Escambia County Senior Community And Media Specialist Lagarde Named City PIO
April 16, 2019
Escambia County Senior Community and Media Relations Specialist Kaycee Lagarde has been named the public information office for the City of Pensacola.
Lagarde has submitted her letter of resignation from the county effective May 17. Her first day with the city will be May 20.
Blue Wahoos Top The Biloxi Shuckers
April 16, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos once again rode dominant starting pitching and timely offense to another one-run victory as they defeated the Biloxi Shuckers 4-3 at MGM Park.
Pensacola’s offense supplied the talented right-hander with three runs in the top of the first inning, capped off by Brian Schales’s two-run home run off Marcos Diplan (L, 0-1) to put the visitors up 3-0. At one point the Wahoos led 4-0 after Mark Contreras’s RBI sac fly that scored Jimmy Kerrigan.
Alcala’s only hiccup came in the sixth inning when he surrendered a two-run double to Biloxi’s Patrick Leonard. Manager Ramon Borrego went to the bullpen immediately after and brought in Jovani Moran, who recorded the final out of the inning.
Biloxi added a third when C.J. Hinojosa belted a solo home run to open up the eighth inning. Moran tried to finish out the frame, but after issuing a four-pitch walk to Leonard, Borrego again went to his bullpen and asked Dusten Knight to record the final four outs of the game.
After a sensational catch on a line drive from Luis Aviles Jr to end the eighth, Knight retired the Shuckers in order, including striking out the final two batters. After striking out Trent Grisham, Knight performed his signature backflip before celebrating with his teammates.
The Wahoos improved their Southern League-best record to 8-3 while Biloxi fell to 5-6. Game two of the series continues Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. Top pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol will start for the Wahoos and will be opposed by Trey Supak.
Works Begins Wednesday On $1.9 Million Project To Replace Highway 168 Bridge
April 15, 2019
A $1.9 million project is set to begin Wednesday to replace a bridge on Highway 168 between North Highway 99 and Pine Barren Road in Bratt.
The Florida Department of Transportation will replace the structurally deficient bridge on Highway 168 over an unnamed branch. The new bridge will consist of two 12-foot travel lanes with 6-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier wall.
A temporary bridge will be in place during the project.
The new bridge will consist of two 12-foot travel lanes with six-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier wall. The project also includes resurfacing the approaches to the bridge, new guardrail, drainage improvements, new pavement markingsand enhanced signage.
The current bridge was constructed in 1967.
Large Grocery Store, Smaller Shops Proposed For Beulah
April 15, 2019
A large grocery store and several smaller shops could be on the way to the southeast corner of Nine Mile and Beulah roads in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Development Review Committee will hold a pre-application meeting on Wednesday for the project at 8684 Beulah Road.
Drawings for the development show a 48,387 square foot anchor grocery store, several small shops totaling 13,800 square feet and three available commercial out-parcels of just over an acre each.
The name of the grocery store has not been revealed by developer Blackwater Real Estate of Birmingham.
There are several additional steps required in the permitting process before the project could become a reality.
Century Picks Up Extra Cash By Auctioning Off Used Vehicles
April 15, 2019
The Town of Century has picked up some extra cash by auctioning off several used vehicles.
Minimum bids on the vehicles totale $6,900, but they sold for a total of $9,571.
The top sealed bids on each vehicle, the purchaser and the advertised minimum bid were as follows:
- 1992 Crown Victoria — $950 Earl Bell (min. bid $800)
- 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 — $1,710 Donald Morgan (min. bid $1,000)
- 2005 Chevy Silverado 2500 — $3,751 Gary Small (min. bid $3,000)
- 1995 E-350 Club Wagon — $1,100 Vander Mitchell (min. bid $400)
- 2004 F350 — $1,410 Donald Morgan (min. bid $1,200)
- 1985 Ford F600 — Earl Bell $650 (min. bid $500)
Tate High Showband Marches In Universal Studios Parade (With Gallery)
April 15, 2019
The Tate High School Showband of the South took part in the Universal Studios Superstars Parade Saturday in Orlando.
They were also able to spend time in the park and attended a Blue Man Group performance Friday night.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices On The Upswing
April 15, 2019
Florida gas prices set a new 2019-high of $2.80 per gallon, last week. The state average rose a total of 9 cents, but declined a penny over the weekend.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.79 per gallon at the pump. That price is 8 cents more than a week ago, nearly 20 cents more than last month, and 15 cents more than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.70 on Sunday, up a nickel from last week and up 24 cents from a month ago.
So far this year, the state average has climbed a total of 68 cents per gallon. However, the 2019-high remains 12 cents below the highest daily average price in 2018.
“Florida gas prices may seem high now, but the state average is still less than last year’s high,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although springtime travelers may not be enjoying the recent jump at the pump, it doesn’t seem to be slowing them down either. The latest figures from the EIA point to strong gasoline demand, which eclipsed the levels seen this time last year. Lingering supply issues are keeping upward pressure on prices at the pump, but relief should come soon, as refineries are expected to return to full strength in the coming weeks.”
Florida TaxWatch: You’re Finally Working For Yourself, Not To Pay State Taxes
April 15, 2019
On Sunday, April 14, Floridians celebrated the first day of the year where taxpayers are finally earning money for themselves and not for the tax collector. Taxpayer Independence Day, calculated by Florida TaxWatch, accepts that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local obligations. This year, it will take the average Florida family 103 out of 365 days – or almost three and a half months – to satisfy its tax obligations. Looking at it another way, it takes two hours and 15 minutes of every eight-hour workday to earn enough to pay your taxes.
Historically, taxpayer independence comes sooner in Florida than for the average U.S. taxpayer, and this year is no exception. The Tax Foundation estimates that the national “Tax Freedom Day” for 2019 is April 16, two days later than Florida’s.
“Florida’s economy is steadily and modestly growing, and that is boosting state and local tax collections,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Even with the federal tax cuts of 2017 and the Florida Legislature’s tax-cutting policy, tax collections paid by Floridians grew faster than their income in 2019 so Taxpayer Independence Day is coming one day later this year.”
Federal tax burden continues to have the largest impact on Floridians, as federal taxes comprise 68.7 percent of Floridians’ federal, state, and local tax burden. For the average Floridian, the state tax burden is 16.5 percent and local tax burden is 14.7 percent of their total tax bill. Florida will contribute $301 billion in taxes to federal, state, and local governments in 2019, $15 billion more than last year.
“Taxes are Florida families’ single biggest expense, more than food, housing and clothing combined,” said Florida TaxWatch Vice President of Research Kurt Wenner. “It’s important that they are kept informed about the changing size of their tax bill, so they can decide if they are getting the government they pay for.”
One Shot And Killed In Ensley, ECSO Seeks Man For Questioning
April 15, 2019
One person is dead following a shooting early Monday morning in Ensley.
The victim has been identified as 28-year old Kyle Isaiah Baldwin. The shooting took place on East Ensley Street and Vickie Street around 2 a.m.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Office is looking for 25-year old Bobby Johndal Hawkins (pictured) for questioning only in connection with the homicide. He is also wanted on a violation of probation warrant.
A deputy was leaving the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office precinct on Hood Drive, next to Walmart, early Monday morning when they heard multiple gunshots. The deputy soon noticed a vehicle being driven erratically, and the driver pulled the vehicle over a short distance away near Hannah Street and Highway 29. A passenger in the vehicle was dead from gunshot wounds.
The driver was questioned and released.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hawkins is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Wahoos Top Shrimp
April 15, 2019
- On a picture-perfect sunny Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos completed their first comeback win of the season, beating the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4-3 thanks to a late two-run double by Jimmy Kerrigan and strong relief outings from Sean Poppen (W, 1-0) and Ryan Mason (S, 2).
Jacksonville took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run home run by John Silviano, just the second time this season the Blue Wahoos have allowed their opponent to score first.
Tanner English responded immediately in the home half of the first inning, leading off and hitting the first pitch thrown to him over the fence in left to cut Jacksonville’s lead in half.
After allowing two in the first, Blue Wahoos starter Andro Cutura settled in and put zeroes on the board the next three innings. Jacksonville added an additional run in the fifth, stringing together three straight singles with two outs to increase their lead to 3-1.
Jumbo Shrimp starting pitcher Cody Poteet was excellent early, allowing just the first pitch homer. But, the Wahoos caught up to him in the sixth inning.
Four straight Blue Wahoos batters singled to lead off the sixth inning with Jordan Gore, Luis Arraez, Brian Schales, and Mitchell Kranson each consecutively knocking base hits. With the bases loaded and no outs, Jimmy Kerrigan dropped a double down the right field line, scoring two and giving Pensacola a 4-3 lead.
Cuture finished with a line of 5.0 innings pitched, eight hits and three runs allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. Poppen entered in the sixth, throwing two one-hit innings of scoreless relief and striking out four to earn his first victory of the season. Mason didn’t allow a hit in 2.0 scoreless, striking out three on his way to his second save.
Today’s win improves the Blue Wahoos record to a Southern League best 7-3 while Jacksonville falls to 4-6. Pensacola heads on the road to Biloxi tomorrow for a five-game series against the Shuckers.