages. New teachers’ starting salary is $48,300 and benefit packages will be explained.
Visit https://apps2.winocular.com/escambia/jobs/Jobpost.exe and click on “2025-2026 Teacher Hiring Event (In-Person).” Application deadline is May 1, 2025. Applicants will receive an email notification if eligible to attend.
Softball Showdown: Jay To Host Northview Tonight For Rural District 1 Title
May 1, 2025
The Jay Royals will host the Northview Chiefs this evening for the Rural District 1 championship tonight in Jay.
Entering the championship, Jay boasts a 20-2 overall record, with a 2-1 mark in district play. Northview has an 18-6 overall record, 3-1 in district games. Both are coming off strong wins in the district semifinals on Tuesday when Jay beat Baker 16-1, and Northview defeated Paxon 8-3.
The teams split their regular season meetings. On April 3, Northview defeated then undefeated Jay 9-5, while Jay returned the favor on April 15 with a 5-3 victory.
The district championship game was originally set to be played in Laurel Hill, but has been moved to Jay with first pitch at 6 p.m.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals 9-5 on April 3 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Woman Wins $1 Million In Lottery Scratch-off Game
May 1, 2025
A Santa Rosa County woman has claimed a $1 million scratch-off lottery prize.
Pamela Mashburn, 66, of Milton, claimed a $1 million prize from the 500X the Cash game at FLorida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. he chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $640,000.
Mashburn purchased her winning ticket from Circle K, located at 5819 Dogwood Drive in Milton. The retailer received a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
The $50 500X the Cash game features a top prize of $25 million.