Tate High’s Taylor Fitzgerald Signs With Nichols College
May 17, 2024
Taylor Fitzgerald, a four-year member of the Tate High School cheerleading team, signed with Nichols College (Dudley, Mass.) this week.
Fitzgerald was a member of the 2024 FHSAA State Championship squad, a two-time FHSAA Regional Champion and three-time UCA Regional Champion squads.
A member of FFA, Taylor heads to Nichols College with a plan to study business..
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bellozo Brilliant in 4-1 Blue Wahoos Win over Biscuits
May 17, 2024
written by Erik Bremmer
Valente Bellozo turned in a career-high 7.0 innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos reclaimed sole possession of first place with a 4-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night.
Bellozo (W, 2-2) struck out eight batters and allowed only two hits, pitching into the seventh inning for the first time in his professional career and delivering his second quality start in a row.
The Pensacola offense was carried by the long ball, as Harrison Spohn opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third against Biscuits starter Logan Workman (L, 0-2) and Joe Mack added insurance with a two-run homer in the ninth. Left fielder Paul McIntosh also had a good night at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a triple.
Bellozo needed only 75 pitches to cruise through seven innings, exemplified by a rare three-pitch sixth inning. He did allow a run in the seventh on a Carson Williams double and a Tanner Murray sacrifice fly, but center fielder Jakob Marsee tracked down a pair of deep flyouts to preserve the Pensacola lead.
After Matt Pushard registered a scoreless eighth, Austin Roberts (S, 7) picked up the save in the ninth. The game ended on a lineout to McIntosh in left field that turned into a double play when Williams was doubled off first base.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Montgomery on Friday night. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:35.
Victim In Alabama May Day Shooting Identified As Century Woman
May 16, 2024
Family members have identified one of the three victims of a deadly shooting in Baldwin County last Saturday as a mother of four from Century.
Chiquita Ewing, 38, was a Century resident and employee of Century pharmacy, family said.
Eighteen people were shot , three of which died, during a gathering Saturday night in north near Stockton, Alabama.
About 9:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots in the Stockton Community. The preliminary investigation revealed that local residents hosted a May Day event in an open field on Upper Bryant’s Landing Road. BCSO estimated that there were approximately 1,000 people attending this gathering.
According to witnesses, the event was peaceful until an argument took place, which led to at least one subject shooting multiple rounds into the large crowd. A total of 18 people were shot during this incident. Three of the victims succumbed to their wounds.
Investigators believe that there may have been more shooters and are following up.
“This is a tragic event that touches many lives in our community. We are working very hard to bring this case to a resolution, but we cannot make arrests or successfully prosecute the offenders without help,” BCSO said Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the BCSO at (251) 972-8589, option 7.
Shoulder Closures On I-10 Near Highway 29 Begin Today For Storm Repairs
May 16, 2024
Drivers will encounter shoulder closures on I-10 near the Highway 29 exit beginning Thursday as crews reinforce, and repair shoulder areas impacted by recent storm.
During heavy rain on Monday, mud and debris blocked the outside westbound lane of I-10.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Holds Memorial For Fallen Deputies
May 16, 2024
Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to honor deputies killed in the line of duty. The families and friends of those who were remembered gathered to place a rose on the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office memorial.
- Sheriff A. Cary Ellis – January 1, 1923
- Constable Mallory Williams – May 4, 1941
- DS Joseph Elmer Whitworth – April 22, 1954
- Constable WM. “Clint” Rigby – September 4, 1955
- Patrolman Roland Davis, Sr. – September 24, 1955
- DS Len B. Adams – June 16, 1958
- DS Joseph Mallory Gassman – January 30, 1966
- DS Charles Leroy Wilkerson – January 19, 1974
- DS Morley “Buddy” Ray – April 7, 1978
- DS Floyd “Doug” Heist – May 3, 1980
- CPL. Eric Byron Streeter – March 11, 1984
- DS Donald Ray Cook – December 3, 1988
- DS Sgt. Dennis Mathis – July 27, 1989
- Sgt. Roosevelt Walker, Jr. – May 22, 1998
- Lt. George Hura, Jr. – May 4, 2004
- K-9 Wolf – 2000
- K-9 Erny – 2000
Tate’s Bray Touchstone Signs Baseball Scholarship With Gulf Coast State College
May 16, 2024
Bray Touchstone, a standout player on the Tate High School varsity baseball team for four years, signed a full-ride scholarship with Gulf Coast State College (Panama City) this week.
Touchstone’s achievements at Tate include being named the FACA 6A District 1 Player of the Year, Pensacola Sports Baseball Senior Scholar Athlete, and earning spots on the FACA District 1 All-Academic Team, the West All-Star Team, and the PNJ Player of the Year (2023). He was also an All-Area First Team selection for two consecutive years, a member of the FACA 6A All-State Team for three consecutive years, and was chosen by Professional Baseball Scouts to attend the Florida Diamond Club.
