Wahoos Win Second Straight
July 24, 2014
How can you out do the excitement of having two of the greatest football players in college history at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball game?
You hit a two-out blast over the left field wall that wins the game for the home team, 3-2.
That’s exactly what Travis Mattair, who has the most home runs in Wahoos history with 22 over the past two seasons, did. He jacked a deep homer in the seventh inning that broke a 2-2 tie and ended up the game-winner against the Mobile BayBears at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It was the Wahoos second straight win over Southern League South Division leader Mobile.
Wednesday’s game began with former Heisman Trophy winners and national champions Charlie Ward, a Florida State Seminoles quarterback, and Danny Wuerffel, a Florida Gators quarterback. Ward won his Heisman in 1993 and Weruerffel in 1996. Although the fans cheered loudly for them, most of the Wahoos were too young to remember the college superstars.
But Mattair out shone the legendary guests, especially since he has struggled with a season-long slump at .225. He went 3-4 Wednesday, though, adding two singles. He now has nine home runs and 44 RBI on the year.
Mattair said he’s following advice given to him by Cincinnati Reds great Ken Griffey Sr. who told him to play the game like he did when he was a boy during a slump in High-A Bakersfield.
“I’ll never forget that,” Mattair said. “I’m just trying to have fun and contribute to the team. It has been kind of a tough year but I can still make this a good year.”
Pensacola manager Delino DeShields said Mattair’s attitude remains positive on the field and off.
“Moose still has a pulse there,” DeShields said. “He’s still battling. His attitude hasn’t changed even through his struggles.”
DeShields also liked having a new middle reliever in Ben Klimesh who got called up from High-A Bakersfield on Wednesday. In his debut, Klimesh got the win by throwing a scoreless seventh inning.
“That was the biggest inning of the night,” DeShields said. “Putting up a zero gives us a chance to win. I thought (Klimesh) was very good out there.”
The BayBears got on the scoreboard first when Nate Samson started the game with a home run. However, the Wahoos came right back in the bottom of the first inning with two runs when Ross Perez singled in Brodie Greene and Kyle Waldrop hit a deep fly ball to left field to score Perez.
After the first inning, starting pitcher Jon Moscot retired 11 in a row after getting a double play to end the first inning. He allowed six hits and one walk and struck out two in six innings of work.
Mobile’s Jake Lamb, hitting .353 with runners in scoring position, hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field to score Samson from third to tie the game at 2 in the sixth inning, setting up Mattair’s heroics.
The fourth game of the five-game series with Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate Mobile BayBears gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. RHP Robert Stephenson (5-6, 3.84) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the BayBears RHP Bradin Hagens (8-4, 3.95).
Emergency Program Flood Repairs Begin At UWF
July 24, 2014
The University of West Florida did not escape the April 30th flood unscathed, and workers will began to make repairs Thursday in hopes of completion before school starts next month.
Just 15 feet west of the heavily-traveled four-lane Campus Drive that loops through the college campus and across from the intramural fields, the storm gouged out a gully 300-feet long and 20-feet deep. The unstable gully slopes are toppling trees on two sides and threatening to collapse the roadway, the adjacent student parking lot and take out a stormwater outlet that drains runoff from the campus grounds into a 50-acre area. A natural gas main has been exposed and sediment accumulating at the bottom of the gully is discharging into Thompson Bayou and subsequently into Escambia Bay.
The University of West Florida contacted USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for financial assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to repair the damages and prevent the road from failing. NRCS will provide 75 percent of the estimated $700,000 to install a structure to convey the stormwater runoff to a safe outlet and stabilize the gully embankments to protect the road and stop the erosion. Officials expect to complete the work by August 26.
The Emergency Watershed Protection Program alleviates hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural occurrences. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, but must be represented by a project sponsor, such as a city, county, conservation district or any Native American tribe or tribal organization.
“The University of West Florida has worked with NRCS in the past. The financial assistance from the Emergency Watershed Program and the expertise of the NRCS engineering staff has allowed us to do quality rehabilitation at these sites that will last for many years,” said Ron Northrup, UWF facility engineer.
Pictured top: Sediment at a bottom of a flood-created gulley on the UWF campus is making its way into Thompson Bayou and eventually Escambia Bay. Pictured below: The side slope of the gully continues to erode. Photos courtesy USDA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manna To Resume Feeding Hungry
July 23, 2014
After losing all its food to recent flooding, Manna Food Pantries’ main facility is partially restocked and the grassroots organization will be providing emergency food on a limited basis beginning July 28.
Because of Manna’s limited capacity to store and distribute food, the organization has temporarily set up an appointment-only schedule at the main pantry.
“We’re excited that we’ve gotten to a point where we can resume service to the hungry, although we’re still very limited right now,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director. “We continue to be amazed by the generosity of this community and how they’ve come together to help Manna get back on its feet. But the need is still great — we ask that the community continue to give — right now we’ve got a very limited supply of food.”
Manna staff will be helping people with appointments in temporary trailers set up in Manna’s parking lot. However, the staff and board of directors are actively looking for a new permanent home away from the flood-prone area.
“We’re committed to finding a more suitable location to serve the hungry in the community and are evaluating our options with a piece of land under contract with the Escambia School Board,” said Flounlacker. “Together, with the community’s help, we can rebuild Manna to make sure no one is left unfed.”
Limited service to the community
- The Main Pantry will re-open Monday, July 28. Because of Manna’s limited capacity to store good, distribute food and see clients, the organization is now scheduling appointments. To schedule an appointment, call (8500 432-2053 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- The Cantonment, Milton and Jay pantries have resumed limited service on a first come, first serve basis. Appointment not necessary.
- All clients must present a picture I.D. and social security card for adults in the family, and social security card, birth certificates or shot records for children under 18.
- Manna is no longer providing USDA food, which is what the organization distributed if people did not have a picture I.D. and Social Security card.
Last year, Manna Food Pantries distributed 800,000 pounds of food to the hungry, serving more than 42,000 people. The non-profit has been serving the community since 1983.
Go to mannafoodpantries.org to find out how you can make a donation or volunteer to help.
‘Hurricane Tax’ On Florida Insurance Policies To End 18 Months Early
July 23, 2014
An extra charge on property-insurance and auto-insurance policies to cover claims paid for the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons will end January 1.
The Office of Insurance Regulation formally issued orders Tuesday for insurance companies to move up by 18 months the end of a 1.3 percent “emergency assessment” for the state-run Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which provides backup coverage to insurers.
The assessment has hit policyholders for $2.9 billion, which has gone to reimburse insurance companies for claims from the eight hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004 and 2005, the last time a hurricane made landfall in Florida.
“It’s been nine years since (Hurricane) Wilma,” said Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council. “If anything, the assessment helps us remember how devastating these storms may be.”
Miller said the industry had been waiting for the orders so it could begin preparing for the new end date for the assessment, which previously had been set for July 1, 2016.
The orders make official a decision Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet made last month to end the assessment, Amy Bogner, a spokeswoman for the Office of Insurance Regulation, said in an email.
The assessment, which first appeared at 1 percent in 2007 and was raised to the current rate in 2011, collectively hits policyholders for between $350 million and $500 million a year.
In addition to the state’s near-decade luck at avoiding hurricanes, the early termination is due to claims for Hurricane Wilma coming in $498 million less than what had initially been thought. Wilma hit South Florida in October 2005.
Also, the fund has received more money than expected due to an increase in policies statewide.
The charge is imposed on most property and casualty policies other than medical malpractice and workers compensation.
The catastrophe fund, better known as the Cat Fund, currently has about $13 billion on hand and is expected to be able to raise an additional $4 billion, which is considered solid ground for covering most post-storm claims.
In addition to the Cat Fund assessment, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. adds an extra 1 percent charge on most policies to cover losses from the 2005 storms. First imposed in 2007, the charge is expected to be paid off in June 2017.
Man Pleads Not Guilty To Shooting Fleeing Son On Riding Lawn Mower
July 23, 2014
A Walnut Hill man has pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing for allegedly shooting his son on a riding lawn mower.
Marshall H. Harmon, 71, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon for the June 27 incident on Breastworks Road about a mile west of North Pine Barren Road.
Harmon and his 32-year old son had become involved in a verbal altercation at a nearby home, deputies said. The son then fled on Breastworks Road on a riding lawn mower, the father following in his pickup truck.
When the elder Harmon pulled alongside his son on the riding mower, Harmon fired two shots in the son’s direction, according to Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. It did not immediately appear that Harmon intended to shoot his son, but may have instead accidentally hit him.
One of the shots hit the son in the neck, but the officials said the wound was not life threatening. The son was airlifted by Lifeguard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Harmon was taken into custody without incident at the scene of the shooting. He was released from the Escambia County Jail June 30 on a $25,000 bond. He is due back in court in for a hearing in mid-October, and his jury trial is set to begin in late October.
Pictured top: Suspect Marshall Harmon stands against his truck (far left background) as an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy (center) checks a weapon Harmon allegedly used to shoot his son June 27 on Breastworks Road. Pictured bottom inset: A deputy explains charges to Harmon. Pictured bottom: The shooting victim was airlifted from a field on Breastworks Road to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Woman Cited In Accident For Turning In Front Of Deputy
July 23, 2014
A 74-year old Pensacola woman was charged after turning into the path of Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy Tuesday afternoon.
About 4:09 p.m., Bonnie Mack was traveling east on Mobile Highway when she attempted to turn left onto Klondike Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Mack turned directly into the path of ECSO Lt. Alan Barton who was westbound on Mobile Highway. Barton was in an unmarked 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe that sustained about $8,500 in damage.
Barton, Mack, and Mack’s 49-year old passenger were all uninjured.
Mack was cited for an improper left turn in front of approaching traffic, according to the FHP.
Escambia Elections Ballots Are In The Mail
July 23, 2014
Tuesday afternoon, the office of Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford mailed more than 25,000 absentee ballots for the August 26 Primary Election. Voters will begin receiving their ballots as early as today.
Voters should receive their ballot within the next week, and can visit EscambiaVotes.com and click on “track my ballot” to monitor the status of their request. The deadline for voters to request a ballot to be delivered by mail is Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 5 p.m. After that date, voters may pick up a mail ballot at the Supervisor of Elections office.
Voters who have not requested a “vote by mail” ballot can do so in one of the following ways:
- On the web: EscambiaVotes.com
- By email: absentee@escambiavotes.com
- By phone: (850) 595-3900 or fax (850) 595-3914
- In person: 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola, FL 32502
- By mail: PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601
The deadline for voters to request a ballot to be delivered by mail is Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 5 p.m. After that date, voters may pick up a mail ballot at the Supervisor of Elections office.
Ballots must be received in the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 26, 2014. Ballots can be dropped off at the Elections Office
during regular business hours or mailed back in the official ballot envelope provided. Be sure to include first class postage ($0.49) on your return envelope. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off.
Voters who receive a mail ballot and decide to vote in person during Early Voting or at their assigned precinct on Election Day should bring their marked or unmarked mail ballot to the polls so it can be canceled. Early voting begins Saturday, August 16 and runs through Saturday, August 23. Election Day is August 26. For complete information, visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Nokomis Residents Receive Lower Fire Insurance Rating, Better Protection
July 23, 2014
The Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department has received an improved fire protection class rating which will translate to lower homeowner’s insurance premiums for hundreds of households.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) recently notified the department that their new rating is a 5/5X, significant fire rating decrease from their previous 7/9. The new rating drops by two classifications for homes within 1,000 feet of a hydrant and drops fiyr classifications for homes outside the required distance from a hydrant.
Assistant Fire Chief Chris McGhee said many municipal, full-time fire departments are a Class 5. The lower ratings, he said, are based upon numerous factors, including water supply, equipment, number of firefighters and more.
The new ISO classification will take effect on October 1.
According to an example provided by the fire department, sample insurance premium on a $200,000 home would be $1,252 at a Class 9, but in the new Class 5X rating the premium would be $690, a savings for the homeowner of $562.
