The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the series finale to the Montgomery Biscuits by a final score of 19-9 on Sunday evening.
After three straight wins, the visiting Biscuits (55-53, 20-19) got one back behind a 19-hit effort, the highest number of hits Pensacola has allowed this year, and a poor defensive showing from the home side. Hand-in-hand, 19 runs marks the highest amount of runs relented this season.
The Blue Wahoos (59-49, 23-16) still sit atop the Southern League second half standings and maintain the 7-5 edge in second half play against Montgomery. The two clubs will meet once more this season, this time in Montgomery from August 25-30.
Pensacola got the early edge with an Ian Lewis Jr. sacrifice fly in the first, but things turned south in the third inning. Montgomery’s Brock Jones scored on a throwing error, and Mac Horvath came home on a Caden Bodine RBI single to take the lead. The Biscuits extended the lead with an RBI double from Kenny Piper, 3-1.
Three more runs came for the visiting side in the fourth at the expense of starter Joey Volini (L, 0-2), who exited immediately afterward with eight hits relented while striking out five. Lewis chipped into the deficit once again with a sac fly to score Cristian Hernandez in the fifth, bringing the Biscuits’ lead down to 6-2.
Six hits allowed and three costly wild pitches from the reliever duo of Livan Reinoso and Christian Macleod saw seven runs come across for the Biscuits in the seventh. Comeback hopes essentially vanished as Montgomery added another pair of runs in the next frame credited to a two-run double from Bodine.
A deep RBI double into center field from Ethan O’Donnell in the bottom of the eighth punched in another run for Pensacola before the Blue Wahoos offense exploded for six runs in the bottom of the ninth. Beshears, Dylan Jasso, and Nestor Rios drove in two runs a piece in a valiant effort to cut into the lead, yet the Blue Wahoos eventually fell 19-9.
Pensacola scored their nine runs on 10 hits and drew seven walks. Seven different Blue Wahoos managed a knock, with Hernandez, Jasso, and Rios finishing with two hits each. Rios’ initial hit in the second inning was his first hit at the Double-A level. While Volini was saddled with the loss, his Montgomery counterpart Santiago Suarez (W, 7-3) took the win after five innings of work.
The Blue Wahoos take Monday off before traveling west for a series with the Biloxi Shuckers, starting on Tuesday, August 11.
written by Maddy Branning
A Century man was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recently for an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred in April.
Daryl Lamar Brown, 58, faces a felony charge of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability.
According to the arrest report, the incident began on April 30, while Brown and a woman with whom he lived were returning from the casino in Atmore.. An argument escalated near the intersection of Champion Road and Highway 31 north of Flomaton, where Brown allegedly struck the woman multiple times in the face as he continued driving into Escambia County, Florida.
Law enforcement reported that when the vehicle stopped at a four-way stop at West Highway 4 and Highway 99 in Bratt, the woman attempted to escape but fell to the ground because her eyes were swollen shut. Brown reportedly forced her back into the vehicle and drove to his residence on West Highway 4 in Century.
Once at the home, the victim managed to drive the vehicle to a relative’s house in Jay where she called for an ambulance. Deputies later met the woman at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, noting she had suffered severe facial bruising, swollen eyes, and loose teeth.
Brown remained in the Escambia County Jail on Sunday morning.
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
Members of the Northview High School Class of 2027 celebrated “Senior Sunrise” on Saturday morning to mark the beginning of the upcoming school year. School starts on Wednesday, August 12. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
School starts Wednesday in Escambia County, and there’s time to take advantage of Florida’s back to school sales tax holiday.
Through August 20, consumers in Florida can purchase qualifying back to school supplies exempt from tax.
Sales Tax Holiday Included Items
During the Florida Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, which takes place annually from July 20 through August 20, the following items are exempt from Florida sales tax if they meet the specified price limits and other conditions:
Clothing, footwear, and accessories having a sales price of $100 or less per item, including:
- Shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, and other apparel
- Shoes, boots, sandals, and other footwear
- Accessories such as belts, hats, gloves, and scarves
Wallets and bags* having a sales price of $100 or less per item, including:
- Backpacks
- Diaper bags
- Fanny packs
- Handbags
*Briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags are excluded.
