Blue Wahoos Fall 8-1 In Season Finale
September 4, 2012
Smokies catcher Anthony Recker drove home four runs, including a three-run blast to left in the seventh inning, as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to Tennessee 8-1 to close out their inaugural season in front of the 40th sellout crowd of the year on Monday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Smokies finished the second half of the 2012 season with a 37-33 mark , while Pensacola ended their first season of Southern League play with a 34-35 record in the second half, as well s a 68-70 mark overall. The capacity crowd was the 40th hosted by the club this year in 68 home openings, while the Blue Wahoos will finish atop the Southern League in both total (328,147) and average attendance (4,825).
Tennessee plated the game’s first run in the third, taking advantage of a pair of Wahoos fielding miscues. Starting pitcher Austin Kirk reached on an error, and then moved to second on a single, before heading home on the second Pensacola error of the frame to go up 1-0.
The Smokies would then score a trio of tallies in the each of the sixth and seventh frames. CF Rubi Silva drove home two with his single to right, while 3B Matt Cerda capped the sixth inning rally with a run-scoring infielder single, push Tennessee’s advantage to four. After a Blue Wahoos run in the bottom of the frame, the Smokies answered back with Recker’s three-run blast to left.
Pensacola got their lone run in the sixth frame. SS Billy Hamilton led off with a single and moved to second and third on walks, before coming plateward on 2B Brodie Greene’s RBI single to center. Hamilton was held without a steal in the contest, which puts the new single-season steals record at 155 for Hamilton. Before the contest, Hamilton signed both bases he stole to tie and break the previous record set by Vince Coleman, while also accepting his California League Most Valuable Player Award.
Recker (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and Cerda (2-5, 1 RBI) collected two hits in the contest for Tennessee, while Greene led the Wahoos with three base knocks, in addition to multi-hit efforts from Hamilton (2-4, 1 R) and RF Josh Fellhauer (2-4, 1 2B). Fellhauer finishes the season with a .314 batting average, which puts him in contention for the Southern League batting title, pending how Mississippi OF Todd Cunningham and Montgomery INF Omar Luna fare later tonight.
Blue Wahoos starter Wirfin Obispo (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss despite yielding just one run, which was unearned on just two hits in four innings of work. Tennessee LHP Austin Kirk (5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory after giving up the lone earned run on just four hits in his 5.2 frames.
After finishing the year against the Smokies, Pensacola is slated to begin the 2013 campaign at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Thursday, April 4 against Tennessee for a five-game series.
By Andrew Green
Euenn Fletcher Hayes
September 4, 2012
Euenn Fletcher Hayes, age 74 passed away on Friday, August 31,2012, at his home in Milton. He was a lifelong resident of Jay. He was in the Army National Guard and retired after 33 years from American Cyanamid. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling and most of all spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, C.E. Hayes, mother; Lela Jane Hayes; sisters, Era Dean Woodfin and Rubye Butler; brothers; Jesse Hayes, Donald Hayes and Ralph Hayes.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Florence Chunn Hayes; daughters, Lisa Compango (Ed) and Kelly Pace (Jeremy); grandchildren Erin Willhoite, Tricia Compagno, Grant & Reid Pace’; sisters, Margaret Ann Hayes, Mary Frances Hendricks (James), Robert Hayes (Cecilia) and Roger Hayes (Debbie); brothers-in-law, Charles Butler and Charles Chunn; sisters-in-law, Glenda Hayes, Marilyn Hayes and Eloise Teeter (Ken); and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held Monday, September 3, 2012, at Mt. Carmel Methodist Church with Pastors Lennie Howard & David Byrd officiating services.
Active Pallbearers are his nephews; Kyle Hayes, Brent Hendricks, Ralph Hayes II, Tommy Woodfin, Oliver Woodfin, Chuck Butler and Jerry Hayes.
Jay Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Frank Richard “Rick” Hunt
September 4, 2012
Frank Richard “Rick” Hunt, age 55 of Atmore, passed away Friday, August 31, 2012, in Pensacola. He worked in radio and was known as “Rick Williams”. He was born in
Pensacola on December 10, 1956, to the late Paul Mitchell and Alneta Byrd Hunt, Sr.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Delois Hall Hunt.
Survivors are one son, Richard Paul Hunt; two brothers, Paul Mitchell Hunt, Jr., Terry Hunt; one sister, Sheila Hunt Mock,all of Atmore; two nephews, Mitchell Hunt and Jeffrey Hunt; and niece, Rachel Cook, all of Florida.
Graveside Services will be Wednesday September 8, 2012, at noon in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery with military Honors. Minister Wanda Hadley officiating.
Family will receive friends Wednesday September 8, 2012, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Onelia Pugh Fredrickson
September 4, 2012
Onelia Pugh Fredrickson, 90, died peacefully on Saturday, September 1, 2012, in Pensacola. She was born in Molino on April 14, 1922, and lived most of her life in the Pensacola area, an active and vibrant member of her community. She retired from Monsanto in 1985 after nearly 30 years of service.
Onelia had many talents including painting, ceramics, flower-arranging and cooking. Her greatest talent was that of helping others, family and friends and even those she did not know personally. Her Christian faith was unwavering and unchanging; she was committed to the original doctrines of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has been a member of the Pensacola Restoration Branch for many years.
Onelia is survived by her four children: Warren Boughton, Sr., Tim Pasquarelli (Diane), Carmen Paroby and Henry Fredrickson (Cathy); eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law, Allene and Alton Gilmore, her brother McGlaun Pugh and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Walter and Margaret Pugh, brother, Thomas Walter “Pat” Pugh and sister Marguerite Medley.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Funeral home in Gulf Breeze. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the service hour. The service will be officiated by Onelia’s nephew, Elder Dale Gilmore, with assistance from Chaplain Dan Hamel. Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff of Homestead Village for caring gently for Onelia and to Hospice for the loving kindness shown to her in her last hours on this earth. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504.
Arrangements entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home of Gulf Breeze.
Overnight House Fire In Byrneville May Have Been Arson
September 3, 2012
An early morning house fire Monday in Byrneville may have been the work of an arsonist.
Authorities are calling the fire in the 1200 block of Tedder Road suspicious, and it is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The residents had been away for several hours. When they returned to their two story home about 1 a.m., they found it full of smoke and called 911. When firefighters arrived, they found that a living room couch had been on fire and had been extinguished, and someone had tried to start a second fire in closet.
The home suffered heavy smoke damage throughout. Five people, two adults and three children, were left temporally homeless by the blaze.
The incident remains under investigation by the fire marshal and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Further details have not been released.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton FIre Department and Escambia County EMS also responded to the blaze.
Seven Horses Seized, One Man Charged With Animal Cruelty
September 3, 2012
An Escambia County man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after seven horses were seized by authorities.
The horses were seized by Escambia County Animal Control and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Bellview last month due to poor conditions, part of an animal abuse case that dates back to 2005.
Samuel Calvin Reuben, 78, was issued a criminal summons for two counts each of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals and tormenting or depriving animals, according to Escambia County Clerk of the Court records. He is due to make his first court appearance on Thursday.
In 2005, animals on Reuben’s property, including horses, cows and goats, had to be removed and relocated until the property dried out and dangerous debris was removed, according to Diane Lowery, president of Panhandle Equine Rescue, a Cantonment non-profit group that serves as the court system’s equine cruelty investigative arm.
“After a couple of years, the horses were brought back to the property, only to have the conditions deteriorate once again. Finally, all of the horses were seized and taken to a safe and dry location. This time, it was worse than before,” Lowery said.
“They were very thin and standing in deep manure and muck. With all the rain we had, the property was flooded once again and four mares struggled through the mud not being able to find a dry spot,” she said.
The seized horses are now in the custody of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office awaiting a decision by the court.
Pictured: Seven horses were seized by Escambia County Animal Control and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office due to poor living conditions and malnourishment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Labor Day Forecast
September 3, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Southwest winds around 5 mph becoming 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Friday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 70. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Jeff Miller: Americans Struggle In Faltering Economy
September 3, 2012
Across the country, ordinary Americans are struggling to get by in an economy that continues to falter. Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report which found that our economy grew by an unacceptable 1.7 percent in the second quarter of this year. Nearly thirteen million Americans are unemployed and looking for work, more than eight million Americans have been forced to take part-time work because they could not find full employment, and, in the last year alone, over two and a half million Americans have given up the job search altogether.
