Summer Reading Program Brings ‘Wizard Of Oz’ To The Library
July 7, 2016
The Summer Reading Program is continuing at local West Florida Library branches. Wednesday, the Hampstead Stage Company presented their adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Century Branch Library. The program was also presented Thursday morning at the Molino Branch Library.
The Summer Reading Program will feature a reptile program next week: Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Southwest Branch Library; Wednesday at 11 am. at the Century Branch Library; Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Main Library; Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Molino Branch Library; and Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Tryon Branch Library.
Photos by August Whorff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Latest Evers Giveaway: A Chance To Shoot Machine Guns
July 7, 2016
State Sen. Greg Evers, running in a crowded Republican primary for a Northwest Florida congressional seat, will hold a fund-raising event where donors can pay up to $2,700 for a chance to shoot a variety of military-style machine guns. Evers, a Baker Republican, will also give a prize to the shooter who “kills” Osama Bin Laden, a news release said.
Evers drew heat last month over his decision to give away an AR-15 assault rifle, similar to a gun used in the Orlando nightclub attack that left 49 people dead and dozens more injured.
“Since some folks don’t understand the difference between an AR-15 and a real assault rifle capable of automatic fire, we’re going to show them,” Evers said. “I think people will get a big kick out of seeing what a real assault rifle can do, and they’ll have even more fun shooting up simulated terrorists.”
Evers, who frequently sponsored National Rifle Association-backed legislation in the Legislature, will hold the event at the Pensacola Indoor Shooting Range on July 23. The event will feature six fully automatic machine guns, including two military-grade M-16 assault rifles and four varieties of submachine guns. According to the press release, the weapons are “extremely restricted,” but it is legal to fire them on a supervised gun range.
Evers is among the candidates in Congressional District 1, which became open when longtime U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller announced he would not seek re-election this year.
by The News Service of Florida
Pensacola Wahoos Snap Losing Streak Against Mobile Baybears
July 7, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos snapped its four game losing streak Wednesday with a 10-4 victory over the Mobile BayBears at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Pensacola got solo home runs by center fielder Jeff Gelalich, his first in Double-A, first baseman Eric Jagielo, who hit his fifth homer this season, and shortstop Zach Vincej, who smacked his third.
After being shut out the night before by Mobile, Pensacola broke out with 10 runs and 16 hits. Five Blue Wahoos had multi-hit games, including Gelalich (3-5, two runs and three RBIs), left fielder Phillip Ervin (3-5, two runs), second baseman Brandon Dixon (3-4, two RBIs), Vincej (2-4, one run, one RBI) and catcher Jose Duarte (2-5 with two runs).
Pensacola broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning. The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases when Duarte, Gelalich and Ervin all singled. Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde walked to score Duarte and put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 4-3. Pensacola’s Gelalich scored on a passed ball to put the Blue Wahoos up, 5-3. Pensacola took a 6-3 lead when Dixon hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Ervin.
In the eighth inning, Pensacola added four more runs to go ahead 10-3. Vincej hit a homer over the left field wall to lead off the inning. Pensacola then loaded the bases on singles by pinch hitter Calten Daal and Duarte and Ray Chang got hit by a pitch. Gelalich doubled to score Daal and Duarte to increase Pensacola’s lead to 9-3. Chang scored on a wild pitch to put the score at 10-3.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Jackson Stephens gave up three runs on two hits in the first inning to Mobile. But after that he allowed one more hit, walked five and struck out two in five innings of work.
But Barrett Astin, who threw two scoreless innings and struck out three, got the victory to improve to 6-2 and owns a 2.93 ERA.
Pensacola knotted the score, 3-3, in the fourth inning on Jagielo’s homer to left field.
The Blue Wahoos had scored two runs in the third inning when Gelalich hit a solo home run to right field with two outs. Gelalich has hit his way into the starting lineup batting .320 with one homer and 10 RBIs. Pensacola’s Dixon doubled in Ervin to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 3-2.
The Mobile BayBears, like the game before, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. BayBears second baseman Kevin Medrano doubled in center fielder Evan Marzilli on a line drive to left fielder to put Mobile up, 1-0. Mobile first baseman Kevin Cron hit a sacrifice fly to right field that drove in shortstop Ildemaro Vargas to put BayBears ahead, 2-0. Then BayBears left fielder Rudy Flores hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Medrano to make the score, 3-0.
Slight Rain Chance And Hot
July 7, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Light southwest wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
One Injured In Hwy 29 Crash
July 6, 2016
One person was injured in a crash involving two pickup trucks Wednesday evening in Cantonment. The accident happened on Highway 29 just north of Muscogee Road. One driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital; the other refused treatment at the scene. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Arrested After Young Child Rescued From Hot, Locked Car
July 6, 2016
A Cantonment woman was arrested over the weekend after deputies say she left her young child in a hot, locked car while she was inside a Davis Highway business.
Lindsay Ann Mason, 33, was charged with felony child neglect. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Witnesses told deputies that they saw Mason pulling on the locked door of a black Chevrolet Cobalt in the parking lot of CSL Plasma at 5007 North Davis Highway. Witnesses said the child was in the driver’s seat, sweating and screaming. Mason said she just needed to get the car keys from her boyfriend and went into the plasma center for at least 15 minutes while the child remained in the car with all the windows up and the vehicle not running.
Meanwhile, another witness told deputies she went to her trunk and grabbed a tire iron, broke the rear driver’s side window and grabbed the child. She said the child’s shirt was soaked with seat and his face was “apple red’, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, adding that she believed the child had been in the black vehicle for at least an hour.
When Mason exited the plasma center, she took the child, placed him back in the Chevrolet Cobalt and was about to leave when deputies arrived. The child vomited, and Mason stated that he was fine, just hot, the report states.
And Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported that he arrived to see a child with a red face, sweaty hair, a sweat stained shirt and a full dirty diaper being placed into an ambulance by Escambia County EMS. After her arrest, Mason told deputies that she had stepped out of her car to put her hair up, at which time the child turned off the ignition and locked the vehicle. Mason said she went into the plasma center to retrieve keys from her boyfriend and emphatically said that she was gone for only two minutes.
It was 92 degrees with a heat index of 101 at the time of the incident, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The child was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital. The incident is also under investigation by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
No charges will be filed against the woman that broke the car window with a tire iron because her actions were justified, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Evers Announces AR-15 Winner
July 6, 2016
Congressional candidate Greg Evers has announced the winner of a custom AR-15 “Homeland Defender” rifle. The winner is Carrie Martin of Crestview.
“Here in the Panhandle, everyone knows we can’t rely on the federal government for anything. That’s what this contest is all about,” Evers said. “I’m thrilled this rifle is going to someone who understands the importance of the right to bear arms.”
Before the rifle can be claimed, Martin must complete federally required paperwork and a background check. The transfer will take place next week at the Pensacola Indoor Shooting Range.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Carrie next week,” Evers said. “We have to coordinate the paperwork and our schedules, but even a mountain of federal government paperwork won’t stop us from making this happen.”
Evers is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, who is not seek re-election.
Submitted photo.
Volunteers Sought For ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee
July 6, 2016
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) is seeking Escambia County residents who reside in the County’s electoral districts 2, 3, 4, or 5, and are interested in being considered for an at-large appointment to the ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC). CAC members generally attend one meeting per month, which is usually held on the third Wednesday of the month.
The CAC meets at 2:00 p.m. in the ECUA Boardroom located in the Ellyson Industrial Park at 9255 Sturdevant Street. No travel is generally required. The current term will expire in mid-November, 2016, but all CAC members are subject to re-appointment by the ECUA Board. A Statement of Financial Interests must be completed by the nominee.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the ECUA’s CAC, to begin serving in August 2016, are asked to submit a resume by close of business on July 18 to. Linda Iversen, 9255 Sturdevant Street, Pensacola, Florida 32514, or emailed to linda.iversen@ecua.fl.gov.
Tom Thumb Robbery Under Investigation
July 6, 2016
The robbery of a Cantonment convenience store remains under investigation.
The black male suspect entered the Tom Thumb on Highway 29 at Woodbury Circle about 6 a.m. Monday. He opened the door using a white cloth on his hand, walked around behind the counter an demanded cash. He did not produce or indicate that he had a weapon, according to Rhonda Ray, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
He fled the store in an unknown direction and method of travel.
The suspect was described as being about 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. He was wearing a gray and black ball cap, mostly black clothing and black tennis shoes.
A Sheriff’s Office K-9 was used unsuccessfully to search for the suspect.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Scott’s Net Worth Drops
July 6, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott’s net worth dropped nearly 19 percent — mainly due to a reduction in the value of his investments in a blind trust — during the first year of his second term, according to reports filed this week.
Meanwhile, the three constitutional officers that make up the Florida Cabinet — Agriculture Commission Adam Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater — reported little change in their net worth at the end of the first year in their second terms, the reports showed.
Scott’s net worth plunged from $146.8 million at the end of 2014 to $119.55 million as of Dec. 15, 2015, according to annual financial disclosure reports filed Thursday with the state Commission on Ethics. The governor also listed no liabilities topping $1,000.
The four-page document provides a glimpse at Scott’s financial holdings. The appraised value of the governor’s Naples home inched up, from $15.39 million in 2014 to $15.44 million in 2015. A separate property in the Naples Boat Club development climbed in value from $112,375 to $123,375 during the same time period, according to the reports.
Meanwhile, the value of a 60-acre ranch Scott owns in Montana held steady at about $1.5 million, the report showed.
The governor also reported that the value of the “Governor Richard L. Scott 2014 Qualified Blind Trust” fell from $127.8 million to $100.4 million by the end of 2015.
Scott, who voluntarily receives an annual salary of 12 cents for his state executive pay, reported an income of $16.6 million from the blind trust last year.
In 2014, when the Florida Supreme Court declined to consider a challenge to a 2013 law that allows elected officials to use blind trusts to shield their financial assets, Scott’s blind trusts generated $9.8 million in investment income. In the run-up to his re-election in 2014, Scott disclosed the contents of his original blind trust, which he has since shut down. But in the most recent report, as in last year’s, Scott did not disclose the assets in the blind trust.
Scott did report that the value of a retirement account held by Pershing Advisor Solutions in New Jersey declined, from $610,023 in 2014 to $553,921 last year. His Well Fargo bank account in Tallahassee went from $92,213 to $32,554 over the one-year period ending in December.
Scott, a former health care executive who reportedly spent who spent more than $70 million of his own money to finance his first gubernatorial campaign and another $13 million on his re-election bid, has seen his net worth fluctuate over the years.
When he first ran for office, Scott reported a net worth of $218 million. In his 2012 financial disclosure, Scott put his net worth at $83.7 million. A year later it grew to $132.7 million.
Elected officials are required to file the annual financial disclosures by July 1 each year.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a potential 2018 gubernatorial candidate whose wealth is tied to the family-owned Putnam Groves, has remained the fiscal pace setter for the Cabinet members.
As of Dec. 15, Putnam’s net worth stood at $8.34 million, up from $8.28 million the previous year. The former Congressman, a Republican, reported his net worth at $6.8 million when first elected to the statewide post in 2010.
Putnam reported that the 2015 book value of his 20-percent share of Putnam Groves is $3.2 million, up from $3.15 million the prior year.
Putnam, who received $123,576 in salary as agriculture commission last year, also owns a home in Bartow valued at $174,000 and a Tallahassee residence appraised at $260,000, both unchanged from 2014, according to the reports.
Putnam’s investments brought him just over $50,000 and a 25-percent stake in a beach house earned $2,250 in income last year, the reports show. Putnam listed a $109,160 mortgage as his only liability.
Atwater, who posted his net worth at $1.55 million when first running for statewide office in 2009, listed his net worth at $2.53 million as of Dec. 31, 2015. Atwater’s most recent net worth is down slightly from the $2.6 million the North Palm Beach banker reported for 2014.
Like Scott, Atwater listed no liabilities. The biggest change in his financial status was the removal of the North Palm Beach home that was his primary residence before he bought waterfront property in the same neighborhood in 2014.
In 2014, Atwater reported the value of the former family home as $345,065. The new property jumped in value from $750,000 when purchased in 2014 to $866,000 in 2015, the latest reports show.
Atwater, who was paid $128,161 last year in his state job, also received investments and deferred payments worth $37,562 from Bank of America, which acquired his former employer, Barnett Bank.
Bondi earned $128,872 as the state’s attorney general last year and saw her net worth grow from just under $1.4 million at the end of 2014 to nearly $1.44 million on Dec. 15, 2015, according to the reports.
Bondi, who entered office in 2011 with a reported net worth of $472,699, listed her personal residence in Hillsborough County, valued at $825,000, as her biggest asset. Bondi identified her only other assets in 2015 as a one-third share in a condominium valued at $342,000 and a checking account that on Dec. 15 contained $5,016.13.
Bondi also reported that she owes $269,527 for a pair of Suncoast School Federal Credit Union loans.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida