Blue Wahoos Announce 2021 Season Schedule
February 19, 2021
The 2021 season schedule for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos was released by Major League Baseball on Thursday. The team will play 120 games this season, including 60 home games in Pensacola, between May 4 and September 19.
Under the new Professional Development License system through Major League Baseball, the Blue Wahoos will play as part of the Double-A South league which features Pensacola, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Montgomery in the South Division and Birmingham, Chattanooga, Rocket City, and Tennessee in the North Division.
The league will adopt a six-game series format in 2021 with teams playing Tuesday through Sunday each week. Mondays will serve as a league-wide off-day to facilitate team travel.
The Blue Wahoos season will begin on the road against the Mississippi Braves on May 4-9. Pensacola will host the Birmingham Barons on May 11 for their home opener to begin a 12-game homestand that will feature the Barons (May 11-16) and the team’s first-ever match-up against the Rocket City Trash Pandas (May 18-23). The team’s final home series will be held September 7-12 against Biloxi with the Blue Wahoos ending their series on the road against Rocket City September 14-19.
Stadium capacity limits are expected to be implemented to ensure fan safety during the 2021 season and will be announced leading up to the season. Game times and the team’s promotional schedule will be released at a later date.
The Blue Wahoos 2021 season schedule is as follows:
May 4-9 at Mississippi Braves
May 11-16 vs Birmingham Barons
May 18-23 vs Rocket City Trash Pandas
May 25-30 at Biloxi Shuckers
June 1-6 vs Mississippi Braves
June 8-13 at Chattanooga Lookouts
June 15-20 vs Montgomery Biscuits
June 22-27 at Birmingham Barons
June 29-July 4 vs Biloxi Shuckers
July 6-11 at Mississippi Braves
July 13-18 vs Chattanooga Lookouts
July 20-25 at Montgomery Biscuits
July 27-August 1 vs Mississippi Braves
August 3-8 at Biloxi Shuckers
August 10-15 vs Montgomery Biscuits
August 17-22 vs Biloxi Shuckers
August 24-29 at Mississippi Braves
August 31-September 5 at Montgomery Biscuits
September 7-12 vs. Biloxi Shuckers
September 14-19 at Rocket City Trash Pandas
The 2021 season schedule for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos was released by Major League Baseball on Thursday. The team will play 120 games this season, including 60 home games in Pensacola, between May 4 and September 19.
Under the new Professional Development License system through Major League Baseball, the Blue Wahoos will play as part of the Double-A South league which features Pensacola, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Montgomery in the South Division and Birmingham, Chattanooga, Rocket City, and Tennessee in the North Division.
The league will adopt a six-game series format in 2021 with teams playing Tuesday through Sunday each week. Mondays will serve as a league-wide off-day to facilitate team travel.
The Blue Wahoos season will begin on the road against the Mississippi Braves on May 4-9. Pensacola will host the Birmingham Barons on May 11 for their home opener to begin a 12-game homestand that will feature the Barons (May 11-16) and the team’s first-ever match-up against the Rocket City Trash Pandas (May 18-23). The team’s final home series will be held September 7-12 against Biloxi with the Blue Wahoos ending their series on the road against Rocket City September 14-19.
Stadium capacity limits are expected to be implemented to ensure fan safety during the 2021 season and will be announced leading up to the season. Game times and the team’s promotional schedule will be released at a later date.
