Wahoos Finish Season with Flourish, Crush Clingstones 12-1
September 15, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos missed out on the playoffs this year, but still managed to end their season Sunday with a pair of impressive feats.
In a lineup full of recently-added players, many of whom are likely to return in 2026, the Blue Wahoos produced an emphatic 12-1 victory against the Columbus Clingstones in the season-finale at Blue Wahoos Stadium, thus extending an impressive streak of nine years without a losing season.
They did it by winning the final three games, taking the series (4-2) against Columbus and ending with a winning second-half record of 35-34 and 69-69 overall.
The significance gets ramped up when considering Pensacola has attained this many consecutive, non-losing seasons, across three different affiliations – the past five years with the Miami Marlins.
Also, the Blue Wahoos went through 66 different players this season. Only four players on Sunday’s roster began the season with the ballclub in April.
“We’ve been talking to the guys about playing for something every day,” said Blue Wahoos manager Nelson Prada, who completed his first year as a Double-A level manager. “I told the guys (earlier in week) we have goals to reach…200 stolen bases, play for .500 (overall record), win this series.
“For me, the whole year was great, because we’ve kept the guys ready to play every day.”
The Blue Wahoos also reached an ambitious goal of 200 stolen bases this season when shortstop Payton Green took second in the first inning. That mark blew past the team’s previous stolen base record of 168, set in 2022.
Green’s steal followed a 3-run homer by second baseman Jay Beshears in the first inning.
What a day this became for Beshears, who joined the team on Sept. 1 from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Marlins’ High-A affiliate in Beloit, Wisc.
He had his best game with the Blue Wahoos, going 4-for-5 at the plate with five RBI. He just missed hitting for the cycle when his deep drive in the left-center gap to lead off the seventh inning was snared on a terrific catch by the Clingstones’ centerfielder Patrick Clohisy.
After getting eliminated from playoff contention more than a week ago, the Blue Wahoos played their final series like a team on a mission.
They won the first game Tuesday, dropped the next two in one-run decisions, then swept the three weekend games against Columbus by a combined 22-4 score.
The Clingstones, the Atlanta Braves’ new affiliate, finished 58-77 overall. The Braves moved from being the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, Miss., their location for the previous 20 years.
The Blue Wahoos blew open Sunday’s game by scoring three more runs in the fourth inning, then producing six runs in the seventh and eighth.
In the fourth, catcher Sam Praytor singled and later scored on a wild pitch. Eric Rataczak finished the rally with a 2-run single.
In the seventh, Emaarion Boyd hit a 2-run homer, his first with the Blue Wahoos. Beshears followed in the eighth inning with a 2-run double and Green capped off the day with a 2-run homer.
Most of the among the crowd of 3,200 stayed until the final out was recorded. A large group of children ran the bases as part of the customary Family Sunday promotion. Families then tossed soft baseballs in left field as Marcus Pointe Baptist Church held an open-to-all baptism ceremony behind home plate.
The Blue Wahoos used five pitchers in the finale, led by starter Alex Williams who earned the win and finished 5-4 this season. Following the game, many of the players loaded their cars and began to travel to their hometowns.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHAT: Blue Wahoos 2026 Season Opener.
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: April 3, 2026, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Florida Gas Prices Fall, AAA Says
September 15, 2025
Florida drivers are enjoying a steady decline at the pump as the state average for regular unleaded gasoline continues its downward trend. According to AAA, Florida’s average gas price fell to $2.95 per gallon on Sunday, marking the 10th consecutive day of declines and a total discount of 20 cents.
Sundays state average price of $2.95 is 15 cents less than a week ago.
In Escambia County, the average per gallon price on Sunday was $2.86. A low price of $2.61 was available on West Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, the lowest price was $2.79 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“This is a welcome relief for Floridians after a summer of fluctuating prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As we transition into fall, lower fuel demand and the switch to winter-blend gasoline can help ease prices.”
Kathy Lynn (Hadley) Cooper
September 15, 2025
Kathy Lynn (Hadley) Cooper, 69, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at her home in Cantonment, FL.
