Johnston Leads Blue Wahoos To Eighth Win In A Row
May 5, 2023
Troy Johnston had his bat cooled to begin this week against the Mississippi Braves.
He made up for it Thursday on a Pensacola Mullets night that tied a piece of franchise history.
Johnston blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third inning, then produced the go-ahead runs in the seventh as Pensacola beat the M-Braves 6-3 for their eighth consecutive win. It delighted a crowd of 4,578 at Blue Wahoos Stadium and matched the longest winning streak in club history, which was first set in 2017, then again in 2018.
A chance at the record awaits on a Friday night with Blue Wahoos taking on another name change as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in participation with the Copa de la Diversión initiative in Minor League Baseball.
Last week, Johnson tied the team record for single-game production with a two-homer, six-RBI game in a win against Montgomery.
After going 1-for-8 in the first two games of this series — hitless in seven prior plate trips — Johnston returned to his clutch-hitting ways. He came up with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He laced a 3-1 fastball pitch into right center for a two-run single to provide a 4-3 lead.
That pivotal moment was followed by Dane Myers’ sacrifice fly to score José Devers. Joe Rizzo then hit an RBI single to score Johnston.
The four-run rally was a big lift for Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde, named earlier Thursday as the Southern League Pitcher of the Month. He retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced before the only dent in his six outings this season.
He gave out a one-out single, then consecutive walks to load the bases. The M-Braves Landon Stevens followed with a two-run single for the lead and ended Monteverde’s night.
But the Blue Wahoos bullpen was again flawless with relievers Austin Roberts (W, 2-0), Brady Puckett and Sean Reynolds (S, 3) combining for 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts, no walks. Roberts got his second win.
Jose Devers manufactured the Blue Wahoos’ first run with his pop fly double, then went third on a wild pitch and utilized his speed to score on a second wild pitch.
The fourth game of the series is Friday at 6:35 p.m. with Pensacola’s M.D. Johnson (0-1, 4.00) going against AJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0).
written by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Suspicious Package At Escambia County Courthouse Cleared, Building Reopened
May 4, 2023
The Escambia County Courthouse was closed temporarily Thursday morning due to a suspicious package. The all-clear was give about 8:13 a.m and the building reopened.
The package was located outside the courthouse as deputies were opening the building. It was believed that the package was dropped off by an individual, ECSO said.
The ECSO, Florida’s Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives, and other agencies responded. The investigation is continuing.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash Involving Kia, Semi
May 4, 2023
One person was injured in a crash involving a Kia and a semi-truck Thursday morning at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The victim’s injuries were not considered to be life-threatening in the wreck about 7:30 a.m.
Bot the Kia and the semi were disabled by the crash, blocking the intersection and causing traffic problems.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details on how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Expected To Approve Lease With New Manufacturer In Town’s Industial Park
May 4, 2023
The Century Town Council is expected to approve a lease during a special meeting next week with a new manufacturer I in a town-owned industrial park building.
In January, the 50-year old foreign company agreed to lease a building in the Century Industrial Park for their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
Officials had hoped they could begin warehouse operations by the end of February with manufacturing to follow.
According to the town and Floridawest, the company’s commitment to the lease was delayed by, among other things, their work to establish their legal entity in the U.S.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes. They are expected to create five jobs at startup with more to come in the first year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola metro.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Charged With Exploitation Of Elderly Century Resident
May 4, 2023
A Flomaton woman is charged with exploiting an elderly Century resident.
Dawn Renee Watson, 39, was charged with felony elderly exploitation and misdemeanor petit theft. She also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.
The elderly victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she gave her debit card to Watson, a close relative, to pick up items while she was sick, but never gave her permission for any personal use of the funds.
Watson made withdrawals to her cash app from the victim’s account totaling $669, according to an arrest report. When confronted by the victim, deputies said Watson deposited $130 for the victim but then no longer responded.
She was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Four Injured In Davis Highway Crash; SUV Ends Up On Top Of Car
May 4, 2023
Four people were injured in a wreck on Davis Highway that ended with a SUV on top of a car.
The crash happened in front of HCA West Florida Hospital.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, including a Special Operations Team, responded to extricate the SUV driver. Due to the situation, the SUV was strapped to the vehicle below it and stabilized with stuts. ECFR said the extrication process took just 11 minutes.
Four people were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating how the wreck happened.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Win Number 100 For Northview Baseball Coach Jeremy Greenwell
May 4, 2023
Northview High School baseball coach Jeremy Greenwell is celebrating his 100th win.
After Tuesday’s number 100 in the W-column with a shutout of Central, the team presented Greenwell with an autographed home plate and a customized bat.
Greenwell was the first coach in Northview history to reach 100 wins.
Thursday night, Greenwell earned win number 101 as the No. 1 Chiefs beat the No. 2 Royals in Jay for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fitterer, Blue Wahoos Blank Braves for Seventh Straight Win
May 4, 2023
Evan Fitterer continued to make a strong impression in a Blue Wahoos uniform, tossing the first five innings of a four-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday morning.
Fitterer (W, 2-0), who allowed only one hit over 6.0 scoreless innings in his Double-A debut at Montgomery last Thursday, scattered three hits over another strong start as the Blue Wahoos won their seventh game in a row.
Will Banfield started the scoring with a two-run homer in the second inning against Scott Blewett (L, 0-2), and Dane Myers followed with an RBI single in the third that would provide Pensacola all the run support they would need.
Cristian Charle, Zack Leban and Jefry Yan (S, 2) worked the final four innings out of the Blue Wahoos bullpen, securing just the fifth seven-game winning streak in team history. The franchise record is eight wins in a row, accomplished in 2017 and 2018.
The Education Day game was played in front of 5,038 fans, a group mostly comprised of students and field trip groups. It marked the seventh sellout of the season in 11 games at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Mississippi Braves on Thursday evening in Pensacola
written by Erik Bremer/photos Blue Wahoos
Man Serving Life For 2009 Murder Of Cantonment Woman Has Died In Prison
May 3, 2023
A man serving a life sentence for murdering a Cantonment woman in 2009 has died in a prison.
Scott Joseph Thompson was convicted of second degree murder for the strangulation death of Cheryl Cain and leaving her body in a dumpster.
“Mr. Thompson died on April 27, 2023 while assigned to Blackwater Correctional Facility,” Florida Department of Corrections Press Secretary Paul W. Walker told NorthEscambia.com on Tuesday. He was 42-years old.
Thompson’s cause of death was not yet available from FDC. He had been incarcerated in state prison since July 27, 2010.
Cain’s body was found in a dumpster behind a former gas station on Highway 29 at Burgess Road in Pensacola on March 25, 2009. DNA evidence from the dumpster and in Cain’s car were used to charge Thompson with murder, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. Thompson’s DNA was reportedly found in Cain’s vehicle, which was located after the murder at a Pensacola motel.
Phone records also connected Thompson to Cain, as well as a witness that testified that the two argued over money the last day she was seen alive.
NAS Pensacola Reopening To The Public Seven Days A Week
May 3, 2023
NAS Pensacola is scheduled to open to the public seven days a week beginning May 17.
As part of a phased reopening, previously scheduled public visitation will remain May 4-7 and May 11-14.
While on the installation, the public will be able to visit the Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas and the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). Access to Barrancas National Cemetery is always available through the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the Main Gate to anyone with family interred at the cemetery.
“We’re excited to have the public come back and visit our great air station,” said Capt. Terrence Shashaty, NAS Pensacola commanding officer. “We understand it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to open the base to the community, and we thank you for your patience.”
Public access to NAS Pensacola will be available from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. through the West Gate only on Blue Angel Parkway. All U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and older must have a Real ID or passport.
Foreign nationals will not be allowed access. Non-DoD cardholders operating vehicles with trailers will not be allowed to enter. Access will be dependent on available parking at the National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse. Once parking is full, public access will be halted until more parking becomes available. Temporary traffic control points will be located on base to prevent public access to other areas of the installation.
The following restrictions will apply to visitors during public access:
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include concealed weapon permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
- No visitors with boats or boat trailers.
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Navy require any identification card used for base access to be compliant with the Real ID Act of 2005. Real ID compliant identification cards are marked by a star on the upper right of the card.