Wahoos Get Education Day Win Over Birmingham Barons
May 9, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
When Cody Morissette was growing up in New Hampshire, some of his favorite memories were the school day field trips to take in a professional baseball game.
He was thrilled to watch two players for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who are now among the biggest stars in Major League Baseball.
“It was the best trip ever,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Blue Wahoos second baseman dazzled in his own way to create some special memories for area kids.
Morissette followed a leadoff double with a steal of third base, then stole home, to ignite a 2-run rally in the sixth inning that helped the Blue Wahoos to a 5-1 win against the Birmingham Barons, thus delighting a crowd of 4,063 in a matinee Education Day game filled with thousands of area school children at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“We don’t play many 11 a.m. games, so it’s a tough game for us to wake up for, but once we get out there… I remember being those kids,” Morissette said. “I’m happy to have all those kids in the stands.
“We all go out there and try to give them our best energy. Trying to give them a good show during the day. They take time out of their school day to come watch us play and hopefully we can inspire a few kids to want to do what we do one day.”
There were about 2,300 kids from 25 schools represented from five counties, including Baldwin County in Alabama, attending the second of two Education Days.
The first one on April 24 also resulted in a win that day against the Biloxi Shuckers.
They watched the Blue Wahoos (16-13) take an immediate lead on Joe Mack’s sacrifice fly in the first inning to score leadoff batter Jakob Marsee, who reached on the first of his four walks in the game.
After missing chances in the second and third innings, stranding seven runners during a three inning span, the Blue Wahoos provided a textbook way to manufacture runs. They took a 2-1 lead on Jacob Berry’s RBI single to score Paul McIntosh, who reached on an error and advanced on Nathan Martorella’s single.
That was part of another impact game from Martorella, who joined the Blue Wahoos with Marsee on Tuesday following the Luis Arraez trade between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.
Marsee scored on a balk after Martorella’s single moved him to third. Martorella then drove in the fifth run on an eighth-inning single.
That was plenty enough production for the Blue Wahoos pitching staff, which has carried this team to its first-place position. Starter Luis Palacios allowed just three hits in five innings against the Barons (20-8). Three relievers, Adam Laskey, Anderson Pilar and Raffi Vizcaíno followed with scoreless relief, issuing just one walk and yielding three hits.
“This team we’re playing, we know they’re a good team, so we know we have to scrap across runs whenever we can,” Morissette said. “Especially (Wednesday), the pitchers were throwing it well, so we had to find a way to get a run across.
“Being able to hit a double (in the sixth), I wanted to make it easier for the guy behind me. I was able to get a good jump at second and take third.”
And then his steal of home was the second of his Blue Wahoos career and the seventh steal of home in franchise history. Marsee was on first base when the Blue Wahoos pulled off the double steal. Barons reliever Garrett Schoenle tried to pick off Marsee, who beat the throw as Morissette took off.
“We actually ran that same play last year in Mississippi when I stole home,” Morissette said. “And Smoke (manager Kevin Randel) said, ‘Start creeping (down the third base line) and as soon as (the reliever) picks over to first, take home and it was able to get my arm in on the slide.”
The third game of the homestand, matching the two first place teams in the Southern League, will revert back to a night game at 6:05 p.m. Thursday and with a unique twist. Former Blue Wahoos pitcher Jake Eder, a star lefthander from the 2021 season, will now be the opposing pitcher to face his former organization. Eder is 0-1 with a 5.18 ERA and will go against the Blue Wahoos’ Valente Bellozo.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos’ Jessica Voigt, a group sales trainee, performed the National Anthem for the third time this season and received a loud ovation that included a salute from Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel.
— The schools attending this game were as far east as Bonifay and west to Bay Minette. In addition, the Bayview Senior Center had 27 of its residents attending the game and those fans sat right behind home plate and stayed through the hot weather to see the final out recorded.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Dealing Disruptions Due To ‘Cyber Security Event’
May 8, 2024
Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola is dealing with disruptions today in a “cyber security event”.
Escambia County EMS is diverting some patients to other hospitals.
Reports indicate the data breach has impacted Ascension properties across the country.
Ascension released the following statement
“On Wednesday, May 8, we detected unusual activity on select technology network systems, which we now believe is due to a cyber security event. At this time we continue to investigate the situation. We responded immediately, initiated our investigation and activated our remediation efforts. Access to some systems have been interrupted as this process continues”
“Our care teams are trained for these kinds of disruptions and have initiated procedures to ensure patient care delivery continues to be safe and as minimally impacted as possible. There has been a disruption to clinical operations, and we continue to assess the impact and duration of the disruption.
“We have engaged Mandiant, a third party expert, to assist in the investigation and remediation process, and we have notified the appropriate authorities. Together, we are working to fully investigate what information, if any, may have been affected by the situation. Should we determine that any sensitive information was affected, we will notify and support those individuals in accordance with all relevant regulatory and legal guidelines.
“Out of an abundance of caution we are recommending that business partners temporarily suspend the connection to the Ascension environment. We will inform partners when it is appropriate to reconnect into our environment.
“This is an ongoing situation and we will provide updates as we learn more.”
Updated: No Students On School Bus Involved In Highway 29 Crash
May 8, 2024
There were no students on an Escambia County Schools bus that collided with a pickup truck Wednesday morning on Highway 29.
A 62-year old Milton woman failed to yield to the school bus when crossing the northbound lanes of Highway 29, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The front of the pickup collided with the side of the bus
The crash occurred about 9:20 a.m. on Highway 29 near West Roberts Road.
The driver of the pickup was taken to Baptist Hospital via ambulance due to minor injuries. The driver of the school bus, a 55-year old Molino woman was taken to West Florida Hospital via ambulance with minor injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Council Approves Mayor’s Request For Transcriptionist But Not Interim Town Clerk
May 8, 2024
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council approved the mayor’s request to spend perhaps as much as $40,000 for transcription services but did not approve his request to hire an interim town clerk.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said the town has fallen behind in the timely producing meeting minutes as required by Florida law. He said minutes need to be completed for about 40 meetings.
The council voted with council 3-1 member Sandra McMurray-Jackson absent and Shelisa Abraham against to allow Gomez to negotiate and execute a contract with Susan Owens, MPA, MMC, for provisional transcription services for the town. No bids were openly solicited for the services, and agenda materials did not state where the individual is located.
The council’s motion did not specify a dollar limit to be considered before allowing Gomez to execute the contract.
A “proposal summary” provided to the council states about 6,000 minutes needs to transcribed at a total estimated cost of $11,940. The proposal includes additional fees for document conversions, and low-quality audio, including garbled audio, mumbling, low volume and “people with accents”.
The staff recommendation on the proposal summary states, “Authorize the Mayor to negotiate and execute an agreement in an amount not to exceed $40,000 to retain transcription services.”
Gomez also asked permission to execute a contract with Lakisha Burch, MSL, MMC to provide interim city clerk services during the ongoing temporary leave of Town Clerk Leslie Howington, which is expected to continue about three months.
Burch proposed $26 per hour for up to 30 hours per week, with additional hours billed at $40.
A motion to give Gomez permission to move forward died due the lack of a second.
NorthEscambia.om file photo.
Cantonment Woman Accused Of Merchandise Return Fraud
May 8, 2024
A Cantonment woman is facing charges after two alleged merchandise return fraud incidents at Walmart.
Kandis Sheree Thomas, 64, was charged with misdemeanor petit theft and felony organized scheme to defraud. She was released on a $2,800 bond.
A loss prevention associate at the Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that on May 1 Thomas made a $327.38 purchase. She returned to the store a second time, selected the same items, went to customer service, and returned the unpurchased items for $327.38, according to an arrest report.
Thomas returned to the store on May 2, and used a receipt from a previous purchase to make a $50.46 return, the report continued.
As the loss prevention associate and the deputy spoke, Thomas provided $50 to the associate for repayment of the May 2 return, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas made numerous statements of guilt and made multiple apologies; the deputy noted in the arrest report.
She was charged with felony organized scheme to defraud “due to the systematic and ongoing course of conduct”, according to ECSO.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Is Saturday
May 8, 2024
Letter carriers to pick up tons of much-needed food donations at mailboxes across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this Saturday, May 11, as part of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Residents can participate by leaving non-perishable food donations at their mailboxes on Saturday for letter carriers to collect. Bags for the donations were previously delivered, but any bag can be used.
“People right here in our Northwest Florida community – your neighbors and mine – are struggling every day to put food on the table. They do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy healthy groceries for their families,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna Food Pantries. “The Stamp Out Hunger food drive makes it possible for Manna and many of the area’s food pantries to feed thousands of children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals in need in the months to come.”
Suggested healthy, non-perishable food items include canned fruit in 100% juice, canned mixed vegetables, canned chicken, canned tuna, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), peanut butter, and/or dry beans. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.
Donations will benefit local food banks and pantries in both counties, helping to ensure that families in need have access to nutritious food. Locally collected food donations will assist individuals and families served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.
“We are grateful to the National Association of Letter Carriers and our community for their support through this annual food drive. As our largest single food drive of the year, Stamp Out Hunger is deeply impactful for our one in seven neighbors, including 1 in 5 children right here in Northwest Florida who face the challenge of hunger,” says Michael Ledger, President & CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “Partnerships and community support like this food drive made it possible for Feeding the Gulf Coast to distribute more than 5.7 million meals into Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties in 2023. As we continue to see an increase in hardworking families and individuals, children, and seniors facing hunger, we are hopeful there will be strong community support this year.”
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), is in its 32nd year. It is the largest one-day food drive in the country. Last year Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers collected 190,853 pounds of food from generous residents, providing 219,862 healthy meals!
Layla Walker Reigns As Tate FFA Rodeo Queen
May 8, 2024
Layla Walker reigned as queen of the 33rd Annual Tate High School FFA Alumni Association Rodeo that took place last Friday and Saturday nights. Hannah Teague was first runner-up.
Other cowgirls competing for the rodeo queen title were Taylor Anderson, Makayla Godwin and Kryrie King.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com (below), click to enlarge.
Cox Inspirational Student Heroes Recognized From Each Escambia County School
May 8, 2024
The Escambia County Council on PTAs/PTSAs and Cox Communications recently held their annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards and ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year Awards in Escambia County. The two organizations came together this year to recognize 54 students who’ve overcome extreme hardships in their lives.