According to economists, growth at or below two percent is not enough to lower the unemployment rate. Rather than face these facts and exhibit the leadership necessary to jumpstart our economy, the Administration continues to act like their economic recovery has been a success. In reality, however, the Administration’s catastrophic economic policies have led to the weakest economic recovery that our nation has seen post World War II. The President had a chance to lead when our economy most needed it, and he failed.
With the American people set to weigh in this November, the Administration has resorted to simple distortions and untruths. Recently, an Obama campaign official went on a morning cable show and told the public that the Obama recovery has created more jobs than the Reagan recovery following the 1981-82 recession. But, unfortunately for the Administration, the facts just don’t add up. In the three years since the recession officially ended in June 2009, 3.4 million jobs have been created. During the first three years of the Reagan recovery 9.1 million jobs were created. In fact, employment under the Regan recovery rose by 13 percent in those first three years, compared to just 3 percent during the Obama recovery.
Just as troubling as tepid economic growth and low job creation, is the fact that median household income has continued to fall. In fact, household income has actually decreased more during the Obama recovery than during the recession itself. In the 18 month recession from December 2007 to June 2009, median household income in the United States fell from $54,916 to $53,508. But, during the three years since the recession ended, median household income has dropped to $50,964. An economic recovery that produces a five percent decrease in household income can hardly be called a recovery. In fact, just about the only thing that has gone up during the so called recovery is the rate of poverty. Official poverty statistics from 2011 have not yet been released; however, statistics from 2010 indicated that more than 46 million Americans were living in poverty, the highest number recorded since the Census Bureau began monitoring poverty more than 50 years ago.
Under this Administration, our economic recovery has been a resounding failure and the reason for this failure is quite simple: a lack of leadership and an unwillingness to put other issues aside and deal with the most pressing issue on the table. Rather than focus his efforts on supporting the free market and growing the economy, the President decided to push for a reckless and unpopular government takeover of health care that the American people did not ask for, while simultaneously increasing the number of federal regulations which made it more difficult for businesses to expand and hire new workers. This abdication of responsibility has lead to uncertainty and slow economic growth and it is dividing our country.
Unlike the Administration, House Republicans have a plan to cut government red tape, lower taxes, and create the kind of environment that allows the free market to work. We have passed 32 jobs bills that are currently stalled in the Senate. These bills would empower small business owners, reduce the tax burden, increase competitiveness, maximize domestic energy production, and pay down our unsustainable debt. This is the kind of leadership that our country needs to get government out of the way and allow the American spirit of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship to drive a true economic recovery and put our economy back on track.
Work Continues On Molino Highway 97 To Highway 29 Turn Lane
September 3, 2012
Work is expected to be completed this month to add a new turn lane at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 29 in Molino.
Anderson Columbia is constructing a right turn lane from southbound Highway 97 to southbound Highway 29. Drivers can continue to expect delays, intermittent lane shifts and closures, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. However, no lane closures will be permitted between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Pictured: A turn lane from Highway 97 to Highway 29 in Molino is expected to be completed this month. Work on the project ceased for the Labor Day weekend. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
United Way Gulf Coast Disaster Fund Activited To Assist After Isaac
September 3, 2012
In response to the impact of Hurricane Isaac, United Ways of the Gulf Coast have activated the United Way Gulf Coast Disaster Fund.
The United Ways of the Gulf Coast recognized the need for a collaborative effort to address community needs in the wake of disasters that affect our greater region. United Way is committed to providing assistance to Gulf Coast communities in the present and in the long term. Responding to and recovering from disasters reinforces the United Way goals in education, income and health.
Funds will be allocated to groups that have a long-term vested interest in the affected communities and that will be addressing the human (economic, cultural, psychological, emotional) consequences of this disaster. In the short term, the fund will support organizations responding to immediate needs. In the long-term, the fund will assist in building resilient coastal communities along the entire Gulf Coast, as well as build upon Gulf Coast United Ways’ successes in long term recovery in alignment with the 2018 goals in the areas of Education, Income and Health. Gifts to the fund are tax deductible.
The United Way Gulf Coast Fund was established at the request of United Way of the Gulf Coast and their community partners to meet the health and human service needs of individuals and households impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill.
Visit www.unitedwaygulfcoast.org to find out how to make a financial donation to the fund, donate goods large or small, or volunteer time.