West Tops The East In All-Star Baseball, Softball Games
June 20, 2019
The West teams from Escambia County beat the East teams from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties Wednesday night in the 20018-19 Subway High School All-Star Series at the University of West Florida.
The West Girls beat the East Girls 10-6. Northview’s Tori Herrington was named the West Softball MVP, and the EAST MVP was Alicyn Grete of Choctaw High School.
The West Boys beat the East Boys 8-5. East Boys MVP was Trevor Flowers of Jay High, and Tate’s Trey LaFleur was the West Boys MVP.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NEP Gold Wins Gospel Projects T-ball World Series; Molino Gets Historic Second Place Finish
June 20, 2019
The NEP Gold 6-year old team won the Gospel Projects T-Ball World Series Wednesday evening, while the Molino All-Stars finished as runner-ups. The Molino team was the first Molino team to place in the World Series since it began in 1970.
Molino team members are Hayden Hollingsworth, Wyatte Golson, Brooklyn Hommerbocker, Jaxton McDaniel, Tyson Brown, Caden Mandel, Jaidyn McCants, Samuel Drysdale, Brantley Pangburn, Keaton Walker, Jayce Wilson and Ansley Morgan. Coaches are Jimmy Morgan, Luman Wilson, Ronnie Pritchett, Jeff Hommerbocker and Derrick McDaniel.
(NEP Gold team member names were not submitted.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioner May Recognized As A FAC Presidential Advocate
June 20, 2019
The Florida Association of Counties recognized Chairman and District 3 Commissioner Lumon May as a Presidential Advocate for their work during the 2019 Legislative Session. Commissioner May received the designation during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County, Florida.
The FAC Presidential Advocate recognition is given to county commissioners who have shown exceptional leadership in advocating with FAC during the 2019 session to advance the counties’ legislative agenda.
“As commissioners, we are empowered to stand up for our community, to be the voice for those who can’t speak, and to fight for our right to decide our own future,” said FAC President and Hendry County Commissioner, Karson Turner. “During the Legislative Session, our role becomes increasingly important as hundreds of bills are heard that have a direct impact on our communities. Those receiving this honor displayed a commitment not only to the counties’ legislative agenda but to their community and the state.”
For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that government closest to the people governs best. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
Massive Fire Destroys Over Two Dozen Perdido Key Condos (With Video)
June 19, 2019
A massive fire on Perdido Key Wednesday morning destroyed at least 26 condominiums and a home just east of the Flora-Bama on Perdido Key.
The first fire units arrived on scene shortly after 4 a.m. to find a working fire spanning multiple condos and spreading quickly due to wind and close proximity of the units to one another. It is estimated that 14 units at Key Harbour and 12 units at Pescador Landing have been destroyed. One residential stand-alone home on the west side of the fire was also destroyed and considered a total loss.
An estimated 50 people were displaced by the fire at Key Harbour.
Escambia Fire Rescue believes all residents are accounted for, while some pets may still be missing. One resident was transported with minor injuries and smoke inhalation and one firefighter from Orange Beach was also transported with heat-related injuries. Both were taken to South Baldwin Hospital.
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com video (below) caught one of the structures collapsing. It can be seen burning in the photo at the top of the page, and it is no longer there in the photo below.
For a photo gallery, click here.
An estimated 75 firefighters responded with assistance from Escambia County EMS, Escambia County Area Transit, City of Pensacola Fire, Baldwin County EMS, Santa Rosa County Fire, Orange Beach Fire, Fire & Emergency Services of the Gulf Coast, Lillian Volunteer Fire Department, Gulf Power, ECUA and the Red Cross.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Man Allegedly Fires Gun At Woman In Cantonment
June 19, 2019
A local man is accused of shooting at a woman in Cantonment.
Denarion Keon Wallace, 24, was charged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance Monday afternoon in the area of Lake Drive after an anonymous caller reported hearing gunfire and people screaming. A witness told deputies that her cousin got into a verbal argument with Wallace, who pulled out a small black handgun and made the statement “You better get off Lake Drive”, according to arrest report.
He then allegedly pointed the gun toward the victim and fired two rounds. Both rounds missed.
After Wallace was detained, a 9mm bullet was located in his pants pocket, the report states. Wallace told deputies there was a verbal argument, but there was no gun involved. He also told deputies he found the bullet somewhere on the road.
Wallace remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning. He was being held without bond.
Former Gulf Breeze City Manager Proposes To Help Century
June 19, 2019
Longtime Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy has offered his consulting services to the Town of Century to help them solve the numerous problems identified in a recent report.
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.
