Two Injured In Crash Into Escambia Deputy Vehicle
April 27, 2024
A vehicle driven by a 60-year-old Escambia County man collided with a deputy’s cruiser, sending him and his passenger to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man failed to yield to oncoming traffic as he turned from northbound Highway 29 to West Hope Drive. He collided with a southbound marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.
The 60-year-old man was critically injured; his 59-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries. The 36-year-old man deputy was not injured.
FHP is continuing their investigation.
Friends Big Spring Book Sale Saturday And Sunday At The Downtown Library
April 27, 2024
The Friends of the West Florida Spring Book Sale is going on through Sunday.
It’s time to stock up on books, DVDs, audiobooks, and CDs. The books are sorted by genre to make it easier to find your favorite novels, children’s books, books about gardening and decorating, biographies, and so many more.
Saturday is half-off day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday is the big $7 bag sale — all of the books you can stuff into a provided bag for $7.
Admission is free both days at the downtown library, 239 North Spring Street. Debit and credit cards are accepted.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fitterer Produces His Best Start As Blue Wahoos Win Fourth Straight
April 27, 2024
Evan Fitterer had grinded through his first three starts this season.
Friday night, he shined.
After breezing through the first three innings without allowing a baserunner, Fitterer pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and it proved pivotal in leading the Blue Wahoos to a 4-1 win Friday night against the Biloxi Shuckers, giving Pensacola a fourth straight victory and series-clinching outcome.
In a game played with the strongest winds this season – blowing in from right field off the bay at 15 mph – it breezed to completion in 2 hours, 26 minutes before a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“I feel like the confidence is up with everyone,” Fitterer said afterward. “Everyone is playing a little better and building off each other.”
It was Fitterer’s first win after two no decisions and a loss. Friday’s outing, a one-hitter in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts, no runs, reminded of many quality performances last season when he made 23 starts for the Blue Wahoos.
“It’s really good to get your first win of the year. It felt pretty good,” said Fitterer, 23, a Mission Viejo, California native. “I felt like I was locating the fastball pretty well. Throwing the changeup over the plate for the most part.
“I was working on the curve ball earlier in the week with the pitching coaches. I made some changes to that. I was little inconsistent there, but I’m really excited once I dialed that (pitch) in.”
The best curve ball he threw occurred in perhaps the biggest moment of the game. The Shuckers loaded the bases when Fitterer walked one batter and plunked shortstop Freddy Zamora – one of three times Zamora was hit by a pitch from two different Blue Wahoos hurlers.
“My confidence was still there,” Fitterer said. “Because to me, they had not shown they could still get to me yet. Bases loaded, or nobody on, I felt they still have to beat me, so I felt really good.”
It showed when Fitterer struck out Justin Dirden with a curveball and the Blue Wahoos carried a 4-0 lead into the ninth inning.
“That was one of the ones I threw right,” said Fitterer, a fifth-round pick by the Miami Marlins out of high school in 2019. “I’m like, I want to do that more often. That’s the one.
“I know I sprayed a few (other curve balls). I hit someone (Zamora) with it. If I get more consistent (with that pitch) I’d feel really confident.”
The Blue Wahoos took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Shane Sasacki reached on a fielder’s choice and then stole second base. Sasaki had two hits in the game, scored three runs and had two stolen bases.
Harrison Spohn singled home Sasaki for the first run. Sasaki then scored in the fourth inning when Cody Morissette followed with a two out double.
In the sixth inning, Jacob Berry singled and scored on Sasaki’s double. Morissette’s second RBI single scored the fourth run.
In the ninth, Blue Wahoos closer Austin Roberts pitched out of a jam after the first two Shuckers batters reached on a hit by pitch and walk. But he struck out the final two batters after a balk plated a run to end the game with runners in scoring position.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
‘It’s A Blessing’ – Volunteers Build Wheelchair Ramp For Molino Veteran
April 26, 2024
Air Force veteran David Lail took his wife Margaret by the arm and carefully walked into their Molino home Thursday for the first time in a long time.
