Same Old Summer Weather Pattern
July 22, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Inmate Labor Saves Healthy Start $1,700
July 22, 2016
The Healthy Start Program in Century saved an estimated $1,700 by using inmate labor.
The county-owned Healthy Start location on Church Street was damaged in the February 15 E-3 tornado that struck Century. The program was moved next door to another county-owned building, and now the original building has been restored.
Over the last few days. five inmates from the Century Correctional Work Camp put together several desks and chairs and placed them in the repaired building. The also moved equipment and supplies from the temporary building back to the renovated building.
Using the Florida Department of Corrections standard formula, the cost saving to Healthy Start was $1,724.
The Century Healthy Start program will hold an open house next Thursday, July 28 from 9 a.m. until noon.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Continues Budget Setting Process
July 22, 2016
The Town of Century continued a series of budget workshops Thursday afternoon as they work toward preparing their fiscal year 2016-17 budget. The next budget workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 28 with additional workshops to be scheduled. Pictured: (clockwise, from left) Council President Ben Boutwell; council members Sandra McMurray Jackson, Ann Brooks, Annie Savage; Clerk of Finance Kristina Wood; Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez and accountant Robert Hudson. Century Mayor Freddie McCall was also present at the meeting. Pictured left: Hudson reviews financial documents. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Trump Delivers Message: ‘I Am With You’
July 22, 2016
[Cleveland, OH] Accepting perhaps the most unlikely major-party nomination in American history, Donald Trump used his prime time address Thursday at the Republican National Convention to frame an alternately bleak and optimistic argument of where the nation is, and where it could go.
Playing off of Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton’s “I’m With Her” catchphrase, the billionaire real-estate developer turned reality-television star promised to stand up for everyday Americans.
“I am your voice,” Trump said. “So to every parent who dreams for their child, and every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you tonight: I am with you, I will fight for you, and I will win for you.”
Trump’s speech, which lasted about an hour and 15 minutes and closed the four-day convention in Cleveland, was largely devoid of the personal insults and wandering thoughts that helped draw attention during his charge to the GOP nomination. But he still lacerated President Barack Obama and Clinton, a former senator and secretary of state, for increasing the danger faced by Americans.
Trump condemned policies supported by Clinton as sowing chaos in the Middle East, from the rise of the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist organization to turmoil in Egypt and Iraq.
“This is the legacy of Hillary Clinton: death, destruction, terrorism and weakness,” Trump said. “But Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy.”
Trump didn’t unveil any completely new policies in his speech. He ripped existing free-trade agreements and promised to renegotiate them. Trump claimed the mantle of “the law and order candidate” and reiterated a relatively new idea to work to roll back restrictions on the political speech of tax-exempt organizations.
The new nominee also repeated his pledge to build a border wall — though he didn’t promise that Mexico would pay for it, as he has before — and said the United States should temporarily suspend immigration from nations “compromised by terrorism.” That is a curtailed version of his proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States.
Trump also tried to soften the edges of his proposals, which have prompted Democrats and opponents to accuse him of racism and bigotry.
“We will be a country of generosity and warmth,” Trump said. “But we will also be a country of law and order.”
Trump also showed some of his famous disdain for political correctness. After talking about his proposal to block immigrants from some nations until vetting could be strengthened, he ad libbed: “We don’t want them in our country.”
John Podesta, who chairs Clinton’s campaign, blasted Trump for his portrayal of the country and the prescriptions for its problems.
“Tonight, Donald Trump painted a dark picture of an America in decline,” Podesta said. “And his answer — more fear, more division, more anger, more hate — was yet another reminder that he is temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be president of the United States.”
Even before Trump delivered the speech, which was leaked to the media ahead of his appearance, other critics were accusing him of distorting the facts. The Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law said Trump was cherry-picking or exaggerating the statistics he used to argue that crime is on the rise.
“Overall, crime rates remain at historic lows,” Ames Grawert, a counsel in the center’s justice program, said in a prepared statement. “Fear-inducing soundbites are counterproductive, and distract from nuanced, data-driven, and solution-oriented conversations on how to build a smarter criminal justice system in America.”
Grawert said it’s “too early to say” whether an increase in homicides in some cities signifies a national trend.
Trump’s speech capped off one of the more memorable political conventions in years. Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, became the first openly gay person to speak to a Republican convention.
Other surprising moments, though, were chaotic.
The first day of the event was dominated by an arcane fight over party rules and a speech by Trump’s wife, Melania, which was later revealed to have included some passages from a similar address by First Lady Michelle Obama.
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas — who was the strongest challenger to Trump in a bitter primary fight — was booed harshly when he refused to explicitly endorse Trump against Clinton.
“It’s everything we expected and a lot of things that we didn’t want,” said Rico Petrocelli, Florida state committeeman for the Broward County GOP.
Party leaders, though, tried to play down the idea that Trump’s rise and the convention had badly divided Republicans. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich said this year’s gathering was “a very mild convention” when looked at against the fights of the 1960s and 1970s. Gingrich, though, conceded it was unique in an era when conventions have become televised set pieces.
“The fact is he won the nomination by being very smart, using social media in a way that nobody ever had before,” Gingrich said. “And this is a genuine change. It’s a very dramatic change. Well, guess what? Very dramatic changes have very dramatic side effects.”
And while Gingrich suggested Cruz shouldn’t have delivered the speech Wednesday without making an endorsement, he said the reaction showed how unified the party is.
“It also proved … that this is a party which has now decided that Donald Trump is its leader and this is a party that wants to win the presidency,” he said.
Republicans are hoping that the dynamics of a badly polarized electorate can help the party in the fall. Clinton long ago achieved a sort of arch-villain status among conservatives.
Trump has vowed to appoint conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, a key promise to social conservatives who had previously been wary of the thrice-married casino owner.
The next president could have an opportunity to fill the vacancy created this year by the death of Antonin Scalia, and a handful of older current justices could also retire. Republican voters won’t want Clinton to name their replacements, Florida GOP Chairman Blaise Ingoglia said.
“The prospect of not having a 7-2 liberal Supreme Court will be motivating factor enough. And then some,” said Ingoglia, who is also a state House member from Spring Hill.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Reagan’s Former PAC Endorses Rebekah Bydlak For Congress
July 22, 2016
Congressional candidate Rebekah Bydlak of Cantonment announced that she has earned the endorsement of Citizens for the Republic, Ronald Reagan’s former PAC. Citizens for the Republic released the following statement with their endorsement:
Bydlak’s work for the Coalition to Reduce Spending, an advocacy organization dedicated to reducing federal spending and debt, proves she is dedicated to the limited government principles advocated by our 40th president and all Americans who believe Washington has become too powerful and special interests too potent.
Bydlak understands the people of Florida’s 1st Congressional District need an advocate in Washington who will fight for them and work for to ensure greater fiscal responsibility and root out the waste, fraud, and abuse in the government that burdens the American taxpayers.
Diana Banister, Executive Director of CFTR, additionally added:
“We have seen Rebekah in action and know she will fight for American taxpayers and those who cherish freedom in this country. Rebekah has witnessed first-hand how Washington is broken and has policy solutions that can reduce federal spending at its source, knowing we cannot tax, spend and regulate our way to a balanced budget. She will be a tremendous asset to the citizens of the 1st Congressional District in Florida and to the nation.”
“Rebekah’s work ethic, principles, and leadership will serve the people of her home district well. We are proud to endorse a principled conservative candidate for U.S. Congress.”
Bydlak offered the following comment in response:
“The legacy of America’s greatest President lives on to this day, and I am proud to carry it forward. This endorsement illustrates my campaign’s growing momentum and my deep commitment to conservative principles.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
OneBlood To Begin Testing Blood Donations For Zika Virus
July 22, 2016
As of August 1, OneBlood will begin testing blood donations for the Zika virus.
“With approval to begin using the investigational test granted, our immediate plan is to begin testing a portion of our collections for the Zika virus to allow hospitals to have access to Zika-screened blood products from unaffected areas to use with their high risk patients, such as pregnant women,” said Dr. Rita Reik, OneBlood’s chief medical officer. “Hospitals that want Zika-screened products will request what they need on an on-demand basis. We will expand our inventory of Zika-screened blood based on hospital usage.”
Additional proactive steps OneBlood implemented earlier this year to protect the local blood supply from the Zika virus remain in effect including enacting additional donor deferral guidelines, updating the donor history questionnaire to include Zika specific questions and issuing educational materials to donors.
Wahoos Top Biloxi 3-0
July 22, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Rookie Davis blanked the Biloxi Shuckers for the second time in his last three starts since lasting just two innings against the Mobile BayBears.
Davis pitched just one batter over the minimum in five scoreless innings helping Pensacola to a 3-0 victory Thursday over the Biloxi Shuckers in front of 4,448 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Two of his last three starts have come at home against Biloxi, who Davis has shutout over 12 innings. In his last three starts, Davis has pitched 18 innings, allowing two earned runs and one walk, and striking out 18.
“Anytime you pitch at home it’s awesome,” Davis said. “I’m trusting myself and trusting my stuff and pitching as well as I can.”
Both Davis and Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said that he has finally 100 percent healthy. Davis improved to a team-leading 8-3 and lowered his ERA to 2.68.