The Blue Wahoos 2021 season schedule is as follows:
- May 4-9 at Mississippi Braves
- May 11-16 vs Birmingham Barons
- May 18-23 vs Rocket City Trash Pandas
- May 25-30 at Biloxi Shuckers
- June 1-6 vs Mississippi Braves
- June 8-13 at Chattanooga Lookouts
- June 15-20 vs Montgomery Biscuits
- June 22-27 at Birmingham Barons
- June 29-July 4 vs Biloxi Shuckers
- July 6-11 at Mississippi Braves
- July 13-18 vs Chattanooga Lookouts
- July 20-25 at Montgomery Biscuits
- July 27-August 1 vs Mississippi Braves
- August 3-8 at Biloxi Shuckers
- August 10-15 vs Montgomery Biscuits
- August 17-22 vs Biloxi Shuckers
- August 24-29 at Mississippi Braves
- August 31-September 5 at Montgomery Biscuits
- September 7-12 vs. Biloxi Shuckers
- September 14-19 at Rocket City Trash Pandas
Pensacola Bay Bridge Set To Reopen March 22 With Lane Restrictions
February 18, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation will reopen the Pensacola Bay Bridge in March, but only with two lanes in one section.
Under a phased plan announced Thursday afternoon by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, nearly the first mile of Pensacola end of the bridge will only have two lanes of traffic while four lanes will be open for the remainder of the 3-mile long bridge. The target date for the partial reopening is March 22.
“FDOT understands that this has been a tough time for Pensacola and Gulf Breeze residents and has been laser-focused on reconnecting these communities as safely and quickly as possible,” Thibault said during a press conference in Milton. “We will continue to work with the contractor to ensure the final repairs are completed by Memorial Day and at a superior level of quality so it may serve these communities for decades to come.”
The first phase will open two lanes of traffic (one in each direction) for the first 4,000 feet on the Pensacola side. The remaining approximate two miles of the bridge will be open to four lanes of traffic (two in each direction). During this initial phase, the speed limit will be temporarily set at 35 mph and emergency refuge areas will be available on the bridge.
To quickly clear travel lanes following vehicle incidents, assist drivers in the event of mechanical breakdowns, and keep the bridge free of debris, FDOT’s Road Ranger Service Patrol will be stationed on each end of the bridge from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends and major holidays. At other times, at least one unit will be on-call and available. Law enforcement will also be on site 24-hours a day on both ends of the bridge to alert drivers about the temporary restrictions.
The second phase, which consists of opening the remaining 4,000 feet to four lanes of traffic, will be complete by Memorial Day.
Consistent with the requirements within the construction contract, FDOT will continue to withhold payments of $35,000 per day until four lanes of traffic are restored to the entire southbound span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. FDOT is regularly reviewing the contractor’s schedule of the entire Pensacola Bay Bridge Project with the anticipated completion date for all improvements currently scheduled for January 2022.
A combination of adverse weather and unexpected obstructions on the seabed of Pensacola Bay have impacted the original plan to open four lanes of traffic. Over the course of the repairs, crews demobilized twice in October 2020 for Hurricanes Delta and Zeta as well as experiencing a number of days with high winds and heavy rains. Because crews are working with soil and other hidden features in the earth, unforeseen complications can be encountered. The phased reopening makes weather-rlated and unforeseen conditions more manageable by removing many of the in-water components from the first phase schedule.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which still includes the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through Friday, March 12. Commuters can also use the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route travel between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze free of charge.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed when multiple Skanska barges struck and damaged the bridge during Hurricane Sally.
Pictured: Repair work this week on the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Approves Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
February 18, 2021
The ban on Sunday morning alcohol sales in Escambia County is coming to an end.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to approve an ordinance allowing retail alcohol sales seven days a week except between 2:30 and 6 a.m.
Currently, retail sales are prohibited 2:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. daily, except 2:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sundays. An exception allowed sales on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key on Sundays beginning at 7 a.m.
“I proposed the language change, as right now, as we speak, some stores can already legally sell alcohol on Sunday mornings but the same ‘type’ of store, for no good reason, cannot sell on Sunday mornings,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said in a post on NorthEscambia.com. “This is currently based upon such store’s geographic location in the county. Stores at the beaches can sell, but stores on the mainland cannot.”
“This is backwards, discriminatory, and unfair,” Bergosh said.
There was only one speaker during Thursday morning’s public hearing on the ordinance. Larry Downs, Jr., who frequently addressed the commission on numerous topics, asked commissioners if the ordinance would be in effect this Sunday.
“Will this go into effect like this Sunday?” Downs asked with a chuckle. “I’m just trying to be the very first one at 7 a.m. at the Gulf Beach Grocery to, you know, to right this wrong,”
The ordinance will go into effect after it’s filed with the Florida Department of State, according to County Attorney Alison Rogers. She said the county has up to 10 days to send the ordinance to them.
“Larry, I’ll stick around after the meeting and sign it,” Commission Chairman Robert Bender said.
The new ordinance passed 4-0 Thursday, with Commissioner Lumon May out of the room at the time of the vote.
Bond Set For Bratt Man Charged With Molesting Child; ECSO Says It Was Captured On Camera
February 18, 2021
A 69-year old Bratt man is facing multiple felony charges for molesting a child, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says it was all captured on camera.
David Lee Roley was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years of age. If convicted, Roley faces life in prison.
Roley remained in jail Thursday with bond set at $150,000.
On February 11, the ECSO Special Victims Unit and Century patrol units were notified that Roley possibly molested a child under age 12. The girl told her school guidance counselor that Roley did something sexual to her, but she did not want to talk about it, according to the arrest report.
“Through the investigation it was determined on January 1st of 2021, Roley did commit this crime and it was caught on camera,” the ECSO said in a social media post Wednesday night. “It’s believed there could possibly be additional victims of Roley that have yet to be identified to the ECSO.”
The Sheriff’s Office asked that anyone that believes they are a victim or that has information call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Report Details Allegations
Some readers may find the following details disturbing.
The girl’s father told deputies that he heard Roley pull up on his Kawasaki Mule UTV at which point he looked out the widow observed Roley’s hand on the outside of the victim’ clothes between her legs, the report states. The father captured the incident on his cellphone and then went outside to get the victim off Roley’s UTV. He told Roley he was never allowed around the victim or back on their property, the report states.
The ECSO collected three photographs from the father’s phone that reportedly showed Roley with his arm around the girl and his hand between her legs over her clothes.
In an interview, the victim told investigators that Roley touched her “private parts” at least two days in a row around Christmas vacation when she was out of school. The victim stated Roley would tell her that she is pretty, put his hands on her private parts and rub them through her clothes, according to investigators. The girl stated it made her uncomfortable and she would move his hand. At one point, she said she tried to leave, but Roley grabbed her by the hand and told her not to leave because he still wanted to touch her.
The victim also told investigators that Roley would touch her when they went for rides on a two-seat horse-drawn wagon, or while riding in a “go cart.”
“Roley would touch her they were alone and he told her not to tell anybody because it was their little secret,” the report states.
During an interview at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Roley told investigators that the photographs taken by the father showed him touching the girl’s waist.
“That’s the only time I come close down there,” Roley stated, according to the report. He said he has touched her several time on the leg while demonstrating by patting the inside of his thighs.
Roley stated he was telling investigators everything he could remember and “he doesn’t remember a whole bunch,” according to the report. Investigators asked if it was possible he touched the girl in a sexual manner.
A portion of Roley’s response was redacted from the report, but it states Roley replied, “I don’t remember.”
Century And State Prison System Reach $181K Utility Rate Increase Agreement
February 18, 2021
The Town of Century and the Florida Department of Corrections have come to terms on utility rate increases.
At a minimum, the new rates for the Century Correctional Institution are forecast to net $181,121 annually for Century.
Under a proposed contract, the FDC will pay $2.75 per 1,000 gallons of water, up 20.6% from the current $2.28. For sewer, the FDC will pay $4.45 per 1,000 gallons, a 36.9% increase over the current $3.25.
The biggest financial gain for Century will come on natural gas. The Department of Corrections currently pays no monthly base rate and $0.195 per 100 cubic feet. That will increase to a $4,000 monthly base rate and $0.265 per 100 cubic feet, plus the cost of natural gas. Based upon typical use, Century will see their annual margin increase 170% from a current $35,900 to $96,781 per year under the new agreement.
“That’s game changer for our gas system,” Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather said.
Improper and late billing by the town have plagued the town’s relationship as a utility provider for the state prison. That has led to disputes that appeared to be headed to court, but both sides will concede with the new rate structure.
“My goal in all this was negotiate, not litigate,” Prather said. He said that by forgiving any possible back billing, the town will come out financially ahead in a matter of just a few months.
“It’s a good restart for the town,” he said. “I felt like they (FDC) dealt with the town in a fair manner.
After legal review, the Town of Century and the Florida Department of Corrections are expected to sign the new rate agreement within about 30 days.
Pictured: A Town of Century water tower at the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Fall To Lowest Level Since Early December
February 18, 2021
The number of Escambia County COVID-19 daily hospitalizations has fallen to the lowest level since early December.
There were 107 people currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Escambia County on Wednesday. That’s the lowest since December 9 and coming off a spike of 291 on January 14.
COVID-19 hospitalizations between the three local hospital systems are continuing to go down, but it’s important that we continue to work together to bring these numbers down for our community and for our hospitals,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphics: City of Pensacola, Escambia County.
Escambia Vaccine Shipments Delayed To Weather; Appointments Being Rescheduled
February 18, 2021
The health department is in the process of rescheduling appoints after COVID-19 vaccine did not arrive in time to meet this week’s goals.
Due to inclement weather, this week’s COVID-19 vaccine shipment was delayed impacting this week’s distribution plan in Escambia County. The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) expects to receive its allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine next week.
FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of rescheduling vaccine appointments for the week of February 22. Do not contact providers directly for these appointments.
Upon the arrival of this week’s vaccine shipment FDOH-Escambia will distribute vaccine as follows:
Ascension Sacred Heart: 400 doses
Baptist Health Care: 400 doses
Community Health Northwest Florida: 800 doses
FDOH-Escambia: 500 doses
West Florida Hospital: 200 doses
Woodlands Medical Specialists: 200 doses
Planning for next week’s allocation will continue as soon as the health department is notified, and will be distributed in addition to any delayed vaccine originally planned for distribution this week.
FDLE Charges Escambia Woman With Stealing $300,000 From Her Employer
February 18, 2021
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents arrested an Escambia County woman Tuesday on for fraud and money laundering.
Cassondra Leigh Moreno, 42, was charged with one count of organized fraud and four counts of money laundering.
The investigation began in June 2020 when Moreno’s employer, a beverage distributor, advised FDLE that it had noticed a $300,000 accounting discrepancy involving stolen money orders, which appeared to be linked to Moreno. The employer oversees sales in numerous stores from Pensacola to Panama City. The investigation revealed that over a four-year period, Moreno used her position as a transportation supervisor to engage in a scheme to defraud. She modified her employer’s accounting system to conceal the amount of money orders she had stolen, according to FDLE.
FDLE said an analysis of her personal financial records revealed that she received over $300,000 between 2017-2020 by depositing hundreds of stolen money orders into her accounts. She resigned from her job in May 2020.
Moreno’s bond was set at $75,000.
Tate Wins Regional Quarterfinal On Penalty Kicks
February 18, 2021
The Tate Aggies won the Region 1-6A quarterfinals on penalty kicks over Lake City Columbia Tuesday night .
Up next, the Aggies will will host Niceville Saturday night at 7:00 at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
Photo: The Tate Aggies celebrate there District 1-6A championship win over Niceville last week. Photo: Tate Soccer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Prosser Crow Signs Tennis Scholarship With Huntington College
February 18, 2021
Tate High School’s Prosser Crow has signed an academic and tennis scholarship with Huntington College. Crow will pursue a physical therapy degree.
“We are so very proud of his hard work and dedication,”said David Bonucchi, Tate High tennis coach.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
