Snelling Shines, Snyder Delivers In Festive Wahoos Win
July 4, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Robby Snelling had just allowed a solo homer, then a pair of singles in the second inning when Blue Wahoos pitching coach Jerad Eickhoff met on the mound.
The crossroads moment settled Snelling, who then produced another stellar outing that helped lead the Blue Wahoos to a 2-1 victory Thursday against the Biloxi Shuckers before a packed sellout crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The win on Fourth of July eve was the Blue Wahoos’ sixth in eight games to start the second half.
This one came on a night when the Blue Wahoos wore specialty patriotic blue uniforms and hats with call signs – the U.S. Navy version of nicknames chosen among teammates.
The guy with call letters “Bush” was the Blue Wahoos’ beast Thursday.
Infielder Michael Snyder, who joined the team only last week in Chattanooga from the High-A Beloit Sky Carp, slashed a two-strike, two-run single in the sixth inning that became decisive.
“Down 0-2, just looking for something in the (strike) zone, just keep it simple, concise and put the bat on the ball,” he said during the on-field, post-game interview.
The game was followed by a fireworks show which ended with a grand finale that ignited more cheers from the capacity crowd.
“One-run games are great, it’s a good atmosphere, high intensity and lot of fun with the guys,” Snyder said. “It is a really good day for the boys, but for America and taking pride in what we do, supporting the troops, supporting America, so it’s a lovely evening.”
Snelling exited after five innings, allowing five hits, one run, one walk and eight strikeouts – his second-most punchouts this season.
Behind him was the Blue Wahoos’ stout bullpen. Nigel Belgrave and Josh Ekness combined to twirl four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.
In the pivotal eighth inning, Ekness made a throwing error on his underhand toss to first base that would have ended the inning. But then he made a big pitch to get Shuckers catcher Darrien Miller on a swinging strikeout.
In the ninth, Ekness struck out the first two batters and ended the game on a groundout for his eighth save.
The Shuckers’ Zavier Warren opened the scoring with a one-out homer off Snelling in the second inning for the game’s first run.
Biloxi starter Brett Wichrowski, rated among the Milwaukee Brewers’ top 30 prospects, held the Blue Wahoos in check until the eventful sixth inning.
Cody Morissette led off the inning with a walk, then Kemp Alderman’s single and a fielding error from center fielder Luis Lara put runners at second and third before Snyder delivered the eventual game-winning hit.
The teams will now make the short trip to Biloxi where the series shifts for the holiday weekend with three games at Keesler Federal Park. The Blue Wahoos won’t return to play a homestand until July 18, following a road trip next week and the Major League Baseball All-Star break.
GAME NOTABLES
— Prior to the first pitch Thursday, the Blue Wahoos honored the memory of former Pensacola baseball star Hosken Powell with a moment of silence.
Powell, 70, was a Woodham High graduate, who became the No. 3 overall pick as an outfielder by the Minnesota Twins in the first round (secondary phase) of the 1975 MLB draft. He was drafted after a strong year at Chipola College where his teammate and roommate was Buck Showalter, who became a long-time decorated manager in Major League Baseball. Powell played six seasons in the major leagues – four with the Twins where he batted .293 in 1979 with 99 hits and 36 RBI – and his final two years with the Toronto Blue Jays.
— Pensacola Habitat For Humanity, part of the national organization, had its special outing Thursday at the ballpark. The organization set up an inflatable house outside the stadium to bring awareness to their cause. Rachel Gibson from Pensacola Habitat For Humanity performed the National Anthem.
In addition, Cecily Kopytchak from the local organization performed God Bless America in the seventh inning. A representative from the group did a pregame interview, bringing awareness to the Women Build program as part of the local chapter where all-female crews build a home. A 50-member group from the non-profit organization watched the game from the breezeway area.
— Capt. Chandra Newman, the new commanding officer of Naval Air Station-Pensacola, addressed the crowd before the game to recognize the partnership between the Blue Wahoos, the U.S. Navy and NAS-Pensacola.
— Thursday’s game completed a brief stopover by the Blue Wahoos. The team will travel early Friday afternoon on the Fourth of July to begin a three-game series in Biloxi.
Century Head Start Center to Close Amid Enrollment And Funding Issues
July 3, 2025
The Community Action Program Committee’s Century Head Start Center will shut down later this month.
The closure will be effective July 18.
“This decision follows careful consideration of persistent enrollment challenges and ongoing funding constraints. These combined factors have significantly impacted our ability to sustain the program and continue delivering services at the expected standard,” CEO and Head Start Director Douglas Brown told NorthEscambia.com on Wednesday. “Our immediate focus has been on ensuring continuity of care for all families affected. We’re pleased to share that all children have been successfully placed within one of our organization’s other locations, with the exception of one child who will require a referral to a trusted network partner. We remain committed to providing timely, transparent communication and supporting families throughout this transition.”
Brown did not detail the number of children or employees impacted.
According to the CAPC website, the Century Center provided early childhood education to children 12 months to 5 years at 440 East Hecker Road. CAPC also operates additional Head Start centers in Molino for the same age group, Cantonment for ages 3-5 and other locations across Escambia County.
“While the closure may raise broader concerns about access to early childhood education, we are fortunate to have a strong internal network that has allowed us to place children within our own system of care,” he said. “This transition underscores the critical importance of maintaining a robust, coordinated network of providers to ensure families experience minimal disruption when unexpected changes arise.”
“While we are saddened by this closure, our commitment to early childhood education in this region remains strong. We will continue to champion high-quality programming and advocate for the needs of young children and their families,” Brown added.
After 20 Years Atmore News Ceases Operation, Publishes Final Newspaper
July 3, 2025
With much sadness and much gratitude for your support through the years, we publish our last edition of Atmore News.
We love you all.
God bless you, and God bless Atmore.
With that, Publisher Sherry Digmon ended the lead story in the final edition of the Atmore News that hit the streets on Wednesday.
The Atmore News published their first edition in 2005. Now, 20 years later, they have ceased the locally-owned newspaper’s operation.
Digmon wrote that ”atmore magazine” will continue to be published. The monthly magazine will only be available at advertiser locations.
Pictured: The final edition of Atmore News in a vending machine Wednesday afternoon at the post office on Main Street in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECHS Staff Member Charged With Contributing To Minor’s Delinquency In Murder Case
July 3, 2025
An ongoing murder investigation has led to the arrest of a current Escambia County High School staff member.
Jalen Pugh, age 24 of Atmore, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor by the Atmore Police Department.
APD investigators said that Pugh was present during a fatal double shooting on June 24 that claimed the life of 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks of Atmore (pictured left) and injured one other person.
Police said that while Pugh admitted to being at the scene, he declined to answer further questions.
“The investigation remains open to determine his full involvement in the street race preceding the shooting and his actions after the incident,” APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “Additional charges are possibly forthcoming.”
Atmore Police have arrested six others for murder and attempted in connection with the shooting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Donut Strike For Manna Donations Surpass A Quarter Million Meals
July 3, 2025
Local law enforcement and fire departments teamed up last week to fight hunger. During the 2025 Donut Strike for Manna, nine agencies across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties collected food and funds, raising the equivalent of 47,626 meals for hungry neighbors in need served by Manna Food Bank. This year’s event brings first responders’ total contributions since 2017 to more than a quarter million healthy meals for children and families in need.
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, Pensacola Police Department, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
“Local law enforcement and firefighters are not only our every-day heroes; they’re our hunger heroes too,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “Families are struggling to make ends meet this summer. Our first responders have generously answered the call to impact change for their neighbors in need.”
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters collect donations during the Donut Strike for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment on June 26. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Nine Mile Road Crash
July 3, 2025
A two-vehicle crash on Nine Mile Road on Tuesday night injured four people.
The crash happened at about 9 p.m. at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Airway Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 17-year-old female from Crestview was driving a black 2009 Volkswagen Beetle eastbound on Nine Mile Road when a white Toyota Corolla entered the intersection from Airway Drive, into the path of the Volkswagen. Troopers said the Beetle driver unsuccessfully attempted to swerve to avoid a collision.
The driver of the Corolla, a 26-year-old man from Pace, sustained serious injuries. Both drivers and two passengers were transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Partly Cloudy Tonight, Only A Tiny Chance Of Rain For The 4th
July 3, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Independence Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 91. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Escambia County, Century, ECUA Closures For Independence Day (Including Some On Thursday)
July 3, 2025
This is a list of government closures for the Independence Day holiday.
Escambia County
All offices will be closed on Friday, July 4.
Department of Health – Escambia County
All Florida Department of Health Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) offices will be closed on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
State Offices
All state offices will be closed on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4.
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Residential and Commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers will be collected one day later on Saturday, July 5.
Town of Century
All Town of Century offices will be closed on on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
Pitching Leads Wahoos To Twin Bill Split With Shuckers
July 3, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split a doubleheader Wednesday against the Biloxi Shuckers, powered by strong bullpen performances on each side as they strung together 16 innings of baseball at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos took game two in seven innings, beating the Shuckers 5-1 as excellent pitching paired with timely offense secured the win.
Pitchers Luis Palacios, Will Kempner (W, 1-1) and Evan Fitterer combined to allow only one run to a Shuckers offense that ranks towards the top of the Southern League in most categories.
“This group of pitchers is good,” Blue Wahoos catcher Spencer Bramwell said. “Working on attacking the zone, working on nasty pitches. The guys that came in tonight executed that well.”
Along with catching the dominant pitching performance in game two, Bramwell broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third, sending a hanging breaking pitch from Biloxi’s Alexander Cornielle (L, 3-4) on a 429-foot ride over the left field wall for his third round-tripper of 2025.
“[I] was just looking for a pitch to drive and get things going,” Bramwell said. “Leading off the inning, with the score still zero, zero. I was looking for a good pitch to drive and I got it.”
The offense continued in the frame, as Nathan Martorella picked up his 33rd RBI of the year on a single to center that allowed Shane Sasaki to score.
Biloxi got on the board in the fourth, scoring a run via sacrifice fly off the bat of Spain, marking his fourth RBI on the day for the Shuckers. Shortstop Johnny Olmstead saved a run to end the inning, ranging over behind second base to scoop up a groundball from Jhremy Vargas and nailing Vargas at first, preventing Spain from tying the game from third base.
That ended Palacios’ night on the mound, and it was a good one for the Blue Wahoos’ all-time wins leader. Over 4.0 innings, the left-handed swingman struck out three and allowed only one run while lowering his ERA to 3.63.
From there, the Wahoos’ pen held steady. Kempner tossed an inning while picking up two strikeouts, and Fitterer shut things down with two shutout innings.
Martorella added an insurance run for the Blue Wahoos in the fifth, driving a double down the right field line to score Cody Morissette and forcing Biloxi manager Joe Ayrault to turn to his bullpen for the first time in game two.
After bringing in right-hander Ryan Middendorf to take over for Cornielle, the Blue Wahoos offense continued to produce. Grant Richardson laced a single past the right side of second base, allowing Morissette to score. Richardson then helped allow Josh Zamora to score from third after getting caught in a rundown stealing second, giving the Blue Wahoos a 5-1 cushion on the way to the win.
The Blue Wahoos fell 10-4 to the Shuckers earlier in the afternoon, completing Tuesday’s suspended game. Biloxi’s offense, which started out red-hot with two runs in the first inning prior to being suspended due to rain, was firing on all cylinders.
After resuming down 2-0 in the bottom of the first on Wednesday, the Pensacola offense found something early as Morissette drew a bases-loaded walk against Zach Peek in the second, forcing in Ryan Ignoffo to put the Blue Wahoos on the board.
