Teen Girl: Men With Shotguns Were Banging At Family’s Backdoor
June 24, 2014
A family near McDavid is warning others to be on the look out today after their teenage daughter came face to face with two men armed with shotguns at the family’s backdoor last night.
The incident happened about 8:20 p.m. on North Century Boulevard near West Bogia Road. The family’s 15-year old daughter said she looked outside through their window blinds to see two men banging at their backdoor with shotguns in their hands.
The men, described as appearing to be of Middle Eastern descent, saw the girl; both men then fled in a newer model extended cab white pickup truck. They were dressed in all black with black ball caps. One was chubby with a beard and longer hair, and one was clean cut.
The girl grabbed a firearm, locked herself in a bathroom and called for help. She was not injured. Family members said they believe the men were out to break into the home.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
DUI Manslaughter Trial Delayed For Cantonment Man
June 24, 2014
A judge has granted a prosecutor request to delay trial for a Cantonment man for a November 2013 traffic crash that claimed the life of his 54-year old passenger.
Jury selection was set to being Monday for 48-year old Melvin Pryear on charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage for the death of Albertina McCarty of Pensacola. Last week, Judge Terry Terrell ruled that Pryear was competent to face trial. His trial is now set to begin at the end of July and is expected to last at least two days.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Pryear was driving under the influence when he pulled into the path of a 18-wheeler near International Paper last November. The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses, both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.
The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. McCarty, Pryear’s passenger in the Chrysler, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Pryear remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000. Jury selection in his trial is set to begin next week.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
cambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000.
FDOT Public Hearing Tonight On Possibly Four-Laning Nine Mile Road
June 24, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing tonight concerning the future of Nine Mile Road, including a possible four-laning project.
The proposed improvements include widening a portion Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes, installing additional drainage and storm water treatment ponds, constructing sidewalks, and the design and construction of medians and median openings within the study limits.
The hearing is being held to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed project.
The public hearing will take place from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nine Mile Road. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5:30 p.m., followed with a formal presentation at 6 p.m.
Draft study documents and other information depicting the proposed improvements will be available for public review at the hearing. Documents may also be viewed at the FDOT Milton Operations Office, 6025 Old Bagdad Highway and at American Consulting Professionals, 4489 Woodbine Road, Pace, until Monday, July 7.
Escambia’s Robinson Name President Of State County Association
June 24, 2014
Escambia County Commissioner Grover C. Robinson, IV was recently sworn in as president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) at the Association’s annual conference in Orlando.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and humbled by the opportunity to work with commissioners throughout the state on behalf of our residents,” said Robinson. “If we are proactive and united in our approach, we can develop solutions that will improve the quality of life in our respective communities, and all over the State of Florida.”
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties is a non-profit Association representing the diverse interests of Florida’s 67 counties. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
As president, Robinson will oversee the association for one year, directing policy, advocacy and the association’s administration.
Florida Residents Have Two Weeks Left To Apply For Flood Disaster Assistance
June 24, 2014
Just two weeks remain for storm and flood survivors in Florida to apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deadline to register is Monday, July 7.
Survivors in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Jackson, Okaloosa and Walton counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance that may include money to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses.
Those who had damage from the storms and flooding from April 28 to May 6 can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or using a smartphone at m.fema.gov/ until midnight July 7. Survivors may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 until 10 p.m. July 7. Recovery assistants remain available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (CDT) daily.
July 7 is also the deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery. The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela.
For more information on SBA low-interest disaster loans, call the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, send an email to DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov or visit SBA.gov/Disaster.
To date, nearly $62 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved to help Floridians and their communities recover. The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts so far:
- More than $31 million in disaster assistance has been approved under the Individuals and Households Program for qualified homeowners and renters.
- This includes nearly $26 million for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and essential home repair costs.
- This also includes more than $5 million to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
- SBA has approved nearly $31 million in low-interest disaster loans for qualified homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations.
- More than 13,600 people in five designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information following the storms and flooding April 28 to May 6.
- The counties designated for Individual Assistance are Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
- State and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in nine Florida counties are eligible to apply for federal reimbursements under the Public Assistance program for eligible response and recovery expenses.
- The counties designated for Public Assistance are Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington.
For more information on Florida disaster recovery visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or the state’s Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.
Lively Makes Debut As Huntsville Beats Wahoos 6-2 To Take Series
June 24, 2014
The highly anticipated pitching debut of Gulf Breeze High School pitcher Ben Lively for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos finally took place in front of an electric sellout crowd on Monday night.
The crowd oohed and ahhed at his strikeouts. They loudly booed the home plate umpire on what looked like a full-count, third strike to Huntsville’s Nick Ramirez that would have ended the third inning with no runs, instead of two. And when Lively walked off the mound trailing Huntsville 3-0 with two outs in the third inning after striking out eight – a record for a Blue Wahoos pitcher in his debut – the hometown fans gave their hometown prospect a standing ovation.
In the end, however, the Huntsville Stars captured the five-game series to open the second half of the season, 3-2, with a 6-2 victory.
The 22-year-old Lively was making a regular start for the first time in 16 days. Before getting called up to Pensacola from High-A Bakersfield with seven other players, Lively did throw the first two innings in the California League vs. Carolina League All-Star game, where he struck out two and got the win.
Despite the pressure and long layoff, he allowed only five of the 19 batters he faced to put the ball in play. However, he walked a season-high five batters, hit a batter and allowed three earned runs. He threw 97 pitches total, including 53 strikes.
Lively said he was grateful for the hometown fans support and ovation when he left the game.
