Cantonment Woman Charged With Battery On Deputy
June 6, 2024
A Cantonment woman is charged with kicking an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy at breaking a window on her father’s residence.
Niquita Lashon Potter, 37, was charged with criminal mischief and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Potter’s father reported that she had broken a window at his residence on Yacht Harbor Driver.
Deputies arrived to find Potter on the front porch with the broken window behind her. She stated that she was trying to get her belongings, according to an arrest report. She also told deputies that she lived there a couple of years ago.
The father told deputies that she has not resided there since 2019, and he wished to pursue charges for the broken window.
While she was being arrested, Potter kicked an ECSO deputy in his right leg, the report states.
Potter was booked into the Escambia County Jail where she remained Thursday morning with bond set at $2,000.
Blue Wahoos Buried In M-Braves’ Hitting Barrage In 14-6 Loss
June 6, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos would have taken their chances with four extra base hits and eight base runners through four innings against a pitcher without a dent at this level since April.
Just not on this night.
The Mississippi Braves pounded 15 hits, including three doubles from shortstop Cal Conley and six RBI from catcher Drake Baldwin, in an eventual 14-6 victory against the Blue Wahoos on a Fireworks Wednesday that lasted more than three hours before the actual post-game display.
A crowd of 4,312 saw a slugfest at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The teams combined for 27 hits, three homers, two triples, 10 doubles and included a ball hit by the Blue Wahoos’ Jake Thompson that appeared a home run, but was ruled a triple by the umpires on fan interference.
This game began with the M-Braves’ top hurler, righthander Ian Mejia, who had not allowed a run in 29.1 consecutive innings of Double-A pitching and threw a seven-inning, no-hitter May 17, having his club-record streak quickly ended.
The Blue Wahoos’ Joe Mack blasted a two-out pitch in the first inning over the left-center wall, which became Mejia’s first run yielded since April 28 at this level.
Sean Roby then tied the game at 2-2 with his second-inning double. At that point, it was a game pointing toward the home team direction.
The M-Braves quickly changed that notion. They erupted with consecutive 4-run innings to blow open the game, knock out Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios in the fourth inning and require the bullpen to use four pitchers.
Six of the nine batters in the M-Braves lineup had multiple hits.
Mejia was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning, after throwing 96 pitches, so he didn’t get credit for the win. The M-Braves led 10-2 at the time.
For the Blue Wahoos, four batters had multiple hits, including the aforementioned Thompson, who rejoined the team this week and delivered a pair of RBI.
He hit what seemed to be a 3-run homer in the seventh that a young fan caught on the right field berm near the wall, but it was ruled a triple on fan interference. It was part of the Blue Wahoos’ four-run rally that trimmed the deficit to 10-6. But the M-Braves kept pounding hits and runs to widen their lead in the final two innings.
The pregame activities included a salute to the Gulf Breeze High beach volleyball team, which won the state title in only its second season and finished unbeaten.
Mejia was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning, after throwing 96 pitches, so he didn’t get credit for the win. The M-Braves led 10-2 at the time.
GAME NOTABLES
— After being saluted for its state title, the Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team created a unique first pitch with sophomores Sydney Sutter and Allie Hepworth. They were the team’s duo on the court for the deciding third-set win against Berkeley Prep from Tampa to win the championship match. They brought a volleyball Wednesday with Hepworth setting up Sutter for a one-hand smash to the plate.
— The Pine Terrace Baptist Church from Milton performed the National Anthem as part of a 350-member group outing at the stadium.
— The Booker T. Washington baseball team held its fundraiser night at the game
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Cantonment Horse Rescue PER Seeks Donations For Hay And Volunteers
June 5, 2024
Panhandle Equine Rescue, a non-profit horse rescue in Cantonment, is asked for the public’s help to cover the cost of a recent hay purchase and for volunteers.
The rescue received a hay delivery Monday that cost them $1,386, and they are asking for donations.
“This hay will only last a couple of months and then we have to purchase another load, so a general hay fund is definitely necessary,” PER President Diane Lowery sai.
“It’s discouraging since we’ve been operating almost 20 years,” PER said. ‘Lately, we have very few donors or volunteers. Not trying to be negative, just realistic. We currently have nine horses relying on contributions.”
Donations can be made by PayPal or Venmo at Panhandle Equine Rescue @ horse rescue. Checks can also be mailed to PER, P.O. Box 777, Cantonment, FL 32533. PER is a 501(c)3 organization and contributions are tax deductible.
PER also needs volunteers age 8 and up. Contact them for more information.
ECFR Confirms Bratt Road House Fire Was Sparked By Lightning
June 5, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue has confirmed that a house fire early Saturday morning on Bratt Road was started by a lightning strike.
The fire was reported at about 3 a.m. in the 7400 block of Bratt Road, just east of Cox Road.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke showing from the rear of the brick home. They were able to bring the fire under control by 3:20 a.m.
There were no injuries reported.
ECFR conducted the investigation and determined lightning caused the fire. ECFR said the home can be inhabited again after repairs.
Members of the Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire-Rescue responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beach Lifeguards Update Beach Flag System
June 5, 2024
The Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have announced a revision to the beach flag system for Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
To remain consistent with state and local Gulf Coast beach agencies, the revised flag system will measure the following surf risks:
- Green flag – Low Hazard: Generally calm surf and currents
- Yellow flag – Medium Hazard: Moderate surf and/or currents
- Red flag – High Hazard: High surf and/or dangerous currents; beach patrons encouraged to remain out of the water
- Double red flag – Water Closed: No swimming or wading
- Purple flag – Stinging Marine Life: Flown when jellyfish, Portuguese man o’war or other stinging marine life are present
“Our lifeguards are revising our beach flag system to remain consistent with our fellow agencies along the Gulf of Mexico,” said Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. “Now, we will fly double red flags when we close the Gulf to all swimming and wading. We want to remind our beach patrons always to be cautious when entering the Gulf of Mexico.”
For current conditions, click here.
ST Engineering Celebrates Groundbreaking For Third Hanger At Pensacola Airport
June 5, 2024
ST Engineering celebrated the groundbreaking of the third aircraft maintenance hangar of Pensacola International Airport’s Project Titan Element 2, on Tuesday— marking another milestone of growth and expansion.3
The new 167,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hangar will be equipped with two bays for widebody aircraft. When fully operational in the second half of 2026, it is expected to contribute an additional 500,000 manhours annually. Hangar 3 is part of ST Engineering’s planned airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul, or MRO, complex which will comprise four hangar facilities and is projected to generate over 1,700 jobs when fully completed. It is co-funded by ST Engineering, Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the State of Florida and other state and federal organizations.
“The new hangar will contribute significant economic benefits for Pensacola and the surrounding region through the creation of quality jobs and increased demand for goods and services,” Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “We look forward to the continued partnership with ST Engineering that will help to position Pensacola as a regional center of excellence for the aviation MRO industry.”
ST Engineering North America President Timothy McBride said, “Our expansion in Pensacola aligns with the Group’s commitment to invest in its core business and is poised to strengthen our aerospace MRO network in the U.S. and globally. As we deepen our partnership with the City of Pensacola and play a major role in its growth, we look forward to facilitating job creation in the community and strengthening Northwest Florida’s status as a national hub for the aviation industry.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Extends, Expands Contract For Town Management Services With South Florida Company
June 5, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to extend and expand a contract with a South Florida company to manage many of the town’s operations.
In December 2023, the town accepted the city manager proposal after newly appointed Century interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. told the council that he would need help to properly run the town.
“I know that I am in over my head, but I don’t want the town of Century to suffer due to my lack of experience in this position,” Gomez told his town council a few minutes after he was sworn in in late August.
In December, the town contracted with contract with Local Government Consulting Group (LGCG) of West Palm Beach for up to six months for $7,500 per month.
Under a contract amendment approved Tuesday night, the rate for LGCG will increase to $8,000 per month for town manager services for six months. The town will pay an additional $3,000 per month for grant writing services and $175 per hour for Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Consulting Services.
LGCG will also serve as “Coordinator of Ongoing Projects Services” for $40 per hour.
LGCG representatives Howard W. Brown Jr., Erin Connelly, and Cheryl Harrison-Lee will provide the various services.
The contract amendment will extend the original agreement for an additional six months from the expiration of the original contract term on June 13, 2024. The town plans to pay for the services from America Rescue Plan funding and their CRA fund.
Florida Approves NIL Deals For High School Student Athletes
June 5, 2024
Florida is now the 31st state to allow high school student-athletes to make money from their name, image, and likeness.
The Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday approved NIL agreements effective with the next school years, pending ratification by the State Board of Education on July 24.
A student-athlete may profit from the use of their own NIL. Permissible activities include, but are not limited to, commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product, or service advertisements.
A NIL agreement is limited to the athlete’s high school period of athletic eligibility and will not extend beyond graduation. They will not be allowed to use uniforms, logos, or mascots from their school. They cannot endorse or promote anything during school or district sponsored events and can’t reference their school accolades or championships. Politics and adult entertainment products and services are off-limits.
Schools will be able to use NIL activities to recruit, and transfer students will be prohibited in most cases from entering into a NIL agreement during their transfer season.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies host the West Florida Jaguars on October 6, 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Approaches 40 Miles Of District 5 Dirt Roads Paved In Just Over Decade
June 5, 2024
With the recent approval to pave two additional roads, Escambia County’s dirt road paving projects in District 5 are approaching near 40 miles of roadway in just over a decade, representing about a $15.9 million investment into improving roadway connectivity and infrastructure.
The projects are in addition to numerous capital improvement projects completed in District 5, including sidewalks, bridges, road resurfacing and drainage improvements.
“Enhancing our infrastructure for residents of District 5 continues to be a high priority for Escambia County, and these numbers are a testament to that,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “While many of us enjoy a more rural lifestyle in District 5, it is imperative that we also provide roadways that connect our communities and allow for safer transportation. I’d like to thank staff for their hard work to complete these important projects, and I look forward to continuing to make improvements throughout District 5.”
