Lookouts Beat Pensacola 4-2
August 11, 2012
Chattanooga third baseman C.J. Retherford blasted two solo home runs and reliever Wes Roemer fired four solid innings of relief, while Pensacola shortstop Billy Hamilton swiped two more bases, as the Lookouts topped the Blue Wahoos 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The loss, coupled with Jacksonville’s victory over Mobile, dropped the Blue Wahoos to 25-23 in the second half and two games behind the Suns for first place in the Southern League South Division. Chattanooga with the win now owns a 59-57 mark since the midway point of the season. The capacity crowd was the 35th the Blue Wahoos have hosted at the bayfront stadium in their inaugural season.
Retherford collected his solo shots in the second and seventh frames, with his second roundtripper turning out to be the game-winning hit. The Florida native has now totaled three roundtrippers at the Double-A level after blasting 20 with High-A Rancho Cucamonga prior to his promotion. The 26-year-old also collected two multi-homer efforts with the Quakes earlier this season.
The Lookouts struck first in the opening frame, with 2B Rafael Ynoa starting off the contest with a walk and stealing second prior to being sent in on an RBI triple from CF Nick Buss. Pensacola would then answer in the bottom of the frame with two scores to grab a 2-1 advantage.
Hamilton drew a free pass and then stole second and third, while CF Ryan LaMarre was hit by a pitch to load the bases. 1B Donald Lutz then drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Hamilton before LaMarre scored later on a fielder’s choice. Chattanooga however, would draw the contest even at 2-2 courtesy of Retherford’s first homer of the evening.
With Hamilton’s two steals, the speedster is now just ten away from tying Vince Coleman’s single-season Minor League record of 145, which he set in 1983. Including tonight, the 21-year-old has already stolen 18 bases in just ten games in the month of August.
The Lookouts would add an additional insurance run in the eighth for their final tally. 1B Luis Nunez walked and then moved to third on a two-base error, before coming home when RF Blake Smith reached on the second Blue Wahoos fielding miscue of the inning.
Chattanooga reliever Wes Roemer (4.0 IP, 4 H, 5 SO) earned the victory after yielding just four hits while striking out five in four shutout innings, while LHP Steven Rodriguez (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) shut the door in the ninth for his first save of the year. Pensacola starter Kyle Lotzkar (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) did not factor in the decision despite allowing just two earned runs on four hits in his six innings of work, while RHP Josh Ravin (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss for the Blue Wahoos.
With the Fish leading the series 2-1, the two teams are scheduled to square off again Saturday night, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is slated to give the nod to RHP Daniel Corcino, while Chattanooga is expected to counter with RHP Zach Lee.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dump Your Kids At Dump Camp
August 11, 2012
If you are looking for something for your kids to do next week, you can send them to camp at the county’s landfill.
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste invites kids to participate in “Dump your Kids at the Perdido Landfill for a Day!” camp on Wednesday, August 15 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This one-day excursion to the Perdido Landfill allows kids, ages 6-12, to participate in fun-filled activities designed to teach the importance of the reduction of generated waste through source reduction, recycling, reuse or composting.
Activities include a tour of the Perdido Landfill, recycling education, household chemical waste education, hands-on recycling projects, arts and crafts with recycled materials, games that focus on recycling and reuse as well as an eco-walk on the Perdido Riverwalk Nature Trail.
The cost of the camp is the donation of one pair of new or gently used shoes to be donated to Soles4Souls. Campers will need to bring clothes that are appropriate to play in and be worn outside, a brown bag lunch, snacks, a reusable water bottle and drinks. (A zero waste lunch packed in reusable containers is encouraged by organizers.) One snack will be provided at the beginning of the day.
For more information or to preregister contact Recycling Operations at (850) 937-2160. Space is limited. The camp is sponsored by Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management Waste Services.
New Beltway Connector Could Link I-10, North Escambia, Santa Rosa
August 10, 2012
Escambia County is making new I-10 exit in Beulah a priority — an exit that is part of an overall plan that could greatly change the landscape of some parts of North Escambia.