“I have read Mr. Inzer’ s report and I have had a couple of informal conversations with Mayor Hawkins over the past few months. I am available, if the Mayor and the Council decide to secure additional administrative assistance, to help out,” Eddy wrote in an email this week to council President Ann Brooks. “Using the Inzer report as a basis and individual interviews with the Mayor and Council members, we would develop and assist in implementing a series of steps to get the Town of Century back on track.”
After meeting individually with the mayor and council members, he said the next action would be to evaluate utility operations, including billing and service-related issues.
Eddy recommended that the town set aside $5,000 for the initial phase, providing for 143 hours of service.
Council members collectively indicated that they would be interested in Eddy’s services, but they would want to first have him attend a meeting with the council to fully present his proposal.
Eddy met with the Century Town Council in early 2018, explaining a new tax up to 10 percent that the town could levy on electricity, municipal water, propane and natural gas usage within the town limits. He also told the council that they could add an additional 25 percent premium to the bills of those outside the town limits that use town water or natural gas services, and up to a 5 percent communications tax to phone and internet bills.
The council never acted on any utility tax increases.
Eddy served as the Gulf Breeze city manager from 1992 until his retirement in 2017. He also worked as the city manager in Coral Springs, Florida, from 1988-1992.
Pictured above and below: Consultant Buz Eddy explained possible new tax revenue to the Century Town Council in February 2018. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Named Best Place To Work In IT
June 19, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union was named a Computerworld 2019 Best Places to Work in IT for a fifth consecutive year, ranking eighth among 49 large organizations. This is Navy Federal’s highest-ever ranking, and the organization continues to be the only credit union on the list.
Navy Federal’s Information Technology professionals provide support for the credit union’s 18,000 employees and over 8 million members. The credit union is known for its workplace culture that’s filled with opportunities to learn and encourages collaboration and innovative thinking.
“Navy Federal’s focus is always on our members,” said Tony Gallardy, chief information officer. “That focus is the main reason we’ve created a thriving culture that empowers our team members to explore and develop digital solutions to provide members with the best experience possible.”
Computerworld compiles its Best Places to Work in IT list based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, career development, training and retention.
Additionally, IT professionals are surveyed and their responses are factored heavily in determining the rankings.
In 2019, Navy Federal is placing an emphasis on growing its team in the information services department, with commitment to fill 120 positions before the end of the year.
Pictured: Employees in the Information Services Department (IT) at Navy Federal’s Greater Pensacola Operations Center. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former NBA Coach To Lead Bratt Basketball Camp
June 19, 2019
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held June 26-28 at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
““He is a devoted Christian man that has a unique ability to deal with children, and his love for them is evident,” FBC Bratt Youth Pastor Tim Hawsey said. This is the eighth year the church has offered the camp.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
All children participating in the camp will receive a certificate of completion and a t-shirt from Dutremble. For registration information, call (850) 327-6529, or stop by the church Monday through Wednesday mornings.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Central Water Works Experiences Water Main Break, Boil Water Notice Issued
June 19, 2019
**This boil water notice was lifted Friday, June 21.**
Central Water Works experienced a water main break Wednesday morning at the intersection of Cox Road and Highway 29.
The water was cut off on Cox and Holland roads for repairs, and those customers will be without water for several hours while repairs are made.
Other customers were expected to gradually regain water pressure. Customers not on Cox or Holland roads that do not have water pressure should call (850) 256-3849.
Central Water Works customers between Cox Road and Byrneville Road, including customers on Byrneville Road are under a precautionary boil water notice until at least Friday afternoon. Updates will be posted on NorthEscambia.com
Ernie Lee Magaha, Former Escambia Clerk Of The Court, Passes Away
June 19, 2019
Former Escambia County Clerk of the Court Ernie Lee Magaha, Sr. passed away Tuesday. He was 91.
Magaha was born in Jay, raised in Mosquito Flats near Century, and graduated from Century High School. He served in the Merchant Marines and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in economics in 1950.
He served as a state auditor for five years and resigned in 1956 to run for the clerk of the court of record. At that time, he and his wife, Lucile, spearheaded a grassroots campaign and literally walked the county for a successful election in November 1956 as she was expecting their first child.
Magaha took office in January of 1957 and has held the position of clerk until 2012. His office was instrumental in the smooth transition of the court system in 1972 to the two-tier system in place today. In 1995, then Governor Lawton Chiles asked him to assume the additional responsibilities of the comptroller’s office.
Escambia County’s governmental hub is named in his honor – the Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Complex.
Visitation will be held 9 a.m. until the funeral service to begins at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, Pleitz Chapel with Dr. Dave Snyder and Rev. Walt Magaha officiating. A private family burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.