Escambia and Santa Rosa Weekly Traffic Advisory
July 21, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Lane – Beulah Road is temporarily closed at the Beulah Church Road intersection for drainage construction. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Rebel Road, Mobile Highway and Nine Mile Road.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, July 20, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Gulf Beach Highway, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24, 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 Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24 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, July 20, 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.
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I-110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, July 20, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- B Street, between Garden Street and Romana Street, is closed for stormwater management enhancements. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Garden Street, A Street and Romana Street.
- 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, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
- 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
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, July 20 drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- 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, July 20 through Thursday, July 24, 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, July 20 through Friday, July 25 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, July 20 through Friday, July 25:
- Intermittent I-10 westbound outside lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. between mile markers 10 and 12 for materials delivery at the North Palafox Street overpass.
- Intermittent daytime lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive at the Palafox Street overpass to allow crews to complete pile driving operations. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- 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.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (County Road 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete repair work and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, July 20, through Friday, July 25, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Fluctuate Over The Past Week
July 21, 2025
Florida gas prices continue to ebb and flow, though the overall trend shows relative stability within a 30-cent range throughout the year, according to AAA.
The state average for a gallon of regular unleaded dropped to $2.93 last week—the lowest daily average since May. From there, prices surged to $3.14 per gallon mid-week before sliding back down to $3.08 on Sunday.
This rebound marks a 14-cent increase from last week, though prices remain 6 cents lower than last month and 30 cents below this time last year. Despite the frequent ups and downs, the underlying market forces remain largely unchanged.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.92. In Pensacola, a low of $2.73 was at one station on East Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, a low of $2.79 was available at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Sunday.
“We’ve seen this pattern repeat itself for nearly a year: pump prices drop for about 10 days, then climb back up,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With minimal movement in the oil and gasoline futures markets, we expect prices at the pump to continue bouncing within the same range for now.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Snyder Lifts Wahoos To Walk-Off 4-3 Win
July 21, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
A Michael Snyder walk-off double capped a comeback 4-3 Pensacola Blue Wahoos victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday afternoon.
With 5.0 innings of perfect relief and a one-run lead heading into the ninth, it seemed inevitable that the Lookouts would come out on top over the Blue Wahoos. The Wahoos’ bats had fallen silent after a two-run third inning, but came back to life in the bottom of the ninth.
A leadoff walk from Cody Morissette and a bunt single from Shane Sasaki to begin the ninth inning quickly signaled that this game was far from over. Josh Zamora came off the bench to work a pinch-hit walk and set the stage for Snyder.
“Hitting’s hard,” Snyder said. “Sometimes it takes a couple walks and finding a way on base. One good swing can change the course of a game.”
One good swing did change the course of the game, as Snyder connected on the third pitch from right-hander Arij Fransen (L, 2-3) to lace a line drive just inside the left field line. Morissette crossed home to tie it, and Sasaki’s run won it to give the Wahoos their 12th win of the second half and grow their division lead to 1.5 games.
“I was looking for a pitch to drive, something middle of the zone,” Snyder said. “Pretty simple right there. Just put bat on ball and good things happen.”
The Wahoos’ first two runs were put on the board in the third inning. Sasaki sent a line drive to center, driving in Jared Serna from third. Sasaki then swiped second as part of a double steal with Morissette, who beat a throw home for the tenth steal of home in Blue Wahoos history. This was Morissette’s third run-scoring thievery as a Wahoo after doing it in both 2023 and 2024.
Chattanooga’s offense got on the board in the top of the first for the third time this series, as Cam Collier drove in Edwin Arroyo with an RBI single up the middle.
The Lookouts also scored two runs in the third as Leo Balcazar and Jay Allen picked up RBI in the inning against Pensacola starter Jacob Miller.
Miller made his 14th start of the season for the Wahoos, and his first daytime start. Across 4.2 innings of three-run ball, the righty struck out six Lookouts. Miller’s outing ended on a sharp groundball to second by Collier, which Morissette gloved and fired home to prevent Arroyo from scoring an additional Chattanooga run in the fifth.
Former Blue Wahoos reliever Zach Willeman made the start for Chattanooga. A member of the 2023 Blue Wahoos, Willeman worked 3.0 innings of two-run ball in his return to Pensacola.
Both teams’ bullpens were excellent on Sunday afternoon. The Pensacola trio of Justin King, Nigel Belgrave and Josh Ekness (W, 3-1) compiled 4.1 innings of shutout work, while Brandon Komar tossed 4.0 perfect innings in relief for Chattanooga prior to Fransen’s difficulty in the bottom of the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will head to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a six-game set with the Knoxville Smokies for their first trip to Covenant Health Park, the new stadium of the Cubs’ affiliate.
“[We] have a long road trip to Knoxville tomorrow, so [we] get some rest,” Snyder said. “[We are looking to] carry the momentum into the next week and have another good one.”
The Wahoos took four of six from the Smokies in late April in the first series between the teams. Right-hander Alex Williams (3-0, 2.10 ERA) is scheduled to get the ball in game one of the series for Pensacola.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Knoxville Smokies.
WHEN: Tuesday Thru Sunday
WHERE: Knoxville, Tennessee.
BACKGROUND: This will be the Blue Wahoos’ first trip to the Smokies’ new ballpark in downtown Knoxville, located near the campus of the University of Tennessee. It opened in April, after the team formerly played in Kodak, Tennessee, located about 21 miles east. The team was known as the Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs’ affiliate.
Molino Library Hosting Photography Meetup Group Monday Afternoon
July 20, 2025
Interested in learning more about photography?
The Molino Library will host the next meeting of Molino Library Photography Group at 2 p.m. on Monday.
Whether you are taking photos with your phone or a professional camera, the group is open to everyone. Bring your camera or smartphone and join fellow photography enthusiasts.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Felony Charges For Century Man Accused Of Eluding Atmore Police, Hiding In Bushes
July 20, 2025
A Century man is facing felony charges after allegedly attempting to elude law enforcement following an attempted traffic stop in Atmore on Tuesday afternoon.
Donnie Johnson, 53, taken into custody after a brief search that ended with officers finding him attempting to low crawl and hide in bushes.
The incident began around 1:35 p.m. when an Atmore Police officer attempted to pull over a motorcycle on Liberty Street that was not displaying a license plate. According to police, the operator, later identified as Johnson, accelerated to twice the posted speed limit as the officer attempted the stop. Due to the time of day and the reckless operation of the motorcycle, a pursuit was not initiated as Johnson approached Highway 21.
Johnson was last seen by the officer traveling north at a high rate of speed on Highway 21.
A few minutes later, a citizen reported a suspicious person who appeared to be hiding in the bushes at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Highway 21. Officers responded to the area, discovering the abandoned motorcycle in the bushes.
A subsequent search of a nearby field led officers to Johnson, who they said was attempting to low crawl away. He was then taken into custody.
Johnson was charged with felony attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and driving without a driver’s license and transported to the Escambia County (Alabama) Detention Center.
NWE 12U All-Stars Finish Strong In Regional Tournament
July 20, 2025
Northwest Escambia 12U All-Star Baseball Team finished strong in the Cal Ripken Regional tournament on Saturday in Monroe, Louisiana.
Starting bracket play as the No. 3 seed, NWE placed fourth out of 14 teams, advancing further than any other NWE team in a regional tournament.
They fell just short of the semi-final game with an 11-8 loss to Daphne.
Team members are Hayden Batson, Hayden Hollingsworth, Parker Gilmore, Kayson Cooley, Jordan Ledkins, Nikko McAnally, Hendrix Ward, Walker Maughon, Cameron Gipson, Zach Hetrick, and Ridge Odom. Coaches are Matt Gilmore, Mike Cooley, and Wes Maughon.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Shot By Officer Last Year Indicted On Federal Charge Of Attempted Murder Of Deputy
July 20, 2025
An Escambia County man has been indicted in federal court after allegedly trying to kill a sheriff’s deputy late last year.
The indictment charges 21-year-old Darrion Kayne Finley, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempting to kill an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The ECSO attempted to pull over a stolen vehicle driven by Finley, using a PIT maneuver to forcibly stop the vehicle. Finley, armed with a handgun, fired shots toward deputies from within the vehicle and after exiting the vehicle with a handgun, the ECSO said. Deputies returned fire, striking Finley.
He is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola on Tuesday. If convicted, Finley faces up to life in federal prison.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Tuesday, A Committee Will Consider 17 Applicants For Century Town Administrator
July 20, 2025
A selection committee will meet this week to consider 17 candidates for Century town administrator, who will work as the chief operations officer of the town and carry out the mayor and town council’s initiatives.
The administrator will report directly to the elected mayor.
The diverse pool of applicants includes five applicants with immediately local area ties – Alan Fowler of Alabama, who currently works with the town as a water and wastewater consultant, former state representative Dave Murzin, who now owns an economic development consulting firm in Pensacola; Century native Jeff Peacock who recently ran unsuccessfully for Congress; Lisa Rouse, who is operations and marketing manager for two technology firms in Pensacola; and Brian Underwood of Fairhope, who is grants director for Baldwin County (AL) Commission.
The recruitment process has drawn interest from across the country. The applicants bring a wide and diverse range of experience,including municipal management, public safety leadership, economic development expertise, and nonprofit administration.
According to the job description, the salary range for the position is $112,000 to $137,000, with the likely salary offer between the minimum of $112,000 and the midpoint of the range, or about $124,500.
