Suns Even Series With Win Over The Pensacola Wahoos
April 29, 2012
The Jacksonville Suns claimed a 5-2 win over the Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Suns plated three runs in the first, which would prove to be all they would need on their way to evening the series at two game apiece.
Tim Crabbe (L, 1-1) settled down after the first inning and lasted 5.1 innings in the losing effort for Pensacola. Of the three runs he allowed, two were earned. Crabbe only walked one batter in the game, a new season low, and he struck out six, one shy of his season high.
Pensacola pulled within a run on a two-run homer by Cody Puckett in the sixth, but that was all the Wahoos would get. Jacksonville added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh. Wilkin De La Rosa inherited a bases loaded situation and hit the first batter he faced to force in one run, then walked the next, forcing in another. Both runs were charged to Drew Hayes. De La Rosa went on to strike out the next two batters to get out of the inning.
Ryan LaMarre singled in the fifth inning to extend his hit streak to a team-high 11 games. Puckett’s home run was one of his team-leading two hits for the game.
Suns starter Graham Taylor (W, 2-1) earned the win by working six innings and allowing both Blue Wahoos runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five. Evan Reed (S, 6) closed the came with a pair of perfect innings for the save.
The series concludes on Sunday when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (1-2, 4.98) to mound. Jacksonville’s starter has not been announced at this time. First pitch is set for 2:05 CT from the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
By Tommy Thrall
Jones, Wetzel To Wed
April 29, 2012
Duane and Melanie Hines of Brewton and Doug Jones of Gulf Shores are proud to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ashleigh Elizabeth Jones, to Travis Michael Wetzel, son of Mike and Karen Wetzel of Pensacola.
The bride elect is the granddaughter of Evelyn Riley and the late Gordon Riley of Brewton and Nick and Melba Jones of Gulf Shores.
Ashleigh is a 2008 graduate of T. R. Miller High School where she served as valedictorian. She is graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Montevallo in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Ashleigh will be attending the University of West Florida in Pensacola to pursue a Master’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in statistics.
The prospective groom is the grandson of Paul and Shirley Wetzel of Pensacola and the late Geraldine Morris of Jay.
Travis is a 2006 graduate of Jay High School, graduated from Pensacola State College in Pensacola with an Associate of Science degree and is currently attending Global University, majoring in ministerial studies. He is currently employed with David Bowen Sporting Goods in Pace and as associate pastor and worship pastor at Courts of Praise Fellowship in Pensacola.
The wedding is planned for May 26, 2012, at Courts of Praise Fellowship in Pensacola.
Wreck, Gas Leak Shut Down Molino Road
April 28, 2012
A portion of Molino Road was closed for about 45 minutes late Saturday afternoon after a single vehicle wreck caused a natural gas leak.
The driver of a Pontiac G6 lost control on Molino Road about 5:15 p.m., ran off the roadway, struck a culvert, a sign and a fence before hitting an above ground one-inch natural gas service line. The gas line was broken, creating a leak.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured in the crash. Two nearby residents self-evacuated as a precaution due to the gas leak.
The leak was secured and repaired by the Okaloosa Gas District by about 6 p.m., and Molino Road was reopened to traffic.
For a more photos from the scene, click here.
The Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash. Further details have not been released by FHP.
Pictured above and below: This single vehicle crash late Saturday afternoon in Molino created a gas leak, shutting down Molino Road for about 45 minutes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jury Trial Recessed For Molino Pharmacy ‘Underwear Robber’
April 28, 2012
The trial of a Molino man accused of robbing a local pharmacy in 2010 while wearing underwear on his head was delayed Friday over the availability of a witness.
The jury trial of Joseph Daniel Flowers, now 58, got underway Thursday on multiple charges including robbery with a firearm and several drug possession charges for the September 20, 2010, holdup of Scott’s Pharmacy on Highway 29,
On the first day of the trial, Judge Gary Bergosh denied a defense motion to disallow video of the robbery and denied a defense request for acquittal. The court was recessed until 8:30 Friday morning.
Over objections by the State Attorney’s Office, a defense motion to delay the trial was granted by Bergosh due to the availability of a key defense witness. Bergosh recessed the trial until Monday morning.
Also on Friday, the defense filed motions to exclude surveillance video. The defense is also asking that evidence and testimony from the trial of Krystal Lynn Collins, the getaway car driver in the armed robbery. Collins was previously found guilty of armed robbery with a firearm and a half dozen felony drug charges. She was sentenced was 25 years in prison.
Flowers allegedly robbed the pharmacy while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head. His trial was delayed for months before he was declared competent to stand trial. Flowers is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Pictured top: Joseph Daniel Flowers is detained by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. Pictured below: Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino was robbed September 20, 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Supreme Court Upholds New Senate District Maps
April 28, 2012
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a second draft of new maps for state Senate districts in a splintered decision Friday, clearing one of the remaining barriers for the plan to go into effect for this fall’s elections.
