Brendan Jones’ Two Homers Not Enough In Series Finale
May 18, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the series finale against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday by a final score of 5-3 at Erlanger Park.
The Wahoos struck first in the third, when leadoff hitter Brendan Jones smacked his 5th home run of the year over the wall in right field off of Lookouts starter Javi Rivera. That 1-0 lead would quickly be matched though, when back-to-back doubles from Dominic Pitelli and Carlos Jorge would knot things up at 1-1 in the bottom of the third.
That score would remain until the 5th, when Jones would repeat his success from his first at-bat, knocking out his second homer of the game and his 6th of the season to put Pensacola back on top with a 2-1 score. They would add one more in the 6th, when Ian Lewis Jr. would be awarded home on a balk from Lookouts reliever Johnathan Harmon (W, 4-1) and extend their lead to 3-1.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Moreno would pitch 5.0 complete innings, allowing just 2 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, and striking out 4. He would first be relieved by Jack Sellinger (BS, 1) who would pitch the next 1.2 innings and surrender the lead. Chattanooga would cut the lead to 3-2 on a Leo Balcazar longball. An inning later, they would tie things up when Austin Hendrick would follow up a Shane Sasaki triple with a run scoring single to make it a 3-3 game.
The Lookouts would deal the deciding blows off Logan Whitaker (L, 2-2) in the bottom of the 8th after Balcazar would lead things off with a double and Cam Collier would follow up with a double of his own, scoring Balcazar and bringing the score to 4-3. A Shane Sasaki RBI single later, Chattanooga had a 5-3 lead, and would hold onto it for a three up, three down 9th.
The Lookouts only used two pitchers, with Rivera going the first 4.0 and Harmon going the final 5.0. Pensacola still ended up with a series victory, taking 4 of the 6 games played and hitting 13 home runs while doing so.
The Blue Wahoos begin their home series against the Clingstones on Tuesday.
written by Charlie Hobert
Multi-Million Dollar Safety Overhaul Slated For Highway 95A, Quintette Road Intersection
May 17, 2026
A dangerously misaligned North Escambia intersection is finally getting a multi-million dollar safety makeover with funding now finalized.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has approved a state-funded grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), securing $850,000 in Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) funding to overhaul the intersection of Highway 95A and Quintette Road.
The intersection is a high-traffic hub, particularly for heavy commercial vehicles. According to recent FDOT traffic counts, Highway 95A just south of the intersection sees an annual average daily traffic volume of 9,700 vehicles, while East Quintette Road carries 5,700 vehicles daily.
Public-Private Funding Realizes Project
Because there is no available right-of-way to shift the intersection on the western side, engineering plans call for a major northerly shift on the eastern side, which boasts an accommodating 100-foot wide right-of-way.
The total cost for the construction improvements stands at $2.375 million, realized through a unique mix of public and private funding that includes $850,000 from the FDOT TRIP Grant, $1,275 million in Escambia County Local Option Sales Tax Transportation and Drainage funds, and a $250,000 private contribution from Circle K.
A summer 2023 warrant study confirmed that a traffic signal was justified at the location even before the planned addition of a new Circle K convenience store and fueling station on the northeast corner. As part of a separate agreement approved in February 2025, Circle K contributed a quarter-million dollars toward the intersection upgrades.
In addition to the new alignment and traffic signal, a new westbound right-turn lane will be constructed on Quintette Road. This addition is specifically designed to alleviate severe traffic backups caused by heavy logging trucks slowing down to turn onto Highway 95A.
Next Steps
The project is currently at the 30% design phase. With the BOCC’s recent approval, Escambia County Engineering staff will transmit the executed agreement and authorizing resolution back to FDOT to finalize the funding. A timeline for the intersection construction work has not been announced.
NorthEscambia.com photo and graphics, click to enlarge.
Dedria’s Gift Awards Annual Scholarships To Three High School Graduates
May 17, 2026
Dedria’s Gift recently presented 3 Flomaton High School graduates with scholarships.
The recipients were Ja-Ni’Yah Thomas, Ava Flores, and Noah Flores.
Dedria’s Gift honors the memory of 11-year-old Dedria Robinson, who was killed in a 2005 automobile accident. Her parents, Reginald and Rita Robinson, established Dedria’s Gift to keep her memory alive.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Expands School Guardian Program To Colleges, Universities
May 17, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a school safety bill allowing armed, trained guardians on college and university campuses in Florida.
The bill was sponsored by members of the local Northwest Florida delegation, Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Don Gaetz.
“We’ve made historic strides to implement school safety measures that are working to protect our schools. Today, I was proud to build on these efforts by signing HB 757, which enhances campus security requirements and best practices at our colleges and universities throughout Florida,” DeSantis said Friday. “We can have the highest academic standards, the strongest workforce programs, and the most innovative pathways for students, but must also continue our focus on the safety of our students and educators.”
“Sadly but undeniably, institutions of learning have become targets of violence in our state and other states,” Gaetz said. “As parents and grandparents, we want our students to be safe and secure when they are on campus. This legislation ensures our institutions will use common sense safeguards as well as high-tech systems to prevent violence where possible and respond quickly and effectively when needed.”
“I’m very grateful for Representative Salzman’s sponsorship of the House companion and for her effective advocacy of the bill,” Gaetz added.
The bill:
- Expands participation in the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program to include Florida’s public postsecondary institutions.
- Strengthens protections near schools by creating a second-degree felony charge for discharging a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.
- Requires public postsecondary institutions to develop active assailant response plans, threat management teams to identify and address potential safety risks, and family reunification procedures in the event of an emergency.
- The Guardian Program was created in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The program allows trained individuals to serve as armed guardians on school campuses to deter and respond to active assailant incidents. Under the program, guardians must undergo extensive screening and training requirements provided by local sheriffs’ offices, including psychological evaluations, drug screenings, and at least 144 hours of rigorous training.
“Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has set the national standard for school safety, and House Bill 757 builds on that strong foundation by extending critical protections to our state colleges and universities,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “By extending the Guardian Program to higher education institutions, we are equipping campuses with additional tools to help safeguard students and professors. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment, and this legislation reinforces Florida’s unwavering commitment to protect our schools.”
Pictured: Guardians train for positions in Escambia County Public Schools prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Senior And Intermediate Teams Win State Meat Judging Contest
May 17, 2026
Escambia County 4-H brought home a double victory from the 2026 Florida State 4-H Meat Judging Contest, securing first place finishes in both the intermediate and senior divisions.
The state competition, held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, challenged participants across several rigorous categories. Competitors were required to identify forty retail meat cuts, evaluate and place retail, primal, and carcass classes, deliver oral reasons, and complete a comprehensive written test.
In addition to the team victories, Escambia County members dominated the individual standings. Charli McClendon earned the title of Senior High Individual, while Rhett Harcourt was named the Intermediate High Individual, making them the top-ranked meat judging 4-H members in the state of Florida.
Other notable individual performances in the senior division included Tucker Padgett in second place, A.T. Bridgers in fourth place, and Andrew Wiggins in fifth place. In the intermediate division, Mallory Mahoney secured second place and Ella Gilmore took third place, while Rahlina Dodson finished in sixth place.
The senior team—comprising Bridgers, McClendon, Padgett, and Wiggins—previously competed at the Western National Roundup in Denver in January 2026. Following their state success, they have now qualified to represent Florida at the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest this coming October. This national event will take place at Kansas State University, with the formal awards ceremony hosted at the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sponsored locally by the UF/IFAS Extension, the 4-H meat judging program is designed to develop critical life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb. Participants learn to evaluate retail identification, factors affecting meat quality, and various cooking methods, gaining a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind nutritional value and consumer appeal.
According to organizers, the program also emphasizes foundational life skills, including effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and teamwork.
Warm And Mostly Sunny Early Week; Slight Rain Chances Return By Wednesday
May 17, 2026
The first few days of the week will feature mostly sunny skies with highs pushing into the upper 80s and overnight lows in the high 60s, along with a few instances of late-night and early-morning patchy fog. By Wednesday afternoon, a localized chance of showers and thunderstorms returns, gradually ramping up each day. The highest likelihood for rain arrives on Saturday, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms to the area.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Light east wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
BRACE CEO Dr. Nick Jackson Elected Treasurer For Florida Disaster Organization
May 17, 2026
Dr. Nick Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE), has been elected Treasurer of Florida VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).
The statewide coalition brings together nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations to streamline disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across Florida.
Jackson’s election provides Northwest Florida with a direct voice in statewide coordination ahead of the upcoming hurricane season, according to BRACE. In his new role, he will oversee financial management and help strengthen strategic partnerships and communication between local recovery networks in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and broader state agencies.
“Serving in this leadership role allows us to bring the perspectives and needs of our region into statewide conversations,” Jackson said, emphasizing that strong recovery relies on coordination built long before a storm enters the Gulf.
BRACE continues to lead local emergency volunteer and donation efforts while managing long-term recovery groups across the region.
Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Holds Annual Banquet
May 17, 2026
The annual Ernest Ward Middle School FFA banquet was held Friday evening at the school.
The FFA recognized outstanding members, incoming and outgoing officers, and presented several recognitions.
Photos courtesy of NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Senior Alyssa Clarke Signs With Coastal Alabama Cheer
May 17, 2026
Tate High School seniorAlyssa Clarke has officially signed to continue her cheerleading career at Coastal Alabama Community College.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Milbrandt Marvelous As Wahoos Return To .500 With 6-2 Win
May 17, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got another dominant start from top prospect Karson Milbrandt and secured a series win over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Saturday night, hitting three homers and cruising to a 6-2 victory.
Milbrandt (W, 3-1) tied a career high with 11 strikeouts over 6.0 scoreless, three-hit innings. He extended his scoreless streak to 17.0 consecutive innings dating back to May 2, and lowered his Southern League-leading ERA to 1.24.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos improved to 19-19 and returned to the .500 mark for the first time since Opening Day. They kept pace with first-place Columbus in the South Division race, and trail by only 0.5 games with 31 games to play in the first half.
Fenwick Trimble gave Milbrandt an early lead, hitting a three-run homer against Lookouts starter Easton Sikorski (L, 0-1) just three batters into the game. Garret Forrester hit a second-inning solo homer in his first at-bat since coming off the injured list, and Brendan Jones followed with an RBI triple for a 5-0 lead through two innings.
Jay Beshears added a solo homer in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 6-0. The Lookouts threatened with a pair of two-out singles in the bottom of the sixth, but Milbrandt fanned Chattanooga’s Cam Collier in a battle of two top prospects to finish 6.0 innings for the fourth start in a row and tie a professional career high of 11 strikeouts previously set in the Midwest League in 2025.
The Lookouts hit back-to-back doubles in the seventh, and Ruben Ibarra hit a solo homer in the ninth, but Pensacola relievers Nigel Belgrave and Kade Bragg recorded the final nine outs to give the Blue Wahoos their fourth win in five games against the team with the Southern League’s best record.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Lookouts on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer