Upper 60’s Tonight; North Wind Tuesday
August 25, 2014
Many farmers have been forced to turn to irrigation for their crops, like in the pictured field this afternoon in Walnut Hill. There has been no significant rainfall in Walnut Hill in over a week, while other areas have seen numerous afternoon and evening downpours in the past seven days. There no chance of rain in our forecast again until Thursday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Friday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Missing Since Saturday Found Alive
August 25, 2014
A man missing Saturday has been found alive, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Randal “Randy” Malikowski “was safely located this afternoon”at Blue Angel Parkway and Dog Track Road in Escambia County, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office. He was reportedly found disoriented, but otherwise his condition is unknown. Escambia County EMS was called to the scene to evaluate him. Further details have not been released.
An earlier version of this story is below.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man.
Man Arrested On Drug, Weapons Charges; Pair Charged With Child Abuse
August 25, 2014
A Molino man has been arrested on several drug and weapons charges. And he’s also charged, along with a woman, for allegedly smoking marijuana and leaving their stash within the reach of a child.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Countri Lane for a welfare check on a woman that had not been seen in a few days. Deputies found Shawn Anderson sitting in the driver’s seat of a 2000 Crown Victoria in the driveway of the home, and they reported a strong odor of burning marijuana from the car.
A search of the vehicle revealed a bag containing 26 grams of marijuana within hands-reach of a child sleeping in the backseat, a .25 caliber pistol loaded with hollow rounds, digital scales with marijuana residue, sandwich bags, rolling papers, two marijuana roaches and $462 in cash, according to an arrest report.
Anderson and a female that had just exited the vehicle, 28-year old Tiffany Potter, admitted to deputies that they had been smoking marijuana in front of the child, deputies said.
Anderson was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and child abuse without great bodily harm. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,500 bond.
Potter was charged with felony child abuse without great harm and released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Emergency Repairs Underway On Nine Mile Road
August 25, 2014
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR A LATER DATE. CLICK HERE.
Emergency repairs to Nine Mile Road between the Escambia River Bridge and Scenic Highway are underway.
Daily after morning peak hour traffic, crews will make repairs to the westbound outside, right lane and shoulder. Westbound traffic will be restricted to one lane between the Escambia River Bridge and Scenic Highway for approximately three weeks. Drivers are reminded to use caution, be patient and to be a safe and courteous driver.
All planned construction activities may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia Firefighters, EMS Crews Work To Keep School Zones Safe
August 25, 2014
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS units were in school zones across the county with lights flashing as a reminder to drivers to slow down during the first week of school. In an email to NorthEscambia.com, Jim Allen Elementary School offered a special thanks to the crew of Escambia Fire Rescue Engine 4 (pictured) in Cantonment for slowing down the traffic on Highway 95A to help keep students safe. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Farm Bureaus Donate 1.5 Tons Of Peanut Butter To Manna
August 25, 2014
The Florida Peanut Producers and the Farm Bureau in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties teamed up to donate one and a half tons of peanut butter to the Manna Food Bank.
After discussing the flood that damaged the Manna warehouse and food supply, the Escambia County Farm Bureau voted to spend $1,000 to buy peanut butter, Manna’s most needed item. The Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau board then voted to donate $1,001 toward the peanut butter donation.
When notified of the purchase of peanut butter, the board of directors of Florida Peanut Producers and Ken Barton, executive director and agreed to match the purchase and donated a pallet of peanut butter.
With the two counties cooperation and the match from the Florida Peanut Producers, the total number of peanut butters jars donated will be 2,880. The second of two pallets of Peanut Proud peanut butter is expected to ship later in August to complete the donation.
Stafford: Election Day Tips
August 25, 2014
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford offers Escambia County voters the follow tips to prepare for Tuesday’s primary election day:
- Confirm the location of your polling place prior to Election Day: check your sample ballot, voter information card, EscambiaVotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, check EscambiaVotes.com, e-mail soe@escambiavotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- If you need to update your address, contact the elections office prior to Election Day so you can be directed to your proper polling location.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- Be sure to review your sample ballot prior to Election Day in order to familiarize yourself with all of the contests. A sample ballot was mailed to voters, and you can view your sample ballot online at EscambiaVotes.com.
- Voters are encouraged to study and mark their sample ballot and bring it with them to the polls to expedite the voting process.
- Remember to make only one selection per contest on your ballot.
- Registration books closed on July 28 – new registrations for this election may not be made at the polls.
- You may not return your voted absentee ballot to your precinct on election day – it must be returned to the elections office by 7 p.m.
- If you requested an absentee ballot but chose not to return it and wish to vote at your polling place instead, please bring your ballot with you so it can be cancelled.
- Early voting ended Saturday – if you have not yet voted or did not request an absentee ballot by August 20, you must go to your designated precinct on election day.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., during lunch, and 4:30 p.m. until the polls close at 7:00 p.m.
- For further information, please contact us by phone at (850) 595-3900, e-mail us at soe@escambiavotes.com or visit www.EscambiaVotes.com.
State Parties Rake In Millions Ahead Of Elections
August 25, 2014
The Republican Party of Florida raised about $14.9 million in a little less than five months, while the Florida Democratic Party collected $13.1 million, according to newly filed finance reports.
The money was raised from April 1 through Thursday, as both parties gear up for elections that feature the big-ticket gubernatorial race. Already this year, the GOP has raised nearly $25.3 million, about $10 million more than the Democrats. During the most-recent period, the Republican Party reported spending $20.9 million, while the Democrats spent $10.7 million, the reports show.
by The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Win At Home Against The Montgomery Biscuits
August 25, 2014
Excitement ran high when Ben Lively toed the mound for the first time in his hometown for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
A much larger than usual sellout crowd packed the ballpark to see the big 22-year-old righty from Gulf Breeze High School start, after he tore up the California League for the High-A Bakersfield Blaze.
Sunday night in his last home start, Lively had several members of the Cincinnati Reds front office looking on, including Walt Jocketty the president of baseball operations and general manager.
Lively delivered his first win in seven starts at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium as the Blue Wahoos stomped the Montgomery Biscuits, 9-4, in front of 4,019 on Sunday. The Wahoos have two more home games left against the Biscuits at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
Jocketty, who was making his second visit to Pensacola, gave his critique of Lively after watching the game in the stands behind home plate. Lively ranks as the sixth best prospect in the Reds organization.
“It was the first time I’ve seen him pitch,” he said. “From what I saw he has pretty good stuff. He has a rising fastball and a good curveball. I wished I had seen him earlier. He’s had a great year.”
Lively, who entered the game 0-4 with a 3.86 ERA in front of family and friends from across the Pensacola Bay where he used to play in Gulf Breeze, was “absolutely” happy to post a W. On the year, he is now 3-6 with a 3.76 ERA and his five strikeouts in five innings last night gave him 167 on the year to remain among the top three pitchers in strikeouts in all of minor league ball.
“I stayed relaxed,” said Lively, who admitted not even remembering where he was in his first start in Pensacola. “I was a lot more calm than I was before.”
Right fielder Kyle Waldrop who had two singles, a double and a triple in five at bats scored twice and knocked in two runs said he was happy for Lively.
“It definitely feels great to get him some runs,” said Waldrop, who is batting .471 over the last two series with two home runs and 11 RBI. “He has pitched well all year.”
After the game, Lively said even tougher than fighting his nerves in his first start was fighting the 93-degree temperature to start the game. He said the heat and the 80-plus percent humidity was something he wasn’t use to anymore.
“Every time I pitched, I could see sweat flying off my arm,” he said. “It’s tough to pitch in a sauna. I just had to bear down and throw strikes when I needed to.”
The biggest adjustment Lively said he has made at Double-A is throwing a two-seam and four-seam fastball to vary the miles per hour from the high 80s to mid 90s and getting better command of his curveball that dips to the low 70s.
“We’ve been working on it and all the pitchers have been helping me out,” Lively said.
He said he’s happy to have gotten the chance to pitch in his hometown despite looking up and seeing people he knows almost every time he looks into the stands and having his cell phone light up with texts. His goal this offseason is to build his strength, especially in his legs, so he can pitch deeper in starts.
“This has been a good learning experience,” he said. “It’s been awesome.”
Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields has liked what he’s seen out of Lively, especially handling playing in his hometown.
“Ben is a competitor,” he said. “He’s pitched a lot better than his record indicates. He will be a lot better for playing here. If he plays here next year, he will be a lot more prepared.”
The fourth game of the five-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Monday. RHP Robert Stephenson (6-9, 4.84) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Biscuits LHP Jimmy Patterson (3-0, 3.67).
Pedestrian Struck And Killed
August 24, 2014
An Escambia County pedestrian was killed Saturday night when she stepped into the path of a Dodge Caravan on Pace Boulevard near Jordan Street.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 67-year old Linda Lee Green of Pensacola stepped into a crosswalk and was hit by the van, driven by 68-year old Philip Brantley Fisher of Pensacola. Green was pronounced deceased at the scene. Fisher suffered minor injuries, and his passenger was not injured.
Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, per the FHP.