Biloxi Ties Series With 5-2 Win Over Pensacola
April 19, 2016
Pensacola center fielder Beau Amaral tripled in two runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull the Blue Wahoos within one run, 3-2, but it was not enough as the Biloxi Shuckers held on to win Monday in MGM Park.
Biloxi first baseman Nick Ramirez hit his first home run of the year in the bottom of the seventh inning to help the Shuckers defeat Pensacola, 5-2. The victory pulled the defending Southern League South Division champions within a half game of Pensacola, improving its record to 8-3. Pensacola remains in first place at 9-3.
It was the Shuckers who showed the dominant pitching Monday. The Blue Wahoos left fielder Tony Renda, hitting .306 for Pensacola, led off the seventh inning with the team’s first hit off reliever Tristan Archer.
Milwaukee Brewers No. 14 prospect 22-year-old, lefty Josh Hader pitched a scoreless and hitless four innings with three walks and seven strikeouts in his third start of the season. Hader was the only southpaw starter in the Brewers camp this year.
Renda, who went 1-3, got Pensacola going. Pinch-hitter Sebastian Elizalde followed him with a two-out single to center off of Archer, who was then replaced by Stephen Peterson.
Peterson promptly served up a two-out triple to Pensacola’s Amaral that drove in two runs to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 3-2. Amaral upped his team-leading RBI total to eight this season, going 1-4.
But Biloxi came right back on the homer by Ramirez.
Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson caught outfielder Garrett Cooper trying to steal to end the eighth inning and gave the Blue Wahoos one last chance to tie or win it in the ninth inning. However, Biloxi’s leading closer Jay Chapman came in and set Pensacola down in order to earn his fourth save in five games. He has yet to give up a hit or run in five innings of work and has struck out seven.
Biloxi added two runs in the fourth, when it loaded the bases on singles by third baseman Nate Orf, catcher Jacob Nottingham and Cooper. With one out, shortstop Javier Betancourt singled to center in the bottom of the fourth inning to drive in Orf and Nottingham for a 3-0 Biloxi lead.
Biloxi scored, 1-0, when Cooper singled in the bottom of the first inning to score right fielder Brett Phillips.
Amir Garrett, the Cincinnati Reds No. 3 prospect according to Baseball America, threw six innings and allowed three runs, two earned on six hits and one walk, while striking out five.
But it was Hader, the only southpaw starter in the Brewers camp this year, who starred Monday. Received in a trade with the Houston Astros, some say the young lefty may make the Brewers team as soon as this year.
Greg Evers Files For Congress
April 18, 2016
State Sen. Greg Ever has filed to run for Congress, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
Evers will officially “announce intentions” at a press conference Tuesday morning in Milton, he told NorthEscambia.com Monday morning. He would not confirm that his announcement would be a Congressional run.
With a run for Congress, Evers would join what is expected to be a highly contested Republican primary to replace U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, who recently announced he will not seek re-election to the District 1 seat he has held for 15 years.
“If I do run, it’s because I believe it’s where I can be the most effective service to my constituents, and not because I’m in a rush to enter the political fray in order to gain some sort of purely political, strategic advantage,” Evers, R-Baker, told The News Service of Florida last month. “I really believe these are serious times, extremely serious times. I intend to conduct myself accordingly. That requires that I do lots of prayer and research. That’s the reason I’m in Washington. And it was very humbling. Our country is in a serious state of affairs right now. We have to have a leader that’s going to stand up for the Panhandle. I’ve done that at the state level, but I want to be sure that I’m the right person to do that in Washington.”
The Northwest Florida district — one of the state’s most conservative — borders the Alabama border and spans Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties and includes most of Holmes County.
Evers has filed a “Statement of Candidacy” for the House seat with the Federal Elections Commission.
Pictured: Helen Mincy of Century explains damage to Sen. Greg Evers following the EF-3 tornado that ravaged part of the town in February. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County Set To Settle With Ambulance Wreck Victims
April 18, 2016
Escambia County is set to make final settlement payment for injuries resulting from a 2012 ambulance wreck in Century.
The accident happened about 8:15 a.m. on October 22, 2012, when an Escambia County EMS unit in the parking lot of the Whataburger on North Century Boulevard received an emergency call to Century Care Center.
The county ambulance driver activated the emergency lights and sirens on the ambulance and stopped at the stop sign while exiting the parking lot onto Highway 29, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Traffic in the northbound lanes stopped to allow the ambulance to proceed. The driver did not see a 2004 Chevrolet SUV and begin to cross over the northbound lanes to turn south, with the front of the ambulance colliding with the side of the SUV.
The driver of the SUV, then 80-year old Barney Cash of Century, was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. His passenger, Clifton Underwood, Jr. of Century, was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
Underwood was severely and permanently injured and his case was previously settled for the total sum of $195,000.
Cash claimed injury to his back, but has extensive pre-existing conditions involving his low back and both knees which limited his mobility. A jury would have taken these pre-existing conditions into account in determining whether Mr. Cash suffered a permanent injury from the collision, according to county documents.
The county attorney’s office and the Escambia County Commission met in an attorney/client session on June 2, 2015 and was given maximum settlement authority of $30,000. Deputy County Attorney Charles V. Peppler conducted negotiations with the attorney representing Barney Cash and his wife Irene who proposed to settle the case for an additional $1,500.
If approved by a vote of the county commission on Thursday, the county will settle the Cash’s claim for a total of $31,500.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And 80 Tuesday
April 18, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Escambia Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter In Bay County
April 18, 2016
An Escambia County man has been charged in Bay County after running over and killing a man on a scooter.
Kenneth Lee Manhard, 53, was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and driving with a suspended license while causing a death.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Manhard was crossing the Hathaway Bridge on Highway 98 in a 2008 Hyundai Accent when he hit a 2015 Scooter driven by 30-year old Jerry Malachi Jones of Lynn Haven, FL Manhard continued eastbound, leaving the scene of the accident. Witnesses said that two other unknown vehicles may have collided with Jones after the initial impact.
WJHG television reported that Manhard went to a bar in Panama City after the accident. He left the bar because it was closed, but a server called the FHP and followed him.
Anyone with information on the accident is asked to call the Corporal W.A. Mathers at (850) 873-7020 ext. 83656.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
April 18, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29– Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
- I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements – The speed limit on I-10 eastbound near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) has been reduced to 50 mph.
- U.S. 90 over Escambia River- Intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening – Intermittent and alternating lane closures, between State Road (S.R.) 291 (Davis Highway/Exit 13) and U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, April 18 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 292 (Theo Barrs Bridge) – Intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, April 18 to 2 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform striping operations.
- U.S. 98 (East Gregory Street) – Westbound outside lane closed between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform underground utility work.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) – Westbound inside lane closed between Tarragona and Palafox streets from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 as crews perform underground utility work.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 17 through Thursday, April 21 as crews place barrier wall. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange during this time as crews perform bridge work.
- S.R. 87 Multilane-– Drivers are reminded of the temporary speed limit reduction from 55 mph to 45 mph from the Eglin Air Force Base boundary to Choctaw Field Road and from one mile south of the Yellow River to the southern end of the Yellow River bridge. The reduced speed limit is needed for roadway reconstruction efforts that will require shoulder closures along S.R. 87.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Pictured: Work on widening I-10 near Scenic Highway in Escambia County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manna Food Pantries Purchases New Home
April 18, 2016
MANNA Food Pantries has purchased its new future home, the Pensacola Mill Supply Building on North “E” Street.
The 23,000 square foot building is located less than two miles from MANNA’s current home near two bus routes and the bus terminal. The building is large enough to house both client services and warehouse operations under one roof for the first time in decades — greatly improving service quality to the hungry.
“As we approach the anniversary of the 2014 flood that severely impacted MANNA, we are grateful and excited to have found a new home that best serves the needs of our community and of MANNA,” said DeDe Flounlacker, MANNA Executive Director. “The location provides important access from downtown and other nearby areas where many people who need our help live.”
The non-profit hopes to have renovations completed and to be moved into the building by early 2017.
“We will be reaching out to our supporters throughout the community as MANNA embarks on a capital campaign to raise approximately $1 million to pay for the new building, renovations and move,” said Flounlacker. “After the flood, the community was so generous and helped us get back on our feet to resume feeding the hungry. And now we’ll be able to take services to a new level in serving the hungry. We’re excited about the impact we’ll be able to make from this building and location.”
Not a soup kitchen, MANNA Food Pantries is a local, grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger in Escambia & Santa Rosa counties. Our mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food–related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger. We are nonsectarian, community focused and volunteer supported. We believe every person has a right to live free of hunger and to be treated with respect and dignity.
Jim Allen Third Graders Take On Multiplication Challenge
April 18, 2016
Adult visitors need to be ready if they visit a third grade classroom at Jim Allen Elementary School. They will find themselves in a battle as they try to complete the “Multiplication Challenge”, as did recent visitor Malcolm Thomas, Escambia superintendent of schools. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Post Office Open Later For Tax Returns
April 18, 2016
One local post office will be open later than usual today for those last minute tax filers on this April 18 tax deadline. The Walnut Hill Post Office, located on Highway 99A adjacent to Ernest Ward Middle School, will be open until 6 p.m.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, other area post offices will close today as follows:
- Century, 4 p.m.
- McDavid, 4 p.m.
- Molino, 4 p.m.
- Cantonment, 4:30 p.m.
- Gonzalez, 5:00 p.m.
- Pensacola – Jordan Street, 5:30 p.m.
- Pensacola – Downtown, 4:30 p.m.
- Pensacola – East Hill, 4:30 p.m.
- Myrtle Grove , 4:30
- Warrington, 4:30 p.m.
- Jay 4 p.m.
- Flomaton, 4:15 p.m.
- Atmore, 4 p.m.
The U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill is a contract facility operated by Escambia River Electric Cooperative. It normally closes at 3:30 p.m on weekdays.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Treatment, Military Voting Bills
April 18, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott has signed two bills that are expected to help people get mental-health or substance-abuse treatment and make it easier for military personnel from Florida to vote.
With those moves, Scott finished acting on all 272 bills — including the state budget — approved by the Legislature this year. He signed all but three. The treatment measure includes what is known as a “no wrong door” policy, which would allow people who need mental-health or substance-abuse treatment to get it no matter how they enter the systems — whether through criminal offenses or personal crises. To do that, the bill would create central receiving facilities to function as single points of access to emergency care and intervention services. Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairman Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, sponsored the bill, with House Children, Families and Seniors Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, spearheading the issue in the House.
The military-related measure creates a task force to review the development of an online voting system for overseas military voters as a way to return completed absentee ballots. The new law, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, also requires landlords to act within seven days on lease applications submitted by service members. The bill also makes clear that former members of the Florida National Guard are eligible for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
by The News Service of Florida