Wahoos Fall To Lookouts
July 29, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-14, 42-57) got off to a hot start but fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts (12-17, 55-42) at AT&T Field Tuesday night.
Wahoos starter Daniel Wright (7-8, 4.66) fell after three consecutive wins on a night in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings. Most of the damage came in the decisive fourth inning, when the Lookouts had seven runs on six hits and a pair of walks. He was relieved by Wandy Peralta, newly a member of the bullpen, who went 3.0 and gave up a run on four hits.
Chattanooga’s Brett Lee (1-4, 4.25) earned his first Double-A win in nine tries this season as he went 5.0 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits.
The Wahoos struck first in the second with a three-run inning keyed by a two-RBI double from Seth Mejias-Brean, who lead the Wahoos at the plate as he went 2-4. He would later score on a throwing error to make it 3-0.
After a few frames of quiet baseball, the Lookouts made some noise in the bottom of the fourth as they scored seven runs on six hits, taking a 7-3 lead and chasing Wright out of the game in the process.
The Wahoos attempted to cut into the lead in the top of the fifth as they loaded the bases without a hit, but they came up empty as Lee was able to hold strong.
The Lookouts added to their lead as Shannon Wilkerson drove in a run on a double to right field, making the score 8-3.
The Wahoos threatened again in the eighth as Juan Duran’s double and Mejias-Brean’s single put runners at the corners with nobody out. However, the Wahoos came up empty.
RHP Kevin Shackelford did not give up a hit in the eighth inning as he made his 20th appearance since April 25. Since then, he’s gone 1-3 with a 1.50 ERA (four earned runs in 24.0 innings of work) with nine walks and 12 strikeouts.
The Wahoos have now dropped four straight after reaching the top of the division last week at 17-10.
The Blue Wahoos are on a 10-day road trip against the Chattanooga Lookouts and Jacksonville Suns.
Miller Among U.S. Senate Hopefuls; Pollster Says No Front-Runner Yet
July 28, 2015
In another sign of “muddled” races, Congressmen Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy are virtually tied in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, while Congressman David Jolly holds a slight lead among announced Republican candidates, according to a Mason-Dixon poll released Monday. No far behind is Congressman Jeff Miller of Chumuckla.
“There is no clear favorite in either primary race for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat,” pollster Brad Coker said in an analysis accompanying the results. “In the current field of declared or highly likely candidates, no one currently appears to have enough strength to be labeled as the ‘front-runner.’ ”
The race to replace Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio likely will be one of the most-closely watched Senate contests in the country in 2016. But it has not attracted any candidates with big statewide names, leading to primaries that Coker described as “muddled to say the least.”
“There is no clear favorite in either primary race for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat,” pollster Brad Coker said in an analysis accompanying the results. “In the current field of declared or highly likely candidates, no one currently appears to have enough strength to be labeled as the ‘front-runner.’ ”
A Quinnipiac University poll released last month also showed that voters knew little about the candidates.
The Mason-Dixon poll, conducted last week, showed Grayson with the support of 33 percent of registered Democratic voters and Murphy with the support of 32 percent. The poll indicated 35 percent of Democrats were undecided in such a head-to-head match-up.
On the GOP side, the poll gave Jolly the support of 16 percent of registered Republicans. He was followed by Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera at 10 percent; Congressman Ron DeSantis at 9 percent; Congressman Jeff Miller at 8 percent; and Orlando businessman Todd Wilcox at 2 percent. A whopping 55 percent of GOP voters indicated they were undecided.
Miller has not announced whether he will run for the seat.
The poll also asked voters about two potential wildcards in the Senate race: Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Graham and former state Attorney General Bill McCollum. Both have faced speculation that they will run for Senate, with the speculation about Graham largely fueled by an upcoming congressional redistricting process.
Graham, the daughter of former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, trailed the other Democrats by double digits in a hypothetical contest, with Murphy at 26 percent, Grayson at 24 percent and Graham at 11 percent.
