Eighth Inning Homer Sinks Wahoos, 4-1
May 15, 2018
Jake Gatewood belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Shuckers a 4-1 lead, and eventual win over the Blue Wahoos Monday night at MGM Park.
Anthony DeSclafani and Michael Lorenzen made Major League rehab appearances ahead of Jesus Reyes, the Blue Wahoos scheduled starter. Both dazzled starting with three perfect innings from DeSclafani. He struck out four. The game started with rain falling, and after back to back strikeouts in the bottom of the first the game was delayed for 21 minutes. DeSclafani returned after the delay without any issues.
Lorenzen pitched his scheduled one inning and worked around a leadoff single in the fourth. He struck out one without a walk and left the game scoreless.
Shed Long broke the scoreless tie with a leadoff home run in the sixth inning. Biloxi took advantage of a pair of errors to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh. Then in the eighth inning, Reyes issued a one-out walk to Corey Ray who advanced to second on a wild pitch. After a shallow fly out, the Blue Wahoos intentionally walked Lucas Erceg to set up a right on right matchup with Jake Gatewood. Gatewood launched a line drive home run just inside the left field foul pole which proved to be the difference in the game.
Reyes (L, 0-7) finished the final four innings and was charged with four runs, three earned, with three walks and four strikeouts.
Shuckers starter Zack Brown took a no decision after seven strong innings. He allowed just one run on three walks and five strikeouts. Quentin Torres-Costa (W, 1-0) got the win after working a scoreless eighth inning. Southern League Saves leader Nate Griep (S, 15) finished the game with a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down the win and give Biloxi a 2-1 edge in the series.
Pensacola will look to even the series on Tuesday night. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (1-5, 5.45) to the mound against Shuckers RHP Adrian Houser (0-0, 4.34).
Deputies Rescue Puppy From Hot Car; Man Arrested
May 14, 2018
Escambia County deputies saved a puppy from a hot car Saturday near Sears on Davis Highway.
Deputy Sheriff Matheny and Deputy Sheriff Trainee Waters responded to a call of a puppy locked in a hot vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle could not be located and the puppy was squealing, panting heavily, and in distress. The outside temperature was reported to be 92 degrees at the time.
Matheny broke the driver’s side window to rescue the pup. Waters gave the dog water and placed her in a cool patrol car until Escambia County Animal Control arrived and took custody.
Deputies later found and arrested the owner of the vehicle. William Sparkman, 25, was charged with an animal offense. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Driver Airlifted After Hitting Tree In Molino
May 14, 2018
A driver was seriously injured in a single vehicle wreck in Molino Monday morning.
The male lost control on Pilgrim Trail Road off Highway 97, left the roadway and struck a brick mailbox before hitting a large pine tree. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Fires Recycling Company, Takes Over Program Operations
May 14, 2018
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has terminated the company that was responsible for processing their recyclables.
Zero Waste had operated the ECUA’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), but now ECUA has taken over over direct recycling operations.
“Zero Waste was in breach of contract and owed us for six months, about $250,000 for recyclables sold,” Nathalie Bowers, spokesperson for the ECUA said. “We delivered the recyclables to them, they sold them at market value and there was a sliding scale where we would get revenue back depending on commodity prices that change monthly. They withheld $50,000 last September and October, paid November and December, and then paid nothing in January and February.”
ECUA has hired several Zero Waste staffers to work directly for ECUA in the operation of the recycling facility at the Perdido Landfill.
The recycling facility is near capacity, but hours will be difficult to expand, Bowers said. Hours for the MRF are tied to the hours at the landfill, which must be open for trucks to make deliveries.
A nationwide recycling market downturn has not hit ECUA hard , Bowers said, because it’s still cheaper for ECUA to recycle than send materials to the landfill.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2018 Holds Baccalaureate Service (With Gallery)
May 14, 2018
The Northview High School Class of 2018 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
The program also included scripture, prayer, music provide by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble, and a message from Rev. Nathan Brown of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2018 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the school.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 14, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Scenic Highway (U.S. 90)- Alternating and intermittent lane closures on Creighton Road between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue and on 9th Avenue at the intersection of Creighton Road from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Saturday, May 19 as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Saturday, May 19 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May17 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17:
-
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17 as crews perform construction activities. Lillian Highway (U.S. 98) Resurfacing Project- Construction activities are underway on the U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) resurfacing project. Any work which will require lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17.
· U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance over Bayou Chico- East and westbound traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 as crews replace lights and remove debris on the bridge.
· S.R. 97 Bridge Replacement Project over Sandy Hollow Creek- Crews will transition traffic from the existing bridge to a temporary detour structure Tuesday, May 15. Motorist can expect intermittent on-lane traffic throughout the day as workers make final preparations to shift traffic. Once traffic has been moved to the new configuration, replacement of the 1940 bridge will begin. The project is anticipated to be complete fall 2018.
· Mobile Highway at Beulah Road Intersection Project- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17 as crews perform construction activities.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87 north and southbound, between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 14 through Thursday, May 17 as crew perform paving operations. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
Wetter Weather Pattern This Week
May 14, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
After record breaking highs of 98 in Pensacola and 95 in Mobile on Sunday, a wet pattern begins this week as tropical moisture moves in from the Gulf of Mexico.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 30 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Putnam Maintains Fundraising Lead In Governor’s Race
May 14, 2018
In the Republican race for governor, new financial reports show Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis continue to pursue different strategies in their quest for their party’s nomination.
Putnam, a two-term state agriculture commissioner, raised more than $2 million in April and spent $2.4 million, including more than $1.8 million launching his first television ad, the new filings with the state Division of Elections show.
DeSantis, a three-term congressman from Palm Coast, raised $819,000 in April and spent $570,000, the state records show. DeSantis has yet to run any television advertising but is relying on frequent appearances on Fox News to connect with Republican voters.
With total contributions of $28.85 million, Putnam maintained a solid hold as the strongest fundraiser in the governor’s race, among both Republicans and Democrats.
Even with his expenditures, Putnam had approximately $19 million in cash on hand as he moved into May.
DeSantis has raised nearly $8 million and had more than $7 million in cash heading into May, the reports show.
Putnam’s largest contributions reflect his status as the Tallahassee establishment’s favored candidate.
His political committee, Florida Grown, in April received $375,000 from the business-lobbying group Associated Industries of Florida, as well as $215,000 from a political committee affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The committee’s April haul included $100,000 from Publix Super Markets and $100,000 from William Becker, owner of Peace River Citrus Products, last month. And Putnam’s committee received $75,000 from pari-mutuel interests, including $25,000 from Patrick Rooney, president of the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Phosphate companies contributed $50,000 to Putnam in April. He also received $25,000 from Geo Group, a private prison company, and $25,000 from St. Joe Co., a major developer.
The largest April contribution to DeSantis’ political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, was $100,000 from Ahmad Khawaja, the California-based founder of Allied Wallet, an online payment-processing company.
DeSantis’ committee also received $25,000 from a company affiliated with MCNA Dental Plans, a company that has provided dental care for Medicaid patients in Florida. The state is currently reviewing bids for a new contract that will separate dental services from the main Medicaid managed-care program.
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, who announced this week he would not run for governor and endorsed Putnam, raised $49,500 for his Watchdog political committee in April, state records show.
Corcoran raised a total $6.9 million, with about $2 million left at the end of April. He has said he may use some of the money to support Republican efforts to maintain majorities in the state House and Senate.
Among Democrats, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham had the strongest fund-raising month in April, the records show. She raised more than $1 million, with a total of $7.4 million in contributions to her campaign account and Our Florida political committee. Graham had more than $4.7 million in cash in the accounts moving into May, the reports show.
Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, the first Democratic candidate to run TV spots, spent $1.8 million on ads in April, the latest campaign finance reports show. Levine has raised a combined total of $9 million in his official campaign account and All About Florida political committee, while also loaning $5 million — including $2.2 million in April — to his campaign.
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum received $445,000 in contributions to his campaign account and political committee, Forward Florida, in April, the records show. He has raised a total of $3 million, and had $1.4 million cash on hand heading into May.
Winter Park businessman Chris King raised $115,000 in April, according to reports reflecting contributions to his campaign account and Rise and Lead political committee. He has raised a total of $3.76 million and has also loaned his campaign $825,000, including $400,000 in April.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Powered By Tate And PHS, Academic Team Takes State Title
May 14, 2018
In a hard-fought, back and forth, brain-busting battle, the Escambia County Academic All-Star Team walked away from the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge Finals as Division 2 state champions.
In the three-round competition, Team Escambia was behind after the first round, but it was still a close competition. At the end of round 2, there were four teams who were positioned to take the championship, with Okaloosa County in the lead. The third round was when Team Escambia showed their true grit by answering key questions down the stretch and earning 26 or 30 points on the final team worksheet round while minimizing points lost by answering incorrectly. Eventually, the ECSD team, made up of students from Pensacola high and Tate High schools, beat out the teams from Okaloosa and Leon counties to emerge as this year’s champion. In addition, John Dixon of Tate High was named to the all-tournament team for his outstanding performance.
The All-Star Academic Team is composed of the top six high-school “quiz bowl” players in our district along with two alternates. The students compete in rigorous academic competitions that focus on such subject areas as math, science, language arts, social studies, fine arts, and foreign language. Coached by Allan Robinson from Pensacola High School, the members of this year’s Academic All-Star Team are John Dixon, Michael Dixon, and Maggie Brown (Tate High School), and Ally Shah, Philip Mann, Connor Zemeska, and Abby Lyons (Pensacola High School).
The Commissioner’s Academic Challenge, held each April at Walt Disney World, is Florida’s state championship tournament. The CAC features all-star teams from various Florida counties who compete in three divisions based on K-12 full-time enrollment.
Pictured top: Team Escambia (front, L-R) Abby Lyons, Ally Shah, Maggie Brown, Michael Dixon; (back, L-R) Philip Mann, Coach Tristan Harris, Connor Zameska and John Dixon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The ‘Secret Garden Tour’ Will Include Cantonment Treasures
May 14, 2018
The Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs annual Secret Gardens of the Emerald Coast Garden Tour will feature six residential gardens, two of which are in Cantonment, and the Escambia County Extension Demonstration Garden, also in Cantonment.
The Secret Gardens Tour Committee selected seven unique and beautiful private residential gardens, selected for their creativity, use of native plants, stunning garden features and interesting horticulture specimens.
One Cantonment garden the beautifully developed Grande Oaks Farms subdivision off Tate Road. This home was built on the natural springs lake, with a backyard that slopes dramatically to a reverse wall to control erosion. A dock provides easy access for fishing. The stunning North Alabama stone staircase with multiple patio landings connects the house and lawn area. The front curb appeal is achieved with an explosion of seasonal color in curved beds, provided by well-established coral drift roses, Purple Pixie dwarf loropetalum, Veronica Sunny Border Blue, varied shades of SunPatiens, and lavender. Placed throughout are several sizes of flat rock formations. A Tamukeyama Japanese Maple and two larger Bloodgood Japanese Maples frame the traditional brick home and are lovely statement specimens.
Another garden is located off Highway 297A in Cantonment with a “greenhouse tour” focusing on a stunning collection of cacti and succulents. The beautifully constructed greenhouse holds a variety of specimens in terra cotta clay pots. Enhance your appreciation of arid climate vegetation in this environment-controlled grower’s paradise.
The tour will also feature the Escambia County Demonstration Gardens on Stefani Road in Cantonment. Attendees can stroll through a total of nine themed garden areas featuring a wide variety of plants and garden types. A wonderful resource for all community residents, the Extension Service trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Grow houses hold the propagation area, and the bog and sensory garden includes educational features for adaptive gardening ideas and gardening inspiration for youth.
The Secred Garden Tour is May 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person which includes a guide booklet with addresses, a map and driving directions to the gardens. Children 12 and under are free. The tour will be held rain or shine.
Tickets are available 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday at the The Garden Center, 1850 N 9th Ave, Pensacola.