Century Academy Signs Lease, Starts Construction
June 10, 2016
Century Academy announced Thursday that a lease has been signed and the construction project is starting to renovate a current school building for their new private, non-profit K-12 school in Century. The school will open in time for the upcoming 2016-17 school year.
The school will specialize in teaching children diagnosed with Autism and other related learning disabilities. The lease was recently signed for their school now located in the old Carver Elementary School building on Hecker Road.
“We are very excited to begin the renovation process to open the doors for the 2016-2017 school year beginning in August. The community is very ready for us to provide these educational opportunities for the children in Century and we have already been registering new students to fill several classes,” says Barbara Barber, director of Century Academy.
The registration and application process must be completed as early as possible in order to process and determine eligibility for available scholarships designated for Florida students with learning disabilities for the August term.
At the present time there are two types of scholarships available, the John McKay scholarship and the Gardiner scholarship. These scholarships generally cover the cost of tuition for a student attending a private school. The John McKay scholarship has a June 30 deadline.
Barber will meet with prospective parents to actively register students on Saturdays in Century by appointment only. Parents can call (850) 437-5560 Monday through Thursday to schedule an appointment.
Century Academy is a subsidiary of East Hill Academy.
Ag Producers Attend AL/FL Scouting School In Walnut Hill
June 10, 2016
The Alabama/Florida Scouting School, sponsored by IFAS Extension and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, was held Thursday at the Walnut Hill Community Center. Agricultural producers were able to learn about cotton and soybean insect pests, scouting for soybean diseases, field scouting techniques, scout safety and worker protection. In-field training was also provided.
Pictured left: Dr. Ron Smith of Auburn University talks about stink bugs in cotton during the Walnut Hill Scout School Thursday. Pictured above: Dr. Edward Sikora, Auburn professor and Extension plant pathologist, warns about soybean rust. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Jackson In 14 Innings
June 10, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won a critical game against the Jackson Generals scoring five runs with two outs to pull out a, 10-5, victory in 14 innings Thursday at The Ballpark at Jackson.
The win in the 4-hour, 56-minute game moved Pensacola into sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division with a record of 34-25. The Biloxi Shuckers lost, 17-2, to the Montgomery Biscuits earlier Thursday night to fall one game back of Pensacola at 33-26.
Pensacola returns home Friday to play its final 10 games at home to close out the first half of the Southern League season.
Jackson, which won the series, 3-2, had struck out seven in a row until inning 14 when Pensacola left fielder Tony Renda clobbered a one-out standup double high off the left field wall. The Generals’ six pitchers struck out 18 Blue Wahoos in the game.
Blue Wahoos right fielder Sebastian Elizalde followed by stroking a double to left field that appeared to score Renda, who beat the throw and seemed to slide over home plate. But Jackson catcher Steve Baron, who dropped the ball picked it up and tagged Renda, who was called out. Elizalde went to third on the throw home from the General’s Ian Miller.
However, with two outs Pensacola scored five runs. The first run came in when second baseman Brandon Dixon, who had struck out four times Thursday came up next and slapped a sharp grounder to third that was bobbled by Jackson’s Patrick Brady, allowing Elizalde to score the go-ahead run, 6-5. Dixon beat the throw to first for an infield single.
Pensacola first baseman Donald Lutz then hit a sharp ground ball to right field that second baseman Tim Lopes fielded a few steps on the grass in right field and threw it away, allowing both Dixon and pinch hitter Amir Garrett to score, making it an 8-5 Pensacola lead.
Pensacola center fielder Phillip Ervin, who had walked, moved to second and he scored on a passed ball by Baron to put the Blue Wahoos up 9-5.
Blue Wahoos third baseman Eric Jagielo then singled for the third time Thursday to right field to score Lutz, who reached second on the passed ball and went to third on a throwing error by Baron, for a 10-5 Pensacola lead.
Pensacola, which sent 10 batters to the plate, scored the five runs in the 14th inning on five hits, two walks and two Jackson errors.
Pensacola’s Renda hit two doubles in the game to lead the Southern League with 22 this season. He went 3-7 with an RBI and is batting .324.
After Pensacola first baseman Kyle Parker hit a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning to tie Jackson, 5-5, the Blue Wahoos bullpen took over and threw 11 scoreless innings.
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Nick Travieso lasted just three innings giving up five runs, four earned on seven hits and three walks and struck out one.
But the Pensacola bullpen stopped the bleeding after that beginning with reliever El’Hajj Muhammad, who worked 2.2 scoreless innings and gave up two hits and two walks and struck out three. Kyle McMyne followed and threw 2.1 scoreless innings and gave up three hits.
Pensacola reliever Kevin Shackelford entered the game in the ninth and threw 10 pitches and struck out Jackson right fielder Tyler O’Neill, second baseman Tim Lopes and retired DH Leon Landry on a fly out. Shackelford pitched 3.0 innings allowing three hits, one walk and striking out three. He got O’Neill out a second time with a runner on second base on a shallow fly ball to Ervin in center in the 11th inning.
Pensacola’s Alejandro Chacin entered in inning 12 and threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. He got the win, improving to 3-0, this season. Barrett Astin pitched the last inning and gave up two hits but no runs.
Dixon, who had singled in the seventh inning to end an 0-12 slump and drive in a run, went 2-7 and scored twice.
Jackson did have chances to win the game in extra innings. Generals shortstop Benji Gonzalez doubled off the right field wall with one out in the 13th inning. He had also doubled to lead off the 11th inning and has 17 doubles for Jackson this year. Both times Gonzalez was stranded on base.
Jackson scored first getting three runs in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. First, center fielder Guillermo Heredia singled to center scoring Miller to put the Generals ahead, 1-0. Then, O’Neill hit a one-out, two-run homer to put Jackson on top, 3-0.
Man Gets Five Years For Burglarizing Vehicles At Molino Park Elementary, Other Locations
June 9, 2016
A man that burglarized several vehicles in the parking lot of Molino Park Elementary School and other locations in the North Escambia area is headed to prison.
Brett Derel McDonald was found guilty on multiple counts of armed burglary of a vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, grand theft and petit theft. He was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles to five years in state prison.
On November 16, 2015, a parent who had just walked her child into Molino Park Elementary School noticed McDonald in the school parking lot pulling on vehicle door handles before entering a Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle owner told deputies that nothing was taken. The parent called the school and watched as McDonald went to more vehicles in the parking lot before being confronted by the school principal. The principal told deputies she knew McDonald because has a child in the school, and that he left the campus in a dark colored Mustang.
About 2 p.m. the same day, deputies responded to a vehicle burglary on Calderwood Court where the owner reported multiple items stolen, including a designer purse and wallet, paper work, credit cards and other items totaling about $285 in value.
About half an hour later., deputies responded to another vehicle burglary in the 9000 block of Fowler Avenue. The owner reported that sometime during the past day, someone stole three firearms from his vehicle along with a box of ammunition.
And later that same day, a vehicle owner reported that a radar detector was taken from her Dodge Charger while it was parked during the school day at Molino Park Elementary.
The weapons, ammunition, wallet, purse, radar detector and other items were recovered when McDonald was taken into custody at his home in the 400 block of 9½ Mile Road. None of the stolen firearms were taken from vehicles the Molino Park campus, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia Offering $12,500 Homebuyer Assistance In CRAs
June 9, 2016
Escambia County and the city of Pensacola announce the availability of down payment and closing cost assistance of up to $12,500 for homebuyers purchasing new homes in county or city Community Redevelopment Areas through the HOME Program. Buyers must make the property their principal residence. Assistance is provided in the form of a five-year loan, forgivable at the end of the loan term provided that the buyer does not sell, rent or transfer the property within that time frame. Funding is available on a first qualified, first served basis.
Buyer qualifications for HOME Homebuyer Program:
- Have a total gross family income that does not exceed 80 percent of area median income for Escambia County adjusted for family size.
- Have sufficient income and credit worthiness to qualify for primary financing from a participating lender.
- Must attend a free eight-hour HUD certified homebuyer class offered by Community Enterprise Investments Inc., (850) 595-6234, or Consumer Credit Counseling Services, (850) 434-0268, prior to closing.
For a map of Escambia County CRAs, click here.
For a map of city of Pensacola CRAs, click here.
For more information, contact Tracy Pickens at (850) 858-0350, option 8.
Pictured: The Cantonment CRA.
New Voter Cards On The Way
June 9, 2016
All voters in Escambia County will be mailed a new voter information card in the coming days, according to David Stafford, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
The new cards will be in green text, making identification of the most current card simpler. The updated card reflects Escambia County’s State Senate District number change to District 1. Voters are strongly encouraged to review their new cards carefully, particularly their party affiliation and polling location.
Voters should be on the lookout for their new card, and contact the elections office immediately with any necessary updates. Voter information cards are NOT required when voting; Florida requires approved photo and signature ID when voting in person.
August 1 is the deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation for the August 30 Primary Election.
Dirt Portion Of Greenland Road Is Now Paved
June 9, 2016
A pavement project on the dirt portion Greenland Road near Davisville was recently completed by contractor Roads Inc. of NWF for a total cost of just over $205,000. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Looks To Lure Louisiana Businesses To Florida
June 9, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott will head to Louisiana next week to encourage businesses to move to Florida, his office announced Wednesday.
The “trade mission” comes as Louisiana lawmakers hold a special session to patch an estimated $600 million budget shortfall, and Scott used Wednesday’s announcement to blast the state’s Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards. “Gov. Edwards already approved 14 new tax increases this spring that will cost Louisiana taxpayers $300 million,” Scott said in a prepared statement.
“These poor decisions will not only increase the burden on Louisiana families, but they will also further bring down the state’s business climate and job growth.” Scott told members of the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida last month that he would be traveling to Louisiana.
At the time, Edwards’ office criticized Scott for omitting that economic policies backed by former Gov. Bobby Jindal left Louisiana with a $1 billion deficit for the current year that, without correction, would grow to $2 billion next year. Edwards took office in January.
by The News Service of Florida
The Magic Of Summer Reading Comes To The Library
June 9, 2016
The magic of the annual Summer Reading program entertained children in Century Wednesday morning.
The summer of free events features a variety of performers, including a balloon artist, musician, gymnastics team, magician, theatre group, reptile handler and juggler. And the more children ages 0-17 read, the more prizes they can earn.
The June schedule for the remainder of the Summer Reading Club is as follows:
Mr. Bob’s Magic Show
Mr. Bob’s magic show includes mind blowing magic, music and lots of hilarious audience participation.
- Thursday, June 9, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 9, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Musician: Roger Day
Roger Day’s skilled musicianship combines with his wit and wordplay to create a musical experience that parents will enjoy as much as the kids.
- Tuesday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 15, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 16, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 16, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pensacola Gymnastics
Enjoy the Pensacola Gymnastics team as they demonstrate agility, flexibility, self-confidence, teamwork, dedication, and determination.
- Tuesday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 22, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 22, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 23, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 23, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Dr. Magical Balloons
Enjoy amazing balloon sculptures and original stories as Dr. Magical Balloons captivates and astounds readers of all ages.
- Tuesday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 29, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 29, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 30, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Pictured: Bob the Magician at the Century Branch Library Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by August Whorff, click to enlarge.
Jackson Gets 8-4 Win Over The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
June 9, 2016
All night Wednesday Jackson Generals DH Tyler O’Neill delivered and he did it again in the ninth inning when he hit a two-out, walk-off grand slam against Pensacola Blue Wahoos closer Carlos Gonzalez.
The Southern League Player of the Month for May drove in all eight of Jackson’s runs in its, 8-4, victory over Pensacola at The Ballpark in Jackson.
O’Neill entered the game going 1-9 with one run, a walk, one RBI and a strikeout in the series. But Wednesday, the 20-year-old was 3-4 with a run scored, a double and a home run. He’s now batting .332 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs on the season. He is second in homers and batting average and first in RBIs in the Southern League.
Both teams were tied, 4-4, after the first five innings. But both team’s relievers buckled down. Barrett Astin and Nick Routt held Jackson scoreless over 3.1 innings on two hits, a walk and three strikeouts.
But Pensacola’s Gonzalez took over in the ninth, loaded the bases and then gave up the grand slam with two outs to O’Neill.
Pensacola right-handed starter Rookie Davis worked 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk and struck out four.
Jackson relievers Forrest Snow and Dan Altavilla no-hit the Blue Wahoos over the last 3.2 innings with one walk and five strikeouts.
They came in for Generals starting pitcher Jordan Pries, who worked 5.1 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits, one walk and struck out seven.
It was a back and forth game up until the ninth inning. In the top of the second inning, Pensacola center fielder Phillip Ervin and first baseman Kyle Parker both hit solo home runs to left field to take a 2-1 lead. It was Ervin’s sixth and Parker’s fourth of the season. Pensacola left fielder Tony Renda singled to left field to drive in third baseman Eric Jagielo, who singled to center, to put the Blue Wahoos up, 3-1.
Jackson scored first in the first inning when O’Neill got his first run-batted in when he hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored center fielder Ian Miller to go ahead, 1-0.
O’Neill then knotted the score, 3-3, in the third inning when he smashed a single to left field that scored both shortstop Benji Gonzalez and right fielder Guillermo Heredia.
Pensacola’s Renda put the Blue Wahoos back on top in the fifth inning, 4-3, when he singled sharply to left field and scored when second baseman Brandon Dixon grounded out to second base.
O’Neill then smacked his 17th double of the season to drive in Heredia with two out and tie the game, 4-4, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Pensacola is 15-18 on the road this season. They are now 33-25 on the season and are tied for first place with the Biloxi Shuckers.
Jackson, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, owns the best record in the Southern League and sits atop the North Division at 39-20.
Dixon earned the Southern League Player of the Week honors but in the three games since is 0-9 with five strikeouts and two RBIs. During his six game hitting streak, he was 15-24 (.625) with eight homers and 19 RBIs.