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.
Zamora’s Clutch Swing Gives Wahoos Walk-Off Win
April 24, 2025
by Bill Vilona
Josh Zamora guessed right on the first pitch and connected well.
It turned a game that went from deflating an inning earlier for the Blue Wahoos into a walk-off, 10th inning celebration, after Zamora’s run-scoring hit and 4-3 win against the Knoxville Smokies at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Smokies trailed 3-0 and were down to their final out when Pablo Aliendo blasted a game-tying homer deep over the left field wall off reliever Zach McCambley.
But the Blue Wahoos got a terrific relief performance in the 10th inning from Dale Stanavich, who stranded runners in scoring position with one out, by striking out the next two batters to keep the game tied.
“It says a lot,” said Zamora, after being twice doused with ice bucket water moments after his big hit. “Our clubhouse, from top to bottom, the word is resilient.”
The Blue Wahoos rallied with textbook execution to get the run.
In the bottom of the 10th, Mark Coley II was the placement runner on second. Jared Serna was intentionally walked.
Shane Sasaki followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt that forced the only play to first base.
With runners on second and third, Nathan Martorella was intentionally walked and the Smokies chose to bring in an outfielder to have five infielders between bases.
On the first pitch he saw from Smokies reliever AJ Puckett — a fastball — Zamora sent it sailing into left field and the game was over.
“Honestly, I was trying to see a ball up at the plate and put a good swing on it.”
He did. And the Blue Wahoos won a game that seemed headed their way after eight innings.
Starting pitching Robby Snelling was brilliant again in his fourth start. The lefthander pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, struck out nine batters and gave up just one walk.
Snelling, the Blue Wahoos highest-rated prospect, has allowed just one run in three of his four starts and just five runs this season in 21 innings pitched.
But when he exited after throwing 84 pitches, the game was still scoreless.
The Blue Wahoos broke through in the seventh inning. Jake Thompson and Johnny Olmstead hit back-to-back doubles. Thompson had to wait on the ball hit by Olmstead and stayed at third base. With one out, Dalvy Rosario had an RBI single. Coley II hit a grounder that deflected off the third baseman’s glove for an RBI and 2-0 lead.
Sasaki scored after a leadoff walk in the eighth and stolen base, then an errant pickoff attempt to make it 3-0.
But in the top of the ninth, the Smokies got a one-out single, then a walk. McCambley struck out the next batter, Hayden McGeary.
But he left a one-strike pitch against Aliendo, one of the Chicago Cubs top 30 prospects, up in the strike zone and he walloped a no-doubter to tie the game. It was the only mistake McCambley made in three solid innings of relief.
Stanavich’s clutch relief and then Zamora’s heroics produced a good end for the Blue Wahoos to even the series.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos entered the game as the Southern League leader in stolen bases with 40.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Knoxville Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Thursday thru Sunday
GAME TIMES: Thursday through Saturday games all start at 6:05 p.m. The game on Sunday starts at 1:05 p.m.
Molino Man Sentenced To 25 Years For Attempted Capital Sexual Battery Of Child
April 23, 2025
A Molino man has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison in a child sex abuse case.
Brannen Lee Bateman, now 31, was convicted of attempted capital sexual battery.
Bateman was sentenced by Judge Linda Nobles to 25 years in state prison to be followed by 25 years sexual offender probation. He was also designated as a sexual predator.
According to court documents, Bateman was 21 years old when he began forcing a 5-year-old girl to have sexual contact with him and watch pornographic video on his phone.
He was also accused of abusing another 6-year-old girl, according to court documents. The girl told her parents, but they did not believe her.
EREC Awards Four Scholarships
April 23, 2025
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has announced four scholarships awards to students in the utility’s service area.
Four-year Herman D. Johnson Scholarships are being awarded to Colton Criswell from Northview High School and Braden Adams from Jay High School.
EREC Trade/Votech Scholarships are being awarded to Ayden Attalah from Northview High School and Lael Peterson from Jay High School.
The students will be recognized at the EREC Annual Meeting on April 26 at Wallace Lake K-8 School.
Pictured top: Colton Criswell (left) and Braden Adams. Pictured below: Ayden Attalah (left) and Lael Peterson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Homicide After Victim Found Stabbed In Ensley Home
April 23, 2025
A 34-year-old Escambia County man is charged with homicide after allegedly stabbing a man in the neck at an Ensley home.
Kyle Alexander Miller, 34, remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond after being arrested Monday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1200 block of Barmel Street off Fowler Avenue for a welfare check. When they arrived, they found a man that had been deceased for several days in the master bedroom. According to an arrest report, the homicide was believed to happen on our about April 9.
An autopsy determined the man died after being stabbed twice in the neck. Miller was then developed as a suspect; investigators believe Miller was the victim’s roommate at the time.
Northview Tops Tate Varsity 9-4; Tate JV Shuts Out NHS (With Gallery)
April 23, 2025
Northview 9, Tate 4
The Northview Lady Chiefs ended their regular season with a 9-4 win over the Tate Aggies Tuesday night in Bratt.
Mikayla McAnally earned the win with a complete game with seven innings in the circle. She gave up eight hits and four runs while walking three and striking out eight. Jordan Smith opened for Tate, giving up four hits and six runs (two earned) in five and one-third innings while striking out four and walking five. Peyton Womack closed in two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out one and walking three.
Kylee Langham slammed a home run to center field to the put the Chiefs on the board in the bottom of the first. Riley Brooks, Mikayla McAnally, and Daviona Randolph each had two hits for the Chiefs. Mikayla McAnally, Jamison Gilman, and Langham each had two RBIs.
Kaylie Mitchell went 1-for-4 at the plate for the Aggies with two RBIs.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Up next for the Chiefs is the district tournament, with a schedule to be announced.
In their final regular season game, the varsity Lady Aggies will host Escambia at 5:30 Wednesday. It’s youth night…kids wearing their team jersey will be admitted at no charge and receive free hotdogs, chips, and a drink from the concession stand (first come, first serve). A few local youth softball teams will be highlighted beginning at 5 p.m.
Tate 15, Northview 0 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies shut out Northview 15-0 on Tuesday.
Sarah Mitchell earned the win for Tate, giving up one hit and no runs in three innings, walking two and striking out seven.
Mitchell went 3-3 at the plate. Aubree Gorum and Gracyn Campbell each had three RBIs for Tate.
The game closed the season for the JV Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Broadcasters Recognized Dave Hoxeng, Owner Of Cat Country, Other Local Stations
April 23, 2025
The Florida Association of Broadcasters (FAB) has announced Dave Hoxeng as the 2025 recipient of FAB’s prestigious William J. Brooks Award. Established in 1988, this award honors legendary Florida broadcasters whose exceptional service and dedication set a standard of excellence in the industry. Presented annually, the award celebrates individuals who embody the high ideals exemplified by its namesake, William J. Brooks.
FAB said Dave Hoxeng, owner of ADX Communications, has profoundly influenced the radio landscape of Northwest Florida through an unwavering commitment to local content, community service, and broadcast excellence. Since launching Cat Country 98.7 (WYCT-FM) in 2003, Dave and his wife Mary have grown their media presence to include NewsRadio 92.3/AM 1620 (WNRP), ESPN Pensacola 1330/99.1 (WEBY), and Pensacola’s Playlist 94.5. These locally owned and operated stations serve Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with a dynamic mix of music, news, sports, and talk programming.
Hoxeng’s dedication to local broadcasting has been central to the stations’ success and national recognition. Cat Country 98.7 was named the 2024 CMA Radio Station of the Year, adding to previous wins in 2017 and 2019. The station has also earned multiple honors from the Academy of Country Music (ACM), and has been recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) with the NAB Crystal Radio Award and the NAB Service to America Award for outstanding community service.
Beyond the airwaves, the Hoxengs are deeply rooted in the local community. They established the Dave and Mary Hoxeng Endowed Scholarship at Pensacola State College to support aspiring journalism students. Their commitment to ethical leadership and civic engagement has also been recognized with awards such as the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics and the PACE Award for Spirit of Pensacola.
“These honors and accolades reflect Dave’s dedication to the industry and the impact his stations have on the communities they serve,” said Pat Roberts, President and CEO of the Florida Association of Broadcasters. “He is a pillar of our industry, and I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”
The William J. Brooks Award will be presented at the Florida Association of Broadcasters’ Annual Luncheon on Thursday, June 26, at The Breakers Palm Beach, as part of the FAB’s Annual Convention.