Celebrate 25 Years Of Harry Potter At The Library This Week
September 11, 2022
West Florida Libraries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter with programs at each branch.
There will be a versity of games, crafts and other activities. All ages are welcome.
The programs will be held as follows:
- Tuesday, Sept. 13, 3-4:30 p.m. – Tryon Library
- Thursday, Sept. 15, 3-4:30 p.m. – Molino Library
- Saturday, Sept. 17, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Bellview Library
- Tuesday, Sept. 20, 3-4:30 p.m. – Genealogy Library
- Thursday, Sept. 29, 3-4:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Programs were previously held at the Century, Westside and Southwest libraries.
Conine Hits Record-Breaking Blast As Blue Wahoos Fall 6-4
September 11, 2022
Griffin Conine solidified his place atop the Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ single-season home run leaderboard, but it wasn’t enough as the Blue Wahoos dropped their game to the Tennessee Smokies 6-4 on Saturday night.
Conine blasted an opposite-field two-run shot in the sixth inning for his 24th home run of the season, surpassing Peyton Burdick’s 2021 total to become the franchise’s home run king. Conine also tied Aristedes Aquino, who hit 37 home runs for Pensacola in 2017 and 2018, atop the club’s all-time home run list with seven games to play in the regular season.
The Smokies took an early 1-0 lead against Cody Mincey (L, 5-6) in the first inning, as Zach Davis singled and stole second before Bryce Ball drove him in with an RBI double. Pensacola tied it up in the second with a solo homer from Will Banfield, but Tennessee jumped ahead for good in the third with a two-run homer from Chase Strumpf and RBI single from Andy Weber.
Pensacola finally mounted a threat against Tennessee starter Ben Brown (W, 3-0) in the fifth inning, loading the bases with one out. Demetrius Sims lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home one run, but Brown struck out Nasim Nuñez to strand the potential tying runs in scoring position.
Miguel Amaya provided some insurance for the Smokies in the fifth with a solo home run, and it proved useful as Conine’s two-run homer against Kyle Johnson in the sixth drew Pensacola to within a run at 5-4. Tennessee would get a run back in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Cole Roederer, and Bailey Horn (S, 4) got the final six outs to earn the save in a 6-4 final.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Smokies on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Northview Beats Tate In ‘Summerford Bowl’ (With Photo Gallery)
September 10, 2022
Officially, it was the FFA Ag Bowl with a cowbell as the big trophy Friday night. But it was also unofficially the “Summerford Brother Bowl” as the Northview Chiefs beat the Tate Aggies 34-25 at Tate.
The game featured younger brother Wes Summerford as the three-year head coach of the Northview Chiefs, a 1R team from the smallest public school in Escambia County, and Rhett Summerford as the first-year head coach of the Tate Aggies from the largest school in the area.
For an action photo gallery click here. (Cheerleaders, fans, band and more coming by Monday.)
Wes Summerford said he received a text with a photo a few hours before the game that took him back to 2008. It was the first year ever coaching for Wes, right there with his four-year older brother Rhett on the field at Tate High School. “It was a lot of reminiscing and thinking about the things we’ve done together. Even tonight, even though we are on opposite sidelines…I think we both got it after tonight, so a little competition.”
“It’s a special thing for our family,” Rhett Summerford said. “I’m sure dad’s had a good night; you know both sons…”
Rhett paused, brother Wes to his side. His voice broke with emotion. “I love this guy. We’re close.”
Friday night, it rained. It poured. And then it rained some more.
The field was a wet, sloshy mess. And that might have been a little advantage for the Chiefs, Wes Summerford said. For the past three weeks, they’ve been practicing on a wet, sloshy, slippery, muddy field at Northview in Bratt.
“It was a great game. It was what you want in a football game, rain’s coming down” Rhett said.”We are just trying to get better at the ball.”
“I knew it was going to be a war,” Wes said. “I would expect nothing less. Tate did a great job of preparing for us. I’ve got all the respect in the world for their coaching staff and what they do. Those guys are going to be good. They are getting there.”
“Big win for our guys. I challenged them all week, playing a 7A team, it’s a big win for our program. It may be the biggest win we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Wes said.
Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson had five touchdowns for the Chiefs. His first touchdown followed a 24-yard run from quarterback Kaden Odom down to the 1-yard line.
“Nothing ever surprises me with that guy,” Wes Summerford said of Jefferson. “Every coach that has coached against him will tell you the same thing…that he is our ‘Mr. Do It All’. He does a great job. He battles his butt off, and he’s a winner at the end of the night.”
“It’s not just Jamarkus though. Their quarterback is phenomenal,” Rhett Summerford said, adding that Northview QB Kaden Odom is who he would name as player of the game. “The quarterback kept us off balance in order for Jamarkus to get the run. It was Jamarkus, Jamarkus, and then you think you’ve got Jamarkus tired, and all the sudden they go quarterback the other way. That was like a dagger everytime it happened.”
Tate scored when quarterback Taite Davis found senior Carmelo Campbell for a 51-yard touchdown. Davis also hit Diego Dukes, and he was in for another TD from 12-yards out. Andre Colston had touchdowns of 10 and 53 yards to round out the Aggie scoring.
The Tate Aggies (1-2) will host Navarre (2-1) next Friday. It’s homecoming next week for the Northview Chiefs (3-0) as they take on Elberta (0-3) in Bratt.
And a footnote. As Friday night’s winner, Wes is expecting to see Rhett wash the dishes after this week’s Summerford Sunday dinner.
For an action photo gallery click here. (Cheerleaders, fans, band and more coming by Monday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Cyberstalking, Running Over Mailbox
September 10, 2022
A 44-year old Cantonment man is charged with cyberstalking a woman.
Russ Hines McNair, Jr., allegedly sent the victim repeated text messages last weekend before showing up at her residence and running over the mailbox, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The victim told deputies that she met McNair as an engineer in a professional work environment about 15 years ago and they never dated.
After McNair started repeatedly texting the woman, he texted that he was coming over to her house, but she told him to stay away, the arrest report continues. Deputies said he texted a bit later and said he had to get a new bumper and replace a mailbox at the house because he hit it.
The following morning, the woman found the mailbox destroyed and tire tracks in the yard. The mailbox damage was estimated at $80. Video from a neighbor showed a pickup truck driving in front of the house at the time the mailbox was hit.
McNair was charged with cyberstalking and criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $3,500.
ECUA Recycling Projected To Return September 29
September 10, 2022
ECUA recycling services continue to be temporarily suspended.
The ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was closed in June after an equipment failure, and repair parts have been delayed due to supply chain issues.
ECUA’s latest update projects the recycling facility will be reopened the week of September 26, with the first recycling materials processed from ECUA customers on Thursday, September 29.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Score Recap
September 10, 2022
Here’s a recap of Thursday and Friday night football scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 34, Tate 25 [Story, photos...]
- Pace 42, West Florida 14
- Jay 37, Franklin County 0
- Milton 47, Washington (delayed to Saturday)
- Escambia 12, Gulf Breeze 10
- Navarre 37, Rickards 6
- Pensacola Catholic 49, St. Stanislaus (Miss.) 27
- Baker 21, Bozeman 20
- Pine Forest 41, Pensacola 8 (Saturday)
ALABAMA
- St. Michael Catholic 42, Escambia County (Atmore) 13
- T.R. Miller 32, Jackson 29
- W.S. Neal 41, Monroe County 12 (Thursday)
- Cottage Hill Christian 20, Flomaton 16 (Thursday)
- Banks Academy 23, Escambia Academy 12 (Thursday)
Pictured: Northview beat Tate 34-25 Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Conine Ties Home Run Record As Blue Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader
September 10, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept their doubleheader from the Tennessee Smokies on Friday night, winning 5-4 in a tense game one and exploding for a 12-7 win in game two.
Griffin Conine launched his 23rd home run in the first inning of game two to tie the record for the most home runs in a single season in Blue Wahoos history, equaling Peyton Burdick’s total in 2021. Conine also claimed the top spot on the franchise’s RBI leaderboard with 70 RBI on the year, passing Travis Mattair’s 69 RBI in 2014.
In game one, Dax Fulton was dominant with eight strikeouts over 4.0 hitless innings before Marcus Chiu broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the fifth. Demetrius Sims added an RBI single before Conine forced in another run with a bases-loaded walk to put Pensacola ahead 3-0.
After a long layoff, Fulton came back out for the bottom of the fifth and promptly served up a three-run homer to Jake Washer to tie the game 3-3. Zack Leban (W, 1-3) allowed a leadoff walk to come around in the sixth on a Bryce Ball sacrifice fly to put the Smokies in front 4-3, but in the top of the seventh and final inning Will Banfield delivered one final big hit for the Blue Wahoos. Down to their final two outs, the catcher took Jarod Wright (L, 0-1) deep for a go-ahead two-run home run as the Blue Wahoos took a 5-4 lead for good.
In game two, Conine’s early blast was countered by a four-run second for the Smokies against A.J. Ladwig (W, 8-5). Chase Strumpf hit an RBI single, Cole Roederer hit a two-run homer, and Zach Davis scored on a Conine throwing error as the Smokies took a 4-2 lead. Miguel Amaya extended the lead to 5-2 with a solo home run in the third.
In the top of the fourth, the Blue Wahoos charged back to tie the game on a two-run double from Bubba Hollins and an RBI single from J.D. Osborne. Knotted up 5-5 going to the sixth, Pensacola took advantage of erratic control from the Smokies bullpen to push across seven runs on only four hits. Osborne brought home the first run of the inning when Ben Hecht (L, 1-2) hit him with a pitch with the bases loaded, and RBI singles from Davis Bradshaw, Paul McIntosh, Norel González and Bubba Hollins contributed to Pensacola’s biggest inning since late May.
Friday marked Pensacola’s first doubleheader sweep after splitting their first six twin bills of the season.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Tanker Truck Burns On I-10 (With Video)
September 9, 2022
A fuel tanker fire closed I-10 early Friday morning.
The truck fire erupted about 12:25 a.m. on I-10 westbound at I-110. The cab of the tanker truck was fully engulfed in fire when Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived.
Firefighters quickly attacked the fire from across several traffic lanes using a fire truck’s high-capacity deck gun. That limited the major damage to the truck’s cab.
The tanker had been unloaded prior to the fire, but about 200 gallons of residual fuel spilled onto the interstate.
The driver of the vehicle escaped the fire and was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the fire and has not released further details.
The Ensley, Ferry Pass, Brent, Osceola and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Escaped State Work Release Inmate Recaptured Friday Afternoon
September 9, 2022
An escaped state prisoner has been recaptured.
Cory A. Robinson, 22, escaped from the Pensacola CRC at 6:15 p.m. on L Street in Pensacola.
Robinson was serving a 2-year, 6-month sentence out of Bay County for burglary, grand theft and grand theft auto.
Century’s Approval Of 151% Property Tax Increase Delayed By Absent Councilman
September 9, 2022
The Town of Century’s attempt to tentatively approve a budget and property tax increase were stalled Thursday night after one council member was a no show.
The town is proposing a property tax rate that is 151.68% increase over what’s known as the rolled back rate. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase.
The tax increase is so great that the state requires a unanimous vote of the body for approval, or a special referendum at the ballot box.
Council member Leonard White did not attend Thursday night’s meeting, and the council waited 30 minutes for his arrival.
Town Clerk Leslie Howington said she did not hear from White on Thursday, but he is employed at Century Correctional Institution where he is not allowed to have his phone for security reasons. She stated that she had been told that the prison had gone into a “class 2″ lockdown at noon Thursday while he was presumed to be at work.
Howington said she would check with the Florida Department of Revenue to determine how the town should proceed with a rescheduled hearing.
Pictured above: Council President Luis Gomez, Jr. (light blue shirt) waits for a meeting to begin while three other council members pass the time on their phones Thursday night. They were waiting in hopes that council member Leonard White would arrive. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.