“It’s been a long year of tedious injuries, nagging injuries,” said Davis, who’s been bothered by hip and groin injuries and missed three starts. “It’s been frustrating for me.”
Davis was taken out after five innings when he took a hard hit grounder by Biloxi right fielder Tyrone Taylor off his thumb on his glove hand in the fourth inning.
“I think he’s finally healthy,” Kelly said about Davis. “His velocity is up and we’re seeing him use his legs a lot more.”
Davis can thank first baseman Eric Jagielo for facing just 16 batters, despite giving up four hits. Jagielo caught two line drives and stepped on first for a double play twice. Biloxi’s Taylor singled in the first inning but then got caught stealing.
In his start Thursday, Davis threw five innings allowed four hits, no walks and struck out four.
Davis wasn’t the only one to turn in a good pitching performance. Making his Pensacola debut was reliever Abel De Los Santos, who the Cincinnati Reds claimed off of waivers from the Washington Nationals.
He entered the game in the eighth inning and ended up pitching two scoreless innings, gave up one walk and struck out one.
Biloxi, who is hitting a Southern League worst .233 on the season, is now 13 for 63 (.206) in the first two games against the Blue Wahoos. The Shuckers entered the series hitting .209 against Pensacola pitchers, who have a Southern League-leading 3.24 ERA. Tonight marked the eighth shutout for the season.
Pensacola jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Blue Wahoos center fielder Beau Amaral and Alex Blandino led off with walks to start the game. Amaral scored when right fielder Sebastian Elizalde hit a ground ball to left field and Blandino came in on second baseman Brandon Dixon’s sacrifice fly near the warning track in center to go ahead, 2-0. Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej then hit a slow dribbler to third base for a single that drove in Elizalde to go up, 3-0.
Biloxi starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann, who struck out 12 Pensacola hitters in 4.2 innings in his last start against them, combined with relievers Mitch Lambson and Tristan Archer to retire 13 Blue Wahoos in a row before Archer walked Pensacola catcher Chad Wallach in the seventh inning.
The Shuckers’ Jungman, who started the year with the Milwaukee Brewers, worked five innings, giving up three hits, three walks and three earned runs, while striking out three.
The Blue Wahoos improved to 14-13 in the second half and are one game back in third place in the Southern League South Division. The first half South Division champions are 55-42 overall.
Kelly said the team is starting to play well together again.
“We had such a tough grind over the last two weeks of the first half,” Kelly said. “Mentally it was a little tough. Plus, we played a couple of good clubs to start the second half.”
Northview Head Football, Baseball Coach Wheatley Resigns
July 21, 2016
Northview High School head football and baseball coach Sid Wheatley has resigned to accept a coaching position in his native Mississippi.
Wheatley said he has accepted a coaching and teaching position at Kosciusko High School in Mississippi, not far from his son in Jackson and his parents in Philadelphia, MS.
“It was the toughest decision of my coaching and teaching career,” he said, “but it came down to a chance to return home to be near my family. My parents are only getting older.”
Wheatley’s career at Northview spanned 11 years, with a 50-31 record as head football coach. But the numbers he will remember most are probably 42-21. After losing out a couple of years at the state semi-final level, Wheatley led his Chiefs to a 42-21 Class 1A state championship victory in 2012 in Orlando.
“I would not trade that win for anything,” he said.
“I know there are many of his former players who will want to wish him well as he turns another page in his latest chapter of his life. I know that I will miss him dearly,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said. “We thank Coach Wheatley for his years of service and we wish him well as he moves back home to be with family.”
Weaver said the school will advertise a single job opening that will include the head football and baseball positions. She expects the position will be filled in a matter of weeks, prior to the start of the football season.
“Northview has been a second home for me. I thank Mrs. Weaver, the teachers and staff, the community and the kids for the opportunity,” Wheatley said. “I will be Northview’s biggest fan in Mississippi.”
Pictured top: Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley. Pictured inset: Wheatley receives of a copy of the Congressional Record where the Chiefs were honored on the floor of the U.S. House and a flag that flew over the White House in their honor after winning a Class 1A state championship in 2012. Pictured below: Wheatley leads his Chiefs to a 2016 Spring Game win over Jay. Pictured bottom: Wheatley’s 2012 state championship team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heat, Afternoon Boomers Forecast
July 21, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Powerball Rolls Over Again To $390 Million
July 21, 2016
There were no winners in Wednesday night’s $361 million Powerball drawing. The Powerball jackpot has now rolled over 21 times since the May 11 drawing.
The $390 million Powerball jackpot for Saturday night is now estimated at $390 million.
The winning Powerball numbers for Wednesday’s drawing are: 6, 25, 35, 58, 66, powerball 5, powerplay 2.
The jackpot has been hit just three times this year. In 2015 it was captured in 12 different occasions.