Thousands Attend Saturday Blue Angels Air Show (With Gallery)
July 13, 2025
Tens of thousands of people attended Saturday’s official Pensacola Beach Air Show.
The show featured demonstration aircraft and our very own Blue Angels.
For a photo gallery from Saturday, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click here.
Woman Charged With A Felony After Alleged Altercation With Escambia Deputy In Cantonment
July 13, 2025
A woman was charged with this week with an altercation with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy in Cantonment.
Savannah Hale, 21, was arrested at her mother’s residence on Winners Circle in Cantonment after the altercation with law enforcement. The incident began when Hale called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report an unrelated matter but escalated into a physical confrontation with a deputy.
She was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
According to the arrest report, the deputy arrived at the scene and approached Hale, who was sitting in a white Hyundai Elantra. Upon rolling down the window, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol. The report states Hale exhibited signs of impairment, including slurred speech, unsteady movements, and glossy eyes. Concerned that she might attempt to drive, Deputy Hernandez asked her to step out of the vehicle and called for backup.
While waiting for additional units,Hale reportedly became argumentative and physically confrontational. She scratched the deputy’s left wrist and punctured his right cheek with a ring on her hand, the arrest report states. The deputy restrained Hale by forcing her to the ground, and she was subsequently handcuffed by another responding deputy.
Deputies said the vehicle Hale was in contained several empty alcohol containers, including Beatbox and Four Loko beverages.
Century Council Meeting Rescheduled
July 13, 2025
The next Century Town Council meeting has been delayed by a week.
The meeting was set for this Tuesday, but it will be held on July 22 because Town Clerk Carrie Moore will be at a conference.
The council normally meets twice a month — on the first and third Tuesdays — but the July 1 meeting was canceled with little to no business set for the agenda.
NWE 12U All-Stars Bag Groceries for Regional Tournament Trip
July 13, 2025
The Northwest Escambia 12U All-Star Baseball team bagged groceries at the Davisville Piggly Wiggly for about eight hours Saturday
They worked to raise funds for a trip later this week to the Southwest Cal Ripken Regional Tournament in West Monroe, Louisiana.
The NWE athletes could still use help with travel expenses; donations are also being accepted via Venmo @NWEbaseball.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Wins America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest For The Third Year
July 13, 2025
For the third consecutive year, the Florida Highway Patrol has won the 2025 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) “Best Looking Cruiser” competition.
“This year’s photo captures the beauty of a Miami skyline sunset and showcases the strength of Florida law enforcement through our new Corvette, seized from a convicted drug trafficker as part of a joint FHP-DEA criminal investigation,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner.
The FHP submission this year was taken during an iconic Miami sunset with the Florida Highway Patrol’s very own black and tan Corvette. The Corvette was seized in a joint criminal investigation into a nationwide drug trafficking organization with the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is currently being used at various outreach events to help bring attention to various traffic safety campaigns to reduce crashes on Florida’s roadways.
Wahoos Avoid No-Hitter, But Fall 2-1 To Clingstones
July 13, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos narrowly avoided a no-hit bid in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Clingstones Saturday night.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, third baseman Josh Zamora broke through with an RBI double to center field against Zach Thompson (W, 1-0), allowing Nathan Martorella to score and ending the chance of the Blue Wahoos being no-hit for just the second time in franchise history.
Alex Williams made his first start at the Double-A level for the Wahoos and set a career high in strikeouts with nine. In a spot start in place of Futures Game participant Thomas White, Williams held the Clingstones scoreless across 5.1 innings without walking a batter.
The Columbus pitching staff matched the work of Williams. Right-hander Samuel Mejia went 5.0 innings without allowing a hit in his Double-A debut. Amos Willingham held the no-hit bid through 2.0 innings of work before Thompson entered in the eighth.
The Clingstones pushed across their two runs in the eighth. After a Drew Compton double and intentional walk, catcher Adam Zebrowski broke the scoreless tie on an RBI single to right and David McCabe scored on a wild pitch by Blue Wahoos reliever Gabe Bierman (L, 0-1).
The Blue Wahoos will finish their series against the Clingstones on Sunday. First pitch from Synovus Park is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EDT/12:05 p.m. CDT.
Congressman Jimmy Patronis Files Amendment To Keep The Blue Angels In Pensacola Forever
July 12, 2025
Friday, Congressman Jimmy Patronis filed an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act, which prevents any funds in the Defense Appropriations Act from moving the Blue Angels from their base in Pensacola.
The Blue Angels have been a staple of Pensacola and the Emerald Coast for 70 years,” Patronis said. “To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Blue Angels calling this region home, I was proud to file an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act that simply ensures that no funding will be used to transfer the Blue Angels from their historic base in Pensacola. While there is no known risk of them leaving the Pensacola area, I wanted to take the extra step to make sure the Blue Angels remain here forever. The Blue Angels are awesome, creating economic opportunities and fostering a sense of pride throughout the community.”
As currently drafted, the Defense Appropriations Act also provides funding to increase Active-Duty base pay by 3.8%. The Defense Appropriations Act is expected to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives soon.
“The Defense Appropriations Act funds our military’s essential functions, including military personnel, operations and maintenance, Research and Development, and more. I’m proud to represent one of the largest military districts in the country, and numerous military facilities,” Patronis added. “As written, this year, the Defense Appropriations Act provides funding to increase the base pay for our military servicemembers by 3.8%. These men and women defend our country 24/7/365, and I’m grateful to Congress for showing some appreciation for our heroes in uniform and the sacrifices they make for our country.”
Pictured: The Blue Angels over Pensacola Beach on Thursday as seen from onboard a Coast Guard ship in the Gulf. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
4-Year-Old Seriously Injured When ATV Overturns
July 12, 2025
A 4-year-old boy was seriously injured in an ATV crash in northern Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Polaris Ranger side-by-side was being driven off-road by a 10-year-old at a property on Dixonville Road and overturned.
The 4-year-old was ejected and sustained serious injuries. He was airlifted to an area hospital.
Blue Angels Wow Huge Crowds In Friday Dress Rehearsal (With Photo Gallery)
July 12, 2025
Friday was the full dress rehearsal for Saturday’s official Pensacola Beach Air Show.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Saturday, demonstrations begin at approximately 10:30 a.m., and the Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m.
Luke Carrico will make his inaugural debut as the voice of the air show on Friday and Saturday, with veteran Paul Entrekin serving as Air Boss for his 32nd year.
Before the official airspace closure, a handful of pre-show flight demonstrations will be overhead starting around 10:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, including:
- The Black Ducks in WWII-era aircraft.
- Sheldon Heatherington in a Zenith 75 STOL named “Redbird.”
- Gene Valentino in an Icon A-5.
- Tanner Matheny in a 1946 NAvion named “Olivia.”
- Veterans Flight team in their WWII-era Stearman biplanes honoring WWII and Korean War veterans, led by Roy Kinsey.
- HT-18 training helicopters from TAW-5 aboard NAS Whiting Field.
- VT-10 flying T-6 Texans from TAW-6 aboard NAS Pensacola.
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue demo from a MH-65E Dolphin.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., the official air box will close and the lifeguards will clear the water. Shortly following, hold onto your hats for some mouth-dropping aerial performances!
2025 Official Performers Schedule:
- USAF B-1B Lancer arrives to tease the raw power and speed of the legendary swing-wing bomber.
- Red Bull Air Force team performs the “Presentation of the Colors” by skydiving with the American Flag – landing at show center. Expect aerobatics from helo pilot Aaron Fitzgerald and pilot Kevin Coleman in his Extra 330 SC, too.
- B-1B Lancer comes back for more action and maneuvers to impress.
- RJ Gritter is next overhead, flying a red, white, and blue Decathlon and bringing high-energy aerobatics to Pensacola for the first time.
- The father-son duo of Ken and Austin Rieder with Redline Airshows will deliver formation thrills and precision flying in their RV-8s.
- Next up, the four-man Titan Aerobatic Team performs synchronized loops and bomb bursts in their WWII-era AT-6 Texans.
- Kevin Coleman and Aaron Fitzgerald team up again in a high-adrenaline, two-aircraft routine to finish up with the Red Bull Air Force finale before a short 10-minute water break.
Blue Angels Take Flight at 2 p.m.
As always, closing out the show at 2 p.m. will be yoour U.S. Navy Flight Demonstrations Squadron, the Blue Angels. Look to the Gulf horizon as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.
For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the Blues’ aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 79 years.
Know Before You Go
- Drones are strictly prohibited during air show waiver hours.
- Glass is not allowed on the beach.
- Dogs are only permitted at the dog beaches on the island and must remain on leash.
- Help us protect our beach: Please Leave Only Your Footprints.
Pictured: The Blue Angels over Pensacola Beach on Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Clutch Hitting Carries Wahoos To 8-1 Win Over Clingstones
July 12, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their third game in a row on Friday night, beating the Columbus Clingstones 8-1 thanks to a series of clutch hits.
Trailing 1-0 in the third inning against Clingstones lefty Riley Frey (L, 0-1) in his Double-A debut, Cody Morissette dropped down a two-out bunt single to keep the inning alive. After Johnny Olmstead drew a walk, Nathan Martorella hit an RBI single to tie the game. Josh Zamora and Jake Thompson followed with RBI doubles, and Ryan Ignoffo laced an RBI single to complete a five-run rally.
Ike Buxton had his best start of the season for the Blue Wahoos, allowing only one run over 4.0 innings, and Evan Fitterer (W, 5-4) turned in 4.0 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief to take the Pensacola lead late into the game.
Tony Bullard added a three-run homer in the eighth inning to give the Blue Wahoos an 8-1 lead, and Will Kempner worked a scoreless ninth to lock down the win.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos are now a league-best 10-5 in the second half and, at 44-40, are four games above .500 for the first time since they were 23-19 on May 22.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Saturday. First pitch from Synovus Park is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET/5:05 p.m. CT, with a live broadcast beginning at 5:00 CT on BlueWahoos.com/radio or the MiLB app.