Cribbs Delivers In The Clutch; Wahoos Walk-Off Lookouts 2-1
July 16, 2021
Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Devin Hairston doubled before Galli Cribbs lined the game-winning single to left to give Pensacola a thrilling 2-1 walk-off win against the Lookouts on Thursday.
Hairston wasted no time in the ninth and he ground the first pitch he saw from Matt Pidich (L, 2-4) just inside the left field line for a leadoff double. That brought up Cribbs, who initially was trying to lay down a sac bunt. However, after a couple of pitches—and the corner infielders crashing aggressively—Cribbs laced a line drive into left-center that allowed Hairston to score the winning run from second. That base hit gave Pensacola their seventh walk-off win in 32 games at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Unlike the first couple of games in the series, neither side was able to generate much offense. For Chattanooga, their only run came from a solo homer against Max Meyer in the top of the third. Outside of that pitch, Meyer was excellent in his first outing since participating in the Futures Game in Denver. The Marlins #3 prospect ultimately worked six innings and allowed four hits while walking one and striking out four. It also was his third quality start of the season.
Chattanooga starter Ricky Salinas was even better for the Lookouts as he worked 5.2 shutout innings, scattering seven hits while tying his season high with eight strikeouts.
The Wahoos bullpen again rose to the occasion late in the game. Alberto Guerrero entered the game in the seventh and delivered two shutout innings. Dylan Bice (W, 4-1) replaced him in the ninth, and despite a leadoff walk, and runners on the corners with only one out, managed to escape trouble without conceding a run.
With the win, and Mississippi’s 10-2 loss to the Smokies, the Wahoos are now three games back of the M-Braves for the best record in the league.
The series continues tomorrow with LHP Jake Eder (3-2, 1.33) taking the hill for Pensacola. Chattanooga is using the combination of RHP Mac Sceroler (1-0, 1.50) and RHP Dylan Baker (0-0, 9.00).
Firefighters Battle Blaze At ECUA Recycling Center In Beulah
July 15, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s recycling facility was damaged by fire Thursday afternoon, but the extent of the damage remains to be seen.
The fire was reported about 5:10 at the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) located at the Perdido Landfill in Beulah.
“The fire appears to have been located in the chute of the metal sorting area. Initial indications point to the possibility of a propane tank or battery, mixed in with the metal recyclables, as the potential source of the fire. An investigation as to the cause of the fire is ongoing,” ECUA spokesperson Nathalie Bowers told NorthEscambia.com. At the time, ECUA staff and fire officials were waiting for the smoke to clear to fully evaluate the damage to the MRF.
The visible fire was knocked down after 30 minutes, and there no injuries reported, according to Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale.
“There is currently no impact to recycling collections for tomorrow and they remain on the normal schedule. Updates will be released as information becomes available,” Bowers said.
At about 8 p.m., firefighters were working to cool a hot spot and expected to remain on scene at couple more hours.
The Bellview, Ensley, Beulah, Ferry Pass and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, NAS Pensacola Fire, and Escambia County EMS responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Sentenced To State Prison For Molesting Young Girl
July 15, 2021
A now 79-year old Molino man has been sentenced to five years in state prison for sexually molesting a young girl over the course of several years.
Daniel Durwood Edmonson was charged in July 2019 with sexual battery on a victim under 12-years old and lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under age 12.
Edmonson was also sentenced to 20 years of sexual offender probation upon release, and he was designated as a sexual predator.
At age 15, the girl disclosed the abuse by Edmonson to investigators. She said Edmonson had molested her for years at his residence, when she was between the ages of 5 and 12. Edmonson and the girl were related, according to court documents.
Woman, Two Dogs Rescued From Rising Floodwaters At Bluff Springs Recreation Area
July 15, 2021
A woman and her dogs were rescued from rising floodwaters Thursday afternoon in the Bluff Springs Recreation Area.
The Fort Walton Beach woman said she had been camping next to one of the gravel lakes for the past three or four days. By Thursday, the water was too deep for her to leave with her dogs or get her vehicle out.
Using a boat belonging to an area resident, Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were able to reach the woman and bring her back to dry land. The ECSO was working to assist the woman with a place to stay and transportation.
The woman and her dogs were not injured.
“I’m just glad you helped us,” she told her rescuers.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff Says He’s Cracking Down On Speeding, Meth And Crime in Century
July 15, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Wednesday that he’s cracking down on speeding, meth and crime in Century.
“We are working with Mayor (Ben) Boutwell up there on some speeding right now,” Simmons said.
“In fact I am I telling you now, if you are coming and going through Century, we are going to start writing some tickets because the mayor of Century called me and said, ‘hey I need some help up here’. And we wanted to give some warnings, to be quite honest, but we also have to write some citations at certain times because there are fatalities taking place so we have to have traffic enforcement,” the sheriff said during a Jeff Bergosh “Coffee with the Commissioner” video event.
Simmons said the department is also targeting crime in Century.
“There are a lot of people riding their own ATVs wreaking some havoc with the people that live up in Century. And there is a bit of a meth issue up there in Century that we are targeting as well,” said Simmons. “So soon you will see a lot more speed enforcement coming in and out of Century, but you’ll also see the efforts on 4-wheelers, on ATVs; we have a bicycle unit that is funded through a grant.”
“It is very important for people to see the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office out there in their neighborhoods, not just engaging, but very much enforcing the laws and putting people in jail that need to go to jail,” he said.
“We are working with all of our communities,” he said, mentioning the opening of the Molino and Perdido precincts this year.
“I wanted every area of Escambia County to have that sense of a small town feel where you know who is doing your policing, you know who to go to. You don’t have to go to the sheriff; you can, but you don’t have to. You can go right around the corner to the Molino Precinct or the Cantonment Precinct.”
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducts a traffic stop on North Century Boulevard at Tedder Road. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Allegedly Threw Rock At Dump Truck For Driving On His Grass
July 15, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged with a weapons offense after allegedly throwing a rock at a dump truck after it traveled across his grass.
Kevin Lynn Goude, 46, was charged with a second degree felony for throwing deadly missiles and third degree felony criminal mischief.
A woman delivering a load of dirt for a septic tank company pulled about two feet off the road into a grassy area. “The large dump truck left slight marks in the grass but did not appear to damage the lawn in any way,” an Escambia County deputy wrote in an arrest report, noting that the area was on the county right of way.
The victim said she was approached by Goude who cussed her out and physically threatened her over the marks in the grass, the report states. He then allegedly threw a rock that hit the hood of the dump truck and bounced off a window, causing over $1,000 in damage to the 2020 model Peterbilt.
The report notes that Goude’s property on Soft Point Drive backs up to the incident location.
Goude was release from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Clean Two Parks For Community Service Day
July 15, 2021
Wednesday was community service day at the Northview High School NJROTC NS1 camp. The cadets served the community by cleaning the Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt and the Byrneville Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola’s Offense Sputters; Lookouts Even Series With 5-1 Win Over The Wahoos
July 15, 2021
Chattanooga scored twice in the second and never trailed as they beat the Wahoos 5-1 Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Will Stewart (L, 3-5) made his 12th start of the year for Pensacola and came just short of his third quality start in a row. The lefty ran into trouble in the second when the Lookouts opened the frame with three consecutive base hits. With runners at first and second and the Lookouts up 1-0, Errol Robinson laced an RBI single to left; however, the Wahoos executed defensively and the cutoff man, Connor Justus, cut Peyton Burdick’s throw and trapped Chuckie Robinson in a rundown between second and third. The next batter struck out, limiting Chattanooga to a two-run lead.
Pensacola had a response in the third inning when they scored their only run of the night. After a leadoff walk, Galli Cribbs Jr. dropped a drag bunt down for a base hit. Chattanooga starter Connor Curlis (W, 4-4) tried to make a glove flip to first and instead tossed the ball towards the dugout for his second of the year.
With runners at second and third, J.D. Orr ripped a one-out single to score Justus and cut the deficit down to 2-1. After Orr stole second, Burdick and JJ Bleday struck out to end the inning.
That was the best chance for the Wahoos who were held off the board for the rest of the night. Pensacola was limited to three hits after their 11-run, 10-hit performance on Tuesday.
Curlis turned in his best outing of the year as the southpaw pitched 6.2 innings (season-high) and allowed just one unearned run while walking two and striking out nine.
Stewart took the hill in the seventh, but failed to retire a batter. After loading the bases, Pensacola brought in Alexander Guillen; however, Chattanooga brought home all three runs to put them up 5-1.
The series continues tomorrow evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium. RHP Max Meyer (4-1, 1.67) takes the hill for Pensacola and he will be opposed by RHP Ricky Salinas (3-3, 4.50).
State Awards Almost $1.4 Million In Grants To Century And Jay
July 14, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced $1.375 in grants for the towns of Century and Jay.
Through the Florida Small Cities CDBG program, Century was awarded $700,000 to upgrade a sewage treatment plant serving three low- and moderate-income service areas. All three areas will benefit from the installation of new pumps, electrical and plumbing, and a new monitoring system and infiltration controls. Specifically, the grant will be used for a wastewater treatment plant sludge press and to rebuild sewage lift stations that serve the Pilgrim Lodge and Industrial Boulevard areas.
Century also received $35,000 through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Competitive Florida Partnership program for a workforce development initiative.
Jay received a $600,000 Florida Small Cities CDBG grant to resurface multiple streets located in four low- and moderate-income service areas.
A Community Planning Technical Assistance was grant of $40,000 awarded to Jay to update land development regulations based on Florida state statutes and Santa Rosa County restrictions.
DeSantis announced grants totaling more than $30 million to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment and job creation in small and rural Florida communities.
“Florida’s rural communities are vital to the well-being and prosperity of our state, and my administration is committed to helping them thrive,” said DeSantis. “The more than $30 million we are awarding today will help ensure that our small and rural communities have the infrastructure and funding they need to create jobs and strengthen their economic resiliency.
Pictured: The Century Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Administrator Dan Schebler Resigns; Brad Baker Named Acting Assistant Administrator
July 14, 2021
Santa Rosa County Administrator Dan Schebler resigned Tuesday, and Brad Baker has been named the acting assistant county administrator effective Monday, July 19.
Baker is currently the Santa Rosa County Public Safety director.
“Brad is an exceptional public servant and a valued and respected team member,” said Schebler. “I know he will continue his commitment to excellence as the acting assistant county administrator.”
After over four years of service to Santa Rosa County, Schebler submitted a letter Tuesday to “voluntarily terminate his employment agreement” with Santa Rosa County in 90 days.
Baker started working for the county in 1988 and comes with over 25 years of service to Santa Rosa County in public safety and many more in the emergency services field. Baker is also actively involved in his community serving as the fire chief of Allentown Volunteer Fire Department.
“It has been my honor and pleasure to serve the board, the citizens and dedicated staff of Santa Rosa County as their administrator,” said Schebler. “I appreciate the trust and confidence the board gave me and am truly humbled to have had the opportunity to work with so many dedicated public servants, engaged citizens and community groups that are committed to excellence in service to our county.”
The Santa Rosa County commissioners will discuss next steps at a future meeting.
Pictured: Santa Rosa County Administrator Dan Schebler (left) and Brad Baker, newly named acting assistant county administrator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.