The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department responds to an average of 60 calls a year with 15 volunteer firefighters in a district that begins just west of the Atmore Country Club and continues to the Baldwin County line, north to Doyle Hadley Road and south to the Alabama/Florida line — and area with about 400 residences.
An agreement between Escambia County, FL, and Nokomis calls for the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department to automatically be dispatched to certain emergencies in a portion of the Walnut Hill fire district, and for Walnut Hill to be automatically dispatched to certain types of calls, such as structure fires, in Nokomis, AL.
The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department’s “Squirt 24″ was formerly “Truck 5″ in Century. After the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue received a refurbished 75-foot ladder truck that was formerly assigned to Ensley, “Truck 5″ was put up for auction and purchased by the Nokomis VFD for $5,000.
“We are completely volunteer and have to raise our own support,” Nokoms Fire Chief Eddie Odom said. “There is always a need for funds and we hope that homeowners will step up and
contribute to the fire department, especially with the extra savings they will enjoy as a result of our efforts. A fund raising effort is underway now to expand the small fire station so we can receive a much needed 1,250 gallon per minute pumper that was donated from the City of Atmore but we have no room to house the truck. It’s not just the building that we need financial assistance with. The cost of keeping our firefighters equipped and trained is expensive just as diesel, parts, maintenance and building upkeep are. Now more than ever, we need homeowners and property owners to support us financially.”
Board member and Nokomis Fire Captain Jerry Gehman says many departments across the America ask for $95 to $125 per household as a general rule of funding annually. Many communities pay a “fire tax” around the same amount.
Contributions can be mailed to the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 727, Atmore, AL 36502.
Pictured: Operating under new mutual aid agreement, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department held a combined training exercise last year in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Repeat Felon Gets 20 Years For Shooting Into Motel Room
July 23, 2014
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to two decades in state prison for shooting into a motel room.
Kendrell Maurice Sims entered a plea of no contest to the charges of shooting at, into or within a building, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Following his plea, Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced Sims to 20 years in prison.
On October 23, 2013, at the Relax Inn on Mobile Highway, Kendrell Sims and Gregory Henderson were in a physical altercation. Once the physical altercation broke up, Sims got a gun from his motel room and went back to Henderson’s motel room and began firing multiple rounds at the door of Henderson’s room. At that time, Greg Henderson and Elaine Green were inside the room.
Kendrell Sims was previously convicted of six felony charges, including drug related offenses.
Five Busted In Undercover Escambia County Child Predator Sting
July 23, 2014
Five people have been arrested after an undercover child predator sting in Escambia County. Operation Blue Guardian focused on adults soliciting and traveling to meet minors to engage in sexual activity.
The five day operation concluded on July 20. Investigators will continue to follow up on leads and additional arrests may be forthcoming.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the following were arrested:
- Jerry Armes, 40. Traveled from Fort Walton Beach for the purpose of having sex with what he believed to be an 11-year old girl. He was charged with obscene communication, using a computer to solicit/lure a child for sex, and obscene communication using a two-way device. His bond was set at $100,000.
- William Johnson, 49. Traveled from Pace for the purpose of having sex with what he believed to be a 12-year old girl. He was charged with obscene communication, using a computer to solicit/lure a child for sex, and obscene communication using a two-way device. His bond was set at $100,000.
- Douglas Lee Shearer, 44. Traveled locally in order to have sex with what he believed to be a 14-year old boy. He was charged with obscene communication, using a computer to solicit/lure a child for sex, and obscene communication using a two-way device. His bond was set at $150,000.
- David W. Slater, 52. Traveled locally in order to have sex with what he believed to be a 14-year old boy. He was charged with obscene communication, using a computer to solicit/lure a child for sex, obscene communication using a two-way device and possession of marijuana. His bond was set at $100,500.
- Taylor James Walker, 18. Traveled from Shalimar, for the purpose of having sex with what he believed to be an 11-year old girl. He was charged with obscene communication, using a computer to solicit/lure a child for sex, and obscene communication using a two-way device. His bond was set at $100,000.
The operation was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Pensacola Police Department and additional local, state and federal agencies.