Escambia County’s Isabelle Jenkins Nominated For Florida FFA President
April 25, 2025
Escambia County FFA member Isabelle Jenkins of Pensacola High School has been nominated for president of the 65,000 member Florida FFA Association.
With the nomination, she was automatically guaranteed selection as a state officer. After a vote at the 97th Florida FFA State Convention and Expo this summer., she will either be president or secretary of the organization.
The Florida FFA Association selected Jenkins and 11 other students as candidates for state FFA office from a field of 39 FFA members that took part in the selection process.
The student members were challenged with an intense interview process, which included an individual interview, individual problem-solving activity, state degree interview, agricultural knowledge Interview, and a conversational exercise.
Tate Falls To Fletcher In Game Two Of Regional Playoff Series
April 25, 2025
The Tate Aggies fell to the Fletcher Senators 8-0 in game two of a best-of-three series in the FHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship regional quarterfinals.
Keelan Beasley opened on the mound for Tate. He gave up four this and four runs in two and-two thirds innings, striking out one and walking two. Kaleb Posta pitched two and one-third innings, surrendering three hits and two runs while recording one walking and four strikeouts. Sheppard Edgar pitches for two, allowing one hit, two runs, walking one and striking out one.
Brayden Beck went 1-3 for the Aggies at the plate. Game three of the series move to Fletcher in Neptune Beach, near Jacksonville, at noon Central.
Pictured: Tate beat Fletcher 3-0 in game one of the series on Wednesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Softball District Playoff Brackets Set For Northview And Tate
April 25, 2025
FHSAA district softball tourament schedules have been released for Northview and Tate.
In Rural District 1, No. 1 Jay and No. 2 Northview both have a bye on Monday. On Tuesday, Jay will play the winner of No. 4 Baker and No. 5 Central, and Northview play the winner of Monday’s game between No. 3 Paxton and No. 6 Laurel Hill. The district championship will be May 1. All Rural District 1 games are set to be played at Laurel Hill.
In 6A District 1, No. 3 Tate (8-13) will travel to No. 2 Navarre (12-8) on Tuesday, and No. 4 Crestview will be at No. 1 Pace. The district championship will be May 1 at the higher seed.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Fitterer Fantastic As Blue Wahoos Pitch Shutout Against Smokies
April 25, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos broke out one-time uniforms Thursday night and a specialty theme.
What didn’t change was the outstanding pitching and defense which has been the hallmark of this team’s fast start.
With Evan Fitterer continuing superlative ways, some new players in pressure roles also shined as the Blue Wahoos blanked the Knoxville Smokies 3-0 on Pensacola Navy Days Night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game took only 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete, delighting a crowd of 4,023 on a Thursday normally reserved for the alternate identity as Pensacola Mullets.
In this case, the Blue Wahoos (13-5) wore brown, bomber-jacket design jerseys indicative of U.S. Navy pilots with a Navy Days logo on one sleeve, and commemorative patch on the other. The actual Navy Days in Pensacola will be May 9-11 when the team is on an extended road trip.
In his fourth start, the 24-year-old Fitterer set the narrative by going six innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six. In 86 pitches, an array of array of fastballs, sinkers, sliders and changeup, he threw 55 pitches for strikes.
“It was great,” said Blue Wahoos catcher Spencer Bramwell, who made his first start and produced in a big way. “(Fitterer) was around the (strike) zone, he was attacking the plan, he was executing everything. He’s a fun guy to catch, so it was a good time.”
Bramwell, a California native like Fitterer, had a good time in his first start of the season. In the second inning, he blasted an opposite-field homer into the right field grass area. First at-bat, home run, which also became the only run the team needed.
“It felt great,” he said, speaking to Blue Wahoos broadcaster Carter Bainbridge in the on-field interview. “I have been waiting for an opportunity to play, so I had to come out and show out. I got the pitch I was looking for and glad it worked out.”
Beside that swing, Bramwell made a statement by throwing out two Smokies runners on back to back steal attempts in the second inning. The Smokies (9-8) didn’t attempt another steal in the few other times they had a baserunner.
Fitterer faced just 21 batters – three above the minimum in his six innings of work. When he exited, relievers Nigel Belgrave and newcomer Jesse Bergin were equally impressive.
Belgrave pitched two flawless innings with two strikeouts and no hits. In the ninth, Bergin made his Double-A debut after joining the team Monday from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate.
Bergin topped 98 mph with his fastball, striking out two batters around a walk to end the game. He painted a fastball to cleanup hitter Haydn McGeary to end the game.
Josh Zamora, the Blue Wahoos star in Wednesday’s walk-off win, drove in the second run Thursday with his one-out single that scored Kemp Alderman, who led off with a double.
Alderman followed in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly to score Jared Serna, who walked, stole second, then stole third to continue the Blue Wahoos baserunning prowess. They lead the Southern League with 44 stolen bases.
The win was Pensacola’s fourth in the last five games and provided a 2-1 series lead as the weekend trio of games await. Adam Laskey, who has an 0.79 earned run average, takes the mound Friday for the Blue Wahoos.
“We are close knit group,” Bramwell said. “We’re having fun, so as long as we keep having fun and doing the small things right, we’re going to be successful.”
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos had a live auction Thursday for the game-worn jerseys. Team president Jonathan Griffith was the auctioneer.
— A color guard from Naval Air Station-Pensacola presented the flags for the National Anthem. The singer was Sierra Brown, the chief air traffic controller on the base.
— The Navy Days weekend (May 9-11) will take place outside Blue Wahoos Stadium at the Community Maritime Park and will be an open public festival to help honor the community’s vast military connections will all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Knoxville Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Friday Thru Sunday.
GAME TIMES: Friday and Saturday games all start at 6:05 p.m. The game on Sunday starts at 1:05 p.m.
Lithium-Ion Battery Suspected Of Causing ECUA Recycling Facility Fire
April 24, 2025
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority suspects a lithium-ion battery is to blame for causing a fire on Wednesday afternoon in their Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the Perdido Landfill.
ECUA said their staff quickly responded to the fire and suppressed it. Escambia County Fire Rescue responded at 1:17 p.m. and declared the fire under control by 1:47 p.m.
Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer, said all recycling operations will continue on Thursday.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Indecent Exposure, Drug Possession
April 24, 2025
A Cantonment woman and a Laurel Hill man were charged after allegedly having sex on the beach in public view.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office charged 24-year-old Emily Ann Smith and 26-year-old Corey Shaun Labauve with indecent exposure. Smith was also charged with felony drug possession.
Deputies responded to public complaints about the couple having sexual intercourse under a tent directly behind The Dock on Casino Beach Boardwalk. According to deputies, the act appeared to be ongoing when they arrived.
A witness told deputies that Smith and Labauve were “full on having sex”, and it outraged her sense of public decency.
Smith told deputies that she had been drinking, and she knew it was a bad choice, according to an arrest report. Labauve, the report continues, claimed there was no sexual contact and that Smith was simply “twerking on him”
Deputies located six alprazolam pills along with five partial alprazolam pills inside Smith’s bag, according to the arrest report.
Smith was released from jail on a $3,000 bond. Labauve remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $500.
High Schoolers Attend Northwest Florida Construction Career Days
April 24, 2025
Over 1,300 high school students from across the area rolled up their sleeves at the 2025 Northwest Florida Construction Career Days Tuesday and Wednesday at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds.
Students had the opportunity to operate heavy equipment and learn about bridge inspections, paving, concrete, traffic control, engineering, and more. Students were also introduced to the large number of career paths available in the transportation, structural, engineering, and building industries, and were able to interact with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as well as various engineering firms, and contractors looking to hire in the Northwest Florida area.
High school seniors who attended in-person or virtually are eligible to receive a portion of up to $50,000 in scholarship funds that will be awarded this year.
For more photos, including Northview and Tate high school students at the event, click here.
“FDOT District Three is working diligently to create a pipeline of workforce and economic opportunities for the next generation. Not only does this event give students a unique chance to explore career opportunities that have substantial benefits and add tremendous value to their communities, but it also allows FDOT and its industry partners to connect with young people of all backgrounds and skill levels,” FDOT said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Shut Out Fletcher 3-0 In Regional Playoff Opener (With Gallery)
April 24, 2025
The Tate Aggies shut out the Fletcher Senators 3-0 Wednesday night in game one of a best-of-three series in the FHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship regional quarterfinals.
Zane Warrington earned the home win for Tate. In seven innings, he allowed three hits and no runs, walking three and striking out six.
Taite Davis went 3-3 for the Aggies, while Nathan Ozuna and Kaden Posta each had multiple hits for Tate.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In game two, Tate will host Fletcher on Thursday at 7 p.m. If a third game in necessary, Tate will travel to Neptune Beach near Jacksonville to face the Senators on Saturday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Finish Regular Season Strong with 9-2 Win Over Escambia (With Gallery)
April 24, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies closed their regular season with a solid 9-2 win over the Escambia Gators Tuesday night.
Kara Wine homered to center field to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth for Tate. It was a literal dinger that “dinged” off the scoreboard at Charlene Varnell Field in Cantonment. Wine went for 2-4 at bat for the Aggies. Peyton Womack and Kaylie Mitchell each added two RBIs.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a youth night photo gallery, click here.
Mykamia Padgett earned the win for Tate with three innings of no run, no hit softball as she recorded six strikeouts and no walks. Peyton Womack was in the circle for four innings in relief, surrendering two hits and two runs (one earned) while walking two and striking out four.
Up next for the Tate is the district tournament with a schedule that is to be announced.
Wednesday night was Youth Night for the Lady Aggies as they hosted and recognized area youth softball teams including the Diamond Krushers, Lady Rockies Kids wearing jerseys were admitted at no charge and received a free hot dogs, chips and a drink.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dozens Of Violations, Arrests And Citations In Joint Traffic Operation
April 24, 2025
Last Friday, the Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Pensacola Police Department conducted a joint DUI and traffic safety operation in Escambia County.
During the enforcement effort, there were 69 overall violations, 10 DUI arrests, two drug arrests, 31 speed citations and six misdemeanor criminal traffic-related offenses.
This enforcement detail was strategically planned to target high-risk behaviors on area roadways, including impaired driving, aggressive speeding, and other criminal traffic offenses. Officers from all three agencies conducted saturation patrols and mobile enforcement zones at known trouble spots, maximizing visibility and deterrence,” FHP Captain Jason King King said. “This multi-agency effort demonstrates the exceptional synergy achieved when law enforcement partners combine resources and expertise. By working together with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department, we’ve taken dangerous drivers off our roads and sent a clear message that impaired and reckless driving will not be tolerated.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
