Wahoos Top Shuckers
July 28, 2017
Little did Biloxi know that the first inning solo homer by Blake Allemand would be the last hit and last run the Shuckers would earn off Pensacola Blue Wahoos starter Deck McGuire in his seven innings of work.
Behind McGuire’s right arm and right fielder Aristides Aquino’s two-run homer, Pensacola defeated Biloxi, 5-1, Thursday in front of 4,000 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Blue Wahoos, whose game was delayed by rain Thursday for one hour, 40 minutes, leads the series, 2-1,
McGuire has now allowed six runs, five earned in 46 innings for a 0.98 ERA over his last seven starts since his June 24 outing against Chattanooga.
The 6-foot-6 former 2010 first round pick worked seven innings, allowing one run on one hit, gave up four walks and struck out three to improve his record to 9-7 with a 2.58 ERA.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said the 28-year-old minor league journeyman stepped up to take on the mantle of the Blue Wahoos with the loss of Tyler Mahle and Austin Ross.
“He just stepped up and took on the number one role on our staff,” Kelly said. “There are a lot of scouts here and a lot of places you can pitch. The opportunity is there. He’s opening some eyes.”
McGuire credited his battery mate and defense for his performance Thursday.
For McGuire, who has bounced around with five organizations in his seven seasons, he just wants to keep playing somewhere and hopefully one day impress his toddler. With a 4.58 ERA for his minor league career, he is having one of his best seasons with Pensacola. At the end of this season, he will have pitched in all 30 Double-A ballparks.
“The most important thing for me is keeping a jersey, keeping a job,” McGuire said. “I want to make (my son) proud. Hopefully, I’ll play long enough that he’ll understand, ‘Hey, dad has a pretty great job’.”
The Blue Wahoos lineup, which had only scored 12 runs over McGuire’s last six starts, broke out for five runs for him Thursday.
Pensacola didn’t wait to score on Biloxi. Pensacola right fielder Aristides Aquino went 65 at bats between his ninth and 10th home run but just five at bats until he blasted his team-leading 11th over the wall in left center. The two-run homer, his second in three games, in the second inning gave the Blue Wahoos a, 2-1, lead.
Kelly credited Aquino for continually trying to improve his swing. He worked with Cincinnati Reds roving instructors — Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, former Red Eric Davis and Milt Thompson — this year to make adjustments at the plate.
“He may be (frustrated) inside but he never shows it on the outside,” said Kelly of the No. 6 prospect in the Reds organization who is batting .214 but leads the team with 11 homers and is tied for the lead with 41 RBIs. “He is one of the most confident kids I have ever seen.”
Pensacola scored two more runs in the inning when shortstop Blake Trahan smacked a deep fly ball to the left center gap that both the left fielder and center fielder dived for but missed, allowing Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson to make it a, 3-1, game. Blue Wahoos center fielder Gabriel Guerrero hit a sizzling grounder into left field that drove in Trahan to put Pensacola ahead, 4-1.
Aquino, who was 3-4 and scored twice Thursday, also showed off his ability to slap a single to the opposite field when the Biloxi infield shifted left, playing him to pull the ball.
The 22-year-old then stole second and took third on the Biloxi catcher Jacob Nottingham’s throwing error trying to nail him. Aquino scored on a wild pitch by Shuckers reliever Hiram Burgos to put Pensacola ahead, 5-1 in the third inning. Aquino did all that with two outs and Hudson at bat
James Wesley Brazier
July 28, 2017
James Wesley Brazier was born in Dallas, Texas to the late Herman Barnes and Evaline Brazier. James attended BTW High School in Dallas TX. After graduating from high school, he later relocated to Los Angeles, CA. After working on many jobs, he finally went to work for Lockheed Martin in Burbank, CA and retire in 1996. After retirement we relocated to Lake Charles, LA, Orlando, FL and moved to Cantonment, FL. He enjoyed traveling until his failing health. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He exchanged his earthly life for an eternal life.
He is preceded in death by his parents Herman Barnes and Evaline Brazier; grandparents Ollie and Lillian Brazier and Golden McGill; great grandson D’Angelo Watts.
Everyone, most notably, his dear loving family, will cherish the memories of James Brazier life.
James leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife and caregiver Mrs. Jennie Espie Brazier of Cantonment, FL; two daughters, Anita Brazier of Bakersfield, CA and Eyvette Espie of Dallas, TX. Two grandchildren, Shanell Roberts and Khalil Ealy of Bakersfield, CA; two brothers, Harold and Carl Barnes of Dallas, TX; two brother-in-law’s, Jimmie and Robert Espie; five sister-in-law’s, Linda and Patricia Barnes of Dallas, TX, Nancy Underwood, Barbara Mitchell and Mattie Carter; his oldest cousin Barbara Hurd of Los Angeles, CA and nieces, great nieces, nephews, great-nephews and a host of cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday August 4th, 2017 from 5-8pm at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with services to follow on Saturday August 5th, 2017 at Deliverance Tabernacle and Christian Center with Bishop Charles Young officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North uis entrusted with the arrangements.
Harold L. Gebhard
July 28, 2017
Harold L. Gebhard, loving husband and best friend to his loving wife Lelia Capps Gebhard passed away into the loving arms of his Savior on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Harold was born and raised in Bainbridge, Lancaster County, PA to Harry L. and Esther Shellenberger Gebhard. He grew up in Bainbridge as one of six children- three boys and three girls. He was a member and attended Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL.
Harold proudly served his country for 23 ½ years in the United States Air Force, followed by 33 years of service to the U.S. Postal Service. During his military career he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State. He was a Master Mason, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Hadji Shrine. Harold’s many military awards and commendations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals (2), Commendations Medals (4), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam service Medal, National Defense Medals (2), Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, Air Force Longevity Service Awards (6) and nine Good Conduct Medals. Harold loved his country and volunteered and served in Vietnam. He had a distinguished and rewarding career serving his country in the USAF and the U. S. Postal Service.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Herman T. Gebhard.
Harold is survived by his forever friend and love, his wife, Lelia of Pensacola, FL. They shared 63 wonderful years of marriage together. He is also survived by his sisters, Helen Gramm, Hazel Chapin (David), Mount Joy, PA and Hilma Mumma (Clay) of Lancaster, PA; his brother, Howard (Beth) of Ephrata, PA; sister-in-law, Katherine Gebhard of Manheim, PA; many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Dr. Stan Lewis will be officiating. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
The family request in lieu of flowers, if you desire, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice, 12th Avenue, Pensacola FL.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 S Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL is entrusted with the arrangements
Century Chamber Director: ‘I’d Really Like To Talk To The Mayor’
July 27, 2017
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce needs the support of the Escambia County Commission but is missing the support of the town’s mayor — that was the word from the chamber’s executive director during a Wednesday night economic development summit held by the commission.
The major economic development players in the county appeared before the commission — including Florida West, the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Improvement Board and United Way — to discus the direction and pace of economic development in Escambia County. The meeting was held in advance of a Thursday meeting in which the commission will discuss their budget to fund several of the groups, including nearly 100 percent of the Century Chamber.
“I want to know about Century. I want to know what I need to be doing differently in the conduct of my job here,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “The Century Census tract is on that really need to be focused on…This is an opportunity for the five of us to understand what we can be doing better to fix the social ills, the economic aspect of the social ills in Century.”
“We are the gateway to Alabama and Florida,” Etheridge told commissioners as she stressed the transportation infrastructure service the town such and road and rail. “We are positioned very well to become a hub…areas that we have in Century could easily be pitched to companies that want to have an ‘inland port’ because we are so close to rail and highways.”
Etheridge said Century did take a hit in the January 2016 EF-3 tornado that struck the town.
“We’ve got to find a way to get Century out of poverty. We have so many residents that are in poverty, so many,” she said.
The group discussed possible collaboration efforts between the Century Chamber and the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce.
When asked by Commissioner Steven Barry, Etheridge said she has received assistance from economic development agency FloridaWest, but not from the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce.
“Any issue you bring forward for economic development in Century you’ll find support from me,” Commissioner Luman May told Barry and Etheridge.
Etheridge told commissioners that what she most needs is support from Century Mayor Henry Hawkins.
“What I could use from the county is for the county to touch base with the new mayor. He’s a member of the chamber, but he’s not attended any of the chamber meetings except for one that I know of,” she said. “We would like to see more participation from our mayor. I’ve reached out to him, but he’s not returned my phone calls.”
“I’m going to call the mayor of Pensacola and see if I can get him to city council meetings, and see if I can get the mayor of Century to go to the chamber meeting,” May said with laugh. “I don’t know if I’m going to be successful, but I will try both of them.”
“I’m not trying to be a tattle-tale,” Etheridge said. “I’d really like to talk to the mayor.’
Pictured Century Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Etheridge addresses the Escambia County Commission Wednesday night in Pensacola. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heat Index Up To 107 Today, Slight Chance Of Rain
July 27, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Lightning Strike Sparks House Fire
July 27, 2017
A lightning strike sparked a house fire Wednesday night in Cantonment.
Residents of the home on El Camino Drive reported that their home was struck by lighting and that they thought the fire was out. But the first firefighters on scene from the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue found that there was a small working fire in the attic.
The fire was quickly extinguished. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
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Northview JV Cheerleaders Earn All American Status
July 27, 2017
Northview High School’s junior varsity cheerleading squad recently participated in a home cheer camp. Abigail Nelson (pictured left) and Emily Stabler, both upcoming freshmen, tried out and were chosen as All American Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to participate in the Thanksgiving Parade at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County In Alabama Lands 300 New Tech Jobs
July 27, 2017
A multi-million deal will bring hundreds of jobs to Escambia County in Alabama.
The Brewton City Council has finalized a $6.5 million deal with Provalus and its parent company Optomi, LLC that will mean about 300 jobs for Brewton.
Optomi, LLC, a tech-staffing firm, will construct three buildings totaling 60,000 square fet on about 10 acres at the former Dogwood Hills Golf Course. Construction on the first building will begin once the company hires 50 employees.
Brewton will become Optomi’s ‘flagship U.S. facility’, according to Provalus/Optomi President Chuck Ruggiero.
“What sold us on Brewton was its people,” Ruggiero said. “The first person I met was Mayor Yank Lovelace of Brewton and he represented the city very well. We have so much gratitude towards Mayor Lovelace for helping us along in this journey.”
The project will include $1.5 million from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s discretionary fund.
“Gov. Ivey made it clear from the start that she was behind new technology coming to Alabama,” Lovelace said. “This project was a culmination of the work of so many, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome the company to Brewton.”
Applications are currently being accepted in the company’s current location in the former Cracked Pot on Belleville Avenue.
Most of the current IT jobs have been outsourced to other counties such has India, but Ruggiero said his company is on a mission to bring those jobs back to the United States.
“Provalus is on a mission to bring these jobs back,” he said. “And specifically we want to bring these jobs back to rural areas like Brewton.”
Ruggiero said Brewton was tops on the company’s list after an extensive search in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas.”
Pictured top: Provalus/Optomi President Chuck Ruggiero addresses the Brewton City Council (pictured below). Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Pitches Law Enforcement Pay Raises
July 27, 2017
As he eyes a run for the U.S. Senate, Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday unveiled the first piece of his pending election-year budget proposal: a $30 million pay raise for state law-enforcement officers.
The initiative would provide the boost in the budget year that begins in July 2018. It would come on top of a 5 percent increase for law enforcement officers in the current budget year.
Speaking at a Florida Highway Patrol office in Jacksonville, the governor said that many law enforcement officers were grateful for the latest salary bump.
“But we cannot stop there,” Scott said. “The brave men and women who serve Florida as members of our state law-enforcement community work every day to keep Florida communities safe. And while I was proud of this important achievement, it’s clear that we must continue to build on this year’s pay raise.”
The next budget Scott proposes will be the last before he leaves office because of term limits in January 2019. At the same time, he is ramping up an expected challenge to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, an incumbent Democrat up for re-election in 2018.
In the meantime, the governor has been sprinting across the state and highlighting politically popular measures like the recent raise for law enforcement officers.
Heads of the state’s major law-enforcement agencies, on hand for Wednesday’s announcement, said the proposed raises would help them hire and keep employees that they now sometimes lose to local police forces.
“We can’t afford to continue to train these highly qualified young men and women to go out and defend the streets and the public safety for the state of Florida, only to lose them to other states, other agencies within the very near future just because they’re not making enough money,” said Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen said the increases could help him hire the more experienced personnel that his agency seeks.
“It’s getting more and more difficult to recruit those seasoned investigators when local agencies are paying more than the state investigative agency,” Swearingen said.
Scott’s office said the state’s law-enforcement agencies would work out the details of how the $30 million would be distributed. And the Legislature would still have to approve Scott’s plan in its annual session, which begins in January.
It is likely to have at least some politically powerful allies. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose agency employs law-enforcement officers and who is running to succeed Scott in 2018, applauded the plan.
“Our state law-enforcement officers deserve all the support we can give them, as they’ve achieved a 46-year crime low and face unprecedented challenges, such as the current opioid crisis,” he said. “Our 240 law enforcement officers with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and their peers at other state law enforcement agencies deserve a raise.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputy Offers Look At Law Enforcement To Kids At Carver Park
July 27, 2017
From blue lights to badges, Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Neil Tipton took the time to explain law enforcement to a group of children at Carver Park in Cantonment. A summer feeding program is available weekdays at Carver Park on Webb Street for children under 18. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