Kathy was born on December 16, 1955, in Atmore, AL to the late Marion “Big Boy” Hadley and Gloria Jeanette Morris Glover. She was a devoted employee of Escambia County School District. Her greatest joy was her family especially all who called her “Nana”. She loved them fiercely. She was a pillar of strength and wisdom to all of her loved ones. She was a warrior that bravely battled cancer with unwavering hope, perseverance, courage, and resilience for nearly 9 years.
Kathy is preceded in death by her grandmother, Lois Gohagin, brothers-in-law, Don Schmidt and Scott Stevens.
Survivors include her loving spouse, Rick Cooper of Cantonment, FL; daughter, Jennifer (Russell) Smith of Covington, LA; son, Josh (Holly) Ray of Cantonment, FL; mother, Gloria Jeanette Morris Glover; daughter in love, Diana (Cody) Crooks of Pensacola, FL; sisters, Susan (Mike) Stiles of Opelika, AL and Angela Stevens of Pensacola, FL; stepmother, Jewel Hadley; stepchildren, Kelly Bunch, Ashley Cooper, and Bryant Cooper; sisters-in-law, Linda Jernigan & Gloria Brantley; brothers-in-law, Shannon & Buddy Cooper; numerous nieces, nephews and friends that she loved dearly.
Those that called her “Nana”: Gracie and Eli Smith, Brooklyn “Izzy” Ray, Haleigh Dove, Haley Marie Smeltzer, Hannah and Kennedy Tilley, Eric Crooks, Ella and Liam Lee, Madi Duncan, Sutton Snyder.
A Visitation will be held from 10:00am until a Funeral Service begins at 11:00am Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32504, with Pastor Julian Walker officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00pm in Oak Hill Cemetery, Atmore, AL.
Active Pallbearers will be Russell Smith, Eli Smith, Ron Moore, Shannon Cooper, Robbie McLaney, and Jessy Martin.
Honorary Pallbearers are Mike Stiles and Buddy Cooper.
Emmett Otto Nall Jr.
September 15, 2025
Mr. Emmett Otto Nall Jr., age 82, passed away Friday, September 12, 2025.
Mr. Nall has lived in the McDavid community for more than 30 years coming from Brewton, AL. He loved being outside on his property looking around and enjoying nature. Mr. Nall loved attending his church. He is preceded in death by his parents – Emmett Nall Sr. and Dorothy Russell; one brother – John Nall.
He is survived by his two sons – Wayne (Sandra) Nall of East Brewton and Larry (Rhonda) Nall of Brewton; one daughter – Cynthia Nall of Brewton; one brother – Michael Nall of McDavid, FL., and a sister – June (Glenn) Hughes of Cantonment, FL.; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Graveside funeral service will be Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11:00AM at Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church with Bro. Joey Johnson officiating with Craver’s Funeral Home directing.
Cottage Hill Man With Four Prior DUI Convictions Arrested For DUI By FHP
September 14, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol charged a Cottage Hill man with four previous DUI convictions after finding him allegedly asleep behind the wheel on Pine Forest Road near Blue Angel Parkway.
Brian William Parsons, 47, was charged with DUI fourth or subsequent offense, refusal to submit to a DUI test after a license suspension, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, possession of drug paraphernalia and an open container violation.
According to an FHP report, a trooper found him stopped at a green light in a southbound lane of Pine Forest Road, slumped over the wheel. After the trooper woke him, he said he was tired after working all night. FHP said he refused to provide a breath sample.
In his vehicle, troopers located a glass pipe with residue that tested positive for methamphetamine and an open can of Busch beer, according to an arrest report.
According to FHP, Parsons had two previous DUI convictions in Georgia, one in Wyoming and one in Escambia County, Florida, along with an Escambia County conviction for refusal to submit to a DUI test.
Parsons was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,500 bond.
Hot, Dry Days Ahead All This Week
September 14, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Flomaton Man Arrested In Century For Concealed Brass Knuckles
September 14, 2025
A Flomaton man was arrested in Century on weapons charges for brass knuckles.
Cody Alexander Leverette, 27, was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of loitering or prowling.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7600 block of Mayo Street for a suspicious person complaint. Deputies circulated the area, locating Leverette walking in a wooded area between Lodge Street and Alger Road before he scaled a six-foot tall privacy fence in the backyard of a home on Lodge Street. Deputies located him under a trailer, according to an arrest report.