The court’s ruling, which came after the justices voided the first Senate plan approved by the Legislature, was a victory for the Senate’s Republican leadership and removed the prospect that justices would draw the map themselves as part of the state’s once-a-decade redistricting process. The court upheld the House map in the earlier decision.
“Pursuant to this Court’s directive, the Legislature adopted a revised Senate apportionment plan that sought to remedy the constitutional infirmities apparent on the face of the invalidated Senate plan,” the court wrote. “In this proceeding, we conclude that the opponents have failed to demonstrate that the revised Senate plan as a whole or with respect to any individual district violates Florida’s constitutional requirements.”
Three justices who had helped form the 5-2 majority scrapping the first Senate plan — Justices Barbara Pariente, Fred Lewis and Jorge Labarga — fully supported the decision. Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston, who dissented in the first case, supported the court’s result.
Lawmakers involved in drawing the lines hailed the ruling.
“We were pleased that the court approved our amended plan, and that elections can go forward,” said Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
Democratic Party spokeswoman Brannon Jordan said the party held the GOP’s legislative majority “accountable” by challenging both maps and having the first thrown out by the justices.
“While today’s ruling raises serious concerns, we will continue our efforts to hold this Republican-led legislature accountable to the will of the people — something they have consistently ignored throughout this process,” she said.
By The News Service of Florida
A Little Overnight Fog, Lots Of Sunshine Sunday
April 28, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 64. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Photos: Atmore Walks For A Cause
April 28, 2012
The 2012 Atmore Relay for Life was held Friday night at Tom Byrne Park. The six-hour event, ending at midnight, raised almost $60,000 for the American Cancer Society.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Survivor’s Lap at the 2012 Atmore Relay for Life was held Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Charged After Wreck That Backed Up Traffic Across Bay
April 28, 2012
A Jay resident is facing charges after slamming into a parked truck, backing up traffic during rush hour across Escambia Bay Friday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 57-year old Robert Leslie Mezza was eastbound on Highway 90 about half mile west of Woodbine Road when he ran his 2003 GMC van off the road and into an unoccupied 1997 Dodge Dakota pickup that was parked on the shoulder.
The impact of the 4:30 p.m. crash sent the pickup into the wood line along the highway. Mezza’s van continued eastbound, hit a guardrail and overturned onto its side across the eastbound lanes of Highway 90.
Mezza was charged with careless driving and driving while license suspended/revoked.
Pictured: The back of a parked pickup truck that was rear-ended by a Jay man Friday afternoon. Photo by Wayne Bolton, Jr. for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Names Released In Officer Involved Shooting
April 28, 2012
The name of a woman and the deputy who shot her after she pointed a gun at him last week in Escambia County have been released.
The suspect was identified Friday afternoon by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 24-year-old Shanerika Thomas of Pensacola. She was shot by deputy Brett Heuback, who has been employed as an ECSO deputy since December 2006.
Deputies responded to a disturbance at the Fairfield Villa Apartments on April 20 about 10:30 p.m. where they found Thomas outside an apartment waving a gun. Thomas was warned multiple times to put the weapon down, but refused. Heuback fired when she pointed the gun at him, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Neighbors said the Thomas had been arguing with a man over about $15 in babysitting money. She allegedly swung a stick at the man before returning to her apartment and retrieving the gun.
Thoma was taken to a local hospital where she is undergoing treatment. Her condition has not been released.
Heuback was placed on paid administrative leave — as is standard in all officer involved shootings — pending the outcome of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.
Molino’s Kelly Tosses No Hitter For East Hill
April 28, 2012
Molino resident Jacob Kelly tossed a no hitter for East Hill Christian School on Friday evening in a Panhandle Christian Conference tournament game.
Kelly went 3-3 with three RBI’s to beat Atmore Christian Academy 10-0 in five innings. Kelly missed a perfect game by walking two batters in the second inning. Out of the 17 batters that he faced, Kelly struck out nine. Atmore players committed five errors combined with nine hits from East Hill batters to give the Eagles the win. Kelly, 16, is a sophomore.
Ben Kaderly, also a Molino resident and a member of the East Hill team, reached third on two bunts due to Atmore throwing errors. Kaderly is also a sophomore at East Hill and he plays outfield and catcher.
Kelly is 5 -1 on the season with 89 strikeouts in only 36⅓ innings pitched. He has given up 10 earned runs and currently has an ERA of 1.93. He is batting .393 on the year.
The Eagles are 5-3 on the season and play Central Christian for the West Region Championship to be held in Loxley, Ala., on Saturday.