Tate Aggies To Host Three-Day Baseball Camp
June 10, 2024
The Tate High Aggies will host a Baseball Summer Camp June 26-28.
The camp for ages 7-14 will take place each day from 8 a.m. until noon at the Tate Baseball Complex.
The camp will cover all of the fundamentals of baseball including throwing, hitting, fielding and base running. Team fundamentals will also be covered, including bunt defenses, pop up priority, cuts and relays.
Incoming ninth graders do not qualify.
The cost is $100 per child by cash or check payable to the Tate Baseball Booster Club. The Sign up form (click here) and payments are due the morning of June 26.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Available Tuesday In Walnut Hill
June 10, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Walnut Hill on Tuesday, June 11 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the “Ruritan Building”, is at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and the fire department.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Produce Walkoff Magic To Win Series Against M-Braves, Close Gap In Division Race
June 10, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos’ last walk-off win happened on May 9.
Sunday, of course, was June 9. A little numerology worked perfectly in their favor.
After having a 3-run lead evaporate in the eighth inning, then trailing 7-6 in the 10th, the Blue Wahoos got a pair of run-scoring singles, highlighted by Cody Morissette’s two-out, liner through the right side gap to produce a crowd-roaring 8-7 win against the Mississippi Braves, thus taking the series on four consecutive victories.
This one, however, was the biggest. It delighted a crowd of 4,444 on Military Family Sunday that featured a festive scene afterward with players and their families on the field, joined by children from the stands running the bases as part of the day’s promotion.
With the Montgomery Biscuits losing Sunday to the Biloxi Shuckers, the Blue Wahoos are now a half-game back in the first half Southern League divisional race with two weeks remaining. The Blue Wahoos will begin a road trip Tuesday against the Birmingham Barons.
“We just got to keep battling,” said Morissette, following the win and the ice bath dousing by teammates during an infield celebration. “We’re excited to try and win this first half, that’s the biggest part.”
In addition to his game-deciding hit heroics, Morissette also played a big role in the Blue Wahoos’ five-run rally in the sixth inning that changed the game.
The M-Braves led 3-1 after their starting pitcher, David Fletcher, a reinvented knuckleball thrower from his former Major League Baseball career as an infielder, kept frustrating the Blue Wahoos with his array of darting knucklers.
But after Bennett Hostetler led off that inning with a home run off a Fletcher floater, Zach Zubia followed one out later with a blast of his own to make it a tie game. Jake Thompson then doubled and Fletcher was lifted for a reliever.
With one out, Morissette’s hustle beat out a double-play that would have ended the inning. That effort was huge.
Harrison Spohn then followed with a two-run triple. Tanner Allen padded the lead with a RBI single.
Leading 6-3 with two outs in the top of the eighth, the Blue Wahoos appeared set to close out a win, just as they have in 25 of 26 previous games when leading in the eighth.
The M-Braves tied the game with a pair of home runs, the latter a two-run shot by Javier Valdes, their No. 9 hitter.
Blue Wahoos closer Austin Roberts was summoned to begin the ninth and he struck out the side. In the 10th, placement runner Keyshawn Ogans moved from second to third on a ground out. He scored on a sacrifice fly to give the M-Braves the lead.
With fans tossing a “Rally Fish” in the stands, the mojo worked on this day.
Joe Mack scored Hostetler, the placement runner, from second base with his single. Zubia walked. M-Braves reliever Rolddy Muñoz then struck out the next two batters.
But on a 2-0 pitch, Morissette made perfect contact to win the game.
“I was trying to put the ball in play,” said Morissette, in the post-game interview with Blue Wahoos broadcaster Carter Bainbridge. “Muñoz is a good pitcher. We battled all day. I was just trying to put the ball in play. It found a hole and we ended up scoring.”
Roberts (3-1) earned the win for his relief role and had a save earlier in the series. The Blue Wahoos used five pitchers, beginning with Chandler Jozwiak, who pitched two hitless innings. Jake Thompson went 3-for-5 as part of the Blue Wahoos’ 12-hit attack.
GAME NOTABLES
— After dropping the first two games of the series, the Blue Wahoos followed with four straight wins, three of those by one run, the other a 3-1 win Friday.
— The Blue Wahoos will end the first half of their schedule at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds affiliate, in a series June 18-23.
— There were five different youth baseball teams from across the Northwest Florida and Baldwin County, Alabama, participating in on-field recognition and having the players run out with Blue Wahoos players during pregame introductions.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Birmingham Barons
WHERE: Regions Field, Birmingham. Alabama.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Are The Lowest Since February
June 10, 2024
Florida gas prices on average are now the lowest since February, according to AAA. The state average has steadily declined the past 17 consecutive day – dropping a total of 25 cents, during that time.
