Tate, Northview Fall In Friday Night Baseball On The Road
April 20, 2024
In Friday night high school baseball, both the Tate Aggies and the Northview Chiefs lost on the road.
Milton 9, Northview 6
A four-point lead evaporated as the Northview Chiefs fell to Milton 9-6 Friday night in Milton.
Robbie Bodiford, Brady Smith, Jackson Bridges, and Jase Portwood had two hits each for the Chiefs. Bodiford and Portwood had two RBIs each.
Jackson Bridges opened on the mound for Northview, giving up five hits and three runs in four innings, striking out four and walking three. Grayden Sheffield went for two-thirds of an inning, giving up three hits and six runs while walking four and striking out two. Portwood tossed one and a third, striking out three, walking none and surrendering no hits and no runs.
Up next, the Chiefs will be in action Tuesday against at the Tate Aggie at 6 p.m.
Fairhope 10, Tate 5
The Tate Aggies fell to the Fairhope Pirates 10-5 Friday night in Fairhope.
Clif Quiggins had a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth for Tate.
Quiggins and Conner Hassell recorded two hits each for the Aggies. Quiggins, Ketch King, and Madox Land each had one run for the Aggies.
Tate will host Northview at 6 p.m. next Tuesday.
Jake Thompson Overcomes Tough Start In Blue Wahoos Comeback Win
April 20, 2024
by Bill Vilona
Jake Thompson had just returned this week from the injured list and three at-bats into Friday’s game, things weren’t going so well.
But then he made something special happen.
Thompson met a two-strike pitch and delivered a game-tying single in the eighth inning that led to the Blue Wahoos 5-4 comeback win against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, igniting an extended roar from a capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It was followed by relief pitcher Austin Roberts slamming the door in the ninth inning as he’s done in all four save opportunities this season with a stellar finish. The Blue Wahoos had trailed 4-0 into the fifth inning when chipping away at the deficit.
“To start the game off, I was 0-for-3 and it wasn’t pretty,” said Thompson, who was signed by the Miami Marlins in 2022 as a free agent following his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. “Had the bases loaded and (hit into) douple play and had two strikeouts. I wasn’t seeing the ball the best.
“But I knew I was going to have an important at-bat at the end, so I stayed locked in, stayed positive, was up cheering everybody on, having fun that we were coming back.
“There was a game my first year (in professional baseball) when I was in Jupiter (2022). I was like 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and then hit a go-ahead homer late in the eighth and it was like everyone forgot about it (early game struggles) except my mom. I got a text from her and goes, ‘At least you finally touched it.’
“That just made me relax and laugh a little bit. It’s like, I’ve done that before and been able to come through when I had the opportunity.”
The win evened the series for the Blue Wahoos (6-7) against the Trash Pandas (7-6), the Los Angeles Angels affiliate.
A perfect evening and filled seating bowl Friday included Pensacola’s Bubba Watson, the two-time former Masters champion who attended with his two children, and Miami Marlins assistant general manager Gabe Kapler, a former 14-year major league veteran and San Francisco Giants manager.
The Trash Pandas produced three runs in the second inning off Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, then added another run in the fourth.
But the Blue Wahoos got back into the game when Javier Sanoja launched a two-run homer in the fifth inning. They trimmed the decifict to 4-3 after Dalvy Rosario tripled.
In the eighth, Jacob Berry led off with a double. He scored on Thompson’s single. With Thompson at second. Shane Sasaki produced a textbook bunt single that sent Thompson to third and runners on the corners.
Sean Roby then laced a pitch 114 mph off his bat that was hit so hard in caused the centerfielder to fall after catching the ball and Thompson scored the go-ahead run with ease.
“That eighth inning, that was team baseball executed perfectly,” Thompson said. “Beautiful line drive up the middle to center and gosh, since you were 10-years-old, that’s how you’re taught to score runs.”
The series will continue Saturday with M.D. Johnson on the mound. A limited number of tickets are still available.
GAME NOTABLES
Blue Wahoos players passed on T-shirts to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of game sponsor Woodlands Medical Specialist.
Cassi McGee, teacher of the year in Escambia County, was honored before the game by leading a parade of fellow teachers who received awards and Magee threw out a first pitch.
WANT TO GO? WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Florida Purple Alert Issued For Escambia County Man
April 19, 2024
A Floria Purple Alert has been issued for a missing 70-year-old Escambia County man.
Dennis Jolly was last seen about 3 a.m. Friday in the 7900 block of Kipling Street. He wearing a black and red striped jacket (seen in the photo) and black pants. He is 6’1”, 133 pounds, has gray hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia County Set To Lease Former IP Golf Course For A Park
April 19, 2024
Escambia County is set to lease the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment and develop it into a park.
The golf course has been closed since 2017. Escambia County plans to use the land for disc golf, walking trails, a pavilion, and a playground. The park will be open only during daylight hours.
“I am so excited about the culmination of years of work with our friends at IP. The development of the property is going to be such a great thing for our community,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said. “When I think about the pavilion hosting parties, dozens of people walking around the track, kids playing on the new playground, and a full disc golf course being utilized by constituents, a huge smile comes across my face. I want to thank Hunter Morris, Scott Taylor, and Whitney Fike from IP, as well as Michael Rhodes and Alison Rogers from Escambia County for all their work and persistence to get the job done.”
“International Paper is excited to partner with Escambia County to create a future recreation area, dedicated to enriching community life,” said Whitney Fike, IP regional communications manager. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering health and wellness, and community engagement through the development of this new park. Together, we’re not just transforming land; we’re shaping experiences and enhancing lives, exemplifying our steadfast dedication to being a force for good in the communities we serve.”
Under a proposed lease agreement for, Escambia County would pay a $5,000 lease fee the first year with an annual increase of 5% with the lease reading $6,077.53 by year five.
The Escambia County Commission is set to consider the lease agreement for the property, previously known as the Champion Golf Club, during a meeting on Monday.
Pictured: The former International Paper golf course at the corner of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Courtesy (top) and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Nine Mile Road
April 19, 2024
An Alabama man was struck and killed Thursday night on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 73-year-old Castleberry, Alabama, man was walking westbound in the bicycle line of Nine Mile Road approaching Fox Run Road about 7:40 p.m. when he was struck by a Dodge Ram driven by a 57-year-old Pensacola man. The collision happened after the Dodge Ram driver initiated a lane change in the right turn lane, according to troopers.
The vehicle driver was not injured.
File photo.
Lane Closures Begin Monday In $236 Million, 6-Year Project To Totally Rebuild Entire I-10, Hwy. 29 Interchange
April 19, 2024
Lane closures begin Monday on a major $236 million Florida Department of Transportation reconstruction project to completely rebuild the I-10 and Highway 29 interchange.
The project will include construction of all-new I-10 travel lanes and about a dozen bridges over six years with anticipated completion in the summer of 2030.
Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on I-10 near the Highway 29 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 25 as crews perform utility work and place temporary barrier wall.
FDOT said 62,000 commuters travel through the corridor daily. The I-10 speed limit hasbeen reduced from the current 60 mph to 50 mph..
The project includes the following shown on the map above (the numbers correspond to the map, click to enlarge):
- Construction of six new main lanes on I-10 through the center of the interchange, requiring six new bridges.
- Five existing I-10 bridges will be converted, and one new bridge will be constructed for ramps.
- Remove the I-10 loop ramp from I-10 to northbound Highway 29.
- Construct extended two-lane ramps east of the interchange.
- Replace the existing North Palafox and CSX bridges to accommodate widening of I-10.
- Modify the Highway 29 at Dairy Road intersection to allow eastbound and westbound traffic to I-10 from Diamond Dairy.
- Construct stormwater ponds (shown in blue on the map above).
For a complete graphical look at project details, click here.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Harvesting Deer During Closed Season
April 19, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Lugg and Burkhead responded to information they received about a subject living on a vessel in Bayou Chico who had an active warrant. The officers located the subject on his vessel, which was substantially dismantled due to not having any proper steering or propulsion. After conducting an interview with the subject, he admitted the vessel was his and knew it was a derelict vessel. The subject was charged with leaving a vessel on the waters of the state in derelict condition. The officers transported the subject to the Escambia County Jail.
Officer Lugg and Lieutenant Corbin identified two vessels and began the derelict vessel process. The owner was cited for leaving vessels on the waters of the state in derelict condition.
Officer Lugg participated in a field day outreach event for about 400 students at Beulah Academy of Science Middle School. Officer Lugg discussed water and boating safety while the students explored an FWC patrol vessel on display.
Officer Lugg, Officer Wilkenson, and Officer Manning participated in an outreach event at the yearly Outcast Bait and Tackle Shop sale that attracts thousands of anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Boating safety and marine law information was provided to attendees.
Lieutenant Corbin was contacted by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy regarding a traffic stop he had conducted around 2 a.m. The driver was in possession of a recently harvested antlerless deer after the season had closed. Lieutenant Corbin arrived on scene and interviewed the subject, who admitted to killing the deer during the afternoon with a crossbow and showed the harvest location on a map. Lieutenant Corbin went to the area and found an arrow with dried blood and a blood trail. The area is private property and the subject did not have permission to hunt or be on the property. The subject was charged with harvesting an antlerless deer during closed season.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Brown was on patrol conducting shore-based resource and license inspections when he observed an individual fishing at a local boat ramp. While conducting a resource inspection, Officer Brown observed what appeared to be an undersized striped bass on a cooler being used for bait. Upon further investigation, Officer Brown located two undersized spotted seatrout and an undersized redfish. The individual was cited appropriately.
Officer Bower located a sailboat that appeared to be a derelict vessel. It tilted to its side and had washed ashore and was grounded. The vessel did not have a 360 white navigation light displayed. The owner was issued a notification of rights package and a notice to appear citation for storing a derelict vessel upon waters of the state and a warning for vessel breaking anchor and a warning for no navigational lights present.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Maple, The FDLE K-9 Cop That Sniffed Out Computer Criminals, Has Passed Away
April 19, 2024
There is some some sad news to report.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 Maple has passed away.
Maple died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.
Maple was FDLE’s first Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) canine.
Maple began her work in 2019 and was assigned to FDLE’s Pensacola Region. At the time, she was one of three ESD canines statewide and the only ESD canine in Florida’s Panhandle. She worked numerous cases, especially child pornography cases, which were reported on NorthEscambia.com.
Earlier this year, Maple and her handler, Special Agent Supervisor Stephanie Cassidy, transferred to FDLE Jacksonville.
During her career, she was deployed more than 100 times helping collect around 200 pieces of evidence.
“Maple loved her work and her FDLE family. During her career she visited thousands of school children, helped raise money for local charities and was the highlight at FDLE and community events,” FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said.
FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “When Maple came to PROC, I thought she’d have a positive impact on the law enforcement community and the office overall. But I had NO IDEA how much impact she would have with all of our members and beyond. She has fan clubs everywhere she goes. I believe Maple has had more of a positive impact on morale than any single action by her human friends.”
Maple served with the highest standards, sniffing out electronics while providing love and support to everyone. Rest easy Maple, you are a pioneer for FDLE. All ESD dogs owe you a debt of gratitude for being the first,” commented FDLE Deputy Commissioner Matt Walsh.
Jay Royals Slide Past Northview 4-0
April 19, 2024
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 4-0 Thursday night in Bratt.
Cadee Carroll earned the win for Jay, going a complete seven innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out one and walking three.
Jamison Gilman started for Northview in the circle, giving up seven hits and four runs in four innings, walking two and striking out two.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Brett Watson went 3-3 for the Lady Royals while Carroll and Ella Nelson were both 2-3.
MaKayla Golson led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-2 for the night. Mikayla McAnally pitched three innings, surrounding three hits, striking out one and walking one.
Northview will host Crestview at 6:30 Friday night, and Jay will host Flomaton at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Partly Sunny, Middle 80s Today
April 19, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: A chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.