David’s mobility has declined with age, and he is confined to a wheelchair most of the time. The couple had a wheelchair ramp before, but it rotted and had to be removed. That meant David and his wheelchair had to be carried out of their home each time he wanted to go somewhere His son and daughter-in-law recently moved in to help the family, but they needed a little extra assistance to improve the couple’s mobility situation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Team Depot, Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, partnered with the Pensacola Marine Corps League Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment 066, and Heroes Among Us to construct a new wheelchair ramp for the family, remove debris and install a new flagpole Thursday morning at the home on Molino Road.
Shortly after the job was done, David was able to walk down the ramp.
“It’s nice and smooth,” he said with a bit of a smile on the 93-year-old veteran’s face.
The new wheelchair ramp allowed him to go outside on his own and join the volunteers for a lunch of hot dogs, baked beans, and pasta salad — his favorite.
After lunch, and a little couple time watching Old Glory wave on their new flagpole, the couple headed back up the wheelchair ramp.
“It is fine,” David said at the top of the ramp.
“Yes, it’s nice,” Margaret, 87, said.
“Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot,” Nine Mile Road store manager George Banta said. “The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, Team Depot, extends the mission of The Home Depot Foundation into local communities by investing sweat equity into serving the needs of communities where they live and work.”
“It’s a blessing, I tell you,” David’s daughter Beth Rutherford said.
Know someone that needs assistance with a wheelchair ramp? Escambia County residents in need of assistance are encouraged to apply. To learn more about the Escambia County Wheelchair Ramp Program, including eligibility requirements and application information, contact the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at ned@myescambia.com or call (850) 595-1642. This is a county-funded program not affiliated with The Home Depot or other groups that assisted the Lail family Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Casino Beach Fishing Pier On Pensacola Beach Reopens Today After $4.2 Million In Repairs
April 26, 2024
The Casino Beach Fishing Pier on Pensacola Beach will reopen to the public Friday at noon after over $4 million in repairs.
Work to the pier began in December 2023 and included replacing pier signage, lighting, water lines, and the entrance gate, and repairs to timber railing and blow-out deck panels. New additions to the pier include benches, trash cans and ADA fishing rails placed throughout the pier. Minor work will still need to be completed once the pier is open, including installing lighting and repairs to blow-out deck panels.
“I’m thrilled that we’re able to open the pier in time for summer,” said Director of Engineering and County Engineer Joy Blackmon, P.E. “I’m very thankful for all of the hard work from our Construction Management Division and the collaboration with the Public Works Department to help us get the pier open as quickly as possible. The pier is a tremendous asset to Pensacola Beach and we look forward to opening it up to the public.”
The pier will be open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing Metal From Church During Service Hours
April 26, 2024
A Cantonment man was charged with a felony after allegedly stealing metal from a church during church service hours.
Gerard Dominic Patti, 46, was charged with grand theft. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,500 bond.
Patti stole metal gutters left over following a remodel from outside the back of the Apostolic Global Church at 4317 North Palafox Street, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. According to an arrest report, Patti and his blue Ford F150 were captured on surveillance video. Deputies believe the metal was later sold for scrap.
Battle Of Number Ones: 1A Northview Beats 5A Gulf Breeze 14-51A Northview Beats 5A Gulf Breeze 14-5
April 26, 2024
The 1A Northview Chiefs easily beat the 5A powerhouse Gulf Breeze Dolphins 15-5 Tuesday night in Bratt.
It was a battle of the number ones in their respective districts before district tournaments next week. Gulf Breeze is number one in 5A, and Northview is number one in 1A.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jamison Gilman earned the win for the Lady Chiefs, allowing 10 hits and five runs (two earned) in five innings, striking out six and walking one. Mikayla McAnally took the save, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out three and walking one over two innings.
Gulf Breeze was first on the board with two singles in the top of the first inning.
Northview took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the first, powered by a Chloe Ragsdale solo home run over the right field fence in her first at bat and a single from Riley Brooks.
Brooks, Ragsdale, McAnally, and Daviona Randolph each had multiple hits for Northview.
Avery Stuckey shined at the plate for Northview, going 3-4 with three RBIs.