At first, gas prices gradually declined about 1-cent per day for about a week. Then discounts accelerated, dropping 19 cents in the past nine days.
Sunday’s state average was $3.30 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since February 28th.
The average in Escambia County was $3.11. In North Escambia, a low price below $3 a gallon at multiple stations in the Cantonment area. Pensacola metro prices bottomed out at $2.82 on East Nine Mile Road.
Florida’s average gas price is now 15 cents less than a week ago, 22 cents less than a month ago, and 9 cents less than this time last year.
“Floridians and summer visitors will be pleasantly surprised when they go to fill up the gas tank this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are the lowest in several months because of weakness in the oil and gasoline futures markets.”
Century Man Arrested On Deadly Missiles Charge For Throwing Cinder Block Through Windshield
June 9, 2024
A Century man was charged after allegedly throwing a cinder block through the windshield of an occupied car.
Antonio Marcello Lett, 39 was charged with felony deadly missiles and misdemeanor criminal mischief with property damage.
During a dispute, Lett threw a cinder block through the windshield of a 2008 Dodge Avenger with someone in the front seat while it parked in front of a residence on Ivey Street, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The incident happened after the victim went to see Lett’s mother about her daughter living with them, the report continues.
Deputies did not note any injuries in their report.
The incident happened on April, and Lett was recently arrested on a warrant that was issued. He was released on a $2,000 bond.
Chance Of Storms Monday
June 9, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
ATV Rider Killed After Crashing Into Tree On Wallace Lake Road
June 9, 2024
A Santa Rosa County man was killed after his ATV crashed into a tree early Saturday morning.
The crash happened at about 12:30 a.m. on Wallace Lake Road near Big Sky Drive. The Florida Highway Patrol said the 45-year-old man was traveling east on Wallace Lake Road on an ATV when he veered off the road and a hit a tree. The Milton man was pronounced deceased on scene by Lifeguard EMS paramedics.
FHP is still investigating the crash.
Northview FFA Students Build Duck Boxes For Jones Swamp
June 9, 2024
The Northview High School FFA chapter recently created another set of wood duck boxes for Jones Swamp.
Built in partnership with the Escambia County Natural Resource Conservation division, the new boxes will join the three already installed at Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve.
Wood ducks are cavity nesters and duck boxes offer a good replacement for natural tree cavities, safe and snug from the elements and fitted with snake baffles to help prevent predation. The hope is the boxes will attract wood ducks and other waterfowl to Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve, and given them safe pace to raise their ducklings.
The Northview FFA members previously constructed a set of duck boxes for Jones Swamp in 2023.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Arrested On Drug Charges After Florida Traffic Stop
June 9, 2024
A Flomaton woman and a Pensacola man were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Pensacola.
Alisha Janette Bradley, 45, was booked into the Escambia County Jail, charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bradley was the driver of a Ford Crown Victoria that the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office pulled over for an expired registration near the area of Beverley Parkway and North W Street in Pensacola.
An ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, and deputies located six plastic bags of marijuana, one plastic bag of synthetic cannabinoids (spice), a cigarette container with two “rocks” that tested positive for cocaine, and a smoking pipe that tested positive for cocaine, according to an arrest report.
A passenger in the vehicle, 68-year old William Creed Lawson of Pensacola, was charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana possession less than 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A rock-like substance that tested positive for cocaine was found in his pants pocket, the report states.
Lawson told deputies that he uses cocaine and marijuana and explained that he had a plastic bag contained marijuana in a backpack in the back seat, ECSO said.
Lawson remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $3,500. Bradley remained jailed with bond set at $6,000.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Delay Hotspots
June 9, 2024
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:
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek – Interstate Circle is closed at the bridge over Eight Mile Creek through mid-2025 as crews replace the Eight Mile Creek bridge. Signage is in place to direct drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews place barrier wall and perform utility work:
- Intermittent lane closures on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange Sunday, June 9 through Thursday, June 13 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews place barrier wall and perform median work:
- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, June 9 through Thursday, June 13 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Outside lane closures on Nine Mile Road westbound between the I-10 ramps, Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through June as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through late 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures after 9 a.m. on North Palafox Street for drilled shaft installation work at the intersection of Leonard Street/Cross Street and at the intersection of Fairfield Avenue, Monday, June 10 through Thursday, June 13. Police will be on site to direct traffic through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Westbound over Blackwater River Resurfacing Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent I-10 westbound lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (Exit 28) to the east end of the Blackwater River Bridge, Sunday, June 9 through Thursday, June 13, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to place thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street - Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, June 9 through Thursday, June 13 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform roadway widening and sidewalk reconstruction work.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, June 9, through Friday, June 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.