The county is approaching a 40 mile dirt road paving total since 2012 in District 5 with the recent approval of a roadway and drainage system on Four Star Farm Road and with pavin a section a Rockey Branch Road and realigning the roadway with a previously paved portion of Rockey Branch Road. Four Star Farm Road is expected to be completed in April 2025, and Rockey Branch Road is expected to be completed in August 2025.
The projects are managed by the Escambia County Engineering Department. The Four Star Farms project contract was awarded to Site and Utility, LLC for $1,076,908.75. The Rockey Branch Road $781,081.21 project was awarded to Roads Inc. of NWF.
Below are the dirt roads paved in District 5, according to Escambia County, since 2012.
DRP=”Dirt Road Paving” project
Constructed:
- Brickyard Road DRP
- Bratt Road DRP Phase 1
- Brickyard Road Phase 2A
- Brickyard Road Phase 2B
- Bratt Road DRP Phase 2
- Eastman Lane
- Barrineau Park Road DRP
- Campbell Road, Carnley Road, Sprow Road, Hagan Road, Boat Ramp Road, Old Ferry Road and Flossie
- Road DRP
- Enon School Road DRP
- Lambert Bridge Road DRP
- Hicks Street DRP
- O.C. Phillips DRP
- Luth Road DRP
- Becks Lake DRP
- Caro St DRP
- Greenland Road DRP
- Cecils DRP
- Macks Road DRP
- Crary DRP
- Morton DRP
- Bradberry DRP
- Miller Road DRP Phase I
- Killam Road DRP
- Thompson, McNeal DRP
- Cotton Lake DRP
- Camp Road DRP
- Hall Road DRP
- Water Tank DRP
- Lambert Bridge Road DRP Phase II
- Blueberry Lane DRP
- Ashcraft Road
- Whirlpool Road
- Siglar Road
- Pine Barren Church DRP
- Salter’s Lake Rd
Pre-construction:
- Four Star Farms Road
- Rockey Branch Road
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos’ Eighth-Inning Lead Evaporates In 6-3 Loss To M-Braves
June 5, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
First pitches quickly became outs. Innings flew by in minutes. There was still sunlight during the seventh-inning stretch.
And then, the Blue Wahoos had a potential record-speed win fade into darkness of a laborious eighth inning and loss.
The Mississippi Braves followed a leadoff out into a six-run rally for an eventual 6-3 victory against the Blue Wahoos to start an intriguing Tuesday night of their six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos led 1-0 into the eighth inning.
This game on “Doggone Tuesday” with fans bringing their beloved dogs to the ballpark, featured a repurposed, veteran Major League infielder David Fletcher continuing his bizarre buzz in the baseball world as a knuckleball pitcher.
Making his M-Braves debut, his second minor league start, Fletcher raised attention by throwing six, solid innings with his fluttering, 60-something, miles-per-hour knucklers. He allowed just two hits, both in the first inning, as the Blue Wahoos couldn’t get solid contact with his pitches.
Fletcher was recently acquired in a December trade with the Atlanta Braves. When joining the Braves, Fletcher mentioned his desire to become a knuckleball pitcher.
He is being paid $6.1 million this season, part of a $25 million contract extension he signed with the Angels following his best MLB season in 2020 when he garnered American League MVP votes as a second baseman.
Fletcher, who turned 30 on May 31, made his first mound start last week with the Gwinnett Braves, the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate. He is scheduled to start twice this week in Pensacola with the M-Braves. He’s down to be the starter on Sunday to close out the series.
In the first inning, Fletcher’s flutterers were hit the hardest. Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack hit a one-out double and Nathan Martorella followed with an RBI single. Zach Zubia flew out deep to left for the second out and from that point, Fletcher retired 11 of the next 13 batters he faced.
Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez dazzled with a no-hitter through five innings. He gave up an infield single in the sixth, then pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam to match his longest start this season.
But in the eighth inning against reliever Patrick Murphy, the M-Braves batted around the order following a leadoff strikeout. The next six batters reached base – four of those on hits – as the Blue Wahoos’ 1-0 lead became a five-run deficit. The rally earned a second win for former Pensacola State College pitcher Patrick Halligan, who threw a scoreless seventh inning.
The Blue Wahoos got a pair of runs back in the eighth and had two more runners on base when the M-Braves’ bullpen ended the threat.
The Blue Wahoos (27-24) will have Luis Palacios start Wednesday’s second game of the series against M-Braves ace and rising prospect Ian Mejia (5-0, 1.45 ERA) who tossed a seven-inning, no-hitter win earlier this season.
GAME NOTABLES
— Recent UWF graduate Tris Weeks sung the National Anthem while playing her guitar as she continues pursuit of her musical career.
— The Blue Wahoos had a 20-0 success rate when leading in the seventh inning before Tuesday’s loss.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium