Early Lead Slips Aways As Wahoos Fall To Trash Pandas
May 6, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were well-positioned to win their sixth game in a row on Tuesday night, but saw an early 6-0 lead vanish in a 9-6 loss to the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead against Rocket City starter Joel Hurtado, turning a leadoff error in the second inning into a 1-0 lead on a Dylan Jasso RBI single. They added another in the third inning on a Ryan Ignoffo RBI single, and capitalized on a two-out error in the fourth to score four unearned runs thanks to a three-run double from Dillon Lewis.
Staked to a 6-0 lead, Blue Wahoos pitcher Jacob Miller saw his dominant start come to a screeching halt in the fifth. A leadoff error from third baseman Ian Lewis Jr. opened the door for a three-run frame, as Nick Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly, Harold Coll hit an RBI double, and Wade Meckler hit an RBI single. Tucker Flint made a bid for a game-tying hit, but Blue Wahoos left fielder Brendan Jones made a diving catch to leave the bases loaded and preserve a 6-3 edge.
Rocket City got a run back in the sixth on a Matthew Lugo triple and Rodriguez groundout, and took the lead in the seventh. After reliever Kade Bragg (L, 1-1) hit Lugo to load the bases with two outs, Rodriguez lashed a three-run triple to right-center field off Nigel Belgrave for a 7-6 lead. Rodriguez scored on a passed ball to extend the Rocket City lead to 8-6.
Gustavo Campero tacked on insurance with a solo homer in the ninth that the Blue Wahoos contended was foul down the right field line. The Trash Pandas bullpen, led by 2.1 scoreless innings from Lucas Mahlstedt (W, 1-0) and a lockdown ninth from Kenyon Yovan (S, 3), held the Blue Wahoos to just one hit over the final five innings.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Wednesday morning with an Education Day matchup. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.
written by Erik Bremer
PensaKeyla! Pensacola’s Keyla Richardson Makes American Idol Top 3
May 5, 2026
Pensacola’s Keyla Richardson has reached the top 3 on American Idol, which means Keyla Fest is on for Wednesday.
Monday night, Richardson performed Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep – Mountain High” and Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City.”
“Ms. PensaKeyla” is how host Ryan Seacrest announced her in the top 3.
Now, the free Keyla Fest is on for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hunter Amphitheater, just behind the Blue Wahoos Stadium. The amphitheater tickets are all gone, but as of late Monday night, free tickets were still available for overflow seating inside Wahoos Stadium:
https://www.milb.com/pensacola/tickets/americanidol
Richardson is joined in the top 3 with Hannah Harper and Jordan McCullough. The winner we will be named live on Monday, May 11, locally on WEAR 3.
More details will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com.
Photos: Disney/Eric McCandless
Tonight: North Escambia Community Forum With FDOT On Transportation Issues
May 5, 2026
Tonight at the Molino Community Center, state and local officials will gather with residents for a follow-up forum on North Escambia’s transportation and infrastructure future.
The Community Information Forum, hosted by State Representative Michelle Salzman and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), begins at 5:30 p.m. It is designed to provide updated project timelines and address growth concerns following a heavily attended session in January.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, ECUA Representative Kevin Stephens, and Century Mayor Ben Boutwell are also expected to participate.
Residents attending the forum will have the opportunity to receive updates on ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, ask questions directly to agency representatives, and provide feedback on local transportation needs. The event is intended to foster open communication between the community and public officials as efforts continue to address growth, mobility, and roadway improvements in the North Escambia area.
The meeting will be held from 5:30 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at the Molino Community Center at 6450A Highway 95A.
Pictured: A January 2026 community meeting at the Molino Community center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman, Working As Daycare Director, Charged With Failing To Report Child Abuse
May 5, 2026
A Cantonment woman, director of a Pensacola daycare, has been charged with failing to report the suspected abuse of two children.
Teanesha Latoria Woods, 40, was charged with felony failing to report suspected child abuse. She was released on a $3,000 bond. According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, she was director of Children’s Pointe Learning Academy in Escambia County, where two allegedly abused children attended.
“What we found out was that on three different occasions, abuse was suspected, it was documented and even photographed,” Simmons said. “Unfortunately, Ms. Woods did not report this suspected abuse to the DCF hotline as required by law.”
Woods’ arrest follows the arrest of Dynisha Blunt and Etantania Williams on April 27 for child neglect with great bodily harm of a child they fostered.
Blunt and Williams were suspected of abusing a 3-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl in their co-parenting foster care. Blunt took the 3-year-old to a local hospital with serious injuries.
“Blunt brought the child to West Florida Hospital suffering from life-threatening injuries to the head and face, consistent with severe abuse,” the ECSO said. “As hospital staff initiated an investigation, Blunt removed the child from the hospital and fled the area. The child was located a short time later and received medical treatment.”
