Blue Angels Spark Blue Wahoos 8-1 Win Over The Braves
June 13, 2017
Many of the players and coaches of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos have been long-time fans of the Blue Angels.
Monday the two teams got a chance to visit in the clubhouse, the weight room and in the batting cage on “Blue Angels in the Outfield” night at the ballpark.
More than 40 U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team members turned out to sign autographs before the game. Fans swarmed the Blue Angels and then stuck around to watch the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 8-1.
It was the largest Monday night crowd this season with 4,678 packing Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Alex Blandino, who tied his career-high with four RBIs, said he remembered watching the Blue Angels’ show in the San Francisco bay area as a boy.
“That was really special for them to see us out here today,” Blandino said. “It got us so fired up. It gave us an extra boost today.”
Blandino sent a double streaking through the air that flew over the left fielder’s head for a two-out double that cleared the bases in the fourth inning and put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 3-0. It was his Southern League-leading 20th double of the season. In the sixth inning, he drove in Pensacola left fielder Aristides Aquino on a ground out. The last time he had four RBIs was Sept. 1, 2014 with the Low-A Dayton Dragons.
For the last month, Blandino has batted sixth and increased his RBI total to 26, which is second on the team behind Aquino who has 32.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said it’s a key spot in the lineup to drive in runs.
“He has done a great job and really taken advantage of it the last six weeks,” Kelly said.
Meanwhile, Pensacola starting pitcher Deck McGuire had fun on Blue Angels night. He got to meet many members of the team, plus he threw a one-hitter in seven scoreless innings and tied his season-high with nine strikeouts.
He laughed as he ran out onto the field through a high-five tunnel formed by all the Blue Angels at the game. One of them cracked, “Be gentle! He’s got to pitch.”
“It was a cool thing to be a part of in this city,” McGuire said.
The 27-year-old McGuire said he had fun the rest of his start, which was his 175th appearance in his professional career.
He bounced back after giving up 11 earned runs and 12 hits in 10 innings in his last two starts.
“I beat myself up pretty bad, so I was trying to focus on going out and having fun,” said McGuire, who gave up a single to Mississippi’s leadoff hitter Luis Valenzuela. The Braves had runners on first and second with no outs, but McGuire got the No. 2, 3 and 4 hitters out in order.
Mississippi left-handed starter Max Fried had a perfect game for the first 3.1 innings. Aquino got the first hit of the game when he singled sharply to left field to load the bases. Aquino also crushed his fourth triple of the season off the wall in the right-center gap to drive in center fielder Gabriel Guerrero to give the Blue Wahoos a 4-0 lead. He was 2-4 on the night with two runs scored.
Pensacola clinched the series, 3-1, and improved to 37-27 and are now up four games with seven to go in the Southern League South Division. They have a chance to clinch the team’s fourth straight half, if they beat Mississippi Tuesday and the Biloxi Shuckers lose. The Tennessee Smokies did that last in the 2009 to 2011 seasons.
Not only did Pensacola win Monday, but they strengthened their tie with the Blue Angels, who had nine members of its crew throw out first pitches to nine Blue Wahoos players. Over the years, the Double-A affiliate has partnered with the Blue Angels, flying in Fat Albert among other things.
The Blue Wahoos have a fan in Lt. Joe Hontz, the Blues public affairs officer.
“This is great stuff,” Hontz said. “The community supports us and the Blue Wahoos so well. The Blue Wahoos are a great organization.”
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms For The Week
June 13, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Man Charged With Pointing Gun At Motorist On I-10
June 12, 2017
A 23-year old Homestead, FL, man was arrested Sunday night after allegedly pointing a gun at another driver on I-10.
Diantae Delvon Thomas was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $2,500.
A motorist reported that a black male in a black Nissan Altima pointed a silver firearm at the victim on I-10 about the 28 mile marker. The victim remained on the phone with the FHP, providing continuous updates on direction and speed. FHP troopers were able to perform a felony traffic stop on the black Nissan Altima on I-10 at the seven marker in Escambia County.
Thomas was taken into custody without incident. Troopers reported finding a silver Smith and Wesson 9mm under the passenger’s seat that matched the description provided by the victim.
Ascend Plant Named Finalist For State Manufacturing Award
June 12, 2017
Ascend Performance Materials’ Pensacola plant was selected by the Florida Sterling Council and FloridaMakes as a finalist for the 2017 Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Award.
Established by Florida Governor Rick Scott, the award recognizes manufacturing excellence for companies in the State of Florida that are leaders in how they perform their operations, management, performance and productivity. Companies were chosen based on leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus and operations focus.
Ascend’s Pensacola plant is the largest integrated nylon facility in the world. The site produces basic chemicals and nylon polymer in a single facility that consists of multiple chemical manufacturing and polymer manufacturing units. The site supplies a diverse customer base in the Americas, Europe and Asia in the growing markets of automotive, electronics and consumer goods.
“Ascend’s Pensacola plant manufactures more than one billion pounds of total products annually that include Nylon 6,6 polymer and chemical products,” said H. Allen Faulkner, Ascend’s program manager for chemicals growth at Pensacola. “With these large volumes of products, it requires us to have the highest level of manufacturing operations at the site to successfully meet the needs and expectations of our customers.”