The exit would serve a northern “beltway” connector proposed from North Escambia to Santa Rosa County. The beltway would begin at I-10 somewhere in the Beulah area and extend north to intersect with Highway 29 in the vicinity of Quintette Road and continue into Santa Rosa County.
The project is planned with present and future growth in mind. It will serve as a hurricane evacuation route and is expected to enhance economic opportunities in Escambia County.
Any construction would be years away; the project must first receive funding.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission make the project a priority with the FL-AL and Northwest Florida Regional Transportation planning organizations.
Pictured top: A proposed beltway connector between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is depicted in red on this map. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Navy Federal Closes Land Purchase, 4-H Eyeing North Escambia Property
August 10, 2012
Navy Federal Credit Union closed the $3.6 million purchase of the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah on Thursday, and 4-H’ers are eyeing the acquisition of replacement property in the North Escambia area.
For Navy Federal, the purchase of the 4-H property means the addition of 600 new jobs and an investment of $6.5 million in a campus development strategy adjacent to the existing NFCU property on Nine Mile Road.
For 4-H, it means the 4-H foundation will receive the full $3.6 million. Up to $1.6 million will be available to 4-H for facilities construction, projects or purchases, while $2 million will be placed in an endowment fund with the interest supporting 4-H.
4-H In The Market For New Home
With Navy Federal’s $1.6 million check in hand, Escambia County 4-H leaders are shopping for the perfect piece of property for a new 4-H center. That property, according to George Carpenter, president of the Escambia County 4-H Foundation, would ideally be located in the Molino or Cantonment area — pretty much in the middle of the county’s 4-H club locations.
The “Friends of 4-H”, a group of of 4-H supporters, has called for the purchase of former the former Bayer Crop Science Facility on Crabtree Church Road in Molino. The 250 acres stretches from Crabtree Church Road north to Highway 97 near Molino Park Elementary School.
“We are looking at least a portion of that property, but I don’t think we’d take the whole thing,” Carpenter said Thursday afternoon. “We are still in the process of looking around at other property; we haven’t settled on anything yet.”
Ideally, Carpenter said, 4-H might find an individual or company willing to donate land to the non-profit group.
The Escambia County Commission has offered another $1.5 million in local option sales tax funds to construct a new 4-H building with the plans subject to the approval of the Extension Service. The new building would be situated on 23 acres at the Escambia County Extension Service on Stefani Road.
The 4-H Council members, a group of 4-H members ages 8 to 18, will be involved in the final property selection process. It won’t be their first big land deal — the same young 4-H members were required to vote and give final approval to the $3.6 million Langley Bell sale to Navy Federal.
Navy Federal Moves Forward
Navy Federal said Thursday that the success of the expansion plans is due to the company’s commitment to the Pensacola area as well as the partnership between Navy Federal and the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Escambia County, Escambia County 4H, Enterprise Florida and the University of West Florida.
“This project is a tremendous example of how a community and a state, both private and public, can come together to make great things happen,” said Donnie McMahon, chairman of the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
“The Greater Pensacola area continues to impress us with a high caliber workforce that is reflected in our 2,500 team members located in Pensacola,” said Cutler Dawson, President and CEO, of Navy Federal. “We look forward to our continued growth in Florida.”
“The forthcoming jobs and positive economic impact of Navy Federal’s expansion are great news for Florida, as well as Pensacola,” said Gov. Rick Scott. “This announcement is further evidence that Florida’s business climate encourages companies to grow and expand and add jobs in our state.”
“We appreciate the partnership by all involved who helped bring this deal to a close and provide the win-win solution Navy Federal was looking for,” said Debbie Calder, Senior Vice President, Navy Federal Credit Union.
