West Florida Softball Defeats Gulf Breeze; Pine Forest Baseball Tops Crestview
March 29, 2019
West Florida 3, Gulf Breeze 1
Both teams were strong on the rubber Thursday ,but the West Florida Jags defeated Gulf Breeze 3-1. Jeya Prasad allowed just two hits to Gulf Breeze.
Prasad was the winning pitcher for the Lady Jags. She lasted seven innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out 15 and walking zero.
West Florida J racked up seven hits. MacKenzee Mcbride and Kenzi Wiley each racked up multiple hits the Lady Jags
Pine Forest 14, Crestview 1
Pine Forest Scored eight runs in the fourth on its way to a 14-1 victory over Crestview on Thursday.
Tekoah Roby, Nolan Rigby, Christian Munoz, Jaylen Bryant, Bryce Alderman, and Timmy Williams each had RBIs in the fourth.
Pine Forest fired up the offense in the first inning; the Eagles scored one run when Jason Roberts tripled.
Pine Forest put the pressure on, lead by walks by Rigby and Munoz, singles by Williams and Wyatt Gill, doubles by Roby and Alderman, and by Bryant.
Roberts was credited with the victory for Pine Forest. He allowed three hits and one run over four innings. Jared Riddell threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Pine Forest collected 10 hits on the day. Roberts and Roby managed multiple hits for Pine Forest.
All Aboard Plan To Reduce Train Delays In Cantonment
March 28, 2019
Governmental leaders, International Paper and two railroads are continuing to work to reduce the number of delays caused by trains blocking crossings in Cantonment.
In late January, Florida Sen. Doug Broxson and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry met with CSX and International Paper to discuss the problem. Broxson and Barry learned there are four parallel tracks beds on the IP property just west of the crossing that merge into a single track across Highway 29. Those tracks are not managed by CSX; they are operated by the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway (AGR). AGR was not part of the initial discussions in January.
On March 12, IP’s Pensacola Mill host a meeting between CSX and AGR to discuss the problem.
On Wednesday, IP hand delivered a letter to Broxson and Barry confirming AGR is now on board with the effort to reduce blocked crossings.
“After discussion, both companies were able to identify opportunities within their systems to make improvements in their service both inside and outside of the Pensacola Mill, particularly with respect to operation issues along their lines in areas away from the mill,” IP Pensacola Mill Manager Scott Taylor wrote in the letter. “These improvements would speed their service and limit the amount of time that Highway 29 was blocked on any given day.”
“The Pensacola Mill will continue to monitor rail service and will immediately communicate any issues directly to the railroad companies,” Taylor continued. “As a customer of both CSX and AGR, we are pleased with the transparent conversations and open communication with all parties involved.”
“We take our responsibility to be great neighbors very seriously,” Taylor concluded.
“I’m very pleased to see that our three private corporate partners followed through with the cooperative spirit from our January meeting,” Barry said after receiving Wednesday’s letter. “I want to thank International Paper, CSX, and AGR for all working together to improve the quality of life for not only my constituents in District 5, but also for all the citizens of Escambia County. Also, I want to thank Senator Broxson again for hosting the January meeting, and I’m optimistic about an improved commute for all the people who travel Highway 29.”
In February, CSX also proposed a plan to keep their stopped trains from completely blocking the Cottage Hill area east of Highway 95A. For trains under 10,000 feet, CSX trains that stop to service a Cantonment customer will be pulled far enough south that they will not block the neighborhood. That’s because the McKenzie Road crossing will remain open, Barry said. A stopped train over 10,000 feet will initially block the neighborhood, but CSX will break the train at Eden Lane as soon as possible.
Barry also said real time communication between Escambia County and the railroad would help solve public safety issues. There are documented incidents where fire trucks and EMS units were unable to respond to medical emergencies in blocked neighborhoods due to stopped trains.
Pictured below: Escambia County Fire and EMS vehicles blocked from responding to emergency calls by a train on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola, Century Mayors Join ‘Mayors Day’ In Tallahassee
March 28, 2019
Dozens of mayors from across Florida, including Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson and Century Mayor Henry Hawkins, descended on Tallahassee Wednesday for “Mayors Day at the Capitol” sponsored by the Florida League of Mayors.
The mayors are concerned about dozens of bills and the attack on “home rule” — allowing each city and town to craft its laws specifically to its own unique needs instead of increased state control of local issues.
Robinson also met one-on-one with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Pictured: Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson (left) met with Gov. Ron DeSantis Wednesday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smokable Medical Marijuana Now Available In Escambia County
March 28, 2019
Smokable medical marijuana is now being sold in dispensaries in Northwest Florida, including Escambia County.
Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis legalized the smokable-flower form of medical marijuana in the state. Within days, the product was available in dispensaries like Trulieve in Pensacola.
According to the Florida Department of Health, there are nearly 200,000 patients in the state qualified for smokable medical marijuana, and about 2,000 doctors qualified to issue prescriptions.
Traffic Stop Leads To Two Meth Trafficking Arrests
March 28, 2019
Two people, including a Cantonment woman, were arrested on drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Pensacola.
Brittany Dawn Black, 33, and Joaquin Jaramillo, 42, were charged with first degree felony methamphetamine trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County deputy stopped a Chevrolet Trailblazer at Rambler Drive and Marcus Pointe Boulevard due to an attached improper tag that was not assigned.
Deputies found methamphetamine fragments in the front passenger seat that was occupied by Jaramillo, and syringes, a metal spoon with residue and several small clear plastic bags in his backpack, according to an arrest report.
In Black’s purse, deputies located four bags of suspected methamphetamine, a small bag with methamphetamine in a zippered case, a folder receipt containing a crystalline substance and tweezers, the report stated. In the vehicle, deputies reported finding a metallic smoking pipe with residue and digital scale with residue.
Both remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000 for Jaramillo and $51,250 for Black.
Black was also cited for an attached tag not assigned to the vehicle.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
March 28, 2019
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for February. They are Seydou Hanne and Katherine Cavenaugh, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
March 28, 2019
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2019 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the eighth consecutive year.
Topping this year’s list is Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
West Florida Softball Moves Up To No. 1 In NFCA Poll
March 28, 2019
For the first time since 2005, the University of West Florida softball team holds the top spot in the National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation poll, the organization announced Wednesday. The Argonauts are 31-4 overall and 14-1 in Gulf South Conference play after sweeping Delta State last weekend.
UWF was ranked No. 3 in last week’s poll and has the second-best winning percentage (.886) in the country, behind only No. 2 Central Oklahoma (.926). The Argos are the seventh consecutive No. 1 team in the poll, earning eight first-place votes from voting members. Last week’s top team, North Georgia, finished third in the poll on Wednesday.
West Florida was last ranked No. 1 during its 60-6 season in 2005, a year that marked the most wins since the program moved to Division II.
The Argonauts are among the most well-rounded teams in the country this season, ranking fourth in DII in shutouts (11), fifth in ERA (1.36), ninth in batting (.350), 12th in on-base percentage (.425), and 13th in fielding percentage (.974).
West Florida will host Shorter for a GSC series on Saturday and Sunday, and UWF will hold “Bark at the Park” on Saturday.
ECUA Conducting Sewer Smoke Testing In Cantonment Area
March 28, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is conducting smoke testing for sewer system leak detection in the Cantonment area into next week.
On Thursday, crews were working in the Booker Street area.
The smoke testing areas include Booker Street to Muscogee Road east to International Paper, and Muscogee Road to Well Line Road to Highway 29 (see maps).
White smoke will be circulated into the sewer lines and manholes to locate broken pipes and other plumbing defects, and it will exit from vent pipes on home roofs. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and creates no fire hazard. The smoke will not enter the house unless there is defective plumbing present or the drain traps are dry. If potential problems are found on private property, residents will be notified of repairs that may need to be made.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
10-Year Plan Proposed For Lake Stone’s Future; Public Hearing Set
March 27, 2019
A 10-year plan for Lake Stone is in the works, and the public will have an opportunity to learn more and comment next month.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present the draft land management plan for the Lake Stone Fish Management Area.
Lake Stone is managed through a cooperative agreement between the FWC and Escambia County to conserve natural communities and use lake management techniques to maintain healthy fish habitats. The area features a man-made lake stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish. The impoundment, managed and maintained by FWC, was constructed in the late 1960s to provide additional freshwater fishing opportunities in an area where these opportunities are limited.
Escambia County maintains public camping facilities and a fishing pier, along with roads, trails and parking facilities in the area. In addition to fishing opportunities, the lake provides recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, paddling and camping. Gasoline boat motors are prohibited from use on Lake Stone; however, the use of electric trolling motors is allowed.
“This draft management plan provides conservation-based management for healthy terrestrial and aquatic habitats, cultural resources, along with fish- and wildlife-based outdoor recreation opportunities for public use,” said Dylan Imlah, FWC land conservation planner.
There is about $148,000 in the first year and an additional $428,000 over the 10-year life of the plan for capital construction.
About 15 campsites have been paved so far, and another 50 to 60 will be paved with county funding, according to Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. The county also hopes to replace the playground and the office/caretaker trailer.
“We are also looking towards potentially building a new open pavilion, kiosk and new gate near the dam for the area, however these items have not yet been approved or vetted for funding,” said Imlah.
There are also two full-time employees in the plan.
“Currently, we have several employees from both the FWC and Escambia County assisting in managing the area. The two employees listed in the plan is based off of our proposed budget, showing that we would need at a minimum of two full time employees dedicated to the area in order to manage optimally. Currently, we have an FWC manager along with several other staff who help maintain the lake and fish populations. We also have FWC staff who monitor wildlife species and exotics that may occur on the upland areas. Additionally, the county pays a caretaker to live on the area and manage the recreational facilities. Not to mention county staff that assist in campsite reservations, facility development improvements,” Imlah told NorthEscambia.com.
There are no plans, she said, to change the public’s current use of Lake Stone, only improve access as funding allows.
The Lake Stone Fish Management Area public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Century Town Hall.
Pictured: Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