“It is apparent that most Florida Democrats statewide currently do not make the personal connection between her and her iconic father — former Governor and Senator Bob Graham,” Coker said in the analysis. “Over the course of a campaign that would change of course, and she certainly has great potential to become the heavy Democratic favorite over the next year. But she will have some work to do to get there.”
McCollum, meanwhile, would jump to the top of the Republican field. When his name was added to the poll, McCollum was at 22 percent, Jolly was at 11 percent, DeSantis was at 8 percent, Lopez-Cantera was at 7 percent, Miller was at 6 percent and Wilcox was at 1 percent.
In the analysis, however, Coker noted that McCollum has lost statewide races in the past, including the governor’s race in 2010 and two U.S. Senate bids.
“Given his history of losing early leads in several previous statewide races, that number (22 percent) would not be daunting enough to scare away any rivals,” Coker said.
Coker’s firm, Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., conducted the poll from July 20 through Friday. It surveyed 500 registered Republican voters and 500 registered Democrats. The results said the margin of error is “no more than 4.5 percentage points.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Millions Available For RESTORE Projects For Individuals, Businesses, Organizations
July 28, 2015
Individuals, businesses and organizations in Escambia County have the opportunity to submit projects for millions of dollars in RESTORE projects to be funded with civil penalties from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Monday evening, a Distirct 5 pubic workshop was held at the Langley Bell 4-H Center to give residents an opportunity to learn more about using the project portal, answer questions regarding application preparation and submission, and encourage collaboration.
The Escambia County RESTORE Project Application Portal is now open and can be accessed by visiting restore.myescambia.com until September 30.
Submitted projects must:
- Meet at least one of the eligibility criteria outlined in the federal RESTORE Act (see eligible activities)
- Include a project budget
- Address the evaluation criteria which can be found at www.myescambia.com/restore
Once the application portal closes, project proposals will be evaluated by the technical review team consisting of subject matter experts, the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee and the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners.
During the review process, applicants may be contacted for more information. Once all projects have been ranked, a list of recommended projects will be posted on www.myescambia.com/restore. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments on the project list. The Board of County Commissioners has the final authority for approval of the project list before it is submitted to the U.S. Department of Treasury for federal level review.
For more information, contact Shelly Marshall, RESTORE coordinator for Escambia County, at (850) 595-5460, email restore@myescambia.com.
One additional public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11 at the Gull Point Community Center at 7000 Spanish Trail Road.
Pictured: A Monday evening District 5 RESTORE project meeting at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hot, Near 100 This Afternoon
July 28, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. North wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Increasing clouds and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Pictured: It was 97 degrees at Ernest Ward Middle School on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill at 1:26 Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Court Orders Resentencing For ‘Gravely Ill’ Sex Offender
July 28, 2015
An appeals court Monday ordered a new sentencing hearing for a “gravely ill” Santa Rosa County sex offender who could face nearly five years in prison for failing to report a new address.
The inmate, 50-year old Anthony Paul Childers, sought to have his 57.6-month sentence reduced because of severe medical conditions including cirrhosis of the liver and internal bleeding. His attorneys pointed to part of state law that allows such reductions when inmates have physical disabilities and are “amenable” to treatment.
A Santa Rosa County judge turned down Childers’ request.
But a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court ordered resentencing because it said it was “unable to discern from the record why the trial court rejected (Childers’) request for a downward departure sentence.” The ruling said Childers pleaded no contest to a charge of failing to report or register a change in address. It said a circuit judge should determine whether Childers meets the legal requirements for a reduced sentence and, if so, whether that is the “best sentencing option” for him.
