Wahoos Drop Opener To The BayBears
August 25, 2018
The Blue Wahoos postseason hopes took another hit on Friday as they dropped the series opener, 9-4 to the BayBears at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After a promising first inning from Seth Varner (L, 8-3), things quickly turned south. Varner allowed six runs over the next three innings was pulled from the game with the Wahoos trailing 6-0. Nick Howard replaced him in the fifth and the BayBears tacked on two more runs to take an 8-0 advantage.
Former Blue Wahoos Joe Hudson, in his first game at Blue Wahoos Stadium as a visiting player, tied his career high with four RBI after going 4-for-5 at the plate. Hudson doubled and homered in his first two at-bats, and fell a triple shy of the cycle.
Pensacola scored their four runs in the final two innings of the game. Connor Justus mishandled a groundball from Taylor Featherston, which allowed Shed Long to score. Luis Gonzalez followed with a fielder’s choice, which allowed Crook to score after he singled earlier in the inning. Pensacola brought two more runs home in the ninth innings thanks to back-to-back RBI singles from Crook and Featherston.
Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the rally was too little, too late. Pensacola had runners on base in every inning and wound up leaving 13 men on base after going 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position. The Wahoos now trail the BayBears by 1.5 games in the wildcard, and after Biloxi’s loss to Mississippi, trail the Shuckers by 1.5 games in the second-half standings.
RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (9-10, 4.15) will try to get the Wahoos back on track in the second game of the series. The BayBears have yet to disclose who will start for them on Saturday.
Former Century Correctional Officer Sentenced For Stealing Drugs From Evidence Locker
August 24, 2018
A former correctional officer has been sentenced for stealing drugs from the work camp at Century Correctional Institution.
Joshua Vann Harrell, 26, pleaded no contest to grand theft of a controlled substance and destroying evidence. He was sentenced to five days in the county jail and 36 months probation for stealing “K2″ synthetic marijuana from an evidence locker.
Officers reported finding a chain of custody form on the seat of the post vehicle used by Harrell, and they reported finding an evidence bag on top of a trash can located along the perimeter road. The same day, another officer reported observing Harrell “wobble into the restroom” and become sick multiple times.
According to court documents, investigators determined that “K-2″ taken from an inmate was missing from the evidence locker.
Harrell resigned from his position, according to Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home
August 24, 2018
Fire destroyed a double-wide mobile home early Friday morning on Danielle Lane off Highway 95A, just north of Quintette Road.
There was no immediate report of any injuries in the fire, which was reported about 12:50 a.m.. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, Beulah and Ferry Pass Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Hit And Run Suspect That Fled Hospital Now In Jail
August 24, 2018
A Cantonment man that fled from the hospital following a Nine Mile Road wreck is now in jail.
On August 15, Brandon Joseph Levy, 35, was traveling north on Old Palafox near Nine Mile Road fleeing the scene of a previous hit and run wreck in a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu when he caused another crash involving four other vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Four other drivers – Charles Scott Swenson, 76, of Pensacola, Margaret Louise Voorhees, 86, of Cantonment, Amanda A. Tidwell, 82, of Cantonment, and Marcus Alan Greene, 53, of Pensacola – were not injured.
Levy was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he fled on foot and could not be located.
He has now been booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of hit and run, reckless driving and resisting without violence. Bond was set at $5,500.
Man Convicted Of Assaulting Girlfriend That Would Not Steal TV
August 24, 2018
Patrick Hall was convicted 2018 by an Escambia County Jury of false imprisonment, aggravated battery with great bodily harm or with a deadly weapon, and domestic violence battery by strangulation.
On Thanksgiving Day 2016, the Hall and his girlfriend went to Walmart where he demanded that she steal a TV.
When the victim did not steal a TV as directed, the Hall became upset. He drove her back home, but he did not let her exit the car for an hour. Once the he finally allowed the victim to exit the car, he followed her inside, demanded that she go to her room, take off her clothes, and lie face-down on the bed. When she complied as ordered, Hall strangled the victim until she passed out.
Hall slapped the victim until she awoke, and he told her, “Not fair, you should feel it.” He whipped the victim’s back with a cellphone charging cord until she had large welts from the lashings.
Hall then placed the cord on the victim’s wrist and told her he was going to get his gun from the car. He threatened to kill her if she moved. He then left the residence with her keys and cellphone. After a short period of time, the victim climbed out of her window naked and dressed in her yard before knocking on her neighbor’s door for help. The neighbors called 911 when they saw the injuries to her back.
Circuit Judge Joel Boles scheduled sentencing for October 8. Hall faces a maximum of 30 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender. However, if Hall is sentenced as a prison releasee reoffender, he also faces a minimum mandatory
sentence of 15 years in state prison.
Hall’s prior felony convictions include sale of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, burglary, introducing contraband into a detention facility, escape and numerous driving while licenses suspended.
