Cantonment Baseball Field Gets Makeover From The Blue Wahoos
August 17, 2017
A field at the Cantonment Sportsplex got a makeover Wednesday with a little help from the Blue Wahoos.
Despite rain, completed renovations included measuring and moving the bases, removing weeds and cleaning the infield, edging the base paths and home plate area, picking up trash and painting.
“It’s important to us to give back to the community, so it was a great day,” said Blue Wahoos President Jonathan Griffith. “There was a great outpour from this community. This is a revival for the Cantonment Sportsplex Association and we wanted to help them and educate them on field turf management.”
Headed up by four-time Southern League Groundskeeper of the Year Ray Sayre, the field is safer for the kids to play baseball.
“Today’s young players are the future of the game of baseball,” said Sayre. “Beauty is great, but safety is number one. It was important to make sure the bases are the correct distances and same level.”
Volunteers for the renovation included team co-owner Bubba Watson, front office members, gameday staff members, Waste Management and members of the Cantonment community.
“This is exciting for our kids to have a professionally repaired field,” said Cantonment Sportsplex Association President Josh Longo. “It’s good for them to see what it’s like to play on a field that’s prepared by a professional crew. By having the parents involved in the nomination process and cleaning, it feels like we’re doing something right.”
The Cantonment Sportsplex was chosen for the renovation through a contest on WEAR TV.
Photos courtesy Barrett McClean Photography/Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Meet The Chiefs Tonight At Northview High School
August 17, 2017
Meet the Chiefs will be held at 6:30 tonight in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at Northview High School.
Fans will have a chance to see the 2017 JV and varsity football teams, the cheerleaders and the Tribal Beat band.
The football players from Ernest Ward Middle School, Northwest Escambia and Century have also been invited to participate.
File photo.
Willie Blossom Lamb Halbert
August 17, 2017
Willie Blossom Lamb Halbert went home to Heaven on August 16, 2017. She passed away peacefully from complications with dementia, at Mt. Ridge Health and Wellness Center in Black Mountain, NC.
She was born in Skyland, NC on Jan. 12, 1927 to W.B. Lamb and Myrtle Metcalf Lamb Meacham. She was the first born and is pre-deceased by her parents and brothers, Glenn, Dan and Blake Lamb and Larry Meacham and a baby sister, Bonnie Lamb. Her brothers, Chase and Phil Lamb survive her.
Her family moved to Florida when she was a child and she graduated with honors from Tate High School in Cantonment, FL. She met her husband, Rev. Lewis Alvin Halbert, at Stetson College in Deland, FL, where they both graduated with degrees in religion. Her husband of 56 years passed away in 2006.
Upon their college graduation, Lewis and Willie moved to Louisiana where he attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Side by side, they pastored, taught the Bible, and served many churches in the Louisiana area and again when they moved back to Florida and resided in several towns in the Panhandle area, ending up in Marianna, FL.
Besides fulfilling her role as a loving and devoted pastor’s wife, she was a talented and conscientious homemaker and a dedicated, loving and sacrificing mother. She was active in their lives with school events, as a seamstress, a nurturer and caregiver, a Bible teacher and a true supporter of all their activities and work, while finding a fun outlet with Lewis as members of the Grand Squares Square Dancing Club in Marianna. She sewed all her square dance dresses and vests for Lewis. Besides her family, she enjoyed gardening, drawing, sewing, reading and writing.
She is survived by her four children, Roland (Diane) Halbert of Black Mountain, Al (Donna) Halbert of Leesburg, GA, Rachel Allen of Black Mountain and Marti (Ken) Hall of Garner, NC. Also, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 2:30 pm at Harwood Home for Funerals and the family will receive friends immediately following the service.
A graveside service will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park in Black Mountain.
Jason Edward Reid
August 17, 2017
Jason Reid was born April 1, 1972 in Garland, Texas, to Charles and Christine Reid. The family moved to Pelham, Alabama, in 1986 and Jason graduated from Pelham High School in 1990. He graduated from Auburn University in 1996.
He passed way on August 15, 2017.
Jason was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edgar Hugh and Estelle Reid, Thomas and Louise Folmar, and his father Charles Edward Reid.
Jason is survived by his mother, Christine Reid, sister, Amy Kornegay, nieces Zoe Nadler, Ally Nadler, and Mia Kornegay, as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
Memorial service will be held Sunday, August 20, 2017, at 3 p.m. at the Byrneville United Methodist Church,.1351 Byrneville Road, Century, FL.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Wahoos Top The Braves
August 17, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder Brian O’Grady smacked a sacrifice fly to center field to allow third baseman Nick Senzel to tag up from third and score the game-winning run in the 10th inning.
O’Grady earned a high-five from Pensacola manager Pat Kelly and his teammates as the Blue Wahoos pulled out a victory, 5-4, Wednesday over the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park.
Senzel walked and reached third when first baseman Gavin LaValley doubled on a ground ball to left field. O’Grady’s game-winning RBI made up for his error on a fly ball hit by right fielder Tyler Neslony that allowed catcher Alex Jackson to score in the eighth inning and tie the game, 4-4
Pensacola is now 2-6 in extra-inning games and won its third straight game.
Pensacola starter Deck McGuire was trying to earn a career-high 10 wins but for the fourth straight start failed to get it. The 6-foot-6 righty earned a no-decision Wednesday, pitching 5.2 innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks and striking out six. McGuire is 9-8 with a 2.69 ERA. After the first inning, McGuire walked into the Pensacola dugout with his 1,000th career inning pitched under his belt.
Instead, reliever Geoff Broussard, who pitched a perfect ninth inning, got the win to improve to 4-2 with a 3.14 ERA.
Pensacola took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth inning when Senzel hit his 14th double for Pensacola to drive in left fielder Gabriel Guerrero to tie the game, 3-3. Blue Wahoos right fielder Aristides Aquino put Pensacola up, 4-3, when he slammed a double, his 16th on the year, that brought home, Senzel.
Mississippi had jumped out to a 3-0 lead when Jackson launched his second homer of the season in the second inning. The Braves added two more in the fourth inning when shortstop Dylan Moore scored on a double by third baseman Austin Riley and Neslony singled in Riley.
In the second half, Pensacola improved to 24-27 in the Southern League South Division and remains three games behind the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in fourth place. The first half champions are 64-57 overall.
Driver Caught On Camera Passing School Bus On Shoulder
August 17, 2017
A Cantonment driver was caught on camera passing a loading school bus on the grassy shoulder of the road.
The incident happened about 7:00 Tuesday morning on Chemstrand Road just south of Kingsfield Road. In the top photo, a student can been seen boarding the school bus as the Honda Pilot approached the bus.
The photos were submitted by a reader to NorthEscambia.com. The photos have also been provided to the Escambia County School District and the Florida Highway Patrol. Officials believe they should be able to easily find the vehicle using the tag number, which is reasonably clear in the original photos.
Failing to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading is a $271 ticket in Escambia County. But if charged, the Honda Pilot driver that passed on the grassy shoulder may not get off so easy.
“Passing a school bus on the shoulder is a mandatory court appearance,” Lt. Eddie Elmore of the Florida Highway Patrol said. “They will have to go stand in front of a judge.”
Pictured top: A student can be seen getting on a school bus Tuesday morning as it is passed on the shoulder of Chemstrand Road by the driver of a Honda Pilot. Pictured below: A series of photos shows the progression of the Honda Pilot and that the flashing stop lights on the bus were active. Reader photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Water System Issues Boil Water Notice For Enon Area
August 16, 2017
The Walnut Hill Water System has issued a precautionary boil water notice:
A water main breach affecting Goodale Lane, South Pineville Road, Enon School Road, Kinzie Lane, Dan Hall Road, and Highway 97A from 6111 traveling south/southeast to Dan Hall Road has occurred causing a loss in water pressure. As a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause backsiphonage of contaminants, such as E.Coli bacteria, into the water system. Water containing E.Coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for E.Coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E.Coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. The anticipated date for rescinding this notice is August, 19, 2017 at 4:00pm. If you have any questions you may contact: Member Services at 1-800-235-3848 or 3425 Hwy 4 W, PO Box 428, Jay, FL 32565.
Landlord Charged With Trying To Run Over One Tenant, Keying Vehicle Of Another
August 16, 2017
A Cantonment landlord was arrested for trying to run over one of his tenants and the keying the vehicle of another.
Roy Bracken, 62, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and felony criminal mischief with property damage.
The first victim told deputies that Bracken, her landlord, came to her trailer and began yelling and cursing about a window air conditioner that she and her husband had borrowed the night before. He left the residence, but later in the day when the female was near her driveway, Bracken walked about and began yelling about the air conditioner again, an arrest report states.
After getting in his Cheverolet Volt, Bracken began to spin his tires and yelled “run, (expletive), run” before accelerated rapidly in her direction, the victim told deputies.
In the second incident, Bracken allegedly “keyed” a 2004 Kia Sorrento belonging to another tenant. There were at least two witnesses to the incident, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.. Damage was estimated at $3,000.
Bracken remain in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $10,000.
Humidity And Showers
August 16, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds up to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds up to 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. West winds up to 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. West winds up to 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s.
Monday: Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.
Road Prison Welding Program Gives Inmates Skills, Success After Incarceration
August 16, 2017
When Welding Instructor Danny Cain hands certificates to Escambia County Road Prison inmates who have completed the welding program at the prison, it’s not unusual to see tears begin to run down their cheeks.
The certificates inmates earn while incarcerated are much more than just pieces of paper – for many, they represent opportunities to build a better future outside of prison.
“It gives them a sense of accomplishment, and they know they can do something if they want to,” Cain said. “And that builds character in a person – that builds morals in a person. And a lot of them get out of here and do the right thing, get out and work.”
Cain began teaching at the Escambia County Road Prison in 2010 with George Stone Technical Center, offering nationally-recognized certifications including stick welding, pipe welding, MIG and TIG welding, or metal inert gas and tungsten inert gas. He typically teaches 12-14 students at a time, all of whom choose to opt into the program during their time at the road prison.
And with a growing number of success stories, Cain said he doesn’t have any problem filling up the class.
“They see people getting out and getting jobs,” Cain said. “They see people getting out and making money, and they say, ‘That’s what I want.’”
During the 2016-17 school year, 30 inmates participated in the welding program through the county’s partnership with George Stone Technical Center. George Stone issued 45 Occupational Certificates of Participation for various welding disciplines, and 21 of the 30 inmates received American Welding Society National Certifications that are recognized through the United States. In the 2015-16 school year, 26 inmates participated in the program, with 23 receiving American Welding Society National Certifications and 66 Occupational Certificates of Participation issued.
Cain stays in frequent contact with at least 14 of his students from the past two years who are now working in the welding field, and another 10 former students are recently released and seeking employment. Of the 56 inmates who have participated in the welding program since 2015, just five have been rearrested.
Former inmates and students in the program are now working everywhere from Oklahoma City to New Orleans, using their new skillset to advance in the welding industry.
Brian Mills, who spent about five months at the road prison in 2013, said he largely credits Cain and the welding program for the opportunities and success he’s found since getting out of prison. With more than 60 felonies on his record, Mills said he did not have much hope for his future career – but receiving his welding certifications changed that.
“When I got out of prison, I didn’t have anything at all, and [Cain] lined me up a job here in Louisiana,” Mills said. “I came over here and started at the bottom, and I just purchased a brand new built house in a brand new subdivision. I’m doing very, very well.”
Having the skills to be able to secure job opportunities after their release is critical for those who have been incarcerated, Mills said. Unlike some other prison educational programs that have long waits and may require months or years to complete, Mills said it’s helpful that some of the welding certifications can be completed by those who aren’t incarcerated for lengthy periods of time.
“For the county to have that program where they’re doing a short amount of time and they’re able to get a bit of welding underneath them, it’s very helpful,” Mills said.
Road Prison Commander Charles Snow said he’s seen firsthand how the welding program can positively impact lives, also stressing the importance of having a solid set of skills to be able to reenter the workforce after incarceration. Snow said that Cain goes above and beyond to help connect his students with good jobs, whether it’s local or out of state.
“They have a job to go into, they have a profession where they can actually prepare a good wage,” Snow said. “So it’s life-changing.”
Cain said it’s the life-changing impact of the program that keeps him going every day. He often receives letters and Facebook messages from former students, and he loves hearing their stories about working, providing for their families and positively contributing to society.
“If they come in here with no skills at all and leave with a trade, I don’t see how you can beat that, really,” Cain said. “And I try to teach them to be more than a welder – I try to teach them to be a man, and step up and do the right thing. I can’t change their past, but I can change their future.”