This is the first economic development announcement that includes funding from the Industry Recruitment, Retention & Expansion Fund Grant Program (IRREF), which is administered by the University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement. This program is available to the eight coastal counties of Northwest Florida that were most affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Senator Don Gaetz authored S.B. 2156, of which the Oil Spill Recovery Act was an important component. The Oil Spill Recovery Act allots $10 million per year for each of three years to these eight Northwest Florida counties for the purposes of research and development, commercialization of research, economic diversification and job creation.
“This project exactly fits the purpose of the Oil Spill Recovery Act passed by the Florida Legislature,” said Senator Gaetz. “Navy Federal brings new, good, high paying jobs that diversify our economy. And there are protections built in to ensure performance and a solid return on investment.”
“Job creation is extremely important to Northwest Florida, and especially to our students,” said UWF President Dr. Judy Bense. “We are proud to be a resource for recipients of the IRREF Grant Program and we will continue to support our community with economic development efforts through this grant project.”
Pictured top: Navy Federal has completed the $3.6 million purchase of the Langley Bell 4-H Center on Nine Mile Road in Beulah. Pictured top inset: 4-H County Council President Devon Bell signs off on the property sale after a 4-H County Council vote in April. Pictured bottom inset and below: The Langley Bell 4-H Center was directly adjacent to Navy Federal’s campus. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Smoke Inside Century Correctional Library
August 10, 2012
Several area fire departments responded to the Century Correctional Institution Thursday night after light smoke was reported in the prison’s library.
The smoke and electrical smell in library building was reported about 9:20 p.m. Power to the standalone building was cut, and a preliminary determination was made that the smoke may have originated with an air conditioner motor.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the prison, with most firefighters staging outside the facility’s fence. Firefighters were on scene for about an hour.
There was no damage reported and no injuries.
The Century Correctional Institution library is located in a portion of the compound that is separated by fences, barbed wire and gates from prisoner housing. The library was not open at the time of the incident.
Pictured above: Inside the main room of the Century Correctional Institution library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Ala. District, Three Individual Schools Fail To Meet State Yearly Progress Standards
August 10, 2012
The Escambia County (Ala.) School District and three of four of the county’s high schools failed to make adequate yearly progress, according to data released Thursday by the Alabama Department of Education.
Escambia County students as a whole failed to make appropriate progress in reading at all grade levels and in math in grade levels 3-5 and high school. At the high school level, the only county school to make AYP was Flomaton High School.
Here’s how individual schools in the district fared on the state standards:
NO – Failed AYP
- Escambia County High School (year six)
- Escambia County Middle School (year two)
- W.S. Neal High (year four)
YES – Passed AYP
- A.C. Moore Elementary
- Rachel Patterson Elementary
- Huxford Elementary
- Pollard-McCall Junior High
- Flomaton Elementary
- Flomaton High School
- W.S. Neal Elementary
- W.S. Neal Middle
To determine adequate yearly progress, schools are assigned from 5 to 37 goals to achieve. If they fail to reach any one single goal, the whole school fails to make AYP. Ratings are based upon test scores, test participation and attendance or graduation rate.
Facebook Threats Against Medical Personnel, Facilities Not Credible
August 10, 2012
Authorities have determined that alleged Facebook threats against medical personnel or medical facilities in the area were not credible.
The man was interviewed Thursday afternoon by the Pensacola Police Department. His identity has not been released because he was not charged with any crime.
The Pensacola Police Department had recently received information about the possible threats, but the department saidl they were vague, unverified and did not expressly target a specific location.
As a precaution, information about the man was relayed to area hospitals.
While the man was being located and brought in for an interview Thursday, Pensacola policeeceived calls from medical facilities outside Escambia County reporting
employees had recently seen the man in their facilities, according to Capt. David Alexander.
In addition to the Pensacola Police Department, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, te Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement participated in the investigation.
Pedestrian Critical After Being Hit By Pickup
August 10, 2012
A pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a pickup early Friday morning on Highway 29 near Kenmore Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Dwayne Scott Carney, are 45 of Milton, was southbound on Highway 29 in an unlighted area at 4:55 a.m. when 52-year old Donald Wilbur Strickland of Panama City walked into his path.
Strickland was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Carney was not injured.
Charges are pending in the crash, according to the FHP..
Warrant Issued In Family Feud Drive-By Shooting
August 10, 2012
A warrant has been issued for a Pensacola man wanted in connection with an incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon on West Jackson Street when multiple shots were fired at a house.
Rufus Marcel Abrams, 22, address unavailable, is wanted for six counts of aggravated assault with a weapon, and one count each of attempted murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
While a motive for the incident, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of West Jackson Street, remains under investigation, it is believed to stem from a homicide that occurred December 17, 2011, in the 1200 block of West Moreno Street.
Keondrick Abrams, 17, of the 2700 block of West Yonge Street, who was Rufus Abrams’ cousin, was shot to death in the December incident and died at the scene. Tykey Douglas, 17, of the 3100 block of Cedarwood Village, Pensacola, also was shot.
James Dortch, 20, of 911 S. Madison Dr., Pensacola, was arrested December 27, 2011, and Novel Austin Jr., 20, of 213 South J St., Pensacola was arrested December 28, 2011. Both were charged with one count of attempted homicide and one count of premeditated homicide.
Detective James Reese said since the December shootings, Pensacola Police have investigated several incidents where shots were fired involving members of the Abrams family threatening the Dortch family.
The most recent incident occurred Tuesday after a court hearing for Novel Austin and James Dortch at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Center, 190 Governmental Center. Reese said there were disturbances between the Abrams and Dortch families Tuesday inside and outside the judicial center as they were leaving.
The West Jackson Street incident occurred a short time after the families left the judicial center. The suspects approached the house on foot and multiple shots were fired before the suspects entered a vehicle nearby and left the area.
The Gun Crime Response Team is being utilized in the investigation of this incident, and additional arrests are pending as the investigation continues, said Capt. David Alexander.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Zimmerman Will Try Stand Your Ground Defense
August 10, 2012
Lawyers for George Zimmerman confirmed Wednesday that he will assert a “stand your ground” defense, although a judge would determine in a hearing whether he ultimately can claim to have acted in self defense under the Stand Your Ground law.
That means there could essentially be a “mini-trial” ahead of any possible actual second degree murder trial for Zimmerman’s shooting earlier this year of Trayvon Martin, and it could lead to charges being dropped.
The Sanford shooting case, in which Zimmerman has claimed self defense all along, has been watched nationally, in part because of the racial overtones involved, but also because it put the state’s relatively new self defense statute under a microscope, even though the defense has been used numerous times.
“Now that the State has released the majority of their discovery, the defense asserts that there is clear support for a strong claim of self-defense,” Zimmerman’s defense team said on a website set up for it to communicate with the public. “Consistent with this claim of self-defense, there will be a ‘Stand Your Ground’ hearing.”
Many of the arguments and much of the evidence that would be presented at trial could first be aired at such a hearing, in which the judge would decide whether the case fits the “Stand Your Ground” statute, which says that people who feel legitimately threatened have the right to meet force with force. The burden would be on the defense to prove that the case fits the circumstances laid out in that law. If they do prove that, charges against Zimmerman would be dropped.
Mark O’Mara, Zimmerman’s attorney, said on the website that it will take time to prepare for such a hearing and urged “everyone to be patient during this process and to reserve judgment until the evidence is presented in the ‘Stand Your Ground’ hearing.”
O’Mara’s posting on the website is the first time the defense team has acknowledged that it will use the Stand Your Ground defense.
Ben Crump, the Tallahassee-based attorney for the Martin family, said in a statement that he believed the “stand your ground” claim would be rejected and the matter would be decided in a jury trial.
Zimmerman was charged by a special state prosecutor, Angela Corey, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to take on the case after an uproar from the public when charges hadn’t been filed in the shooting. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot Martin at near point blank range in February after following him in a gated community. Zimmerman said Martin was suspicious – there had been break-ins in the neighborhood, and subsequently said he was attacked by Martin.
By The News Service of Florida