Ignoffo Ignites Offense In 5-4 Blue Wahoos Win
June 7, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts by a final score of 5-4 on Saturday night. The Blue Wahoos seemed to stay one foot ahead of the Lookouts throughout the game, capitalizing on timely swings and stellar defense.
The Blue Wahoos (28-28) are back at .500 after snapping a three-game losing streak to the Lookouts (30-26) thanks to early and consistent bat pressure. Chattanooga still holds the 3-2 edge in the series, giving Pensacola an opportunity to tie it with tomorrow’s finale.
Ryan Ignoffo, playing his second straight game behind the dish, ignited the offense early with a scorching triple into deep right field to score two runs. The three-bagger was Ignoffo’s third of the season and the seventh of his four-year career.
Defensively, Ignoffo was a force to be reckoned with behind the plate. He threw out Chattanooga’s stolen bases leader Carlos Jorge at second base in the first inning and caught the swift-footed Jay Allen II in the sixth at the same bag.
Pensacola plated five runs on nine hits, drawing five walks. Including Ignoffo, four different Blue Wahoos recorded two hits each: Dillon Lewis posted a 2-for-3 night at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored, while Dylan Jasso reached in all four of his plate appearances, going 2-for-2 and drawing two walks while also scoring a run. Emaarion Boyd laid down two perfect bunts in his 2-for-3 performance and contributed a run.
The seemingly omnipresent glove of Allen wasn’t able to snag a two-out triple into right field from Ignoffo, and the previously-walked pair of Aiva Arquette and Lewis hustled home to give the Blue Wahoos an early lead.
Pensacola extended their lead in the fourth inning as a Juan Matheus sacrifice fly into deep center scored Jasso from third. Lewis later punched a single into shallow left field to send Boyd flying home from second base, giving the Wahoos their largest lead of the series at 4-0. Chattanooga starter Javier Rivera (L, 0-3) would exit after the damaging fourth and ultimately suffer the loss, having given up five hits, four runs and three walks.
The Lookouts got one back in the top of the fifth on a towering solo home run from Ruben Ibarra. They would tack on two more in the sixth on a two-RBI single by Allen, cutting the deficit down to a single run, 4-3.
It wouldn’t take long for the Blue Wahoos to respond however, as Lewis launched a triple to the warning track in center to kick off the bottom of the seventh. A Cristian Hernandez sacrifice liner into left gave Lewis space to tag up and take home to reinstate the two-run lead.
Chattanooga answered in the top of the eighth with a deep sacrifice fly into right from Allen to score Jorge, who touched home moments before the Blue Wahoos executed an inning-ending double play. The momentum wouldn’t carry over into the ninth though, as Pensacola reliever Jack Sellinger (S, 2) retired the side in order, punctuated by a strikeout on Ibarra that made Blue Wahoos Stadium erupt with cheer.
Pensacola’s Luis Palacios offered a strong start, holding the previously-potent Chattanooga offense to two hits while earning six strikeouts through 4.0 innings. Kade Bragg (W, 3-1) would walk away with the win, entering in the sixth and offering 2.0 innings of work that saw just one hit and walk allowed.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Lookouts on Sunday afternoon.
written by Maddy Branning
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Water Notice For Williams Ditch Road
June 6, 2026
UPDDATE: This boil water notice was lifted on June 9.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for 24 Williams Ditch Road to 609 Williams Ditch Road due to a water main break.
There was a water main break at 230 Williams Ditch Road on Saturday morning. Neighboring streets may experience low water pressure. Crews were working as quickly as possible to make the necessary repairs.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact the utility’s office at at (850) 968-5485
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Qualifying Week Begins Monday for Escambia County, Century and Pensacola Races
June 6, 2026
Qualifying week begins Monday for local countywide, independent special district and municipal candidates seeking office.
The official qualifying period will begin at noon, Monday, June 8, and end at noon, Friday, June 12. Qualifying takes place at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in Pensacola, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. A special in-person qualifying event will be held on June 10 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard.
Two Escambia Commission seats are on this year’s ballot—District 2, currently held by Mike Kohler, and District 4, held by incumbent Ashlee Hofberger. Both have prefiled.
The primary election is August 18, and the general election is set for November 3.