Blunt’s arrest report alleged the following injuries:
Injuries for Victim 1
- Bruising to the right temple and cheek
- Abrasions on his mouth and chin
- Bruising on the back right of his head, and also missing hair
- Bruising on left ear, left temple, and along his spine
- Abrasions on his right shoulder and the right side of his back
- Bruising on the left side of his chest
- Abrasions and bruising along his left arm and left abdomen
- Bi-lateral knee bruising
- Abrasions on his right ankle
- Bi-lateral burns to his buttocks
- Abrasions to his right thigh
- Bi-lateral abrasions to his feet
- Swelling to the right of his head, caused by a hematoma
- Believed to be malnourished
Injuries for Victim 2
- Bruising to the left front forehead
- Bruising to her right cheek
- Bruising to her right upper arm
- Bruising to her left shoulder
- Bruising to her left hand
- Bruising to her fingers on her left hand
- Bruising on both thighs and lower legs
- Bruising on her right foot
- Bruising on her buttocks
- Bruising on her right axillary (armpit)
- A torn frenulum
- Laceration on her lower lip
“The medical team in the room stated that it looks like he has not eaten in days with the way that he has been eating,” the arrest report states about one child.
Escambia County Man Indicted On Federal Fentanyl, Meth Charges After Undercover Sting
May 5, 2026
An Escambia County man has been indicted on federal drug distribution charges after allegedly selling drugs to an undercover law enforcement officer.
Kamron Jasmane Fountain, 22, was indicted on three counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
Fountain allegedly sold a large quantity of fentanyl, along with methamphetamine and marijuana to the undercover Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy in January.
His trial is scheduled for June 22 at the federal courthouse in Pensacola.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
Fountain remains in jail without bond.
Century Utility Customers Receiving Dramatically Higher Bills After Rate Hikes
May 5, 2026
The first utility bills with new, dramatically increased rates are arriving for Town of Century customers, and many residents are not happy.
In April, the town council voted to nearly double the cost of water usage, alongside smaller increases for wastewater to keep the system financially viable.
In addition, the town had to replace water meters, many of which were 25 or more years old. That, according to Town Administrator Dave Murzin, means more accurate usage readings because decades-old meters tend to under-record usage.
Effective April 1, the base rate for 2,000 gallons of water nearly doubled from $13.59 to $26.64. Usage tiers over 2,000 gallons a month almost doubled for up to 5,000 gallons (from $2.59 to $5.08) with other increases for additional usage. Wastewater rates increased from $16.94 to $17.79 for 2,000 gallons, plus additional usage fees above 2,000 gallons.
The utility bills arriving the past few days are the first billing cycle to reflect the new rates.
And the bills also include a recent garbage rate hike of $10.47 per month that went into effect a few months ago.
All of it adds up to a new base bill of $82.94 now for water, sewer and garbage for a customer using 2,000 gallons and with one garbage can.
Northview Lady Chiefs Look For Regional Semifinal Win Tonight
May 5, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs open regional semifinal play this evening at Northview.
The Chiefs will take on the Holmes County Blue Devils in a game that was rescheduled from Thursday to Tuesday, due to a high chance of rain currently in the forecast for Thursday. Ranked No. 1, Northview (18-5) will host No. 4 Holmes County (8-16) at 6 p.m.
The regional finals are still scheduled for Tuesday, May 12. With a semifinal win, Northview will face the winner of the game between No. 2 Chipley (19-4) and No. 3 Jay (11-12).
The state Rural semifinal is May 19, followed by the state championship on May 20, at Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Warm And Mostly Sunny Today; Rain By Thursday
May 5, 2026
North Escambia will enjoy a warm and breezy start to the week as temperatures climb toward the mid-80s under partly sunny skies. The calm weather shifts mid-week as a frontal system approaches, bringing a significant 80% chance of rain and thunderstorms by Thursday. Unsettled conditions will linger through Friday and into the weekend, with scattered showers remaining a possibility through Monday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a chance of showers between 1am and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 79. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 60. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 76. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
Century Leaders Make Personal Donations to Northview Construction Academy For Town Bat Houses
May 5, 2026
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell and Town Administrator Dave Murzin made personal donations on Monday to the Northview High School Building Construction Academy for bat houses constructed for the town.
In early April, the town installed 30 bat houses constructed by students in the Northview academy to provide a safe habitat for local bats, which have been causing issues and risking damage to municipal equipment.
There was no cost to the town for the bat house project. Gibbs Equipment of Cantonment installed donated poles for the bat houses across the town at no cost
“It’s great to see our community come together on a project like this,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said recenthly. “From our students to our partners, this effort shows what we can accomplish when we work together to make Century a better place to live.”
The bat houses will be located at the Century Town Hall, Showalter Park, Nadine McCaw Park, McMurray Park, Century Business Center, and the Century Wastewater Treatment plant.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Walnut Hill Man Charged After Tossing Meth During Traffic Stop
May 4, 2026
A Walnut Hill man was arrested after allegedly throwing meth from a vehicle during a traffic stop.
Anthony Michael Williams, 53, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) without a prescription, felony tampering with evidence, driving while license suspended, and failing to register a motor vehicle. He was also issued a citation for the open container. Williams was was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,500 bond.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a blue Honda Odyssey with no tag traveling on Nokomis Road.
When the deputy activated their lights and sirens, he witnessed the driver throw a bag of white powder out of the window as he came to a stop in a driveway on Nokomis Road, about a quarter mile east of Highway 97, according to an arrest report.
Williams was detained after deputies recovered a bag, which contained 0.7 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine
Investigators also located two open containers of alcohol in the vehicle’s cupholder.
A records check revealed Williams’ license had been suspended since May 2022 and the vehicle was not registered.