School supplies having a sales price of $50 or less per item, including:
- Binders
- Cellophane tape
- Compasses
- Composition books
- Computer disks
- Construction paper
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Folders
- Glue or paste
- Legal pads
- Lunch boxes
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Notebook filler paper
- Pencils
- Pens
- Poster board
- Poster paper
- Protractors
- Rulers
- Scissors
- Staplers and staples used to secure paper products
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles having a sales price of $30 or less:
- Flashcards or other learning cards
- Interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills
- Matching or other memory games
- Puzzle books and search-and-find books
- Stacking or nesting blocks or sets
Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use having a sales price of $1,500 or less
- Personal computers* include:
- Calculators
- Desktops
- Electronic book readers
- Handhelds
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Tower computers
*The term does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.
Personal computer-related accessories*+ include:
- Keyboards
- Mice
- Modems
- Monitors
- Nonrecreational software
- Other peripheral devices
- Personal digital assistants
- Routers
*The listed accessories are tax-exempt regardless of whether they are used in association with a personal computer base unit.
+ The term does not include furniture or systems, devices, software, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are designed or intended primarily for recreational use.
The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
An Escambia County rapper has been convicted on a federal drug trafficking related crime.
Jovon “Playa Pat” Booker, 33, of Pensacola, Florida, was convicted by a jury in federal court on one count of discharging a handgun in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and a separate count of possessing firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Prior to the jury being selected in Pensacola, Booker pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and five counts of money laundering through high end jewelry purchase.
At trial, the jury received evidence that Booker ran a multi-million dollar interstate drug trafficking network wherein he transported hundreds of kilograms of highly potent marijuana from the Seattle area into Pensacola between 2020 – 2025. Booker used the proceeds of his crimes to purchase vehicles, such as a Lamborghini Urus, as well as diamond encrusted jewelry and Cartier and Patek Philippe watches. The jury heard evidence that Booker did not report a single dollar of legitimate income to the government during this timeframe. During the course of his drug trafficking conspiracy, on May 12, 2024, at the Paparazzi Bistro & Lounge in Pensacola, Booker shot one of his own co-conspirators at point-blank range in an attempt to murder him over a drug debt owed to Booker. At a later date, in July 2025, multiple law enforcement agencies executed a federal search warrant at Booker’s residence and located a loaded assault rifle he possessed to protect all the controlled substances in the house. The jury received all of this evidence and found Booker guilty as charged.
Booker is scheduled for sentencing before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola in early November.
Booker faces and mandatory minimum 20 years up to life imprisonment on the charges. In addition, law enforcement seized over $500,000 of jewelry, vehicles, firearms, and United States currency from Booker that will all be forfeited to the government.
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
A Leon County judge this week determined the summary of property tax cut ballot measure passed by the Legislature is filled with political rhetoric and misleading.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response was essentially to say ‘fine, we won’t appeal’ and Attorney General James Uthmeier, who he appointed to the job, is already on the rewrite.
In a technical win for a trio of groups that challenged Amendment 3 on the November ballot, Leon Circuit Court David Frank on Monday ordered the title and ballot summary to be redrafted.
“Voters are entitled to a fair, clear, accurate and non-misleading ballot statement to assist them in making their critical determination,” Frank wrote in his 18-page ruling. “The present ballot language would deprive the voters of the opportunity to make a meaningful decision.”
Amendment 3 calls for the non-school homestead exemption to be increased from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and raises it to $250,000 in 2028. Another provision reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent.
In his ruling, Frank detailed specific changes that should be made to the ballot summary.
For example, after stating “this amendment benefits Florida taxpayers by:” the ballot summary uses the phrases “exempting homestead properties from taxation,” “ensuring funding for core services,” “protecting small businesses” and “ensuring fairness for Florida residents.”
Those opposed to the measure argued that if approved by 60 percent of voters in November cities and counties could lose up to $12 billion annually. They also said tax burdens will be shifted to renters and businesses, which isn’t reflected in the ballot language that is under the amendment’s title of “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes.”
DeSantis said Thursday that Uthmeier, his former chief of staff, was already working on the new language.
“I’ve actually seen some of the draft. It’s a great draft. It is going to be very good. (It will) be very clear for voters what’s on there,” DeSantis said during an education event in Lehigh Acres.
DeSantis added that he and Uthmeier didn’t “necessarily agree” with the ruling, but that the revision will be more than acceptable.
