Wahoos Split Twin Bill With Montgomery
July 3, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their doubleheader against the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday night, winning the first game 2-0 but falling in the nightcap 5-4.
In game one, Jeff Lindgren (W, 3-1) pitched a complete game seven-inning shutout while allowing only four hits. It was the first complete game of Lindgren’s professional career, and the first solo shutout for a Pensacola pitcher since 2017.
Pensacola’s offense didn’t do much against John Doxakis (L, 0-2), but got back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in the third from Troy Johnston and J.D. Osborne to provide all the offense Lindgren would need.
Game one was played in a brisk 1 hour and 36 minutes, the fastest game for the Blue Wahoos of any length since a 1:32 seven-inning game in Mississippi on August 19, 2019 and their fastest at Blue Wahoos Stadium since a rain-shortened six-inning game in 1:34 on April 14, 2014.
In game two, Zach King (L, 0-1) was greeted rudely in his Double-A debut by former Blue Wahoos outfielder Kameron Misner, who blasted a two-run homer in the first inning to put the Biscuits ahead 2-0. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the bottom of the first with four runs, highlighted by RBI singles from Johnston and Paul McIntosh, but the 4-2 lead did not last long.
Montgomery began the third inning by reaching five straight times against King, with RBI singles from Roberto Alvarez and Jacson McGowan causing an early exit for the young lefty and putting the Biscuits ahead 5-4. Zack Leban, Eli Villalobos and Colton Hock provided 5.0 scoreless innings of relief, but Chris Gau (W, 3-0) and Justin Sterner (S, 2) were just as effective in relief for the Biscuits as they salvaged the split.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday night.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Century Celebrates The Fourth With Fireworks, Food Trucks (With Photo Gallery)
July 2, 2022
Fireworks lit up the night Friday with an early Fourth of July celebration in Century.
Hundreds of people gathered in Showalter Park, Anthony Pleasant Park and the surrounding neighborhoods Friday night. Several food trucks offered everything from po’boys to loaded fries and ice cream, while vendors offered their wares before fireworks lit up the night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Make ‘Ocean Layer Jars’ This Month At Your Local Library
July 2, 2022
All ages are invited to make “Ocean Layer Jars” with STEAM at West Florida Public Libraries this month.
Participants can explore a summer of oceanography by building their own ocean layer model at the library.
Here is the schedule:
Saturday, July 2, 1 – 3 p.m. – Century Library
Tuesday, July 5, 3 – 4 p.m. – Westside Library
Tuesday, July 12, 3 – 4 p.m. – Tryon Library
Thursday, July 14, 3 – 4 p.m. – Southwest Library
Saturday, July 16, 1 – 3 p.m. – Genealogy Library
Thursday, July 21, 3 – 4 p.m. – Molino Library
Thursday, July 28, 3 – 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Stock photo for illustrative purposes only.
FWC’s Operation Dry Water Targets Boating Under The Influence This Weekend
July 2, 2022
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement will be promoting awareness and conducting heightened enforcement targeting boating under the influence as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign this weekend.
FWC officers will be enforcing Florida’s boating under the influence laws and educating boaters about safe boating practices, which includes boating sober.
The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays all over the U.S., including here in Florida. In 2021, the month of July had two fatalities and 53 people injured due to BUI related boating accidents.
Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher — the same as it is to operate a vehicle.
“Boating while impaired endangers not only yourself, but your family, friends and other boaters on the water,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section leader. “FWC officers will be actively patrolling statewide looking for impaired boaters. Our mission is to ensure the safety of all those enjoying the state’s vast and diverse waterways. That is why the FWC is joining other states and agencies across the country to do our part in keeping boaters safe and preventing accidents related to boating under the influence.”
Alcohol is a leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths, and a major contributor to accidents. Last year in Florida, 20% of fatal accidents were related to alcohol or drug use.
If a person decides to have alcohol on their vessel, FWC said it is important to designate an operator who isn’t drinking alcohol and will remain sober to ensure everyone gets home safely. The FWC encourages boaters to enjoy the boating season to its full extent by boating sober, wearing a life jacket and taking a boating education course.
A Batman Backpack, Gun And 752 Grams Of Meth: ECSO Says Man Facing Multiple Charges
July 2, 2022
An Escambia County man is facing multiple felonies after allegedly threatening a woman and fleeing with a Batman backpack with a stolen gun and drugs.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 35-year old Courtney Jamal Johnson became involved in an altercation with a woman at home on Kyle Drive, pulled out a handgun and threatened to hit her. He told her that if he actually had bullets in the gun, he would shoot her, deputies said. The woman fled to a neighbor’s house and called for help.
Johnson fled the scene with two backpacks, discarding them along the way. Deputies recovered both, one of which was a Batman backpack that contained a stolen firearm. Deputies also reported recovering 752 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, scales, plastic bags, and four Mason jars “full” of marijuana.
Johnson was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $91,000.
AAA: Florida Fourth Of July Weekend Road Trips Expected To Be At Record Levels
July 2, 2022
AAA is predicting AAA predicts 2.6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4). That’s 4% more than last year’s holiday, and just shy of 2019’s numbers.
AAA forecasts 2.3 million Flordians will take a holiday road trip – the most on record, dating back to 2001.
“The volume of travelers expected over Independence Day is a definite sign that summer travel is kicking into high gear,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Earlier this year, we started seeing the demand for travel increase and it’s not tapering off. People are ready for a break and despite things costing more, they are finding ways to still take that much needed vacation.”
Blue Wahoos Blanked By Biscuits
July 2, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos suffered just their fourth shutout loss of the season, and first since April, in a 8-0 defeat to the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday night.
Taj Bradley (W, 3-1) lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.65 with 6.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball while striking out five in a combined four-hit shutout for the Montgomery staff.
The Biscuits scored the first run of the game against Zach McCambley (L, 3-5) in the second inning on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Roberto Alvarez. The game remained 1-0 until the sixth, when Montgomery broke the game open.
Greg Jones led off the top of the sixth with a double, and scored on a bloop double off the bat of Kameron Misner. Two walks followed before a check-swing, two-run single from Erik Ostberg bounced McCambley from the ballgame.
Anthony Maldonado and Jefry Yan contributed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, but the Biscuits added three more against Andrew McInvale in the ninth on a two-run single from Misner and a bases-loaded fielding error on catcher Paul McIntosh.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits with a doubleheader on Saturday
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Developer Proposes 400 Single Family Homes In ‘Mathison Subdivision’ Near Molino
July 1, 2022
Development applications have been filed that could mean 400 single family homes in a new subdivision off Mathison Road near Molino.
The “Mathison Subdivision” is proposed just southwest of the current end of Mathison Road and to the north of the road.
As a three-phase project, a total of 400 single family homes would be constructed on two parcels totaling 133.7 acres. A portion of the project is partially wooded and has been cleared by a previous developer, according to the application.
The property is owned by Fred Hemmer and Exit 3 Investments of St. Petersburg.
The project is in the staff internal review process before the Escambia Development Review Committee and has not been set for a public meeting. Multiple additional steps in the review and permitting process would be required before any construction could begin, and the developer could choose to never build the project.
NorthEscambia.com graphic. May not be to exact scale. Click to enlarge.
IP Awards Thousands In Grants To Local Nonprofits; Here’s How To Apply For The Next Round
July 1, 2022
The International Paper Pensacola Mill awarded thousands of dollars in foundation grants to local organizations last year, and a workshop is coming up for nonprofits and local government entities to learn how to apply for the next round in which $63,000 will be awarded.
A list of the 2021 grant recipients is below.
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 at 10 a.m. and will focus on eligibility, criteria, and restrictions. Reservations to attend the workshop are required as a link for the virtual meeting will be distributed; however, attendance is not mandatory for eligibility.
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work.
“International Paper grants are an impactful way we continue to be a force of good in the community,” said Whitney Fike, communications manager. “These grants help organizations fund new projects and programs that support their critical mission and impact those in need.”
Signature Causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measurable objectives to demonstrate impact. Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com until August 7, 2022.
2021 International Paper Grant Recipients:
- Autism Pensacola – Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab – $5,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida – Feeding our Little Family – $2,000
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast – Junior Novelist – $1,295
- Bright Bridge Ministries – Hot, Healthy Meals – $5,000
- Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc
- Children’s Home Society – After School and Summer Education – $2,000
- Council on Aging of West Florida – Clean Water Kids – $2,000
- Creative Learning Academy – Expanding Minds with the Power of Literacy – $1,000
- Every Child a Reader dba ReadyKids! – Project Ready Book Distribution – $3,000
- Feeding the Gulf Coast – Backpack Program: Weekend Meals for Children – $5,000
- FoodRaising Friends – Replacing School Meals – $3,000
- Gulf Coast Kids House – Reducing Abusive Head Trauma through Education – $2,000
- Health and Hope Clinic – Access to Care – $5,000
- Institute for Human and Machine Cognition – Free hands-on STEM: Science Saturdays – $1,500
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Ready to Read! – $2,500
- Junior League of Pensacola – Child Wellness Program – $1,500
- Kingsfield Elementary – Ready to Read! – $3,000
- Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative – $4,000
- Pace Center for Girls – Ready through Remediation – $1,495
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus – Preparatory Choir – $1,000
- Pensacola Little Theatre – Dramatically Healthy Kids – $1,750
- Pensacola MESS Hall – Science in the Libraries – $1,300
- Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida – Hope for Hurting Families – $5,000
- The Global Corner – Let’s Visit Israel Activity Book – $2,600
- The Salvation Army – Food for a Senior – $1,250
- United Methodist Children’s Home – Milton Girls Group Home Meals – $1,000
- University of West Florida Foundation – Community Garden Orchard Project – $5,000
- Valerie’s House – Family Grief Support – $3,000
- West Florida Historic Preservation – Land and Sea Wonders on the Gulf Coast – $5,000
Pictured top: Kingsfield Elementary received a reading grant from International Paper. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDC Closing Pensacola Release Center, A Satellite Facility Of Century Prison
July 1, 2022
The Florida Department of Corrections is closing the Pensacola Community Release Center (CRC), a satellite facility of the Century Correctional Institution.
The Pensacola CRC on North L Street, commonly known as a work release center, will close in the coming weeks because Escambia County, which owns the building, is not renewing the state’s lease when it expires on July 25.
A letter from CCI Warden Kelly Watkins is being delivered to area employers that use work release inmates. It says the Department of Corrections will begin the process of relocating offenders between July 12 and July 14.
“I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to your direct contribution to our Agency’s Mission of ‘Inspiring success by transforming one life at a time’ by offering valued employment services to assist in a successful transition into society,” Watkins wrote.
The letter stated there are currently no plans to open another work release center in the area at this time.
“I understand that this will put a significant strain on your businesses, and it would have been avoided if possible,” said Watkins.
Escambia County is not renewing the lease because the county will use the building to house inmates while repairs are made on the old county jail.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.