Blue Wahoos Announce New Manager, Riggleman Heads To Louisville
December 13, 2012
In an off-season coaching change not uncommon to minor league baseball, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that 2012 Blue Wahoos Manager Jim Riggleman will be moved to manage the Red’s Triple-A team in Louisville, KY. Replacing Riggleman at Pensacola will be Delino DeShields, who most recently managed the Dayton Dragons (Dayton, OH) the past two years.
Bruce Baldwin, president of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, said that the coaching shuffle was part of the territory for minor league baseball, and that he was grateful for Riggleman’s service and excited about DeShields’ arrival.
“The Blue Wahoos are so fortunate to be partners with the Cincinnati Reds, an organization that truly takes their farm teams and player development seriously,” said Baldwin. “It was great to have Jim Riggleman here for our Inaugural Season, and I appreciate the way he jumped right in and became a part of the community here,” he continued.
“I’m also really excited to have Delino DeShields coming from Dayton to manage the Blue Wahoos this year. Delino has a strong track record as both a player and a coach, and as a part of the Reds organization, he understands and is committed to player development,” said Baldwin, “and I’m sure our fans and supporters will enjoy having someone of his caliber here on our ball field.”
DeShields just finished his second year as Dragons manager after leading the club to a franchise-record 83 wins (83-57) and a second half Eastern Division title in 2011. With the youngest team in Dragons history, the club improved dramatically over the course of the season, finishing the first half at 35-35 before posting a 48-32 record in the second half. Under DeShields, the Dragons led all of professional baseball in stolen bases in 2011.
DeShields is now in his fifth season with the Reds organization. He served as manager of the Billings Mustangs in 2010 and was the hitting coach at Billings in 2009. As a player, DeShields spent 13 years in the Major Leagues with the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs. He finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting with the Expos in 1990. His best season came in 1997 with the Cardinals when he batted .295 with 11 home runs, 55 stolen bases, and a league-leading 14 triples. DeShields finished in the top three in the league in stolen bases six times during his career (10 times in the top eight) and ranks among the top 50 all-time in career stolen bases with 463. He batted .290 or higher in five different seasons of his big league career.
DeShields was originally signed as a first round draft pick in 1987 (12th overall selection) by the Expos out of Seaford High School in Delaware. He was slated to play college basketball at Villanova (point guard) before selecting a career in baseball. DeShields’ oldest son, Delino DeShields, Jr. was the eighth overall selection of the first round in the 2010 draft and signed with the Houston Astros.
The Reds also announced that Tony Jamarillo, Tom Brown, and Charles Leddon would remain as the Blue Wahoos’ hitting coach, pitching coach, and trainer, respectively.
Pictured: Delino DeShields.
Near Freezing Temps Tonight
December 12, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Calm wind.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Century’s ‘Illegal’ Nativity Scene On Display Again
December 12, 2012
The Town of Century’s nativity scene, which came under attack by an atheist group’s attorney as being illegal, was put on display late Tuesday afternoon in a new home just yards from the Century Town Hall.
Earlier this month, the town declared the nativity scene as surplus property to be sold to the highest bidder after an attorney for the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation sent letters to the town claiming that a nativity scene on public property is illegal.
The highest bidder for the aging nativity display was $5 from Faith Bible Baptist Church. A bid of $2 was received from the Abundant Life Assembly of God, and Tabernacle Baptist Church bid $1, according to the town’s official bid tabulation sheet.
The nativity display, now owned by the Faith Bible Baptist Church, was erected and lit by church volunteers Tuesday afternoon in front of an abandoned building directly across Highway 29 from the Century Town Hall. The use of the property was donated by owner Don Grant of Century Marine. Electricity for the display is being donated by the neighboring Abundant Life Assembly of God, while Tabernacle Baptist Church donated the wiring necessary to light the display.
“Area churches rose to the occasion,” a press release issued Tuesday by the Town of Century stated. “People from several area churches are taking care of setting up the scene for all to enjoy beginning today.” The press release noted that a copy was being sent to the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
In a July 17, 2012, NorthEscambia.com story about the Century Town Council’s wish to purchase new Christmas decorations, Century Town Council President Ann Brooks was quoted as saying “I believe we all want a manger scene”. Three days later, as a result of that story, Andrew Seidel, a staff attorney for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, fired off a letter and fax to Brooks objecting to a nativity scene on public property.
“We can assure you that not all Century residents want a manger scene,” Seidel wrote. “A local resident brought this news story to our attention in hopes that we would halt an imminent First Amendment violation.”
Seidel claimed that a display consisting solely of a nativity scene, “depicting the mythical birth of the Christian god [sic]“, endorses a single religion and is thus illegal according to the Supreme Court.
“There are ample private and church grounds were religious displays may be freely placed,” Seidel wrote. “Once the council enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for one religion over others, it strikes a blow at religious liberty, forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular expression of worship.”
Following their July meeting, the Century Council moved forward in purchasing wreaths to adorn utility poles along Highway 29, but a nativity scene was never purchased. The town also, for some number of months, did not respond to the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s letters and faxes.
A town official said selling the nativity scene as surplus property to the highest bidder really was not a response to the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s assertions, but was due solely to the aging condition of the manger scene.
Pictured top and below: The Town of Century’s nativity scene was sold as surplus property to a local church and put on display Tuesday across the street from town hall. Pictured inset; The Century Town Hall (with Christmas lights) is just across Highway 29 from the nativity scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Emergency Order Outlaws More ‘Spice’ Synthetic Drugs In Florida
December 12, 2012
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi filed an emergency rule on Tuesday outlawing 22 new synthetic drugs, commonly called “bath salts,” “K-2″ or “Spice.” She said they can cause psychotic episodes, seizures, hallucinations and paranoia.
The emergency order makes it a third-degree felony to sell or manufacture such drugs, and Bondi made it clear the authorities will be watching shopkeepers who ignore the order.
“(If) you’re selling this stuff and you know it’s illegal, you take it off your shelves when you see police officers and you put it back on, we’re coming after you,” she said. “And we will do everything in our power to put you out of business, because you’re no better than a common, street-level drug dealer.”
“We will continue to arrest those responsible for this type of activity. As with all illegal narcotics, they have no place in this county. We will continue to do our very best in hunting down any establishment that disregards the laws that are in place to keep our community safe and drug free,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall said after the AG’s order was issued.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey said the drugs are available in smoke shops, truck stops, convenience stores and through the Internet. He said retailers who stock them have two options: to surrender their inventory or face enforcement action.
Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen warned of the tragedies synthetic drugs can cause. “Unless you’ve been there and covered a body with a sheet that just jumped off the 14th floor of a condominium because he just went into the Junior store next door and bought some of this and ingested it, it’s hard to understand why we fight, and why we do what we do.”
Bondi was especially irate that synthetic drugs are often packaged with cartoon characters and brand names designed to appeal to middle school students. “These are marketed to children,” she said, holding up samples from a display. “Batman. The Joker. These are disgusting.” She vowed to work with the 2013 Legislature to ban the 22 drugs permanently.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office plans to hand out letters to local establishments that continue to sell “Spice”, informing them of the added illegal components — all while continuing to make undercover buys and arresting those found to be selling anything with the added components.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Backs Out Of Employee Raises
December 12, 2012
The Escambia County Commission is backing out of a 3-percent cost of living raise for employees, saying there simply is not enough money. The raises were passed with the understanding that the commission would be required to find a way to save the money elsewhere in the budget to pay up to employees.
The commission did agree to allow employees to sell back up to 80 hours of accrued leave time. If every employee cashed in their available leave under the plan, it will cost the county $1.4 million, compared to $3 million for across the board raises. The funds will come from $2.5 million in rebates from the county’s health insurance policy received for meeting cost reduction plans.
The leave buyback program will cover Board of County Commission employees, the Supervisor of Elections Office, Property Appraiser’s Office, the Tax Collector and the Sheriff’s Office.
About half of the county’s employees have very few, if any, accumulated leave hours.
Trial Delayed For Former Flomaton High Custodian That Found Band Director’s Gun
December 12, 2012
The case has been continued against a Flomaton High School custodian accused of wrongdoing in connection with finding a gun in the school band director’s belongings.
Rita Bell Folmar was set for trial this week on an ethics charge and theft of property; she will be back in court in January.
Last May, Folmar reported to school officials that she had found a handgun inside a closed bag in then band director John Lambert’s locked band room office. Lambert and the band were on a school sponsored trip to Atlanta at the time of the discovery.
Folmar was accused of taking cash from Lambert’s bag and an ethics violation for using her position for personal financial gain for using her custodian’s key to access Lambert’s personal property.
Shortly after the gun was found, Lambert first submitted his resignation, but then rescinded it. He was later terminated by the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board in July.
Driver Cited After Cottage Hill Rollover Wreck
December 12, 2012
There were no injuries reported in a single vehicle rollover accident Tuesday night in Cottage Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 39-year old John M. Jensen of Cantonment was driving too fast for conditions when he lost control of his 2005 Toyota Tacoma, hit a mailbox on Highway 95A at McKenzie Road and overturned twice.
Jenson and his passenger, 22-year old Holden Wakefield Thomas Gustafson of Cantonment, were not injured. Jenson was cited for driving too fast for conditions.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
Pictured: There were no injuries in this single vehicle accident Tuesday night in Cottage Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Pastor Arrested For Hitting, Paddling Student
December 12, 2012
An Escambia County pastor and administrator of a local Christian academy, was arrested after a student accused him of punching her several times in the leg for misbehaving and paddling her on two other occasions.
Willie Demps, 69, was arrested at S. L. Jones Christian Academy after an interview with deputies about the incidents. Demps was accused of child abuse after a student told her grandparent that she had been paddled by Demps on December 3rd and December 5th for misconduct. The student then came home limping on December 7th and told her grandparent that Demps had punched her thigh several times after an altercation on the bus with another student, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies contacted Demps at the school where he provided deputies with a statement. After all parties were interviewed and observing the physical evidence, Demps was placed under arrest for three counts of child abuse. He was released from jail on a $3,000 bond.
Escambia Students: December 21 Will Be Early Release Day
December 12, 2012
The Escambia County School District announced Tuesday that December 21, the last day of school before the holidays, will be an early release day.
Students at all elementary schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Dismissal times vary for students at the secondary level and special centers are listed below. Students will return to school on January 8, 2013.
- Bailey Middle — 12:55 p.m.
- Bellview Middle — 12:50 p.m.
- Brown Barge Middle — 12:00 p.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle — 12:35 p.m.
- Ferry Pass Middle — 12:50 p.m.
- Ransom Middle — 12:50 p.m.
- Warrington Middle — 12:50 p.m.
- Woodham Middle — 1:00 p.m.
- Workman Middle — 12:50 p.m.
- Escambia High — 12:00 p.m.
- Northview High — 12:10 p.m.
- Pensacola High — 12:05 p.m.
- Pine Forest High — 12:00 p.m.
- Tate High — 12:00 p.m.
- Washington High — 12:00 p.m.
- West Florida High — 11:55 a.m.
- Camelot — 12:50 p.m.
- Judy Andrews (WHS, EHS, PHS) — 11:30 a.m.
- Judy Andrews (THS, PFHS) — 11:15 a.m.
- Lakeview — 11:00 a.m.
- McMillan — 12:50 p.m.
- Westgate (Elem and HS) — 11:00 a.m.
Rosters Announced For Friday’s Subway All-Star Football Game
December 12, 2012
Rosters have been announced for the 9th Annual Subway High School All-Star Football Game scheduled for Friday night. The roster includes several players from North Escambia area schools, including members of the state champion Northview Chiefs.
The game will include seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Pace High School.
The coaching staff for the West Team, which includes teams from Escambia County, will be led by the head coach from Washington High School, Craig Laborde. Coaches from the other county high schools will assist Laborde with his game plan. The East, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties, will be coached by John Hicks from Niceville High School. He will be assisted by the other head coaches from the two-county area high schools.
West Team: Nate Crawford, Demetrius Smith, Luke Jackson, Frank Herbert, and Cory Ness from West Florida Tech, Jeff Linzy, T.J. Myers, Shay Oakley from Escambia, Chris Simms, Vihola Pohiva, Kevontarius Williams, and Josh Johnson from Washington, Lorenzo Long, Todd Ryals, Chris Shelby, Andrew Briske, and Matt Burke from Tate, Jace Banfell, Frankie Castagna, and Simon Smiley from Catholic, Blake Norwood, Darian Pickett, Reggie Warren, Deondre Farrington, Jonathon Bennett, Keith Coleman, and Preston Sellers from Pensacola High, La’Mikal Kyles, Neiko Robinson, Roderick Woods, Blake McCall, LeDaerious Franklin, and Kevin Vaughan from Northview, Siosia Finau, Trebian Suggs, Dante Young, DeMarcus Glover, JonDarius Gardner, Lawrence Colston, Terrence Sims, and Ronald Brown from Pine Forest.
East Team: Darryl Johnson, Gaston Rackard, and Eric Brelia from Choctaw, Zach Cresse John Marvin, and Chris Baudin from Fort Walton Beach, Devin Vazquez, Andrew Mitchell, Nick Haynes, Austin Campbell, Denzel Applewhite, Carter Fletcher, Barrett Perry from Niceville, Jacob Holcomb from Rocky Bayou, Colton Williams from Jay, Tommy McMillion, Austin Rollins, J.C. Curry, Brice Moore, Blake Ladouceur, and Jeffery Wright from Pace, Alex Pagonis, Austin Droogsma, and CJ Nelson from Gulf Breeze, Jay Warren, Nick Benton, Johnny Robinson-Pettus, Andrew Rieves, Jonathon Shaw, and Devin Colonel from Navarre, Blake Parker, Micah Reed, Jonathon Longman, Jordan Waddell, and Damarious Bethune from Crestview, Cody Chunn, Taylor Brown, and Logan Nixon from Baker, and Dejon Funderburk, Trevor Wheeler, and Christian Walker from Milton.
Tickets to the game are $7 or $5 with a canned good. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families for Christmas by bringing a canned good item.