Escambia Commission Rejects Jail Bid Protest
September 8, 2017
Escambia County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night to reject a Special Master’s order to revise the bid for the county’s new jail.
Yates Construction lost the bid to Whitesell-Green/Caddell at the beginning of August and filed an informal protest that was rejected. They then filed a formal protest to have a Special Master hear their case.
Special Master John Trawick determined on September 1 that Yates’ protest should be granted. He found that Whitesell-Green/Caddell had material deficiencies in their proposal and it should not have been considered by commissioners.
Yates’ main reason for a protest was over a retention pond. Whitesell-Green/Caddell presented a proposal to county commissioners that showed a retention pond in the area that was designated for future retail space. Yates Construction proposed an expensive underground water storage in that same area. Yates argued that if they would have included a retention pond instead, it would have lowered their bid price by $3.5 million. That would have made them the lowest bidder.
Escambia County Purchasing Manager Paul Nobles upheld the commissioner’s decision to choose Whitesell-Green/Caddell during the informal protest. He said their original proposal submitted back in July complied with the county’s guidelines and that is what he will hold them to, not the changes presented to commissioners.
Commissioner Doug Underhill said they were aware of the deficiencies and it was not a “fatal flaw” when it came time to making a decision. He adds that $3.5 million was not a significant amount given that the project is more than $122 million.
Commissioners Lumon May and Steven Barry agreed that it was disappointing that Whitesell-Green/Caddell changed their proposal during the interview presentation. However, they still believe they had a design that would benefit the county the most.
County Attorney Alison Rogers told commissioners that if they reject the Special Master’s order, Yates Construction has 30 days to appeal in circuit court.
Pictured top: Whitesell-Green/Caddell Joint Venture’s conceptional design for a new Escambia County Jail. Pictured below: W.G. Yates Construction’s design for a new Escambia County Jail. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Longtime Century Chamber Employee Edna Earl Barnes ‘Retires’
September 8, 2017
Friday was the last day “on the job” for longtime Century Chamber of Commerce employee and volunteer Edna Earl Barnes. Most recently, she has worked as employee for just a few hours per month — handling the mail, banking, public notices and other tasks. Now that Barnes is officially “retired” from the chamber, she said she will continue to serve the Century Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos One Win Away From Co-Championshp
September 8, 2017
Pensacola starting pitcher Jose Lopez delivered the second straight eight inning outing for the Blue Wahoos in the Southern League South Division Championship Series.
Behind Lopez’s three-hit, nine-strikeout performance, Pensacola defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 6-3, Thursday in front of 3,256 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Blue Wahoos have won the first two games of the playoff and are one game away from becoming the Southern League co-champions.
Lopez’s outing came after Pensacola starting pitcher Deck McGuire threw eight scoreless innings with a career-high 13 strikeouts.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly called the game Lopez turned out “outstanding,” giving the Blue Wahoos a five game winning streak over Jacksonville.
“It was a really, really tremendous job,” Kelly said. “Deck (McGuire) did great yesterday and he did just as good.”
It was the second playoff appearance for Lopez, who pitched for the Billings Mustangs in 2015 in the Pioneer League playoffs. To add even more pressure, in his past two starts against Jacksonville, Lopez is 0-1 with a 6.59 ERA and lasted 4.2 and 4.0 innings. He allowed six earned runs on eight hits and 10 walks and struck out 11.
“It was just a mental thing,” Lopez said about his first two outings. “It’s fun to win. The playoffs make it a little more special.”
Austin Ross, who is 9-0 with a 1.87 ERA, takes the mound for Pensacola in the third game of the best-of-five series at 1:05 p.m. Friday that is free to fans, who are requested to donate for Hurricane Irma Relief. The Blue Wahoos have come to rely on their starting five this season with the second-best ERA in the Southern League at 3.14.
“I can’t think of a better guy to have on the mound to clinch it,” Kelly said.
Speaking of clutch players, Pensacola left fielder Josh VanMeter clubbed a two-run homer in the seventh inning with center fielder Gabriel Guerrero on base to give Pensacola a 6-1 lead. It was his first in the playoffs and sixth of the season. In the first two playoff games, Van Meter is 7-for-8 with a home run and four RBIs. The utility player also has a double and a stolen base.
“Definitely, this is the time to get hot,” said VanMeter, who hit .375 and drove in 27 runs with two outs and runners in scoring position this year. “I’ve been pretty good in clutch situations. These are the games you live for.”
Kelly said VanMeter’s home run came with all kinds of benefits, such as allowing Pensacola to save Zack Weiss and other relievers for Friday’s game. That’s because reliever Robert Stock gave up a two-run homer in the ninth inning that would have made the game a 4-3 nail biter, instead of a still comfortable 6-3 lead.
“It took the air out of (Jacksonville’s players),” Kelly said. “There are a lot of things involved right there.”
Pensacola first baseman Gavin LaValley launched a high flyball for a two-run home run to right field into Hill-Kelly hill with VanMeter on base to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 2-0, in the second inning. His fourth homer for Pensacola was LaValley’s first since July 7 and 19th this season counting his first half with the High-A Daytona Tortugas.
“That was huge to get a lead on (Jacksonville pitcher Matt) Tomshaw right there,” Kelly said.
Blue Wahoos shortstop Blake Trahan added one more run in the inning when he lined a single to center to drive in Aquino to make the score, 3-0.
Jacksonville rallied with two outs in the third inning to get a run, when center fielder Braxton Lee doubled to left field and left fielder Austin Dean smacked a single to left to drive him in and trail Pensacola, 3-1.
Arismendy Alcantara hit his first home run for Pensacola when he belted a fly ball over the fence to right field to extend the Blue Wahoos lead to, 4-1.
Blue Wahoos co-owner and PGA Tour player Bubba Watson already proved he could motivate the Pensacola ball players when he gave a pep talk before Thursday’s playoff game. Then, the two-time Masters Champion donned the roach costume for the Lewis Critter Gitter Roach Race and looked like he could pinch run, if Pensacola needed him.
“It was pretty cool considering his status and who he is,” VanMeter said. “He is so down to earth. He came in and treated us like he knew us.”
Kelly said Watson’s talk to the players was great.
“I think it means a lot,” Kelly said. “You could see his passion. He loves not only his sport, but he loves our sport, too.”
Scott Orders All Schools, Colleges And Offices Closed Friday, Monday
September 7, 2017
Today, Governor Rick Scott is directing all public K-12 schools, state colleges, state universities and state offices to close Friday, September 8 – Monday, September 11.
Governor Scott said, “Today, I am directing the closure of all public schools, state colleges, state universities and state offices for their normal activities effective Friday through Monday, to ensure we have every space available for sheltering and staging. Floridians are facing a life-threatening storm in Hurricane Irma, and every family must prepare to evacuate. Our state’s public schools serve a vital role in our communities as shelters for displaced residents and staging areas for hurricane recovery efforts. Closing public schools, state colleges, state universities and state offices will provide local and state emergency officials the flexibility necessary to support shelter and emergency response efforts.”
Pensacola Christian Academy and Pensacola Christian College will both be open on Friday. Since PCA is not part of the public shelter system, we are not included in the public closures and are able to stay open at this time.
SPORTS:
The Tate vs Gulf Breeze and the Pine Forest vs Pace football games have been cancelled.
These games will continue Friday night at 7:00 p.m.:
Volleyball: F/JV/V Washington at Escambia
Varsity: West Florida at D’Ibervile
Varsity: Archbishop Rummel at Escambia
Varsity: Northview at South Walton
Varsity: Pensacola at Booker T. Washington
On Saturday:
Volleyball Varsity Aggie Invitational will be held at Tate
West Florida XC Classic will be held at West Florida High, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash Near Molino
September 7, 2017
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash on Highway 29 at Booth Lake Road near Molino Thursday afternoon. The accident happened about 4:15 p.m. Two other people involved refused medical transport. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Missing Flomaton Woman Found Safe
September 7, 2017
UPDATE — This missing person has been found safe.
Authorities are searching for a missing woman last seen in Flomaton.
Family members in Mississippi last heard from Shirley Ann Vanosdol on Tuesday, according to Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis, when she told a relative on the phone that she was “scared”.
The Flomaton Police Department located a cell phone that is believed to belong to Vanosdol at her residence on Wiley Drive in Flomaton. Vanosdol did not have a vehicle.
Vanosdol is originally from Leakesville, MS.
Davis said Vandosol is considered missing and endangered.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Shirley Ann Vanosdol is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their local law enforcement agency.
Fire Inside Cantonment Bar Causes Minor Damage
September 7, 2017
Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire inside a Cantonment bar early Thursday morning.
A passerby reported smoke from the roof of Mustang’s North on North Highway 95A about 2:20 a.m. Firefighters confirmed that there was smoke from the building, made entry into the bar and found a fire in a mens’ bathroom near the center of the building.
The fire may have started in a trashcan.
The bar was closed at the time of the fire. There were no injuries.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Motorist Rescued After Hitting Deer, Falling Off Bridge
September 7, 2017
A motorist that had just hit a deer with their vehicle fell off if an I-10 bridge Wednesday night, prompting a rescue effort.
A man and his wife were traveling westbound on I-10 just past the Florida Welcome Center when they collided with a deer. The exited their vehicle, uninjured from the collision. Then, for an unknown reason, the man then stepped or fell over the concrete bridge railing. He fell about 20 to 25 feet to the ground below.
Multiple stations of Escambia Fire Rescue assisted in the rescue effort, including a special operations team using a ladder truck and rope rigging. The man was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with multiple injuries.
The rescue shut down I-10 westbound for over an hour.
The deer did not survive.
To see a photo gallery and watch the rescue step-by-step, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Sunny, Nice Weather Through The Weekend
September 7, 2017
For the latest forecast on Hurricane Irma, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Arthur Brown Road Closed Friday At The Railroad Crossing
September 7, 2017
Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill will be closed to all traffic at the railroad crossing beginning at 7 a.m. Friday.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Officialssaid every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road before 5 p.m.
The crossing is being closed by Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway for maintenance.