Senate Approves Plan For Deepwater Horizon Money
May 2, 2017
Money from the Deepwater Horizon oil-spill settlement will be available for tourism marketing as part of a legislative deal designed to get the first payment to Northwest Florida counties most impacted by the 2010 disaster.
The Senate on Monday unanimously approved a pair of bills (SB 364 and SB 2518) that otherwise accept many aspects of a House proposal, ending months of talks over how the non-profit organization Triumph Gulf Coast and local governments can disperse the money.
“The main thing we wanted to make sure is we got the $300 million transferred this year,” said Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze. “It’s been there since July of last year.”
The House and Senate had offered separate measures to allocate $300 million of $400 million received last year to the eight Gulf Coast counties — Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton — hit most severely by the disaster.
Those counties are also slated to get three-fourths of the remainder of the $2 billion the state is expected to receive for damages associated with the BP disaster, which dumped millions of gallons of oil less than 100 miles off the Florida coast.
However, the House proposal went further than the Senate by initially imposing guidelines on how the money could be used to market Northwest Florida or to support broad economic-development projects. Those issues reflected larger philosophical differences between the House and Senate on business-recruitment and tourism-marketing issues.
“North Florida is different than Central and South Florida,” Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who represents Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties, said Monday. “If it were not for the funds of (tourism marketer) Visit Florida, these small rural counties, all the counties of North Florida, would have very little help.”
The proposal, which must go back to the House before it can land on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk, would create a trust fund from which the BP settlement money would be available to the non-profit; expand the non-profit’s board from five to seven so there is more representation for the less-populated counties; and require each county next fiscal year to receive 5 percent of the money received so far.
Each of the eight counties would be required to annually receive at least 4 percent of the money in later years.
Kim Wilmes, president and CEO of the regional economic-development organization Florida’s Great Northwest, called the Legislative deal “good news to the communities of Northwest Florida.”
Scott tweeted last week, “I hope to see a Triumph bill that actually helps the Panhandle economy.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs, Jay Earn Wins In District Tournament
May 2, 2017
In District 3-1A high school baseball Monday:
Northview 10, Baker 5
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 10-5 Monday night at South Walton High School.
Quenton Sampson went 3-3 for the Chiefs with two runs, two RBIs and a home run. Also for the Chiefs: Zach Payne 1-3, 4 RBI, 2B; Josh Neese 2-3, 2R; Seth Killam 1-3, 2B; John Chivington 2 R; Devin Stabler 3 R.
Northview will next play Chipley at 5:00 Tuesday at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.
Jay 2, Freeport 1
The Jay Royals beat Freeport 2-1 in extra innings. Up next, Jay will take on South Walton.
Escambia Government Meetings This Week
May 2, 2017
The following Escambia County government meetings are scheduled for this week:
Tuesday, May 2
Planning Board/Rezoning, 3363 West Park Place, 8:30 a.m. (Agenda)
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate, 3363 West Park Place, 1:30 p.m. (Agenda)
County Commissioner District 3 Town Hall Meeting, Marie K. Young – Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Avenue, 5:30 p.m.
Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan Town Hall, Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, 5:30 p.m.
Extension Council Meeting, 3740 Stefani Road, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 3
Contractor Competency Board Exam Meeting, 3363 West Park Place, 8:30 a.m.
Contractor Competency Board, 3363 West Park Place, 9 a.m.
Development Review Board, 3363 West Park Place, 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 4
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 9 a.m.
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 3:30 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners Public Hearings & Reports, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 5
Escambia County BCC Relay for Life, Vince Whibbs Maritime Park, 301 West Main Street, 6 p.m.
Molino 16U Hot Shots Tops In Tournament
May 2, 2017
The Molino 16U Hot Shots won the 16U “B” mid-season tournament at Pace recently. The Hot Shots went undefeated in six games. Coaches are Karen Odom, Phillip Boutwell and Darrin Bridges. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 4-1 Over Biloxi
May 2, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Austin Ross threw seven scoreless innings and right fielder Aristides Aquino flashed why his nickname is “Punisher” when he crushed a solo homer out of Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The stars of Monday’s game helped Pensacola snap a four-game losing streak to the Biloxi Shuckers and pull out a, 3-1, victory in front of 3,459 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly also monkeyed with his batting order for the second night in a row, putting left fielder Leon Landry in the leadoff spot.
Kelly said winning the final game of the five-game series was important. They improved to 15-10 on the year and lead the Southern League South Division by four games over the other four teams in their division.
“There was a time when being 14-10 in the month we would be really excited,” Kelly said. “Now we’re kind of disappointed. You hate to get swept in a five-game series.”
Pensacola got on the scoreboard first when Aquino sent the ball speeding out of the ballpark over the right center fence in the second inning. The 22-year-old’s second home run of the season put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 1-0.
Pensacola centerfielder Gabriel Guerrero hit a fly ball deep to center field in the sixth inning that allowed Blue Wahoos shortstop Blake Trahan to tag up from third, giving Pensacola a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Wahoos scored for the third time in the eighth inning when second baseman Josh VanMeter hit a towering fly ball to center that allowed right fielder Leon Landry, who had a leadoff double, to score from third.
Kelly said he watched some video on the Internet of Landry playing in 2015 for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
“He has really come on,” Kelly said of Landry, who is hitting .318 in his last six games after starting the season 0-18. “I’ve tried to find a place for him. I saw this really skinny guy running the bases and hitting home runs and thought, ‘he can do that for us.’”
Meanwhile, Pensacola starter Austin Ross cruised through seven scoreless innings, tying his career-high with nine strikeouts. The 28-year-old allowed a leadoff double to Biloxi second baseman Mauricio Dubon to start the game but then retired 12 of the next 13 benefited from two double plays that came in the second and sixth innings.
Ross, who played his previous seven seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, allowed just three hits and two walks to improve his record to 3-0 and lowered his ERA to 0.79. That is the second highest ERA on the Pensacola pitching staff that features five hurlers with sub-1.00 earned-run averages.
“I’m sure he liked to get a little revenge” against his former team, Kelly said.
Ross said the pitching staff is constantly trying to top each other.
“People say hitting is contagious. Throwing the ball well is contagious,” said Ross, who spent the past two seasons in the Milwaukee organization as a reliever. “You want to go out there and throw six or seven scoreless innings. There’s a little bit of I want to have a good outing, too.”
Biloxi pitcher Angel Ventura also turned in a good start, working six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking two and striking out three. He retired 11 in a row from the second through sixth innings.
Pensacola Police Officer, Escambia Deputy Collide In Traffic Crash
May 2, 2017
A Pensacola Police officer and an Escambia County deputy collided in a traffic crash Sunday on on Scenic Highway during the Pensacola Triathlon.
The accident occurred around 9 a.m. between a Pensacola Police patrol car and an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle at the intersection of Scenic Highway and Bayview Way.
The deputy was transported to a local hospital and has been treated and released. Names of officers involved in the incident are not yet being released.
Deputies Believe Molino Shooting Victim Knew Her Killer
May 1, 2017
Investigators believe the Molino woman murdered Sunday knew her killer.
Anna Louis Brown, 38, was found shot and killed on Gibson Road off Crabtree Church Road in Molino Sunday afternoon. Brown was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered on or near the roadway.
“We do not believe this was a random act,” Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Monday morning. “We believe she knew the person that killed her.” The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of any possible suspect.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP
Further details will be posted as they become available in this developing story.
Pictured: The scene shortly after deputies arrived at a shooting on Gibson Road in Molino Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Nice Tonight, Warm And Sunny For Tuesday
May 1, 2017
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
FHP: Walnut Hill Woman Critical After Multiple Vehicle Collision
May 1, 2017
A Walnut Hill woman reportedly caused a wreck with injuries early Sunday morning in Pensacola’s “Car Ciity”.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 51-year old Sonja Syria was eastbound on Marcus Pointe Boulevard at 4:03 a.m. when she failed to yield the right of way at an intersection with Highway 29. Syria’s 2000 Ford Escort collided with a 2014 Nissan Altima driven by 31-year old John McMahon of Pensacola.
Mahon’s vehicle then struck a 2016 Chevrolet, a 2010 Mercury and a 2014 Jeep Wrangler on a nearby car dealership lot.
Syria received critical injuries and McMahon was seriously injured. Both were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Any charges against Syria are pending the outcome of a further investigation, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Driver Critical After Hitting Guardrail, Power Pole And Trees
May 1, 2017
A driver was critical injured in a single vehicle crash Sunday in Beulah.
The driver lost control on Mobile Highway at Bridlewood Road, sheering off a power pole and hitting guard rail, a sign and multiple trees. The vehicle came to rest about 75 feet into a wooded area. Escambia Fire Rescue extricated the driver of the vehicle before he was transported as a “trauma alert” by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital.
About 125 Gulf Power customers lost electricity as a result of the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further information has not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
