Molino 12U All-Star Softball Wins Area Tournament
June 20, 2024
The Molino 12U softball team won the area all-star tournament recently in Semmes, Alabama. Up next, they will be playing in the state all-start tournament in Alexander City, Alabama. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Fall In Lopsided Loss To Chattanooga
June 20, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The fireworks and capacity crowd easily won the night for the Blue Wahoos.
As for the game, well, it quickly became a forgettable experience in the home dugout.
Chattanooga pounded its way to seven runs in the first three innings en route to a 9-1 victory Wednesday on a specially-crafted Juneteenth recognition night before 5,038 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game ended with the Blue Wahoos’ Harrison Spohn being robbed of extra bases on a sensational leaping catch by Lookouts left fielder Quincy McAfee.
A variety of pregame activities outside and inside the ballpark created a festive atmosphere, presented by Escambia County commissioner Lumon May, which included 1,000 fans being provided free tickets, courtesy of various entities.
It was capped by a massive fireworks show – double the number of fireworks shells – lighting up the sky above the bay and downtown Pensacola.
The City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission and Community Relations Equal Employment Fair Housing all joined together for the ticket giveaway and unique event wrapped around the game.
The Blue Wahoos wore uniforms of the Pensacola Seagulls, members of the Negro Southern League, originally formed during segregated times.
It was the first time the Blue Wahoos hosted a Juneteenth celebration night event during a game.
Most of the crowd remained for the fireworks show that followed the game. The start of the display initiated the biggest cheers of the night.
There were few opportunities in the game.
The loss further hindered the Blue Wahoos’ (35-29) hopes of winning the first half South Division in the Southern League. They caught a break when the Birmingham Barons held on to beat the Montgomery Biscuits 4-3, keeping the Biscuits lead to 1.5 games with four games remaining in the first half schedule.
Blue Wahoos lefthander Adam Laskey, making only his second start, had his roughest outing of the season. He allowed seven runs on seven hits to absorb his first loss. He entered the game 3-0 with a 2.61 earned run average.
But on this night, the Lookouts were lights out with clutch hits. They scored their first eight runs with two outs.
The Lookouts (19-46), the Cincinnati Reds’ Double-A affiliate, entered this week’s series with by far the worst record across all levels of Minor League Baseball. They were 2-8 in their previous 10 games. They now have won the first two games of this final week of the first half.
Just like Tuesday’s series-opening win, Chattanooga blasted big hits. A two-run double from Francisco Urbaez was the big one in the second inning. There were two out, none on when the Lookouts rallied with three hits and a walk.
In the third, Justice Thompson, who had not homered this season, launched a three-run bomb as part of a four-run inning.
The Blue Wahoos meanwhile were issued eight walks in six innings from Lookouts starter Kevin Abel. But they were unable to score a run until pushing across an eighth inning run on an error.
GAME NOTABLES
— The game’s pregame activities began with youth football players from the Southern Youth Sports Association Tigers and the East Pensacola Tigers playing a 15-minute scrimmage in shorts out in centerfield. The idea was to help promote the Soul Bowl in October – a series of age division games between the teams at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
— The Brownsville Silver Seniors performed several songs prior to ceremonial first pitches.
— Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer and Escambia County commissioner Lumon May addressed the stadium crowd before the National Anthem. May led efforts to give 1,000 free tickets to fans visiting an information booth. The tickets came with a food voucher at the stadium concessions, along with a Blue Wahoos hat.
— A moment of silence was held prior to the National Anthem and tribute was read for Willie Mays, one of the game’s greatest players and a Birmingham, Alabama native, who died Tuesday at age 93. The crowd produced a loud applause in tribute.
— The National Anthem was performed by Marilyn Franklin.
— Prior to the start of the fireworks show, Pensacola mayor D.C. Reeves and May addressed the crowd, along with a video tribute to Juneteenth and various officials and community leaders gathered at home plate before the fireworks.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
School Board Makes Leadership Changes At Tate, Pine Forest And George Stone
June 19, 2024
The Escambia County School Board Tuesday night made several leadership changes at school across the county.
For the North Escambia area, the board voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations from Superintendent Keith Leonard:
- Melanie McElhaney was promoted from assistant principal at Tate High School to principal at Pine Forest High School.
- Tate agriculture teacher Austin Courson is now assistant principal at Tate High School.
- Northview High School teacher Megan Carroll is now assistant principal at George Stone Technical College.
- Stephen Brooks was promoted from assistant principal to principal at George Stone.