Escambia County’s Cox Inspirational Student Heroes/ECCPTAs/PTSAs Students of the Year for 2024 are:
- Aadan Adams – Ernest Ward Middle School
- Aldonjra Redmond – West Florida High School
- Alexander Tukes – Global Learning Academy
- Alisha Ullrich – Pine Forest High School
- Allyson Jones – Northview High School
- Amiyah Clark – Longleaf Elementary School
- Ariel Spencer – Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Autumn Marie Ladd – Beulah Middle School
- Brooklyn Wells – Escambia Westgate Center – Elementary School
- Cameryn Forrester – Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Charles Pugh – Ferry Pass Middle School
- Charlotte Smith – Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Colton Hernandez – Kingsfield Elementary School
- Daniel Bishop – Hellen Caro Elementary School
- David Stallworth – Bellview Middle School
- Davion Williams – Escambia Westgate Center – High School
- Diego Zepeda-Soto – Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Elijah Curry – Warrington Elementary School
- Elijah Tunstall – Sherwood Elementary School
- Emilia Jara-Pineda – Navy Point Elementary School
- Gavin Groff – Hope Horizon – Elementary School
- Grant Nunley – Jim Bailey Middle School
- Hannah Bertsinger – Brentwood Elementary School
- Issac Dillard – Ransom Middle School
- Jackson Shelnut – Tate High School
- James Thompson – Hope Horizon – Secondary Level
- Jaron Levi – Escambia High School
- Jasmine Long – Bellview Elementary School
- Jayden Webb – Holm Elementary School
- Jo’kavious Wilson – O.J. Semmes Elementary School
- Josiah Ray – Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Khia Ross-Celaius – West Pensacola Elementary School
- Lexi Knight – N.B. Cook Elementary School
- Lilyana Perdue – Escambia Westgate Center – Middle School
- Marcell Gibbs – Brown Barge Middle School
- Maria Lainez – Oakcrest Elementary School
- Mariah Matheny – Success Academy
- Matthew Gonzalez – Beulah Elementary School
- Meili Fernandez – Workman Middle School
- Narayia Toles – Cordova Park Elementary School
- Pedro “L.P.” Flores – Molino Park Elementary School
- Raphael Rios – Ensley Elementary School
- Reynaldo “Rey” Gonzalez – Washington High School
- Riley Machak-Cruz – Blue Angels Elementary School
- Robert “Weston” Spicer – Bratt Elementary School
- Robert Minter – Pensacola High School
- Saraya Johnson – Lipscomb Elementary School
- Sean Hammontree – Jim Allen Elementary School
- Terence Robinson – A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Te’vionnah Watson – Montclair Elementary School
- Treasure “Gracie” Boyer – McArthur Elementary School
- Za’Cyiah “Cyiah” Soglo – Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Zaylee Baker – Byrneville Elementary School
- Zialah Goble – C.A. Weis Elementary School
“It’s always an honor for us at Cox to applaud these students and celebrate what an inspiration they are to their peers and school staff,” said Cox Gulf Coast market vice president David Deliman. “They’ve overcome so many hardships in their young lives and still maintain a positive attitude. They’re true heroes and deserve their time in the spotlight.”
The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school, to honor their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome the loss of a family member, medical issue, difficult family situation, or other hardship, they did so with optimism while continuing to encourage and inspire others around them.
“The Escambia County Council of PTAs/PTSAs recognizes students who have, in many cases, overcome tremendous challenges while maintaining a positive attitude,” said Jennifer Harrison, president of the ECCPTA. “It’s our honor to recognize students who’ve seen significant improvement in various areas such as study habits, classroom behavior, interpersonal skills, or achievement of a specific academic or other relevant goal while overcoming a personal or family hardship or challenge.”
“We’re proud to partner with Cox Communications and the Escambia County Council of PTAs to recognize these inspiring students,” said Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Escambia County Public Schools is so grateful for our long-standing partnerships with Cox Communications and the PTAs, and the positive impact these partnerships have had in this community.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Tax Package With Sales Tax Holidays, Insurance Cuts
May 8, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed multiple tax holidays into law, which he says will provide $1.07 billion in tax relief for Floridians this year.
The tax package will help homeowners by providing a one-year exemption on taxes on residential property and flood insurance premiums. This is in addition to the $200 million that was signed last month for the My Safe Florida Home Program, bringing the total investment to the program to over $600 million since 2022. Since the governor signed reforms in 2022 and 2023, eight new companies have joined the homeowners insurance market in Florida. The success of these reforms is becoming increasingly clear in rate filings for insurers. In fact, 10 companies have filed a zero percent increase and 10 more have filed a rate decrease to take effect in 2024.
Additionally, this year’s tax cut package is a continuation of our annual tax holidays. These tax holidays include:
- Two Disaster Preparedness Holidays; June 1—14 and August 24—September 6, families can prepare for hurricane season with items like tarps, batteries, and flashlights, sales tax free.
