All-Star Softball, Baseball Games Are Tonight. See Who Made The Teams.
June 14, 2024
The Pensacola Sports High School All-Star Series baseball and softball games are tonight.
West teams are comprised of just-graduated seniors from Escambia County. East teams are players from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties
Softball begins at 6 p.m. and baseball at 6:30 p.m. on June 14 at Pensacola State College. For each game, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students from GoFan.
West Baseball
Head Coach: Johnathan Kent, Pensacola High School
Pine Forest — Colton Swiers SS/P
Pine Forest — Connor Baer LF/P
Catholic — Chris Rembert 2B/P
Catholic — Jackson Kohr P
Catholic — Brock Clayton C/OF
Catholic — Scott Sanderson 3B/P
Catholic — Carter Kerr OF
Pensacola — Julio Guzman P/SS/C
Pensacola — Terrance Bowens 3B/OF
Escambia — Isaac Bates P
Escambia — Ethan Pardue 3B/2B
Escambia — Jordan Luckie CF
Escambia — Caleb Lipscomb P
Escambia — Anthony Hall OF/P
Washington — Davis Sherman 3B/OF
Washington — Ricky Bucco OF/3B
West Florida — Jaxson Cramer SS/P
West Florida — Connor Powers 2B
West Florida — Jake Lawrence P
Tate — Clif Quiggins 3B/SS/OF
Tate — Bray Touchstone C
Tate — Conner Hassell OF
Tate — Neal Croom P
Tate — Ketch King OF/C
Northview — Wyatt Scruggs OF
Northview — Robbie Bodiford C
East Baseball
Head Coach: Justin Bruce, Niceville High School
Pace — Tanner Sauls P/OF/1B
Pace — Nate Caston P/OF
Navarre — Cole Crocker P/3B
Navarre — Ace Demotts P/3B/1B
Navarre — Ashton Sieg CF/P
Navarre — Ryan Ragan SS/OF
Baker — Judah Morse CF/P
Gulf Breeze — Jacob Thorn P/1B
Gulf Breeze — Gavin Quenneville OF
Crestview — Anthony St. Vincent P/3B
Crestview — Jaden Appleby OF
Central — Justin Smarr P/3B
Central — Dylen Houk SS/P
Central — Gavin Schmidt P/1B
Jay — Ethan McDonald OF/P
Jay — Wyatt Peaden 3B
Milton — Matt Simmons 3B/2B
Fort Walton Beach — Hunter Kidd SS/P
Fort Walton Beach — Avery Warren C/OF
Niceville — Jeremiah Blair C/P
Niceville — Evan Root P/1B
Laurel Hill — Benny Hudson INF
Laurel Hill — Omerion Hill P/C
Rocky Bayou — AJ Morgan SS/OF
Rocky Bayou — Chase Johnson 2B/P
East Softball
Head Coach: Ronald Sprague, Washington High School
Northview — Chloe Ragsdale C/1B/OF
Northview — Makayla Golson OF
West Florida — Sydney Scapin P
West Florida — Brea Holley C/3B
West Florida — Maddie Laubach 2B
West Florida — Lauren Allen 1B/3B
Pine Forest — Sarah Rudd Utility
Pine Forest — Alexzandria Holston 3B/INF
Pine Forest — Tiara Hall OF/INF
Pine Forest — LaToya Hall LF/1B
Escambia — Laney Moss 3B
Escambia — Halina Bell C/1B
Escambia — Olivia Bourgeois OF/P
Escambia — Kaylee Parker 2B/P
Catholic — Isabelle Little- Anoai 1B/P
Catholic — Titera Dukes Utility
Tate — Kate Balagbagan 2B/P
Tate — Olivea Latner OF
Tate — Kylea Gibbs OF
Tate — Elizabeth McVay OF
Washington — Ja’Kia Hollis CF
Washington — Cassidy Bardin INF/P
Washington — Brogan Dougherty 2B/P
Pensacola — Sydney Jernigan C/OF
West Softball
Head Coach: Dune Farrone, Rocky Bayou Head Coach: Dune Farrone, Rocky Bayou
Laurel Hill — Raelee McDonald C/1B
Gulf Breeze — Kenna King CF/OF
Gulf Breeze — Ava Chapman OF/1B
Gulf Breeze — Presley Hall C
Choctaw — Ellie Long P/OF
Fort Walton Beach — Ava Smith P/1B
Pace — Shelby Crooks Utility
Pace — Juliana Henderson LF/2B
Milton — Hallie Ueberroth 2B/SS
Milton — Gracie Bonds P
Milton — Kayla Willis 1B/P
Niceville — Mckenzi Toth 2B
Niceville — Kamryn Neely C/3B
Central — Brianna Martin LF/CF
Central — Gracie Jernigan RF/1B
Jay — Ella Nelson SS
Jay — Brooklyn Sorrells 2B
Baker — Carlie Hopps CF/SS
Baker — Hannah Twitty P
Rocky Bayou — Erica Losinger 2B/SS
Crestview — Mayson Feller OF
Crestview — Paige Deitz 3B/2B
Navarre — Calyn Rounsaville C
Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones Will Not Seek Reelection
June 14, 2024
Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones has announced that he will not seek reelection after serving since being appointed in 1995.
“After serving the people of this community for nearly 30 years, it is with a heavy heart that I announce I will not seek reelection. This decision was not made easily. After much thought and prayer, I have decided it is time to step back due to personal reasons that require my full attention,” Jones said. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Escambia County as their property appraiser.”
Jones said he tenure was marked by significant achievements, including leveraging technology to increase office efficiency, implementing year-round filing for homestead exemptions, and opening an office in Molino to better serve North Escambia residents.
Jones has endorsed his choice for a successor.
“I fully support the candidacy of Escambia County Property Appraiser Chief Deputy Gary ‘Bubba’ Peters. Bubba has been with the office for over 20 years, starting as a student and earning his way to the chief deputy position,” Jones said.”Bubba will continue providing quality public service, as well as proven leadership and professionalism that our citizens deserve. I urge my fellow Escambia County residents to support him.”
Peters officially filed to run for Escambia County Tax Collector on Thursday.
Bill Farinas Inducted As New Cantonment Rotary Club President
June 14, 2024
Bill Farinas was inducted this week as the new president of the Cantonment Rotary Club.
For the past year, the club was led by Cantonment native Dustin Vaughn, a banker and graduate of Tate High School who also attended PSC, UWF and the Studer Community Institute. During his tenure, the club led or participated in several local projects which included providing meals to over 1,000 Escambia County residents at Thanksgiving; food and financial support for the Rotary Youth Camp (for special needs students) and Rotary Youth Leadership; and endowed scholarships for over a dozen Pensacola State College students totaling over $30,000.
The Cantonment Rotary Club’s biggest project, largely coordinated by Farinas, was the implementation of the Josh the Baby Otter story books and storytime for over 1,000 local kindergarteners. The project increased awareness and provided tips on water safety for young children. During the next year , the club intends to build off the success of the Josh the Baby Otter project and possibly expand its mission of enhancing the lives, safety and welfare of area residents.
Farinas has been a member of Cantonment Rotary since 2019; he is a lifelong resident of Pensacola, a graduate of Pensacola High School, the University of West Florida, and attended the University of Florida. He is a retired educator and was a popular voice on WCOA radio with a weekly gardening program as well as an instructor at George Stone Vocational College. Farinas e is currently the president of the Pensacola Interstate Fair. He also sits on various boards and has chaired others.
Pictured: Bill Farinas was inducted as the president of the Cantonment Rotary Club during a meeting at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Pictured below: New board members also took office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Candidates That Qualified On Thursday To Run In 2024
June 14, 2024
Candidate qualifying continues Wednesday.
Several candidates also qualified on Monday, Tuesday. and Wednesday. Qualifying for the 2024 Primary and General Elections will run until noon, Friday, June 14, 2024.
The following local candidates had qualified for the 2024 ballot in Escambia County on Wednesday.
Property Appraiser – (Partisan)
- Gary “Bubba” Peters (REP)
Escambia County Commissioner – (Partisan)
- District 1 – Jesse Casey (REP)
Escambia County School Board – (Nonpartisan)
- District 4 – Earle McAuley
Town of Century – (Nonpartisan)
- Seat 2 – Henry Cunningham
The following candidates pre-filed for office today:
Santa Rosa Island Authority – (Nonpartisan)
- Thomas Campanella
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – (Nonpartisan)
- District 2 – Johnnie L. Odom
The following candidate has withdrawn as of today, June 13, 2024:
Supervisor of Elections – (Partisan)
- Carrie Young – (DEM)
Chase Across Santa Rosa, Escambia At Speeds Up To 150 MPH Ends With Arrest
June 14, 2024
An 18-year-old from Louisiana was arrested in Baldwin County after a high-speed chase across Santa Rosa and Escambia counties at speeds up to 150 mph,
The Florida Highway Patrol said trooper observed a black Ford Mustang traveling recklessly at a speed of 130 mph near mile marker 35 of I-10 in Santa Rosa County. The trooper radioed for additional assistance.
About 13 miles away, another Trooper observed the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. FHP said that is when the driver accelerated from near 130 mph to a speed at or above 150 mph. As the vehicle fled, the driver was passing vehicles on the north and south shoulders of the interstate.
Troopers lost sight of the vehicle after it crossed Escambia Bay and exited onto Scenic Highway.
With the assistance of a citizen, one of the troopers located the Mustang parked in a driveway just off Scenic Court. As troopers approached, the driver of the vehicle aggressively accelerated away through a couple of yards and down an embankment back onto Scenic Highway. Despite damage to the vehicle, the driver recklessly fled, FHP said.
“Troopers were able to engage the Mustang again for a brief moment, only to disengage a second time. Even with assistance of local citizens we were unable to remain active in a pursuit, but we were able to track the vehicle as it traveled out of state,” FHP said.
The black Ford Mustang was located at a gas station in Baldwin County where a local deputy was able to conduct a traffic stop and detain the driver. FHP obtained a warrant for the driver, and he was arrested on that warrant by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Romero Antwan Nail of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged with fleeing and eluding. Additional charges are expected when the FHP investigation is concluded.
McIntosh, Berry Lead Wahoos Into First Place With 7-1 Win
June 14, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Birmingham Barons 7-1 on Thursday night, moving into first place in the South Division of the Southern League with nine games to play in the first half.
Paul McIntosh broke a scoreless tie with a sixth-inning home run, his second in as many games, against former teammate Jake Eder (L, 2-3). Jacob Berry provided insurance with a three-run double in the eighth to support a four-man pitching effort that limited the Barons to just one run on three hits.
After a 6-1 win for the Chattanooga Lookouts over the Montgomery Biscuits, the Blue Wahoos lead the Biscuits by 0.5 games in the first half South Division race.
Making his first professional start since 2021, Pensacola’s Adam Laskey was outstanding with 4.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit ball. Eder matched him zero for zero, setting a new season high with 10 strikeouts until McIntosh put the Blue Wahoos ahead 1-0 with a line drive homer in the top of the sixth.
Reliever Chandler Jozwiak (W, 2-3) snuffed out a Birmingham rally in the sixth, and the Blue Wahoos added on in the eighth with an RBI single from Joe Mack and a three-run double from Berry. Jakob Marsee notched an RBI double of his own in the ninth, providing more cushion for Pensacola relievers Raffi Vizcaíno and Dale Stanavich to complete the three-hitter.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Friday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Update: One Killed, Several Injured In Fiery Crash On I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge
June 13, 2024
One person was killed, and multiple people were injured in a fiery crash on the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay Thursday afternoon.
The crash happened about 2:15 p.m. on I-10 eastbound near the Scenic Highway overpass.
The Florida Highway Patrol said four vehicles were involved with one confirmed fatality in a vehicle that was fully engulfed.
Two drivers and a passenger of one of the other vehicles were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Additional details have not been released.
Photos: Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Transportation.
A Look At Safety Concerns About Highway 29, Highway 196 Intersection
June 13, 2024
Safety concerns are once again being raised after another serious crash Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196 in Molino.
In the past 10 years, there have been 66 crashes at or near the intersection, according to data provided to NorthEscambia.com by the Florida Highway Patrol. Of those, three were fatal and three more left individuals with incapacitating injuries. There were 17 other injuries and 32 people were not injured. FHP said alcohol contributed to three of the wrecks.
Tuesday’s crash injured a 17-year-old teen and a 50-year-old, but they are expected to be okay. Details have not been released by troopers as their investigation continues.
On January 26 of this year, 17-year-old Tate High School student Bradley Ellertson died when a semi-truck and a Kia Soul collided at the intersection. FHP said the driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year-old female from Pensacola, was traveling eastbound on Highway 196 when she ran the stop sign at Highway 29 and collided with the oncoming semi-truck.
Overall control of safety measures at the intersection falls with the Florida Department of Transportation due to Highway 29. However, Highway 196 is a county road.
“There have been a number of serious accidents,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said.
Barry said the January crash that killed Ellertson prompted him and the county to ask FDOT to evaluate the intersection for any safety improvements, including any need for a traffic light. He said previous state studies have shown a traffic light was not appropriate.
In the meantime, Barry said the county will install flashing LED lights on the Highway 196 stop signs to improve driver attention. Barry has coordinated the installation of additional lighting with Florida Power & Light, and those lights are expected to be installed in mid to late July after delayed materials are delivered.
“The county is working with our partners to do everything under our control to improve safety at the intersection,” the commissioner added.
Pictured top: Data shows the crashes at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196 in Molino over the last 10 years. Also pictured: A Tuesday crash at the intersection. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Library To Close During Community Center Renovation
June 13, 2024
The Jay Library will be closed beginning Monday, June 17, due to the Linda Carden Community Center renovation.
The summer reading program will continue to take place at Jay City Hall. All other programs are cancelled until further notice.
A library van will be in the Jay City Hall parking lot from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. New books as well as patron holds will be available for pick up during that time. Patrons who need access to a computer are encouraged to visit the Milton or Pace Libraries.
File photo.
Century Woman Charged With Defrauding Credit Union Of More Than $79,000
June 13, 2024
A Century woman is accused of defrauding a credit union of over $79,000.
Kymberlee Kay Victor, 24, was charged with felony fraud and felony grand theft.
Victor allegedly made multiple transfers from an account at Wells Fargo to Gulf Winds Credit Union beginning in February’s 2024. After the first transfers of just under $10,000 each, Gulf Winds reached out to Victor for verbal verification and she told them she was purchasing a vehicle, according to an arrest report. Multiple additional transfers just under $10,000 each were not flagged by the Gulf Winds system due to the activity being consistent with the same device always signing in, the report continues.
Beginning in March, transfers were returned due to a stop payment and closed account, the ECSO said.
Victor received a total of $89,000 from 10 transfer deposits to Gulf Windss, and the funds were spent through debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals and cash withdrawals at different Gulf Winds branches, the arrest report states. Investigators said Gulf Winds provided video surveillance of Victor’s cash withdrawals at their branches.
Gulf Winds told investigators that she made a total of $89,329 in deposits, withdrawing $79,309.75 for the account, which was the total loss to the credit union.
The ECSO report notes that shortly after the transactions, Victor posted on a GoFundMe page asking for financial assistance following a house fire, claiming that she lost her home and everything in it.
Escambia County Fire Rescue determined the fire started a nearby shed before spreading and causing heavy damage to a mobile home on White’s Lane (pictured below). ECFR said the shed was a total loss, and the mobile home will need extensive repairs. Victor has not been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with the fire.
Victor was released Thursday night Escambia County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
