Tri-County Junior League All-Star Team Wins Section Championship
June 19, 2024
The Tri-County Junior League All-Star team won the Florida Section 1 Championship Tuesday evening.
With the win, Tri-County advances to state beginning July 5 in Melbourne, Florida. The team is organizing fundraisers for the trip, and the Jay Recreation Association already accepting donations via Paypal.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Sunk By Pair Of Two-Run Homers In Series-Opening Loss To Lookouts
June 19, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
If there’s one element in which the Chattanooga Lookouts have excelled amid a dismal record, it’s hitting home runs.
They did again Tuesday night, putting a damaging dent into the Blue Wahoos’ hopes for another first half divisional win.
A pair of two-run homers in consecutive innings were decisive in Chattanooga’s 4-2 victory, beginning the final week of the first half schedule in a glum way for the Blue Wahoos.
A crowd of 4,034 on a Doggone Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which included the Pace High School state champion softball team, watched the Blue Wahoos (35-28) get few scoring chances against the Lookouts (18-47), who by far have the worst record in the Southern League.
The Blue Wahoos’ loss, coupled by the Montgomery Biscuits’ 6-5 win Tuesday against the Birmingham Barons, dropped the Blue Wahoos 1.5 games behind in the South Division race with just five games left. The Barons hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in their game.
This all followed, of course, the Blue Wahoos winning four of six games last week in Birmingham to get into contention for a third consecutive first half divisional win and automatic playoff berth.
Tuesday’s game started well for Pensacola. Joe Mack homered just inside the right field foul pole for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The lead was flipped by one swing in the fourth inning. Lookouts third base Nick Northcut, a Cincinnati native playing for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate, hit a two-run homer on a two-out pitch by Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer.
A repeat scenario happened in the sixth inning when Quincy McAfee had a two-run homer, ending Fitterer’s night. The Lookouts tagged him for seven hits in the game.
It gave the Lookouts a total of 51 homers – second-most in the league behind the Tennessee Smokies.
The Blue Wahoos missed chances with two runners on base in the fifth and sixth inning, then had Paul McIntosh thrown out on a double-steal attempt in the eighth. A wild pitch led to a run, but the Lookouts’ Braxton Roxby earned his first save with a clean ninth inning.
The series continues Wednesday.
The game will start at 6:05 p.m. and will be followed by the largest fireworks show of the season.
GAME NOTABLES
Pace High’s prep All-American third baseman Shelby McKenzie, who is heading to join Florida State’s softball team, threw out a first pitch, along with senior teammate Mallory Baker, who was the Patriots’ No. 2 pitcher and outfielder. Baker threw a baseball, then went underhand with the softball in a double first pitch to the Blue Wahoos’ Tanner Allen in pregame ceremonies.
The Patriots finished ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps – the highest ranked softball team in Florida – following their 2-0 win against Bartow in the Class 6A state title game on May 23.
It was a special moment for the Patriots who went to the state final four in all four seasons for the seniors, led by pitching star Jayden Heavener, who was attending an orientation session at LSU, where she will play next season.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
New Boat Ramp On Perdido Bay Now Open, Escambia’s First Large Public Access
June 19, 2024
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for the new Perdido Bay Boat Ramp, Escambia County’s first large public access to Perdido Bay.
“This is an exciting day for District 1 and all of our west side residents who can now more easily access and enjoy beautiful Perdido Bay,” District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “This project is the culmination of many hours of hard work and collaboration, and I look forward to seeing residents and visitors enjoy this amazing community amenity all summer long and for years to come.”
The new 40-acre facility is located on Heron Bayou and includes a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measurin 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of five feet was dredged from the launching facility to Perdido Bay. Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.
In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property with $1.24 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and vessel registration fees. Construction was funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Settlement Funds.
The Perdido Bay Boat Ramp is located at 10808 Lillian Highway.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Passes Away Following Wreck In Brewton
June 18, 2024
A three vehicle crash claimed the life of a Century man in Brewton.