When Leverette was searched, deputies reported finding a pocket knife, a short fixed blade knife, and two pairs of brass knuckles that were hidden between his pants and underwear.
The homeowner declined to press charges against Leverette for entering his property by scaling the privacy fence.
The report states Leverette has a previous felony conviction in Mississippi.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond Sunday morning due to a violation of probation charge in a previous weapon case.
UWF Center For Cybersecurity Awarded $2 Million Grant To Expand Training
September 14, 2025
The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity has been awarded a $2 million grant to expand the UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program, a statewide initiative that provides free cybersecurity education for eligible Florida government personnel. The program is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Cyber Florida: FirstLine initiative.
“This program will equip Florida’s government workforce with the latest knowledge and skills to defend against evolving cyber threats,” said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president at the UWF Center for Cybersecurity. “By integrating AI and emerging technologies, we’re not just meeting today’s challenges, we’re building stronger, smarter defenses and strengthening Florida’s cyber resilience.”
The free training program is open to state, county, city, K-12, higher education, tribal and territorial government personnel. By expanding course offerings, the program supports Florida’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity readiness at all levels of government.
“This investment in cybersecurity training is vital to protecting Florida’s infrastructure and communities,” said UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. “Through this program, UWF continues to play a leading role in building a highly skilled cyber workforce and serving as a catalyst for innovation and resilience in our state.”
From September 2025 through June 2026, the Center will launch 41 new online courses designed to strengthen Florida’s cyber workforce and help protect critical state and local systems from cyber threats. The expanded schedule introduces new industry certification prep courses, advanced technical training and interactive one-day cyber skills exercises with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity.
Escambia Man Gets Federal Prison For Possessing Stolen Mail
September 14, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to federal prison for mail theft.
Rashaad Tariq Lee, 31, was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of stolen mail and means of identification.
On February 22, 2024, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a residential search warrant at an apartment Lee resided at and obtained through fraud, utilizing a senior citizen’s identity. Law enforcement located stolen mail, counterfeiting tools, and identification for individuals’ including driver’s licenses, social security cards, stolen and counterfeit checks. Investigators identified 71 additional victims based on the items located and seized from the residence.
“I truly appreciate the outstanding investigative work by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service that put an end to this offender’s fraud and theft schemes,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin said. “Mail theft and identity theft has a devastating impact on the victims of such crimes, and my office will aggressively pursue prosecutions to ensure offenders face maximum consequences for the harm they have caused.”
“This prosecution sends the message that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be held accountable,” said Acting Inspector in Charge, Bladismir Rojo, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The Postal Inspection Service will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue criminals who victimize postal customers.”
“Teamwork delivers results,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. “Through our partnership with the US Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, a suspect in a stolen mail and ID case has been sentenced to 25 months. If you steal from our community, you will face justice.”
Lee’s imprisonment will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration.
The case was investigated jointly by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Slow Down Construction Spots
September 14, 2025
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 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 98 – The week of Sunday, Sept. 14, drivers will encounter an outside lane closure on the I-10 westbound ramp to access I-110 southbound (Exit 12). Crews will be performing drainage improvements on I-110 southbound near mile marker 6.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 18, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Sept. 14, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Sept. 14, drivers traveling S.R. 292 from Gulf Beach Highway (County Road (C.R.) 292A east) to Manchester Street may encounter nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing work. Additionally, a new traffic configuration will be implemented on S.R. 292, between Mills Avenue and Patton Drive, all lanes will shift south. Signage will be in place to guide drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 18, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I-110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, Sept. 14, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for stormwater management upgrades. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 18, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for concrete work and shoulder stabilization operations.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Sept. 14 through Friday, Sept. 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions from Sunday, Sept. 14 through Friday, Sept. 19:
- I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance between North Palafox and North Spring Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures Wednesday, Sept. 17 through Friday, Sept. 19 for routine underground utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Next week, drivers may encounter the following disruptions between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, Sept. 15 through Friday, Sept. 19.
- East River Boat Ramp Road will be reduced to one lane, Monday, Sept. 15. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
o Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
o Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Sept. 14 through Friday, Sept. 19.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.