“I kind of got goose bumps,” he said. “I’m just glad everyone has confidence in me. A little bad outing is not going to stop me.”
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said after all the buildup to Lively’s start the past week, he wished his first start had come on the road. DeShields said in his long career he has never seen a starting pitcher get a standing ovation from the fans for a short outing.
“This was something special for Ben, his family and friends,” DeShields said. “It’s the kind of game you live for. But at the same time you want to play well. I’m glad it’s over. I think he’ll be fine moving forward.”
Despite taking the loss in his pitching performance, Lively wanted to talk about his first at bat since he was a senior in high school. He didn’t bat in college at Central Florida and in his first two seasons until now. He grounded out to the pitcher.
“I’m not going to lie. I felt pretty good up there,” he said. “I was ready to face the guy.”
Lively’s eight strikeouts started with a waist-high 96 mph fastball that he blew by Huntsville’s Ramirez in the first. Between the first and third inning, all the Wahoos outs came on Lively K’s. He leads the Cincinnati Reds organization with 103 total strikeouts on the year and is second overall in all of minor league baseball.
Lively, the Reds No. 12 prospect who was drafted in the fourth round last year, was named the starter of the California League All-Star game after leading the league in nearly every pitching category through the first half. He was the league leader in ERA (2.28), wins (10), strikeouts (95) and WHIP (0.92). He was among the leaders in opponent batting average (.201) and innings pitched (79).
It was the first time in Blue Wahoos history that a local product was playing for the team. Pensacola’s last sellout on a Monday night came Aug. 26, 2013 in the team’s last homestand of the season. In six Monday home games this season, the Blue Wahoos have averaged 3,291 in attendance.
Lively admitted being excited in front of the 5,038 cheering fans and his whole family.
“I was a little amped up,” he said. “I was expecting it to be a little emotional. I’m not upset about it. I got the first one out of the way.”
Fans, players, media and even coaches talked all week about Lively’s debut Monday night.
“How is he going to handle the pressure of being in his hometown?” DeShields said earlier in the week. “He’s going to have a lot of people pulling at him. One of his biggest challenges is going to be how he maintains his routine.”
For his part, Lively said he just plans to keep working hard to make it to the big leagues just like everyone else on the team.
“My mindset is to push myself more and keep doing what I’ve been doing,” said Lively, who told his mother the news first after hearing with his fellow Bakersfield teammates that he was being called up to Pensacola. “It’s a different stage but the same stuff.”
And when he’s at home and not pitching, you’ll likely find Lively, who once rode a whale shark, at Pensacola Beach surfing or “tearing up” his truck. His first stop after returning home was Pensacola Beach.
“I’m a beach bum, surfer boy or pier rat,” he said. “When I got here, I threw my clothes down and went to Flounders.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos travel to play a five-game series against Los Angeles Dodgers Double-A affiliate the Chattanooga Lookouts at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (7-5, 3.47) is scheduled to start for the Wahoos and is opposed by the Lookouts RHP Nick Struck (1-4, 7.24).
by Joey Truncale
Photos by Michael Spooneybarger, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Citizens Property Insurance Proposes Rate Reduction For Most Customers
June 24, 2014
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. estimates that about 70 percent of policyholders would see a reduction in base rates, with the other 30 percent having their base rates go up, under a proposal for 2015 before the insurer’s Board of Governors on Wednesday in Orlando.
As part of the proposed rate changes, homeowner policies are projected to decrease on average 3.2 percent, while mobile-home rates will go down 3.9 percent on average.
Citizens pointed to a number of factors for the changes, from “increasingly reasonable rates” for reinsurance to a reduction in the number of policies under Citizens that has decreased the overall exposure for the state-backed agency.
A drop in rates doesn’t preclude the overall cost of a customer’s premium — the total amount that a policyholder pays for coverage — from going up.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview, Jay Students Attend Rural Electric Youth Tour In Washington
June 24, 2014
Two North Escambia area students were among 1,500 youth leaders from 41 states that enjoyed a week-long tour of Washington, DC.
Julie Hester of Northview High School and Tori Raught of Jay High School were winners of the Escambia River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour contest that is held annually for high school juniors in the EREC service area.
During the week, the students were able to see the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials; visit the Arlington National Cemetery, relax on the Potomac River during an evening boat cruise, and visit many other places of interest in Washington. Hester and Raught were also able to attend the play The Lion King at the Kennedy Center.
Both visited the Capitol where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Day program, they had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the history of rural electric cooperatives and the importance of cooperatives in the communities they serve.
Ernest H. Walker
June 24, 2014
Ernest H. Walker, 92, of Cantonment passed away peacefully in his sleep June 22, 2014.
He retired from Saint Regis in 1983. He loved gardening, fishing but most of all he loved his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Neoma Lucille Walker.
Mr. Walker is survived by his grandson, Garlie Woods; great-grandson, Erik (Jennifer) White; great-great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Alena, and Kirsten White; and sister, Maudie Campbell.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Kenneth Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow in Cottage Hill Assembly of God Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. until time of service.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Escambia County Considers New Regulations For Stables
June 24, 2014
Escambia County is considering an ordinance amending the Land Development Code that would set minimum lot sizes and distance standards for stables.
The ordinance will remove the 100,000 square foot lot size requirement for stables and adopt a two acre requirement and provided distance requirements from nearby dwellings.
Under the new ordinance, stables will be allowed for private, noncommercial use on lots two acres of greater in size. In addition, stables must be more than 50 feet from any property line and more than 130 feet from an adjacent principal residence. Horses will be allowed in any stable authorized by the code.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the ordinance during a 5:45 p.m. public hearing during their regular commission meeting on Thursday.