Man Accused Of Stealing Smokey Bear Signs From Escambia County To Orlando
July 31, 2025
“What happens when dumb criminals poke the bear?”
That’s the question Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson asked Wednesday when he announced the arrest of a man stealing Smokey Bear signs across northern Florida and selling them.
The Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) arrested a man accused of traveling from Pensacola to Orlando stealing Smokey Bear signs form state forests. He was then selling the signs on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 each.
Smokey Bear assisted in the arrest, Simpson said. The suspect’s name and exact charges were not released.
Update: Piles Of Old Mail Delivered To Walnut Hill P.O. Boxes, But New Mail On Hold
July 31, 2025
Here’s an update to a story we brought you yesterday:
Old mail has been delivered to post office boxes in Walnut Hill, but no new mail will be delivered for the foreseeable future.
After being closed for nearly a year due to mold, the Escambia River Electric Cooperative Office in Walnut Hill reopened Tuesday.
During the closure of the Walnut Hill post office, mail was held at the McDavid Post Office for box holders to pick up. But many did not, and the mail simply piled up. Tuesday, that previously held mail was delivered to box holders at the Walnut Hill contract post office.
“We were under the impression on Tuesday that they would be sending new mail to us,” EREC CEO Ryan Campbell said Wednesday. “But we’ve found out today (Wednesday) that they will be holding the mail again at McDavid. People will need to pick up their mail there.”
EREC is awaiting a new contract with the U.S. Postal Service. Until it is finalized, they won’t be able to provide any postal services, not even selling stamps.
Campbell said he is hopeful that contract will be in place soon. Meanwhile, EREC is providing utility company services, including bill payment and service requests for both electricity and water.
Pictured: Mail that was held at the McDavid Post Office for nearly a year was delivered to box holders in Walnut Hill on Tuesday. No new mail will be delivered to the boxes in the foreseeable future. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Late Rally Leads Fitterer, Wahoos To Comeback Win
July 31, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
A record-tying relief performance, combined with a five-run seventh inning, propelled the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to an 8-4 win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday night.
Evan Fitterer (W, 6-4) tallied six punchouts over 4.0 scoreless innings of relief, ending his night with a strikeout of Biloxi’s Darrien Miller to tie the Blue Wahoos career franchise record of 258 set by Daniel Wright in 2015-16 and 2018.
“It’s pretty cool,” Fitterer said of the record. “It’s definitely cool to have a record of any kind in baseball.”
Fitterer anchored things down for the Blue Wahoos out of the bullpen, allowing only three baserunners while the Pensacola bats made a furious comeback after trailing 4-3 in the seventh inning.
“Everything was working,” Fitterer said. “I was just throwing things, trying to get things in the strike zone and let the defense take care of the rest.”
Kemp Alderman tied the game 4-4 with an RBI infield single in the seventh against Biloxi’s Nick Merkel (L,1-1). Nathan Martorella followed with a two-run single for a 6-4 lead, and Fenwick Trimble added on with a two-run double. After the five-run frame, Pensacola has now outscored opponents by 32 runs in the seventh inning this season.
“They’ve been doing it the last couple of weeks,” Fitterer said. “Staying in it, coming back, the lineup has been doing a really good job.”
Biloxi scratched across the first run of the night against Blue Wahoos starter Jake Brooks as leadoff man Luis Lara drove in Bladimir Restituyo on a sacrifice fly to left in the third inning.
The Blue Wahoos offense started in the third, bringing three men around to score. Jared Serna, Cody Morissette and Alderman each picked up an RBI single after starter Brett Wichrowski walked three consecutive batters to begin the inning. Shuckers right fielder Garrett Spain prevented two more runs from scoring, throwing out two runners at the plate in the inning.
Miller tied the game 3-3 in the top of the fourth for Biloxi, lining a double down the right field line to drive in two. Miller later scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Spain to give the Shuckers a 4-3 lead.
Brooks made his Double-A debut on the mound for the Blue Wahoos Wednesday night. Across 4.0 IP, the former UCLA Bruin allowed four runs on four hits while striking out four Shuckers. Nigel Belgrave closed things out with a scoreless ninth inning to seal win number 51 for the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola and Biloxi will square off in game three of the series tomorrow. Left-hander Dax Fulton (4-7, 5.10 ERA) will make his 16th start of the year for the Blue Wahoos while the Shuckers send out right-hander Tate Kuehner (7-4, 2.39 ERA) to take the mound.
GAME NOTABLES
— Prior to the game, the Blue Wahoos announced that outfielder Grant Richardson was elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. Richardson was batting .237 in 28 games for the Blue Wahoos with six homers and 20 RBI. He had several big games for the team and walk-off hits.
— Wednesday’s game was the final mid-week fireworks night of the summer. The Blue Wahoos’ final three homestands that will follow this week occur with area schools back in session
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday. Gametimes on Thursday through Saturday games are 6:05 p.m. start time and Sunday’s game will start at 4:05 p.m..
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Century’s Main Intersection May See New Life
July 30, 2025
“It’s an eyesore, and it’s right there on Highway 29 in the middle of town.”
That’s how Century Mayor Ben Boutwell describes one and a half acres at the corner of Highway 29 and East Highway 4 — at Century’s one and only red light.
Once the home of the Southern Panhandle Restaurant and a gas station, the property was sold in May 2022 to North Century Boulevard, LLC of Fairhope, Alabama. The buildings are falling into disrepair, and portions of the property are overgrown.
“I reached out to (Mr.) Patel a while back and he said he was about to put the property on the market because he could not get the approvals he needs from FDOT (the Florida Department of Transportation),” Boutwell said. The company hoped to build a new convenience store on the property, and that would require approvals from FDOT.
Boutwell contacted Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman, and led to a meeting over coffee on Tuesday in Pensacola.
Boutwell, Salzman and company officials sat down to look at the plans — and work on a solution with FDOT on the phone.
The company is now hopeful that the plans will move forward for a new convenience store with both gas and diesel, including pumps for semi trucks. The plans also include full convenience store amenities like food and drinks, and it is anticipated that the building will have three additional storefront spaces that can be leased to other businesses.
“It’s great potential economic development for the area, and I think it will do well,” Boutwell said.
The development, which is located in Century’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area, would provide jobs and bring new revenue to the town, including gas tax funds.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Six Escambia County Employees Graduate from Certified Public Manager Program
July 30, 2025
Six Escambia County employees have graduated from Florida’s Certified Public Manager program, marking the completion of a rigorous program for training and developing public managers and supervisors.
The Escambia County graduates are among hundreds of individuals statewide who completed the program were :
Janie Brissett – Compliance Officer, Facilities Management Department
Mark Carter – Emergency Communications Manager, Public Safety Department
Dustin Parazine – Lieutenant, Corrections Department
Nikki Smith – Benefits Manager, Human Resources Department
Rita Spencer – Division Manager, Corrections Department
Reshonda Watson – Accounting Manager, Corrections Department
These new graduates have completed a two-year program that includes 32 days of training, plus required projects and exams. Over 100 government agencies, including cities, counties, state and constitutional offices, have participated in the Florida CPM program.
“I’d like to congratulate these hardworking county employees for completing the Certified Public Manager program, which is a testament to their leadership and dedication to serving the citizens of Escambia County,” County Administrator Wes Moreno said. “We always strive for the highest level of professionalism and effectiveness in Escambia County government, and nationally-recognized programs like this help ensure we are providing the best possible service for our residents.”
The Certified Public Manager program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program for public managers and supervisors. It is currently offered in 38 states and by the federal government.
The Florida CPM Program was created in 1979. The program is administered by the Florida Center for Public Management, which is part of the Askew School of Public Administration at Florida State University. The program enrolls public managers from state, county and municipal governments throughout Florida. Florida has one of the largest, and most successful, CPM Programs in the country, with nearly 5,500 graduates from more than 100 agencies.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Walnut Hill Office Reopens for Business
July 30, 2025
The Escambia River Electric Cooperative Office in Walnut Hill reopened Tuesday after being closed for nearly a year due to mold.
