Fitterer Shines, But Blue Wahoos Lose Seesaw Battle to Biscuits
June 8, 2023
Evan Fitterer wove one of his best starts in a season for the Blue Wahoos that he has punctuated with several other qualifiers.
But on this night, the bullpen couldn’t make it complete.
The Montgomery Biscuits rallied in each of the final three innings for an 8-5 victory Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium on the first mid-week summer fireworks night of the season.
Most of a near-capacity crowd (4,777) remained to watch a popular addition with the team hosting a fireworks show on Wednesdays in June and July home games. The fans also had their opportunity to play baseball bingo.
The Blue Wahoos (32-21) provided some sparkle. They regained leads in the sixth and seven innings, only to have the Biscuits answer against Blue Wahoos relievers. Montgomery put the game away with a third consecutive multi-run inning in the ninth.
Fitterer, a right-hander ranked as the Miami Marlins’ 27th overall prospect, made his eighth start Wednesday. He produced a career-high nine strikeouts in six innings. He allowed just three hits and two runs. Fitterer threw 95 pitches, 57 for strikes. He faced just 22 batters – four above the minimum – in his outing.
The Blue Wahoos’ Cody Morissette put him in line for a win after he blasted a two-run, go-ahead homer out of the ballpark, traveling 433 feet over the right-center berm.
But that 3-2 lead quickly evaporated in the top of the seventh. The Blue Wahoos’ first reliever, Zach Willeman, did not record an out. He hit the first batter he faced, then walked the next two. After Evan Edwards followed with a single, Willeman was pulled for Dylan Bice, who allowed another run, but escaped worse damage.
But the Blue Wahoos answered back with their at-bat in the seventh. Dane Myers led off with a walk. He then stole second and went to third on a throwing error. Troy Johnston was hit by a pitch. José Devers then flared a single for the tying run.
After Devers was picked off first, Will Banfield hit a sacrifice fly to score Johnston for the go-ahead run.
The Biscuits seized the lead for good in the eighth inning on a two-run bomb by Heriberto Hernandez on a two-out fastball from Bice.
Devers went 2-for-4 for the Blue Wahoos, highlighted by his solo homer in the third. Griffin Conine continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-3 with a walk.
The series continues on Thursday with Pensacola taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets on Mullet Thursday. The team will wear their Mullets uniforms.
The Blue Wahoos will have M.D. Johnson (0-2, 5.63) on the mound against the Biscuits’ Cole Wilcox (0-4, 5.23).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Arson Investigation Underway After Fire At Century Mobile Home
June 7, 2023
Authorities are investigating a suspected arson Wednesday morning in Century.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a reported mobile home structure fire at the end of Mays Street off Jefferson Avenue about 10:53 a.m.
The fire was quickly reported to be out with only minor damage reported.
“On the (back) side of the structure, there did appear to be multiple ignition points, leading to the suspicion of arson,” Escambia County Public Information Officer Davis Wood said. “There was no fire extension to the interior of the home.”
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
There was no electric service yet to the mobile home, which appeared to be new and recently set up on the property.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP: Escambia Motorcycle Deputy Injured In Crash With SUV During Escort
June 7, 2023
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle patrol deputy was injured when his motorcycle struck a SUV during an escort Wednesday morning.
The 48-year old male deputy was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with leg injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Florida Highway Patrol provided the following details on how the crash happened:
“A group of Escambia County Sheriff patrol motorcycles were escorting a large passenger bus westbound on East Nine Mile Road. As the escort approached the East Nine Mile Road / Pensacola Boulevard intersection at the southbound ramp, the rider of the lead motorcycle position his bike in the intersection to control traffic. The driver of an eastbound SUV came to a stop partially in the intersection. The second motorcycle came and relieved the first motorcycle and took over the traffic control duties at the intersection. The passenger bus entered the intersection to turn left but stopped due to the SUV had prevented the passenger bus from making a wide turn. The deputy then waved the SUV through the intersection as the third motorcycle turned left to attempt to move up in the procession. The third motorcycle collided into the SUV in the intersection.”
The 40-year old female SUV driver was not injured.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Investigation Underway After Suspicious Vehicle With Bullet Holes Located In Bratt
June 7, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a suspicious vehicle with bullet holes was found abandoned by the road in Bratt Wednesday morning.
The vehicle was on the roadside next to a field on Cecils Road just off North Highway 99, near a Bratt-Davisville Water System water tower.
The ECSO said shell casings were located in the area, and it appears certain that the driver was not in the vehicle at the time it was shot.
The driver was later located and had no injuries.
The investigation is continuing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Armed Vehicle Burglary, Resisting Arrest
June 7, 2023
A Cantonment man has been arrested on charges related to a vehicle burglary and a stolen credit card.
Sundown West Brown, 28, was charged with armed burglary of a vehicle, petit theft of a credit card, loitering and prowling, possession of a concealed weapon and resisting arrest without violence.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Brown walking in the area after responding to a suspicious person report in the area of Lydia Avenue, Tina Avenue and Melanie Drive.
As deputies worked to detain Brown, he resisted and reached for his front waistband area, according to an arrest report.
“Fearing Brown was reaching for a weapon, I delivered 3 to 4 knee strikes to his right chest area,” a deputy wrote in the report. After the fourth strike, he allowed the deputy to place his right hand in cuffs but continued to resist until other deputies arrived on scene, the report continues.
A fixed blade knife was located near Brown, the report states, and a matching sheath was located in his front waistband.. Deputies also reported finding a credit card stolen from a vehicle location at a nearby residence on Lydia Avenue.
Brown remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $17,000.
Century Implements New ‘Cross-Connection’ Plan For Water System Customers
June 7, 2023
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council approved a “Backflow Prevention & Cross-Connection Control” plan.
State law requires public water systems to establish and implement a cross-connection control program using backflow prevention. The plan essentially requires the use of a backflow preventer to prevent water from flowing backwards — from the customer side of the meter to the public water system.
“You are trying to make sure that your water system does not have cross connections,” town engineer Dale Long told the council. “Which means no illegal or illicit connections to your water system, contaminating your whole system.”
The plan generally applies to business customers.
Under the required plan, connections can be temporarily or permanently eliminated if they fail to meet the regulatory requirements. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at the customer’s expense on an annual basis.
Pictured: A backflow preventer on the Century water system. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Cancels Agenda Review Meeting
June 7, 2023
The Escambia County Commission Agenda Review meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday has been canceled.
The regular public forum will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with the county commission meeting to follow at 5:30 p.m.
Due to the cancelation of the agenda review meeting, a Community Redevelopment meeting orginally planned for 9 a.m. has been moved to 4:25 p.m. just prior to the agenda review meeting.
Boil Water Notice For Central Water Works Customers Along Highway 4 Near Century
June 7, 2023
Central Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for residents near Century from 370 West Highway 4 to 1341 West Highway 4, Pleasant Hill Road, Junk Road, Fields Road, Carter Lane and Nall Road
A leak was discovered on West Highway 4 west of Lake Stone, near Nall Road., and valved off on Thursday. On Wednesday, the damaged water main will be replaced.
The utility advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. Or residents can disinfect water by adding eight drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented common household bleach to water; stir; let it rest for 30 minutes before drinking. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immuno-compromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled.. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact Central Water Works at (850) 256-3849.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Pictured: Repairs were underway Tuesday evening to a Central Water Works water main on Highway 4 near Nall Road, just west of Lake Stone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Conine Homers As Blue Wahoos Beat Biscuits
June 7, 2023
Returning from a long time away, the Blue Wahoos found the place to their liking.
Especially with someone able to lock the doors.
Sean Reynolds continued his pressure-embrace as reliever, producing his league-best ninth save, after twice getting out of precarious situations, as the Blue Wahoos beat the Montgomery Biscuits 5-2 Tuesday night in their first home game since May 21.
Reynolds entered with two runners on in the eighth and got a strikeout to end that inning. In the ninth, he got help from second baseman José Devers, who made a sensational dive on a line drive to produce a game-ending double play with runners on second and third.
Devers also went 2-for-4 at the plate – the only Blue Wahoos hitter with multiple hits on the night.
The win amid a crowd of 4,012 at Blue Wahoos Stadium began the series with a good vibe on “Doggone Tuesday” where fans brought a variety of their beloved dogs to the ballpark.
It also extended the Blue Wahoos’ (32-20) grip on first place in the Southern League South Division against one of the teams chasing.
The Blue Wahoos started Tuesday with a three-run second inning. Griffin Conine blasted a two-run homer into the right-center berm. Cody Morrisette preceded the blast with an RBI sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
The Biscuits (26-26) chipped back in the fourth inning on Diego Infante’s run-scoring double and Heriberto Hernandez RBI single.
Insurance was added for the Blue Wahoos on two run-scoring wild pitches by Biscuits reliever Graeme Stinson in the sixth and seventh. Stinson entered with the bases loaded in the sixth, and tossed a wild pitch with Morrisette at the plate.
But Stinson got out of the jam by striking out Conine and J.D. Orr to end the threat.
In the seventh, Stinson threw a pair of wild pitches to score Nasim Nuñez, who had singled, advanced on an errant throw and scored on another.
The second game of the series is set for Wednesday night with the Blue Wahoos having righthander Evan Fitterer (4-1, 3.06 ERA) on the mound. The Biscuits starter was not announced.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Northview Teacher Takes Inappropriate Book Fight To Santa Rosa County
June 7, 2023
A Northview High School teacher that has called for the ban of over 100 books in Escambia County has expanded her fight to Santa Rosa County.
Beginning last year, Vicki Baggett has called for about 115 books to be removed in Escambia County for inappropriate content, saying that many of them are pornographic under Florida law.
“As a 32-year veteran English teacher, I had never seen anything like this, and I actually could not believe what was being purchased and being made available with taxpayers’ funds for minor children,” Baggett told the Santa Rosa County Commission this week.
“Sadly, Santa Rosa County is loaded with these types of books as well,” she said, adding that the school district’s media director said in an email that there were no inappropriate books in the Santa Rosa district.
“As recently as last Thursday I found a book within this school district that has graphic pictures of an adult giving pornographic magazines to minor school age boys, complete with open legged naked women on the magazines’ covers,” she said, holding up printed photos. “And yes, this is in your public school libraries.”
Baggett asked the Santa Rosa County Commission to “write a resolution to encourage immediate action” to remove the books from school libraries in the county. The commission has no authority over the schools; that power belongs to the school board.