Three In A Row: Wahoos Beat Smokies 7-4
June 24, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their third in a row on Friday night, beating the Tennessee Smokies on the strength of four home runs.
Will Banfield, Griffin Conine, Troy Johnston and Cody Morissette each went deep in support of Jake Eder, who allowed three runs over 4.1 innings in his first Double-A start since August of 2021.
Nasim Nuñez began the game by drawing a leadoff walk against Smokies starter Kohl Franklin (L, 2-4), then stole a pair of bases before scoring on a Johnston RBI single. Banfield went deep with a two-run blast a batter later, giving the Blue Wahoos a 3-0 lead.
Eder allowed an RBI double to Luis Vasquez and and RBI single to BJ Murray in the first inning, but settled into a groove as he made his milestone return in a continued recovery from elbow surgery. The lefty struck out two and walked three, departing in the fifth inning after throwing a prescribed 75 pitches.
Solo homers from Conine and Johnston helped stretch out the lead further, and Josan Méndez (W, 4-1) left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth to prevent a Smokies comeback.
Morissette’s solo homer in the seventh stretched the Pensacola lead to 7-3. Tennessee got a run back on another Vasquez RBI double against Blue Wahoos reliever West Tunnell, but Jefry Yan (S, 6) worked a spotless ninth to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos and Smokies play a doubleheader on Saturday, making up a rainout from Thursday.
written by Erik Bremer
Escambia County Fire Rescue Holds Awards Ceremony (With Gallery)
June 23, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue recently held an awards ceremony, presenting medals, citations and certificates to several firefighters.
Final Alarm medals were presented to the families of two late Century firefighters, civilians were honored for lifesaving efforts, retirees were honored and promotions were recognized.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Career Fire Officer of the Year
- Lt. Jim Allen
Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year
- District Chief Brandon Stevens
Career Firefighter of the Year
- FF David Carballosa
Volunteer Firefighter of the Year
- FF Jay Ates
Lieutenant Terrell Jackson Award
- FF Channin O’Connor
District Chief Dwain Bradshaw Award
- FF Christianne Barry
Hurricane Ian Deployment Ribbon
- Deputy Chief Paul Williams
- Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core
- Lt. Nick Gradia
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- Lt. Jim Allen
- FF Kenny Fehl
- FF Chris Knezenski
Retiree Service Recognition Medal
- Capt. Craig Ammons
- Lt. John Van Matre
- Lt. Steve Bode
- Lt. Bill Halfacre
Final Alarm Medal
- Retired District Chief Regi Burkett
- FF J.B. Johnson
Civilian Lifesaving Award
- John Haynes
- Kristina Barth
Service Recognition Medal
- Warehouse Supervisor John Elswick
- Division Chief Greg Campanella
- Battalion Chief Jon Hollingsworth
- Division Chief Joe Quinn
- Lt. Jeff Tavener
- Lt. Tad Bush
- FF Jason Rocco
Distinguished Service Medal (Structure Fire with Rescue of Trapped Victim on 8/27/2021)
- Lt. Ronson Cloer
- FF Robert Held
Company Citation (Structure Fire with Rescue of Trapped Victim on 8/27/2021)
- Lt. Joey Jasionowski
- FF Scott Walther
- FF Robert Vardeman
- FF Nick Segner
Medal of Courage (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication on 9/19/2021)
- Lt. Daniel Mills
- FF Kenny Fehl
- FF Will Smith
Distinguished Service Medal (Saved a Choking Victim on 6/22/2021 and Saved a Cardiac Arrest Victim on 8/3/2021)
- Division Chief Joe Quinn
Distinguished Service Medal (Saved a Firefighter in Cardiac Arrest)
- Lt. Sean King
- Lt. Nick Gradia
- Lt. TJ Smith
- Lt. Ian Sumner
- FF Peter Welch
- FF Robert Held
- FF Brian Kraatz
- FF Michael Iglesias
- FF Baylen Payne
Company Citation with Ribbon (Saved a Firefighter in Cardiac Arrest)
- Lt. Jeff Tavener
- FF JP Norris
- FF Ryan Callahan
- FF Clint Miller
Medal of Courage (Mayday Incident at Jasmine Creek Apartments)
- Lt. Jim Beagle
Company Citation (Mayday Incident at Jasmine Creek Apartments)
- FF Jacob Hoskins
- FF Brent Nesmith
- FF Garett Chandler
Medal of Courage (Mayday Incident on Mathison Road)
- FF Dale Dirks
- FF Jacob Hoskins
Company Citation with Ribbon (Water Rescue Involving Multiple Victims on 1/4/2023)
- Capt. Wesley Barnett
- Lt. Josh Rowe
- FF/Paramedic Guy Meredith
- FF Rick Mauro
- FF Robert Stivers
- FF Mattox Chapman
Company Citation with Ribbon (Water Rescue Involving Multiple Victims on 3/16/2022)
- Lt./Paramedic Jeff Tavener
- FF JP Norris
- FF Stephen Service
- FF Matt Van Matre
Company Citation (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication 9/22/2022)
- Lt. Dimitri Jansen
- FF Donovan Murphy
- FF Michael Maddrey
- FF Logan McGuffey
Company Citation (Saved a Cardiac Arrest Patient on 1/4/2023)
- Lt. Jim Allen
- FF Tony Buscaino
- FF Mathius Russ
Company Citation with Ribbon (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication)
- Battalion Chief Jon Hollingsworth
- District Chief Brandon Stevens
- Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core
- Lt. Ian Sumner
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- FF Jacob Creighton
- FF Anthony Rizzo
- FF Nathan Montgomery
- FF Chris French
- FF Chris Knezenski
- FF Zach McMillan
- FF Jonathan Welsh
Company Citation with Ribbon (Electrocution at Pensacola Christian College)
- Deputy Chief Paul Williams
- Division Chief Norman Robinson
- Battalion Chief Adam Bobe
- Lt. Jake Anderson
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- Lt. Matt Scallan
- FF Charles Bailey
- FF Kyle Muldoon
- FF Zach Aceto
- FF Aubrey Ashcraft
- FF Garrett Chandler
- FF Brent Nesmith
- FF Reiner Crabtree
- FF Jeff Huber
Company Citation with Ribbon (Locating and Removing a Lost Person from Wildland Area on 11/3/2021)
- Lt. Scott Hunsucker
- Lt. Tad Bush
- FF Jon Quina
- FF Anthony Stafford
- FF John Longsworth
- FF Michael Maddrey
- FF Jacob Hoskins
- FF Ryan Callahan
Company Citation with Ribbon (Locating, Treating and Removing Patient from Wildland/Swamp Area on 1/4/2023)
- Lt. Jeff Roher
- Lt. Dan Kunz
- Lt. Daniel Mills
- FF Tim Nagim
- FF Wesley Brandt
- FF Jakub Fajardo
- FF Charles Bailey
- FF Ryan Callahan
- FF Gordon Wilson
- FF Sean Straut
- FF Kyle Saxton
- FF Geoff Carmichael
Company Citation (Peripheral Entrapment at the County Jail)
- Battalion Chief Curt Isakson
- Lt. Keith Chapman
- Lt. Charles McGuffey
- Lt. Jake Anderson
- FF David Carballosa
- FF Zack Aceto
- FF Josh Reeves
- FF Phillip Hoffman
- FF Brandon Figueredo
- FF Michael Iglesias
- FF Kyle Muldoon
Company Citation with Ribbon (Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication)
- Lt. Dimitri Jansen
- Lt. Lyndon Halteman
- FF Michael Maddrey
- FF Logan McGuffey
- FF Donovan Murphy
- FF Justin Marcum
- FF Marcus Fairley
- FF Jacob Stevenson
Promotions
The following individuals were promoted to the position of Lieutenant:
- Lt. Justin Marcum
- Lt. Kyle Saxton
- Lt. Phillip Hoffman
- Lt. John Longsworth
- Lt. Jacob Creighton
- Lt. JP Owens
- Lt. Tom Schwarz
The following individuals were promoted to the position of Captain:
- Capt. Scott Averill
- Capt. Wesley Barnett
- Capt. Dan Kunz
The following individuals transferred from company officer positions to training and safety lieutenants:
- Lt. Jim Allen
- Lt. Daniel Akerman
- Lt. TJ Smith
Utility Trailer Overturns After Collision With Car In Cantonment
June 23, 2023
There were no injuries reported in a collision between a car and a utility trailer Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
The utility trailer came loose from the pickup truck that was pulling it and overturned on South Highway 97 and West Kingsfield Road about 4:10 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
First Responders Collect Donations For Manna During ‘Donut Strike’
June 23, 2023
Local first responders collected food and monetary donations for Manna to help fight hunger.
They were on a “Donut Strike”, stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to collect food and monetary donations.
For photos from the Winn Dixie in Cantonment Thursday, click here.
Pictured: Donations were collected Thursday afternoon from Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
TSA Pauses Upgrades At Pensacola Airport Due To High Traffic
June 23, 2023
The Transportation Security Administration has agreed to pause their ongoing security checkpoint replacement at Pensacola International Airport, due to record-breaking traveler traffic and concerns expressed to TSA by City of Pensacola and airport officials.
This summer has seen unprecedented growth in travelers flying through Pensacola International Airport, with record numbers resulting in long lines at the TSA checkpoint. To add to this challenge, TSA is in the midst of a pre-planned and previously scheduled modernization program that includes replacing its screening equipment.
The remainder of the project is tentatively scheduled to be phased in two parts, with the first resuming after the July 4th holiday and concluding before the Labor Day weekend. The remaining phase will take place after the Labor Day weekend. Airport officials will continue to partner with TSA leadership to minimize any further impacts resulting from their equipment upgrades.
Pensacola International Airport travelers are encouraged to continue arriving at least two hours early to go through the TSA checkpoint.
TSA is replacing the current screening equipment with state-of-the-art CT scanner technology that will improve the accuracy of scans, reduce the number of bags diverted for manual screening, and improve passenger throughput. The project schedule was determined by TSA based on the availability of the equipment and contractor.
Poarch Creek CFO’s Wife Passes Away, The Fourth Fatality From Sunday Wreck
June 23, 2023
A fourth victim has passed away due to a wreck caused by a man allegedly driving under the influence Sunday in Baldwin County.
Jeanna Speegle, wife of Poarch Creek CFO Tim Speegle, passed away after being critically injured in the crash She is the wife of Poarch Band of Creek Indians CFO Tim Speegle, who was pronounced deceased deceased Sunday. Christie Lowe, 47, and her daughter Margaret, 19, were also killed in the wreck on the Baldwin Beach Express in Robertsdale, according to authorities.
David Colburn, 60, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on a count of driving under the influence and three counts of manslaughter.
Monteverde Leads Blue Wahoos To 4-2 Win Over Tennessee
June 23, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the first game of their scheduled doubleheader 4-2 over the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday before rain forced the postponement of game two.
The second game will be made up as part of another doubleheader Saturday beginning at 4:30 CT.
Patrick Monteverde (W, 7-1) earned his league-leading seventh win, allowing only one earned run over 5.2 innings to lower his league-leading ERA to 2.13.
The Smokies jumped out to an early lead, as Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the first inning with a bunt single and circled the bases thanks to a pair of throwing errors. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the second with a two-run homer from Norel González, but Tennessee’s Nelson Maldonado tied the game 2-2 with a solo homer in the second.
Monteverde and Smokies starter Walker Powell (L, 3-4) traded zeroes until the top of the sixth, when José Devers led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a lineout. Troy Johnston drew a walk before the Smokies brought in reliever Luke Little to face Will Banfield. The Pensacola catcher came through with an RBI double to give the Blue Wahoos a 4-2 lead.
Monteverde got into trouble in the sixth, but Austin Roberts (S, 2) escaped the jam and returned to work a scoreless seventh to earn the save.
First pitch Friday from Smokies Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
written by Erik Bremer
Two Atmore Men Arrested In Monday Murder Of Man Driving Near Pace
June 22, 2023
Two Atmore men have been arrested for a fatal shooting Monday evening in Pace.
Joseph Liebe, 24, was in the area of Wallace Lake Road off Quintette Road and was shot while driving away. His vehicle crashed into a nearby wooded area.
James Jacobey Quartise, 20, is charged with first degree murder, and Marcus Terel Dickinson, 29, is charged with second degree murder. They are being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton awaiting extradition back to Santa Rosa County. SRSO investigators have traveled to Brewton to interview the suspects.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said Thursday morning that a definite motive is not known, but investigators believe it was a robbery. Johnson said there was no evidence of any drug activity, but it is believed the suspects had some sort of contact with Liebe earlier in the day and knew he might be been carrying money.
Shortly after the murder, deputies received a basic description of the suspect vehicle as a maroon Tahoe. That vehicle was later traced to Atmore, where search warrants were served on the vehicle and at the residences of both suspects.
Johnson said that social media rumors that this was some sort of gang activity are not true.
“There is no gang activity,” the sheriff said. “We don’t have any evidence to link this to gang activity.”
Johnson thanked the Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, including Sheriff Heath Jackson, for their assistance.
Molino Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize – For The Second Time
June 22, 2023
Scottie Grant of Molino is a lucky man. He has won $1 million on a lottery scratch-off ticket for the second time in six months.
“I’m back!” Grant said, smiling broadly after claiming a second $1 million prize from the 500x The Cash game at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $820,000.
His other $1 million win came in December 2022 when also chose the one-time $820,000 payout.
With $648K From The State, Century To Begin $1.3 Million Water Well Replacement
June 22, 2023
The Town of Century does not yet know where half the money will come from as they move forward to replace a water well that exclusively serves Century Correctional Institution.
Florida’s budget, signed last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis, included $628,500 to replace the failed “Well No. 3″, half of the $1.297 million that was requested.
Town council members agreed this week that the well must be replaced, and they will look at the funding source for the balance — possibly American Rescue Plan funds, Local Options Sales Tax or the water fund.
The council voted to approve the first expenditure of $143,400 to Municipal Engineering Services for project management, design and permitting.
After multiple problems, the well suffered a catastrophic failure during the summer of 2022 and no longer provided water to the prison for staff and inmates. A shaft shattered into a dozen or more pieces and fell to the bottom of the well.
Water service was restored through a permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system that was completed in late May 2020 to provide a dependable water supply to the prison. The interconnect was installed after the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison suffered a repairable failure in early May 2020. That forced the town to use two-inch fire hoses from a Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road until a permanent solution was in place and the well was repaired.
A temporary pump provides some water, but it must be supplemented by water from the two wells that supply the town’s citizens or from the Center Water Works interconnect. “Operation of these additional supplies is manually controlled and subject to interruptions,” according to Rep. Michelle Salzman’s funding request.