Big Day For Burdick, But Blue Wahoos Drop Series Finale
August 9, 2021
Biloxi took advantage of some Blue Wahoos miscues in the sixth inning to break open a scoreless game and followed with a 5-2 win Sunday in the series finale between the teams.
The outcome earned the Shuckers (32-52) a split in the six games at MGM Park in Biloxi, Miss. The Blue Wahoos (42-42) dropped back to .500 and extended their struggles to win a series since taking five games from Biloxi during the Fourth of July weekend in Pensacola.
Following the game, the Blue Wahoos returned home and will begin a 12-game homestand on Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium with the first six games against the Montgomery Biscuits. The Biscuits (47-36) are a half-game behind the Mississippi Braves atop their division in the Double-A South.
The Biscuits’ series will feature a special “Social Media Night” on Tuesday, followed by the much-anticipated “Crabzilla Festival” on Wednesday. In that game, the Blue Wahoos will wear custom-made, orange colored uniforms for the Crabzilla promotion in celebration of the popular, monster crab sandwich sold at the ballpark.
In addition, there will be a Giveaway Friday promotion and the standard Saturday fireworks show during the homestand. The Blue Wahoos will then host the Shuckers for a series which begins Aug. 17.
Sunday’s game in Biloxi began with outstanding pitching on both sides. Blue Wahoos starter Jeff Lindgren (3-8, 4.77 ERA) produced one of his finest outings of the season before running into trouble in the sixth.
The Shuckers began their rally with a leadoff double by Ryan Aguilar – only the fourth hit allowed by Lindgren – then followed by scoring three runs without another hit.
A throwing error by Blue Wahoos catcher Santiago Chavez on a sacrifice bunt allowed the first run to score. Then a wild pitch and a one-out walk by Lindgren led to a pitching change. Lindgren left with 5.1 innings pitched four hits, one earned run and walked just one batter in a solid outing.
Reliever Jefry Yan replaced Lindgren and struggled. He threw a wild pitch, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly, then hit a batter and walked the next two to force in a third run.
The Shuckers added two more runs in the seventh inning on an error, plus solo home run off reliever Matt Pobereyko.
The Blue Wahoos got their first run in the eighth inning after Peyton Burdick led off with a walk and eventually scored on Chris Chinea’s one-out single.
It was another big game for Burdick, who went 3-for-4 and drove in a ninth-inning run. He will enter the homestand needing one home run to match the Blue Wahoos’ franchise record (20) set by the Cincinnati Reds’ Aristides Aquino during his tenure in Pensacola.
Chinea had two hits in the game, along with a walk to boost his average to .278.
In the first six innings, the Blue Wahoos had just two hits, both by Burdick, and only four baserunners. The Shuckers first three pitchers combined to record seven strikeouts and just two walks.
Up next, the Blue Wahoos will host the Montgomery Biscuits August 10-15. Games Tuesday through Friday start at 6:35 p.m., then 6:05 p.m. on Saturday and 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Motorcycle Crash In Beulah Claims One Life, Critically Injures Another
August 8, 2021
A collision in Beulah claimed the life of one motorcyclist Saturday afternoon and critically injured another.
The crash occurred about 5:05 p.m. at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a car driven by a 30-year old Pensacola man was traveling east on Nine Mile Road and initiated a turn toward northbound Highway 99. At the same time, the motorcycle traveling west entered the intersection and collided with the right front of the car.
The 49-year old male driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene. His passenger, a 45-year old female from Eight Mile, Alabama, was critically injured. The driver of the car was not injured.
Troopers said charges are unknown at this time. FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Pictured: A motorcyclist was killed in a collision Saturday afternoon at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road. Photo: Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: What To Expect This Week
August 8, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Monday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
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- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
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- Brief, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to continue through the end of the year as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pile driving operations are underway and will take place during daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 13 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvement work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit on West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 9 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers can expect the following traffic impacts the week of Monday, Aug. 9:
- Intermittent lane closures and shifts 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The on- and off-ramps at the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road interchange may be reduced to a single lane during the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Signage will be in place and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct motorists.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Maintenance Work on the Eastbound Flyover Ramp onto I-10 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the eastbound flyover ramp on to I-10, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 12 as crews make repairs to the ramp.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Monday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts currently.
- Santa Rosa County- The temporary traffic signal that was erected as part of the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour on Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) at Garcon Point Road (County Road 191) will be removed beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: The final layer of asphalt on Nine Mile Road near Fowler Avenue. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Cell Tower Proposed For Highway 95A In Cottage Hill
August 8, 2021
A new cell tower is being proposed on commercial property in the Cottage Hill area.
Parallel Towers III, LLC, has plans for a 195-foot high, self-supporting tower on part of a 12.4 acre parcel. There would also be a 114 square foot building next to the tower located on a parcel with the current Arnett’s Grading and Landscaping at 2222 Highway 95A, just north of McKenzie Road.
The application does not specify which cellular company plans to use the tower.
The plans are set for a pre-application meeting with the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) on August 11. There are additional steps before potential DRC approval, they the company must acquire building permits and approval from various agencies before the tower could be built. There’s no guarantee that the tower will ever reach the construction phase.
NorthEscambia.com graphic. Below: The tower will be located north of this business on the same property. File photo, click to enlarge.
Back To School Giveaway Held At Quintette Community Center
August 8, 2021
A back to school giveaway was held Saturday at the Quintette Community Center. With the support of George Washington Lodge #15, students received supplies, snacks and a book bag. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Rebound From Friday’s Loss With Shutout Win Over Biloxi
August 8, 2021
Behind a brilliant performance from Will Stewart (W, 5-5) the Blue Wahoos shut out the Shuckers 4-0 on Saturday night at MGM Park.
Stewart, who entered play today in sensational form—needed just 70 pitches to hurl six shutout innings against the Shuckers. He did so while surrendering only three hits and one walk while striking out three. The only blemishes on his night were a pair of errors, which ultimately had no impact on the game.
The first came in the top of the third when he failed to pick up a David Hamilton bunt attempt with his glove. However, Stewart struck out the next two batters to end the inning. In the fifth, his throw to first on a swinging bunt was low and skipped past Lazaro Alonso for a two-base throwing error. In that inning—and Biloxi’s best chance at scoring—the Shuckers literally ran themselves out of the inning with a bizarre double play.
With runners at second and third, Stewart fielded a comebacker to the mound that caused Cam Devanney to be in a rundown between third and home. The Wahoos ran Devanney back to third; however, the runner who started at second (Hamilton) was on third base as Devanney approached the bag. Devanney gave himself up as Santiago Chavez tagged him out; but at that same moment, Hamilton retreated to second base. The Wahoos then had Hamilton in a rundown and ultimately, he was tagged out to end the inning.
Since July 1st, Stewart has an ERA has a 2.43 ERA, which is the lowest in the Double-A South. He is also 1-0 over his previous two starts against Biloxi, with 12 shutout innings and only five hits allowed against the Brewers’s Double-A affiliate.
After Stewart’s six innings, Pensacola’s bullpen retired all nine batters they faced to end the game.
Offensively, Peyton Burdick led the way with a 2-for-3 night that included his 19th home run of the season. Tied at 0-0, Burdick turned the first pitch he saw from Carlos Luna (L, 1-2) around and drilled it to left to put Pensacola ahead 1-0. He later singled in the fifth and added two walks giving him 63 on the year (most in Double-A).
Pensacola doubled their lead in the top of the fifth when Griffin Conine knocked a two-out RBI single to right that scored Chavez. In the seventh, JJ Bleday snapped a 0-for-19 skid with a two-out two-run double to put the Wahoos ahead 4-0.
Pensacola looks to close out the series with a win in Sunday’s finale
Blue Angels License Plates Are Released And Now On The Road In Escambia County
August 8, 2021
The first Blue Angels license plates are now on the streets of Escambia County.
One Saturday, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford held a distribution event, serving about 500 people that had preordered a voucher for the specialty plate. All total, 625 Blue Angels license plates were issued.
Lunsford told NorthEscambia.com that 1,767 Blue Angels license plates were sold to Escambia County residents.
Another distribution event will be held Saturday, August 14. To schedule an appointment, click or tap here on or after Monday, August 9. Attendees should bring proof of insurance and the tag number they are replacing.