In a delayed report, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Tuesday that 68-year old John D. Wood was critically injured when the 2002 Jeep Cherokee he was driving was struck by the 2020 Nissan Murano driven by an 18-year-old about 5 p.m. on June 10.
After the initial collision, the Nissan was struck by the 2019 Hyundai Sonata driven by 59-year-old Sonja S. Nelson of Brewton. Troopers said Woods was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. On Thursday, June 13, Woods succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The 18-year-old driver and a 16-year-old passenger in the Nissan, were both injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment. On Thursday, June 13, Woods succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The crash happened in Brewton, and troopers with he Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division are continuing to investigate.
Beulah Man Charged With Molesting Preteen Boy
June 18, 2024
A Beulah man has been charged with sexually abusing a preteen boy over a period of several years.
James Craig Schultz, 70, was charged with sexual battery molesting a victim under 12-years-old by an offender 18-years-old or older, a life felony.
Schultz allegedly sexually molested the boy since at least about 2015, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The report states a relative walked into the child’s room last week and saw Schultz exposing himself to the child.
The victim said Schultz had been “engaging in sexual acts with him since he was 10-11 years old”, according to the arret report.
The relative and the boy had been living with Schultz for over 10 years, and the victim viewed him as his grandfather, although they are not related, according to the report.
Local First Responders Going On Donut Strike For Manna
June 18, 2024
Local law enforcement and fire departments are going on strike later this month — once again teaming up again to fight hunger for the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna.
The brave men and women are going on strike against the doughnuts from Wednesday, June 26 through Friday, June 28 to encourage the community to fight local hunger by supporting Manna. They won’t give in until truckloads of nutritious food have been donated to the cause.
Each day of the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations. A list of donation sites will be published just before the event here on NorthEscambia.com.
Food donations and financial gifts to Manna may also be dropped off at their headquarters, 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, any day during the week of the Strike, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Because the cost of food and other essentials is rising, Manna is experiencing even greater demand than is typical in the summer months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “At the same time, food donations are down, as everybody feels the pinch on their budgets. Every day, our first responders see children and families who are struggling — and we are so grateful for their efforts to impact change.”
This is the seventh year of the Donut Strike and so far, the pastry protest has raised more than 160,000 healthy meals to help fight hunger in our communities.
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.
Pictured: Donations were collected in 2023 for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Juvenile Charged With Attempted Murder Of Another Juvenile In Atmore
June 18, 2024
A juvenile has been charged with shooting another juvenile in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department said Monday that officers responded to the 300 block of Everette Street in reference to a shots fired complaint about 5:35 p.m. last Friday.
While enroute to the scene, officers were notified that a juvenile had been shot and was taken to the hospital by private vehicle. APD said the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
On Saturday, a juvenile suspect was arrested without incident in Baldwin County and charged with attempted murder.\\
The Atmore Police Department has not released the names of the juveniles.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Veterans Town Hall Set For Thursday
June 18, 2024
A Veterans Town Hall will be held Thursday in Pensacola.
The event will take place at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
VA leadership and staff will be available at 11 a.m. until noon to answer questions and provide VA health care and benefit resources. The meeting portion of the town hall will begin at noon and will begin with a question and answer opportunity for veterans.
Anyone planning to attend is asked to register here.
Driver’s License, Tax Collector Services Available Thursday In Century
June 18, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century on Thursday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
Pictured: MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center last week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The Chosen 12U Wins Montgomery Tournament
June 18, 2024
The Chosen 12U softball team went undefeated to take first place in a weekend tournament in Montgomery. The victories included a nail-biting squeeze bunt in extra innings for the semi-final victory and a 3-2 thriller in the championship game. The Chosen 12U softball team is home-based in Century with players from Century and the surrounding area. The Chosen team was founded last year in support of one of the player’s mother battling breast cancer. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.