Lindgren’s Strong Outing Sets Tone For Wahoos Win In Sunday Series Finale
August 19, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Smiles returned. A game was sealed. The congratulatory, high-five line of players had some added energy.
The Blue Wahoos got a win they needed Sunday, a 4-1 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits to end a tough homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium in a good way.
Starting pitcher Jeff Lindgren, who was the Blue Wahoos’ most reliable, durable starter in 2021 on his eventual rise to making a major league debut last season with the Miami Marlins, duplicated that kind of performance Sunday in five scoreless innings.
He allowed just two hits, two walks, six strikeouts and carried a 2-0 lead en route to his first win since July 10.
Behind him, a bullpen trio of Cade Gibson (2 innings), Tristan Stevens and Dale Stanavich, all delivered. They allowed just one hit combined, two walks and five strikeouts. It resembled the other win the Blue Wahoos got in this six-game series on Thursday in a 3-1 game.
As it turned out, the Blue Wahoos got the runs they needed in the third inning. Shane Sasaki led off with a double, the scored on Johnny Olmstead’s RBI single. Olmstead then advanced on a stolen base and wild pitch and scored on Jakob Marsee’s sacrifice fly.
Marsee then laid down a sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning, moving Harrison Spohn into scoring position. Jacob Berry’s two out single scored Spohn and completed a big week for Berry. He went 9-for-21 in six games this week, with two homers and six RBI.
Joe Mack’s double in the eighth inning scored Graham Pauley with the Blue Wahoos’ fourth run.
It’s been a tough season series for the Blue Wahoos against Montgomery (8-16) and they will lament two games this week with ninth inning leads that didn’t end with wins.
But they remain in the thick of a three-team race with Biloxi and the Mississippi Braves for the second playoff spot. The second half winner in the Southern League’s South Division qualifies, or the second-place finisher if Montgomery wins both halves.
The Blue Wahoos will now turn attention to their farthest road trip this season. They will leave on Monday for east Tennessee where they will face the Tennessee Smokies in a road series beginning Tuesday at Smokies Stadium.
This series will be the second-to-last week for the Smokies playing in this ballpark, which is located 22 miles east of Knoxville in Kodak. Next season, the Smokies will move into a 7,000-seat stadium located in downtown Knoxville, not far from the University of Tennessee campus.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Tennessee Smokies
WHEN: Tuesday Thru Sunday (Aug. 25).
WHERE: Smokies Stadium, Kodak, Tennessee.
Entire Town of Century Water System Under Boil Water Notice
August 18, 2024
UPDATE: The boil water notice was lifted just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 22.
Previous story:
The entire Town of Century water system is under a boil water notice until further notice.
The town said Sunday morning that the system lost pressure due to a water main break.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Anyone with question should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
New Highway 4 Bridge To Open This Week
August 18, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation says the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek will reopen sometime this week.
FDOT told NorthEscambia.com that the bridge is complete, but there are a few minor items that need to be fixed prior to traffic being allowed across the bridge. One of those items is as simple as some reflective paint that was spilled and must be cleaned up to avoid a hazard for drivers at night.
The exact opening date and time are not known, but we’ll let you know here on NorthEscambia.com.
The estimated completion date for the nearly $4 million bridge had been delayed by weather until September 1, but contractors were able to finish construction last week.
The new bridge replaces an 81-year-old structure that hat was closed on July 10, 2023 ,with traffic between Bratt and Century detoured.
Pictured: The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek on Friday afternoon, August 16. Northescambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Collector Issues First Authenticated License Plate To North Escambia Classic Vehicle
August 18, 2024
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office has issued the first authenticated license plate to a local owner of a classic automobile. The authenticated license plate was issued to North Escambia resident, Joshua Ward for his 1963 Chevrolet pickup truck, marking a new option in classic car vehicle registration.
“I’m still working on the truck, but I am happy to get it running and legally registered,” Ward said. “My father gave me this plate a few years ago and I love how it looks now that is attached.”
Authenticated license plates may be issued to any vehicle manufactured in 1975 or earlier. The license plate must be the same year as the model year of the car or truck. The license plate will be approved for use if it is still legible for law enforcement purposes. Authenticated license plates may only be issued to cars, motorcycles, and pickups weighing 5,000 pounds or less. The tax collector reviews the colors, condition, and legibility of each plate to “authenticate” the plate for use on the roads.
Previously, authenticated license plates in Florida were issued exclusively by the state, a process that was occasionally hampered by issues such as delays and lost plates in transit. The transition to county-level issuance aims to rectify these problems and enhance the efficiency and security of the registration process. The new process allows counties to issue authenticated plates, promising a smoother experience for residents and improving overall service quality.
“We are thrilled to have issued the first authenticated license plate to an Escambia resident,” said Escambia County Tax Collector, Scott Lunsford. “This milestone is a testament to our commitment to enhancing public service and streamlining processes for our community. By handling plate issuance at the county level, we can better serve our residents and ensure that their experience is as efficient and secure as possible.”
Residents of Escambia County are encouraged to visit the Tax Collector’s website to learn more about the new process and how it may benefit them.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Reschedules Tuesday Meetings Because They Can’t Use Town Hall
August 18, 2024
The Town of Century has rescheduled a Tuesday meeting and two workshops because they won’t have access to use their council chambers.
The council normally meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
The town had a budget workshop, a bill list review and a regular council meeting set for Tuesday, but that’s primary election day. The town hall is a polling place, with voting taking place in the room used by the town council.
The budget workshop has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m. A bill list review will take place 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, with a council meeting follow about 7 p.m.
When council meetings were scheduled in early 2024 for the remainder of the year, date adjustments were made for the presidential preference primaries on March 19 and the general election on November 5, but not adjustment was made for the August 20 primary.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
10,000 Pound Food Distribution Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
August 18, 2024
Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a 10,000 pound drive-thru food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, August 20 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles.
There is a maximum of three people per vehicle that can receive a box, and each person must have their ID. For Tuesday’s event, there is also a limit of one meat item per box.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Early Voting Ends With 27,832 Ballots Cast In Escambia County
August 18, 2024
Voters in Escambia County had cast 27,832 ballot as eight days of early voting came to an end Saturday.
There were 14,570 vote-by-mail ballots received, and there were 13,265 early voters for the 2024 Primary Election in Escambia County.
If voters have requested a vote-by-mail ballot, they must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. It now past the one week period recommended by the U.S. Postal Service to actually return a ballot by mail. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov.
Voters can cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 20. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
In Florida’s closed partisan primary elections, you are only eligible to vote in primary contests for the party in which you are registered.
A Universal Primary contest occurs when all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation. These contests appear on every voter’s ballot. Voters in ECUA District 1 (Republican) and ECUA District 3 (Democratic) will have these contests on their ballot regardless of party affiliation.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
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.