One Injured In Pine Barren Road Wreck
July 10, 2019
One person was injured when she lost control of a vehicle and hit several trees near Bratt Monday evening.
The female driver was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by Escambia County EMS following the 5:15 p.m. crash on Pine Barren Road about a mile north of Breastworks Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Naming Committee Selects Name For New Pensacola Bay Bridge
July 10, 2019
The Pensacola Bay Bridge Naming Committee has voted to name the new bridge over the bay after U.S. Air Force Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James.
James was a Pensacola native and the first African-American to ever reach the rank of a four-star general in the Air Force.
The current bridge is named the “Philip D. Beall Sr. Memorial Bridge”. Beall was a former state senator and served as a president of the Florida State Senate.
The final decision on the bridge naming will fall with the Florida Legislature. Sen. Doug Broxson has submitted legislation to name the new Pensacola Bay Bridge, the “General Daniel ‘Chappie’ James Jr. Bridge.”
“General James is an American hero. He represents the true spirit of the Panhandle and our values. I look forward to presenting this bill to my colleagues in Tallahassee next session and sharing with them the story of ‘Chappie’ James,” Broxson said. “This new bridge will stand as a memorial to our native son, and a truly great American, General Daniel ‘Chappie’ James.”
Former Gulf Breeze City Manager Presents His Ideas To Save Century
July 9, 2019
The Century Town Council held a workshop meeting Monday evening with former Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy who has offered his consulting services to help the town solve the numerous problems identified in a recent report.
Eddy recommended the council take immediate steps on two fronts. First, he said the council should begin work on creating their budget for the new fiscal year that starts October 1. And secondly, he said the town should strive to get their gas, water and sewer services profitable.
“
“The very first issue in my thinking is all hands on deck, this is what we are going to work on for the town of Century. Remove the personality conflicts from the equation and we are going to start working on water, sewer, natural gas and sanitation to get those where they are paying for themselves. Then we are going to develop a budget for 2020,” Eddy said. “You get everything moving in the right direction, you can enhance…services (like streets and parks) and develop a capital improvement plan.”
Council members expressed concern that the town purchased new gas meters months ago in an effort to increase billing accuracy and revenue, but very few of those meters have actually been installed.
Eddy said the meter installations should be another priority, even if the town hires a contractor to complete the work because their gas department does not have the time or resources.
Ann Brooks, council president, noted that the council is “not getting information back” on the status of the gas department.
Eddy also floated the idea that the town hire a city manager or perhaps a contractor, at least on a trial or limited basis, to run the operations of the town directly under the mayor. While he said he could perform the service, it would be more practical to find someone that lives closer to Century.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said he was receptive to the ideas presented by Eddy.
“I am open; I am open to anything that is going to help,” Hawkins said.
Eddy made the unsolicited offer after reading a report by independent financial consultant Bob Inzer, whose services were provided to the town by the Florida League of Cities following a scathing grand jury findings. Inzer repeatedly told the town council that Century needs to hire someone for a chief financial officer type position to have direct oversight over the town’s finances.
Eddy is not currently seeking a full time job with Century. Instead, he is proposing an hourly rate of $35 as a consultant. He recommended that the town set aside $5,000 for the initial phase, providing for 143 hours of service. The town has not yet formally accepted his proposal.
He met with the council in early 2018 to discuss ways the town could increase revenue by raising utility taxes. Council members made it clear Monday night that they are not looking to raise taxes.
Pictured top: Buz Eddy (right) addresses the Century Town Council Monday evening. Pictured inset: Council member Luis Gomez responds to Eddy. Pictured bottom: Council member Ann Brooks (left) and Sandra McMurray Jackson listen to fellow member Ben Boutwell. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Five Tate Cheerleaders Named All-American At UCF Camp
July 9, 2019
Five senior Tate High School cheerleaders were named UCA All-Americans during a recent camp at the University of Central Florida.
The full Tate varsity squad was awarded a trophy for Rally Routine – Best Incorporation of Transitions and Creativity as well as a trophy for Superior ratings all week.
The All-American cheerleaders are Bailey Carter, Shelby Fleming, Kensley Foley, Abi Manoso and Payton Simmons.
Pictured top: Tate High Schoo’s UCA All-American cheerleaders. Pictured below: The full Tate varsity squad. Pictured bottom: The 10 senior Tate cheerleaders at camp. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Watching The Tropics For the Pensacola Beach Air Show
July 9, 2019
It’s Red, White, and Blues Week with the annual Blue Angels air show at Pensacola Beach, but what about the expected tropical weather?
With a tropical weather system expected in the Gulf Of Mexico, the Blue say they will wait until the last minute to make any cancellation announcements.
“We are aware of the weather system forecast for this week, and are monitoring it. We will not make a decision to cancel or postpone a practice or performance until the last possible second,” the Blue said in a statement. “More than once this decision has been made after the pilots entered their aircraft and prepared to taxi.”
Here is the schedule, as it stand now, for the Blue Angels:
Wednesday: Breakfast with the Blues at 8 a.m., over Pensacola Beach. Watch circle and arrival maneuvers, which are performed at all show sites to familiarize the Blues with the performance area
Thursday: Practice over Pensacola Beach at 2 pm.
Friday: Practice over Pensacola Beach 2 p.m.
Saturday: Show time at 2 p.m.
Sunday: Weather make-up day only. Flight time TBD.
Tree Falls Across Power Line, ‘Smokes’ Lights In Home
July 9, 2019
A tree fell across a power line in Cantonment Monday night, “smoking” lights inside the home.
It happened about 8:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Archer Road. When the power line came down and shortened, it apparently led to smoke coming from interior lights.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded and secured power to home. There was no actual fire, an no interior damage reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Winds Down Large Tree At Cottage Hill Home
July 9, 2019
High winds in an afternoon storm downed a tree on Williams Ditch Road in Cottage Hill Monday afternoon. The tree flattened a trampoline, but no other major damage was reported. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Alcala Shines, But Blue Wahoos Endure Fourth Walkoff Loss To Barons
July 9, 2019
The Blue Wahoos right now can’t seem to shake heartbreak.
Or new ways to experience it.
The latest unfolded Monday night when Birmingham’s Damek Tomscha, a former Auburn Tigers player, led off the ninth inning with a home run on the first pitch, giving the Barons a 2-1 victory and their fourth walkoff win against the Blue Wahoos in this series at Regions Field in Birmingham.
It added into a fifth straight defeat, all against the Barons, and dropped the Blue Wahoos (9-10 second half) under .500 for the first time in two weeks. The Barons (14-5) have won each game in different ways.
The teams will conclude a six-game series Tuesday in Birmingham, then an off day ensues Wednesday that now seems especially well-timed for the Blue Wahoos. Birmingham won its ninth straight home game and 13 wins overall in the past 15 games.
What did go right Monday for the Blue Wahoos was the longest and arguably the best outing of the season from starting pitcher Jorge Alcala. The Minnesota Twins’ No. 19 rated prospect by MLB Pipeline was sensational in a six inning, four hit, shutout performance against the Barons.
Alcala had worked into the sixth inning just four other times, but never pitched six complete innings. It was only the third time he held an opponent scoreless and the first time he did it since May 13.
His performance included seven strikeouts, no walks. Of the 82 pitches he threw, 57 were for strikes.
Unfortunately for Alcala and his teammates, Birmingham starter Matt Tomshaw, a 30-year-old lefthander, who faced the Blue Wahoos 10 previous times the past seasons while with the Miami Marlins organization, was equally superb.
Tomshaw worked seven complete innings without allowing a run. He scattered six hits. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.
The Blue Wahoos scored the game’s first run in the eighth inning against reliever Kodi Medeiros (3-8), who wound up as the winning pitcher.
Alex Kirilloff, who finished 3-for-4, led off with a triple in the centerfield gap. Brian Schales followed with a sacrifice fly to center fielder Luis Gonzalez, scoring Kirilloff.
But in the bottom of the eighth, Blue Wahoos reliever Jeff Ames gave up a leadoff single to Joel Booker, who then stole second base and went to third when catcher Brian Navarreto’s attempted put-out throw sailed into center field.
With one out, Luis Gonzalez hit a grounder that briefly handcuffed Kirilloff at first base, allowing Booker to score on the put out.
In the ninth, Joe Cronin drew a one-out walk. He stole second with two out. But Jordan Gore struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, reliever Anthony Vizcaya faced Tomscha as the leadoff batter. Tomscha, who was signed by the Chicago White Sox on June 28, jumped on Vizcaya’s first pitch and lined the ball over the left wall to cause another walkoff celebration by the Barons.
Kirilloff’s three hits in the game raised his batting average to .285. Mark Contreras, Brian Navarreto, Caleb Hamilton and Joe Cronin each had one hit .
Jeff Ames pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Alcala. He got out of a situation in the seventh, following a triple by leadoff batter Ti’Quan Forbes and Tomscha being hit by a pitch.
Ames retired the next three batters in a clutch relief effort.
Deadline Is Monday To Apply For $65K In International Paper Grants
July 9, 2019
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $65,000 in foundation grants in 2019, and the deadline for grant applications is Monday, July 15.
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where employees live and work.
Signature Causes include:
- · Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- · Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- · Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- · Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measurable objectives to demonstrate impact. Details on grant eligibility, guidelines and restrictions are available at www.ipgiving.com. Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com until Monday, July 15, 2019.
Pictured: Last year’s IP Giving award winners. File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Airlifted After Suffering Burn Injuries At International Paper In Cantonment
July 8, 2019
A man was airlifted to the hospital after being burned at International Paper in Cantonment Monday afternoon.
The man was transported to the hospital with serious burn injuries by LifeFlight helicopter following the incident about 3 p.m., according to Hana Frenette, Escambia County spokesperson.
“We are actively working a situation with authorities and unable to provide specific details at this time. As soon as we are able to release information, we will do so in a timely manner,” IP Communications Manager Whitney Fike said.
Further details about exactly what happened have not been released by IP officials.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
