Hundreds Run, Walk Firecracker 5K (With Results)
July 7, 2013
About 1,000 runners and walkers took part in the annual Firecracker 5K Saturday morning to benefit Pensacola’s Ronald McDonald House.
Preregistration had already raised $38,000 for the RMH prior to the start gun, with last minute registrations and sale of items like $7 Ronald McDonald socks.
Overall male finishers for the 5K were 19-year old Ryan Larson of Pensacola with a time of 17:07, followed by A.J. Ricketts at 17:19 and Jared Moore at 18:09. Top female finisher was 16-year old Rachel Kling of Pace at 19:17, followed by Samantha Gardner at 19:36 at Karen Trittschuh at 20:43.
For complete Firecracker 5K Run results, click here (pdf).
For complete Firecracker 5K Walk results, click here (pdf).
FHP Still Out In Force For Holiday Weekend
July 7, 2013
The Fourth and most of the fireworks may be over, but the Florida Highway Patrol is still out in full force this weekend as part of the Independence Day holiday travel period, which runs through Sunday.
“The Florida Highway Patrol continues our commitment to making the highways a safer place to drive by increasing our patrol efforts during the holiday,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “Our troopers will be on the roads, and taking enforcement action when needed, to ensure public safety for Florida motorists by reducing the number of alcohol related crashes.”
All uniformed FHP personnel will be on duty to patrol interstates and other major state roads throughout the holiday period. The strategy aims to increase the Patrol’s presence throughout Florida in an effort to deter traffic violations and to enhance services to motorists who break down while traveling or who need other assistance.
Some tips from FHP for a safe Fourth of July weekend include:
- Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.
- If you know people who are about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
Pictured above: A Florida Highway Patrol trooper pulls out into Highway 29 at Fran’s Diner in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Rick Scott Worth $83.77 Million
July 7, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott was worth $83.77 million as he wrapped up his second year in office, according to a newly posted financial disclosure form. The majority of Scott’s money sits in a blind trust while he earns 12-cents a year as the state’s top executive. The blind trust, which accounts for $72.8 million, made $3.1 million in interest last year, according to the financial disclosure form for 2012 that was posted by the state Commission on Ethics.
Scott, a former health care executive who listed a net worth of $218 million when he ran for office in 2010, submitted his five page disclosure report June 28. Scott reportedly spent more than $70 million of his own money to win the office.
According to the report, Scott’s Naples Gulf View Estates home is worth $9.2 million, and a boat club condominium is worth $99,750. He also holds an IRA account with CL King & Associates worth $468,118. No liabilities are listed.
Field Corn Variety Tour Planned
July 7, 2013
Local farmers and other interested persons will have the chance to learn more about field corn next week.
The Escambia County Extension will host a Field Corn Variety Tour on Monday, July 8, from 10 a.m. until noon at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center at 4253 Experiment Road in Jay.
Seventeen different varieties of field corn will be featured during the tour.
For meal planning purposes call Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension agent, (850) 475-5230 if attending.
Wahoos Shut Out in Doubleheader
July 7, 2013
The Jackson Generals pitching staff limited the Pensacola Blue ahoos to a combined three hits in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning game one 3-0 before swiping game two 5-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038, the 18th sellout of the season.
Jackson starter Roenis Elias shut down Pensacola’s offense in game one, limiting the Wahoos to two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking just one. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the seven-inning contest before Travis Mattair led off the frame with a single. Elias improved to 5-7 with his 12th quality outing of the season.
The Generals provided all the offense they would need in the second inning against Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe. Jackson loaded the bases with nobody out against Crabbe and took a 1-0 lead on a John Hicks sacrifice fly. Denny Almonte followed with an RBI double before Gabriel Noriega made it 3-0 with another sacrifice fly to center.
Crabbe took the loss, falling to 3-7 by allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. Brian Pearl and Chris Manno tossed scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen.
Pensacola never put multiple runners on in any inning, and never had a runner move into scoring position. Carson Smith picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 seventh.
The story was more of the same in Jackson’s 5-0 win in game two. The Generals jumped on top with two runs in the top of the first against Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick with RBI base knocks coming from Steven Proscia and Ramon Morla. An inning later, Jack Marder scored on a wild pitch to put Jackson on top 3-0.
In the fourth inning, the Generals added to their lead against Dennick. With the bases loaded and one out, Proscia brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Morla followed with a single to left that Donald Lutz mishandled, allowing Chris Taylor to come around and score the fifth run of the game.
Dennick dropped to 4-10 on the year while going a season-low four innings. The southpaw allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Anthony Vasquez dominated the Wahoos again, much like Elias in the first game. Vasquez carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Marquez Smith singled to break up the no-hit bid. Vasquez picked up his first win in three starts with the Generals, allowing just one hit in six innings.
Combined in 14 innings, the Wahoos offense managed just three hits, five walks and never had a runner move past first base.
The series continues with the fourth game of five on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Daniel Renken (2-6, 3.87) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against Jackson southpaw James Gilheeney (3-3, 3.63).
story by Kevin Burke
Miriam Frances Hudgens Ingram
July 7, 2013
Miriam Frances Hudgens Ingram, 76, of Jay passed away July 6, 2013. She was a long time member of Jay United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Sam Hudgens Sr. and Mrs. Ruth Frances Hudgens; brother Sam Hudgens, Jr. and sister Betty Nichols.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years Robert H. Ingram; son, Terry Ingram (Carol); daughter, Cynthia Ingram Salter (Kenny); four grandsons, Greg Ingram (Laura), Michael Ingram (Dana), Zach Tebbetts and Josh Tebbetts; and sister Louisa Watson (Earl) and many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Monday, July 8, at Jay Funeral Home in Jay. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, with Rev. Laura Weant and Rev. Earl Watson officiating. Burial will follow at Jay cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Children’s Home in Milton. Contributions may be made through Jay United Methodist Church.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Two Jay Residents Seriously Injured In Early Morning Crash
July 6, 2013
Two Jay residents were seriously injured in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning.
Westly Lynn Mote, 26, was northbound on Chumuckla Highway near 10 Mile Road about 12:30 a.m. when she drifted off the road onto the east shoulder, over corrected, crossed both lanes of the highway, ran off the west shoulder, and hit a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Mote was critically injured and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. A passenger in the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 26-year old Natalie Raye Mote, was seriously injured and also transported to Sacred Heart. Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt, the FHP said.
Charges against driver Westly Mote are pending, according to FHP.
Two Farmer’s Markets Open Today Despite Rain Chance
July 6, 2013
Two local markets will be open today, rain or shine, offering fresh produce and much more.
The Market at Saint Monica’s is open the first and third Saturdays of each month (including today) from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Items expected include fresh produce, meat, prepared foods, plants, jewelry, baked goods, hair bows ,fresh cut flowers, arts, crafts and more.
The Market at Saint Monica’s in the parking lot of Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 South Highway 95-A, Cantonment.
As it enters its sixth season, the Palafox Market continues to expand with new vendors and more products. Customers have Saturdays to browse the unique goods offered by local farmers, gardeners, artisans and bakers.
The Palafox Market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. rain or shine. The market is located under the shade trees in Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox Street between Garden and Wright Streets. For more information, including products available and how to become a vendor, or to sign up for the weekly newsletter, visit the website at www.palafoxmarket.com.
Local Gas Prices Up This Independence Day Weekend
July 6, 2013
Travel for the Fourth of July weekend is hitting the pocketbook a little harder this year, but the overall number of travelers on the road was expected to be up.
Escambia County’s average gas price on Independence Day was $3.37 for a gallon of regular unleaded —higher than $3.09 last Fourth of July.
A round trip from North Escambia to Atlanta would cost about $121.60 in fuel in a new Chevrolet Impala this year. Last year, that trip would have cost a little less at $111.24.
AAA Travel projects 40.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday, a 0.8 percent decrease from the 41.1 million people who traveled last year. The anticipated decline in holiday travel is predominantly due to a shorter holiday period. Independence Day lands on a Thursday this year, returning to the standard five-day holiday, compared to the six-day period in 2012 when the holiday fell on a Wednesday. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7.
“Nearly 41 million Americans plan to travel during the Independence Day holiday weekend. Although the travel numbers are about the same as last year’s, numerous surveys show more people plan to vacation this summer than last. It may just be that they are taking their trips at other times throughout the summer,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. “The Independence Day holiday tends to be the busiest summer holiday with more travelers than Memorial Day or Labor Day. About six million more people are expected to travel during the upcoming holiday, than this past Memorial Day weekend.”
The price of gasoline is another factor expected to play a role in spurring intentions to travel this Independence Day holiday period. On April 6, motorists experienced a year-to-date peak average price of $3.94 per gallon for regular gasoline. The current national average price of regular gasoline is $3.50 per gallon, 44 cents lower than the April peak and 16 cents less than this time last year.
Suspect Killed In Deputy Involved Shooting
July 6, 2013
One person is dead following a deputy involved shooting Friday afternoon in West Pensacola.
Friday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 39-year old James Wyman McGlothin of Pensacola. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of the shooting about 2:30 p.m. at the Lago Vista Apartments in the 400 block of South 72nd Avenue. There were no deputies injured.
As is standard with all law enforcement involved shootings, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave. The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Other than the suspect’s name, the Sheriff’s Office declined to release any further information Friday night.