The utility office will operate weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., observing a lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m. The office offers services that include bill payment and service requests for both electricity and water.
The contract post office remains at the location, but full postal services are not yet available. Old mail that was previously held at the McDavid Post Office was boxed Tuesday, but additional mail will not be delivered until a new contract is in place.
The EREC Walnut Hill office is located on Highway 99A next to Ernest Ward Middle School. The office had been closed since August 2024 due to mold; remediation has since been completed.
Pictured top: EREC employee Kim Lambert boxes old mail Tuesday afternoon in contract post office inside the EREC Walnut Hill office. Customers had been required to pick up their mail at the McDavid Post Office for nearly a year. Pictured below: After being closed about a year, the EREC Walnut Hill office reopened Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Name 2025 Volleyball Teams
July 30, 2025
Following tryouts Monday and Tuesday, Tate High School Volleyball named their teams for the upcoming 2025 season.
Varsity
- Grace Best
- Torrie Garrett
- McKenna Lister
- Bailie Merritt
- Ella Merritt
- Apple Moodie
- Brelynn Morris
- Niaviya Qualls
- Gianna Smart
- Jacey Stuart
- Jayla Templeman
- Laila Whitley
Junior Varsity
- Kiley Adams
- Jada Archer
- Brayley Cayton
- Ansleigh Crutchfield
- Grace Gaulden
- Lexi Hardy
- Carly Kimbro
- Harper Leopard
- Laila McNair
- Sarah Mitchell
- Bentley Wartman
- Kassidy Weiss
Freshmen
- Laura Ave
- Ayslie Bouie
- Laina Daughtery
- Emma Dubuc
- Callie Fechter
- Ryleigh Goolsby
- McKenna Jones
- Makylie Lewis
- Kelly McCabe
- Reese Ray
- Clara Stinnett
- Jordan Suarez
Escambia County School Orientations Begin (But Most Are Next Week)
July 30, 2025
Orientation sessions have began for public schools in Escambia County, but most are next week.
Pensacola High School held orientation on Wednesday, while Escambia High School orientation will be Thursday. Other schools in the county will hold orientation next week.
Here is the schedule:
ORIENTATIONS
Elementary
- All Schools: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Middle School
- 6th Grade Orientation (except Ernest Ward): Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
High Schools
- Tate High 9th grade – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Northview High – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Pensacola High – Wednesday, July 30, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Escambia High — Thursday, July 31, Last names A-M from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and last names N-Z from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Booker T. Washington High 9th grade – Monday, August 4, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Pine Forest High – Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- West Florida High 9th grade – Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Pensacola Ice Flyers Announce Full 2025-26 Season Schedule
July 30, 2025
The Pensacola Ice Flyers on Tuesday announced their 2025-26 full season schedule, which includes an expanded lineup of 29 home games at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Ice Flyers will drop the puck on their season Saturday, October 18, 2025, when they welcome the Macon Mayhem to “The Hangar”.
“We’re thrilled to offer our fans additional Ice Flyers hockey this season with our expanded schedule,” said Brenden Arney, Ice Flyers director of Marketing and Operations. “From our home opener against Macon to our creative theme nights, the 2025-26 season is set to be our most entertaining yet.”
