Wahoos Split Double Header With Generals
May 4, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their double header with the Jackson Generals on Thursday evening in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium, with Generals winning the first contest 3-1, while the Blue Wahoos answered with a 1-0 victory in the second game. The capacity crowd was the eighth in 12 home dates for the Blue Wahoos in their inaugural season.
It was quiet in the first contest until the fourth inning, when Jackson plated single tallies in the fourth, fifth and sixth frames. DH Joe Dunigan brought home the opening score with an RBI single, while run-scoring singles from RF Johermyn Chavez and SS Nick Franklin in the fifth and sixth frames, respectively.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the fourth and plated a run courtesy of an RBI infield single by 3B Henry Rodriguez but were stopped short from there in their comeback attempt. Rodriguez (2-3, 1 RBI) recorded the lone multi-hit effort for the Blue Wahoos, while Jackson 3B Francisco Martinez (2-3, 2 R, 1 2B) was the only Generals batter to collect two hits.
Jackson LHP James Paxton (5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) earned the win in the first game after yielding the unearned run on just three hits in 5.1 frames, while closer Stephen Pryor (1.2 IP, 4 SO) notched his seventh save of the year, fanning four of the five batters he faced. RHP Pedro Villarreal (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss for Pensacola after allowing three earned runs on six hits in six innings.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second half of the twin bill until the sixth, when the Blue Wahoos broke the 0-0 draw. Rodriguez led off the frame by reaching on a fielding error and then took second and third on groundouts, before being plated on a clutch two-out run-scoring single to right by 2B Brodie Greene.
Pensacola RHP Daniel Corcino (6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 SO) got the better of Jackson starter Taijuan Walker in the pitcher’s duel, earning the win after giving up just three hits in six shutout innings. Walker (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered the tough loss after allowing just the lone unearned run on five hits in 5.2 innings, while Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched his fifth save of the season.
Rodriguez recorded at least one hit in each contest to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. The infielder is now tied with OF Ryan LaMarre for the longest such streak by a Blue Wahoos player this year.
The Blue Wahoos and Generals will meet again Friday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to take the hill, while Jackson is slated to counter with RHP Brandon Maurer.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Henry Rodriguez tallied three hits as Pensacola split their twin bill with Jackson Thursday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For The Love Of Baby Blaze
May 3, 2012
Baby Blaze Johnson will be eight weeks old Friday — just days before he faces his third open heart surgery. It’s a surgery that is not without tremendous risk, but without it, he will likely die.
His story began early March, born six weeks early to Katherine Johnson, an RN at Sacred Heart Hospital, a Chris “Squeaky” Johnson, a videographer for WEAR TV 3.
“He was the cutest little thing,” Chris said, his voice rising into the squeaky tone that earned his nickname. “He had big fingers and toes.”
The couple knew their first child, due to his premature birth, would spend a few weeks at Sacred Heart Hospital’s NICU, receiving oxygen as his lungs matured. It was mountain that knew they could climb.
But by the time Blaze was five days old, the nurses at Sacred Heart knew that something just wasn’t right. And his oxygen levels began to plummet; his heart fell into a dangerous rhythm.
“They were about to shock him; they were about to shock our baby,” Chris said. He understood the gravity of the situation, and Katherine, an RN in Sacred Heart’s emergency room, was more than aware where they stood at that moment.
Doctors ordered an ultrasound. The results were frightening.
“My heart fell into my chest,” Chris said. “Everything was suppose to be fine. All the ultrasounds before he was born said he was healthy. This wasn’t suppose to be happening. We were OK with the breathing problems, and then were suppose to take him home and we would be fine. There are no words to describe it.”
The couple was forced to choose which of a handful of major children’s hospitals in the south would see Blaze. They choose Emory in Atlanta because Katherine had relatives that lived not to far away. Blaze and Katherine were quickly flown to Atlanta; Chris drove behind them.
Heart abnormalities had thrown a major curve ball into the lives of the young family, as their youngest was in real jeopardy.
Surgeries were performed; there were some successes, some failures. And this week the couple was faced with the decision on a risky surgery that could certainly mean life or death for their baby.
“We were given three choices: do nothing and he would die; stents that he would outgrow; or another surgery,” Chris said. Doctors will, on Friday, perform the surgery if all goes as planned.
Essentially, Blaze is without one of his heart chambers. Doctors will work to create a “well” in tissue that will replace the chamber. It’s a rarely done procedure, not something from a medical textbook.
“Please keep praying that God keeps this little boy in his hands, heal him and be with the doctors as they make their decision and assist God in this very difficult surgery,” Katherine wrote on the Baby Blaze Fan Club page on Facebook.
As he describes Blaze’s condition, Chris speaks with little emotion, sounding almost distant from the past seven weeks have been something of nonstop blur.
