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.
Landlines Or Cell Phone? Residents Pull The Plug On Traditional Phones
August 6, 2017
Landlines are quickly going the way of rotary-dial phones in Florida.
A newly released state report showed that large numbers of Floridians continue unplugging the types of phone lines that were a fixture of life for decades. Instead, they are reaching into their pockets for mobile phones or using internet technology to chat with friends and family.
The shift away from traditional residential lines has particularly affected the three largest carriers — AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier, which acquired Verizon’s landline business in the state. Along with using more wireless phones, customers also have shifted to using a type of internet technology known in the telecommunications world as “Voice over Internet Protocol.”
“The only calls we’d get on the AT&T landlines were solicitation calls. The prices kept rising. Had to make a choice, so we cut the cord,” said Debbie Burg of Cantonment in an informal NorthEscambia.com Facebook survey.
“Still have landline through Frontier, but only because cell service isn’t reliable where I live,” Holly McMorris of Walnut Hill said. Many people that responded to our survey said they keep their landlines because they are in rural location with poor cell service.
The report, produced each year by the Public Service Commission, said consumers are “able to find comparable services at reasonable prices” through the different types of technologies and providers in the industry. The report said there are an estimated 21.1 million wireless phones in Florida and 4.2 million Voice over Internet Protocol subscribers — while the state’s population was 20.6 million last year.
“Access lines for both residential and business customers have maintained a steady decline over the past several years,” the report said. “This contrasts with the continued growth in wireless-only households. While declines have occurred in the business market, they are partially offset by significant growth in business VoIP lines. Carriers are managing the shifts in market conditions by bundling services and providing a variety of pricing plans in an attempt to meet consumer demand and expectations.”
“Have had a corded phone in at least one room in the house for emergencies. If we lose power such as during the ice storm, or a tropical event, the cordless handsets no longer work. Cell service in a weather event can he hit and miss especially in Beulah. Landline corded phone always has my six,” said Beulah resident Tommy Hagren.
Several North Escambia residents reported keeping landlines because of compatibility with alarm systems, fax machines, medical equipment and other devices. Others found that they were paying for a landline not used, except by telemarketers.
“No landline, mainly due to telemarketers, just wireless,” said Sara Knighten of Bratt.
“We moved to Walnut Hill four years ago from Atmore. In Atmore, we did have a landline through Frontier. When we moved, we decided not to get a landline phone due to the fact we never used it at our old house, and only used our cell phones. When we did have our landline, the only people who called it were telemarketers or wrong numbers,” Lori Diller said.
Melissa McElhaney of Bratt said her family still has a landline. “I guess we like to be old school,” she said.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this NorthEscambia.com report.
Soggy Sunday With More Showers, Thunderstorms
August 6, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Lady Astros Win USSSA Southern Nationals Tournament
August 6, 2017
The “Lady Astros” went undefeated in six straight games to win the USSSA Southern Nationals Softball Tournament in Gulf Shores recently. Players from Northview, Jay, Milton, West Florida, and Central high schools made up the championship team.
“Our players worked very hard and did great on defense and offense,” said Coach Donnie Nicholson. “I am very proud of all of our players.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Ends Today
August 6, 2017
Today is the final day of Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday.
The holiday allows Florida shoppers to buy tax-free clothes that cost $60 or less and shoes up to $60 per pair.
The tax holiday, which ends at 11:59 Sunday Sunday, also covers school supplies costing $15 or less and computers that cost $750 or less.