Ladwig’s Strong Start Spoiled In 11-4 Wahoos Loss
August 29, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 11-4 in their series finale against the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon despite another quality start from A.J. Ladwig.
Ladwig (L, 7-4) allowed an unearned run in the first and a solo homer to Niko Hulsizer in the fourth, but completed 6.0 innings of four-hit ball. Pensacola couldn’t solve Montgomery starter Michael Mercado or reliever Chris Gau (W, 5-0), collecting only an infield hit over the first seven innings.
Montgomery broke the game open in the top of the eighth, scoring four runs against Jefry Yan thanks to a pair of walks and RBI singles from Kyle Manzardo and Jordan Qsar. The Blue Wahoos returned the favor with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, getting two-out RBI hits from Nasim Nuñez, Paul McIntosh and J.D. Osborne to draw the deficit to 6-4.
Biscuits reliever Trevor Brigden fanned Griffin Conine as the potential go-ahead run to end the eighth-inning threat, and the Montgomery offense got back to work in the ninth with five more runs against Zack Leban and Robinson Martinez. A Manzardo three-run homer was the decisive blow as the Biscuits earned a split in the six-game series.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game road series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECUA Proposes Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increase, Plus Extra Sanitation Fee
August 28, 2022
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) has proposed a rate increase for sanitation, water and wastewater services.
The ECUA board voted to advertise a public hearing on the rate increases for September 27.
Proposed Sanitation Rate Increase
ECUA is proposing a sanitation (garbage) rate increase of 6% plus the addition of a $1 per month fee to fund the construction of a new sanitation transfer station on Pine Forest Road. Customers will continue to pay the $1 per month until the transfer station is paid off, which is currently projected to be in 2043.
The rate increase applies to the collection fee. For the average family with one 90-gallon container, the monthly rate will increase from $26.39 to $27.67, plus the $1 fee for the transfer station. The transfer station location is the current ECUA complex at Godwin Lane and Pine Forest Road.
The motion approving a fiscal year 2023 budget with the sanitation rate increase and the $1 fee was made by District 5 board member Kevin Stephens, and seconded by Dale Perkins. It passed 5-0.
Proposed Water And Wastewater Rate Increase
ECUA is proposing a 5% rate increase for water and wastewater. For an average customer using 6,000 gallons, the increase will be less than $1 per month for water and about $2 for wastewater.
The motion approving a budget with the rate increase for water and wastewater was made by District 1 representative Vicki Campbell and seconded by Dale Perkins before passing unanimously.
A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Retired Century Fire Chief Regi Burkett
August 28, 2022
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon for Regi Burkett, the longtime chief of the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.. He was 62.
Burkett passed away August 20 at the age of 62, surrounded by his family at his bedside. Burkett spent nearly 40 years in the fire service for his community.
During a graveside service at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Cemetery in Byrneville, an Escambia County Fire Rescue dispatcher conducted a traditional “last call”.
“Escambia to retired fire chief 501″, the dispatcher called twice with no response.
“Escambia to retired fire chief Regi Burkett,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the radios at the funeral service. “There is no response from retired fire chief 501, chief Regi Burkett.”
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used to alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“On behalf of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the members of Century Fire Department, after 40 years of service to the citizens of Escambia County, it is with great sadness to announce that retired fire chief Regi Burkett has completed his last call on earth and is ready for his next assignment to watch over his friends, family and fellow firefighters. Retired fire chief Regi Burkett, although you are gone, you will not be forgotten. Escambia clear at 16:13.”
Burkett joined the Century Volunteer Fire Department in April 1978. He advanced through the ranks before being named chief in 1987. He served as Century’s fire chief until his retirement in July 2017.
Burkett is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Ann Burkett, son Ryan Burkett, daughter Casey Roach and numerous other family and friends.
FWC: If You Find A Fawn, Leave It Alone
August 28, 2022
White-tailed deer fawning is in full swing in the Florida Panhandle. Sometimes people assume a fawn they find by itself has been abandoned, and they try to “rescue” it, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
But instead of trying to rescue it, FWC says just leave it alone.
During the first few weeks of a fawn’s life, a doe will hide her offspring then move to a safe distance to prevent her scent from attracting predators to the young animal’s hiding spot, FWC said. She’ll return often to nurse and care for the fawn. While hidden, the baby deer might lie motionless as a survival mechanism to deter predators. But sometimes people mistakenly think a fawn’s lack of movement means it’s sick or injured, prompting them to remove the animal to get it help.
“If you find a fawn that you think is abandoned, do not touch it, pick it up or remove it from its natural environment. Instead, leave it alone and quietly move away from the area,” FWC said.
Open House Tuesday At High Schools In Escambia County; Middle and Elementary Coming Soon
August 28, 2022
Open house events are this week for high schools in Escambia County and are coming up next month for middle and elementary schools.
All high school open houses in Escambia County will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 30.
Elementary school open houses will be September 13 and 15. The schedule is below.
Middle school open houses will be September 8 at 6 p.m.
Pictured top: Visitors to the open house Tuesday at Northview High School will get a look at the school’s new flooring. Pictured below: The elementary school open house time and date schedule. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
August 28, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties 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 on resurfacing. All 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 Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 30, 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, Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1. 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 Monday, Aug. 29 through Friday, Sept. 2 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 Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1 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 I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1. Construction crews will be installing “rumble strips” and profiled thermoplastic edge lines on the ramp. In addition, the speed limit on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound has been permanently reduced to 35 mph.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Aug. 29 through Friday, Sept. 2 for placement of a watermain.
- 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 Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1 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 all side streets between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Sunday, Aug. 28 through the next several weeks. Crews will be adjusting manholes and paving and striping the roadway.
- North Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Routine Maintenance at the I-10 Westbound On-ramp – Motorists will encounter expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Sunday, Aug. 28 for barrier wall repair operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 30, 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, Sunday, Aug. 28 through Friday, Sept. 2 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 week of Monday, Aug. 29 for construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Rosewood Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent outside westbound lane closure Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction of turn lanes.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Conine’s 20th Homer Helps Blue Wahoos Win Third In A Row
August 28, 2022
Griffin Conine became just the third player in team history to hit 20 home runs in a season as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Montgomery Biscuits 7-4 on Saturday night.
Conine snapped an 0-for-20 hitless skid with a go-ahead home run in the sixth, joining Aristedes Aquino (20, 2018) and Peyton Burdick (23, 2021) in Pensacola’s 20-homer club.
Marlins #9 prospect Dax Fulton overcame a wobbly introduction in his Double-A debut to deliver 5.0 innings, though two of his four runs were unearned due to his own throwing errors. The 20-year-old lefty allowed two walks and a throwing error in the first to put Montgomery ahead 2-0 before a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Will Banfield in the bottom of the inning cut Pensacola’s deficit to 2-1.
In the third, the Blue Wahoos took a brief 3-2 lead thanks to a two-out, two-run double from Banfield. Another Fulton throwing error in the fourth preceded a two-run homer from Evan Edwards to put the Biscuits in front 4-3.
Nasim Nuñez tied the game 4-4 with an RBI double against Biscuits starter John Doxakis (L, 2-6) in the bottom of the fourth, and the score would hold until Conine led off the sixth with his solo blast to right-center. J.D. Orr doubled, Nuñez singled him home, and scored from first on a stolen base followed by a pair of throwing errors to bring the Pensacola lead to 7-4.
Anthony Maldonado (W, 3-3) struck out six batters over 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, and Sean Reynolds (S, 4) worked around trouble in the ninth to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biscuits on Sunday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Century Man Facing Charges After Allegedly Trying To Flush Drugs
August 27, 2022
A Century man is facing drug charges after he allegedly tried to flush drugs as deputies arrested him.
William Johnathan Hamilton, 31, was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell or distribute, tampering or attempting to destroy evidence, resisting without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to 90 Hilltop Road to arrest Hamilton on an outstanding warrant from Santa Rosa County.
Deputies found him standing outside his mobile home. When told that he was under arrest, Hamilton snatched his arm away from a deputy and took off, running all the way through the mobile to a bathroom in the back, according to an arrest report. After a brief struggle, deputies were able to apprehend him at the toilet.
After he was cuffed, deputies observed a pill bottle and a plastic bag floating in the toilet. They also recovered a plastic bag with methamphetamine in his pants pocket. The pill bottle in the toilet contacted 43 combination hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, 10 alprazolam tablets and a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $29,500.
Northview Gets 48-33 Win Over Flomaton (With Photo Gallery)
August 27, 2022
With a strong second half, the Northview Chiefs beat the Flomaton Hurricanes 48-33 Friday night in Bratt.
The game was tied 27-27 at the half, and Northview coach Wes Summerford worked to fire up his Chiefs during halftime.
“I thought in the second half we did special teams a lot better. Special teams killed us in the first half,” he said. “I knew some of those lumps were gonna happen; we were gonna face the adversity. But I told the guys, second half, I said, we’re gonna find out what you’re about, and we got to take care of the little things first. And we did that in the second half and that was the outcome.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, bands, fans and more, click here.
A newly upgraded Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium was nearly packed Friday night as the Chiefs opened the scoring with a 63-yard touchdown run — his first of four TDs on a muggy but comfortable night in Bratt. With a good kick, the Chiefs were on top 7-0.
The Hurricanes answered with a 42-yard pass from quarterback Will Smith to Jaxson Filmore. Jefferson added a 5-yard rushing touchdown for the Chiefs in the first quarter. Northview fell short on a 2-point attempt, as the Chiefs were on top 13-6. Flomaton’s James Spizzirro took a block punt 42-yards to make it 13-12 before the first quarter ended.
In the second, Deontay Averette scored with a 42-yard rushing touchdown.
For the Chiefs, Jefferson added a 32-yard touchdown run in the third and TD #4 in the fourth on a 25-yard run. Quarterback Kaden Odom had a 14-yard keeper and a 7-yarder, and Luke Bridges had a 55-yard sprint for a touchdown.
Summerford was quick to give credit to the Flomaton Hurricanes for a stellar performance.
“It’s such a joy to watch all those guys. Flomaton’s got some great players, he said. “You hear about those guys, and I’m sure they hear about our guys, but they battle. And what a great atmosphere. You can’t get better than this in Bratt, Florida.”
The Northview Chiefs (1-0) will travel to Pensacola next Friday night to face Lighthouse Private Christian Academy, and Flomaton ( 1-1) will head up I-65 to take on Hillcrest (1-1) in Evergreen.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, bands, fans and more, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Dies After Fleeing From Police, Crashing Into Apartment Building
August 27, 2022
A motorcyclist died after fleeing from Pensacola Police and crashing into an apartment building on Friday.
A Pensacola Police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle in the area of East Cervantes Street and Knowles Avenue. Police said the 57-year old motorcyclist attempted to flee and missed a curve at Cervantes and Chipley Avenue. The motorcycle left the roadway and collided with the apartment building, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name has not been released.