“I’m the father. I have to stay strong for Blaze and for Katherine. It’s my duty. You do what you have to do for your children.”
“But it does bother me,” he said, “I’ve shed many tears, but I must remain strong for my family.”
The Johnsons are not in their battle alone. Communities across the area have rallied behind them; over 1,100 people have joined the Facebook fan club for Blaze.
“The words of others on the Facebook page, the calls, the text messages, the prayers from people that don’t even know us that tell us how his story has touched them — it’s all given us strength,” he said. “But it’s also brought us closer to God and His strength.”
Chris’ father — Henry Franklin Johnson, a former chief of the Flomaton Fire Department — died of cancer in 2000. The name “Blaze” is a tribute to him, and a tribute to Katherine’s father Henry Page, who was also a volunteer fireman. Shortly after the death of Chris’ father, his brother died.
“God was preparing me for this with Blaze,” Chris said, emotion returning to his voice. “You can’t tell me there’s no God. I could not see it then when my father and brother died. But you can’t tell me God does not have a purpose. He was preparing me, making me strong for Blaze.”
For now, it’s about the little milestones in Blaze’s life. The tiniest baby steps of sorts. The couple realized a major milestone Wednesday as they were able to hold their baby Blaze for the first time in about seven weeks.
“Oh how I wish I could just make him whole,” Chris said. “I just want to hold him and know that he’s OK. It’s in God’s hands and God’s time.”
A benefit yard sale and bake sale will be held this Saturday at Flomaton First Baptist Church from 8 a.m. until for the Johnson’s expenses for baby Blaze. For information or to donate yard sale items, contact Renee Merchant at (850) 791-4106. There is also a benefit account under the name “Baby Blaze Fan Club” at Region’s Bank.
To join the Baby Blaze Fanclub on Facebook, click here.
Pictured top: Mom Katherine Johnson holds her son Blaze Wednesday for the first time in seven weeks. Pictured additional photos: Baby Blaze Johnson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Slight Rain Chance Tonight
May 3, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Wednesday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Pictured top: A rainy morning in Byrneville, looking toward the Highway 4 and Byrneville Road intersection. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Presents ‘To Bee Or Not To Bee’
May 3, 2012
Jim Allen Elementary School was “abuzz” recently as second graders presented the musical “To Bee or Not to Bee”.
In the musical, the Wanna Bees were helped by the Queen Bee to decide which kind of bees they wanted to be — Spelling Bees, Quilting Bees, Drones, Busy Bees or Honey Bees.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Businesses, Consumer Groups Fight Gulf Power Rate Case For North Escambia Plant
May 3, 2012
Lawyers for business groups and consumers are urging the state Public Service Commission to reject Gulf Power Company’s attempt to reopen a recently decided base-rate case. The utility wants to be able to collect about $2 million from customers for costs related to buying land in North Escambia for a potential nuclear power plant.
In February, the PSC rejected the idea, but Gulf Power filed a request for reconsideration April 18.
Last week, the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers, and lawyers for two business groups and federal agencies fired back in a document, saying the Pensacola-based utility’s request is a “thinly disguised, legally impermissible effort to have the commission reweigh the evidence of the case.”
But in its request, Gulf Power said the PSC had made a mistake in rejecting the costs and raised the possibility that it will sell the land if the decision stands. ”
The value of the North Escambia site to Gulf and its customers stems from its location in the western portion of Gulf’s service area and its status as the sole site in Northwest Florida suitable for nuclear generation,” the request said.
Gulf has not decided to build a nuclear plant on the site near McDavid but says it wants to keep open the option.
The $2 million, just a fraction of the costs of the land acquisitions, would pay interest on finance agreements and fund environmental assessments on the North Escambia property.
Gulf Power has not said what type of power plant it wants to construct in North Escambia, but PSC filings indicate that it could be natural gas, coal or nuclear. However, nuclear was repeatedly cited in the latest PSC filings.
“This small price is extraordinarily reasonable when compared to the potential benefits of nuclear power if it is pursued, or the lost opportunity if the nuclear option is foreclosed by the action taken by this commission in this case,” documents state.
At last report, Gulf Power had purchased 2,700 acres for about $13 million in the McDavid area.
Pictured top: One of many houses that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. One of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sweet Deal: Candy Company Bringing 100 New Jobs
May 3, 2012
A sweet economic deal for Pensacola and Escambia County was announced Wednesday afternoon as officials revealed that Majestic Candies Company plans to bring more than 100 new jobs in the next few years to the region with a projected capital investment of $6 million.
“Florida welcomes Majestic Candies Company and the advantages it’s bringing to our Great Northwest,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s primary economic development organization. “The company will further expand our manufacturing capabilities, which is vital to economic growth and job creation in our state.”
Majestic Candies Company is a producer of confectionery products, primarily pralines and other pecan-based candy products, initially targeting distribution in the four Southern regional markets.
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward said he was glad Majestic was calling the Pensacola area home, bringing needed jobs to the community.
“Majestic Candies Company is a fitting partner in Escambia County’s efforts to guide the region into a strong economic future,” said Escambia County Board of Commission Chairman Wilson Robertson. “We look forward to working with them as they grow and prosper in their new home in the heart of Escambia County.”
Majestic Candies Company plans to locate at 2001 W. Government Street, the former H.T. Hackney building.
“We are very pleased with the support that we have received from the Pensacola community and we look forward to being a part of the continuing success which is being achieved by the citizens of Pensacola,” said Dom Perrotta, managing member of Majestic Candies Company.
Reported Robbery At Cantonment Subway Under Investigation
May 3, 2012
A Wednesday holdup at a Cantonment restaurant is under investigation.
A robbery was reported at the Subway sandwich shop in the 1500 block of South Highway 29, next to Winn Dixie, about 10 p.m. Escambia Count Sheriff’s deputies were on scene within moments after the robbery report, and a K-9 was reportedly used to search for a suspect.
There was no word from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday night if anyone had been taken into custody in connection with the reported robbery. Additional details have not been released.
Chevy Dealer Charged With Theft; Allegedly Did Not Pay Off Trades
May 3, 2012
A former Atmore car dealer has been arrested after allegedly failing to pay off customer trade-ins.
Carl Smith, age 65, was indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) Grand Jury on 12 counts of first degree theft by deception. He was released from the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a $300,000 bond. Smith is the former owner of Carl Smith Chevrolet in Atmore.
Smith accepted trade-in vehicles toward the purchase of new or used vehicle. But he allegedly failed to pay off the loans as agreed on the trades, leaving customers to find out they owe a lender for both vehicles.
For Kadie Purvis, a Northview High School graduate and current college student, the whole scenario has been a nightmare.
“I’m a full time college student, and I don’t have $650 to make two car payments,” Purvis said. “It mostly just makes me angry because it not fair to me or the other people going through the same thing. We did our part; we trusted his dealership when buying a car. We’ve made the payments on our new vehicles and in turn our credit scores are being ruined.”
Purvis said she purchased a vehicle from Carl Smith Chevrolet in January, only to later start receiving phone calls and letters from lenders alerting her that her old load was not paid off. She said the entire ordeal has been five months of “unneeded stress”.
Shortly after his arrest, Smith reportedly entered into a written agreement to transfer the dealership to a Louisiana Chevrolet dealer.
Atmore National Day Of Prayer Events Moved Indoors
May 3, 2012
Century and Atmore are marking the National Day of Prayer today.
Government, community and other leaders gathered in Century this morning. (Details and photos Friday morning here on NorthEscambia.com)
In Atmore, the National Day of Prayer will be celebrated with multiple events at Tom Byrne Park on Lindberg Avenue on Thursday, May 3. The day’s events will include:
- Prayer Service – 5:30 – 6 p.m. A prayer service for the community and nation.
- Childrens Prayer Event – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. New this year is an event for children K-6 to participate in an age appropriate prayer time and balloon release.
- Bible Reading – 6 – 6:30 p.m. The entire Bible will be read as a prayer and blessing over the community.
Due to rain, the 5:30 Prayer Service, Children’s Prayer Event and 6:00 Bible Reading will be held at Escambia County High School in Atmore. Adult events will be held in the new gym; children’s events will be held in the old gym.
For more information on National Day of Prayer events in Atmore, contact Sharon Keesler at (850) 982-0804 or sharonkeesler@hotmail.com; Nancy Helton at (850) 655-6358 or nan.helton@gmail.com; or Pastor Ted Bridges at (850) 380-3814.
Pictured top: A portion of a small group of the faithful gathered in Century this morning for the National Day of Prayer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Alabama Cop Arrested On Felony Charges
May 3, 2012
A former Brewton Police officer has been arrested on one felony count of obtaining a criminal record under false pretenses and one felony count for violating Alabama’s ethics law, according to Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Stephen Billy.
Eddie Laffon Barton, III, 37, was arrested by agents from the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center after being indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) grand jury. The indictment charged that Barton intentionally misused his public position for unlawful personal gain and that he misused confidential law enforcement data by willfully accessing confidential private information about an individual that was unrelated to any official law enforcement duty.
The indictment was based on evidence presented to the grand jury on April 27 by the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s office. Barton was arrested at his residence Tuesday, May 1 and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He later was released on a $25,000 bond, according to information released Wednesday.
If convicted, Barton faces a penalty of 2-20 years imprisonment for the ethics law violation and up to five years imprisonment for the misuse of confidential law enforcement data.
Further information has not been released. The case was investigated by special agents of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and is being prosecuted by the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office.