“It’s fine. It’s going to be a very good summary, very straightforward,” DeSantis continued. “People are going to know they’re going to get tax relief. You’re going to get an increased homestead exemption if you’re for it. So that’s going to happen.”
Florida’s law banning children from drag shows was deemed constitutional by a federal appeals court, overruling an earlier decision that found it violated the First Amendment.
A ruling was a victory for Gov. DeSantis, who pushed for the measure in 2023, passing through the Republican-controlled Legislature.
“This shouldn’t even be controversial, yet our law protecting kids required us to fend off lawsuits and win a case before a divided appellate court,” DeSantis posted on X.
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals initially knocked the law down, but DeSantis appealed, asking for the full court to review the decision.
In an 8-5 ruling, the court found Hamburger Mary’s, an Orlando-area restaurant that frequently features drag performances and brought the lawsuit, “failed to establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits.”
The law defines “adult live performance” as a live show that “depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities,” as defined under state law, as well as “lewd conduct” or the “lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”
Hamburger Mary’s argued the law was too broad and infringed on its First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, but the majority of the court disagreed.
“The Supreme Court of Florida’s definition of ‘lewd’ eliminates any overbreadth, and the use of the phrase ‘age of the child present’ does not render the Act unconstitutionally vague. Accordingly, we vacate the district court’s preliminary injunction in its entirety,” wrote Judge Andrew Brasher.
Brasher was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2020.
In response to the ruling, Qommittee, a national group formed in 2024 to support drag performers facing censorship and threats, updated its guide for Florida.
“Florida’s anti-drag law is in effect but drag is NOT banned in Florida. Even if your show is legal (and most are), you could be wrongfully targeted,” the guide states. “Don’t stop performing, but protect yourself.”
THE COST OF COLLEGE SPORTS
The state university system’s Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics agreed Tuesday that Congress must pass an anti-trust exemption for the NCAA to establish a salary cap, along with transfer and eligibility regulations on student athletic programs.
Barring that, the Florida Legislature needs to get involved, with members of the task force backing seven of 19 proposals intended to address the evolving world of college athletics.
Measures that found support Tuesday included the need to expand state law that provides legal protections for universities regarding student-athlete name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, regulations on agents, financial literacy training and advisors for student-athletes, and for the state to seek multi-state agreements on student pay, eligibility, and caps on student-athlete agent compensation.
“What we’re seeing in intercollegiate athletics today is not really a free market,” said state university system Board of Trustees Chairman Alan Levine. “A free market is where you have a buyer and a seller and the government is not setting prices. But you got states like Louisiana that are passing taxes and using public dollars to basically subsidize their athletic programs, and you have other states, like Florida, that are loathe to do that.”
Among the proposals not put up for a recommendation on Tuesday were measures to allow schools to increase fees on tickets, concessions, and sports betting, along with apparel and other branding deals.
“My goal would be not to raise taxes in any form to pay for college athletics,” said Task Force Chairman Ken Jones during the meeting at the University of Central Florida.
The state was ordered to rewrite the title and summary of a property tax cut ballot measure championed by DeSantis and passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature because they were misleading and filled with political rhetoric, a Leon County judge ruled.
“This amendment, frankly, was not ready for prime time. I think that’s what the court found. I think that’s what, as voters read more and more about what this amendment does, that’s what they are going to find.” — former state Senator Jeff Brandes, a plaintiff in the lawsuit against Amendment 3.
written by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
A domestic disturbance call on Old Fannie Road near Flomaton recently led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of drugs and firearms
Flomaton Police Department officers responded to a residence following reports of a male subject threatening a family member and refusing to leave. Upon arrival, officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and learned the suspect, Travis Salter, was hiding inside. Authorities also confirmed Salter had active warrants through the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Assisting deputies and officers conducted a sweep of the home, discovering Travis Salter hiding in a concealed space accessible through a downstairs bathroom. He was taken into custody without incident.
Following the arrest, police secured a search warrant for the residence, ultimately seizing suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms.
Two individuals face charges in connection with the incident. Travis Salter is charged with second-degree bail jumping, possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being a certain person forbidden to possess a pistol. Larry Salter is charged with obstructing government operations, first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being a certain person forbidden to possess a pistol.
The Flomaton Police Department credited the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.
Pictured: Larry Salter (left) , Travis Salter (right).
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos needed just three runs to earn their third-straight victory over the Montgomery Biscuits, defeating them 3-0 on Saturday night.
Though not quite as dramatic as Friday’s night’s 13-11 win in extra innings, strong pitching and hits into the gap earned the Blue Wahoos (59-48, 23-15) their seventh shutout of the season and their first over Montgomery. With the victory, Pensacola tied the Biscuits (54-53, 19-19) 10-10 in the season series and took a 3-2 edge over the visiting side in the homestand.
Connor Caskenette, coming off of a four-hit outing on Friday night, kept the ball rolling with an RBI single to score Adrian Santana in the first inning for the early lead. Their second run came a few innings later in the fourth, as Friday’s walk-off hero Jay Beshears sent Ethan O’Donnell flying home from first base with a double into the right-center gap.
Jacob Kisting (W, 1-0) made his Double-A debut on Saturday, putting on a show for the packed ballpark. He delivered 5.0 scoreless innings in his first start with Pensacola, striking out an impressive eight batters while relenting four hits. He struck out four consecutive batters from the first into the second inning.
The Blue Wahoos picked up their third run later in the eighth thanks to none other than Caskenette, who punched an RBI single into left to score Brandon Compton from third base. The knock was Caskenette’s 10th in the last four contests, and he extended his hit streak to a career-best eight games.
Jack Sellinger (H, 5) and Holt Jones (S, 4) combined for an electric closeout from the mound, combining to allow only four hits from the Biscuits while striking out four through the remaining four innings.
Pensacola scored their three runs on six hits, drawing four walks. Five different Blue Wahoos earned a hit, with Caskenette leading the way with a 2-for-4 night at the plate.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday.
written by Maddy Branning
Early voting opens today for the August 18 primary election.
Early voting will be available from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily through August 15 at 10 locations in Escambia County:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W De Soto Street, Pensacola
Polls will be open on election day, Tuesday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a ceremony on Friday to observe Purple Heart Day and recognize local service members who were wounded or killed in combat. The Purple Heart, established by General George Washington in 1782, is the nation’s oldest military decoration.
Although U.S. Senator Ashley Moody was unable to attend in person as planned, she joined via Zoom to open the ceremony and express gratitude to Sheriff Chip Simmons for hosting on her behalf. During the event, Senator Moody introduced a congressional resolution recognizing August 7 as Purple Heart Recognition Day and entered the achievements of four Floridian Purple Heart recipients into the Congressional Record.
Reflecting on the gathering, Sheriff Simmons shared, “This may be the greatest collection of heroes in one room that we’ve ever had at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Senator Moody emphasized the solemn significance of the award in her statement: “On Purple Heart Recognition Day, we honor our nation’s wounded warriors and those who have died in service of our country. No one ever serves hoping to receive this medal, it is not an honor anyone sets out to earn—it is given because an American stood his or her ground against an enemy. It’s a privilege to introduce a resolution in Congress honoring these patriots’ sacrifice, as well as spotlight four brave Floridians by including their stories in the Congressional Record.”
John Byrnes, Strategic Director for Concerned Veterans for America, added, “Concerned Veterans for America is proud to support this effort to honor the brave men and women who defended our nation and our liberty at great personal sacrifice. The Purple Heart is one of our nation’s highest honors, representing extraordinary courage and selfless service in the face of profound hardship. Designating a day to recognize those who have borne the cost of protecting our homeland is the least we can do for them.”
The four veterans distinguished with Congressional Record entries were honored as follows:
- U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Crawford & U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Dustin Tuller: Both served together with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On December 23, 2003, during a combat mission in Baghdad, both were critically wounded. Despite his own severe injuries, Sergeant Crawford instructed medics to “save him [Tuller] first” upon seeing Staff Sergeant Tuller’s condition. Both men survived, continued lives of service, and maintain a close friendship over two decades later.
- U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Peter McKanna: Served with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in Vietnam and volunteered for a second tour. On Christmas Day 1970, while leading Marines on a mission, Sergeant McKanna stepped on an explosive device that resulted in the loss of part of his left leg and took the lives of three fellow Marines. Following a civilian career, he has remained dedicated to serving veterans.
- U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Douglas Doughty: Served in Vietnam, where he was wounded by enemy shrapnel to his shoulder and lower body during intense fighting in April 1969. After returning home, Commander Doughty pursued a career in medicine while continuing his service in the Navy Reserve, later answering the call to return to duty during Operation Desert Storm.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News
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