Mincey, Blue Wahoos Cruise to 8-2 Victory Over The Trash Pandas
May 12, 2022
Early offense buoyed Cody Mincey once again as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas 8-2 on Wednesday night.
Mincey (W, 2-1) became the fourth consecutive Blue Wahoos starter to deliver a quality start, allowing just two unearned runs over a career-high 6.0 innings.
The Blue Wahoos scored four runs in the first inning against Brent Killam (L, 1-2), taking advantage of a Preston Palmeiro error to stake Mincey to an early lead. Jerar Encarnacion had the first of his season-high four hits to drive in the game’s first run, and Victor Victor Mesa capped the inning with a two-run blast for his first home run of the year.
Rocket City pushed across two unearned runs in the third on a Trey Cabbage sacrifice fly and Braxton Martinez RBI single, but Mincey kept things in check for the remainder of his outing. Encarnacion hit a two-run homer in the fifth, his team-leading seventh homer of the year, and Mesa brought home his third and fourth RBI of the night with a single in the eighth.
Jefry Yan and Andrew Nardi delivered scoreless relief for the final 3.0 innings to secure Pensacola’s second consecutive win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Thursday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
UPDATED: Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Molino Utilities Customers
May 12, 2022
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN CANCELED.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued following a water main break on Molino Road on Wednesday.
The precautionary boil water notice has been issued due to the water main repair in the area of Sunshine Hill Road west to 5341 Molino Road, Barrineau Lane and Settle Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
(Updated 5/13/21)
Missing Juvenile Located
May 11, 2022
UPDATE: Zander West has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing juvenile last seen on Williams Ditch Road near Highway 95A
Zander Kole West, 12, was last seen about 7:10 Wednesday morning. He was wearing red, black and white Vans shoes, dark sweatpants, and a dark hoodie.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
West has been reported missing about a half dozen times in the past year, according to the ECSO.
Metal Plant Coming To Bay Minette With 1,000 Jobs; Officials Say That’s Good News For North Escambia County
May 11, 2022
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that Novelis Inc., a world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, plans to invest more than $2.5 billion to build a new low-carbon recycling and rolling plant in Baldwin County.
The facility at the 3,000-acre South Alabama Mega Site, located in Bay Minette, will create approximately 1,000 jobs, which Novelis projects will pay an average annual salary of $65,000.
The facility will be located about 10 miles from Florida and North Escambia (about 15 miles driving distance due to the Perdido River).
Speaking in Century Tuesday, FloridaWest CEO Scott Luth said the jobs will be important for the surrounding communities, especially for Century and the communities in North Escambia.
“At the end of the day the framework is all around our talent,” Luth said. “Building that talent is so critical.”
“People from Century drive to the plant in Brewton, and to Cantonment to work. There are people here that did it for 30 years,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said. Novelis’ facility will be a 35 mile drive from Century.
“I think this is huge for our area. It will be a transportation issue for some people, but maybe they could carpool,” Boutwell added.
Atlanta-based Novelis said the Alabama facility — the first fully integrated aluminum mill built in the U.S. in 40 years — will leverage the company’s long-term relationships with leading beverage, packaging and automotive brands seeking sustainable aluminum solutions.
“With this massive investment and these large-scale hiring plans, Novelis will launch a high-tech aluminum mill that will generate significant economic impacts throughout the region for generations,” said Governor Ivey. “Novelis is a world-class company, and we know that it has selected a prime location in Sweet Home Alabama and specifically Baldwin County as home for its growth plans.”
Novelis said the new plant will be the most sophisticated and sustainable of its kind and will have a strong focus on employee safety.
The facility will be powered with renewable energy, use recycled water and be a zero-waste facility. Novelis is committed to being a carbon-neutral company by 2050 and plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2026.
In addition, the Baldwin County plant will make use of advanced automation and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality and robotics. The facility will have an initial 600 kilotonnes of finished aluminum goods capacity per year.
“Through this investment, we are making a demonstrative commitment to continue to grow alongside our customers and meet their needs for low-carbon, highly sustainable aluminum solutions,” said Steve Fisher, President and CEO of Novelis. “In addition, we are well positioned to efficiently expand capacity at this facility in the future — above the 600kt announced today — to capture ongoing strong demand. Our readiness to invest to serve growing markets is a perfect example of how we are delivering on our company purpose of shaping a sustainable world together.”
Site work is under way now, and Novelis expects to begin commissioning the facility in mid-2025. AIDT, Alabama’s primary workforce development agency, will assist Novelis in assembling and training a workforce for the facility.
“Novelis’ decision to locate the nation’s most technologically advanced aluminum mill in Baldwin County is a powerful testament to both the state’s attractive business climate and to the capabilities of our talented manufacturing workforce,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The magnitude of this project makes it a game-changing development for Alabama’s industrial sector and a jobs engine for the region.”
