Ready For Some High School Football? Tate And Northview Hosting Kickoff Classics
August 17, 2023
The Tate Aggies will host a preseason kickoff classic Thursday night, and the Northview Chiefs kickoff classic will be Friday evening.
Tate vs. Washington – Thursday
The Tate Aggies will host Washington at 7 p.m. Thursday on Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and the Tate Showband of the South will march in at 6:20. Tickets available on GoFan. For the student section, the dress-up theme is “Wipe Out Washington” surfer attire.
Northview vs Baker – Friday
Baker will visit Northview High School in Bratt Friday at 6 p.m. for a kickoff classic. The Northview varsity and junior varsity teams will take to the field, along with the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Drop Number Eight In A Row
August 17, 2023
One of the fastest games of the season Wednesday only accelerated the Blue Wahoos’ near-record slide.
Typifying the team’s current woes, it also ended a few feet short of walk-off heroics.
With teammate José Devers on first, Paul McIntosh drove a two-out, 3-2 pitch in the ninth inning that initially teased a dramatic finish, but instead it was caught at the base of the centerfield wall to seal the Montgomery Biscuits’ 2-1 win and the Blue Wahoos’ eighth consecutive loss.
The Blue Wahoos will need a win Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium to avoid matching the longest losing streak (9 games) in team history. Earlier this season, back in May, this team set the longest win streak (10 games) in the midst of winning 18 of 19 games.
Right now, any win has become elusive.
Wednesday, designated hitter Will Banfield provided the lone Pensacola jolt when he blasted a fourth-inning home run in that halved the Montgomery lead. Banfield’s homer was the 127th hit this season by the Blue Wahoos, passing the 2019 team for the most in a single season.
But that became the last Blue Wahoos hit in the game. They had just three. McIntosh followed by reaching on error. From that point, however, Montgomery pitchers retired the next 15 batters in succession, before Devers coaxed a one-out walk in the ninth inning.
Biscuits reliever Antonio Menendez recorded his second save by getting Banfield to pop out, then escaping a potential game-winning homer by McIntosh.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios gave up nine hits in six innings, but pitched out of worse damage and allowed just two runs.
Miami Marlins reliever Tommy Nance, pitching on an injury rehab assignment, looked strong when following with two scoreless innings. Dylan Bice ended the top of the ninth with a strikeout to strand two Biscuits runners.
Had McIntosh’s ball carried just a few more feet, it could have been the right kind of end.
The Blue Wahoos (20-21) dropped under .500 for the second half of the season and are 61-47 overall.
The third game of the series with Montgomery is Thursday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Your Local Winn Dixie Is Being Sold To ALDI
August 16, 2023
Winn Dixie stores are being sold to ALDI.
ALDI announced Wednesday morning that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket as part of a larger divestiture of Southeastern Grocers to various entities.
The Southeast-focused acquisition includes approximately 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Some of the Winn Dixie stores will be converted to ALDI, while others will continue to operate as Winn Dixie. Plans for specific stores have not been announced.
Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to come,” said Jason Hart, CEO, ALDI. “The time was right to build on our growth momentum and help residents in the Southeast save on their grocery bills. The transaction supports our long-term growth strategy across the United States, including plans to add 120 new stores nationwide this year to reach a total of more than 2,400 stores by year-end.”
ALDI first established its presence in the Southeast in the mid-1990s and since has invested $2.5 billion in the region. Most recently, ALDI deepened its roots in the region, opening its 26th regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Alabama to help support new stores, with plans to open 20 new ALDI locations in the area by the end of the year.
In the local area, Aldi has two stores in Pensacola and one in Pace.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
Pictured top: The Winn Dixie store in Cantonment. Pictured below: The ALDI store on Mobile Highway in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century Mayor Walks Out Of Meeting Offering To Resign, But Later Decides To Finish Term
August 16, 2023
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell walked out of a town council meeting Tuesday night saying that he would submit his resignation Wednesday morning, but now he says he will continue on the job and fighting for Century.
Council member Dynette Lewis questioned what she termed the mistreatment of employees. She also questioned why one employee was not paid more while being trained how to do a different task.
Boutwell said some employees were simply being cross-trained to do different jobs because, he said, there’s often no one else on the small staff able to perform a job when an employee is out.
“I’ll tell you what, if this is what you want, I’ll resign right now,” Boutwell said as the discussion became more intense. “Because you know what, I’ve had enough. All I’m trying to do is best for this town.” He then stood up, walked out of the meeting and went home.
Wednesday morning, Boutwell told NorthEcambia.com that he will not resign.
“Following a heated exchange during last night’s town council meeting, out of frustration I offered to resign my position as mayor,” Boutwell said. “In the light of a new day and following a sleepless night of prayer, I need to put that offer aside and press on. I have an obligation to the citizens who voted for me to see my term through and continue to do the best I can for our town. I would appreciate your prayers and support as we continue to work to improve Century.”
Pictured top and inset: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell offered to resign Tuesday night after a heated discussion with his town council. Pictured below: Council member Dynette Lewis questioned what she called the mistreatment of employees. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Children’s Trust Director Tammy Greer Submits Resignation
August 16, 2023
Tammy Greer, executive director of the Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT), is resigning.
With a subject line that simply said “Notice”, Greer emailed her resignation to board members late Tuesday afternoon.
“This job is unbelievably political. I knew it would be: Pensacola is indeed a small town. However, my leadership is now being questioned, and my 37-year stellar career is getting a stain on it that cannot be erased. Perhaps I am not the best fit. My best is not good enough,” Geer wrote.
The ECT board has expressed issues with how staff handled “single source” grant requests. The board voted to seek an opinion from the Florida Attorney General on whether the Trust can use funds to purchase property for a children’s resource center. The City of Pensacola wants just under $3.5 million to purchase and renovate the Morris L. Eaddy Activity Center on Lakeview Avenue. It would become a resource center and a location for youth healthcare.
“I hate that there is constant chaos when powerful people in the community don’t like the way things go. I did what I thought the Board wanted. I told people about the Trust and what we can do … giving examples of what other CSCs/Trusts have done. I see now that I should have spent the last 18 months in my office, not in the community. For that and all the drama I have caused, I apologize. I am sorry that getting all the funding out into the community and engaging new grassroots organizations in our system was not enough,” Greer continued in her email.
“I took this job because I wanted to help the children of the county where I grew up. I was that poor kid – the one who was homeless, in foster care, needed to see a dentist, needed mental health assistance, etc. – like the kids the Trust was established to serve. I have done the best I could to build this organization.”
Greer is exercising a 60-day notice provision in her contract that would make her last day October 15.
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Cantonment Sex Offender Charged With Registration Violation For A Second Time
August 16, 2023
For the second time, a Cantonment sex offender has been charged with a felony registration violation.
Kel’drick Tre-shawn Toler, 19, failed to report to the sheriff’s office as required in May to re-register, according to an arrest report. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he was reminded of the requirement during an address verification to his home at 208 Calloway Street in Cantonment during April 2023.
Toler is a registered Florida sex offender that is required to register quarterly. He was adjudicated in November 2019 of sexual battery by a juvenile on a victim age 12 years of age or older. He also has a prior conviction for failing to register.
Toler was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Plan Ahead: Perdido Landfill To Close A Couple Of Days
August 16, 2023
The Perdido Landfill will be closed for a couple of days for work.
The landfill, at 13009 Beulah Road, will be closed Saturday, September 2 through Monday, September 4 while crews install the landfill’s new scale house building. The landfill will re-open for regular hours Tuesday, September 5.
Residents are encouraged to bring any solid waste to the landfill prior to closing at 5 p.m. Friday, September 1. Landfill customers with large loads that require manual offloading are asked to deliver loads no later than 4:30 p.m. Large loads delivered after 4:30 p.m. will not be accepted until regular hours Tuesday, September 5.
For more information, call (850) 937-2160.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century CRA Has Collected $92K From ‘Blighted’ Area To Fund Improvements
August 16, 2023
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has just over $92,000 in the bank and will soon begin to consider potential projects to improve blighted areas of the town.
The five members of the Century Town Council currently sit as the CRA board. The town website indicates the CRA board will meet quarterly, but Tuesday evening’s meeting was the first this calendar year.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area receives 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, CRA had a balance of $92,177.72 on July 31, 2023. To date, the CRA has only spent small amounts on required reports and paperwork — nothing on improving the area.
The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map below).
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.
Pictured: The Century CRA held a workshop meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.
Firefighter Christianne Barry Honored With Dwain Bradshaw Spirit Award
August 16, 2023
Beulah firefighter Christianne Barry has been selected as the first recipient of the Dwain Bradshaw Spirit Award. She was honored for her dedication and service to Escambia County and the Beulah community.
The award is named fo Dwain Bradshaw, 41, lost his life during the early morning hours of November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, and lived a life of public service.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Seventh Straight Game
August 16, 2023
A return home, specialty uniforms and multiple leads Tuesday night failed to halt the Blue Wahoos being on the wrong side of an extended streak.
After tying the game in the seventh inning, the Montgomery Biscuits got a go-ahead home run from Heriberto Hernandez in the eighth and made it stand for a 6-5 victory that became Pensacola’s seventh consecutive loss.
The series opener at Blue Wahoos Stadium was especially frustrating for the home team with the number of wasted chances to get more runs. Seven base runners were stranded, and two others were thrown out trying to advance on hits.
It ended after Pensacola had runners on first and second on walks with one out in the ninth, but couldn’t get a big hit to follow.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok, complete with Mayan-inspired uniforms, the team had everyone in the lineup get at least one hit and had 12 hits in the game.
In the midst of matching the longest losing streak in three seasons, missed opportunities Tuesday proved decisive. It was a different kind of loss after dropping all six road games against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
This game featured five lead changes.
It started well for Pensacola when Jacob Berry, the Miami Marlins’ top pick in 2022, continued his hot hitting at Blue Wahoos Stadium with a first-inning homer. Berry then doubled and scored on Will Banfield’s tying double in the third. Berry reached base three times in the game.
The Blue Wahoos took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on José Devers’ leadoff homer. He went 2-for-4 in the game with two runs scored.
After Montgomery led 4-3 in the sixth, the Blue Wahoos answered on Cobie Fletcher-Vance’s two-out, two-run double in the sixth. Fletcher-Vance later crossed the plate, but Tanner Allen was tagged out a split second earlier trying to take an extra base.
The Biscuits answered with a run-scoring triple from Tanner Murray in the seventh, then the go-ahead homer from Hernandez in the eighth.
Biscuits reliever Antonio Jimenez recorded his first save by retiring Pensacola in order in the eighth, then striking out Banfield and getting returning designated hitter Paul McIntosh to ground out to end the game.
The second game of the series is Wednesday. The Blue Wahoos will have lefthander Luis Palacios (7-5, 5.26 ERA) on the mound against Biscuits righthander Sean Hundley (3.13).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos