Aviles Homers Late To Lead Blue Wahoos To First Win
April 13, 2022
A go-ahead ninth-inning homer for Luis Aviles Jr. against his former team helped lift the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to their first win of the season on Tuesday night, defeating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 4-3 in Madison, Alabama.
The solo blast from Aviles, who played last season for the Trash Pandas, capped a comeback for the Blue Wahoos after falling behind early. A near-perfect effort from the Blue Wahoos bullpen kept the game within reach as the offense slowly worked their way back into the game.
George Soriano struck out six batters in his Double-A debut, allowing three unearned runs over 4.0 innings. A pair of errors and a pair of walks netted the Trash Pandas a run in the first, and they took advantage of another error from Aviles in the second to extend their lead to 3-0. An RBI double from Anthony Mulrine and RBI single from Aaron Whitefield proved to be the only two hits in the ballgame for Rocket City.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board in the third on an RBI single for Paul McIntosh against Rocket City starter Coleman Crow, but couldn’t gain any more traction until the seventh inning. Aviles poked a one-out single against reliever Jack Dashwood, and with two outs Victor Victor Mesa delivered an RBI double to draw the score to 3-2. One batter later, McIntosh kept up his hot hitting with an RBI triple to tie the score 3-3.
Robert Garcia and Andrew Nardi (W, 1-1) were perfect over their relief appearances, setting the stage for Aviles to line a solo blast just out of the reach of left fielder Torii Hunter Jr. to lead off the ninth against Luis Ledo (L, 0-1). Colton Hock (S, 1) worked around a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth to lock down his first save of the year.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Wednesday night.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
McDavid Man Charged With Aggravated Assault, Battery On Sheriff’s Deputies
April 12, 2022
A McDavid man is accused of the aggravated assault and the battery of two Escambia County sheriff’s deputies.
David Bruce Christ, 32, was charged with battery, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer and two counts of resisting an officer with violence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in the 3500 block of North Pine Barren Road where Christ had allegedly head-butted his girlfriend and injured her nose.
As a deputy attempted to detain Christ, he tensed and pulled away, according to an arrest report. As two deputies struggled with Christ on the ground, he placed his hands under his body. A deputy attempted to use a collapsible baton to pry Christ’s right arm from under his body. As the suspect continued to “fight and roll”, the deputy lost grip on the baton.
Christ managed to get to his hands and knees, grabbed the collapsible baton and threatened, “do you want me to hit you with this”, the report states. As Christ continued to ignore commands and turned toward a deputy, the deputy fired his Taser and pulled the trigger about four times. The Taser had little to no effect on Christ, likely because of a jacket he was wearing, the arrest report continues.
Other deputies arrived on scene and assisted in taking Christ into custody. After he was placed in a deputy’s vehicle, he was “temporarily” hobbled after he began violently kicking the door, the report states.
One deputy suffered an abrasion to a finger and chin, and another was kicked in his chest, according to the ECSO.
The victim told deputies she told Christ that their relationship was over, and that’s when he head-butted her face. Several other people were present at the home at the time of the incident, including a seven-year old child.
Later at the jail, Christ stated the victim had head-butted him, and he “expressed his disapproval” about how he was arrest, the report continues.
Christ remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $42,000.
Beulah Middle Teacher Hailed As Hero For Saving Choking Student
April 12, 2022
Cheesy breadsticks with marinara. Spicy chicken sandwiches.
Green beans. And fresh fruit.
It was a rather ordinary day during a recent lunch at Beulah Middle School. But that quickly changed
Assistant Principal Sandra Reynolds was talking with a teacher and looking around the lunchroom.
“I noticed a student who appeared to be choking. The teacher and I immediately ran to the student and indeed, he was choking,” Reynolds said.
That teacher was Patrick Cornelius, an eighth grade English Language Arts instructor.
“Patrick Cornelius,” Reynolds continued, “began administering the Heimlich maneuver as I held the student’s hand and tried calming him down. The object finally came up and the student was whisked away to the clinic where his parents were called.”
And, we are happy to report, the student is doing well. And Cornelius is being hailed by the school district as a hero.
Environmental Officer Heather Gresham Named Escambia County Employee Of Month
April 12, 2022
Environmental Enforcement Officer Heather Gresham was recently named the Escambia County Employee of the Month.
Gresham’s career with Escambia County began on July 11, 2011. Since then, she has been regularly recognized for her outstanding level of service to her fellow team members and the citizens of Escambia County. In her role as an Environmental Enforcement Officer, she performs site inspections and investigations to collect field information related to potential code enforcement violations; assesses conditions and recommends appropriate actions; and performs re-inspections as needed. She also conducts research on applicable records, policies, laws, and ordinances, and issues notices of violations and civil citations. Gresham frequently collaborates with the public, other agencies and staff to obtain and provide information, mediate conflicts, and negotiate amicable resolutions.
When needed, Gresham acts as the alternate Clerk of the Court for the Special Magistrate and Administrative Assistant/Senior Office Support Assistant. She prepares and presents cases for quasi-judicial proceedings and manages a caseload of potential and current violations, prepares related status reports and attends meetings related to caseloads.
“Heather always carries herself in a professional manner,” said Natural Resources Management Director Chips Kirschenfeld. “She exemplifies the character and conduct that all code enforcement officers should display and always has a great attitude. Heather is always the first to take on any additional duties and assist anyone who asks for help. She excels at citizen communication and can bring a calming presence to any situation. She has a positive impact on her team members, citizens and all other agencies inside and outside of Escambia County and it is a pleasure to have her in our department.”
Outside of her role with the county, Gresham enjoys spending her time volunteering regularly in the community. She participates in feeding the homeless, clothing drop-offs, and Pensacola Bike Build for children at Christmas.
Northview Baseball Shuts Out PHS 19-0 On ‘Logan Night’
April 12, 2022
The Northview Chiefs shut out the Pensacola High Tigers 19-0 in three innings Monday on “Logan Night”.
It was Senior Night for the Chiefs as they honored Logan Misenar, Northview varsity baseball’s only senior.
Luke Bridges led the Chiefs at the plate as they played through a light rain. Bridges went 3-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Josh Landis went 2-2 with five RBIs and two runs; and Cason Burkett was 2-2 with four RBIs and two runs. Kaden Odom and Rustin Pope had one hit each.
Odom, Clayton Allen and Landis were on the mound for one inning each, allowing a combined one hit and striking out six.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Drive-By Shooting Under Investigation
April 11, 2022
The investigation continues into a drive-by shooting early Sunday morning in Century.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported drive-by shooting just before 6 a.m. Sunday on Ashford Alley, just off Jefferson Avenue in Century.
Damage was found to a residence and a vehicle, according to the ECSO, but there were no injuries. Shotgun shells were found at the scene.
Sgt. Melony Peterson said there were no suspects identified, and the only description of the vehicle was that it had a loud exhaust.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambiac.com file photo.
Tate High Showband Marches In Washington’s National Cherry Blossom Parade, Debuts New Uniforms
April 11, 2022
The Tate High School Showband of the South debuted their new band uniforms over the weekend as they marched in the National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, DC.
The Washington performance marked the first time the band had traveled since before the pandemic that began in 2020. It was the second time the Showband has performed in the National Cherry Blossom Parade; the first was in 1983.
The band has celebrated other big accomplishments this year. Last fall, the Showband of the South earned its 50th consecutive straight superior rating at the Florida Bandmasters Association’s District Marching Music Performance Assessment.
Band members were also able to visit several national landmarks while in Washington.
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Ramming Vehicle Occupied By His Ex-girlfriend, Child
April 11, 2022
A Century man stands accused of ramming a vehicle occupied by his ex-girlfriend and their child.
Kendrick Jamar Washington, 33, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and felony criminal mischief with property damage.
Washington allegedly used his vehicle to ram his ex-girlfriends vehicle on Highway 29 in McDavid while their son was a passenger in her vehicle, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She told deputies “he tried to run me off the road with my kid in the car”, and that she “almost lost control in a ditch”, an arrest report states.
Washington later pulled in behind his girlfriend’s vehicle at the Tom Thumb, blocking her exit, and slashed one of her tires, the report continues. The incident was reportedly captured on surveillance video.
He was released from jail on an $11,000 bond.
Florida Gas Prices Continue To Move Downward
April 11, 2022
Florida gas prices are continuing a downward move.
The statewide average Sunday was $4.07, down a dime from one week ago.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.89. A North Escambia low of $3.82 could be found Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while four Pensacola gas stations were at $3.58.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 3-1 To Biloxi
April 11, 2022
Bryan Hoeing struck out 10 batters in a dominant Double-A debut as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their series finale to the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday afternoon by a score of 3-1.
Hoeing (L, 0-1) scattered 7 singles over 5.2 innings, but fell victim to a pair of errors and three unearned runs as the Blue Wahoos were swept in their season-opening three-game series.
Biloxi used a pair of infield singles in the first inning to load the bases against Hoeing before a Felix Valerio grounder to shortstop to Luis Aviles Jr. was misplayed into the game’s first run.
Paul McIntosh evened the score 1-1 in the fourth inning with his second home run of the season, but the Shuckers got back to work in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.
An error from third baseman Bubba Hollins put Gabe Holt aboard to begin the inning, and a single put runners at the corners before a wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run. Felix Valerio delivered a two-out RBI single to extend the Biloxi lead to 3-1, though an outfield assist from right fielder Griffin Conine ended the inning and prevented further damage.
The Blue Wahoos got scoreless relief from Jefry Yan, Josh Simpson and Eli Villalobos to keep the game within reach, but were unable to capitalize on three Biloxi errors thanks to effective long relief from Biloxi’s Tyler Herb (W, 1-0). Pensacola loaded the bases in the ninth against the righty before Victor Victor Mesa grounded into a game-ending double play.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos travel to Madison, Alabama for their first road trip of the season against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
