Blue Wahoos Fall On Taylor Swift Ticket Giveaway Night
August 18, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Courtney Ray and Lexi Hooks became the happiest, luckiest people Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, winners of the Taylor Swift concert tickets from Saturday’s promotion on “Low E.R.A.s Night.”
That kind of good fortune continued to elude the Blue Wahoos, after losing to the Montgomery Biscuits 5-4 in the fourth setback this week against the team Pensacola has struggled against all season.
The latest loss occurred despite a strong home debut for Blue Wahoos left-hander Robby Snelling, who tied a career-high with nine strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.
A capacity crowd of 5,038 waited through an hour and 15-minute delay before Saturday’s game began, then sat through a near 3-hour game, before the much-anticipated draw of the two winners for the Taylor Swift tour stop on October 25 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
“We had no clue it was an ERAs, Taylor Swift type game,” said Hooks, explaining they purchased tickets a couple months ago for Saturday’s game without realizing the seats had a special lure. “We had no clue, no idea until we got into the stadium.”
Hours later, they got the gift of a lifetime.
The couple, who recently moved to Pensacola from Montgomery, Alabama – as irony would have it — became stunned winners as Swift music fans to watch the world-renowned pop star perform.
“Total shock,” Ray said. “Shaking. Can’t believe it. We are not winners of things like this ever so to come to a game like and be surprised to win, it is very cool.”
The game itself began in the Blue Wahoos’ favor, just like two others this week. Jacob Berry continued his hot streak with a first-inning double that scored Graham Pauley with the first run.
The Blue Wahoos then took a 2-1 lead off Jared Serna’s homer, who is batting .394 since joining the Blue Wahoos on July 30.
Joe Mack then followed in the fourth inning with a homer, his team-leading 20th of the year, to make it 3-1
.
But as so often happened this week, the Biscuits quickly answered. They scored two runs in the fifth inning, taking advantage of walks, a single and outfielder error by Shane Sasaki.
They took a 5-3 lead in the sixth when Ricardo Genoves blasted a two-run homer off Blue Wahoos reliever Josh Simpson, who was set to begin this season with the Marlins before an injury setback.
The Blue Wahoos then loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but could only manage one run on Serna’s RBI ground out.
In the eighth, Mack was thrown out at the plate on a sensational throw by Biscuits right fielder Mason Auer on a two-out single from Sasaki.
In the ninth, the Blue Wahoos Paul McIntosh walked with one out, but was stranded there.
It’s been that kind of week, that kind of season-series for the Blue Wahoos (61-50, 23-20 in the second half), who are now 7-16 against the Biscuits (65-48, 25-19), the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate and winners of the Southern League first half South Division.
The series concludes on Sunday, which is highlighted by the appearance of beloved children’s character “Bluey,” which includes a pair of private meet-and-greet sessions before gates open at 3 p.m., then greeting fans at the ballpark after they enter.
GAME NOTABLES
— Also part of Saturday’s game, the second annual First City Bowl high school football game was announced on Oct. 25, featuring Pensacola High as the visiting team against West Florida High. PHS head coach Wade McKinney and West Florida’s Harry Lees participated in a “signing ceremony” before the bottom of the second inning in front of the home team dugout.
Man Airlifted, Woman Injured In Bratt Wreck
August 17, 2024
A Century man was airlifted to the hospital following a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon near Bratt.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was driving a Ford pickup truck eastbound on Highway 168 approaching Pine Barren Road about 4:30 p.m. Troopers said the driver of a Chevrolet SUV was traveling south on Pine Barren Road and failed to stop at the stop sign and collided with the left side of the pickup truck.
The pickup rolled once, coming of rest on the shoulder of Highway 168. The SUV came to rest in a ditch in the corner of the intersection.
The driver of the pickup was flown by AirCare helicopter as a trauma alert to a Pensacola hospital. A 25-year-old Atmore woman, who was the unrestrained front seat passenger in the SUV, was transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS for treatment of serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV, a 34-year-old Perdido, Alabama, woman, and a properly restrained 5-year-old backset passenger were not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Meet The Candidates: Escambia County School Board District 5
August 17, 2024
NorthEscambia.com asked the three candidates for Escambia County School Board District 5 to answer a series of questions.
Many of the questions were submitted by NorthEscambia.com readers.
Each candidate received an identical electronic questionnaire, and they were encouraged to proofread their answers. We have not made any corrections of changes to their answers.
This was NorthEscambia.com public service for our readers. Candidates were not financially charged for their participation, and no candidate was able to reach a response for their opponent until publication of this story today.
In alphabetical order, here are candidates with a link to their written answers.
Escambia County Names New EMS Chief
August 17, 2024
Escambia County has named a new EMS Chief that starts work on Monday.