“Since 1953, Ascend has been a part of the Pensacola community,” said John Johannenmann, Ascend’s chemicals site director at Pensacola. “We are honored to have been named as a finalist for an award that is recognized across our state for manufacturing excellence.
As a finalist, Ascend was featured at the 2017 Florida Sterling Conference and was honored earlier in the month at the Manufacturing Finalist Recognition and Networking Reception.
Pictured: Ascend Performance Materials. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Dies In The Escambia County Main Jail
June 12, 2017
An Escambia County Main Jail inmate died at the facility Sunday.
Johnny Ben Tillman, a 51-year-old male from Mobile, was pronounced dead at 12:58 p.m. by EMS staff. Jail Medical Director and Certifying Physician Dr. Paul Henning stated the manner of death was natural causes.
Tillman was arrested November 17, 2014, and charged with probation violation. He had been housed in the Escambia County Jail infirmary since May 15 when he was brought back to the Escambia County Jail from Florida State Hospital. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified and is investigating as is standard procedure.
This Week’s Escambia County Meetings
June 12, 2017
Here are this week’s meeting scheduled by or under the Escambia County Commissioner:
Monday, June 12
Marine Advisory Committee, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13
Florida West Economic Development Alliance – Co: Lab Policy Board, Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 418 W. Garden Street, 11 a.m.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 1:30 p.m. (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority, 700 S. Palafox St., 5 p.m.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, 420 W. Chase St., 5:30 p.m.
Merit System Protection Board, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 5:30 p.m.
District 1 Town Hall, Jim C. Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14
Development Review Committee, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 1 p.m. (Agenda)
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting, 1 Via de Luna Drive, 5 p.m. (Agenda)
Santa Rosa Island Authority Budget Workshop, 1 Via de Luna Drive, 5:05 p.m. (Agenda)
Thursday, June 15
Attorney/Client Session, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 8:30 a.m.
Committee of the Whole, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 9 a.m.
Memorial For Naomi Jones Continues To Grow Over Eight Mile Creek
June 12, 2017
A memorial for 12-year old Naomi Jones continues to grow on the Ashland Avenue bridge over Eight Mile Creek.
Jones’s body was discovered in the creek one week ago today, allegedly dumped there by convicted sex offender Robert Letroy Howard, 38. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Jones likely died within 24 to 36 hours after her May 31 disappearance. Her body was then later dumped into Eight Mile Creek, about 4-5 miles away from her apartment.
Howard remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Howard was convicted in 1999 on two counts of first degree rape to two adult females in Escambia County, AL. One of the victims was 19-years old at the time. He served 15 years.
For more photos from the memorial to Naomi Jones, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pastor Celebrates 25 Years Of Ministry At Local Church
June 12, 2017
Atmore Baptist Temple celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pastor and Mrs. William D. “Doug” Odom’s call to the pastorate of the church by honoring them with a special Pastor’s Appreciation Service for their faithful commitment to their congregation and the community.
Pastor Odom grew up in nearby Century. In 1966, he entered the military and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. In 1969, he married Miss Pam Winder of North Carolina and they moved back to Century.
Pastor and Mrs. Odom came to trust Christ as their personal savior at Tabernacle Baptist Church in March of 1971. In 1980, Pastor Odom surrendered to the call to preach. Three years later, he left Century to attend Arlington Baptist College in Arlington, TX. In 1986, he returned to Century, where he served as the associate pastor of Faith Bible Baptist Church for one year. Then in 1987, he and Mrs. Odom moved to Troy, MO, where he would serve as the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church for the next five years. Pastor and Mrs. Odom came to Atmore Baptist Temple on June 14, 1992, where he has served as pastor ever since.
About a year after arriving in Atmore, the Odoms started a Christian kindergarten called Kiddie Kollege. At the end of the first year of operation, parents were so pleased with the educational program offered by the kindergarten that they asked Pastor Odom to consider adding a first grade class. With the addition of a second grade class in 1995, it was decided that the school should be renamed Temple Christian Academy, with the kindergarten division retaining the name Kiddie Kollege. Today the Academy offers academic instruction from preschool through twelfth grade.
Pastor and Mrs. Odom are the proud parents of three children: Tammy White of Loveland, Colorado; Rev. Kevin Odom, who currently serves as Minister of Music at Atmore Baptist Temple; and Angel Lister of Wetumpka, AL. They have nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Atmore Baptist Temple is located at 1707 South Main Street in Atmore, just north of the Alabama/Florida state line.
1,400 EREC Customers Lose Power On Sunday
June 12, 2017
About 1,400 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power about midday Sunday. Power was restored about 1 :50 p.m.
EREC said the failure was due to a”substation feeder breaker”. The outage area was bounded by the Alabama state line to Century, McDavid and Bratt.
Highland Baptist Celebrates Pastor’s 10 Years Of Service
June 12, 2017
Highland Baptist Church celebrated 10 years with Pastor Brian and Sara Calhoun Sunday night with a “Gilligan’s Island” themed event. Church members performed a Gilligan’s Island skit and changed the words to highlight the Calhouns’ decade of service to Highland. An ice cream fellowship followed. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
