Achieve Escambia Names New Leadership Council Chair, Vice Chair
August 4, 2018
As Achieve Escambia gears up for the release of its annual progress report to the community, the organization has named a new leader for its volunteer board. David Deliman, Gulf Coast market vice president for Cox Communications, has assumed the role of chair of the Achieve Escambia Leadership Council.
Deliman (pictured top) takes over for Debbie Calder, executive vice president at Navy Federal Credit Union. Calder has served as chair of Achieve Escambia for the movement’s first two years and will remain active on the Leadership Council.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and I am honored the Leadership Council has placed their confidence in me for this role,” Deliman said. “The Achieve Escambia mission to improve outcomes, cradle to career, is critical for our community’s future growth, and I am confident we can build upon the foundation of success we’ve built over the past two years.”
Lonnie Wesley, pastor of Greater Little Rock Baptist Church, is stepping in to serve as vice-chair as Stan Connally, president and CEO of Gulf Power, rotates out of the position he has served in the past two years. The leadership changes are taking place at the start of Achieve Escambia’s new fiscal year.
“David and Lonnie will continue to help us build on the success we’ve had in aligning efforts,” said Kim Krupa, Director of Achieve Escambia. “We’ve made great progress in the areas of kindergarten readiness and workforce readiness. Achieve Escambia will continue to help break down barriers, increase dialogue between educators, parents, non-profits and children to help insure all of our children have the best opportunity to succeed today and for a lifetime.”
Pictured: David Deliman (top) and Lonnie Wesley (insert). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Rally For 4-3 Win In 10-Inning Thriller
August 4, 2018
The Blue Wahoos edged the Montgomery Biscuits 4-3 in an extra inning thriller Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola struggled to get anything going against Montgomery starter Sam McWilliams. McWilliams surrendered just one run in six innings, and from the fourth to the sixth inning retired eight Wahoos batters in a row before he walked Shed Long in the bottom of the sixth to kill the streak.
The Wahoos found themselves trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning but rallied to get back into the game. Chris Okey hit a line drive double to center field and Daniel Sweet singled on a bunt pop to McWilliams. McWilliams then walked Jose Siri which loaded the bases. Taylor Featherston was hit by a pitch from McWilliams to plate Daniel Sweet and tie the game 2-2.
The Biscuits would strike first in the 10th inning when Lowe smashed an RBI ground ball single to right-field to score Jake Cronenworth to give Montgomery the one-run lead at 3-2. Arisitides Aquino struck out swinging but a wild pitch by Yoel Espinal would put Aquino on first and automatic runner Taylor Featherston advanced to third. With runners in the corners Mitch Nay hit a ground ball to third base, Mike Brosseau fielded it and threw home to try to get Featherston, but the throw got away and the game was tied 3-3. Espinal intentionally walked Long to load the bases. Then, for the second time in the game, a bases loaded hit by pitch scored a run. This time Gavin LaValley was hit by Espinal and Aquino scored the game-winning run to give the Wahoos their fifth straight win, 4-3.
Pensacola will look to stretch its series unbeaten streak to 13 Saturday night. The Wahoos will start RHP Tony Santillan (4-0, 1.84), and RHP Blake Bivens (2-0, 1.13) will take the hill for the Biscuits
Central Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice For About 340 Customers
August 3, 2018
Central Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for about 340 customers.
The water company said a contractor cut a water main at the intersection of Highway 29 and Byrneville Road about 1:30 p.m. Friday. The area was isolated and water service restored.
The precautionary boil water notice includes: Bluff Springs Road, Brown Road, Byrneville Road from 30 to 860, Church Road, Commalander Road, Courtney Road, Cox Road, Crary Road, Curly Brooks Road, Dawson Road, Elsie Davis Road, Glover Road, Greenwell Road, Gunner Road, Honeybee Lane, McClammy Road, McNeil Road, N. Canoe, E. Roach Road, W. Roach Road, Sigler Road, Tedder Road, Thompson Road, Highway 29 From Tedder Road to Cox Road and Whirlpool Road.
Center Water Works has instituted an automated public alert system to contact customers. Central said if customers did not receive a direct notice of this precautionary boil water notice, it is because the customer has not provided current contact information.
For more information, call (850) 2256-3849 or email centralwaterworks@gmail.com.
For the complete boil water notice, click here.
About 40 Inmates Involved In Century Prison Disturbance, Injuries Reported
August 3, 2018
Dozens of inmates were involved in a disturbance Thursday night at Century Correctional Institution.
“There was a disturbance involving approximately 40 inmates in a dorm at Century CI,” Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections, told NorthEscambia.com. “Due to the swift deployment of institutional staff and FDC response teams, the situation was quickly brought under control. A small number of staff and inmates received minor injuries.”
Manderfield said the department is review the incident and assessing inmates for disciplinary action or transfer to other facilities.
Century Correctional Institution was place on “restricted movement”.
Additional details have not been released.
Pictured: Inside two different dorm types at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Burglary Suspect Caught Red-Handed
August 3, 2018
A Century man was arrested after an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy allegedly caught him red-handed trying to break into a home.
Christopher George Pace, 35, was charged with attempted burglary, felony criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.
Deputies responded to a call on Front Street where they were told a man was trying to breaking into neighboring home. As the deputy walked around the corner of the house, he heard banging and found Pace attempting to pry open a window, according to an arrest report.
The deputy demanded Pace drop a hammer and crowbar he was holding and placed him under arrest.
Deputies found two window frames that were damaged by prying and shattered glass.
In 2017, Pace was convicted of burglarizing the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co., just feet from the Front Street house he is accused of burglarizing this week.
Pace entered the fence of the business at 1 Lumber Road with the intent to steal lumber and light fixtures. At the time of his arrest, deputies found him in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
He was sentenced to 180 days in jail for the 2017 offenses.
Pace remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $26,000.
Church Presents ‘Sportsman’s Night Out’
August 3, 2018
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church presented the 2018 Sportsman’s Night Out Thursday evening featuring Shaw Grimsby
Grigsby stands tied at fourth on the active list of B.A.S.S. winners. He is also among a select group to top $2 million in Bassmaster earnings.
For more than two decades, Grigsby has hosted “One More Cast with Shaw Grigsby”, which currently airs on The Sportsman Channel. He was also into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
Photos by Kristi Barbour and courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free School Supplies Available At Two Local Events
August 3, 2018
Free school supplies will be available this weekend at two North Escambia locations:
Victory Assembly of God Day of Hope
Victory Assembly of God’s annual Day of Hope will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Free backpacks, school supplies, and professional haircuts will be available for pre-K to 12th grade students.
Free groceries will also be distributed to families.
Parents or guardians must have a photo ID, and students must be present to receive supplies. The church is located at on Highway 29, just south of Barrineau Park Road.
Quintette Back to School Bash
The Quintette Community Center will host a Back to School Bash on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at 2 p.m. School supplies will be given away on a first come basis. The child must be present.
There will also be food, prizes and plenty of fun. The community center is located at 2490 Quintette Road in Cantonment.
Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Begins Today
August 3, 2018
The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins today and continues through midnight Sunday.
During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including: certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; and clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item.
For a complete list of eligible items, click here.
Molino Library Wraps Up Summer Reading Program
August 3, 2018
A West Florida Library Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party was held Thursday at the Century Branch Library to celebrate the end of the library’s annual summer program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers File Bill To Crack Down On Online Predators That Target Kids
August 3, 2018
U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase criminal penalties for stalkers, including cyberstalkers, who target minors under the age of 18.
The bill – known as the Combat Online Predators Act – would allow federal judges to add up to five additional years of imprisonment to a convicted stalker’s sentence if their victim is under the age of 18.
“We need to do everything we can to better protect our children from these online predators,” Nelson said, “and send a clear message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”
In addition to stiffening the criminal penalties for stalking a minor online, the legislation would also require the U.S. Department of Justice to evaluate federal, state and local efforts to enforce stalking laws and determine what can be done to improve the enforcement of those laws.
Cyberstalking, which often involves the sending of harassing emails, text messages, social media posts or even creating websites for the sole purpose of tormenting a victim, was first made a federal crime in 2000 when Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 18.3 million women and nearly 6.5 million men in the U.S. have been victims of stalking during their lifetime. Of those, more than 4.3 million were under the age of 18 when they were first stalked – including 16.3% of female stalking victims and 20.5% of male stalking victims.
The bill is supported by the National Center for Victims of Crime and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. An identical measure was introduced in the House last year by Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) and was approved by a vote of 409-2.