An applicant will be recommended by a selection committee that includes Mayor Ben Boutwell, council members John Bass and Henry Cunningham, interim town manager Howard Brown, and key staff members. Brown has stated that he will not apply for the town administrator position. According to the town charter, the final hiring recommendation to the council must come from the mayor.
The selection committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22 for a workshop, which is open to the public, in town council chambers. In a workshop, the committee will not be able to take a formal vote.
The applicants, listed in alphabetical order are:
- Charles V. Anderson (Saint Petersburg, FL): Anderson is the former city manager for Treasure Island, Florida, where he led disaster recovery efforts and managed multimillion-dollar budgets. With decades of military and local government experience, he specializes in crisis management, infrastructure planning, and personnel leadership.
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Darryl LeTroy Bell (current city unclear): Bell is a former manager with extensive experience in municipal governance, economic development, and public works. He has managed cities such as Palatka, FL, and Muskegon Heights, MI, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, infrastructure improvements, and community revitalization.
- Kelliyah Cherubin (Orlando area, FL): Cherubin is a former admission counselor at Everglades University with experience in case management, community outreach, and nonprofit operations. She holds a Master’s degree in public administration and specializes in stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and event coordination.
- Peter Cavalli (Tampa, FL): Cavalli is the founder of Tampa Bay Training, LLC, and a former town manager for Kenneth City, Florida. He has extensive experience in public works, emergency management, and workforce development, as well as training programs for municipalities and private sector clients.
- George Calvin Dickens III (Savannah, GA): Dickens is a fire safety maintenance inspector for Georgia Southern University (Armstrong Campus) and a fire engineer for the City of Savannah. He has extensive experience in fire safety, emergency management, and municipal operations, with certifications in fire inspection and hazardous materials handling.
- Timothy J. Day (Cape Coral, FL): A former district manager for multiple Community Development Districts in Florida, Day brings over 30 years of experience in city/town management, law enforcement, and public safety. He has managed utility modernization projects, FEMA disaster recovery efforts, and financial audits for municipalities. He also served as a City Council member in Cape Coral for nine years.
- Roger Allen Fowler (Camden, AL): Currently an area manager for ClearWater Solutions, overseeing water and wastewater operations in Florida and Alabama. As a ClearWater employee, he currently manages Century’s water and wastewater plants and supervises Jay’s wastewater facility. He has 16 years of experience in water/wastewater construction, operations, maintenance, and compliance.
- Nicholas Frigiola (Live Oak, FL): Frigiola is the Community Redevelopment Director for Live Oak, Florida, where he manages multimillion-dollar redevelopment projects and grant funding. He previously served as a Community Redevelopment Officer for the Saint Cloud Police Department and has expertise in public safety and community engagement.
- Derrick Harris (Hot Springs, AR area): Harris serves as Director of the Tri-Lakes Metropolitan Planning Organization, where he manages multimillion-dollar transportation projects and federal grant programs. He has extensive experience in public speaking, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure planning.
- Vance Lipsey (Mount Calm, TX): Lipsey is the former City Administrator for Ranger, Texas, where he oversaw municipal operations, strategic planning, and urban development. He has experience managing small-town dynamics and seasonal population fluctuations, as well as implementing infrastructure and community development projects.
- David J. Murzin (Pensacola, FL): Murzin is currently the Director of First Place Partners, representing economic development in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. He is a former state representative for Florida. He has extensive experience in legislative leadership, economic development, and disaster recovery, having worked closely with local governments across Northwest Florida.
- Jeff Peacock (Pace, FL): Peacock is a mathematics teacher at Navarre High School and a former COO for nonprofit organizations. He has a background in strategic planning, operational management, and public policy, with degrees from Harvard University and the University of Chicago. A Century native, he was recently an unsuccessful candidate for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
- Tracy D. Roles (OK): Roles is a former city manager for Ada, Oklahoma, and assistant city manager for Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He has over 20 years of experience in municipal government and public safety, specializing in law enforcement, emergency management, and community engagement.
- Lisa Rouse (Pensacola, FL): Rouse is the director of operations and marketing for two technology firms and a public sector consultant. She specializes in financial systems, utility oversight, and personnel development. A Pensacola resident, she is deeply involved in local civic groups and community engagement.
- Jared Schumacher (Taneytown, MD): Schumacher is the grants manager for Westminster Rescue Mission and a former town manager for Boonsboro, Maryland. He has expertise in grant writing, capital improvement projects, and municipal operations, with a focus on financial compliance and public trust restoration.
- Brian Louis Underwood (Fairhope, AL): Currently serving as grants director for Baldwin County Commission, Underwood has managed multimillion-dollar grant programs for infrastructure and disaster recovery. He previously served as executive director of the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program and has extensive experience in strategic planning, environmental stewardship, and intergovernmental coordination.