The Shuckers extended their lead in the third, as Cooper Pratt came around to score on a wild pitch, tagging Wahoos pitcher Jacob Miller for his first run of the outing.
Zamora, who served as the designated hitter for the Blue Wahoos in game one, picked up his sixth home run of the year in the third inning after turning on a fastball from Biloxi’s Will Childers to send it 375 feet out to left for their second run of the game.
Biloxi added a solo home run of their own in the top of the fifth as leadoff man Ethan Murray hit a solo shot to extend their lead. The Shuckers’ offense continued its success in the eighth, picking up three runs. Mike Boeve picked up his second RBI of the game as he hit a triple to centerfield with a low line-drive getting by a diving Shane Sasaki. Boeve later came around to score, as Spain singled to center to drive in two, extending Biloxi’s lead to 7-2.
The Blue Wahoos picked up two runs in the bottom of the eighth, as Morissette and Sasaki both drove in a run with sacrifice flies, but it was not enough as the Shuckers picked up three more in the ninth to pair with a clean ninth inning from Justin Yeager.
Miller provided length for the Blue Wahoos in his first relief appearance of the year, tossing 6.1 innings of five-run ball while striking out seven Shuckers. The right-hander took over for Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 4-3), who started the game on Tuesday night and threw the first inning while being tagged for two runs.
Right-hander Gabe Bierman made his Double-A debut in the ninth inning of game one, picking up two strikeouts in his first appearance at the level.
Zach Peek replaced Biloxi starter K.C. Hunt in the first inning to start the afternoon, beginning what turned into a bullpen game that saw six different pitchers throw for the Shuckers. Nate Peterson (W, 6-4) carried the bulk of the innings for Biloxi, with four innings of shutout ball while allowing only three baserunners.
The Blue Wahoos and Shuckers will square off for a game three rubber match of this mini-series on Thursday, as Pensacola will send out Robby Snelling (3-5, 3.74 ERA) to take on Brett Wichrowski (1-2, 2.45 ERA) for Biloxi. Thursday’s game will serve as the Wahoos’ warmup to the Fourth of July, with special jerseys and an Independence Day-themed post-game fireworks show.
GAME NOTABLES
— Wednesday featured the brief return of “Downtown Dave” Presnell, the ultra-popular in-game emcee who has not worked a game this year due to his job requirements. He will also be working on Thursday’s game, and is hoping to return in either late July or August.
— The Blue Wahoos have enjoyed good luck with weather, aside from Tuesday’s weather issues. The Blue Wahoos made it to the last homestand of 2024 on September 11, before a game was either suspended in play or postponed.
— Prior to the rain stoppage, Tuesday’s pregame activities featured 85 teams competing in this week’s USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) tournament in Pensacola. One of the teams was from Puerto Rico, and that team carried miniature flags from their country. Players from several different teams returned on their rain check ticket to attend Wednesday’s games.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Thursday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Cantonment Man Charged In Connection With $60,000 In Recovered Stolen Property From Several Counties
July 2, 2025
A Cantonment man is charged in connection with the alleged theft and recovery of property from four counties in Florida and Alabama.
Austin Devon Gillenwater, 33, was charged with grand theft auto and two felony counts of dealing in stolen property in Escambia County, Florida. He was also charged with receiving stolen property and four counts of drug possession in Baldwin County, Alabama, according to jail records.
Additional charges are possible.
Gillenwater was allegedly involved with $60,000 in stolen property from Escambia County in both Alabama and Florida, Santa Rosa County, and Baldwin County.
When a search warrant was served at his residence on River Annex Road, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office reported recovering property including a flatbed trailer, RV camper, fuel tank trailer, and multiple utility trailers. A Big Tex trailer that was recovered before it had been reported stolen in Escambia County, Alabama.
Owners of the recovered property were notified.
Gillenwater remains in the Escambia County (FL) Jail with bond set at $25,000