Vouchers can also be redeemed or the plate can be purchased in-person beginning Monday. Anyone that purchased a voucher and wishes to have the plate mailed can also contact the tax collector’s office.
“Escambia County is blessed to be the home of the world-class Naval Aviation Museum and National Flight Academy,” stated Escambia County Tax Collector, Scott Lunsford. “We are proud to partner with the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation to promote this plate and honor all naval aviators on whose shoulders both institutions were built. The purchase of a Blue Angels specialty plate is an investment in our community and our children.”
“I am proud to join my colleagues to celebrate the release of the Blue Angels specialty license plate. We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support from the community for this license plate and the Naval Aviation Museum,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said.
Rear Admiral Kyle Cozad, President and CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation noted, “The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation would like to thank Senator Doug Broxson, the entire Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation, and Escambia County Tax Collector, Scott Lunsford, for their extraordinary efforts in making the Blue Angels specialty plate a reality.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District Will Not Require Masks; Full List Of COVID-19 Protocols Released
August 7, 2021
There will not be a mask mandate for the Escambia County School District during the upcoming year. That was just one of the COVID-19 policies announced late Friday by the school district.
“Students may wear masks or facial coverings as a mitigation measure; however, the school must allow for a parent or guardian of the student to opt-out the student from wearing a face covering mask,” the policy states.
Students opted out of wearing masks cannot be subjected to any harassment or discrimination. Specifically, schools are forbidden from relegating the non-mask wearing students to certain physical locations, isolating them during school activities and fron excluding them from any school sponsored event or activity.
Routine cleaning of classrooms and high traffic areas will be encouraged under the plan, and Students will be encouraged to practice routine hand-washing throughout the day.
The Escambia County School District plans to allow for normal school activities such as field trips. Athletic events and extracurricular activities such as band and choral concerts will occur without seating capacity limits.
Volunteers will be allowed back on school campuses this year, and they will be allowed to chaperone field trips. Volunteers are subject to the normal pre-pandemic application process.
There will be no remote learning option this year, but the Escambia Virtual Academy is still available for grades K-12. Registration ends August 31.
To read the complete policy, including guidelines for COVID-19 positive or exposed students, click or tap here (pdf).
The first day of school in Escambia County is Wednesday, August 11.
Pictured: A classroom at Lipscomb Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Trafficking Cocaine, Concealed Weapon Offense After Traffic Stop
August 7, 2021
A Cantonment man is facing drug and weapons charges after a traffic stop.
Samuel Cooler, Jr., 29, was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of a concealed firearm without a license, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Numerous deputies were in the area of Olive Road and Old Spanish Trail Road after a man reported that he was robbed by several people and one or more of them fled in a gray Dodge Charger. An ECSO investigator spotted a vehicle that matched the description that headed east on Olive Road at up to 80 mph.
Deputies stopped the vehicle in front of an apartment complex on Olive Road. Deputies approached they vehicle and were able to see a large clear bag containing marijuana on the rear passenger seat and the handle of a gun between the center console and the driver’s seat, according to an arrest report.
Cooler, the only occupant, was ordered out of the vehicle and deputies located a “large amount” of currency in his front left shorts pocket. A search of the vehicle located two large bags of marijuana, a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun, two cellphones and a backpack that contained a bag of about 36 grams crack cocaine, about 13 grams of cocaine powder, another large bag of marijuana, a digital scale and a box of empty sandwich bags, the arrest report states. The report notes Cooler is not a convicted felon and does not hold a concealed weapons permit.
Portions of Cooler’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report, but the report states Cooler said the marijuana was in the vehicle but the cocaine was not his. He also said the approximate $2,300 in currency found in his pocket was obtained from his job at a security company.
Cooler’s vehicle and cell phones were seized.
Escambia Reports 1,944 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week; Hospitalizations Increase
August 7, 2021
There were 1,944 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 268 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 38,193 (+1,944)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 25%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 21,319 (+1,118)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 29.5%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,725,450 (+134,506)
Case positivity rate: 18.5%
Deaths: 39,695 (+175)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate; the number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities has been removed.