Grzelakowski Delivers Walk-Off Winner In 1-0 Wahoos Victory Over Mobile
April 25, 2019
Taylor Grzelakowski entered tonight’s game scuffling through a 3-for-30 stretch at the plate and left the hero, delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to break a 0-0 tie and give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 win over the Mobile BayBears.
For the second straight night, both team’s received excellent starting pitching. Griffin Jax took the ball for the Wahoos, entering the game with the best ERA in the league, and left with an even lower ERA. He threw 5.1 shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four and walking none, lowering his 0.54 ERA to 0.41.
Mobile countered with Adrian De Horta, who was even better, throwing 5.0 one-hit innings and striking out seven.
For all that has been written about the Blue Wahoos starting rotation’s success this season, their bullpen has been equally good, entering play tonight with a 1.59 ERA. Lefty Jovani Moran was the first out of the pen, relieving Jax with a runner on in the sixth. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out five.
With tonight’s performance, Moran now holds a 17.1 K/9 ratio, having struck out 19 batters in 10.0 innings.
Dusten Knight took over in the ninth inning and worked into and out of a jam, allowing a lead off single and walking a batter before stranding both runners.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Wahoos offense finally scored for the first time in two days. Caleb Hamilton led off the inning by drawing a walk from BayBears reliever Patrick Sandoval. Ernie De La Trinidad dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Hamilton to second. After a ground out for the second out, Grzelakowski stepped to the plate and pulled a ground ball single past a diving Jahmai Jones at second base, scoring Hamilton from second and giving the Blue Wahoos their first walk-off win of the season.
The win improves the Blue Wahoos’ record to 14-6 on the year, the best record in the Southern League. Pensacola will pack their bags and head to Jackson to take on the Generals (11-7) tomorrow in a match up of the first place team in the North and South Divisions.
Tate, Northview, Beulah FFA Chapters Named Among Florida’s Finest Chapters
April 25, 2019
Three Escambia County FFA chapters have been named among the very best in Florida.
The Northview High School, Tate High School and Beulah Middle School FFA chapters have been named to the list of “Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters”.
The selection of these chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture and have worked hard to fulfill the mission and vision of the FFA.
One member and one advisor from the Northview, Tate and Beulah FFA chapters will be recognized in June during the 91st Florida FFA Convention in Orlando.
Pictured top: Northview FFA’s state championship horse judging team. Pictured below: Members of the Beulah Middle School FFA. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dolores Kulback
April 25, 2019
Dolores Kulback, age 88 and a 24-year resident of Cantonment, Florida, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Olive Branch Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pensacola.
Born in 1931 in Passaic, New Jersey, Dolores Gunza graduated from Lodi High School with training in secretarial services. She was employed by several corporations such as IBM and Sun Chemical. Upon her retirement, she relocated to Florida.
Dolores loved good food, cooking, pets, simple outings and family time. She was a devoted wife and mother.
She is survived by her husband John, three children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Family-Funeral & Cremation of Pensacola, Florida.
Banker: Byrneville Elementary Needs To Make Changes To Secure Millions In Building Financing
April 25, 2019
As Byrneville Elementary School ponders a multi-million dollar building project, they are being told changes may be needed to secure financing.
United Bank Vice President Chris Walker told the Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors Wednesday afternoon that they will need to increase revenue by increasing enrollment or find a way to cut expenses to be in the best position to borrow the funds needed for construction.
Byrneville is considering financing with the the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program through United Bank.
To do only new classroom construction to replacing aging portable buildings, the school would need to increase enrollment by about 30 students. To build the new classrooms and renovate the school’s main building, which was constructed in 1941, the school would need some 40 to 45 additional students.
The dollar figure for the project depends on how much is scaled-back, but the overall project was estimated at up to $7.7 million, according to an architect’s needs assessment.
“Your expenses went up, but your number of students went down,” Walker told the board of directors.
There were about 200 students last school year at Byrneville Elementary; that number is about 190 now.
Pictured: United Bank Vice President Chris Walker addresses the Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Stole Checks From Business, Cashed Them
April 24, 2019
A Cantonment man has been charged after allegedly taking checks from a West Nine Mile Road business and fraudulently cashing them.
