Blue Wahoos Return From Break; M-Braves Hold On For 5-4 Win
July 20, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos returned home from their longest absence and were welcomed by a capacity crowd and a rare Friday night post-game fireworks display.
But opposing pitcher David Fletcher stole the show.
The former Los Angeles Angels infielder, whose teammates included two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, picked up his first career professional win on the mound for the Mississippi Braves, bedeviling with his fluttering knuckleball to help produce a 5-4 victory against Pensacola at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 5,038 saw the first Blue Wahoos home game in 16 days, the largest gap at the bayfront ballpark in franchise history. The fans were treated to a variety of elements, but most notably how well Fletcher continued to fare pitching against the Blue Wahoos in his third start against them.
When Fletcher exited after six innings, the M-Braves had just rallied in the top of that inning. Tyler Tolve blasted a 3-run homer off Blue Wahoos starter Jeff Lindgren. Bryson Horne then followed with a one-out single to score Geraldo Quintero with the eventual winning run.
The Blue Wahoos were unable to dent the M-Braves bullpen, which finished the game by allowing just two baserunners in three innings.
Former Pensacola State College pitcher Patrick Halligan, a Virginia native, earned his second save by pitching the final two innings, recording three strikeouts and no walks.
After being gone for awhile, which included the Blue Wahoos having four days off from the Major League Baseball All-Star Game break
With Saturday’s game featuring a first-ever drone show, the Blue Wahoos opted to move the usual Saturday fireworks a day early.
And the crowd included two women, attired in special-made pink shirts, who are traveling the country visiting various minor league ballparks. The shirts included a checklist of cities on the back. They were visited during the game by Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer.
After the M-Braves scored the game’s first run, the Blue Wahoos took a 3-1 lead when loading the bases without a hit. Fletcher walked Jakob Marsee, plunked Shane Sasaki, then hit Paul McIntosh to load the bases.
With two outs, Jacob Berry laced a two-run single, which became a three-run play when McIntosh scored on a throwing error.
In the fourth inning, Nathan Martorella homered off Fletcher.
But just as he had done in his previous two starts, Fletcher battled his way through innings and this time his teammates rallied to set him up for his first win in 13 starts since converting to a knuckleball-throwing right hander.
WANT TO GO/FOLLOW?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Lightning Strike Causes Water Outage, Boil Notice In Cottage Hill
July 19, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS RESCINDED THE MORNING OF JULY 21.
A lightning strike this morning interrupted water service and had led to a boil water notice for some in the Cottage Hill area.
Cottage Hill Water Works said that a lightning strike caused a water main break on Coweta Road that resulted in the disruption of water service. The area affected includes all residents and meters located along Coweta Road.
A boil water notice has been issued for those CHWW customers along Coweta Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated with the boil water notice is rescinded.
A Very Good Boy: ECSO K-9 Streeter Awarded Medal Of Courage For Jumping Off Bridge After Suspect
July 19, 2024
Thursday, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons presented K-9 Streeter with the Medal of Courage Award.
ECSO K-9 Streeter bravely jumped off the Highway 90 bridge over Escambia Bay on June 24, while he was in the pursuit of three suspects following a drive-by shooting. The 70-year-old victim in that shooting later died.
“This presentation is for K9 Streeter — for his unwavering commitment to duty and his never-give-up attitude, even when facing great danger,” Simmons said.
Streeter was rescued by deputies after he fell 30-40 to a marshy area below the bridge. He was treated that night at an animal hospital and evaluated by a veterinarian. He returned to his normal duty a few days later.
“He’s a bit of a hero because he did what all the men and women at the sheriff’s office do — they don’t stop until they catch the bad guy,” the sheriff said about Streeter. “If you’ve ever been over to that bridge, that’s a pretty good drop.”
The Sheriff’s Medal of Courage is presented to members of the agency for heroic achievement or service in the line of duty.
K-9 Streeter was named after ECSO Corporal Eric Streeter, who was killed in the line of duty in 1984.
Family members of Corporal Streeter were present to see K-9 Streeter receive the award, along with his handler Deputy Kevin Stimmel.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Death Row Inmate Executed At Atmore Prison For 1998 Shooting Of Father Of Seven
July 19, 2024
The execution of Alabama death row inmate Keith Edmund Gavin was carried out by lethal injection on Thursday at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
He was pronounced deceased by a physician at 6:32 p.m.
On Wednesday, Gavin had three visitors and no phone calls. On Thursday he had four visitors, no phone calls, refused his breakfast meal, accepted his lunch meal, had a few snacks and refused his final meal. He id not make any special requests.
Gavin was sentenced to death for the 1998 capital murder of William Clinton Clayton, Jr. , in Cherokee County. Clayton was the father of seven and had stopped at an ATM to withdraw money for a date night with his wife.
“After a Cherokee County courier, William Clayton, Jr., finished his day’s work, he stopped at an ATM so he could treat his wife to dinner, only to be robbed of his life by Keith Gavin,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “After receiving a death sentence, Mr. Gavin appealed time after time for years to avoid justice, but failed at every attempt. Today, that justice was finally delivered for Mr. Clayton’s loved ones.
“I offer my prayers for Mr. Clayton’s family and friends who still mourn his loss all these years later,” Ivey said.