- Fred Ventresco (KS): Ventresco is a seasoned municipal manager with over 17 years of experience leading several municipalities. His most recent positions were a “brief, while-needed” position as city administrator in Holecome, Kansas, and town administrator in Pinetops, North Carolina. He has expertise in budgeting, personnel management, infrastructure projects, and emergency preparedness, having served as town administrator in multiple states.
Editor’s note: Information for each applicant is a brief summary taken from more complete resumes, applications and/or cover letters submitted to the Town of Century. Applicant’s information and claims were not independently verified by our staff.
Tate Grad Taite Davis Commits To LBW
July 20, 2025
Taite Davis, a 2025 Tate High School graduate, has committed to continue his academic and athletic journey at LBW (Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, AL). NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic.
Blue Wahoos’ Bats Silenced In 5-1 Loss To Lookouts
July 20, 2025
Thomas White left the mound shaking his head following one of his shortest starts this season. That became the kind of tough feeling his teammates experienced.
After slugging their way to a 16-3 rout a night earlier, the Blue Wahoos were held in check with two hits and one run in a 5-1 loss Saturday against the Chattanooga Lookouts before the customary capacity crowd of 5,038 on Fireworks Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Making his second home start, White, 20, the Miami Marlins’ top-rated prospect, gave up a pair of runs on four hits before being pulled after throwing 64 pitches in the third inning. The 2.2 innings were the same as White lasted in his Double-A debut at home on June 20 against Montgomery. It was only his second true outing in a 20-day span. He didn’t pitch for the Blue Wahoos on their past road trip at Columbus, then worked one inning with former Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack last Saturday in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Of his 64 pitches, 44 were strikes. White’s elevation to Double-A on June 17 brings a natural learning curve he is navigating.
His third pitch of the ballgame Saturday left the ballpark. Lookouts lead-off batter Austin Hendrick connected to send the ball caroming off the wall above the right field home run line. In the second inning, White gave up a leadoff single, then Ruben Ibarra followed with a run-scoring double. White worked out of that inning, then was lifted with two outs in the third.
The Blue Wahoos got their lone run on Nathan Martorella’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first, scoring Jared Serna. That hit proved the only hit the Blue Wahoos produced until the sixth inning. Chattanooga starter T.J. Sikkema retired the next 13 batters he faced before exiting after the fifth inning. The Blue Wahoos’ only threat occurred in the eighth inning when loading the bases with two out on an error and two walks.
But there were several crowd-pleasing elements in this game. The Blue Wahoos celebrated with one of their game-day employees on her “Home Run For Life.” Erika Brigman, a member of the RS3 Food and Beverage team overcame injuries sustained two years ago when struck by a drunk driver. The team wore specialty “Salute To Service” jerseys with U.S. Navy “call signs” as nicknames on the back. Most of the crowd stayed for the fireworks show.
This weekend series with Chattanooga, the Cincinnati Reds affiliate, concludes Sunday at 4:05 p.m. with the Blue Wahoos sending Jacob Miller (2-4, 4.34 ERA) against the Lookouts’ Zach Willeman (1-0, 0.90).
GAME NOTABLES
Blue Wahoos starting catcher Ryan Ignoffo was injured when hit on his hand by a pitch Friday night by Chattanooga’s Donovan Benoit, the former Pensacola Catholic High grad. Ignoffo’s status is yet to be determined.
In response to Ignoffo’s absence, the Blue Wahoos added catcher Nestor Rios from the Florida Complex League-Marlins, the developmental level team. The club also announced outfielder Fenwick Trimble was activated from the injured list.
The Blue Wahoos players again wore their Navy “call signs,” a military version of a nickname, on the back of their jerseys in Saturday’s game. Those jerseys were then part of a silent auction/live auction that happened during the game.
The game paused after the fifth inning to honor Pensacola resident Brigman in the Home Run For Life ceremony.
Brigman was on her way to lunch in 2023 when the car she was riding in was struck by a drunk driver along Pine Forest Road. Erika’s friend stayed by her side as she was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital. The injuries she sustained included a broken right foot, right leg tibia, both kneecaps, her left upper arm and a punctured a lung. However, the major damage was done by the seat belt as it created numerous internal injuries and broke her back. Erika was treated by Ascension Sacred Heart’s emergency and trauma team – the only one in the area with Level I trauma status. After a few months in the hospital and rehab, she spent a year with her family in North Carolina before spending the last year back in Pensacola to continue recovering.
Two years later, Erika is now able to walk again without assistance.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Changes made:
Combined short, related sentences into more cohesive paragraphs.
Grouped the “GAME NOTABLES” and “WANT TO GO?” sections into bulleted lists for better readability.
Removed the “—” separator before each bullet point in the “GAME NOTABLES” and “WANT TO GO?” sections.
Added a line return between each paragraph for improved visual separation.
Added headings with horizontal lines above them for “GAME NOTABLES” and “WANT TO GO?” to structure the response better.