Fourth Inning Sinks Wahoos In 11-3 Blowout Loss To The Biscuits
July 26, 2021
Montgomery scored six times in the bottom of the fourth and handed Pensacola an 11-3 loss on Sunday at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium.
Leading 3-2, Justin Evans (L, 0-1) struggled in his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos. The righty walked the first two batters he faced before misplaying a sacrifice bunt attempt, which loaded the bases. After a strikeout of Michael Smith, Evans walked in two runs before surrendering a bases-loaded double to Jonathan Aranda to put Montgomery up 8-3. The Biscuits added three more in the bottom of the eighth, giving them 11 total runs on the night.
Will Stewart, who made his second start this series, allowed two runs in three innings before departing the game after only throwing 58 pitches. Those 58 pitches are the fewest he’s thrown in an outing since he threw 69 pitches against the Birmingham Barons on June 27th. It is unclear whether or not his departure was injury related.
Pensacola showed their moxie in the top of the fourth, when trailing 2-0 they scored three times to take the lead. After a lead-off double from JJ Bleday, Chris Chinea was hit by a Cristofer Ogando fastball. That set up J.D. Osborne, who crushed a no-doubter to deep left for his second homer of the series and his third of the year. Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the lead did not last long, as the Biscuits scored six times in the bottom of the frame.
Pensacola, having lost five of six to the Biscuits, will head home in preparation of a six-game set against the Mississippi Braves beginning Tuesday. Coincidentally, the M-Braves are fresh off a six-game sweep at the hands of the Biloxi Shuckers.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Defrauding Customers Out Of $80,000
July 26, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for stealing from his customers.
Circuit Court Judge Jennie Kinsey sentenced Robert James Stoll, 42, to 10 years in State Prison followed by 20 years probation for organized fraud.
A joint investigation by the Florida Department of Agriculture and the Office of the State Attorney determined that over the course of a year and a half, Stoll used two businesses — Flawless Flooring & Cabinets and Pensacola Discounted Cabinets — to steal over $80,000 from 16 of his customers.
Stoll took thousands of dollars from each victim while failing to perform the work for which he was paid. Among the 16 victims were nine elderly persons and three disabled persons, including a disabled veteran. Several of the
victims testified at the sentencing hearing and requested Stoll be sentenced to state prison in order to prevent from victimizing other members of the public.
“The defendant’s criminal conduct negatively impacted several members of our community and the Office of the State Attorney believes incarceration and supervision are warranted to protect the citizens of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida,” Assistant State Attorney Hannah Nowalk argued.
Dorothy Williams Allen Sager
July 26, 2021
Mrs. Dorothy Williams Allen Sager, passed away July 22, 2021 at age of 79. She was a lifelong resident to the Bay Minette area, but had lived a few years in Citra, FL. She enjoyed working with her flowers and plants. She worked as a seamstress for Vanity Fair Mills for several years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Andrew Williams and Mrs. Virginia Billy Weaver and sister Kate Powers.
She is survived by her husband of 14 years, Roosevelt Sager of Stapleton, AL; two sons, Duane Homan (Darlene) of Bay Minette, AL; Christopher Toby Homan of Bay Minette, AL; one daughter, Teresa (Derwin) Chastang of Crossroads, AL; one brother, Roland Weaver of Hawthorne, AL; four sisters, Cecil Homan of Bay Minette, AL; Alice Inman (Jimmy) of Ocala, FL; Billy Hale (John) of Citra, FL; Sheila Riley of Citra, FL; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren with many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
Graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Bay Minette Cemetery with Bro. Joe Welch officiating.
Hazardous Materials Cleanup Continues At Site Of McDavid Train Derailment
July 25, 2021
The environmental cleanup is continuing after a train derailment involving hazardous materials last week in McDavid.
Twenty-five cars of a southbound CSX train derailed in a heavily wooded area a mile north of the West Fraser Sawmill about 10:35 p.m. the night of July 19. Several tanker and hopper cars were among those scattered about the tracks during the derailment.
According to the Florida Department of Environment Management, two of the cars were carrying ammonium nitrate and molten sulfur, both hazardous materials.
“None has been released and it remains safely contained within the cars. A small amount of limestone gravel and (nonhazardous) methionine, however, has spilled,” FDEP Press Secretary Alexandra Kuchta told NorthEscambia.com in an email late Friday afternoon.
Three of the cars spilled limestone rock adjacent to the tracks., CSX confirmed to NorthEscambia.com.
“The incident site is currently stabilized and the responsible party will now move forward with the removal of the spilled materials and any necessary assessment and remediation due to the derailment. DEP will continue its stringent oversight to ensure any threats to the environment and human safety are quickly and effectively addressed,” Kuchta said.
The train engine came to a stop behind the sawmill, but due to the remote area of the site with no nearby roads, it took first responders about 45 minutes to locate and reach the area of derailment using a UTV and four-wheel drive vehicles on dirt hunting camp roads.
Escambia County interim Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, who is also the volunteer chief of the McDavid Station of Fire Rescue, was the first to reach the site on foot Monday night. He described the site as a “total pileup” with railcars on top of one another and tracks that were destroyed.
The Escambia Fire Rescue Hazmat team conducted a visual inspection of the derailment Monday night and then utilized monitoring equipment to take air samples and determine that there was no immediate public health threat.
CSX said the train was headed from Nashville to Pensacola. The exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
There were no injuries reported.
The derailment was just north of the site of a January 28, 2014, derailment during a rare North Escambia ice storm. As much as 30,000 gallons of corrosive acid spilled into Fletcher Creek during that incident, leading to a lengthy environmental cleanup.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
GoFundMe Created For Volunteer Firefighter In Need Of Kidney Transplant
July 25, 2021
Last week, we introduced you to a local volunteer firefighter in need of an immediate kidney translate and told you how to donate to the Cody Green Transplant Fundraiser on Facebook.
After numerous people asked about making donations some other way than Facebook, a GoFundMe account was created. To donate on GoFundMe, click or tap here.
Cody Green and his wife Sarah have a two-year old son. Cody is a Florida Forest Service wildland firefighter, and he is a volunteer firefighter at the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Cody suffers from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a serious condition in which scar tissue develops in parts of the kidney, and it can lead to full kidney failure.
About a year and a half ago he was at 40% kidney function, and doctors thought he would be able to live without dialysis or need of transplant until he was older in his 40s or 50s. But about six months ago he had only 15% kidney function left and within two months was at just 7%.
Ray’s Chapel Donates School Supplies To Byrneville Elementary School
July 25, 2021
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church recently donated school supplies for students at Byrneville Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Mobile Command Center Back From Condo Collapse
July 25, 2021
Escambia County’s mobile command center is back from the Surfside, Florida, condo collapse near Miami.
The command center, nicknamed “THOR” was requested by the state in late June to use as a command post during the search and recovery efforts.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and has dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas an high resolutions cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
Pictured: Escambia County’s mobile command center “THOR” in use at the the Surfside condo collapse. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hot And Humid Sunday, With Scattered Afternoon Storms
July 25, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Escambia Search And Rescue Celebrates 60 Years Of Volunteer Service
July 25, 2021
The volunteers of Escambia Search and Rescue celebrated 60 years of service with an open house event Saturday.
Nearly 100 volunteers were honored for their commitment to ESAR, one of the oldest all-volunteer search and rescue groups in the country. ESAR provides search and rescue support to multiple agencies, including the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Fire Rescue, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other to find missing people or assist stranded individuals.
“It takes a special person to join into the volunteer ranks of search and rescue,” ESAR Director Clint Retherford said. “We have built so much on the team we established in 1961.”
ESAR uses their training and technology to find people in a variety of circumstances including lost children and adults, missing hunters, drowning victims, overdue boats, and natural disaster victims.
ESAR also takes part in Project Lifesaver, a locating technology for those who are prone to wandering, becoming lost, and not likely to be able to find their way back to safety on their own. Persons with alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, traumatic brain injury, or other related cognitive conditions are eligible for Project Lifesaver.
Project Lifesaver uses a small radio transmitter about the size of a watch that can be worn on the wrist or ankle. It emits a radio signal with a unique frequency for each transmitter. Escambia Search And Rescue has trained search volunteers and receiving equipment ready to respond to assist in locating these individuals, sometimes in as little as 15-30 minutes.
For more information on Project Lifesaver, email ddirector@ESAR.com.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
July 25, 2021
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
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 26, and Thursday, July 29 as crews pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure under construction. In addition, eastbound drivers may encounter right lane closures 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 31 as workers paint barrier wall and repair lighting.
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- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
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- Brief, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to continue through the end of the year as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pile driving operations are underway and will take place during daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 25 through Friday, July 30 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvement work. Short term intermittent closures may also occur at other locations between Dominguez Street and Place Boulevard to allow installation of landscape irrigation lines Drivers are reminded that the speed limit on West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, July 26, as crews perform paving operations.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, July 26 as crews perform drainage work. - U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, July 26 as crews perform paving operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Maintenance Work on the Eastbound Flyover Ramp onto I-10 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the eastbound flyover ramp on to I-10, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 28 through Thursday, July 29 as crews make repairs to the ramp.
- I-110 Routine Sign Maintenance – Motorists can expect southbound intermittent lane closures on I-110 the following dates and locations as crews perform routine sign maintenance:
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- Sunday, July 25 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. 0.2 miles north of Creighton Road (S.R. 742).
- Sunday, July 25 10:30 p.m. to midnight one-half mile south of I-10.
- Monday, July 16 12:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. one-half mile south of Brent Lane.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 26, and Thursday, July 29 as crews pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure under construction. In addition, eastbound drivers may encounter right lane closures 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 31 as workers paint barrier wall and repair lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts currently.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.