Chief Chris Watts has served as a relief paramedic for Escambia County EMS, but he also brings previous leadership and management experience as an operations manager with Medstar Ambulance in Clinton Township, Michigan, where he was responsible for overseeing ambulance service across 13 counties covering the Southeast-Central Michigan region, including the City of Detroit. In this role, he oversaw nearly 1,000 employees and managed a budget of over $10 million, according to Escambia County.
In addition to working as a relief paramedic for Escambia County EMS, Watts has served as a flight paramedic and base lead with Air Methods since 2022 and a paramedic with Newman’s Ambulance in Mobile since 2023.
Watts earned his bachelor of arts degree from Wayne State University and will graduate in December with his master of business administration. He has earned numerous certifications, including basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support, and advanced burn life support, in addition to holding a paramedic license in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Mississippi.Watts is also a Nationally Certified Paramedic through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Escambia County’s previous EMS Chief, David Torsell III submitted his reignition back in early May. His last day was August 1. Torsell joined Escambia County EMS in June 2021
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Tate Aggies Edge Pine Forest in Jamboree Showdown (With Photo Gallery)
August 17, 2024
The Tate Aggies kicked off 2024 with a hard-fought 10-7 victory over the Pine Forest Eagles in a Friday night jamboree at Pete Gindl Stadium.
Head Coach Brett Summerford credited the win to the team’s unwavering work ethic and preparation. “It’s just hard work. We keep grinding, that’s our mentality,” Summerford said.
For a photo gallery, click here. Look for cheerleader and fan photos in a gallery by Tuesday.
A short 3-yard touchdown run (pictured top) by senior Carson Secchari put the Aggies up 7-0 early in the half. Summerford praised the Eagles’ strong performance, emphasizing the importance of a quick start. “That’s a really good team,” he said. “We had to come out fast. I just told the guys to keep working.”
“That’s a really, really good team. We jumped out fast,” Summerford said of the Eagles. “That’s what you got to do. I just said keep working.”
The Aggies’ defense also played a crucial role in the victory, effectively containing the Pine Forest offense. However, Summerford cautioned against reading too much into the preseason matchup. “This doesn’t mean anything at the end of the of the night. We’re 0-0. They are 0-0. We just have to keep building and keep getting stronger. So that’s where we are going to go next week on Monday.”
Tate faces a challenging road schedule to start the regular season, with games at Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola High.
“We get to go on the road and got to fight,” Summerford said.
The Aggies’ home opener will be a homecoming matchup against Milton on September 13.
Friday night’s Jamboree was opened with freshman and junior varsity quarters.
Look for cheerleader and fan photos in a gallery by Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Suffer Another HeartBreaking Loss In Ninth Inning
August 17, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Closing out late-game leads has been the Blue Wahoos’ forte during this run of successful seasons.
Right now, it’s gone the other way.
The Blue Wahoos took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning Friday, then were an out away from having a chance for a walk-off win in the ninth, but that quickly vanished with one swing and a 6-3 loss against the Montgomery Biscuits before a crowd of 3,528 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Biscuits’ cleanup hitter, Herberto Hernandez, pounced on a hanging curve ball from Blue Wahoos reliever Woo-Suk Go and blasted a 3-run homer into the water beyond left field. The no-doubter moonshot was the 14th homer for Hernandez this season, part of a slugging tandem with shortstop Carson Williams that has produced 29 homers.
This loss followed a blown 8-5 lead by the Blue Wahoos bullpen in the ninth inning on Wednesday. Prior to these two setbacks, the Blue Wahoos had been 43-2 when entering the eighth inning of games with a lead.
The decisive clout was unfortunately the fourth time in his past nine relief appearances that Woo-Suk Go has surrendered three or more runs. He joined the team on July 11 as part of a multi-player trade with the San Diego Padres.
Things started so differently Friday for the home club. The afternoon weather parted into a clear blue sky.
Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller, 21, making his home debut since being elevated from the High-A Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, continued his impressive progression this season.
Miller, the Miami Marlins’ second-round pick in 2022 out of high school in Ohio, spun a five-inning shutout. He allowed just four hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts. He breezed through those five innings, wasting little time between pitches.
It was Miller’s third start since being elevated and followed his strong, scoreless five innings last week in his first Double-A win against the Mississippi Braves.
He was in line for another one after Jacob Berry hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning – his second in two games – to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 lead. Graham Pauley’s RBI double made it 3-0 in the sixth.
Reliever Chandler Jozwiak had a scoreless sixth inning against the Biscuits, but in the seventh, the Biscuits’ Willy Vasquez mashed a homer to lead off the inning. Jalen Battles singled, moved over on a bunt, then scored on Tanner Murray’s RBI single.
After Matt Pushard picked up his 11th hold with a scoreless eighth, Woo Suk-Go yielded three consecutive singles with one out. The last one tied the game. After striking out the next batter, he made the mistake pitch to Hernandez and it was the game-changer.
The Biscuits racked up 13 hits in the game. The Blue Wahoos had four players with a hit apiece.