Local Offices Up for Election (2026)
County Commission (Partisan)
- County Commissioner, District 2 (4-year term)
- County Commissioner, District 4 (4-year term)
Judiciary (Nonpartisan)
- County Judge, Group 2 (6-year term)
School Board (Nonpartisan)
- School Board Member, District 1 (4-year term)
- School Board Member, District 2 (4-year term)
- School Board Member, District 3 (4-year term)
Special Districts (Partisan)
- Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, District 2 (4-year term)
- Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, District 4 (4-year term)
Special Districts (Nonpartisan)
- Santa Rosa Island Authority (2-year term)
- Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District, Groups 1, 3, and 5 (4-year term)
City of Pensacola (Nonpartisan)
- Mayor (4-year term)
- City Council: Districts 2, 4, and 6 (4-year terms)
Town of Century (Nonpartisan)
- Town Council: Seats 3, 4, and 5 (4-year terms)
Flomaton Police Charge Man With Sexual Abuse
June 6, 2026
The Flomaton Police Department has arrested a man after an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.
The Flomaton Police Department arrested Anthony Lucero; he was charged with sexual abuse and booked into the Escambia County (Alabama) Detention Center. According to Police Chief Justin Hetrick, officers launched an immediate investigation after the allegations were disclosed to law enforcement, subsequently establishing probable cause for the arrest.
Hetrick said the case remains an active investigation.
“The Flomaton Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating allegations involving crimes against children and vulnerable persons and will continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of our community,” Hetrick said.
From Century Sewage To Escambia Radios: Requests That Didn’t Make the Florida Budget
June 6, 2026
The proposed Florida budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year includes millions of dollars of funded, and partially funded, projects for Escambia County.
Those projects include nearly $1.2 million for Century water and sewer projects, funds for an Escambia River Electric Cooperative water project, ECUA, and Escambia County public safety needs.
However, a huge Escambia County project and a relatively large Century project were not included in the state budget, which awaits the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has the power to veto line items.
The unfunded projects for Escambia County and Century are:
Escambia County Radio System Upgrade — $38 million
Escambia County requested $38 million to replace the county’s aging P25 UHF radio system with a modern 800 MHz trunked platform. The upgrade would have renewed all hardware and software for fire, EMS, law enforcement, transit and public works, in addition to improving interoperability with regional partners during major incidents and planned events.
“The 2012 system nears end-of-life in 2030, and failure may risk public safety,” the appropriations request stated.
Century WWTP Motor Control $1.061 million
The Town of Century requested $1.061 million for a wastewater treatment plant motor control center (MCC) replacement. The town said parts on the current MCC routinely fail, and the age of the system makes it difficult to find replacement parts. The MCC replacement is a requirement set forth by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Showers Continue Through The Weekend
June 6, 2026
We are looking at a damp finish to the weekend before high pressure builds in, bringing warmer and significantly drier conditions for the early part of the workweek.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Escambia Felon Sentenced To Federal Prison For Possession of Firearms
June 6, 2026
An Escambia County felon has been sentenced on federal firearms charges.
Jason Wayne Coleman, 41, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
This serial felon has been a criminal menace to our communities for far too long, but thanks to the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with support from our federal law enforcement partners, he will now spend years behind bars where he belongs,” John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, said “This successful prosecution by my office is yet another win under Operation Take Back America, through which President Donald J. Trump and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche have directed the Department of Justice to deploy its full might toward removing violent career criminals, like this defendant, from our streets to deliver the safe, crime-free communities our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant, a multi-time convicted felon who is legally barred from possessing firearms, was out on bond after being arrested in Indiana for firearm-related charges in January 2022. On October 2, 2024, a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Coleman. He attempted to flee on foot from the deputy, but was apprehended. In addition to having a suspended driver’s license, Coleman was found to be in possession of a loaded .32 caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the vehicle as well as marijuana.
Coleman was arrested but was able to bond out of jail.
On May 13, 2025, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a motorized minibike being driven by the defendant. While arresting Coleman for driving on a suspended license and resisting law enforcement, deputies located a loaded .38-caliber revolver in his pocket.
The case involved a joint investigation by the ATF and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
FCA Presents Softball, Baseball Extra Inning Awards
June 6, 2026
The Northwest Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently named their Extra Inning winners from area softball and baseball teams.
Winners included Northview Baseball’s Jackson Bridges, Tate Baseball’s Bryton McLellan, and Tate Softball’s Emorie Nelson.
Winner were:
SOFTBALL
- Escambia — Armani Westbrooks
- Gulf Breeze — Sally Alberson
- Milton — Faith Cain
- PHS — Alexiah Federico
- Pensacola Catholic — Aubree Baldwin
- Pine Forest — Kelsey Bumgarner
- Tate — Emorie Nelson
- West Florida Tech — Leianna Wagner
BASEBALL
- East Hill — Brayden Page
- Escambia — Caleb Bates
- Milton — Sayler Melton
- Navarre — Connor Dobson
- Northview — Jackson Bridges
- PHS — Gianni Dian
- Pensacola Catholic — Reed Rhodes
- Tate — Bryton McLellan
- West Florida Tech — Keelan Boyd
- PSC — Jackson Kohr
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Blanked 4-0 By Lookouts
June 6, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts by a final score of 4-0 on Friday night as hits came too few and far in-between to put runs on the board for the home side.
Lookouts starter Johnathan Harmon (W, 5-2) dominated with seven strong innings, relenting just two singles to the Blue Wahoos while striking out six. Pensacola’s Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 0-2) put up his longest outing of the season, dealing six innings that saw six hits, three earned runs, a lone walk and five strikeouts.
With tonight’s loss, the Blue Wahoos (27-28) fell below the .500 mark for the first time since May 22. The Lookouts (29-25) improved to 3-1 in the series and have held Pensacola to just two total runs across the past three games.
Dillon Lewis, Cristian Hernández and Juan Matheus were the only Blue Wahoos to record a hit on the night, each being singles. It proved difficult for Pensacola to string together productive at-bats as the Lookouts defense turned three 6-4-3 double plays to prevent any buildup of momentum.
Back-to-back doubles put Chattanooga up in the second inning as Ruben Ibarra doubled home Ryan McCrystal with a liner down the third baseline. Ibarra raced home on a single into center by Cade Hunter in the following at-bat, giving the Lookouts the early 2-0 edge.
Chattanooga extended their lead in the fifth as a Jay Allen II single sent home Carlos Jorge. They’d add another in the top of the ninth with a Dominic Pitelli double into the corner of right field, scoring Zavier Warren to solidify the 4-0 shutout.
Pensacola relievers Holt Jones, Livan Reinoso and Colby Martin offered an inning of work each following Ortiz-Mayr’s exit after the sixth. In their combined three innings, the trio allowed two hits, a walk and one run.
written by Maddy Branning
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Saturday night.
Century Looks for Solutions To Address Yard Trash Can Frustrations
June 5, 2026
Residents and town officials are not happy with the services provided by Waste Pro, the town’s first new solid waste provider in over 30 years. However, officials say it’s not Waste Pro’s fault.
Specifically, town council members are expressing concern with the “black can.” It’s a green can with a black lid intended for yard waste, and they say it’s not practical to fit many tree limbs and other yard debris in the can.
“I’ve tried and tried,” Council member John Bass said at a council meeting earlier this year. “You just can’t.”
The single can for yard waste was negotiated by the town and is in their contract with Waste Pro, which costs town citizens $10.47 per month more than the rate charged by the previous provider. The town sought a new provider after determining that it was losing money on solid waste and a grapple truck used to collect yard waste was simply beyond repair.
During an open discussion this week, council members discussed revisiting the contract and trying to find solutions to return to collecting a higher volume of yard waste—without forcing citizens to fit everything into a single can.
“We just had two different understandings…so it’s really no one’s fault. Now we just need to try to get together to figure out a solution,” Bass said Tuesday night. “All I’m trying to say is let’s get into a discussion.”
“Our ultimate goal is to make sure that our citizens are being taken care of,” Council President Dynette Lewis said. “They’re speaking, and we’re hearing.”
Mayor Ben Boutwell agreed that improvement is needed, but the town must find a way that does not mean the town reverts to losing money.
“100%. I will take care of the citizens, but the Town of Century isn’t losing money, and that’s what it boils down to,” Boutwell said. “I’m not being ugly here, I promise you. I love my community, but we have to run it as a business.”
Pictured: A Waste Pro sanitation truck turns on a Century street. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.