Northview Grad Weeks Inks With Jeff Davis Baseball
July 28, 2015
Northview High School graduate Brett Weeks has signed a full baseball scholarship with Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton. Weeks was part of Northview’s district and regional championship teams and the’s first appearance in the state final four. Pictured: Brett Weeks (center), his mother Julie Weeks, father Ray Weeks (right) and Northview Coach Marty Lister (standing). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jo Ann Joyce
July 28, 2015
Jo Ann Joyce, 77, went home to be with the Lord, July 27, 2015. Jo Ann was born August 25, 1937, in Evergreen, AL to the late Gertrude and Zell Potts. The family moved to Pensacola when she was at a young age and she has lived here most of her life. Jo Ann is a born again Christian, King James Bible believer and a member of Charity Baptist Church. She is now in Heaven with her many loved ones and friends, especially her Christian mentor and sister in Christ, Mary Sims.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lamar Potts; and a sister, Gloria Jean DeCosta.
Jo Ann is survived by her loving husband, Ronnie; daughter, Kimberly Schaaf; son, Leonard Joyce; sister, Mazelle (Jack) Lewis; brothers, Wendell (Ruby) Potts, Alvin (Marie) Potts and Haywood (Teresa) Potts; grandchildren, Brandon (Megan), Kayla, and Calvin Schaaf, and Megan Martin; and many nieces and nephews.
Jo Ann and Ronnie were married 53 years and 73 days on this earth, but will be reunited in Heaven one day for eternity.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gospel Country at WHBR Christian Television Network, 6500 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with burial following at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens. Dr. James McGaughey will have the honor of officiating Jo Ann’s Going Home Celebration.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. prior to services at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Pallbearers will be Steven Barry, Wayne Blackmon, John Lovrien, Ian Skelley, Kenneth Stanford, and Sandy Wyatt.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Vaughn Simpson
July 28, 2015
Our mother was born November 7, 1923, in Molino. She passed to her heavenly home on July 27, 2015, surrounded by her loving family at her home. She was a lifelong member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice and William Vaughn; son, Billy L. Simpson; three sisters, Bette Luth, Leslie Geranson, and Emma Ruth Churchill; and one brother, Melvin Vaughn.
Mom is survived by two sons, Michael (Shirley) Ghiorso and Fred (Diane) Ghiorso; two daughters, Kim (James) Freeman and Peggy (Michael) Smith; and two brothers, Roderick (Virginia) Vaughn and Luther Vaughn.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 30, 2015, beginning at 10 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with burial to follow in Crabtree Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Kasie Helpzkidz (www.khkidz.org).
Pallbearers will be James Freeman II, Tim Freeman, and Gregory Monroe.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Escambia County Sheriff Traffic Unit.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
State, Tribe At Odds On Card Games
July 28, 2015
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is refusing to fold on its push to continue hosting blackjack and baccarat at most of its casinos, but Gov. Rick Scott’s administration is trying to shut down the lucrative “banked” card games.
Letters swapped Monday between the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the tribe indicate that the two sides may be heading toward a showdown later this year over the card games, part of a 20-year gambling “compact” inked in 2010.
Authorization of the card games is set to expire Friday. The compact gives the tribe 90 days to put an end to the card games, which include blackjack, baccarat and chemin de fer.
In a letter sent to tribal chief James Billie, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Ken Lawson asked the tribe “to discuss your plan and proposed timeline for the closure of banked card games at your tribal facilities.”
Lawson also took note of the state’s “great working relationship” with the tribe in his note to Billie, adding that “I look forward to continuing that good will.”
The tribe quickly responded with a letter to the governor’s office requesting mediation in the dispute.
“The tribe alleges the state has triggered the exception to the sunset provision for banked card games, as well as other compact remedies, by electing to permit other entities in Florida to conduct various types of banked card games,” part of the letter reads.
The 2010 agreement gave the tribe exclusive rights to operate banked card games at five of its seven facilities for five years. In exchange, the Seminoles pledged to pay Florida a minimum of $1 billion over the same time period, an amount the tribe has exceeded.
The tribe and its lawyers contend that the state has allowed other gambling operators to operate banked card games, however, in violation of the exclusivity deal.
Billie sent Scott and state legislative leaders a “notice of commencement of compact dispute resolution procedures” last month outlining what the tribe considers violations of the agreement.