Sitting at the top of 1A-District 1 Northview (20-3) will have a bye Monday in the quarter finals. Tuesday at 5 p.m., the Chiefs will host the winner of Monday’s game between Paxton and Central.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mason, Nowling Named First EREC Trade/Vocational Scholarship Winners
April 26, 2024
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has awarded their first ever EREC Trade/Vocational Scholarship.
The awardees Lelia Mason from Northview High School and Tucker Nowling from Jay High School. The scholarships will be formally presented at the EREC annual meeting at 10 a.m. on April 27 at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The scholarships are in addition to the 2024 Escambia River Electric Cooperative Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Awards that were recently announced.
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships.
Courtesy photos.
Jay Defeats Northview 7-2 (With Gallery)
April 26, 2024
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 7-2 Thursday night in Jay to end the regular season for both teams.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Jackson Bridges was first on the mound for Northview, giving up seven hits and four runs in three innings, striking out none and walking two.
For Jay, Ethan McDonald surrendered three hits and two runs in four innings, striking out three and walking two. Jax Lowery went for three on the hill, giving up one run while striking out one and recording no hits and no walks.
Jax Lowery led Jay at the plate going 3-4, while Hayden Morris and Nick Baxley were 2-4.
At the top of the lineup, Grayden Sheffield was 3-3 to lead the Chiefs, and Bodiford was 1-3.
Both teams head into the 1A-District 1 tournament next week. No. 2 seed Jay (13-10) will sit out Monday with a bye, while No. 4 Northview (9-14) will host No. 5 Laurel Hill (8-11).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click here.
Blue Wahoos Power Past Shuckers For Third Straight Win
April 26, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Much to his delight, Joe Mack has now impacted two teams before April is even complete.
Still in his first week with the Blue Wahoos, the 21-year-old catcher drove in three runs, highlighted by a two-run homer to straightaway center in the seventh inning, which proved decisive in Pensacola’s 6-5 victory Thursday night against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets, complete with uniforms and fan fun, it was a third straight win in as many games this week against the Shuckers (10-8), who started the week tied for the best start in the Southern League.
Mack, drafted by the Miami Marlins in the competitive balance portion of the 2021 MLB draft out of high school in New York, joined the Blue Wahoos (9-9) on Sunday from the Beloit Sky Carp – the Marlins’ High-A affiliate in Beloit, Wisconsin. He was batting .347 with 13 RBI and two homers, helping Beloit to a solid start.
This week, as members of the Marlins’ executive staff led by baseball operations president Peter Bendix were in town to check on the Blue Wahoos, they’ve seen Mack attack with offensive skills.
Rated No. 25 among the Marlins’ top organizational prospects, Mack now has five hits in the series with a homer and five RBI.
The towering, two-run homer that exited his bat at 106 mph and traveled 413 feet proved pivotal. The Shuckers dented Pensacola reliever Raffi Vizcaino for three consecutive hits and three runs in the ninth before Lincoln Henzman was summoned to get the final out and his first save.
But even that one was a loud out. The Shuckers’ Carlos Rodriguez laced a first pitch that third baseman Jacob Berry turned into a sensational game-ending grab to seal the win.
It was part of another big game for Berry, who has shown encouraging signs this week both with his bat and his glove. Berry hit a solo home run – a no doubt blast that traveled 447 feet out of the ball park and just inside the right field foul pole in the sixth inning. He also singled in the third inning.
The Mullets got their first three runs in the first inning. Tanner Allen led off with a double and scored when Paul McIntosh followed with a double. Mack then followed with a run-scoring single and scored on an error to give the Mullets at 3-0 lead.
Pensacola starter Valente Bellozo had a solid outing, working five innings, allowing four hits and two runs with seven strikeouts.
The series now shifts to the weekend on where the Blue Wahoos will try to get a series win with Evan Fitterer on the mound.
GAME NOTABLES
Peter Bendix, who was hired by the Marlins in November as president of baseball operations, reporting to team owner Bruce Sherman, visited with Blue Wahoos season ticket holders in the first base lounge. Bendix addressed a variety of topics and took questions from season ticket holders in a 30-minute session.
Several Blue Wahoos players worked Thursday morning on a community outreach project with Feeding The Gulf Coast at the non-profit organization warehouse location in East Milton.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium