Isabelle V. Steffen
April 28, 2024
Isabelle V. Steffen (Douglass), age 84, passed away Thursday April 25, 2024 in Jay, FL. She was born May 8, 1939 in Lafayette, IN, to the late Harold Legg and Laura Hughes. She attended Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church in Bratt, Fl. She enjoyed traveling, shopping and spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father Harold Legg, mother Laura McCabe Hughes, husband Richard Douglass, son-in-law Jeffrey Lane, and grandson Jeffrey Lane II.
Isabelle is survived by her children, Terri West, Steve Maquire, Angela (John) Harper, Karen Lane, Kristine (Randy) Valandingham, Daniel (Anna) Douglass; 14 grandchildren, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Harper, Jason Lane, Joshua (Jessica) Harper, Jessica (Robert) Musil, Matthew (Ashley) Lane, Robbie (Tiffany) Valandingham, Ashley (Preston) Gay, Roderick (Emily) Valandingham, Melissa (Bryan) Materas, Ruben (Holly) Valandingham, Isabella Valandingham, Amelia Douglass, Gretchen Douglass; 30 great grandchildren, Alicia, Nicholas II, Zachary, Madisen, Alice, Phoenix, Sarah, Lucius, Eben, Tristen, Clive, Nora, Graham,Greta, Ellie, Carson, Kylie, Brayden, Ryder, Landon, Easton, Noah, Natalie, Jacob, Jessa, Haylee, Kenzie, Paisley, Korragan, Emma Grace; along with 7 great great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters Wilma Spackman, Betty (Darrell) McClain.
A small memorial service will be held for the church family on Sunday April 28, 2024 at 2pm at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church in Bratt, FL. On May 4, 2024 at 5pm a memorial service will be held at Milton Shealy Funeral Home in Batesburg, SC where Isabelle was a resident for over 20 years.
The family would like to thank the Vistas Hospice group of Florida and Jay Hospital for the excellent care they gave to their love one.
Blue Wahoos End 4-Game Streak
April 28, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos were unable Saturday to extend their week-long winning streak.
But the game wasn’t lacking for notable moments.
An overflow crowd, which packed the party decks and went rows deep on the concourse, saw the Biloxi Shuckers rally from a three-run deficit in the middle innings to produce a 4-3 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium, ending Pensacola’s four-game win streak that was the longest of the early season.
Aside from that aspect, however, the crowd of 5,038 watched a 3-year-old boy who overcame a heart defect throw a ceremonial first pitch and an 8-year-old girl who survived a life-saving procedure take a “Home Run for Life” trip around bases.
It was that kind of special night, even without the desired scoreboard result.
The Blue Wahoos took an early lead in the game when loading the bases on consecutive singles by Zach Zubia and Sean Roby, plus a Cody Morissette fielder’s choice play with an error on a force out attempt.
Bennett Hostetler hit into a double play that scored Zubia, then a strikeout ended the inning.
In the third inning, Zubia hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to score Shane Sasaki, who led off with a single. Roby flew out to end that inning, and both of these early opportunities for big innings proved pivotal later in the game.
Morissette made it 3-1 in the fourth inning when he lined a home run inside the foul pole down the right line – a feat more pronounced with the wind blowing in from the bay at a brisk pace.
The Shuckers tied the game with a two-out rally in the sixth inning. They produced three consecutive doubles, the first two off Blue Wahoos starter M.D. Johnson, who otherwise had a solid night. He had two walks, three strikeouts and pitched out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the first inning with two big breaking pitches.
Reliever Jeff Lindgren relieved Johnson and yielded a two-strike double to Andy Yerzy that tied the game.
Back-to-back doubles in the ninth from Darrien Miller and Mike Boeve gave the Shuckers their first lead of the night. The Shuckers bullpen recorded four hitless innings from three relievers to seal the game. The Blue Wahoos’ Paul McIntosh went 2-for-4 as the team’s only multiple-hit batter Saturday on a night where Pensacola was held to six hits.
The teams will conclude this six-game homestand on Sunday with pregame activities and ceremonial first pitches starting at 3:45 and the actual game first pitch set for 4:05.
GAME NOTABLES
— Zara Spencer leaped onto home plate, excited for her “Home Run For Life” moment that thrilled the crowd. What seemed an earache worsened into an emergency room visit to the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart. Physicians discovered she had a mastoiditis infection and an abscess on the brain. Zara was immediately rushed into surgery.
Nine days later, she was released and the life-saving procedure returned her life to normal. With family watching, the bubbly 9-year-old raced around the bases Saturday night in a heartwarming moment.
— On a busy Saturday with pregame activities, there were seven ceremonial first pitches, including a 3-year-old boy, Henderson Woods, who was born with a congenital heart defect. But he is now a normal toddler and had the crowd reacting his first pitch.
— Rachel Balkovec, the Miami Marlins new director of player development, addressed season-ticket holders in the first base lounge reserved for those with season tickets. She also took several questions from the audience. Balkovec, 36, an Omaha, Nebraska native, became in 2022 the first female manager of an affiliated MLB team when she managed the Tampa Tarpons, the New York Yankees Low-A affiliate in the Florida State League.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WaWa Holds GroundBreaking First Escambia Store; Other Locations Announced
April 27, 2024
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday to mark the start of construction on Escambia County’s first Wawa store convenience retail stores.
The store will be located at Ransley Station at Pine Forest Road and Sharon Lane, just north of I-10, and is expected to be open by the end of 2024.
Wawa hosted dozens of VIP customers, as well as local officials and partners, who participated in the groundbreaking and received an update on Wawa’s growth plans for Escambia County, which included announcing the next site to go under construction later this year at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road will be open in 2025. Two additional sites are set to begin construction later this year and open in 2025 at: North Davis Highway and Johnson Avenue, and Highway 98 and Blue Angel Parkway.
Wawa also invited guests to enjoy samples of freshly brewed coffee and other handcrafted beverages.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to break ground on our first store and celebrate with our newest soon-to-be neighbors!” said Joe Collins, director of Store Operations for Wawa.” We are thrilled to be kicking off our expansion into Pensacola and can’t wait to open our doors.”
At the groundbreaking, Wawa presented a $2,500 grant to Feeding the Gulf Coast to support local programs in Escambia County to fight hunger and food insecurity.
Wawa stores are currently located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. with nearly 1,000 locations to date.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County EMS Offers $5,000 Signing Bonus
April 27, 2024
Escambia County EMS is offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for new full-time paramedics, with a goal of attracting qualified individuals with a passion for public safety to join the EMS team.
Several full-time paramedic positions are currently open, offering numerous benefits including competitive wages, shift differentials, deferred compensation, state retirement, and more, the county announced Friday.
The $5,000 sign-on bonus is available for newly hired full-time paramedics, to be paid out over 3 years in accordance with the terms of their contract. A contract is required in order to receive the bonus, which will be paid in three installments.
“We are excited to offer this bonus to recruit high-quality individuals to increase our staffing levels, which will help ensure we are continuing to provide the highest level of service to Escambia County residents,” EMS Chief David Torsell said. “Recruitment and retention are challenges faced by EMS agencies throughout the nation, with many looking at innovative ways to enhance recruitment. Our hope is that this bonus, combined with our competitive pay and benefits, will encourage qualified applicants to seek a rewarding career in public service with the Escambia County EMS team.”
Minimum qualifications for Escambia County paramedics include, but are not limited to:
- High school diploma or the successful completion of the GED test
- Completion of emergency medical coursework at the paramedic level, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements
- Licenses and certifications including: Valid Florida Paramedic Certification, AHA CPR Certification, AHA ACLS Certification, valid driver’s license from state of residence.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply at MyEscambia.com/careers, or click the direct link here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fourth Candidate Prefiles For Escambia Commission District 5
April 27, 2024
A new candidate has prefiled to seek the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat in the 2024 election.
Rafael I. Lopez pre-filed with no party affiliation (NPA).
Incumbent Steven Barry, James Hilburn and John Taylor, Jr, have also prefiled for the position.
Two Injured In Crash Into Escambia Deputy Vehicle
April 27, 2024
A vehicle driven by a 60-year-old Escambia County man collided with a deputy’s cruiser, sending him and his passenger to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man failed to yield to oncoming traffic as he turned from northbound Highway 29 to West Hope Drive. He collided with a southbound marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.
The 60-year-old man was critically injured; his 59-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries. The 36-year-old man deputy was not injured.
FHP is continuing their investigation.
Friends Big Spring Book Sale Saturday And Sunday At The Downtown Library
April 27, 2024
The Friends of the West Florida Spring Book Sale is going on through Sunday.
It’s time to stock up on books, DVDs, audiobooks, and CDs. The books are sorted by genre to make it easier to find your favorite novels, children’s books, books about gardening and decorating, biographies, and so many more.
Saturday is half-off day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday is the big $7 bag sale — all of the books you can stuff into a provided bag for $7.
Admission is free both days at the downtown library, 239 North Spring Street. Debit and credit cards are accepted.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nice, Warm Weather Continues
April 27, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Fitterer Produces His Best Start As Blue Wahoos Win Fourth Straight
April 27, 2024
Evan Fitterer had grinded through his first three starts this season.
Friday night, he shined.
After breezing through the first three innings without allowing a baserunner, Fitterer pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and it proved pivotal in leading the Blue Wahoos to a 4-1 win Friday night against the Biloxi Shuckers, giving Pensacola a fourth straight victory and series-clinching outcome.
In a game played with the strongest winds this season – blowing in from right field off the bay at 15 mph – it breezed to completion in 2 hours, 26 minutes before a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“I feel like the confidence is up with everyone,” Fitterer said afterward. “Everyone is playing a little better and building off each other.”
It was Fitterer’s first win after two no decisions and a loss. Friday’s outing, a one-hitter in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts, no runs, reminded of many quality performances last season when he made 23 starts for the Blue Wahoos.
“It’s really good to get your first win of the year. It felt pretty good,” said Fitterer, 23, a Mission Viejo, California native. “I felt like I was locating the fastball pretty well. Throwing the changeup over the plate for the most part.
“I was working on the curve ball earlier in the week with the pitching coaches. I made some changes to that. I was little inconsistent there, but I’m really excited once I dialed that (pitch) in.”
The best curve ball he threw occurred in perhaps the biggest moment of the game. The Shuckers loaded the bases when Fitterer walked one batter and plunked shortstop Freddy Zamora – one of three times Zamora was hit by a pitch from two different Blue Wahoos hurlers.
“My confidence was still there,” Fitterer said. “Because to me, they had not shown they could still get to me yet. Bases loaded, or nobody on, I felt they still have to beat me, so I felt really good.”
It showed when Fitterer struck out Justin Dirden with a curveball and the Blue Wahoos carried a 4-0 lead into the ninth inning.
“That was one of the ones I threw right,” said Fitterer, a fifth-round pick by the Miami Marlins out of high school in 2019. “I’m like, I want to do that more often. That’s the one.
“I know I sprayed a few (other curve balls). I hit someone (Zamora) with it. If I get more consistent (with that pitch) I’d feel really confident.”
The Blue Wahoos took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Shane Sasacki reached on a fielder’s choice and then stole second base. Sasaki had two hits in the game, scored three runs and had two stolen bases.
Harrison Spohn singled home Sasaki for the first run. Sasaki then scored in the fourth inning when Cody Morissette followed with a two out double.
In the sixth inning, Jacob Berry singled and scored on Sasaki’s double. Morissette’s second RBI single scored the fourth run.
In the ninth, Blue Wahoos closer Austin Roberts pitched out of a jam after the first two Shuckers batters reached on a hit by pitch and walk. But he struck out the final two batters after a balk plated a run to end the game with runners in scoring position.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
‘It’s A Blessing’ – Volunteers Build Wheelchair Ramp For Molino Veteran
April 26, 2024
Air Force veteran David Lail took his wife Margaret by the arm and carefully walked into their Molino home Thursday for the first time in a long time.
David’s mobility has declined with age, and he is confined to a wheelchair most of the time. The couple had a wheelchair ramp before, but it rotted and had to be removed. That meant David and his wheelchair had to be carried out of their home each time he wanted to go somewhere His son and daughter-in-law recently moved in to help the family, but they needed a little extra assistance to improve the couple’s mobility situation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Team Depot, Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, partnered with the Pensacola Marine Corps League Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment 066, and Heroes Among Us to construct a new wheelchair ramp for the family, remove debris and install a new flagpole Thursday morning at the home on Molino Road.
Shortly after the job was done, David was able to walk down the ramp.
“It’s nice and smooth,” he said with a bit of a smile on the 93-year-old veteran’s face.
The new wheelchair ramp allowed him to go outside on his own and join the volunteers for a lunch of hot dogs, baked beans, and pasta salad — his favorite.
After lunch, and a little couple time watching Old Glory wave on their new flagpole, the couple headed back up the wheelchair ramp.
“It is fine,” David said at the top of the ramp.
“Yes, it’s nice,” Margaret, 87, said.
“Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot,” Nine Mile Road store manager George Banta said. “The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, Team Depot, extends the mission of The Home Depot Foundation into local communities by investing sweat equity into serving the needs of communities where they live and work.”
“It’s a blessing, I tell you,” David’s daughter Beth Rutherford said.
Know someone that needs assistance with a wheelchair ramp? Escambia County residents in need of assistance are encouraged to apply. To learn more about the Escambia County Wheelchair Ramp Program, including eligibility requirements and application information, contact the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at ned@myescambia.com or call (850) 595-1642. This is a county-funded program not affiliated with The Home Depot or other groups that assisted the Lail family Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
