Three Home Runs As Wahoos Win Third Straight
May 13, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos brought home eight runs on three home runs as they won their third straight ballgame on Thursday night, defeating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 9-8 to pull back to the .500 mark.
Ray-Patrick Didder hit the club’s first grand slam of the season, Santiago Chávez blasted a three-run homer in his return to Pensacola, and Jerar Encarnacion stayed hot with his team-leading eighth homer in a 3-for-4 night.
Rocket City scored three early runs against Will Stewart (W, 1-1) in the first inning, as Braxton Martinez hit a two-run double and Kevin Maitan brought home a run on an RBI groundout. Bryce Teodosio hit a solo homer in the second to put the Trash Pandas ahead 4-0.
Stewart completed 5.0 innings, working scoreless ball the rest of his night, allowing the offense to get back in the game. Didder’s grand slam in the second tied things up against Aaron Hernandez (L, 0-2), and the Blue Wahoos put two men aboard in the fourth inning before reliever Kolton Ingram served up Chávez’s three-run home run to put Pensacola ahead 7-4.
Encarnacion homered in the fifth, giving him hits in seven consecutive at-bats on the heels of Wednesday’s 4-for-4 performance. Griffin Conine got in on the act with a two-out RBI single in the sixth that proved to be the game-winning run.
Maitan and Trey Cabbage hit solo homers against Anthony Maldonado, and Teodosio hit a two-run single off Dylan Bice in the eighth to bring Rocket City within a run. Colton Hock (S, 4) remained perfect in save opportunities this season, working a scoreless ninth.
Winners of three straight for the first time this season, the Blue Wahoos are now 15-15 on the season and have pulled into a tie for first place after Montgomery was swept by Tennessee in a doubleheader.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
FPL Holds Hurricane Drill
May 13, 2022
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) held their annual storm drill this week, testing their response to a simulated hurricane.
During the exercise, Hurricane Constantine – a mock Category 3 storm – made landfall near Panama City. FPL employees were evaluated on their response and restoration efforts, including operations, logistics, communications and customer service.
The upcoming hurricane season closely follows hurricanes Michael and Sally — two historic storms that serve as stark reminders of the importance of storm preparation.
“FPL learns from every storm, and we must always look for innovative ways to approach how we restore power and serve our customers,” said Manny Miranda, executive vice president of FPL power delivery. “Today, we can respond to hurricanes better than ever as a result of the lessons we’ve learned from previous storms and the improvements we’ve made, using advanced technologies and the experience of our team.”
As part of the exercise, FPL also showcased innovative technology used to assist with storm restoration, including drones, which are used to assess damage safely and quickly after a storm and can often reach areas inaccessible to crews on the ground.
Northview High School Listed For Sale
May 12, 2022
Northview High School in Bratt was listed for sale.
“For sale” signs were placed in front of the school Thursday morning. One of the many signs hints at the starting offer price…$20.22.
According to the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office, the 85 acre property owned by the Escambia County School District has a value as public property of $4.3 million. The main building is 81,000 square feet, plus there is a 46,500 square foot gymnasium, along with a football stadium, baseball field, softball field, paved parking and much more.
There’s also a Northview Chiefs trophy case documenting countless state and national awards, including a state football championship in 2012.
The school was constructed in 1996.
For more information, the Class of 2022 lists the school phone number.
The Northview High School Class of 2022 will graduate on Wednesday, May 25.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
30-Year Council Member Marie McMurray Honored With Murals At Century Park
May 12, 2022
The concession building at Marie McMurray Park in Century now has two murals honoring its namesake, a former longtime council member
Marie McMurry served on the South Flomaton then the Century Town Council for 30 years. She passed away in 2010 at age 84.
Her daughter, Sandra McMurray Jackson, now sits on the council and commissioned murals on each side of the Pond Street park’s concession stand.
“As her daughter, it makes me feel proud. It makes me feel good to pass by here,” Jackson said. “Not only was the park named after my mother, but to see her picture up here and it could stay for generations..it makes me feel good. I hope that the residents of Century, it makes them proud too because it brightens up the community.”
The murals were painted at Jackson’s expense by Pensacola artist Carter Gaston.
“He asked me what did she love. I said she loved flowers, so he painted her picture surrounded by flowers,” Jackson said. “I picked that picture because that was the picture that we had on her obituary. The picture on the other side, that was a glamour shot picture when I was working with the Department of Corrections. They dressed her up in her purple, her purple hat and all that.”
As our interview wound to a close, Jackson stood in front of the painting of her mother. She reached out and touched her face on the concrete block wall.
“I know my mom will be proud. I know she will.”
Pictured: Murals honoring 30-year council member Marie McMurray at the Marie McMurray Park on Pond Street in Century, and her daughter, current council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Claims $1 Million Lottery Scratch-Off Prize
May 12, 2022
An Escambia County man has won a $1 million top prize in the Florida Lottery’s 50x The Cash scratch-off game.
He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $890,000.
Haylock purchased his winning ticket from Murphy USA at 2690 Creighton Road. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off
Cantonment Woman Found Passed Out At Convenience Store Now Facing Drug Charges, ECSO Says
May 12, 2022
A Cantonment woman allegedly found passed out in a vehicle in front of a convenience store is facing drug charges.
Rose Marie Briones, 40 was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Briones was found passed out in a Nissan SUV with the engine running at a Circle K on Olive Road. Deputies were able to wake her up and get her to step out of the vehicle.
She appeared to be under the influence and declined to allow deputies to search her vehicle, an arrest report states. A K-9 responded and alerted on the vehicle.
Inside the SUV, the Sheriff’s Office said they found a glass container with cocaine, presumptive marijuana, four glass smoking devices with burnt residue, a baggie containing methamphetamine, and a grinder that contained a green leafy substance.
Briones stated that the items found in the vehicle did not belong to her.
She remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $3,500.
Ascend Contributes $10,000 To ECSD Summer Reading Initiative
May 12, 2022
Ascend Performance Materials has made a $10,000 contribution to help support an Escambia County School District summer reading initiative.
The “Level Up with Summer Reading” program will run from May 25 to August 5. The district wide program will provide two to four summer reading books to each K-12 student, an additional two to four books for summer school students, and provide summer reading events hosted by various schools.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mincey, Blue Wahoos Cruise to 8-2 Victory Over The Trash Pandas
May 12, 2022
Early offense buoyed Cody Mincey once again as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas 8-2 on Wednesday night.
Mincey (W, 2-1) became the fourth consecutive Blue Wahoos starter to deliver a quality start, allowing just two unearned runs over a career-high 6.0 innings.
The Blue Wahoos scored four runs in the first inning against Brent Killam (L, 1-2), taking advantage of a Preston Palmeiro error to stake Mincey to an early lead. Jerar Encarnacion had the first of his season-high four hits to drive in the game’s first run, and Victor Victor Mesa capped the inning with a two-run blast for his first home run of the year.
Rocket City pushed across two unearned runs in the third on a Trey Cabbage sacrifice fly and Braxton Martinez RBI single, but Mincey kept things in check for the remainder of his outing. Encarnacion hit a two-run homer in the fifth, his team-leading seventh homer of the year, and Mesa brought home his third and fourth RBI of the night with a single in the eighth.
Jefry Yan and Andrew Nardi delivered scoreless relief for the final 3.0 innings to secure Pensacola’s second consecutive win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Thursday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
UPDATED: Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Molino Utilities Customers
May 12, 2022
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN CANCELED.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued following a water main break on Molino Road on Wednesday.
The precautionary boil water notice has been issued due to the water main repair in the area of Sunshine Hill Road west to 5341 Molino Road, Barrineau Lane and Settle Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
(Updated 5/13/21)
Missing Juvenile Located
May 11, 2022
UPDATE: Zander West has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing juvenile last seen on Williams Ditch Road near Highway 95A
Zander Kole West, 12, was last seen about 7:10 Wednesday morning. He was wearing red, black and white Vans shoes, dark sweatpants, and a dark hoodie.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
West has been reported missing about a half dozen times in the past year, according to the ECSO.