Jacksonville Hangs On To Beat The Wahoos 5-4
August 7, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos came within one run of tying the Jacksonville Suns after a two-run homer with no outs by catcher Kyle Skipworth.
However, the Suns got the next three batters out to pull out a, 5-4, victory and end the Blue Wahoos three-game win streak. But Pensacola won the overall series, 12-8, and captured the Golden Skillet trophy, given to the winner of the series between the Florida rivals, for the first time since its inaugural season in 2012.
Skipworth, who hit a franchise record five home runs in five games for Pensacola in July and fell one game short of the Southern League record, hit his team-leading 10th homer of the season to right field that also scored center fielder Beau Amaral. But that was the closest Pensacola would come.
Pensacola jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning when third baseman Marquez Smith hit his fourth triple of the season and right fielder Juan Duran knocked him in with a sacrifice fly to right field.
But Jacksonville posted the next five runs to go ahead, 5-1. The Suns second baseman David Adams scored when catcher Sharif Othman grounded out into a double play to knot the game, 1-1, in the second inning.
Then in the fourth, Jacksonville added four more with three coming on first baseman Viosergy Rosa’s three-run home run to right field.
Pensacola added a run in the eighth when right fielder Bryson Smith hit a solo shot to pull within, 5-2, which set up Skipworth in the ninth.
Pensacola’s loss at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville left the Blue Wahoos in second place at 23-17 (48-60) in the Southern League South Division. The Suns are in last place at 14-26 (43-66).
Missing, Endangered Teen Located
August 6, 2015
UPDATE: This missing endangered teen has been located safe and returned to her family, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities are looking for a missing and endangered teen they believe may be somewhere in the North Escambia area.
Chloe Marie Phillips, 14, has been missing since she was reported as a runaway by her grandmother on July 28 after she never returned home from jogging in her neighborhood off Chemstrand Road.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, she is still be believed to be in the northern Florida or lower Alabama area, possibly staying with older friends. She is described as a white female with brown hair, blue eyes, about 5-feet 5-inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Chloe Marie Phillips, contact Crimestoppers at (850) 433-STOP, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, or a local law enforcement agency.
Cantonment Man Charged With Sexual Battery On Minor
August 6, 2015
A Cantonment man has been charged with sexual battery on a minor.
River Austin Sewell, age 20 of Muscogee Road, was charged with sexual battery on a person 12-18 by a person 18 or older.
Sewell had allegedly been talking to the female victim for about six months before a midnight visit to her home on Fowler Avenue. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Sewell tapped on the girl’s window, which she opened to talk to him before he removed the screen and entered the bedroom. The female described a sexual encounter as consensual to deputies.
The incident was reported to deputies by a resident of the home who wanted to press charges for “statutory rape”.
Sewell denied the allegations against him. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
West Nile Case Confirmed in Escamba County: Mosquito Borne Illness Alert Issued
August 6, 2015
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory. The first case of West Nile virus in Escambia County was confirmed in an adult male. This makes the fourth human case in Florida in 2015.
“Residents and visitors should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses,” says DOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza.
The Escambia County, Florida Mosquito Control Division and DOH-Escambia continue surveillance and prevention efforts. There is heightened concern that other Escambia County residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, the health department recommends that practice of “Drain and Cover”:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- When using repellent on children, apply to your hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
Rain Chance At 40 Percent For Today, High Of 90
August 6, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Pictured: A double rainbow Wednesday morning over Barrineau Park. Photos by Kayla Bedell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Tribal Beat Band Preview Show Friday Night
August 6, 2015
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band will present a special preview of a portion of their 2015 halftime show Friday evening, August 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the NHS Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium. The event is free is open to everyone. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
New FHSAA Overhaul Bill Filed
August 6, 2015
After a proposal to overhaul the Florida High School Athletic Association died this spring, a House Republican has filed a scaled-back version that could renew debate during the 2016 legislative session. Rep. Ross Spano, R-Dover, this week filed the measure (HB 31), which includes pieces of a broader bill that passed the House in April but failed in the Senate.
Proposals to revamp the athletic organization have been controversial in recent years and have involved issues such as the association’s governance and the eligibility of high-school athletes.
Spano’s bill, in part, would prevent fees collected by the association for such things as special events and sanctioning to exceed the association’s actual costs. It also would allow schools to join the association on a per-sport basis and would prevent the association from discouraging schools’ membership in other athletic organizations.
by The News Service of Florida
Volunteers Needed For Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission
August 6, 2015
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering for appointments to the Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission. The EPHRC was established by an Interlocal Agreement between the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Pensacola in April 1974. The purpose of the Commission is to be “responsible for the promotion of fair treatment and equal opportunity to all citizens of the local community.” Commission members, who are called Commissioners serve a two-year term of office.
Commissioners meet once a month for one hour. The Commission meetings are held to discuss the previous month’s day-to-day activities and to insure that the Interlocal Agreement between Escambia County, the City of Pensacola and the EPHRC are in compliance. Additional meetings may be held for special discussion, workshops, training sessions or community activities.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve on the Commission by the close of business on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502.
Alexander Sworn-In As New Pensacola Police Chief; Retired Chief Headed To County Job
August 6, 2015
An installation ceremony was held Wednesday for Pensacola’s new police chief.
Escambia County Judge Patricia A. Kinsey gave David Alexander III his oath of office during the event at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Community Center. Alexander’s wife Alcuin pinned his badge on him after he took his oath
of office. He became the Pensacola Police Department’s first African-American chief of police when the Pensacola City Council approved his appointment on July 16.
His appointment follows the July 31 retirement of Chief Chip W. Simmons. Simmons is set to become an assistant county administrator for Escambia County.
Simmons will be responsible for overseeing community public safety relations and coordination, firefighters both paid and volunteers, jail construction and public safety coordination and employee relations. Corrections Director Michael Tidwell, Public Safety Director Mike Weaver, Facilities Management Director David Wheeler and Building Services Director Don Mayo and their departments will report to Simmons.
Pictured: An installation service for new Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander III Wednesday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Jacksonville
August 6, 2015
Pitching was the name of the game as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (23-16, 48-59) took down the Jacksonville Suns (13-25, 42-66) by a score of 2-1 at Bragan Field. With tonight’s win, the Blue Wahoos clinched the series over the Suns.
Wahoos starter Cody Reed (2-0, 0.60) was dominant as he shut out the Suns through 8.0 innings while striking out a career-high 12 batters. Reed has allowed only one run through 14.0 innings with the Wahoos. His 12 strikeouts were also a season-high for a Wahoos pitcher. Zack Weiss earned the save, his 15th of the season.
Despite allowing only a pair of runs on three hits through 7.0 innings, Jacksonville starter Scott Lyman (0-7) is still looking for his first Double-A win. Lyman was dominant until the seventh inning, as he had allowed but a hit and two walks to that point.
Juan Duran and Ryan Wright, who each had a critical extra-base RBI in the seventh inning to break the scoreless tie, led the Wahoos at the plate. Bryson Smith, Alex Blandino and Jesse Winker also recorded hits for the Blue Wahoos. Winker now has a five-game hit streak and is batting .368 in the month of August.
The first run of the game came in the top of the seventh on a Duran RBI double to the left-center field gap that scored Marquez Smith from first. Wright would then bring Duran home on a triple over the head of Kenny Wilson in center.
Matt Juengel made some noise for the Suns in the bottom of the ninth with a deep homer over the left field wall. Weiss, however, responded with a pair of outs to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos return home Friday to begin a five-game series against the Birmingham Barons.