4-H Council’s ‘Boots vs. Badges’ Presents $3,500 To Gulf Coast Kid’s House
August 24, 2018
The Escambia County 4-H Council’s “Boots vs. Badges Challenge” last May raised $3,500 for the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
The event pitted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vs the U.S. Navy in an obstacle course challenge. The ECSO’s eight-main team defeated the Navy’s team.
The competition was held at the Escambia County 4-H property in Molino along with individual obstacle course competitions, a car show, bounce houses, and petting zoo.
Escambia County 4-H Council President Taylor Nelson (pictured above left in green jacket) presented a $3,500 check to the Gulf Coast Kids House a few days ago.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Lose Season Openers To Baker (With Gallery)
August 24, 2018
The Northview High School varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams fell in their season openers Thursday night.
The varsity Lady Chiefs lost a district match to Baker 7-25, 12-25, 7-25. After winning their first set 25-22, the junior varsity Lady Chiefs were defeated by the JV Lady Gators 9-25, 13-15.
Up next, the Northview Lady Chiefs will host a district match against the Jay Lady Royls on Tuesday. The junior varsity takes the court at 5:00; the varsity follows at 6:00 in Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Register Today For NHS Mini Majorette Clinic
August 24, 2018
The Northview High School Majorettes will host a Mini Majorette Clinic Monday, August 27 through Thursday, August 30 from 4-5:30 p.m. each day in the Northview gym.
The cost is $25 per child and includes the clinic, official tshirt and admission to the August 31 home football game. To register or for more information, please contact Leslie Johnson, majorette instructor, by phone or text at (251) 363-4076. The deadline to register is Friday, August 24.
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West Florida Libraries Receive $25,000 Donation From Friends
August 24, 2018
Friends of West Florida Public Library donated $25,000 to West Florida Public Libraries for youth programs such as Summer Reading Club supplies and educational performers, and STEAM activities such as WFPL’s robotics, science, art, and engineering programs.
Friends of West Florida Public Library is a nonprofit organization founded in 1973. Over the past 40-plus years, the Friends have raised more than $2 million to enhance the programs and services at West Florida Public Libraries such as developing library programs, building new library locations and many other activities.
The Friends raise money through their book stores located inside Pensacola Library located at 239 N. Spring St. and Tryon Branch Library located at 1200 Langley Ave. The Friends also host book sale events throughout the year.
Biloxi Completes Sweep Of The Blue Wahoos
August 24, 2018
Biloxi completed the five-game sweep at MGM Park Thursday night as the Wahoos dropped a heartbreaker, 3-2.
It was a promising start for the visitors when Jose Siri homered on the first pitch of the game from Cameron Roegner to give Pensacola a snappy 1-0 lead. For Siri, it was his 12th second-half home run, adding to the franchise record that he set earlier this year.
Wyatt Strahan (L, 7-11) started the game strong for the Wahoos. Strahan faced one over the minimum through the first five innings of his start. In the sixth, Cody Ponce’s (W, 7-6) one-out double marked the first time the Shuckers had a runner in scoring position against Strahan. It was also his first professional hit. After a flyout by Corey Ray, Troy Stokes Jr walked and Keston Hiura singled to tie the game at one. Lucas Erceg followed with an RBI single and the Shuckers jumped ahead 2-1.
In the seventh, Biloxi added one more run off of MLB-rehabber Rookie Davis. After a leadoff double by Luis Aviles Jr., a pair of flyouts moved and eventually scored Aviles from second.
Pensacola clawed their way back into the game with a run in the eighth. Malik Collymore led off the frame with a pinch-hit single, and after a walk to Siri, both runners advanced on a sac bunt from TJ Friedl. Mitch Nay brought home Collymore with a sac fly and the Wahoos were only down 3-2. After Brad Kuntz walked Scott Schebler to put runners on the corners, Mike Guerrero brought in his closer, Nate Griep (S, 33), and he struck out Gavin LaValley to end the inning.
In the ninth, Taylor Featherston led off with an infield single. After Luis Gonzalez moved Featherston to second with a sac bunt, Griep walked the next two batters to load the bases. Griep worked around the threat by inducing Siri into a foul pop out and Friedl into a comebacker to the pitcher to end the game.
This is the second time this season Pensacola has been swept. As it stands, Pensacola is outside of the postseason, trailing the BayBears by a half game in the wildcard standings. If Pensacola cannot overtake Biloxi in the second-half standings, the team with the best overall record in the South Division will claim the other postseason berth.
LHP Seth Varner (8-2, 3.13) will take the hill to open Pensacola’s most important series of the season. The Blue Wahoos will welcome the BayBears for the final five games at Blue Wahoos Stadium this season. Mobile is expected to send RHP Alex Klonowski (9-3, 4.28) on the bump for the visitors.