The June 24 letter included a claim the tribe has made for years regarding slot machines that look like blackjack and roulette and are authorized by state gambling regulators at non-tribal pari-mutuels. The slots operate essentially the same as the banked games, Billie wrote, the only difference being that the cards are electronic instead of paper, “a distinction we assert is without a difference.”
The Seminoles also raised a new issue in last month’s letter about whether player-banked card games in which the “bank” is another player instead of “the house” — first authorized by state gambling regulators in 2011and now at play in at least three pari-mutuel facilities — also violate the tribe’s rights to exclusivity. “Banked” card games, such as blackjack, are typically considered those in which players bet against the house instead of each other.
The June request triggered a 30-day period — which ended Sunday — for negotiations that apparently went nowhere.
According to Monday’s letter from the tribe’s lawyers, “the parties met on July 16, 2015, but did not resolve the dispute.”
Federal law gives both sides the right to request mediation if the dispute hasn’t been resolved.
Lawmakers failed to pass a renewal of the compact or a new deal during this spring’s legislative session. But some believed that the 90 days provided to the Seminoles to shut down the games would give enough time to reconsider the issue when the Legislature returns for committee meetings in the fall.
The tribe’s push to keep running the games — and possibly add others, such as craps and roulette — comes as out-of-state casinos continue to seek a foothold in Florida.
But leading GOP senators, who have been on front on the issue, insist that no gambling legislation will be approved unless the compact is resolved first.
If the state refuses to renew the deal, it is almost certain the Seminoles will turn to the courts to resolve the matter.
Monday’s exchanges, however, don’t mean that litigation is a certainty, according to Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, who headed negotiations with the tribe while a House member in 2010.
“This is similar to the position we were in last time before we were able to enter into a deal. I think the state has significant leverage at this point, and there’s nothing to preclude us from having those negotiations,” Galvano, R-Bradenton, said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Putnam Fast-Tracks Concealed Weapons Licenses For Military Members, Veterans
July 28, 2015
Florida, which already has the most concealed-weapon licenses in the nation, is now fast-tracking the process for active-duty military members and honorably discharged veterans.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Monday that active and retired service members will immediately begin to get top priority when applying for the licenses.
The expedited process is part of the state’s reaction to a shooting rampage in Tennessee in which four Marines and a sailor were killed on July 16.
“The men and women who serve and have served our country deserve all of the support we can provide,” Putnam said in a prepared statement.
The announcement expands upon an executive order issued July 18 by Gov. Rick Scott. The executive order included a requirement that preference be given to members of the Florida National Guard when applying for concealed-weapon licenses.
The order also directed Adjutant Gen. Michael Calhoun to temporarily move National Guard members from six “storefront” recruitment centers to armories and to work with local law-enforcement agencies to arrange regular security checks of armories.
Putnam expanded the license fast-tracking to include all military members.
Active members of the military are advised to include copies of their Common Access Cards or other forms of official military identification with their applications. Veterans have to file copies of their DD 214 long forms with their applications to get fast-tracked.
The state agency hasn’t estimated how many members of the military and veterans will take advantage of the expedited process, said Putnam spokeswoman Jennifer Meale.
Currently, there are more than 1.41 million concealed-weapon licenses issued in Florida, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which administers the program.
The state went over the 1 million mark in December 2012, becoming the first state in the nation to surpass that figure.
Pennsylvania, which does not post its concealed-weapon numbers, has reportedly joined Florida in surpassing the 1 million mark.
According to a 2014 study from the Pennsylvania-based Crime Prevention Research Center, Texas has issued the third most concealed-carry permits among the states.
There were 825,957 concealed-carry permits in Texas as of Dec. 31, 2014, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers in 2014 made it more convenient to apply for a concealed-carry licenses by allowing county tax collectors’ offices to accept applications.
So far, 13 offices — Brevard, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, St. Johns and Walton — accept the applications.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida