Breaks Go Biscuits’ Way As Wahoos Lose 7-2
August 9, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their fourth game in a row to the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday night, falling by a 7-2 final.
The game started in a promising fashion for the Blue Wahoos, who tagged Biscuits ace Brody Hopkins (W, 5-7) with two first-inning runs. With two on and two out, Cody Morissette hit a shallow fly to left field that was initially ruled a sliding catch by Noah Myers before being overturned as a two-run single.
Staked to a 2-0 lead, Blue Wahoos starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 6-6) surrendered a run to Montgomery in the bottom of the first. Colton Ledbetter led off with a single, was balked to second, and scored on a Cooper Kinney groundout to get the Biscuits on the board.
The 2-1 lead held until the bottom of the third, when the Biscuits scored six runs on only three hits. Homer Bush tied the game with an RBI infield single and Brayden Taylor gave the Biscuits a 3-2 lead with a two-out, bases-loaded walk. Tatem Levins then blasted a deep drive to right-center field that took an unusual bounce off the wall, caroming away from Blue Wahoos center fielder Colby Shade. By the time the ball was relayed home, Levins had circled the bases for a rare inside-the-park grand slam that put the Biscuits ahead 7-2.
The Pensacola bullpen, comprised of Jesse Bergin, Josh Ekness and Nigel Belgrave, combined for 4.0 scoreless innings of one-hit ball. But the Montgomery relievers were equally effective, keeping the Blue Wahoos off the scoreboard and handing the Biscuits their fourth win in a row.
With the series win, the Biscuits have clinched a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Blue Wahoos. Pensacola’s lead in the division race is now only 2.5 games.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Saturday.
Former Beulah Middle Teacher Gets 54 Years For Sex Crimes With Student
August 8, 2025
A former Beulah Middle School teacher was convicted on Thursday to 54 Years in state prison for sex crimes involving a student.
In early June, an Escambia Count yjury found 63-year-old Winston Hezekiah Foster guilty of two counts of lewd and lascivious battery and two counts of unlawful activity with certain minors. When he is sentenced in August, he faces up to 60 years in prison.
The State Attorney’s Office received a complaint from the victim who alleged Foster, her former middle school art teacher, had a sexual relationship with her from October of 2017 when she was 15 years old until September 2019 when she was 17 years old. She said Foster was her art teacher for sixth, seventh and eighth grade while she attended Woodham Middle School.
She told investigators that it was not uncommon for art students to visit Foster before school. She said Foster “started to be more forward with her and made comments that she thought were ‘weird’ for him to say,” according to an arrest warrant, before inviting her to do things outside of school. She said he invited her for sushi, and they went back to his house to eat. She said he kissed her, but that was it. In 2017, he allegedly took her to see a movie in about October 2017 before taking her to his house and having sex, the warrant obtained by NorthEscambia.com states.
“During the summer months, when Foster was off and his wife was at work, he would pick her up from her home and take her back to his house,” according to the warrant. The victim also alleged they had sex in a supply closet in his classroom at Woodham Middle School in 2017 and then at Beulah Middle School in 2018 and 2019. She also stated they had “virtual sex” through an app while Foster was in Houston visiting his very ill daughter.
According to school district documents, Foster was an art teacher at Beulah Middle School and previously at Woodham Middle School. His employment was later terminated.
Flomaton Police Warn Residents of Possible Rabid Fox Sightings
August 8, 2025
The Flomaton Police Department is alerting residents about possible sightings of a rabid gray fox.
FPD said they have received several reports of the possibly rabid fox in the area of Jackson and College streets, but there has been no confirmation of a rabid fox.
The department is encouraging residents to use caution outside and reporting any fox sightings to (51) 296-5811.
File photo.
Only A Slight Chance Of Showers Today, Otherwise, Mostly Sunny
August 8, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 86. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Reno’s Reptiles Visit The Library
August 8, 2025
Visitors had a chance to get up close and personal with slithering snakes, lizards, turtles, and spiders on Thursday morning at the Century Branch Library with Reno’s Reptiles.
There is on more opportunity to see Reno’s Reptiles at the Molino Library:
- Saturday at 1 p.m. in the old cafeteria (Take the sidewalk between the left side of the library and the Head Start building. The cafeteria is located behind Head Start.)
The event has free admission and is open to all ages.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves $200,000 Settlement In Century Woman’s Jail Death
August 8, 2025
Escambia County voted Thursday night to approve a $200,000 settlement in the death of a Century woman with special needs who died in the county jail in 2021.
The medical malpractice lawsuit was filed against Escambia County and West Florida Hospital. The lawsuit was filed in January 2024 by Melania Smith on behalf of her daughter, Alia Wardell, who died alone in jail in November 2021 after being discharged from the hospital into the Escambia County Jail.
The lawsuit alleged that both the hospital and the county failed to provide Wardell with life-saving medications for her diabetes and other serious conditions. According to the suit, a West Florida Hospital nurse reportedly noted concerns about discharging Wardell, stating she needed constant monitoring, and the patient herself had expressed fear of dying in jail. The hospital was accused of discharging Wardell in an “unsafe manner” and failing to inform the jail of her medical needs and medications, including Desmopressin and Hydrocortisone. West Florida Hospital has already reached a confidential settlement in the case.
The lawsuit further claimed that Escambia County EMTs and an LPN at the jail also failed to identify Wardell’s medical needs, including her prescriptions, and that she was not provided her medications.
