Flomaton Wins Playoff Round One (With Photo Gallery)
April 21, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated Zion Chapel in a double header Friday to advance to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Hurricanes won the first game 6-3. Joseph Parker (8-1) earned the win for the Hurricanes, and Ethan Lott took the loss for Zion Chapel. The Hurricanes won the second game 10-1. Zack Watson (8-2) took the win while Justin Lee took the loss.
In round two, Flomaton will host the winner of Cottage Hill Christian at Samson Friday, April 27 at 4:30 and 7:30 with a Saturday game at noon, if necessary.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery as Flomaton beat Zion Chapel Friday, click here.
Wahoos Open Road Trip With 5-3 Win
April 21, 2012
After a three-run second inning, the Blue Wahoos cruised to victory over the Montgomery Biscuits 5-3 in Montgomery, AL on Friday night to open up the 10-game road trip. Pedro Villarreal (W, 1-1) turned in the longest start by a Blue Wahoos starter this season, and earned his first win of the season after going 6.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos took advantage of three straight walks to begin the second inning by Biscuits starter Jim Paduch (L, 0-2). After the Blue Wahoos got their first run on double play ball, Mark Fleury doubled down the right field line to score Josh Fellhauer from third, one of two runs he would score in the game. Fleury came home a batter later on a Ryan LaMarre single.
Montgomery pulled within a run when Michael Sheridan hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the fourth inning. Pensacola created some breathing room with another pair of runs in the sixth inning. Miguel Rojas singled home Fellhauer right before Fleury executed a perfect bunt on a suicide squeeze to plate Cody Puckett from third. The Biscuits added another run in the seventh against Villarreal, but the bullpen held the rest of the way to give the Blue Wahoos the win.
Fellhauer led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos in his first game back from the disabled list. The right fielder went 3-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs scored. LaMarre also had a pair of hits in the contest.
Villarreal allowed all three Biscuits runs on five hits, he walked just one and struck out five in the winning effort. Paduch was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs on five hits over four innings. Donnie Joseph recorded the final four outs for the Blue Wahoos to earn his fourth save of the season.
The series continues on Saturday with the Blue Wahoos sending right-hander Curtis Partch (0-1, 6.92) to the mound against Biscuits righty Shane Dyer (1-1, 3.75). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.
By Tommy Thrall
Mail Truck Fire?
April 20, 2012
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded Friday afternoon after the U.S. Mail truck seen in this photo was reported to be on fire as it traveled along Highway 29. Multiple people reported that the trailer of the truck was on fire. When the vehicle stopped and firefighters caught up with it, they discovered the excessive smoke was an engine issue, not a fire. Reader photo by Bradd Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Injured In Bratt Wreck
April 20, 2012
A Bratt teen was injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday night in Bratt.
Authorities said 16-year old Brannon Freeman was westbound on Breastworks Road near Perdue Road about 10:30 p.m. when he attempted to avoid a deer, ran off the roadway, over-corrected and left the roadway again. His Chevrolet pickup truck then struck a culvert while traveling sideways and went airborne across a driveway and flipped into a wooded area. The vehicle came to rest upside down.
Freeman was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. His condition was unavailable.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: A Bratt teen’s pickup truck came to rest upside down deep in a wooded area in a Thursday night wreck. Pictured below: The truck after it was pulled from the wooded area. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Resident Becomes Escambia’s Newest Judge
April 20, 2012
A Molino resident became Escambia County’s newest judge Friday.
Darlene F. Dickey, 41, had served as the general counsel for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Previously, she practiced with Bozeman, Jenkins and Matthews P.A. from 2003 to 2005 after three years as an assistant state attorney with the First Judicial Circuit.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, she served five years as a law enforcement officer, first with the University of West Florida Police Department, and later as a field training officer with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Dickey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from Florida State University.
“Throughout Darlene’s career, she has gained valuable experience listening to all sides of the issues in order to gain the understanding needed to resolve conflicts, “Gov. Rick Scott said. “Her willingness and ability to apply sound and restrained legal analysis will serve the people of Escambia County well.”
Dickey filled the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge John F. Simon to the First Judicial Circuit.
Escambia Wreck Claims Life Of 26-Year Old
April 20, 2012
A motorcyclist was killed in an early morning crash on a Pensacola interstate.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Preston Lee Wallace, age 26 of Pensacola, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 1:25 a.m. high-speed crash on an eastbound ramp at the I-10 and I-110 intersection.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Escambia Honors Outstanding High School Seniors
April 20, 2012
The Escambia County Public School Foundation hosted the 2012 Senior Academic Awards program Thursday night, honoring 88 of Escambia County’s outstanding high school seniors.
Honorees included the top five students in each graduating class as well as one student from each of the following disciplines: English, Foreign Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Career & Technical. The five National Merit Finalist from Escambia County were also honored.
Recognized Thursday night were:
Northview High School: Top Five – Holly Dickson, Josie Doucette, Amber D. Francis, Joel Wetzel, Elizabeth A. Wright; Subject Areas – Melissa Moretz, English; Chelsea Parham, Foreign Language; Brian Ross, Math; Caleb Leonard, Science; Lauren McCall, Social Studies; Lydia Weaver, Career and Technical.
Tate High School: Top Five – Seth Nathaniel Ammons, Emily Kailyn Creahan, John Wesley Lynn McDaniel, Daniel Pierce, Wendy Stradley; Subject Areas – Cheyenne Ryan, English; Crista Anne King, Foreign Language; Matthew Warren, Math; Breanna Renee Harrison, Science; Antonio D. Odom II, Social Studies; Courtney Graves, Career and Technical.
West Florida High School: Top Five – Nathan Andrews, John William Arnold, Tyler Ray Bryant, Dena Ngoc Le, Robert Mines; Subject Areas – Lauren Cleary, English; Dylan Lopez, Foreign Language; Kathryn Paige Disher, Math; Katie Lynn Nelson, Science; Jeffery Alan Grosso, Jr., Social Studies; Brigitte Beaulieu, Career and Technical.
Escambia High School: Top Five – Megan Beebe, Lauren Ashley Burns, Allison Kane, Kenny Nguyen, Jessica Reid; Subject Areas – Andria Quinlan, English; D.J. Fontenot, Foreign Language; Steven Ray Honeycutt, Math; Alana Lami, Science; Sawyer Cross, Social Studies; Dimitri Baptiste, Career and Technical.
Pensacola High School: Top Five – Sang Choi, Michael Joseph Johnson, Latesa Brielle Jones, An Tu, Yong Zhang; Subject Areas – Deidre Evans, English; Niña Rickka A. de Guzman, Foreign Language; Brandon Phuong Anh Tran, Math; Jin Lin Zheng, Science; Carlos Espinoza, Social Studies; Daniel Robar, Career and Technical.
Pensacola High School IB Program: Top Five – Sami Alsheikh, Wade Ingram, Sophia Liu, Kelly Mamelson, Mary-Grace R. Reeves; Subject Areas – Angelle Notaro, English; Peter Mahaffey, Foreign Language; Benjamin Greydanus, Math; Sarah E. Woods, Science; James Ryan Lengyel, Social Studies; Zachary Decker, Career and Technical.
Pine Forest High School: Top Five – Giselle Collie, Marissa Alana Frangione, Amber Lee Lane, Christina M. Nabity, Anthony M. Schmoll; Subject Areas – Katlyn Fryer, English; Markesha C. Brown, Foreign Language; Kati Mae Andrews, Math; Kalena DeVilla Hammond, Science; Alexañder Edgar Peña, Social Studies; Tyrell I. Jackson, Career and Technical.
Washington High School: Top Five – Haley Anderson, Luke Bosso, Alexa Carter, Tuong-My Nguyen, Patricia Taylor; Subject Areas – Bianca Bari Lurate, English; Colin Mitchell, Foreign Language; Hayden Adams Bell, Math; Ryan Larson, Science; Danielle Robinson-Pierre, Social Studies; Tina Nguyen, Career and Technical.
National Merit Finalists: Sami Alsheikh, Benjamin Greydanus, Samuel Martin Hitt, Sophia Liu, Mary-Grace R. Reeves; all from Pensacola High School IB Program.+
Pictured top: Northview High Senior Academic Award winners Thursday night at New World Landing (front, L-R) Amber Francis, Melissa Moretz, Lauren McCall, Lydia Weaver, NHS Assistant Principal Deborah Ray, (back, L-R) Holly Dickson, Josie Doucette, Joel Wetzel, Elizabeth A. Wright and Caleb Leonard. Not pictured: Chelsea Parham and Brian Ross. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Relay For Life Is Tonight
April 20, 2012
The 2012 Jay Relay for Life will begin at 6:00 tonight at Jay High School. The all-night event will continue until closing ceremonies at 9 a.m. Saturday.
A Luminaria ceremony begins at 9 p.m. as participants remember friends and loved ones that have lost the battle against cancer and to honor those fighting cancer presently. Luminaria bags will be for sale prior to the ceremony.
There will also be plenty of entertainment, food, fun and fellowship all night long, according to Jody Williams, event chairperson. For the children, there will be a supervised activity tent.
Molino Building Inspection Office Won’t Be Closed
April 20, 2012
Escambia County has decided against the recommended closure of the Molino Building Inspection Office.
Lloyd Kerr, Development Services director, had recommend the closure to reduce costs and increase efficiency. But the Escambia County Commission voted unanimously not to close the office, which has been located in the county-owned Escambia County Health Department building at 3470 North Highway 29 since 1989. If the office had closed, services would have been relocated to the Central Office Complex at 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola, about 17 miles away.
Kerr had recommended the closure to save an estimated $100,000 be eliminating two positions, citing an economic downtown that led to a decrease in permitting revenues. The county’s building inspection fund lost about $612,000 in 2011.
Numerous contractors had spoken out against the closure.
“This would be a huge mistake and greatly affect the northern end of our county in the near and distant future,” Paul Mack of Mack Custom Homes in Cantonment said prior to the commission’s decision. “The past few years have been hard on everyone, but when things get better, and they will get better, the only direction our county can grow is north.”
Clean Sweep Targets Cantonment Neighborhood (Updated)
April 20, 2012
[Updated 11:15 a.m.] The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Farm Hill Neighborhood Watch spearheaded an “Operation Clean Sweep” event Thursday morning in the Cantonment area.
From the Farm Hill Baptist Church, law enforcement and volunteers worked to cleanup an area from Muscogee Road to Well Line Road.
During the sweep, one arrest was made, four warrants were served, and 30 new code violation cases were opened. There was also 27 tons of debris collected, including six boats, two camper shells and a hot tub, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with neighborhood watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of crime.
The operation task force works closely with Escambia County Animal Control, Escambia County Environmental Law Enforcement, the military, Escambia County Roads and Bridges, and neighborhood watch groups to clean up neighborhoods and educate citizens on preventive measures that could be implemented to minimize possible crimes.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Captain Dale Tharp explains the Operation Clean Sweep to volunteers Thursday morning in Farm Hill. Pictured inset and below: Volunteers took part in the event. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
