Not A Priority Call: Sheriff Morgan Responds To Cantonment Sportsplex Vandalism
August 7, 2017
In an “Ask the Sheriff” video segment posted by his agency on social media, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan responded to a citizen inquiry about the department’s response to several recent acts of vandalism at the Cantonment Sportsplex.
Morgan said he was concerned about the incidents, but the vandalism is not a priority type call.
“We do prioritize calls, and while certainly your sports complex is very important to us,” Morgan said in the video (posted below). “It is a matter of priorities and by that I mean we respond to burglaries in progress, robberies in progress, domestic violence, drug dealing and all sorts of you know mayhem that’s committed upon our citizens in Escambia County.”
“Responses such as that are on a much lower priority. That’s not meant to say that they are not a priority and of course it is our tax collars pay for these complexes. We do respond to those.”
Morgan was asked about installing cameras, even game cameras, to catch the perpetrators, and he pointed out that would necessitate someone to check them and follow up on any leads.
“We’ll see if we can’t step up some patrol activity in that area, and we’ll do the best with what we have. Again, I share in you concern, I’ve been to your sports complex on more than one occasion and it’s a wonderful facility for the community.”
“But right now I would tell you that it’s not getting focus based upon a list of priorities that we have in Escambia County,” the sheriff stated.
In late may and early June, the Cantonment Sportsplex was the victim of vandals at least three times. Most of the damage was inside bathrooms and to a sprinkler system.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Colorado State Releases Updated Hurricane Forecast
August 7, 2017
As Florida moves into the peak months of the annual hurricane season, Colorado State University researchers project a 61 percent chance the state will be hit by a hurricane.
In a forecast released Friday, researchers estimated there will be 16 named storms this season, eight hurricanes and three “major” hurricanes with at least Category 3 winds of 111 mph. Through July, there have been five named storms in the Atlantic Ocean, including Tropical Storm Emily which struck Florida this week.
The researchers predict an “above average” storm season due in part to “anomalously warm” waters in the Atlantic.
The 61 percent chance of a hurricane striking Florida, compares to a 51 percent historical average. The forecast projects a 27 percent chance the state could be hit by a major hurricane, compared to a 21 percent historical average.
50 Percent Chance Of Monday Showers And Thunderstorms
August 7, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Nighttime Changes On Traffic Patterns Scheduled For U.S. 29 And Nine Mile Road
August 7, 2017
Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will experience changes in traffic patterns from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform drainage and bridge operations. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct traffic.
–The traffic shift for east and westbound Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass has been rescheduled to begin on Sunday, Aug. 6. Both directions will be reduced to one lane. Eastbound traffic will shift to the inside westbound travel lane as the contractor prepares the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
–On Wednesday, Aug. 9 and Thursday, Aug. 10, northbound U.S. 29 south of the Nine Mile Road overpass will be reduced to one lane and then detoured onto the Nine Mile Road off-ramp as the contractor installs drainage pipe across northbound U.S. 29. A traffic control officer will be located at the Nine Mile Road intersection to direct traffic.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Click map to enlarge.
Quintette Community Center Hosts Back To School Bash
August 7, 2017
The Quintette Community Center held their 3rd Annual Back to School Bash Sunday afternoon with fun, games, food, kickball, haircuts and free back to school supplies. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Installation Of 405 LED Street Lights Underway In Ensley
August 7, 2017
The installation of 405 LED street lights is underway in the Ensley Community Redevelopment Area, with a goal of enhancing safety and deterring crime in the community. The approximately $219,000 project is being paid for by Escambia County through Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Recurring annual energy costs will be funded by the Ensley CRA Tax Increment Financing. Work is being completed by Gulf Power and is expected to take 8-10 weeks.
In 2014, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners designated Ensley as a Community Redevelopment Area, or CRA, and approved the Ensley Redevelopment Plan in 2016. One of the action strategies from the plan is to implement physical improvements such as street lighting to improve pedestrian safety as well as the visual appearance of residential areas.
For a larger map of the street light project area, click here.
Ransom Student To Compete In National Pony Event
August 7, 2017
Local equestrian Lexi Bryant has qualified for the the U.S. Pony Finals coming up this week at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Bryan, 13, will be riding “Surreal”, owned by Morgan Mickel. The Ransom Middle School student qualified at an Elite “A” show that was held at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Bryant and Surreal will compete against the top ponies and riders in the nation at the event. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Parents: New Traffic Pattern This Year
August 7, 2017
Drivers dropping off and picking up students at Pine Meadow Elementary School must follow a new traffic with the new school year.
During the hours of 7-8 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. on school days, There is now no left turn leaving campus onto Omar Avenue or entering campus from 9 1/2 Mile Road.
“This is approved by law enforcement and you could be ticketed if you violate this pattern,” according to the school.
Entering campus, drivers should turn onto Raymar Street. Exiting campus, drivers should turn right onto 9 1/2 Mile Road. Signs are posted.
Once drivers have entered campus, the traffic pattern remains the same and signs will direct drivers to the correct area.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Fourth Straight
August 7, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos jumped out to a 5-0 lead, thanks largely to second baseman Josh VanMeter, who has delivered clutch hits all season long and now leads the team with 44 RBIs.
However, the Tennessee Smokies scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game and then Charcer Burks drove in the game-winning in the sixth inning for a 6-5 victory Sunday over Pensacola at Smokies Stadium. It was the fourth straight loss for the Blue Wahoos and the defeat allowed Tennessee to clinch the five-game series, going up 3-0.
Pensacola center fielder Gabriel Guerrero hit his 18th double of the year in the first inning. Blue Wahoos third baseman Nick Senzel then followed with a liner to center field to put runners on first and third. That’s when VanMeter came up with two outs and smacked a line drive single to right field that scored Guerrero for a 1-0 Pensacola lead.
VanMeter is now 19-50, or .380, with two outs and runners in scoring position and has 25 RBIs.
In Pensacola’s four-run third inning, VanMeter singled in his second run of the game and also scored. He was 3-for-3 in the game and hit his 26th double, which ties him for fourth in the Southern League.
Pensacola first baseman Gavin LaValley singled in Guerrero to put Pensacola ahead, 2-0. VanMeter hit a soft liner to left field that drove in third baseman Nick Senzel for a 3-0 lead. Catcher Joe Hudson grounded out into a double play with the bases loaded that scored LaValley and Pensacola was up, 4-0. The final run of the inning came when center fielder Jonathan Reyonoso drilled a single to left to bring in VanMeter and give Pensacola what seemed like a commanding, 5-0, start.
Guerrero was 4-5 in the game and scored two runs and now has 32 multi-hit games this season and twice has had four hits in a game.
But then came the fifth inning when the Smokies batted through its order, scoring five runs on four hits, a walk and a fielding error. Tennessee catcher Erick Castillo, who was 3-3 in the game, doubled to drive in shortstop Carlos Penalver with the first run to trail Pensacola, 5-1.
Pensacola starter Deck McGuire then got the next two batters out on a sacrifice bunt and flyout. However, Tennessee right fielder Daniel Spingola singled to center to bring home Castillo and pull the Smokies within, 5-2. Tennessee second baseman David Bote followed with a double to score Spingola and make it a 5-3 game. Yasiel Balaguert hit a fly ball to Pensacola Aristides Aquino, who was charged with an error, and allowed both Bote and third baseman Jason Vosler to score, knotting the game, 5-5.
All five runs, three earned, came off McGuire, who allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out eight in his five innings of work.
Then in the bottom of the sixth, Burks, the Chicago Cubs No. 22 ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, singled to center to score Castillo to put Tennessee on top, 6-5.
Pensacola reliever Robert Stock gave up the game-winning run and dropped to 6-2 on the year. He pitched two innings and gave up three hits.
Meanwhile, Tennessee relievers Daury Torrez, Jake Stinnett and Craig Brooks combined to pitch 5.1 scoreless innings and give up just three hits to the Blue Wahoos, which had 13 in the game.
Pensacola fell to 20-23 in the second half in the Southern League South Division. Pensacola is 60-53 overall and won the first half title. Tennessee improved to 23-20 in the North Division and is 59-53 overall.
Orientation Set For Tuesday Morning At Ernest Ward Middle
August 7, 2017
Orientation for incoming six graders and new students will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. until noon at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Schedules will be be printed; schedules can be accessed online.
Students can get forms notarized during these hours during the media center. For notary services, parents will need a government issued identification.