Robert Carl Godwin, 35, is facing multiple felony counts, including dealing in stolen property, grand theft and uttering a forged instrument.
He allegedly stole keys and several business checks from his stepfather’s business, Horizon Home Improvements, and he told deputies he formerly worked there as a warehouse manager, according to an arrest report.
Godwin allegedly cashed multiple fraudulent checks taken from Horizon Home Improvements at a check cashing business on North Pace Boulevard, including checks for $1,250 and $940, the report states.
He was allegedly in possession of 10 checks and keys from business the time of his arrest. The business owner told deputies that Godwin was never issued or given keys to the business.
Godwin remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $40,000.
NextEra, Gulf Power Report Earnings As Hurricane Michael Recovery Surcharge Looms
April 24, 2019
Tuesday, NextEra Energy, Inc. reported Gulf Power financial results for the first quarter of the year, as Gulf Power awaits approval for $350 million in customer restoration fees for Hurricane Michael recovery.
Gulf Power reported first-quarter 2019 net income of $37 million, or $0.08 per share.
Gulf Power base retail operation and maintenance costs were down nearly 5% year-over-year. Gulf Power’s capital expenditures were approximately $100 million in the first quarter of 2019, and full-year capital investments are expected to be approximately $700 million. During the first quarter of 2019, Gulf Power’s average number of customers was roughly flat to the comparable prior-year quarter as a result of continued impacts from Hurricane Michael in 2018.
During the quarter, Gulf Power filed a cost recovery petition for approximately $350 million in Hurricane Michael restoration costs. Subject to a review and prudence determination of final storm costs by the PSC, Gulf Power is proposing a surcharge equivalent to $8.00 per month on a 1,000-kilowatt-hour residential bill until the storm costs are fully recovered, which is expected to occur after approximately 60 months. Gulf Power believes that the proposed surcharge strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring timely cost recovery and mitigating customer bill impacts.
NextEra, which complete its purchase of Gulf Power on January 1, reported 2019 first-quarter net income attributable to NextEra Energy of $680 million, or $1.41 per share, compared to $4.43 billion, or $9.32 per share, for the first quarter of 2018.
Fountain Correctional Officer Arrested On Drug Charges
April 24, 2019
A Fountain correction officer has been arrested following a joint law enforcement investigation.
Wiggins Washington, a correctional officer assigned to Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore, was arrested at a business and charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamines, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Washington, 50, also faces additional federal charges for being in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest.
Washington was taken into custody in Bay Minette by agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, ADOC Investigations and Intelligence Division, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Bay Minette Police Department. Washington did not immediately resign, but administrative disciplinary actions are pending. He had served as a correctional officer since October 2007.
Partly Sunny Today, Marginal Risk Of Severe Storms By Thursday Afternoon
April 24, 2019
Partly sunny skies are in our forecast for Wednesday. The next round of showers and thunderstorms will spread across our area Thursday afternoon through late Thursday night ahead of an approaching low pressure system.There’s a marginal risk (1 of 5) of isolated severe storms. Damaging winds and a brief tornado will be possible.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Coin Toss: Jay Gets Top Seed In District Softball Tourney, Northview Second
April 24, 2019
The Jay Royals claimed the top seed in the upcoming district tournament Tuesday by winning a coin toss with Northview. The Chiefs are second seed.
The district tournament schedule is:
Game 1 – Monday, April 29
#5 Chipley vs. #4 Baker, 6 p.m. at Baker
Game 2 – Tuesday, April 30
#3 Freeport vs. #2 Northview, 5 p.m. at Jay
Game 3 – Tuesday, April 30
Winner of Game 1 vs. Jay, 7 p.m. at Jay
Game 4 – Thursday, May 2
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner, 7 p.m. at Jay
Pictured: Northview at Jay on March 12. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Splash Pads: Century Now Open; Atmore To Open May 1
April 24, 2019
The splash pad in Century is now open, and Atmore’s will open next week.
The Town of Century’s splash pad at Showalter Park is open daily from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Century had hoped to open their splash pad the week of March 18 for spring break, but Mayor Henry Hawkins said that was delayed by an electrical problem.
Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said Atmore’s splash pad is scheduled to open on May 1 and will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m
Pictured top: The Century splash pad. Pictured below: The splash pad in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