Plans Refiled For Circle K At Highway 95A, Quintette Road; Intersection Improvements Proposed
July 19, 2024
Plans have been refiled with Escambia County Building Services for a new Circle K in Quintette.
The 3,966 square foot Circle K would be located on 2.31 acres at 2000 North Highway 95A, with driveway access from both Highway 95A and East Quintette Road.
The plans show six fuel stations with three diesel dispensers.
The new plans are in the pre-application stage with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
Plans were previously filed for a 5,200 square foot store at the same location but Circle K did not complete the process.
Intersection Improvement Grant
Escambia County is seeking funding to improve and align the intersection of Quintette Road with Highway 95A.
Currently, the east and west legs of Quintette Road are offset approximately 115 feet from one another, creating a hazard for the smooth flow of intersection traffic.
There is no available right-of-way for a lateral shift on the west side of the intersection, but the east side has an approximate right-of-way of 100 feet, which could accommodate a northerly shift. Immediately adjacent to this intersection are a concrete plant, asphalt plant, a high-end vehicle restoration complex, a new residential development, and a proposed convenience store station on the northeast corner.
According to Escambia County, Quintette Road (CR 184) is a vital route for logging traffic from points to the northeast extending to the Florida/Alabama state line, to provide pulpwood to the International Paper Mill at Cantonment.
Quintette Road has also served as the only connection between Escambia and Santa Rosa County in the event of a catastrophic storm, as occurred in 2004 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, when the US 90, I-10, and US 98 bridges were all incapacitated and incapable of carrying traffic.
A study determined that a a traffic signal was not warranted at the intersection. The study was done in the summer of 2023 before the proposed addition of the Circle K.
A westbound right turn lane is also proposed to reduce delays with logging trucks turning north onto CR 95A. Preliminary sketches indicate the proposed improvements can be facilitated within the existing public rights-of-way, but a potential corner clip donation may be required of the Circle K property once the design is underway.
Circle K has, in an email to the county, previously obligated $250,000 toward the intersection improvements.
Escambia County commission is seeking a Florida Department of Transportation Regional Incentive Program grant funding for the intersection. If awarded, the grant will require $1.275 million in matching funds from Escambia County.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said the grant recently that the application is still outstanding.
The total project, including grant funds, is estimated at $2.375 million.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Today
July 19, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 83. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 86. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Anthony Pleasant Meet & Greet, Catfish Fundraiser Saturday In Century
July 19, 2024
Two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant will return to the park that bears his name for a youth football fundraiser Saturday.
Blackcats Black & Gold Night will be held 4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Anthony Pleasant Park off East Highway 4 in Century.
Catfish plates will be available for $14 each with preorder pick up at 6 p.m. Limited plates are available. Call or text Kaley at (850) 417-0412 to order. All proceeds will got to Century Blackcats Football & Cheer.
Admission is free.
A meet and greet with by held with Anthony Pleasant, and there will be flag football games for all ages.
Pictured: Sporting a “Blackcats Pride” hat, two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant speaks to the Northview Chiefs football team in October 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Officials Warn Of Possible Alligator In Flomaton’s Hurricane Lake
July 19, 2024
Officials have received reports of alligators in a Flomaton lake.
The Flomaton Police Department has received reports of alligator sightings in the lake at Hurricane Park
“Please use caution while we work on a solution to remove the alligator,” the Flomaton Police Department said.
Pictured: An alligator was spotted in Flomaton’s Hurricane Park Lake in 2021 and the lake was closed. State wildlife officials were unable to locate the alligator. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hank’s Furniture to Pay $110K In EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit
July 19, 2024
Hank’s Furniture, Inc. will pay $110,000 and furnish other relief to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over and incident at nationwide retailer’s store in Pensacola.
According to the lawsuit, a former assistant manager at Hanks on Davis Highway notified the company that her religious beliefs prevented her from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Rather than discuss the employee’s religious beliefs to determine the feasibility of an accommodation, management ignored accommodation requests then summarily denied the employee’s requests and attempted to dispute the validity of her sincerely-held religious beliefs, the EEOC said.
The commission said the alleged conduct violated a prohibition on religious discrimination, which requires an employer to accommodate an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs if the employer knows or suspects the beliefs conflict with an employer requirement, and there is no undue burden on the employer.
Under the three-year decree settling the case, Hank’s will also adopt and implement a written policy assuring employees the retaler will interpret religious accommodation requests broadly based on EEOC guidance and will accommodate religious beliefs that do not put an undue burden on the company. Additionally, decision makers, managers and employees will receive updated training about religious accommodation and anti-discrimination provisions.
Voter Registration And Party Change Deadline Is Monday, July 22
July 19, 2024
The registration and party change deadline for the August 20 primary is Monday, July 22, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender.
Those who do not register before this deadline will be unable to vote in the Primary Election. Voters who wish to change party affiliation for the primary and do not act by this deadline will have to vote with the party they are currently registered with.
Registration and party changes can be made online at registertovoteflorida.gov. Physical applications can be found at EscambiaVotes.gov and submitted by mail or in-person at the main office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in Pensacola. There are also applications available to complete upon arrival at the Supervisor of Elections office.
For more information, visit EscambiaVotes.gov.