Novelis serves customers from a wide variety of industries including beverage packaging, automotive, building and construction, aerospace and consumer electronics. The Baldwin County facility will primarily serve the growing beverage can market.
The plant will also serve the automotive market, where aluminum is the fastest growing material, as automakers make plans to achieve their sustainability goals. Aluminum produced by Novelis can be found in more than 225 vehicle models produced by leading automakers around the globe.
Cantonment Man Charged With Inappropriately Touching Underage Girl
May 11, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of inappropriately touching an underage girl.
Cecil Allen Hanna, 67, was charged with felony lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim 12 to 16 years old. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond minutes after he was booked.
In March, the victim disclosed that she and her sister were sleeping in the loft area of a home two years prior with Hanna behind her, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hanna then placed his hand on her breast and told her the next morning not to tell her mother, the report continues. A year later, he allegedly made an inappropriate comment to the girl.
The victim’s sister told investigators that her sister had told her about the incident, but Hanna had never touched her inappropriately. She said he has made inappropriate comments to her, but she was not able to remember what he said, the report states.
The victim’s mother did not learn of the allegations until March, and she confronted Hanna, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Hanna told the mother that he was asleep and did not realize he was touching the girl, the report states. The mother then informed Hanna that he needed to leave the home.
Hanna notified Sheriff’s Office investigators that he had retained an attorney and would not be speaking with them.
The relationship between Hanna and the family was redacted from the arrest report. However, the report states it was not a domestic violence incident.
Century Explores Community Inventory As Part Of $35,000 Competitive Florida Partnership Grant
May 11, 2022
Century, with the assistance of FloridaWest, was one of just eight small and rural communities in the state awarded a $35,000 Competitive Florida Partnership Grant.
The grant will be used to elevate the area’s education, training and skilled workforce to meet current industry and business demands.
Tuesday morning, FloridaWest held a meeting to discuss a community inventory — what businesses, services, community organizations and other groups exist in Century — and how to connect those groups with the local workforce.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity partners with communities to help them leverage this unique assets and set realistic goals. They will also work to connect the communities like Century with available state and federal resources.
The grant was awarded on a cost reimbursement basis.
Pictured: Community partners discuss a $35,000 Competitive Florida Partnership Grant and a community inventory during a meeting Tuesday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Kids, Adult Driver Seriously Injured In Beulah Crash
May 11, 2022
There were multiple injuries in a two vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon in Beulah.
The crash occurred about 2:15 p.m. on Mobile Highway near Jamesville Road, about a half mile east of Beulah Elementary School.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 39-year old female driver from Pensacola was traveling east on Mobile Highway when she swerved left into oncoming traffic to avoid a stopped vehicle. She hit an oncoming pickup truck driven by a 24-year old man from Lillian, Alabama. The pickup truck and a trailer it was towing overturned into a ditch.
The SUV driver and a 14-year old female passenger were seriously injured. Another passenger in the SUV, a seven year old boy, was critically injured.
The pickup truck driver suffered minor injuries. His passenger, a 24-year old male from Cantonment, was not injured.
Troopers said everyone involved in the crash was wearing a seat belt.
Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire In Beulah Regional Park Restroom Under Investigation
May 11, 2022
A fire in the restrooms at the Beulah Regional Park is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded about 5:45 Tuesday morning to the fire, which caused minor damage.
The official cause of the fire has not been determined. However, a sign on a restroom door later Tuesday indicated that the restrooms are closed due to vandalism.
There were no injuries reported.
The park is located at 7820 Mobile Highway, just east of Highway 99.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Headed To Regional Final After 7-3 Win Over Paxton
May 11, 2022
The Northview Chiefs beat Paxton 7-3 Tuesday night in Bratt in the 1A regional semifinals.
Jamarkus Jefferson earned the win for the Northview Chiefs, allowing two hits and two runs in four and two-thirds innings while striking out six. Burkett threw two and one third innings in relief.
Jefferson and Wyatt Scruggs led Northview at the plate, both going 2-3. Burkett, Luke Bridges and Kaden Odom each added a hit.
Northview will travel to top seed Holmes County Friday night in Bonifay for the regional final. Holmes County advanced by beating jay 7-3 Tuesday night.
Click or tap here for a photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Falls Short In Regional Quarterfinal
May 11, 2022
The Tate Aggies fell short in the 6A regional quarterfinals Tuesday night, losing 3-1 to First Coast in Jacksonville.
Josiah Glodfelter went six innings for Tate, giving up four hits and three runs in six innings while striking out a dozen and walking just one.
Madox Land led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-4. Clif Quiggins, Bray Touchstone, Frankie Randal, Jackson Penton and Cade Kelly had one hit each for Tate.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 23-4.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.