Johnston Homers As Blue Wahoos Fall 5-1 To Smokies
May 20, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Cubs prospect Jordan Wicks in a 5-1 loss to the Tennessee Smokies in front of a sellout crowd on Friday night.
Troy Johnston’s solo home run in the fifth inning was the lone bright spot for the Blue Wahoos, who have now lost back-to-back games for the first time in almost a month.
The Smokies took an early lead against Pensacola starter Luis Palacios (L, 1-1) with an RBI single from Pablo Aliendo in the second inning and a solo homer from Chase Strumpf in the third. Palacios allowed two runs in 5.0 innings, departing with a 2-1 deficit.
Nelson Maldonado added some insurance for Tennessee with a two-run double against Dylan Bice in the sixth inning, and BJ Murray closed out the scoring with a solo home run against Brady Puckett in the eighth.
Pensacola threatened in the eighth and ninth, but couldn’t chip away at the deficit. Ben Hecht (S, 2) wriggled out of a jam in the ninth to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Saturday.
by Erik Bremer, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia Westgate School Class of 2023 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 20, 2023
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2023 graduated Friday.
Escambia Westgate school serves the needs of pre-K, elementary, middle and high school students with varying exceptionalities.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia Westgate Class of 2023 graduates were:
- Mark Adam Afflick
- Aishan Semaj Byrd
- Naszia Mallik Crenshaw
- Jaryn Erik Cunningham
- Marcellus Laboris Dortch
- Nevea Gabriel Guerrier
- Marius Lucion Hartley
- Aiden Caleb llano
- Stephen Richard Johnson
- Jaden Patrick Kelly
- Robert Keppler, Jr.
- Lamario Tyrese Lewis
- Aryauni Gloven Moultrie
- Robert Chase Provau
- Joel Lantrell Weathers
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Water Main Break Reported At Phalrose Lane And Cooley Road; Boil Water Advisory
May 19, 2023
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON MAY 22.
A water main break was reported Friday at Phalrose Lane and Cooley Road that may have led to a disruption in water service.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for all Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Phalrose Lane and Cooley Road until further notice
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.
Rabies Alert For Escambia County; Three People Exposed To Rabid Fox, One To Rabid Bat
May 19, 2023
The Florida Department of Health (DOH-Escambia) has issued a Rabies Alert for Escambia County after three people were exposed to one rabid fox and one person was exposed to a rabid bat this month in Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com has learned the rabid fox bit at list one person at a private residence in Bratt, not far from Northview High School and Travis Nelson Park.
The health department is urging residents across the county to avoid contact with wild and stray animals across the county to protect against risk of rabies exposure.
“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, to be aware of unusual acting animals, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies,” said Marie Mott, DOH-Escambia administrator.
Rabies is transmitted through exposure to the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. DOH-Escambia works with animal control in responding to incidents of animal bites, tests animals for rabies through the Department of Health state laboratory, and quarantines animals as necessary. DOH-Escambia also provides rabies vaccinations to victims of animal bites, the only known effective treatment for rabies prevention in humans.
The following are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk livestock.
- Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property. If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Escambia County Animal Services at (850) 595-0097.
- Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.
- Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with outdoor food sources such as uncovered trash or litter.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
- Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the DOH-Escambia at (850) 595-6700.
Escambia Receives $500K Grant Toward Cantonment Community Center
May 19, 2023
Escambia County has received a half million dollar grant that will go toward a community center in Cantonment.
The county received a $500,000 Department of the Treasury RESTORE Act Grant. Thursday morning, the county commission voted to recognize the proceeds and appropriate the funds for the development of the “Cantonment Community Center Design Project”.
The money will be used for the planning, design and permitting of a community center. The community center will be located on county-owned property. It will be used as a workforce development and training center, adult education center, center for tutoring, senior citizens’ center, recreation center and as a housing assistance center.
The exact location for the community center has not yet been determined. District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said Thursday that he hopes that the location will be finalized in the next few weeks.
File photo.
No Headlights Leads To Arrest Of Bratt Man On Drug Possession, Aggravated Battery Charges
May 19, 2023
After a traffic stop for no headlights, a Bratt man was charged with drug possession and arrested on an aggravated battery warrant from last year.
