Poll: Clinton, Trump Too Close To Call In Florida
May 15, 2016
With voters sharply divided by gender, race and age, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump are virtually tied in Florida as the focus of this year’s presidential race shifts from the primaries to the November general election, a new poll shows.
The Quinnipiac University poll showed Clinton at 43 percent in Florida and Trump at 42 percent. While Clinton is widely expected to win the Democratic nomination, poll numbers are nearly identical when her primary opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, is matched up against Trump — 44 percent for Sanders, 42 percent for Trump.
The poll shows Clinton and Trump are unpopular with huge swaths of Florida voters. Each is viewed favorably by only 37 percent of voters and is seen unfavorably by 57 percent.
Also striking is the difference in how women and men view the candidates. Clinton, seeking to become the first woman president, leads by a margin of 48 percent to 35 percent among women, while Trump leads by a margin of 49 percent to 36 percent among men.
Trump leads Clinton by a margin of 52 percent to 33 percent among white voters, while Clinton leads 63-20 among non-white voters. White women are virtually split on the candidates, but Trump leads by a huge margin —- 61 percent to 25 percent — among white men, the poll shows.
“Republicans’ weakness among minority voters is well known,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll, said in an analysis accompanying the results. “But the reason this race is so close overall is Clinton’s historic weakness among white men. In Florida, she is getting just 25 percent from white men.”
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other swing states. It also released results Tuesday of polls in Ohio and Pennsylvania that showed Trump and Clinton in similarly tight races in those key states.
“Six months from Election Day, the presidential races between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the three most crucial states, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, are too close to call,” Brown said.
The poll was released as Republican leaders in Florida and across the nation debate whether to support Trump, a New York real-estate developer who has run against the party establishment and made controversial remarks about women and minorities. But Trump blazed through the GOP primaries, including winning 66 of 67 counties in Florida — losing only in Miami-Dade County to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who lives in the county.
Along with gender and race, the poll shows huge divides in Florida based on age. Clinton leads by a margin of 49 percent to 27 percent among voters ages 18 to 34 and leads 46 percent to 37 percent among voters ages 35 to 49. But the numbers flip with older voters: Trump is up by a margin of 49 percent to 38 percent among voters ages 50 to 64 and leads by a margin of 50 percent to 37 percent among voters 65 and older.
In the end, however, the poll indicates the race in Florida could come down to independent voters. Clinton and Trump each receive support of 39 percent of those voters.
The poll, conducted from April 27 to Sunday, surveyed registered voters in Florida and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Walk Off With Win
May 15, 2016
Bottom of the ninth inning, two outs and the bases loaded. It’s a situation every hitter has visualized at least a hundred times: the roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat and the thrill of victory.
The dream became a reality for Chad Wallach, who knocked a bases-clearing double to tie the game in the ninth before Pensacola walked off with a 5-4 win in extra innings.
Wahoos manager Pat Kelly turned to Wallach, his final position player available off the bench, to face the hard-throwing Mississippi Braves closer Mauricio Cabrera. Wallach wasted no time, sending the first pitch into the gap in right center field to erase a three-run deficit.
“When you’re in that situation and you’re trying to get a base hit for the team, you’re just going up there looking for one pitch,” Wallach said. “If the guy throws hard, you’re just trying to be on time. He threw it in a spot where I could hit it and I put a good swing on it.”
Pensacola took advantage of a leadoff walk in the 10th to set the scene for Blandino, whose single bounced past a drawn-in outfield. The team spilled onto the field in celebration and met Blandino behind second base with a baby powder shower.
“Water and baby powder, it’s kind of a disastrous mix,” Blandino joked. “But it’s always exciting when you can help your team walk off, especially the way we came back there, fighting and clawing our way back.”
Saturday’s game in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 looked like a pitcher’s duel from the start as Sal Romano and Andrew Thurman combined for 16 strikeouts. Romano turned in the longest start of his Wahoos career, allowing two runs, one earned, in seven innings with a walk and seven strikeouts.
Romano worked around a two-run fifth inning, allowing a solo home run to Johan Camargo and falling victim to a pair of two-out errors. But the Pensacola starter finished on a strong note, retiring the last seven batters he faced.
“I thought the sixth inning was his best inning,” Kelly said. “He’s one of those guys that gets stronger as he goes on.”
Pensacola got a run back in the home half of the sixth as Joe Hudson doubled and scored on Bryson Smith’s sacrifice fly. But with a pair of insurance runs against El’Hajj Muhammad, Mississippi seemed to have enough insurance to stifle a Wahoos’ rally.
The Pensacola lineup wore down the closer Cabrera and spoiled a strong start from Thurman, who struck out a career-high nine batters. Wallach’s pinch-hit double was the team’s first hit in three innings, and Blandino’s single, just the fifth of the night for Pensacola, was the last one the Wahoos would need.
The Wahoos improved to 22-14 and picked up a half-game on first place in the Southern League South Division with Biloxi’s loss.
Erin Stephanie Lee
May 15, 2016
Ms. Erin Stephanie Lee, age 49 of Flomaton, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at her home.
Ms. Lee was a lifetime member of the Century and Flomaton areas and she was a homemaker. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is preceded in death by her father, Carl Lee; and brother, Christopher Carl Lee.
She is survived by her mother, Sheila Lee of Century; son, Trey Weekes of Flomaton; daughter, Erin Elizabeth Weekes of Flomaton; sister, Elizabeth Lee of Flomaton; granddaughter, Brailee Hobbs of Flomaton; and lifelong friend, Lisa Nicholls.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Interment will follow in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery in Bogia.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
John Kyle Bell
May 15, 2016
Mr. John Kyle Bell, age 30, of Flomaton passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016, after injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was a native and former resident of Orange, Texas before moving to Flomaton in 1990. Mr. Bell had attended the Little Escambia Baptist Church. He was a 2004 graduate of Flomaton High School and was a machinest at Industrial Machines with 10 years of service. He enjoyed playing guitar.
Survivors include his parents, Gary and Jeani Hilderbrand Bell of Flomaton; grandmother, Jean Sprouse of Gulfport, MS; one brother, Curt (Caryn) Bell of Flomaton; half-sister, Patricia Lynn Bell of Hattisburg; and two nephews, Ross Bell and Jeremiah Bell.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert and Eunice Bell; grandfather, Philip Hilderbrand; and step-grandfather, Robert Sprouse.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 16, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 16, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Little Escambia Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Hogg and Rev. Edward Hilderbrand officiating.
Interment will follow in New Bethelhem Cemetery in Flomaton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.
Lawson Keith Baxley
May 15, 2016
Lawson Keith Baxley, age 61 of Jay, passed away on May 14, 2016, after a short battle with brain cancer. Lawson was born on June 23, 1954, and was raised in Jay. He loved his “VicaLou” who was by his side for the last 42 years. They enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping, and traveling together. He retired from International Paper as a millwright and was known for being able to fix anything. He liked to design and build things and was often referred to as “MacGyver”.
Lawson is preceded in death by his father, Alfred Baxley; and Leon and Flora Shell, who he thought of as parents.
Lawson is survived by his wife, Vickie Baxley; his son, Clint Baxley; his daughter, Leigh Baxley; his mother, Velma Bradley; his brother, Larry (Joyce) Baxley; and close friends, Obie and Reta Nevels, Leroy Shell, Mickey Diamond, and Marcus Godwin.
Pallbearers will be Bill Locher, Mike Nevels, Jeff Prescott, Peanut Thompson, Anthony Weeks, and Wayne Young.
Visitation will be Monday, May 16, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Brother Hall officiating.
Graveside services will follow at Concord Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Cantonment Business Seeks Help In Finding Brazen Thief
May 14, 2016
A Cantonment small business was victim of brazen theft late Friday afternoon, just before closing time.
A man walked into A-1 Small Engines in Cantonment and walked out with nearly $1,000 in small power equipment, including a string trimmer and a chainsaw. He allegedly fled in Ford F150 occupied by another man.
The extended cab pickup, with possible Florida tab BAY K73 sped northward on Highway 29, according to the business.
A-1 Small Engine is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the return of the stolen property and a conviction of the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 433-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: A string trimmer allegedly stolen from A-1 Small Engines in Cantonment can be sticking out of the bed of this truck. Pictured below: The suspect’s truck fled north on Highway 29. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Weekend
May 14, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
FWC Divers Search Escambia River For Attempted Murder Suspect’s Shotgun
May 14, 2016
A state law enforcement dive team from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spent hours Friday searching the bottom of the Escambia River for a shotgun used by an attempted murder suspect.
The FWC divers performed a systematic grid search under the Highway 4 bridge between Century and Jay, including the use of sonar equipment. On Thursday, Volunteers walked an area of the river that was about 4-5 feet deep, and magnets were pulled along in hopes of snagging the gun.
But so far, attempts to recover the shotgun from the river have been unsuccessful. Authorities plan to continue their search efforts.
Steven Lloyd Billiot, age 21 of Flomaton, remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond awaiting extradition back to Escambia County, AL, to face an attempted murder charge for allegedly shooting a man with a shotgun early Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance in a mobile home park on Highway 31 about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in the small community of Canoe, just east of Atmore. They arrived to find a man critically injured by a shotgun blast to his arm. The man allegedly got into an argument over a female with Billiot before Billiot shot him. The victim was transported to a local hospital and then transferred to the USA Medical Center in Mobile.
Billiot fled the scene and was captured several hours later after a short foot pursuit from the Farmer’s Market in Jay with the assistance of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals.
According to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert, Billiot told authorities that midday Wednesday he tossed the shotgun off the Highway 4 bridge between Century and Jay.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Don’t Forget: Help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ At Your Mailbox Today
May 14, 2016
Saturday is the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. You can help by placing a bag of non-perishable food items in or around your mailbox. Your letter carrier will collect the food items and deliver them to local food banks and pantries.
The Letter Carriers Food Drive is the largest, single-day effort to combat hunger in America.
Suggested non-perishable food items include canned soup, canned meat, canned vegetables, bottled juice, pasta, rice or cereal. Items that are past their expiration date or in glass containers should not be included.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Filing False Tax Returns
May 14, 2016
An Escambia County man has been convicted in federal court of filing false tax returns.
Justin T. Phan, 51, will be sentenced August 19.
Phan owned and operated the business Global Travel and Tours on Mobile Highway in Pensacola. As a part of the business, Phan prepared income tax returns for individuals in the local Vietnamese community. Phan also sold airline tickets, prepared immigration documents, and transferred money outside the United States for his customers.
During the course of the four-day bench trial, the government proved that Phan prepared and filed false tax returns for himself for tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010. As a part of his tax returns,Phan falsely claimed that this total income for the respective years was $14,317, $23,948, and $23,649. However, the government showed that Phan’s total income for each of the years was in excess of $100,000. As a result of his false tax returns, Phan kept from paying in excess of $100,000 in taxes.