- The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 29—August 11, families can save on pens, pencils, computers, clothing, and other school supplies.
- The Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday: September 1—7, Floridians can save on power tools, hand tools, toolboxes, and other items.
- The Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday: July 1—31, Florida families can purchase summer items like pool floats, fishing supplies, and outdoor equipment, in addition to admissions to museums and state parks, sales tax free.
More information is in the graphic below.
Among other savings, the tax relief package also includes a sales tax credit for businesses that employ persons with disabilities. Additionally, the bill increases the cap for the Strong Families Tax Credit Program from $20 million to $40 million, which supports organizations focused on child welfare.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Foiled By Strong Pitching In Series Opener Against Barons
May 8, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
No team so far has been able to fully crack Birmingham Barons pitcher Drew Thorpe.
The Blue Wahoos were unable to do so, either.
Thorpe, rated the No. 3 prospect in the Chicago White Sox minor league system and ranked among the game’s top overall prospects, showed his command and calm Tuesday in his sixth start as the visiting Barons produced a 2-0 victory against the Blue Wahoos in a series-opening clash of the league’s two division leaders.
Thorpe (5-1) lowered his earned run average to 1.01 after allowing just two hits, two walks and striking out five in 5.2 innings. He was the New York Yankees’ second-round pick in 2022 after an All-American season at Cal-Poly where he set a school record with 149 strikeouts in a season.
He’s played a big role in the Barons’ (20-7) dominating first month of the schedule, which is by far the best record in the Southern League. The Blue Wahoos (15-13) entered with four wins in six road games last week against the Mississippi Braves.
A crowd of 3,682 at Blue Wahoos Stadium – the largest Tuesday crowd so far this season – again included a wide array of various dog breeds on Doggone Tuesday where people are allowed to bring their pups to the park.
The fans saw strong pitching and defense on both sides.
Neither team had a hit or a baserunner through three innings. Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez again excelled in his fifth start.
The only two pitches he didn’t locate exactly as desired left the ballpark.
After retiring the first two batters in the fourth inning, Barons catcher Edgar Quero blasted a fastball from Bermúdez over the left-center wall for the game’s first run.
In the fifth, the Barons’ Tim Elko led off with a moon shot over the left field wall on a well-timed connection on a changeup pitch.
That was the offense in the game. The Blue Wahoos bullpen had three relievers combine to pitch four scoreless innings the rest of the way.
Blue Wahoos newcomer Nathan Martorella, who joined the team Tuesday, had Pensacola’s first hit in the fourth inning with a two out double down the right field line. Martorella was part of a four-player trade of San Diego Padres prospects for Miami Marlins star Luis Arráez, a former Blue Wahoos player in 2019, who has won batting titles in the American and National League the past two seasons.
Martorella also had a hard out in the ninth inning, leading off with a ball driven deep to center that was caught.
The Blue Wahoos had their best scoring chance thwarted when Jacob Berry was thrown on in the sixth inning trying to score after tagging up from third on Cody Morissette’s fly ball to centerfielder Jacob Burke. But Burke’s one-bounce strike to the plate was a perfect throw to get Berry.
The Blue Wahoos had two baserunners for the only time in the sixth inning after singles by Jakob Marsee, who also was part of the Arráez trade, and Paul McIntosh. Martorella struck out on a high fastball from reliever Eric Adler to end the inning.
The second game of the series on Wednesday will feature an 11:05 a.m. start for the second Education Day of the season. The gates will open at 10 a.m. The broadcast will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Blue Wahoos.com/radio or the MILB app.
GAME NOTABLE
— This series-opening game Tuesday is one of 18 meetings – the most since the Blue Wahoos joined the Southern League – with the Barons. The Blue Wahoos will twice play in Birmingham this season.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
PROMOTION: Education Day. The second of this season’s mid-day, matinee games will feature more than 2,000 area school children from schools in four different counties. Tickets are available for the general public as well.