NEP All-Stars Headed To World Series
July 13, 2010
The Northeast Pensacola 13U All-Stars recently finished second in the Florida Dizzy Dean tournament. They have been invited to compete in the Dizzy Dean World Series in Jefferson, Georgia, beginning Friday.
“I am excited and feel honored to represent the Pensacola area in such a big tournament,” said Shadow Singleton, pitcher and catcher for NEP.
Pictured are: (front, L-R) Mitch Haigler, Casper Gaal, Ben Glodfelter, Jesse Yetzer, Austin Gardner, Brett Weeks, Jesse Gunter, (back, L-R) Coach Weeks, Kyle McLemore, Ashton Linton, Coach Haigler, Shadow Singleton, Dakota Singleton, Coach Brake. Photo courtesy Herman Allday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supreme Court: Ackerman Should Not Return To Escambia Bench
July 13, 2010
The Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion Monday advising Gov. Charlie Crist that Escambia County Judge David Ackerman should not return to the bench.
Ackerman resigned his office on May 24 with the intent to return in February, one month after he was to begin new six-year term. He was the only candidate to qualify for the position. Ackerman resigned, he said, to collect a $1.3 million lump sum retirement payment to deal with a financial problem involving his wife’s business.
In an unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court said Crist should appoint a new judge to fill the position.
“The consideration that must predominate here is the right of the people of Escambia County to the services of a county judge when the incumbent has presented himself to the people for reelection but then has laid aside the duties of his office,” the justices wrote in their opinion. “A judgeship is not an office that may be temporarily forsaken at will for personal benefit.”
The Judicial Nomination Commission has presented the governor with a list of five attorneys recommended to fill Ackerman’s post: Thomas Dannheisser, Michelle Inere, John Miller, Lee Robinson, and Clara Smith. The appointed judge will serve for two years, at which time Ackerman could seek election again to his former job.
Click here to read the complete opinion issued Monday by the Florida Supreme Court.
It’s Primary Election Runoff Day In Alabama
July 13, 2010
Today is primary election runoff day in Alabama, with a gubernatorial and school board race on the ballot in Escambia County.
Republican party members across the county will have the opportunity to cast their vote for Bradley Bryne or Robert Bentley for governor, Dorman Grace or John McMillan for commissioner of agriculture, and Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh or Stephen Evans for public service commissioner.
Democratic voters in the county will choose between James Anderson or Giles Perkins for attorney general. Voters in District 4 will also cast their ballots in a runoff race between Stephanie Agerton and Bo Brantley for school board.
Polls will be open in Escambia County (Ala.) will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Magical Summer Reading Fun Today At The Library
July 13, 2010
Today wraps up the summer reading series at the Century Branch Library, and there is just one more program to go at the Jay Library.
At noon today, magician Beau Broomall will perform a show for all ages. The event is free. Broomall, who started learning magic at the age of 10, has been a professional magician for the past 20 years, performing across the country.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
On Monday, July 19, it will be Rainy Days and Muddy Mischief for preschoolers and The Little Mermaid performed by Jacksonville State Unversity’s Children’s Theater for ages K-5. The programs are at 11 a.m. for 3-5 years old that are able to attend without a caregiver and at 1 p.m. for students who have completed K-5th grade.
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
Pictured above: Magician Beau Broomall at a recent performance at the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center. Submitted file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP: Traffic Crashes Up During Fourth Weekend
July 13, 2010
Traffic crashes in the local FHP district were up over 40 percent during the Fourth of July weekend over the same holiday period last year.
There were 126 crashes in district this year, up from 88 in 2009. Those crashes happened July 2-5 in the Florida Highway Patrol’s Troop A, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun and Gulf counties.
There were two fatalities in FHP Troop A area, with 16 overall fatalities across Florida.
The FHP issued 9,334 citations during the Independence Day weekend across the state. Troopers made 100 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and cited more than 3,000 drivers for speeding and more than 1,000 for failure to buckle up.
“The Florida Highway Patrol works hard to ensure residents and visitors make it safely to their destinations,” said Col. John Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “For us, that means putting additional troopers on the roadways to deter and to stop motorists who drive illegally and without regard to others’ safety. FHP does not tolerate risky behavior, such as drinking and driving, and neither should you. The Patrol encourages motorists to report aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347) from your cell phones.”
Pictured above: A passenger in this vehicle was injured in an early morning crash July 3 near Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Pictured below: A passenger in the vehicle was transported by LifeFlight. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Summer Sizzle Continues
July 13, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. West wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south southwest. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93.
BP Lowers Cap On Oil Well, Appears Contained
July 12, 2010
BP has lowered a new cap on the gushing oil well in the Gulf of Mexico Monday, with underwater video appearing to show the leak is contained.
BP officials have not officially commented on the new cap. They have said that it will take from a few hours to two days to monitor the cap and make sure there are no other leaks from the well.
The new cap is not a permanent fix; BP is still working on two relief wells to reach the blown-out well from underground and plug it with mud and concrete.
Pictured above: The image on the left shows the cap being moved into place. The image on the right shows the containment cap over the well.
Cassandra C. Thompson
July 12, 2010
Cassandra C. Thompson, age 66, of Jay, passed away July 08, 2010.
She is survived by her sons Jim Faust of Mobile, AL, and Matt Faust (Kathy) of Jay, FL, her daughter Dedra Singleton (Duayne) of Molino, FL, her grandchildren Justin Landers, Savannah Singleton, Mitchell Singleton, and Trevor Singleton, her sisters Mary Jo Stout (Chuck) of Valpariso, FL and Karleen Polk (Jim) of Nashville, TN.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday July 13, 2010 at 10:00 AM with visitation from 9 to 10 am in the Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home. Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, condolences may be offered at www.EasternGateMemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Covenant Hospice.
Margene Odessa Jones
July 12, 2010
Mrs. Margene Odessa Jones, 81, died Friday, July 9, 2010, in a Jay, Fla. hospital. She was a native of Jay, and had been a resident of the Flomaton area for a number of years. She had worked as a seamstress for Vanity Fair during her working years and she was a member of Flomaton Church of Christ.
She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 12, at 11 a.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home chapel with Minister Pete Davis and Elder Larry White officiating. Burial followed at Flomaton Cemetery with Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Former Century Resident Buck Showalter ‘Heavy Favorite’ To Manage The Orioles
July 12, 2010
ESPN reported Sunday that former Century resident Buck Showalter is the “heavy favorite” to become the next manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
Showalter, who is currently an analyst with ESPN, reportedly meet with the team again this weekend. He has met with team officials several times since Dave Trebly was fired as the Orioles’ manager in early June. A replacement is not expected to be named until after Tuesday’s All-Star game.
Showalter has managed the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
He moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
His father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. Showalter played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after him.
Photo courtesy ESPN.