Nine-Run Second Inning Leads Wahoos To Blowout Win Over Lookouts
July 14, 2021
Pensacola scored nine times in the bottom of the second to runaway with Tuesday’s series opener 11-3 against the Lookouts at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
On the hill for Chattanooga, Graham Ashcraft (L, 3-1)—who struck out the side in the first—failed to record an out in the second as the Wahoos sent 15 men to the plate. Remarkably, nine consecutive Blue Wahoos batters reached safely to open the inning, using five hits and four walks to bat around before the first out. After Nick Fortes and Riley Mahan each walked to lead off the inning, Chris Chinea, Connor Justus, Galli Cribbs Jr., Devin Hairston, and J.D. Orr each knocked hits in succession to open a 6-0 lead for the Blue Wahoos. Two walks and two fielding errors later, the Wahoos led by nine.
The inning was highlighted by Devin Hairston’s bases-clearing double that put the Wahoos. Later in the inning with the bases loaded and Pensacola up by 9, Hairston came up to the plate and flew out to deep left to end the inning—just shy of a grand slam.
With the Wahoos up 9-0, starter Jeff Lindgren (W, 3-5) eased his way to a win, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. He was lifted in the sixth for Andrew McInvale, who allowed one run across two innings of work. Zack Leban finished the final two innings in shutout fashion, giving up three hits and striking out one along the way.
After being no-hit on Saturday, the Wahoos have scored 21 runs in their last 18 innings. They have also created more separation between themselves and third-place Chattanooga for the second and final playoff spot in the Double-A South.
LHP Will Stewart (3-4, 4.20) will try to make it three wins in a row for the Wahoos when he takes the mound for his 12th start of the year tomorrow. He will be opposed by LHP Connor Curlis (3-4, 4.80).
Escambia County Takes Next Step Toward Broadband Internet Network; Thousands Could Get True High Speed Access
July 13, 2021
Escambia County is moving forward with plans toward a countywide broadband network following a study that found the county has large high speed internet gaps.
A late 2020 assessment by Magellan Advisors found that almost all residents in the more northern parts of Escambia County do not have any access to the internet at speeds defined as broadband by the Federal Communications Commission.
The Escambia County Commission recently voted unanimously enter into a contract with Magellan for $645,000 in CARES Act funding for design engineering, detailed business and financial planning, along with grant services and applications in a major step toward a county broadband network. It essentially will create a plan for moving forward if commissioners later determine the network is financially feasible.
“I want to thank my colleagues for continuing to support the expansion of broadband internet into the unserved, as well as the underserved areas of Escambia County,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Even though the franchising and licensing of cable and internet companies is not an Escambia County government right or responsibility, I have thousands of constituents whose quality of life, work and education is negatively impacted by the quality of their internet connection, so it is a huge priority of mine.
The earlier study identified about 3,000 underserved or unserved residents without access to true broadband in North Escambia. After the planning, the next step in the project outlined by Magellan Advisors would be a fiber based wireless network in North Escambia in areas from Molino north (pictured above). That move would take additional action by the commission in coming months.
The Wi-Fi type network would immediately offer high speed internet to 3,000 underserved North Escambia residents Costs have been initially estimated at $79 per month for a speed of 150/50 Mbps. Additional fiber connections up to a symmetrical (same upload and download speed) 1 Gigabit would also become available.
None of those North Escambia residents currently have access to the federally defined minimum broadband speed of 25/3 Mbps.
“While I do not know exactly what the solution looks like yet, I am confident that we are going to put something together that will work well for all of Escambia County, especially District 5,” Barry told NorthEscambia.com. “It is the type of project which can truly change people’s lives forever.”
Magellan Advisors of Denver, Colorado, was selected from five submitted. The company has done similar work in Florida for 25 governmental clients including Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Seminole County.
The company estimates it will take about five months to deliver a final design and road map, including a business plan, engineering design and deployment road map.
Tri-County 8-10 Softball All-Stars Win Florida State Championship
July 13, 2021
The Tri-County 8-10 Softball All-Star Team won the Florida little league state championship Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Burglary With Battery Against Mother Of His Child
July 13, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly reaching into a vehicle occupied by the mother of his child and hitting her on two different occasions.
Alondo Sherrod Thompkins, 25, was charged with two counts of first degree felony burglary with battery.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office she was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at the traffic light at Davis Highway and Brent Lane when Thompkins suddenly arrived in his own vehicle. He got out of his car, reached through the open windows of the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger and struck her in the face, according to arrest report.
When they arrived at their destination in the 500 block of Fairfield Drive, Thompkins had followed them. He rant out of his car again, reached through the still open window and struck the victim several more times in the side and face, the report states.
Thompkins told deputies he reached into the car toward the victim, but he was actually trying to reclaim a set of keys that belonged to him, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Escambia County’s Vaccination Rate Lagging Behind State Average
July 13, 2021
Escambia County’s coronavirus vaccination rate is lagging behind the state average, according to recently released data from the Florida Department of Health
Statewide, 58% of Floridians have received at least one dose.
In Escambia County 117,425 people, or 42% of the population over age 12, have received at least one dose. There were just 833 people vaccinated in Escambia County last week.
IP Accepting Applications For $80,000 In Foundation Grants Through July 26
July 13, 2021
The International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $80,000 in foundation grants to non-profit organizations in 2021, in honor of the mill’s 80th anniversary.
Grant applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com through Monday, July 26.
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work.
Signature Causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measureable objectives to demonstrate impact. Details on grant eligibility, guidelines and restrictions are available on the website.
An eligible non-profit organization with a program in an area that the foundation supports must apply online by visiting http://www.ipgiving.com. Applications are routed to the local IP facility and must be completed in its entirety to be considered.
For more information about the grant guidelines or process, contact Whitney Fike, communications manager at whitney.fike@ipaper.com or (850) 968-3076.
DeSantis Makes Local Appointment To State Board Of Optometry
July 13, 2021
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed an Escambia County woman to the Board of Optometry.
Katie Spear is a licensed optometrist and owner of The Visual Performance Center. She is a member of the Florida Optometric Association, American Optometric Association and is a past co-editor of Women in Optometry. Spear earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn University, master’s degree in public health and doctorate of optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her juris doctor from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Crestview Murder Suspect Killed In Shootout With Escambia County Deputies (With Bodycam Video)
July 12, 2021
An Okaloosa County murder suspect was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with Escambia County deputies early Monday morning
Johnny Ray Kirk, 22, was wanted for the July 10 shooting death of an 80-year old man at a park in Crestview. He was also accused of kidnapping two 16-year old girls in DeFuniak Springs earlier that day.
Kirk was located about 2:45 a.m. Monday by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. He was a passenger in a white Ford Escape they stopped at Inez Road and Carrick Avenue, off Fairfield Drive.
He “jumped out of the passenger seat and immediately fired multiple rounds at the two deputies. The deputies returned fire striking him twice,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office statement.
Kirk was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. No deputies were injured during the incident.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to investigate the shooting, as is standard procedure. Both deputies that fired have been placed on administrative leave. ECSO said the incident was captured on body cameras and in-car video.
Bodycam video is below. It may be disturbing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
On Sunday, the 80-year old murder victim’s pickup truck was found in off Linda Lane near Defuniak Spring in Walton County (pictured bottom).
Cantonment Man Charged With Theft Of Water Tank Trailer, Construction Tools
July 12, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged in connection with the theft of water tank trailer and multiple tools from a local construction site.
William Ashton Cook, 19, was charged with grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied structure, felony grand theft, and criminal mischief with property damage.
On June 18, Cook allegedly took a 14-foot trailer with a 500 gallon water tank valued at $6,500, several tools from inside a storage container and a generator from a construction site at Nowak Dairy Road and Highway 97. The potable water tank received an estimated $1,500 in damage after diesel fuel was poured into it, according to an arrest report.
On June 23, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered the stolen trailer attached to Cook’s pickup on Vantage Road, along with two reciprocating saws in the front seat of jos Ford F250 that were taken from the construction site, the report states.
Cook had allegedly walked to a relative’s property on Vantage Road after parking the pickup and water tank trailer. As a search warrant was being prepared for the property, the owner gave deputies consent to search. They reported finding a pressure pump and tamping machine also taken from the construction site.
Cook was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Pictured top: This 500 gallon water tank and trailer were recovered on Vantage Road June 23. Pictured below: Deputies search a nearby property a short time later. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pfizer Vaccine Available In Century Tuesday
July 12, 2021
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination will be available in Century Tuesday from Community Health Northwest Florida.
The vaccine will be available to anyone ages 12 and up from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Century Pediatrics at 501 Church Street.
Walk-ins are welcome, or call (850) 439-3358 for available appointment times.