Brian Steven Wiggins, 51, was charged knowingly driving without a license, felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and second degree felony aggravated battery domestic violence.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was running radar near the intersection of Still Road and Rigby Road near Bratt about 11:50 p.m. on May 17. The deputy observed a pickup truck with no operating headlights, just fog light, and a faulty tag light. The deputy activated emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop, but the truck failed to pull over until it reached a private residence on Rigby Road. The driver, later identified as Wiggins, was ordered from the vehicle at gunpoint and taken into custody.
Wiggins told the deputy that his license was not valid due to a child support issue and that he was just trying to get the truck to his house, according to an arrest report. A records check found that his license was suspended, and that he had an outstanding felony warrant from 2022.
A substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine was located in a plastic bag in Wiggins’ pocket, the report states.
He was also issued a traffic citation for driving with a suspended or revoked license and a written warning for driving with no headlights.
In August 2022, Wiggins allegedly threatened to kill a female and hit her multiple times with a plastic lawn chair, according to the ECSO. Deputies were unable to locate him at that time.
Northview High Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian
May 19, 2023
Northview High School has named the top of the Class of 2023.
Valedictorian is Drake Driskell, and salutatorian is Blake Yoder.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheer’s Paige McKinney And Landry Bellard Sign With Troy University
May 19, 2023
Tate High School seniors Paige McKinney and Landry Bellard have signed to continue their cheerleading careers with Troy University.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Pickup Truck In Molino
May 19, 2023
Fire destroyed a pickup truck Thursday in Molino.
The pickup truck was fully involved when Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived on Highway 95A near Bet Raines Road. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control with no damage to other vehicles or structures.
There were no injuries.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Late Rally Falls Short As Pensacola’s Win Streak Snaps At 10
May 19, 2023
The Blue Wahoos had their franchise-record streak end Thursday, but not without suspense.
After trailing 5-0 into the fifth inning, Pensacola produced a 3-run rally in the seventh and had a chance for a walk-off rally in their final at-bat before the Tennessee Smokies held on for a 5-4 victory, halting a 10-game win streak that stretched into a third week.
Playing as the Pensacola Mullets and wearing their specialty uniforms on Mullet Thursday, the home team fell into an early hole, but rallied against the Smokies bullpen.
The game’s biggest moment was a near-miss shot by Victor Mesa Jr. With two outs and the tying run on third, Mesa Jr. launched a ball into the right-center gap that appeared to have a chance for a home run.
But Smokies right fielder Owen Caissie made a sensational catch against the wall to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, another chance ensued when Bennett Hostetler led off with a walk. J.D. Orr was unable to bunt him over and popped out. Smokies reliever Riley Martin then struck out Nasim Nuñez and Troy Johnston to end the game.
But the Blue Wahoos (24-12) had a memorable stretch of games where they swept a road series for only the second time in franchise history and eclipsed a win streak of eight games set three times in team history.
Blue Wahoos newcomer Jonathan Bermudez, making his first start this year since being signed by the Miami Marlins on April 26, struggled in his Pensacola debut.
Bermudez struck out the first two batters he faced, then allowed a walk before getting out of the first inning.
The second inning, however, wasn’t so clean. He walked two of the Smokies’ (19-17) first three batters. With two out Caleb Knight laced a pitch to right field. The Blue Wahoos’ Griffin Conine made a sliding attempt to keep the ball in front, but it bounced away allowing two runs to score.
The Smokies had their first two batters on second and third base in the fourth inning when Bermudez was lifted for reliever Josan Méndez. He gave up an RBI double to the next batter, but got out of the inning without worse damage.
The Smokies then took a 5-0 lead with two runs in the top of the fifth against Méndez.
Griffin Conine got the Blue Wahoos on the board with a solo home run, his fourth of the season, to begin the bottom of the fifth.
The Blue Wahoos began their seventh inning rally when Hostetler walked and Orr singled. Nuñez drove in a run and Johnston had a sacrifice fly RBI. Dane Myers then hit a shot back at the mound, off the pitcher’s leg and the errant throw allowed another run to score.
The fourth game of this series begins the weekend set on Friday.
The Blue Wahoos’ Luis Palacios (1-0, 9.00 ERA) will make his second start since joining the team a week ago from the Beloit Sky Carp, as part of the movement when Eury Pérez went to the Marlins. Palacios pitched twice last year for the Blue Wahoos.
The Smokies will start their top pitcher, lefthander Jordan Wicks (2-0, 2.67), rated the Chicago Cubs’ No. 5 overall prospect.
First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos