Biloxi Shuckers Shut Out The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
May 13, 2018
The Biloxi Shuckers capitalized on an error leading off the second inning to take the series opener from the Blue Wahoos, 1-0, Saturday night at MGM Park.
Taylor Sparks sailed a throw over first baseman Nick Longhi on a ball off the bat of Troy Stokes Jr. to start the second inning. Stokes went to third on a two-out double from Jake Hager before scoring on a Clint Coulter single. It was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar line for Wahoos starter Daniel Wright (L, 2-2).
Saturday night was Wright’s first start of the season without allowing an earned run. He was finished after six innings with only one walk and five strikeouts.
Pensacola came up empty on its best opportunity of the game in the third inning. Luis Gonzalez singled to start the inning, one of his two hits in the game. Daniel Sweet followed with a long drive off the very top of the left field fence. On the play, Gonzalez was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first base. Blue Wahoos manager Jody Davis argued that the ball went over the fence, but the call stood after the umpires collectively discussed the play.
The Wahoos didn’t get another runner into scoring position the rest of the game. Biloxi starter Thomas Jankins (W, 6-1) was solid over seven shut-out innings for the win. He walked two against a career-high eight strikeouts. Nate Griep (S, 14) worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth for his league-leading 14th save of the season.
The series continues on Sunday with RHP Keury Mella (3-1, 1.89) getting the start for the Blue Wahoos against RHP Cody Ponce (1-2, 7.32).
Michael Kurt Alfred Troche II
May 13, 2018
Michael Kurt Alfred Troche II passed away unexpectedly on May 7, 2018, at a young age of 26. He was born April 30, 1992, and grew up to be an awesome man. He always put his family first, wanting to work on projects (his hot rod), go trail riding, play games, cook out and just spend time with everyone. His pride and joy is his beautiful daughter Abigale. He has touched so many lives with his strong, loving, kind, adventurous, funny and contagious personality.
He is survived by his fiancé, Krissa Passione; daughter, Abigale Faye Troche; parents, Mike and Dawn Troche; sister, Tavia Troche; brother, Timothy Troche; nephews, Jacob Troche and Brayden Troche and his niece, Nevaeh Troche.
God has taken his angel “Michael” home to do His work.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Frankie Marquis officiating. Interment was at Harvest Christian Center Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Wildfire Burns Along Highway 29; Fire Danger Remains High
May 12, 2018
A wildfire burned about eight acres in McDavid Friday afternoon, and officials say the fire danger remains high in Escambia County.
The fire was located on the west side of Highway 29 north of Pine Barren Road and did not threaten any structures. The 2 p.m. fire also jumped Highway 29 southbound and burned in the median. The cause of the fire was not known, but it was believed to have started away from the road.
The fire completely closed Highway 29 southbound for about half an hour, with one lane remaining closed for over an hour.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Florida Forest Service responded with three tractor/plow units and a brush truck, joining firefighters from the the McDavid, Walnut Hill, Molino, Century and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue in battling the blaze. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office provided traffic control.
The fire was contained by late afternoon, but continued to smolder into the night.
According to the Florida Forest Service, the fire danger rating in Escambia County is high in Escambia County, very high in neighboring Santa Rosa County.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 97 Traffic Moving To Temporary Bridge On Tuesday
May 12, 2018
Traffic on Highway 97 over Sandy Hollow Creek near Davisville in Escambia County will be transitioned to a temporary bridge on Tuesday.
The Florida Department of Transportation said motorists may encounter minor delays as workers prepare to switch traffic. Once the transition is complete, crews will begin replacing the 78-year-old structure with a new 12-foot wide bridge with eight-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier railing. The bridge approaches will also be resurfaced. The entire project is anticipated to be complete in the fall of this year, weather permitting.
FDOT is reminding drivers to slow down to the posted 45 mph speed limit and to use caution when approaching the temporary bridge. A weight restriction is in place on the temporary bridgel vehicles weighing over 88,000 pounds and cranes are prohibited.
Ag Interests Spread Cash In Florida Ag Commissioner Race
May 12, 2018
From farmers to horse trainers, agricultural interests put up more than $100,000 in April to support three candidates running for Florida agriculture commissioner, with U.S. Sugar Corp. accounting for $30,000, new finance reports show.
Republicans Denise Grimsley of Sebring, Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven each topped six figures in April fundraising, with Troutman’s numbers aided by continued self-funding, according to the reports posted Thursday on the state Division of Elections website.
The three are among six candidates — four Republicans, two Democrats — seeking to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is running for governor this year.
Grimsley, a state senator, reported collecting $189,485 in April through her campaign account and the political committee known as Saving Florida’s Heartland.
With just over $1 million on hand in the two accounts as May kicked off, Grimsley drew $60,100 last month from people and businesses with ties to construction, development and real estate, $26,050 from agricultural interests and $13,820 from health care-related donors.
“Our positive vision and message continues to resonate with conservatives,” Grimsley said in a prepared statement.
Grimsley is a registered nurse and hospital administrator whose family has long been involved in citrus and cattle.
Grimsley’s committee received a $10,000 contribution from U.S. Sugar, long a major player in Florida politics. Other top contributors during the month included Pospiech Contracting of Inverness, $25,000; the Florida Prosperity Fund, which is tied to the business advocacy group Associated Industries of Florida, $15,000; and the health-care consulting firm North American Health Services, $10,000.
Caldwell, a state House member, posted just under $160,000 in contributions in April to his campaign account and the political committee Friends of Matt Caldwell, according to numbers on the election division’s website.
The two accounts held a combined $1.13 million as May got underway.
Caldwell’s campaign also touted that he’s raised nearly $2 million since filing to run in May 2017.
“Momentum is on our side,” Caldwell said in a statement.
Caldwell’s April money included $15,000 from the Voice of Florida Business PAC, which is tied to Associated Industries of Florida, and $10,000 from Disney Worldwide Services.
Caldwell also received $44,250 from people and businesses tied to farming, including $10,000 from U.S. Sugar and $5,000 from Collier Enterprises Management. Horse breeders, trainers and associations ponied up a combined $18,750.
He also received $11,000 from the construction industry and $3,000 from the Florida Phosphate Political Committee.
Troutman, a former state House member who is a grandson of the late Florida citrus and cattle magnate Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., put another $100,000 of his own money into the campaign in April. He also gathered $55,750 in contributions to his campaign account and his political committee known as iGrow.
With $2.8 million of his own money now in the contest, Troutman started April with about $2.9 million on hand in the accounts.
His April money included $35,900 from agricultural interests, including $15,000 from Winter Haven-based Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch and $10,000 from U.S. Sugar. Troutman also received $15,000 from PACs tied to Associated Industries of Florida.
Republican candidate Mike McCalister, a retired Army colonel from Plant City who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010 and U.S. Senate in 2012, posted a single contribution in April of $2 from a member of the Florida National Guard from Lakeland. That was the only money McCalister had raised since opening a campaign account March 13.
On the Democratic side, Homestead Mayor Jeffrey Porter recorded a single contribution of $3,000 to his campaign account and $32,000 to his political committee Friends of Jeff Porter.
His largest contribution, $20,000, was from At Homestead Place, an assisted living facility.
Porter started May with $53,302 in the two accounts.
Democrat David Walker, a marine biologist from Fort Lauderdale, raised $6,587 in April while putting up $37,251 of his own money.
Walker, who ended April with $49,894 in his campaign account, had put $59,793 of his own money into the contest.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny Today, Rain For Next Week
May 12, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Byrneville Elementary Fourth Graders Visit State Capitol
May 12, 2018
Fourth graders from Byrneville Elementary School visited the Florida State Capitol on Friday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Using Water Wisely In Your Landscape
May 12, 2018
by Ray Bodrey UF/IFAS
It’s a struggle to manage Panhandle landscapes, especially over the late spring-summer months. Small adjustments can mean significant impacts in conserving water.
Some homeowners are not aware that watering plants too much can have as much of an ill effect as not watering enough. Shallow rooted plants, as well as newly set plants can easily become water stressed. Some people lightly water their plants each day. With this practice, one is only watering an inch or less of the topsoil. Most plant roots are deeper than this.
Instead of a light watering every day, soaking the plant a few times a week is best. A soil that has been soaked will retain moisture for several days. This is a very good practice for young plants. In contrast, some people soak their plants to often. This essential drowns the roots by eliminating vital oxygen in the root zone. This can also cause root rot. Signs of overwatering are where leaves turn brown at the tips or edges, as well as leaf drop.
The following are tips from the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscape Program. These tips will help conserve water and provides best management practices for landscapes.
- Choose the right plant for the right place: Be sure to place plants in your landscape that match conditions with plant needs.
- Water Thoughtfully: Of course, follow water restrictions first and foremost. Water early in the morning and water when plants and turfgrass start to wilt. Refrain from watering in the late afternoon or evening. This is when insects and diseases are most active.
- Perform regular irrigation maintenance: Remember, an irrigation system is only effective if it is maintained regularly. Check for and repair leaks. If using a pop-up heads for turfgrass, point heads away from driveways and sidewalks.
- Calibrate turfgrass irrigation system: Ideal amount of water to apply to turfgrass is ½”- ¾”. A simple test can be done to calibrate. Place a coffee or tuna cans throughout the landscape. Run the irrigation system for 30 minutes. Average the depth of the water containers. Adjust running time to apply the ½”- ¾” rate.
- Use microirrigation in gardens and individual plants: Drip or microspray irrigation systems apply water directly to the root system with limited surface evaporation.
- Make a rain barrel: Rain barrels are an inexpensive way to capture rainwater from your roof. This can translate into a big impact on your water bill as well.
- Mulch plants: Mulch helps keep moisture in the root zone. Two to three inches in depth, for a few feet in diameter will work well for trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables.
- Mow correctly: Mowing your grass at the highest recommended length is key. Be sure to cut no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade each time you mow. Keep mowing blades sharp as dull cuts often cause grass to be prone to disease.
- Be a weather watcher: Wait at least 24 hours after a rainfall event to water. If rain is in the forecast, wait 48 hours until irrigating. Use a rain gauge or install a rain shut-off device to monitor irrigation scheduling.
Tate’s Jacob Nowling Signs With Division II Carson-Newman For Football, Fishing
May 12, 2018
Jacob Nowling, a fourth generation Tate High School Aggie, has signed to play football with Division II, Southern Atlantic Conference powerhouse Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, TN.
Nowling started playing football with the Cantonment Cowboys at age six.. He was coached by Jason Lassiter, Tim Barnes and Keith Moore in his early years. After joining the Aggies football team as a freshman, Nowling was coached and mentored by Coach Lindsey and Coach Williamson. Nowling was the starting center for the Aggies varsity team during both his junior and senior years.
While at Tate, he was also a member of the wrestling team, Tate FFA and Tate Veterinary Science Academy.
Nowling has also signed with Carson-Newman to be a member of the Eagle Angler Collegiate Fishing Team. He will pursue a degree in business. He said he is looking forward to the challenge of competing at the next level.
The Most Popular Baby Names Are…
May 12, 2018
Emma and Liam are America’s most popular baby names for 2017.
This marks the first time Liam has bested the boys, beating Noah for the top spot, and the fourth straight year for Emma. Liam first crawled into the top 10 in 2012 and has been reaching for the highest honor ever since. In other huge baby name news, Michael has been bumped from the top 10 for the first time since World War II, landing at number 12 this year. Emily also fell out of the top 10 for the first time since 1990.
There are several new names in the top 10–Amelia and Evelyn make the list–Amelia for the first time and Evelyn for the first time since 1915. These traditional names show parents are keeping up the trend of naming daughters after grandmothers. Logan and Oliver are new for the boys, both making their first appearance on the list.
