Smokies Beat The Wahoos 14-4
September 7, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell in their series opener against the Tennessee Smokies on Tuesday night by a score of 14-4.
Jake Slaughter hit a pair of homers, scored four runs and drove in six to lead Tennessee’s winning effort as the Smokies inched closer to clinching a North Division playoff berth.
Slaughter opened up the scoring right away in the first inning with a two-run homer against Zach King (L, 2-5), who allowed four more runs in the third on RBI doubles from Nelson Maldonado and Chase Strumpf.
The Smokies added two more runs in the fourth on a Miguel Amaya sacrifice fly and Andy Weber RBI double. Pensacola got their only run against Tennessee starter Chris Clarke (W, 7-4) with a Norel González RBI double in the sixth to bring the score to 8-1, but Yonathan Perlaza answered back with a solo homer on the first pitch of the bottom of the inning as Tennessee got their bats back to work.
Bryce Ball hit an RBI double in the seventh before Slaughter capped his night with a grand slam in the eighth. Will Banfield’s third single of the game brought home a Pensacola run in the eighth, and Cobie Fletcher-Vance drove in another in the ninth with a sacrifice fly, but it wasn’t nearly enough for the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Construction Progressing On New Dollar General Stores In Molino, Walnut Hill
September 6, 2022
Construction is well underway on new Dollar General stores in Molino and Walnut Hill.
The Walnut Hill store is located at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. The development was limited to 2.08 acres of a 4.12 acre property, including a 10,769 square-foot store with 43 parking spaces and a new driveway connection to Highway 97 directly across from South Highway 99.
The store near Molino is located at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 196. The 10,640 square foot Dollar General is located on a 1.5 acre parcel with driveway access to Highway 196, not Highway 29.
At an Escambia County development review meeting in May, several area residents spoke out against the Molino area store. Most cited traffic concerns about the intersection, including several fatal accidents that have occurred. They also expressed that the store is not needed due to the proximity of other Dollar Generals on Highway 29, including at Molino Road 2.5 miles to the north and Neal Road four miles to the south.
Pictured top: The Dollar General Store under construction at Highway 97 and South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill. First two photos below show the store at Highway 29 and Highway 196 near Molino, and the bottom photo shows the Walnut Hill store as seen from South Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Above: Molino area store.
Above: Molino area store, seen from Highway 29.
Above: Walnut Hill store, seen from South Highway 99.
Traffic Stop Leads To Fentanyl, Meth Arrest
September 6, 2022
Two people are facing drug charges after a traffic stop along Highway 29.
Harvey Drexel Heath, age 66 of McDavid, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (fentanyl), possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine) and driving without a license.
James Tyler Josey, a 42-year old who listed an address of homeless, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Titan driven by Heath at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29.
Josey, the passenger, was taken into custody due to an outstanding warrant from Santa Rosa County. The deputy noted a small bag containing methamphetamine and a straw in the passenger seat where Josey was seated.
A white powder that tested positive for fentanyl was found on a mirror in the center console, along with two bags containing fentanyl and two bags containing methamphetamine, according to an arrest report.
Heath told the deputy that a woman stole his truck in the past and had been driving it for a week, and the narcotics were not his, the report states.
Heath remained jailed Tuesday with bond set at $7,000 bond, while Josey was jailed with a $4,000 bond.
Pictured: Harvey Drexel Heath (left) and James Tyler Josey.
Bonus Gallery: Tate Cheerleaders, Showband And ROTC
September 6, 2022
The Tate Aggies defeated the Pensacola High Tigers 35-26 in a Saturday morning game.
For a bonus photo gallery with the Tate cheerleaders, Showband and ROTC, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECFR Volunteers Take Part In Standards Training
September 6, 2022
Volunteers from the Beulah, Ferry Pass and Myrtle Grove stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue took part in training held recently at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Beulah.
About 35 firefighters took part in the National Fire Protection Association standards training for emergency scene operations.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA Says Gas Prices Declined During The Labor Day Weekend
September 6, 2022
Florida gas prices declined during the past week and through the Labor Day holiday weekend. Holiday travelers paid the fourth-most expensive Labor Day gas prices on record. The all-time highest price for Labor Day weekend was set back in 2012, at $3.78 per gallon, according to AAA.
On Monday, the state average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.52 per gallon. That’s 50 cents per gallon more than what drivers paid during last year’s holiday.
The average price Monday night in Escambia County was $3.37 per gallon. A North Escambia low of $3.28 could be found on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $3.09 at multiple station on Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Recycling Center Restart Delayed Again Due To Repair Part Delays
September 5, 2022
A restart of ECUA recycling services has been delayed as they await the arrival of repair parts.
The ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was closed in June after the failure of an essential piece of equipment.
ECUA has received an update with a delayed shipping date from the supplier providing the two conveyor belts needed to return the processing lines to service.
Based on the new shipping date, ECUA is proposing a stage reopening of the recycling facility. On Monday, September 26, they plan to begin processing recycling materials for other partners. Materials from ECUA and the City of Pensacola will begin processing on Thursday, September 29.
ECUA is continuing to use the downtime for important maintenance that generally requires a facility shutdown on other equipment.
The second of two aging conveyor belts was slated for replacement in this fiscal year. The ECUA Board approved the $82,000 purchase of two new replacement belts at its February 2022 meeting.
ECUA is continuing normal recycling collections in the meantime.
“We urge our customers to keep in a positive recycling habit during this interruption in the recycling program,” Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Take Stock in Children Selects 26 New Students For Scholarship Program
September 5, 2022
Take Stock in Children Escambia County recently welcomed 26 new scholarship recipients.
The students will receive a college scholarship upon graduation from high school as long as they maintain good grades, attendance and citizenship, remain crime and drug free, and meet weekly with a volunteer community mentor.
The newly selected students are:
- Bailey Middle – Cheyanne Dietz, Kiley Johnson, Addison Nguyen
- Bellview Middle – Ashton Caldwell
- Beulah Middle – Kemorah Crosby
- Brown Barge Middle – Olivia Capell, Ke’Oni Laster, Eric Lin, Zykeria Murphy
- Ernest Ward Middle – Hailey Carillo, Nicole Garcia, Randi Kemp, Sarah Lowman, Chloe Satterwhite
- Ferry Pass Middle – Trenton Brown, Kennedi Collins, Tania Collins, Vann Hootman, Shaniyah Polingo
- Ransom Middle – Amy Floyd, Alaina Thomas, Tam Tran, Kassidy Weiss
- Workman Middle – Christian Batista Cruz, Lyadenisse Toro De Jesus
- Tate High – Christopher Sparks
Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
September 5, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Four applicants will be appointed for service beginning in November 2022.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain representative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a lay consumer member.
A lay consumer member shall not at the time of appointment be, and shall have never previously been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession. The term “member of any closely related profession” includes but is not limited to carpenters, painters, certified building inspectors, commercial construction supervisors, interior designers/decorators, fencers, landscapers, building material suppliers, and construction quality managers.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on Friday, September 16, 2022.
Here Are Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
September 5, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8. The closures will allow crews to adjust manholes and the pedestrian fence.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for installation of barrier delineators:
o I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
-
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 for construction operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Sorrento Road, between the Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow for shoulder base construction and drainage work.
- Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue and side streets, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Saturday, Sept. 8 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Routine Maintenance at the new Pleasant Grove Elementary – Motorists will encounter expect intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Wednesday, Sept. 7 for paving operations for the school entrance.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures the Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 for construction activities.
- Gulf Breeze Parkway (U.S 98) Routine Utility Maintenance at Daniel Drive – Motorists can expect intermittent outside westbound lane closure Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.