Barons Come Through in Clutch As Blue Wahoos Drop Fourth Straight
May 24, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
With a 1-2-3 inning in the first from left-hander Adam Laskey, and the offense forcing runners to second and third with one out in the bottom of the frame against Birmingham’s Dalton Roach, it felt like the Blue Wahoos had found momentum for the first time this week.
In short, they did not. With a 6-3 loss, Pensacola has now lost four straight for the second time this season.
After a one-out walk from Jared Serna and a double from Jake Thompson, both runners were stranded on base to end the inning.
After squandering the opportunity with runners in scoring position, the Barons’ offense began to click. Catcher Adam Hackenberg drove in a run with an opposite-field single to take advantage of a two-out error by Johnny Olmstead at second base in the second, while Caden Connor picked up an RBI to score Rikuu Nishida in the third.
Birmingham’s offensive production exploded in the fourth, as they drove in four runs with two outs against the Blue Wahoos’ southpaw. D.J. Gladney, Mario Camiletti, Nishida and Connor all came around to touch home to put Birmingham up 6-1, totaling four hits and two walks in the frame.
Laskey totaled 5.0 innings while absorbing the loss, allowing six runs (five earned), walking three and giving up eight hits.
While the Barons’ offense was opportunistic against the lefty, the Wahoos found their most success in the batter’s box so far this series. Catcher Sam Praytor had two RBI singles in the second and sixth, while centerfielder Shane Sasaki drove in a run in the fourth.
The Wahoos’ bullpen was excellent Friday night. Right-handers Josh White and Nigel Belgrave combined to provide four innings of no-hit relief, allowing only two baserunners via walks.
With a 6:05 first pitch for Star Wars Night tomorrow, both clubs will send out big left-handers to make the start. Dax Fulton is slated to take the mound for Pensacola, while Noah Schultz will take the ball for Birmingham.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: Saturday night will start at 6:05 p.m., while Sunday’s game will be a 4:05 p.m. start – the first late afternoon start time of the season.
Here’s What Happened In Crash That Shut Down I-10 Thursday Afternoon
May 23, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol has released details on a three-vehicle crash at 4:15 that shut down I-10 westbound near the Highway 29 exit on Thursday afternoon.
FHP said a 50-year-old Lakeland, Florida, man was driving a westbound semi-truck pulling an empty flatbed trailer. Troopers said he failed to maintain proper distance from an SUV driven by a 69-year-old Pensacola woman. The semi collided with the SUV, causing it to overturn once. The side of the flatbed trailer then struck a pickup truck driven by a 67-year-old Pensacola man.
The driver of the semi was not injured. The driver of the SUV was extricated and transported to a local hospital in serious condition. The driver of the pickup and his passenger received minor injuries and were not transported to the hospital
The crash backed traffic up on both I-10 westbound and I-110 northbound.
Tate High School Names 2025 Valedictorian, Salutatorian And Top 10% Graduates
May 23, 2025
Tate High School has named their Class of 2025 valedictorian, salutatorian, and Top 10% graduates.
They are valedictorian Talia Bethany Smith (pictured left) and salutatorian Kaylyn Alyssa Weiss.
The Top 10% graduates, in order of rank, are:
- Talia Bethany Smith
- Kaylyn Alyssa Weiss
- Skylah Makenzy Miles
- Lilia Marie Treick
- S. Hardnack
- Calum John Bruce Sarfert
- Hayden Matthew Graybill
- Jordan Mackenzie Smith
- Carlyn Elizabeth Ham
- Leslye Dolores Hardnack
- Tristan Ray Dykes
- Eli Christopher Whitton
- Emma Nguyen Bui
- Autumn Raye Nelson
- Reagan Ilynn Hatcher
- Courtney Noel Reichard
- Lily Annette McArthur
- Haylee Renee Skelton
- Kristopher Todd Kelley
- Madalyn Olivia Jarman
- Carson Bennett White
- Maria Weaver
- Murphy Joseph Blanchard
- Elizabeth Merrian Branch
- Shacora Elaine Caldwell
- Kaleb Steven Posta
- Hannah Elisabeth Teague
- Aubree Marie Jordan
- Jordan Jeffrey Porter
- Kara Grace Wine
- Tyler Jacob Camacho
- Brock Ostin Moore
- Kayleigh Ann Clark
- Liam Edward Montgomery
- Emma Elizabeth Nigam
- Zachary James Rogers
- Christopher Tyler Ingram
- Collin Raymond Brady
- Alexis Elaine Brigham
- Christian Jon Hollingsworth
- Elizabeth Grace Seale
- Kadyn Brett Jones
- Teagan Caylinn Brown
- Jayda Denise Hendricks
- Brycen Scott Kircharr
- Gabrial Olivia Potts
- Christian Decatur Daigle
- Savannah Marie Turner
- Lana Elyse Carter
- Dalila Gabrielle Whalen
The Tate High School Class of 2025 will graduate at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Juvenile, 15, Charged With Cantonment Burglaries
May 23, 2025
A 15-year-old was charged with breaking into multiple vehicles and one residence on Southern Oaks Drive in Cantonment on Thursday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of two males who were attempting to burglarize several unlocked vehicles in the area. An ECSO sergeant identified the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled but crashed into a nearby tree. The occupants of the vehicle fled on foot, leaving behind a handgun with the serial number removed.
Deputies circulated the area and ultimately located the 15-year-old. He was charged with six vehicle burglaries and one residential burglary. The investigation continues, and additional arrests are anticipated, the Sheriff’s Office said.
NOAA Predicts Above Normal Hurricane Season (With List Of Storm Names)
May 23, 2025
NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges.
“NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season.”
“As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” said Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm. “NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings, and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property.”
Factors influencing NOAA’s predictions
The season is expected to be above normal – due to a confluence of factors, including continued ENSO-neutral conditions, warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes. All of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation.
The high activity era continues in the Atlantic Basin, featuring high-heat content in the ocean and reduced trade winds. The higher-heat content provides more energy to fuel storm development, while weaker winds allow the storms to develop without disruption.
This hurricane season also features the potential for a northward shift of the West African monsoon, producing tropical waves that seed some of the strongest and most long-lived Atlantic storms.
“In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we’ve never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather,” said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “This outlook is a call to action: be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you’re ready before a storm threatens.”
FDLE Report Details Child Porn Allegations Against Escambia Firefighter
May 23, 2025
An arrest report from the Florida Department of law enforcement details the child pornography allegations against an Escambia County firefighter last assigned to the Beulah Fire Station.
As we reported earlier this week, 48-year-old Garey Anthony Buscaino was charged May 15 with seven counts of video voyeurism of a child under 16 years of age, 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set $1.86 millon.
FDLE’s investigation began in April 2025 after agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alerting agents to a cellphone user uploading child sexual exploitation files to a cloud account.
The investigation identified Buscaino as the account holder. FDLE said their investigation revealed that Buscaino had hidden video cameras and secretly recorded a juvenile in stages of undress.
The report states that FDLE agents located 96 images that appeared to be taken inside Buscaino’s home of a child about 12-14 years old “without the knowledge of the minor” between September 11, 2024, and April 10, 2025. FDLE said agents also located seven video files that “appeared to be recorded without the minor victim’s knowledge”.
“Each of the seven video files depicted the same minor victim nude while either dressing or undressing, in a circumstance where she had an expectation of privacy,” the report states. One five and a half minute video appeared to have been taken by a camera placed underneath a piece of furniture, agents said. Another video, according to the report, was taken with the camera inside a laundry hamper with holes in it.
On May 15, agents served search warrants at Buscaino’s primary residence and a secondary residence. Multiple electronic devices were seized, and a preliminary forensic review located several voyeurism videos and hundreds of files depicting the sexual abuse of children, investigators said.
During the execution of the search warrant, agents reported finding hidden cameras within Buscaino’s bedroom, including one disguised as an electronic cigarette and another disguised as a wall charger. Several GoPro-style cameras were also located.
“When questioned about the electronic devices within the residence, Buscaino invoked his right to legal counsel,” the FDLE report states.
Authorities said USB drives were recovered from inside the residence that contained child sexual abuse material, including children as young as four years of age being sexually abused.
FDLE said they also located approximately 1,000 images of child erotica stored with a cloud service provider and attributed to Buscaino. The images, FDLE said, depicted young children in sexuall suggestive poses but they did not meeting the statutory requirements of child sexual abuse material.
Escambia County confirmed that Buscaino is employed as a county firefighter.
“We are aware of the arrest of Firefighter Garey Buscaino and are currently reviewing potential personnel action,” the count said in a statement after the arrest. “Although the charges filed against him are not related to his duties with Escambia County Fire Rescue, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement should they need any information from Escambia County as they conduct their investigation.”
Buscaino entered a not guilty plea on May 19. He is due back in court for an arraignment hearing on June 6.
The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit. FDLE’s investigation remains active.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted.
Don Gaetz Recaps 2025 Legislative Session
May 23, 2025
The Florida Legislature regular session on policy ended on May 2, ending the normal 60-day session. But lawmakers will be required to head to back to Tallahassee before June 30 to vote on budget and tax cats.
“The presiding officers have not yet agreed on allocations, and they are miles apart on tax policy. The Speaker is pushing for a reduction in sales tax.” said District 1 State Senator Don Gaetz — who represents Escambia, Santa Rosa and small northern portion of Okaloosa. “The President is more inclined toward a property tax cut, maybe through a constitutional amendment. The financial forecast for the state, which already calls for $6.7 billion in spending cuts over three years, will not allow both sales tax and property tax reductions.”
In an email to constituents, Gaetz — who represents Escambia, Santa Rosa and small northern portion of Okaloosa — recapped the 2025 legislative session:
I favor property tax cuts. Property taxes are like paying rent to the government for our own property. We feel those taxes when we write checks to the Tax Collector every year. Those payments come right out of our family and business pockets. Along with property insurance, property taxes are a major cost driver in making Florida unaffordable for many folks.
Sales taxes are important, too, but in our part of Florida, 35 percent of sales taxes are paid by tourists. So, a big sales tax reduction is a disproportionate advantage for visitors. I’m not sure if buying a pair of jeans for school for $45.05 instead of $45.25 lands with the same impact as a significant property tax cut.
One thing is sure: the Florida Constitution requires that the Legislature submit to the Governor a budget including tax policy by June 30. The Governor has said he will veto the House proposal, which could put us into an emergency special session.
In my prior Senate service, and now, I have never witnessed the two Houses of the Legislature this far apart this far into the year. Speaker Danny Perez, President Ben Albritton and Governor DeSantis are highly intelligent men of integrity. I look forward to their working together and to a solution I can support.
Legislative Victories and Losses That Affect Northwest Florida
Even though the legislative session hasn’t produced a budget and tax plan yet, our work in Tallahassee did include some wins and losses in the policy arena.
Bills sponsored by Senator Gaetz that passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate
SB348 – Ethics (Stolen Valor):
This legislation makes it a crime to fabricate unearned military rank or awards while running for office, holding public office or seeking any job in the public sector. Penalties include a fine of up to $25,000, public censure and removal of office by the Governor.
SB348 – Ethics (Collecting Fines from Deadbeat Politicians):
The Commission on Ethics assesses fines against politicians who violate the Florida Code of Ethics.
But some politicians don’t pay their fines, some have remained unpaid for up to five years. This bill gives the Commission the authority to garnish the wages of any public employee or official who hasn’t paid his or her fine within 90 days.
SB150 – Troopers Law:
This act makes it a third-degree felony to tie and abandon an animal during a declared state of emergency. The bill was inspired by the compassion of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who saw an abandoned dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton. The patrolman saved the dog who now has a permanent, safe home.
SB102 – Job Training for Persons with Autism:
This bill recognizes that persons with autism “age out” of training and education services when they reach 22. Under this legislation, persons on the spectrum can earn badges signifying they have proven skills in particular areas employers need, especially related to safety regulations. The bill establishes a joint effort of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Florida Department of Education.
*merged into CS/HB1105: Education
SB140 – Municipal Charter Schools:
This legislation allows local governments to establish “job engine” charter schools within municipal boundaries as a way to promote economic development and job growth. Some local governments lose economic development opportunities because existing public schools are performing poorly.
*merged into CS/HB1105: Education
SB312 – Institute of Human and Machine Cognition:
The internationally recognized institute is given more structural independence under this bill. The bill also makes it possible for IHMC, already linked with UWF, to enter into partnerships with additional colleges and universities.
SB1180 – Protecting Minors from Sexual Imaging:
A case in Escambia County inspired this bill. An individual used computer-generated images of teenage girls to create pornography that found its way onto the internet. The bill makes possessing or distributing such sexually exploitive images a third-degree penalty.
SB80 Preventing Commercializing of State Parks:
I joined with Senator Gayle Harrell in co-sponsoring this bill which prevents the building of hotels, golf courses, restaurants and other commercial structures on state park land. I was among those who last summer publicly protested a scheme to build golf courses in state parks and was honored to work with Senator Harrell this session to pass this law that ensures our parks remain well-kept but natural jewels of Florida’s environment.
SB 7016 – Reforming Constitutional Amendment Process:
This bill was probably the most significant bill passed in the 2025 session of the Legislature. The bill exposed and cleaned up much of the fraud practiced by proponents of recent constitutional amendments. The bill provides a clear pathway for citizens to use petitions to amend the constitution but restricts outside, multi-million dollar interests from buying the constitution with fraudulent signatures and petition mills.
I was privileged to be joined by Senator Erin Grall in moving this complex but necessary bill through the legislative process.
The bill passed the Senate and the House and has already been signed into law by the Governor.
Major Bills Sponsored by Senator Gaetz which did not pass the House of Representatives and Senate
SB184 – Affordable Housing
This bill would have allowed Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs to be placed by property owners on their own land. The bill also required local governments to adopt ordinances governing ADU’s.
This bill passed the Senate but not the House.
SB554 – Property Insurance Reform
This bill would have ended the current practice of many property insurance companies hiding their true financial condition when seeking a rate increase. Now hundreds of millions of Florida rate payer dollars are hidden in “affiliate companies” and not reported on insurance company balance sheets, thereby making it easier to justify rate increases.
The bill was never heard in any Senate or House committee.
SB354 – Utility Rates
This legislation would have required investor-owned utilities to disclose excessive executive compensation and other internal cost drivers that force up rates. The bill also would have required co-ops to operate in the sunshine and conduct fair elections.
The bill was heard before one committee and then quietly killed by utility lobbyists in both Houses.
Northview Seniors Return To Bratt Elementary For Final Walk Through (Gallery)
May 23, 2025
Graduating Northview High School seniors that attended Bratt Elementary School returned to the school on Thursday for a final walk through the halls.
The current Bratt students cheered for their predecessors, and the seniors posed for pictures with teachers and staff, including former teachers.
One of those retired teachers was Lee Cassady, who taught for a combined 38 years at Bratt and Century elementary schools. Cassady, who has worked part-time at Bratt Elementary for the past couple of years, taught members of the Northview High School Class of 2025 when the students were in fifth grade.
Editor’s note: Readers may notice what first appears to be a larger than life senior in some of these photos. It’s actually a cardboard cutout. Senior Jamison Gilman pitched for Northview in Wednesday afternoon’s softball state championship game and was unable to attend the Bratt Elementary walk through on Thursday. Her classmates decided to include her with a surprise appearance of the cardboard cutout.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Offensive Woes Continue As Wahoos Drop Third Straight To Barons
May 23, 2025
The Blue Wahoos got one opportunity Thursday to change the game.
It almost happened.
But instead, the wrong side of an existing pattern continued in a 4-2 loss against the Birmingham Barons, the third setback in as many games this week against the Southern League’s North Division leaders at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets on Mullet Thursday didn’t flip the lack of run production, which has ailed the team for most of the past couple weeks.
Trailing 4-1 in the eighth inning, the table was set for a comeback. Pensacola loaded the bases with one out. The Blue Wahoos had the right hitter, Jake Thompson at the plate. He put a charge into a pitch, sending the ball high into the left center gap that was tracked by left fielder Caden Connor, turning a potential tying double into a run-scoring sacrifice fly.
The next batter, Kemp Alderman struck out swinging to end the threat. It’s been this kind of stretch for the team. It was the only time in the game that the Blue Wahoos had multiple runners on base.
Pensacola starter Evan Fitterer grinded through five innings. He allowed all four Barons runs, but only two were earned as another costly error led to a pair of runs in the second.
Birmingham’s leadoff hitter, second baseman Rikuu Nishida, a Osaka, Japan native who played for the Oregon Ducks, was the Blue Wahoos’ biggest thorn. He factored into three of the Barons’ runs.
In the first inning, he slapped a single, stole second, went to third on a slow roller and scored on a sacrifice fly. In the second inning, after Caden Connor reached on a two-out, infield error, No. 9 hitter Mario Camilletti smashed an RBI triple. He then scored on a perfect bunt single from Nishida.
In the fourth inning, Nishida’s two-out single made it 4-0.
The Blue Wahoos got a solo homer blast from third baseman Josh Zamora, his third of the season, to lead off the fifth inning. But with exception of the eighth inning, there was not a rally opportunity against three relievers the Barons used.
Alex Williams gave the Blue Wahoos three solid innings of relief to follow Fitterer, allowing just two hits, and Josh Ekness pitched a clean ninth.
But this became the 13th time in the last 18 games where the Blue Wahoos scored three or fewer runs.
The Blue Wahoos will need to win the final three games of this homestand, beginning Friday, to avoid their first home series loss this season.
GAME NOTABLES
— The National Anthem was performed by the Spanish Fort (Alabama) High School Choir.
— The Gulf Breeze Wave youth baseball team with a contingent of 250 was among 14 groups attending the game. Some others included Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi with 150, Upper Room Church in Gulf Breeze with 100 and Training Air Wing 5 in Milton with 82.
— The loss dropped the Blue Wahoos to 7-12 in May after starting the season in April with the best record (16-7) in Double-A.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday through Sunday.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Cantonment Man Convicted Of Attempted Murder For 2023 Bowling Alley Shooting
May 22, 2025
A Cantonment man has been convicted of attempted murder for a 2023 shooting outside a bowling alley.
Nicholas Vallia, 21, was found guilty by a jury of attempted second degree murder with a firearm, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.
During an investigation into a shooting on Nine Mile Road that occurred on September 23, 2023, investigators determined that Vallia, who was 19 years old at the time, shot into a vehicle occupied by three high school teenagers, who had just left the Deluna Lanes Bowling Alley.
Prior to the shooting, the high school students and the Vallia and his friends exchanged insults in the bowling alley parking lot. As the high school students drove away from the bowling alley, Vallia got in his car and followed behind them, according to prosecutors. A short distance later, Vallia then fired his gun into the occupied vehicle. A bullet struck the driver in his left arm and then it traveled through his elbow and through his abdominal region. Vallia fled the scene. The victim was treated for his life-threatening injuries at Sacred Heart Hospital by a trauma team.
Vallia will be sentenced on June 18.