Now, the Blue Wahoos will try and work toward a split of the series in Saturday’s fifth game of the homestand. Newcomer Robby Snelling (1-0, 0.90), a left-hander who has been stellar in his first two starts on the road, will be on the mound for the Blue Wahoos.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Century Man That Evaded Capture For Months Gets 50 Months For Arson
August 16, 2024
A Century man that eluded capture on several occasions before being captured May 1 has been sentenced to just over four years in state prison.
Christopher George Pace, 41, was convicted of arson, criminal mischief, trespassing and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 50 months for arson, and time served on the additional charges.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and K-9s from the Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Road Prison captured Pace without incident May 1 g in a wooded area off Pleasant Hill Road.
According to sheriff’s office reports:
On February 27, Pace set a fire in a wooded area at the dead end of Sellers Road off West Highway 4. In an incident captured in game camera photos, someone piled a tent and other items onto a deer feeder before they were burned. The fire destroyed $450 worth of property including a hunting blind/tent, a deer feeder, 50 pounds of feed corn, a batter, solar battery charger and an archery target.
Pace was identified as the suspect in the game camera photos by one of his relatives and a deputy.
On March 18 deputies attempted to locate Pace in the wooded area in order to serve an arrest warrant. They spotted him on a trail through a wooded area at the dead end of Pleasant Hill Road, according to a report. They came close enough to him to make eye contact before he ran into the woods. Deputies pursued on foot but lost sight.
Two ECSO K-9s, a K-9 from the Century Correctional Institution, and a drone team were unable to locate him. One ECSO deputy received minor injuries to his knee during the chase.
On April 21, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious person complaint in the area of Williams Street and West Highway 4. A responded deputy recognized a person walking on Williams Street as Pace. Pace ran into a wooded area when he saw the marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The deputy gave chase on foot, but lost Pace. An ECSO K-9 responded but was unable to locate him in the woods. a deputy reportedly tripped on vines and suffered minor injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roman Catholic Diocese Proposes New Worship Facility In Cantonment
August 16, 2024
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is proposing to construct a worship facility and family life center in Cantonment.
St. Jude Catholic Church Family Life Center is planned for Highway 29 and Cedar Tree Lane on a 12.25 acre parcel.
An application filed with Escambia County shows an 8,300-square-feet facility with 45 parking spaces in an asphalt lot and an additional 48 spaces in a grass parking area. Plans show the facility will be accessed from Pinoak Lane.
The plan is still pending before the Escambia County Development Review Committee and shows an address of 1051 Pinoak Lane with frontage on Highway 29. A public hearing has not yet been announced.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Boating And Fishing Violations
August 16, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Investigator J. Pifer observed individuals taking photographs with several fish at Galvez Landing. The officer conducted a resource inspection and found an undersized red snapper had been harvested. A check of the charter captain’s history with the FWC revealed he had been cited earlier in the year for fishing violations. The captain was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper.
Investigator J. Pifer was on patrol when he observed a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico with several individuals and fishing gear on board. Upon conducting a resource inspection, Investigator Pifer located an undersized red snapper and an undersized scamp grouper on board the vessel. The owner/operator of the vessel was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper and a warning for undersized scamp grouper.
Investigator J. Pifer was on patrol when he observed a charter fishing vessel in Pensacola Bay with several individuals and fishing gear on board. During a resource inspection, six undersized red snapper were located on board. A check of the charter captain’s history with the FWC revealed he had been cited multiple times this year for fishing violations. The captain was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper.
FWC officers in the Northwest Region cited 131 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 631 boating safety warnings and removed nine vessel operators from the water for BUI.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis responded a complaint from the Florida Forest Service about a subject camping at a primitive campsite in Blackwater River State Forest for more than the allowable 14 consecutive nights in a 30-day period. Officer Lewis and Officer Roberson located the subject and subsequently cited the subject for the camping violation and for littering.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Second Teen Indicted For Fatal Drive-By Shooting Of 70-Year-Old Woman
August 16, 2024
A second teen has been indicted for first degree premeditated murder for a July drive-by shooting that took the life of a Pensacola woman.
A grand jury issued the indictment against Terrance Gross, Jr., for the drive-by shooting that occurred at 4260 Erress Blvd on June 24, 2024, which killed 70-year-old Myra Hayes.
Gross is now charged with first degree premeditated murder, shooting at or into a building, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed and possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age.
Last month, 19-year-old Jaquaris Ethridge, was indicted on the same charges.
A high speed chase occurred after Hayes was shot.
The chase ended with a PIT maneuver on the Highway 90 bridge over Escambia Bay. Three suspects — Ethridge, Terrance Gross Jr. and Trevion Moton — jumped off the bridge. Morton died from the jump, and Ethridge was captured shortly thereafter. Gross Jr. fled and was captured in Webb County, Texas and extradited back to Escambia County.