Wardell had been admitted to West Florida Hospital on November 16, 2021, and was later charged with multiple counts of battery for allegedly attacking nurses. She was discharged on November 22 into the custody of Escambia County deputies. On November 28, she was found unresponsive in her jail cell and was pronounced dead at Baptist Hospital.
Escambia County’s $200,000 settlement to resolve all present and future claims and in exchange for a release and hold harmless agreement. The county has already paid a portion of the deductible and will be responsible for payment of the balance.
This is an update to a story we brought you earlier in the week.
Salzman To Host Distribution Saturday With Backpacks, School Supplies And Food Boxes
August 8, 2025
Rep. Michelle Salzman, in collaboration with Farm Share and a coalition of community sponsors and partners, will host the food distribution and backpack giveaway on Saturday, August 9 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.
Items to be distributed while supplies last include a Farm Share food box, a backpack full of supplies and lunch boxes.
The drive-thru event will be at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 North W Street, from 7:30 a.m. until. Vehicles can begin lining up at 6 a.m.
BOCC Approves $20K For Tate Baseball Field Artificial Turf Following Previous Northview Allocation
August 8, 2025
The Escambia County Commission is allocating $20,000 to the county school board for artificial turf infrastructure for the Tate High School Aggies baseball field. This funding will be provided through an interlocal agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and the school board.
The commission made an identical $20,000 allocation in October 2024 for the Northview High School Chiefs baseball field, and the turf was completed for the start of the 2025 baseball season (pictured above).
The commission approved both allocations from Commissioner Steven Barry’s District 5 Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) discretionary fund.
Pictured below: Artificial turf in place on the Northview High School baseball field in March for the Chiefs’ senior night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Bettered B Biscuits In Doubleheader Sweep
August 8, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were swept in a doubleheader by the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night, falling 2-1 in game one before dropping the nightcap by a 7-0 final.
Game one was a duel between Biscuits starter Jonny Cuevas and Blue Wahoos starter Dax Fulton (L, 5-8). Cuevas, the first man up in a scheduled bullpen game, allowed only two walks over 4.0 hitless innings as Fulton allowed only two balls hit out of the infield in his first 5.0 innings.
The Blue Wahoos broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth, turning a Fenwick Trimble double and Kemp Alderman double play grounder into a 1-0 lead against Biscuits reliever Ryan Shreve (W, 3-3).
Fulton, asked to protect the lead, allowed one-out singles to Homer Bush Jr. and Jadher Areinamo before Cooper Kinney blasted a go-ahead, two-run double off the top of the right field wall.
Though Will Kempner left two of Fulton’s runners in scoring position to avoid further damage, the Pensacola offense couldn’t muster a rally against Derrick Edington (S, 7) in their final chance to avoid a 2-1, seven-inning defeat.
In game two, TJ Nichols (W, 1-0) impressed in his Double-A debut for the Biscuits. The righty worked 6.0 scoreless innings, coaxing four double plays, in support of a Montgomery offensive outburst.
Bush circled the bases with a single, two steals and a throwing error for a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Jake Brooks (L, 0-1). Tatem Levins laced a two-run single in the fourth for a 3-0 Biscuits lead, and singles from Cooper Kinney and Gregory Barrios highlighted a four-run fifth that put the game out of reach for a 7-0 final.
The Biscuits were 11-for-11 in stolen bases on the doubleheader, highlighted by Bush’s six steals in a 5-for-7 evening.
In taking the first three games of this week’s series, the Biscuits have trimmed their deficit in the second half South Division race to 3.5 games behind the first-place Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday.
Cory Sylvester Odom
August 8, 2025
Mr. Cory Sylvester Odom, aged 47, sadly passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at his home. He was originally from Flomaton, Alabama, and had been living in Brewton, Alabama, for the last fifteen years. His presence in the community will be deeply missed.
He had a passion for the great outdoors, delighting in hunting and fishing whenever he could. As a skilled Pyrotechnician, he brought joy to many with his dazzling fireworks displays. Riding four-wheelers was one of his favorite pastimes, and he never missed a chance to cheer on Auburn football. In the evenings, he enjoyed relaxing with shows like NCIS and Tulsa King. Family meant everything to him, and he cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also loved getting his hands dirty, tinkering with motors, cars, and trucks, using his welding skills from years of experience in construction. Every moment spent doing what he loved brought him happiness.
He is preceded in death by his father, Sylvester Odom; sister, Becky Spears, grandchild, Noah Buckhault.
He is survived by his mother, Sandra Odom (Jim Meskill) of Flomaton, Alabama; wife, Dana Lianne Odom of Brewton, Alabama; four sons, Travis Odom, of Flomaton, Alabama, Trent Odom, of Century, Floirda, Logan Odom of Brewton, Alabama, and Braeden Odom of Brewton, Alabama; two daughters, Brooke (Shannon) Buckhault of Evergreen, Alabama and Alexis Odom of Brewton, Alabama; four sisters, Joyce Petty of Atmore, Alabama, Mary Edna (Doug) McKee of Meridian, Mississippi, Cindy Gordon of Flomaton, Alabama, Debbie (Robert) Cash of Flomaton, Alabama; grandchildren, Dawson Buckhault and Liam Buckhault.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes. Brother Jim Meskill officiating.
Burial will follow at Emmons Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 11, 2025 from 11:00 AM until service time at Petty Funeral Homes.
Pallbearers will be Brady Harris, Cole Harris, DeWayne Pugh, Chris Blackmon, Blake Godwin and Steven Powell.