Other appointments were:
- Tracie Carollo – subject area specialist, language arts
- Nicole Everette – principal, Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Amy Gordon – principal, Pensacola High School
- Anne McGowan – assistant principal, Booker T. Washington High School
- Barbara Spears – subject area specialist, music/fine arts
The board vote was unanimous following a motion by board member Bill Slayton and a second by David Williams.
Pictured: Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard and school board members with new administrators Austin Courson (top), Megan Carroll (first below), Melanie McElhaney (second below) and Stephen Brooks (bottom photo). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2022 Murder
June 19, 2024
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for an October 2022 murder in Escambia County.
A jury found Jacob Monroe Colville guilty of the October 29, 2022, first degree premeditated murder of Jesse Allen Geoghagan at a home on Medford Avenue. Jude Coleman Robinson immediately sentenced him to life.
Alyssa Marie Blackburn and Lawrence Bonner, Jr. were both indicted for principal to first degree premeditated murder with a firearm in the case.
On October 29, the ECSO responded to the 1000 block of Medford Avenue where they found Geoghegan. with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Blackburn contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report that he had been shot inside the residence.
Bonner allegedly gave Colville the gun used in the murder. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Colville shot Geoghagan twice inside a closet, before shooting him a “few more times” as he limped out of the bedroom.
They fled in a stolen 1996 Toyota Avalon, which was later found burning under the Mobile Highway Bridge over Eleven Mile Creek.
A security system in the residence captured the murder, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Blackburn and Bonner remain in jail without bond awaiting trial. Both are due back in court in mid-August.
House Ethics Probe Continues Into Matt Gaetz And Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct, Drug Use
June 19, 2024
The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday that it will further review allegations against Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz involving sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and that he accepted improper gifts.
Gaetz has denied all of the allegations, and the committee said it has experienced “difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz”.
“Based on its review to date, the Committee has determined that certain of the allegations merit continued review. During the course of its investigation, the Committee has also identified additional allegations that merit review,” the committee said in a statement Tuesday.
House investigators are looking further into accusations Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.” The complete statement and allegations are below.
Gaetz released the following statement on social media:
“The House Ethics Committee has closed four probes into me, which emerged from lies intended solely to smear me. Instead of working with me to ban Congressional stock trading, the Ethics Committee is now opening new frivolous investigations. They are doing this to avoid the obvious fact that every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.
“This is Soviet. Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime. I work for Northwest Floridians who won’t be swayed by this nonsense and McCarthy and his goons know it.”
(article continues below)
The following is the complete statement from the House Ethics Committee:
“On April 9, 2021, the Committee announced it had initiated a review into allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct. The Committee deferred its consideration of the matter in response to a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ). In May 2023, the Committee reauthorized its investigation after DOJ withdrew its deferral request.
“There has been a significant and unusual amount of public reporting on the Committee’s activities this Congress. Much of that reporting has been inaccurate. The Committee’s investigations are conducted confidentially, but the Committee’s confidentiality rules do not prohibit witnesses from disclosing information about the Committee’s requests or conversations with Committee investigators. The Committee is confident in the integrity of its process.
“Representative Gaetz has categorically denied all of the allegations before the Committee. Notwithstanding the difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz and others, the Committee has spoken with more than a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents in this matter. Based on its review to date, the Committee has determined that certain of the allegations merit continued review. During the course of its investigation, the Committee has also identified additional allegations that merit review.
“Accordingly, the Committee is reviewing allegations pursuant to Committee Rules 14(a)(3) and 18(a) that Representative Gaetz may have: engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. The Committee will take no further action at this time on the allegations that he may have shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity.
“The Committee notes that the mere fact of an investigation into these allegations does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.”
Tri-County Junior League All-Star Team Wins Section Championship
June 19, 2024
The Tri-County Junior League All-Star team won the Florida Section 1 Championship Tuesday evening.
With the win, Tri-County advances to state beginning July 5 in Melbourne, Florida. The team is organizing fundraisers for the trip, and the Jay Recreation Association already accepting donations via Paypal.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Sunk By Pair Of Two-Run Homers In Series-Opening Loss To Lookouts
June 19, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
If there’s one element in which the Chattanooga Lookouts have excelled amid a dismal record, it’s hitting home runs.
They did again Tuesday night, putting a damaging dent into the Blue Wahoos’ hopes for another first half divisional win.
A pair of two-run homers in consecutive innings were decisive in Chattanooga’s 4-2 victory, beginning the final week of the first half schedule in a glum way for the Blue Wahoos.
A crowd of 4,034 on a Doggone Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which included the Pace High School state champion softball team, watched the Blue Wahoos (35-28) get few scoring chances against the Lookouts (18-47), who by far have the worst record in the Southern League.
The Blue Wahoos’ loss, coupled by the Montgomery Biscuits’ 6-5 win Tuesday against the Birmingham Barons, dropped the Blue Wahoos 1.5 games behind in the South Division race with just five games left. The Barons hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in their game.
This all followed, of course, the Blue Wahoos winning four of six games last week in Birmingham to get into contention for a third consecutive first half divisional win and automatic playoff berth.
Tuesday’s game started well for Pensacola. Joe Mack homered just inside the right field foul pole for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The lead was flipped by one swing in the fourth inning. Lookouts third base Nick Northcut, a Cincinnati native playing for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate, hit a two-run homer on a two-out pitch by Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer.
A repeat scenario happened in the sixth inning when Quincy McAfee had a two-run homer, ending Fitterer’s night. The Lookouts tagged him for seven hits in the game.
It gave the Lookouts a total of 51 homers – second-most in the league behind the Tennessee Smokies.
The Blue Wahoos missed chances with two runners on base in the fifth and sixth inning, then had Paul McIntosh thrown out on a double-steal attempt in the eighth. A wild pitch led to a run, but the Lookouts’ Braxton Roxby earned his first save with a clean ninth inning.
The series continues Wednesday.
The game will start at 6:05 p.m. and will be followed by the largest fireworks show of the season.
GAME NOTABLES
Pace High’s prep All-American third baseman Shelby McKenzie, who is heading to join Florida State’s softball team, threw out a first pitch, along with senior teammate Mallory Baker, who was the Patriots’ No. 2 pitcher and outfielder. Baker threw a baseball, then went underhand with the softball in a double first pitch to the Blue Wahoos’ Tanner Allen in pregame ceremonies.
The Patriots finished ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps – the highest ranked softball team in Florida – following their 2-0 win against Bartow in the Class 6A state title game on May 23.
It was a special moment for the Patriots who went to the state final four in all four seasons for the seniors, led by pitching star Jayden Heavener, who was attending an orientation session at LSU, where she will play next season.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
New Boat Ramp On Perdido Bay Now Open, Escambia’s First Large Public Access
June 19, 2024
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for the new Perdido Bay Boat Ramp, Escambia County’s first large public access to Perdido Bay.
“This is an exciting day for District 1 and all of our west side residents who can now more easily access and enjoy beautiful Perdido Bay,” District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “This project is the culmination of many hours of hard work and collaboration, and I look forward to seeing residents and visitors enjoy this amazing community amenity all summer long and for years to come.”
The new 40-acre facility is located on Heron Bayou and includes a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measurin 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of five feet was dredged from the launching facility to Perdido Bay. Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.
In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property with $1.24 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and vessel registration fees. Construction was funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Settlement Funds.
The Perdido Bay Boat Ramp is located at 10808 Lillian Highway.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Passes Away Following Wreck In Brewton
June 18, 2024
A three vehicle crash claimed the life of a Century man in Brewton.
In a delayed report, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Tuesday that 68-year old John D. Wood was critically injured when the 2002 Jeep Cherokee he was driving was struck by the 2020 Nissan Murano driven by an 18-year-old about 5 p.m. on June 10.
After the initial collision, the Nissan was struck by the 2019 Hyundai Sonata driven by 59-year-old Sonja S. Nelson of Brewton. Troopers said Woods was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. On Thursday, June 13, Woods succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The 18-year-old driver and a 16-year-old passenger in the Nissan, were both injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment. On Thursday, June 13, Woods succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The crash happened in Brewton, and troopers with he Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division are continuing to investigate.
Beulah Man Charged With Molesting Preteen Boy
June 18, 2024
A Beulah man has been charged with sexually abusing a preteen boy over a period of several years.
James Craig Schultz, 70, was charged with sexual battery molesting a victim under 12-years-old by an offender 18-years-old or older, a life felony.
Schultz allegedly sexually molested the boy since at least about 2015, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The report states a relative walked into the child’s room last week and saw Schultz exposing himself to the child.
The victim said Schultz had been “engaging in sexual acts with him since he was 10-11 years old”, according to the arret report.
The relative and the boy had been living with Schultz for over 10 years, and the victim viewed him as his grandfather, although they are not related, according to the report.