Florida Parole Commission Is No More
July 2, 2014
The Florida Parole Commission is no longer. Now, it is the Florida Commission on Offender Review.
A name change approved this year by lawmakers took effect Tuesday, with the agency saying the new moniker better reflects duties that go far beyond making parole decisions.
“The commission’s new name truly reflects what our agency is tasked with doing on a daily basis,” commission Chairwoman Tena Pate said in a news release. “We hold offenders accountable for their behaviors and ensure public safety through the careful selection of offenders for re-entry into society. Many of the functions we perform today didn’t exist when the agency was created in 1941. Making parole determinations is only about 10 percent of our agency’s workload. We are also responsible for clemency services, offender revocations, victims’ services, and making conditional-release, conditional-medical release and addiction-recovery decisions.”
Body Found Near Nine Mile Road
July 2, 2014
A body was discovered Tuesday morning just off Nine Mile Road.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified white male was found deceased near the railroad tracks that cross Nine Mile. The man was discovered about 10:15 a.m. after the Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a man down near the tracks.
The Sheriff’s Office in conducting an active death investigation and a cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner. No further details have been released.
Sign Up Now For Bratt Basketball Camp Next Week With Former NBA Coach
July 2, 2014
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp next week with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 7-11 from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
“We are fortunate to get someone of Coach Roger’s talents and achievements to head up this camp” said First Baptist Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey. “He has a unique ability to deal with children, and his love for them is evident.” This is the third year the church has offered this camp.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Detremble conducts camps.
For more information, contact Hawsey at (850) 327-6529, church secretary Sherrye Gilman at (850) 327-6529 or stop by the church on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Drop Third Straight To Jacksonville, 4-3
July 2, 2014
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Jesse Winker saved a run in the fifth inning by throwing out a runner with a 300-foot laser beam to catcher Ross Perez at home.
Winker then smashed his first Double-A homer with a 410-foot shot to centerfield in the eighth inning that pulled Pensacola within a run of the Jacksonville Suns, 4-3, on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
In the end, Pensacola dropped its third straight game to the Suns by that same score. The one-run loss makes the Wahoos 13-19 on the season in those tight games.
Winker, who’s now on a five-game hitting streak, said he remains confident at the plate, despite his .209 batting average in 12 games since being called up from High-A Bakersfield Blaze. In Bakersfield, he had hit .311 with eight home runs and 41 RBI.
“I’m trying to go to the plate every time and put a good swing on the ball,” Winker said. “The ball seems to be finding the barrel right now and eventually I hope it finds the gaps and finds the holes.”
Winker, who is the Cincinnati Reds No. 4 prospect, was recently chosen to play in the 16th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures game for the U.S. team against the World team. Wahoos pitcher Robert Stephenson made the team, too, that will be played at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13 at Target Field as part of Taco Bell All-Star Sunday and air live on television on MLB Network and MLB.com.
“It’s a true honor to get to represent the Reds and the U.S.,” Winker said. “It’s a big honor. But I’m hoping we win a lot before I leave for the game. We could easily be 9-4, instead of 4-9. It’s too early in the second half, though, to get frustrated. I feel we’ll make a good push and storm the bay.”
Blue Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said he hopes Winker’s solo blast boosts his confidence.
“He really swung the bat tonight,” DeShields said. “He caught that Gulf breeze up there.”
DeShields also praised Wahoos starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who threw six innings and gave up two unearned runs, while striking out five. The two runs scored after an error by shortstop Deven Lohman.
The Suns Austin Nola, who has a 13-game hitting streak, hit a triple to the right center gap that scored two runs. However, Lorenzen left with a 2-2 tie after Perez’s double in the fourth inning scored two runs.
“(Lorenzen) was solid tonight,” DeShields said. “He should have had a shutout. That was one of his better efforts on the season.”
The fourth game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. RHP Robert Stephenson (3-6, 4.17) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (7-2, 3.07).
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost to the Jacksonville Suns 3-4 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Tuesday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High Temp About 100 Today
July 2, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Independence Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tori Amber Jordan
July 2, 2014
Ms. Tori Amber Jordan, 17, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2014, in Century.
Ms. Jordan was a native of Pensacola and a resident of Davisville most of her life. Ms. Jordan had a love for music as well as singing. She was chosen All County Chorus fifth and eighth grade, loved to read and was a member of ROTC for 2011 and 2012. She attended the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Her grandfather, Rusty Harrison; great-grandfather, Willie Davis; and great-grandparents, Thadis and Della Johnson and Comer and Lela Burkett precede her in death.
She is survived by her father, Cary Jordan of Davisville; mother, Brenda Jordan (Dominic Mock) of Atmore; one brother, Toby Jordan of Davisville; boyfriend, Clay Dall of Robinsonville; grandparents, Cindy Davis Harrison of Davisville, Diane & Wayne Burkett of Atmore and Carly Edwards of Bratt; great-grandparent, Lillian Merle Davis of Davisville; three uncles, Chris Edwards of Cantonment, Scottie (Lisa) Burkett of Atmore and Stephen Burkett of Atmore; and numerous cousins, family and friends.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 3, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Hawsey and Rev. Delbert Redditt officiating.
Burial will follow at the Pine Barren Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tracey Edwards, Floyd Burkett, Dustin Lindsey, Ronald Peebles, Stephen Burkett and Dylan Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Clay Dall, Toby Jordan and Scottie Burkett.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Season’s First: Tropical Storm Arthur Forms
July 1, 2014
The first tropical storm of the 2014 season formed off the east coast of Florida this morning. Arthur is expected to travel up the East Coast, possible striking the Carolinas toward the weekend as a hurricane.
The latest details on Tropical Storm Arthur are in the graphic above. The tropical storm is not expected to have any impact on the North Escambia area’s weather.
Firefighters Battle Hay, Barn Fire All Night And Day
July 1, 2014
A fire that began Monday night that destroyed a large barn and tons of hay in Molino continued to burn into Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 10:25 p.m in the 4800 block of Chestnut Road. The barn, reported to be over 6,000 square feet, was a total loss. The barn was about half full of hay which continued to burn for hours, with county crews using heavy equipment to move it outside for it to be extinguished.
In total, the barn contained nearly 5,000 square and 75 round bales of hay and two tractors that were destroyed.
By 2 a.m., firefighters called for additional manpower from more fire stations.During the 7:00 hour Tuesday, additional firefighters were arriving on scene from paid crews from Century and Cantonment.
Firefighters from were able to prevent the blaze from reaching other nearby structures.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Pictured top and page bottom: Firefighters and county crews with heavy equipment continued to work to fully extinguish hay Tuesday morning in Molino. Photos by Jenise Fernandez, WEAR 3, for NorthEscambia.com. Inset and photos below: Fire burns through a Molino barn Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Hot Weather Continues
July 1, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 105. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind around 5 mph.
- Independence Day A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
- Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Escambia Health Department Urges Parents To Schedule Immunizations Now
July 1, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is urging parents to schedule back to school immunizations now to avoid delays and prepare them for the first day of class.
After sustaining heavy damage in the recent flood, the health department’s Fairfield Drive location remains closed for repairs. Due to this closure, DOH-Escambia is currently providing immunization services in a limited capacity. Immunizations are available, by appointment only, at the Northside Clinic in Ensley at 8390 North Palafox Street.
Parents wishing to have their child vaccinated at DOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic need to make an appointment. Children may also be vaccinated at their physician’s office.
“Parents of children needing school-required vaccinations are urged to handle this matter as soon as possible in order to ensure that the child may be vaccinated prior to the start of school,” the health department said in a news release.
DOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic is open Monday through Friday, but will be closed on July 4, 2014 in observance of Independence Day. Appointments fill quickly and are same-day or next-day only. Persons wishing to schedule an appointment should call (850) 484-5151.
In Escambia County, Florida, children entering the seventh grade are required to receive the tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.