Touchstone excelled academically as well. He was selected a member of the Tate High School Hall of Fame, consistently made the A Honor Roll, ranked in the top 5% of his graduating class, and received multiple FFA honors including the Greenhand FFA Degree, the FFA Chapter Rising Star Award, the Chapter FFA Degree, and the State FFA Degree. He also dedicated over 200 hours to community service, participating in Student Council, National Honor Society, FFA, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Six-Run Inning Sinks Wahoos In Loss To Montgomery
May 16, 2024
written by Erik Bremmer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell into a tie for first place with a 9-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night.
The Biscuits exploded for a seven-hit, six-run third against Luis Palacios (L, 2-3) to equal Pensacola’s win total and clinch a potential head-to-head tiebreaker by taking the season series.
The six-run frame featured run-scoring singles from Carson Williams and Dominic Keegan, followed by a pair of RBI doubles from Heriberto Hernandez and Tanner Murray. It marked the first time since April 17 a Blue Wahoos starting pitcher allowed more than four runs in a game.
The Blue Wahoos had ample opportunity against Biscuits starter Ben Peoples (W, 2-1) but managed only one run on a Zach Zubia RBI single in the fifth inning. The Montgomery righty gave way to the bullpen after 5.0 strong innings, and the Pensacola offense failed to reach base against a trio of Sean Hunley, Jeff Belge and Haden Erbe in the final four frames.
Angel Macuare allowed two runs in a pair of relief innings for the Blue Wahoos, and Austin Roberts allowed a solo homer to Carson Williams in the ninth to cap the scoring. Pensascola’s pitching bright spot was Zach McCambley, who fanned three over a pair of perfect innings to move into fifth place all-time in strikeouts for the Blue Wahoos franchise.
The Blue Wahoos look to reclaim first place in Montgomery on Thursday night. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:35.
Hit And Run Crash Backs Up Traffic For Miles
May 15, 2024
A hit and crash backed up traffic for miles Wednesday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an unknown pickup truck traveling north on Highway 90A (Davis Highway) made a U-turn in front of another pickup truck that was traveling south. The second driver swerved, ran off the road, and hit a utility pole before continuing down an embankment. The collision downed power lines into the road, blocking both lanes.
The crash backed up traffic for hours in the Davis Highway and Nine Mile Road area. There was also a backup on Quinette Road as drivers looked for an alternative route across the Escambia River.
The driver of the second pickup was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The at-fault pickup truck driver fled the scene. No vehicle description was available.
Northview Lady Chiefs Fall To Holmes County In Region 1-1A Final (With Gallery)
May 15, 2024
“It’s going to be a great season next year. We’re excited. This is not an end; this was a beginning.”
That’s how Northview High School softball head coach Amy Holland described her optimistic look ahead at next season, her 13th, after the Lady Chiefs fell to Holmes County 7-2 in the Region 1-1A final in Bratt Tuesday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“The good thing about us is we are stacked with ninth and tenth graders that will be back next year. We will be tougher and stronger than ever next year,” she said, adding that the 22-5 team had just seniors on the field.
The Blue Devils held a 2-0 lead after one inning. The second ended at 2-0 as Northview turned a double play.
A double by Chloe Ragsdale helped the Chiefs tie it up at 2-2 in the bottom of the third before the Blue Devils pulled ahead in the top of the fifth.
Headed into Tuesday night, Holmes County had won eight straight game. In th last six, they had out scored opponents 60-2, including two wins over the Jay Lady Royals.
Jamison Gilman went six and two-thirds innings for the Lady Chiefs, surrendering five runs on 13 hits while striking out two and walking one. She stepped out of the circle as Makayla McAnally pitched one-third of an inning.
Mary Clayton Dawson led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-3. Ragsdale and Dawson each drove in one run.
“I think nerves got to our girls a little bit. Other than that, our outfielders played a good game. Our infield played good at time,” Holland said. “Tonight, errors ate us up a little bit. We had a few little errors.”
“We had a great season this year, our record was awesome. This is just the beginning of this team right here.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judge Orders Competency Evaluation For Man That Evaded Capture In Century Woods
May 15, 2024
A judge had ordered an evaluation to determine if a man that evaded capture in the woods around Century for weeks is competent to stand trial.
Christopher George Pace, 41, arson, trespassing with property damage, resisting arrest without violence, and two additional counts of resisting.
Authorities said he spent most of this time in a heavy wooded area near Pleasant Hill Road north of West Highway 4 in Century, despite several manhunts to locate him.
Now, following his May 1 arrest, Pace will undergo a court ordered psychological examination.
Pace’s public defender has submitted a plea of not guilty on his behalf and filed a successful motion for a competency evaluation.
Jude Linda Nobles appointed a psychologist to examine Pace with the written report is due back to the court by June 3.
On April 29, he evaded capture Monday during a manhunt involving dozens of state and local law enforcement officers, police K-9 units and a drone.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and K-9s from the Century Correctional Institution and Escambia County Road Prison captured Pace without incident two days later in a heavily wooded area off Pleasant Hill Road.
According to sheriff’s office reports:
On February 27, Pace allegedly 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.