- Macon at Pensacola: October 18, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Huntsville: October 24, 7:00 PM
- Birmingham at Pensacola: October 25, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Birmingham: October 30, 7:00 PM
- Macon at Pensacola: November 1, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Knoxville: November 7, 6:30 PM
- Pensacola at Knoxville: November 8, 6:30 PM
- Fayetteville at Pensacola: November 14, 7:05 PM
- Fayetteville at Pensacola: November 15, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Huntsville: November 21, 7:00 PM
- Pensacola at Huntsville: November 22, 7:00 PM
- Huntsville at Pensacola: November 26, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Birmingham: November 28, 7:00 PM
- Birmingham at Pensacola: November 29, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Birmingham: December 4, 7:00 PM
- Roanoke at Pensacola: December 5, 7:05 PM
- Roanoke at Pensacola: December 6, 7:05 PM
- Huntsville at Pensacola: December 11, 7:05 PM
- Huntsville at Pensacola: December 20, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Macon: December 21, 2:00 PM
- Birmingham at Pensacola: December 23, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Huntsville: December 26, 7:00 PM
- Huntsville at Pensacola: December 27, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Macon: December 31, 7:00 PM
- Roanoke at Pensacola: January 2, 7:05 PM
- Roanoke at Pensacola: January 3, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Quad City: January 9, 7:10 PM
- Pensacola at Quad City: January 10, 7:10 PM
- Pensacola at Quad City: January 11, 2:10 PM
- Evansville at Pensacola: January 16, 7:05 PM
- Evansville at Pensacola: January 17, 7:05 PM
- Macon at Pensacola: January 18, 4:05 PM
- Pensacola at Knoxville: January 23, 6:30 PM
- Pensacola at Knoxville: January 24, 6:30 PM
- Fayetteville at Pensacola: January 30, 7:05 PM
- Fayetteville at Pensacola: January 31, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Macon: February 5, 6:00 PM
- Knoxville at Pensacola: February 6, 7:05 PM
- Knoxville at Pensacola: February 7, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Roanoke: February 13, 6:05 PM
- Pensacola at Roanoke: February 14, 6:05 PM
- Macon at Pensacola: February 15, 4:05 PM
- Pensacola at Fayetteville: February 20, 6:00 PM
- Pensacola at Fayetteville: February 21, 5:00 PM
- Pensacola at Macon: February 26, 9:30 AM
- Birmingham at Pensacola: February 27, 7:05 PM
- Birmingham at Pensacola: February 28, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Peoria: March 6, 7:10 PM
- Pensacola at Peoria: March 7, 7:10 PM
- Pensacola at Peoria: March 8, 3:15 PM
- Macon at Pensacola: March 13, 7:05 PM
- Macon at Pensacola: March 14, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Birmingham: March 20, 7:00 PM
- Pensacola at Birmingham: March 21, 7:00 PM
- Quad City at Pensacola: March 27, 7:05 PM
- Quad City at Pensacola: March 28, 7:05 PM
- Pensacola at Evansville: April 3, 7:00 PM
- Pensacola at Evansville: April 4, 7:00 PM
Early Trouble Sends Wahoos to 7-3 Loss to Shuckers
July 30, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Alex Williams has encountered his roughest outings this season against the Biloxi Shuckers.
The latest occurred Tuesday night on a weather-plagued series opener, after the Blue Wahoos righthander struggled to find an early-game groove, leading into the Shuckers’ eventual 7-3 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game’s start time was delayed 1-hour, 11 minutes, followed by a 41-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fourth to make it an even longer night.
When the game began, Williams ran into instant trouble. A low pitch nicked the game’s leadoff batter, Luis Lara. After one out, the next three batters recorded hits, including a pair of RBI singles that scored Lara and the Shuckers’ highest-rated prospect, shortstop Cooper Pratt, who had doubled.
A throwing error in the second inning by Pensacola first baseman Nathan Martorella led to a third Shuckers run. In the third inning, Biloxi’s Jheremy Vargos broke the game open with a bases-loaded, 3-run double for a 6-0 lead. The rally was set up by a catcher’s interference call and another hit batter charged to Williams.
It became the shortest of Williams’ three starts since moving into that role on July 12.
Williams’ previous two times facing Biloxi this season came in relief. He allowed four runs on five hits July 4 in Biloxi in 2.1 innings pitched.
The Blue Wahoos produced three runs in the seventh on a solo homer by Johnny Olmstead, then an RBI double by Shane Sasaki and a balk to score Sasaki.
The six-game homestand continues Wednesday with the Blue Wahoos’ Jake Brooks, a former UCLA star pitcher, making his Double-A debut after being called up from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate. He was an 11th round pick of the 2023 draft.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Wednesday Thru Sunday. Gametimes on Wednesday through Saturday games are 6:05 p.m. start time and Sunday’s game will start at 4:05 p.m..
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.