Blue Wahoos Beat Lookouts 9-7 In Opener
August 30, 2023
Injuries to shortstop José Devers and second baseman Nasim Nuñez have created a void in middle of the Blue Wahoos infield.
Josh Zamora stepped up in a memorable Double-A debut Tuesday to fill a need at shortstop and help deliver a 9-7 victory against the Chattanooga Lookouts in the series opener at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Zamora, 24, signed last year as undrafted free agent from the University of Nevada, collected hits in his first two at-bats for the Blue Wahoos, including a two-run single in the fourth inning and later reached on a walk to complete a 2-for-3 welcome. Zamora joined the Blue Wahoos last Saturday from the Beloit Sky Carp – the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate.
He was in the lineup Sunday when the game was halted in the first inning by a thunderstorm and did not resume.
His two RBI provided a 6-0 lead Tuesday for Pensacola, following a three-run homer by Will Banfield in the third inning and Bennett Hostetler’s solo blast in the second.
It also changed the narrative of this season’s matchup against Chattanooga.
The Lookouts took all six games three weeks ago in Chattanooga, which became the first time the Blue Wahoos were swept in a six-game series. It led to a record-tying nine-game losing streak.
In that series, the Blue Wahoos led for just two innings the entire week. Tuesday night, they jumped to a quick lead and expanded it.
And since that nine-game slide, the Blue Wahoos (68-51) have resembled the team that cruised to a first-half division win and put together the best overall record in the Southern League. They won two of the final three games against Montgomery in the last homestand, then took four of the five games played at Biloxi.
They got a superlative start Tuesday from righthander M.D. Johnson, who continues to pitch his best at Blue Wahoos Stadium. He worked into the sixth inning, allowing just two hits and two runs with eight strikeouts and two walks.
The Blue Wahoos opened a 9-2 lead in the seventh inning on a two-run double by Norel González and a sacrifice fly by Cody Morissette. They made the most of six hits to score the nine runs.
Closer Jefry Yan battled through a rocky ninth. After allowing a three-run homer that trimmed the deficit to two runs, Yan struck out the next two batters before a single and hit batter put the tying run on first base. But he struck out Austin Callahan to end the game and leaped off the mound with excitement.
The series continues Wednesday.
One Airlifted After Highway 97 Rollover Crash
August 29, 2023
One person was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Tuesday morning on Highway 97 in Davisville.
A Dodge Journey was northbound on Highway 97 near Nokomis Road about 8:20 a.m. when the driver lost control, ran off the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned multiple times. The vehicle came to rest on its side in a dirt road 117 feet away.
Firefighters extricated the driver. The 70-year old female from Pace was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital for treatment. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gomez Appointed Interim Century Mayor; Special Election Set For Mayor And Council Seat
August 29, 2023
The Town of Century has a newly appointed interim mayor for the next few months.
Council president Luis Gomez, Jr. was appointed Monday night by the town council to replace Ben Boutwell who resigned August 22. He will hold the seat until a replacement is elected. Gomez was forced to resign his council seat in order to accept the interim mayor appointment.
Gomez told his fellow council members that he was interested in the appointment to interim mayor.
“If ya’ll want me to take that seat, I’ll take that seat,” he said prior to the vote. “I am confident that the town will benefit from me being in that seat, and I’ll go from there.”
A motion by Alicia Johnson to appoint Gomez passed 3-1, with Shelisa McCall voting no and Gomez abstaining. After a several-minute search for a Bible, Gomez raised his left hand and took the oath of office.
All of that set several next steps into motion.
The council has set November 1 as the date for a special election to elect a mayor and a council member. They will be sworn in shortly thereafter and will serve through the first Monday of January 2025. Both offices will also be on the general election ballot in November 2024 for complete four-year terms.
The council opted to wait until a regular meeting on September 19 to fill the seat on the council vacated by Gomez. In the meantime, they are asking any interested and qualified citizen to contact the town hall to express an interest in an appointment.
The four remaining council members voted Dynette Lewis as the new council president and McCall as the new council vice president.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr. raises his left hand to take the oath of office as interim Century mayor as his wife Denise Gomez holds a Bible Monday night. The oath was given by Town Clerk Leslie Howington. Pictured below: New council president Dynette Lewis. Pictured inset: Council member Shelisa McCall voted against Gomez’s appointment as interim mayor. Pictured below: About a dozen people, mostly town residents and employees, attended the Monday meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
For The Second Time, Woman Wins Big On Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Beulah
August 29, 2023
For the second time in less than two months, a woman has won the top prize on a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Beulah.
A ticket sold at the SP Food Mart at West Nine Mile Road and Bridlewood Road was one of three winning tickets in the Sunday, August 20 midday drawing and was worth $18,317.59. The two other winning tickets were both sold in Miami.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Lori Lee Stuard of Robertsdale.
Stuard also won a $28,725.68 top prize on a ticket sold at the Publix on Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road for the July 9 midday drawing.
Honey Company Proposes Molino Processing, Warehouse Facility On Highway 97
August 29, 2023
An established honey company looking to construct a facility on Highway 97 in Molino.
East Hill Honey Company of Pensacola has grown to the point that a much larger processing and bottling facility is needed, according to documents filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
The proposed project is located on a seven acre site at 2900 Highway 97 on the east side of the intersection with Pilgrim Trail. There is currently a mobile home and an 1,800 square foot metal building on the property, and the company will construct an 6,000 square foot metal building. The new building will house honey extraction equipment in addition to honey packing and warehouse operations.
“This project proposal would allow the company to keep those activities local rather than outsourcing this to another area,” the company said in an application document.
The Escambia County Development Review Committee will hold a pre-application meeting on the plan on Wednesday.
Cantonment Native Serving On Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz
August 29, 2023
A Cantonment native is serving on the USS Nimitz. Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Devante Bonham is pictured performing maintenance on a flight control mission computer aboard the aircraft carrier recently. Nimitz is underway conducting routine operations. Photo for NorthEscambia.com by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tomas Valdes, click to enlarge.
Tate Lil Aggies Cheer Camp, Northview Mini Chief Cheer Camp Both Coming Soon
August 29, 2023
Youth cheerleading clinics are coming up at both Tate and Northview high schools.
TATE HIGH SCHOOL
The Tate High School Lil Aggies Fall Cheer Clinic will be Saturday, September 16 from 8:30 a.m. to noon with a parent showcase at noon.
The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 1.
All Lil Aggie athletes will receive an Exclusive 2023 Lil Aggie t-shirt and a Lil Aggie hair bow. In addition, they will receive free admission into the varsity football game on Friday, September 29, 2023, where they will get to participate in the pregame runout and cheer the first quarter of the game with the Tate Varsity Cheerleaders.
The Lil’ Aggies Fall Cheer Clinic will teach athletes proper stretch techniques, Tate sideline cheers, proper jump techniques and motion placement, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building. All Lil Aggies will be provided with a snack and drink as they leave the cheer clinic.
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
The Northview Mini Chief Cheerleading Clinic will be held September 8 and September 22 from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m.
The cost is $35 per child with snacks and drinks included. Campers or teams will learn individual cheer skills, partner stunts, a spirit dance and have fun. They will also have a chance to cheer with the Northview cheerleaders under the Friday night lights at an upcoming football game.
Attendees should have comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. Questions? Email lauren.ashleymccall@yahoo.com
Pictured: The 2023 Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Camp. File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Child Airlifted To Hospital After Near-Drowning Incident At Lake Stone
August 28, 2023
A young child was airlifted Sunday night after a near-drowning incident at Lake Stone near Century.
A 3-year old was pulled from the water about 7:45 p.m. near a boat launch on a dirt road that runs along the northern shore of the public lake on West Highway 4. The child was reportedly with someone fishing and had wandered away.
The child was airlifted by Medstar AirCare helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital. Escambia County EMS, the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Allegedly Shot At In Century Now Facing Charges
August 28, 2023
A man allegedly shot at in Century back in July has now been arrested in connection with the incident.
Coley Ray Daw, 38, is charged with armed burglary of a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm and petit theft. He remained in jail Monday with bond set at $70,000.
Norman Tracy Tedder, 57, returned to his home on Old Flomaton Road in Century and found a pickup truck parked next to his vehicle. He allegedly armed himself with a shotgun and fired warning shots into the air before later firing a warning shot over Daw’s head.
About and hour and a half later as it was getting dark, he said he observed Daw with a flashlight walking through the edge of the woods and saying “if he’s here, I’ve got something for him in my pocket”, according to an arrest report.
Still armed with a shotgun, Tedder ordered Daw to stop where he was, the report continues.
Daw advised that his truck was broke down, and Daw said he was related to Tedder’s wife Tabitha Tedder, who is now in prison in the child abuse case,. Tedder held Daw at gunpoint until he removed a rifle from the truck, the report states.
Tedder told deputies he helped Daw fix his truck, and he drove away.
Tedder reported that he found items missing from his vehicle, including the shotgun, a tool box and socket set worth $300, and another socket set valued at $197.
Tedder was originally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, robbery with a firearm, criminal mischief, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and improper exhibition of a firearm. A charge of discharging a firearm in public was dropped. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Tedder previously pleaded guilty and was convicted of dealing in stolen property in 1998. He was sentenced to one year and six months probation. Tedder was also found incompetent to stand child in a child neglect case.
Man Fatally Stabbed At Escambia County Flea Market
August 28, 2023
A man was fatally stabbed over the weekend at an Escambia County flea market.
The man was stabbed at the T&W Flea Market on North T Street on Saturday morning. Deputies arrived to find the victim with a stab wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
Witnesses told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that the victim was involved in an argument when he was stabbed.
At last report, the search for a suspect was ongoing.