Tate Grad Cam Partrick Signs With Shorter University Baseball
August 11, 2023
Tate High School 2023 graduate Cam Partrick signed Thursday to play baseball with Shorter University in Rome, Georgia.
“The most important person in my journey has definitely been God. At the end of my senior year, I didn’t think I’d be standing here today, but God had other plans for my future and has allowed me to continue my baseball career at Shorter University. I want to use every opportunity I get to use my platform to honor Him,” Partrick said during a signing ceremony held at Tate.
The Shorter Hawks are a NCAA Division II team.
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputy Clint Holmes Receives ‘Service Over Self’ Award From Cantonment Rotary
August 11, 2023
The Cantonment Rotary Club honored Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Clint Holmes with the “Service Over Self” award.
Holmes works from the Cantonment/Molino Precinct 5 and was nominated by Lt. Bobby Nelson for his dedication to the community and the department.
Holmes joined the ECSO about four years ago after retiring from his own automotive business.
“Clint shows his dedication by always stepping up and working for others that need off so they can be off and not told no due to shortages,” the Rotary Club presentation stated. “Clint on his days off will come in when other shifts are short without benefiting from overtime pay, or just to help out when really busy on short notice. Clint has been very reliable and is prior life experience has helped him serve the public putting service before self every time.”
Pictured: Cantonment Rotary President President Dustin Vaughn (left) presented the “Service Over Self” award to Deputy Clint Holmes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Swept By Lookouts In Twin Bill
August 11, 2023
vThe Pensacola Blue Wahoos were swept by the Chattanooga Lookouts in a doubleheader at AT&T Field on Thursday night, falling 3-2 in a close game one and dropping the nightcap by a score of 10-5.
In game one, Carson Spiers (W, 7-2) came within six outs of a no-hitter as the Lookouts starter kept the Pensacola bats at bay. Luis Palacios (L, 7-5) allowed a pair of first-inning runs on a Rece Hinds RBI triple and Francisco Urbaez sacrifice fly, and surrendered another run in the fourth on a double play to give Chattanooga a 3-0 lead.
Davis Bradshaw broke up the no-hit bid with a triple in the top of the sixth and scored on a Cobie Fletcher-Vance RBI single to draw the deficit to 3-1. In the top of the seventh, Spiers got the first two outs quickly before four straight Pensacola batters reached base to keep the game alive. Pedro Garcia (S, 6) entered and struck out Jacob Berry with the bases loaded to give the Lookouts a 3-2 win.
In game two, the Lookouts got a solid start from Teddy Stankiewicz before Jake Wong (W, 1-1) took over the game in relief. After Pensacola starter Jonathan Bermúdez (L, 3-4) allowed single runs in the second and third, Chattanooga exploded for four runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to take a 10-1 lead.
Pensacola’s offense couldn’t muster much besides back-to-back doubles from Dalvy Rosario and Nasim Nuñez in the third to score a run. After singling in game one of the doubleheader, Nuñez’s double gave him a 16-game hitting streak to tie a Blue Wahoos franchise record.
Once again, the Blue Wahoos made things interesting down to their final out in the seventh. Berry, Will Banfield and José Devers each collected RBI singles to score four runs before Vin Timpanelli recorded the final out for a 10-5 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Friday.
Superintendent: Escambia School Libraries Are Open As Books Are Under Review
August 10, 2023
Escambia County Public Schools interim Superintendent Keith Leonard tells NorthEscambia.com that school libraries across the district are open as media specialists work review books to comply with a Florida House bill.
“The libraries are not closed,” Leonard told us, standing in the Northview High School library Thursday morning. “There is going to be limited access because the media specialists are reviewing all of the books to be in compliance with the house bill. It’s just going to take us a little time to get there.”
HB 1069 says that districts could be breaking the law if they do not remove materials containing “sexual conduct”, and it makes it easier for parents or others to object to media materials.
“Students will still be able to visit the library. There will be a limited selection for them to either read or check out. People just need to be patient with us. I do believe that our citizens will be; I know that our students will be. It’s unfortunate this is where we are. But in today’s time that’s what we have to do and we’ll continue to do it.”
Once the media specialists have completed reviews of library materials to ensure they comply with HB 1069, they will begin reviewing teachers’ classroom libraries. In the meantime, approved titles from the media centers will be made available to teachers in their classrooms for student self-selection or leisure reading.
At Northview, the library was open Thursday, but officials said there is no scheduled time for students to visit the library on the first day of school to check out books. The library was open for students to receive their school-provided Chromebook computers.
Pictured: The Northview High School media center was open on the first day of school Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New $40 Million Offer For OLF-8 From Tampa Real Estate Firm
August 10, 2023
Escambia County has received a new $40 million offer for the OLF-8 site from a Tampa real estate firm, but it’s going to need some work.
The Eisenhower Property Group submitted the $40 million offer for 540 acres of OLF on Nine Mile Road. The county was originally selling 540 acres, but the county commission has indicated the desire to hold back about 250 acres for job creation.
“I see some issues with the offer, chief among them is the guidance that the BCC already gave signalling that we will reserve 250 acres for job creation,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “I would expect that this offer will have to be re-tooled.”
Eisenhower’s offer was a simple three-page document without great detail. They are offering $1 million in earnest money, plus an extra $100,000 deposit if the closing date is extended for 30 days.
The offer does not mention the OLF-8 Master Plan, but Eisenhower is requesting that the county “cooperate fully” with rezoning efforts, Comprehensive Plan amendments and form a community development district.
The Eisenhower offer has a deadline of August 31.
D.R. Horton had offered $42 million for the full acreage, but recently dropped their offer to $24.1 million for 297 acres. D.R. Horton proposed to use 99 acres for commercial use including restaurants, retail, offices, medical and a town center. Their plan also shows 170 acres with 1,133 residential units, including 360 townhomes and 336 apartments.
Bergosh said he expects “several more” offers on the property in the coming weeks.
A recent unrelated press release states “Eisenhower Property Group (EPG), headquartered in Tampa, Fla., is a multi-faceted real estate firm that acquires, oversees, and manages the development of mixed-use projects with a heavy focus on residential. Founded in 2004, EPG is now one of Florida’s largest firms with approximately 17,000 residential units currently under development across the state. EPG is committed to preserving the land in a way that leverages the natural beauty of lakes, creeks, and open spaces, while combining it with planned amenities that appeal to a Florida lifestyle.”
Beulah Master Plan Open House Set For August 24
August 10, 2023
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh will host a Beulah Master Play Plan open house on August 24.
During the open house, staff will showcase a presentation for the Beulah Master Plan and discuss methodology for the plan. Attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session following the presentation. Comment forms will be available at the door.
The open house will take place from 6-7 p.m. at Beulah Middle School, 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
The Beulah Master Plan is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the RESTORE Act program
Man Beaten By Angry Mob Following Fatal Pedestrian Crash In Atmore Has Died
August 10, 2023
The man beaten by an angry mob following a fatal pedestrian crash last weekend in Atmore had died.
Authorities confirmed Wednesday night that 45-year old Kenneth Elbert Harrison of Silverhill, Alabama, passed away.
Alabama State Troopers said Harrison was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe that struck 24-year old Hannah Annette Martin on Highway 31 at The Tavern of Atmore about 11:50 p.m. Saturday. The Atmore Police Department said they arrived to find Martin with severe injuries. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased
Following the crash, APD said Harrison was assaulted by an unknown number of people in the parking lot and was found severely injured and transported by helicopter to a trauma center.
Alabama troopers are continuing to investigate the crash, and the Atmore Police Department is investigating the homicide.
File photo.
Century Property Values Up $5.2 Million; Tax Increase Of 290% Proposed. But That’s Not As Much As It Sounds, Town Says
August 10, 2023
Property values are up over $5 million in Century over the past year, which will lead to increased revenues for the town at the same property tax rate, according to Mayor Ben Boutwell. A proposed tax increase of 290% is on the table, but that’s not as much as it sounds, according to the town.
The town says property values increased $5.2 million — from about $49.5 million last tax year to $54.7 million this year.
“We expect property values to continue to increase year over year. As areas to our south are moving north, we are preparing our infrastructure for future growth,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said, adding that’s good for Century and for the property owners.
Boutwell said the town’s millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year will hold steady at 0.9204 mills for the eight consecutive year, and that will generate extra revenue for the town due to the increased property values.
According to the state, the steady property tax rate is a 290.66% increase over the rolled back rate of 0.3657. The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and must be advertised as such.
Even so, according to the town, the individual burden won’t be as bad as 290.66% sounds. That’s because only a small portion of a resident’s property tax bill is for the Town of Century.
Last year, the town generated $45,399 in property tax. This next fiscal year the combined tax burden divided total for all residents is expected to be $50,307 — an increase of $4,908.
Boutwell said the additional revenue will be used to improve streets — such as pothole repairs — and enhance other areas of the town.
The property tax rate must still be approved by the town council during a future meeting.
Blue Wahoos, Lookouts Rained Out In Chattanooga
August 10, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Chattanooga Lookouts saw their Wednesday contest at AT&T Field postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday. Thursday’s regularly scheduled game will be played approximately a half hour after the completion of game one.
$1.58 Billion Mega Millions Ticket Sold In Florida
August 9, 2023
One ticket sold in Florida was the sole winner of Tuesday night’s $1.58 billion Mega Millions drawing.
The jackpot winning quick pick ticket was sold at a Publix in Neptune Beach in the Jacksonville area. The jackpot prize winner has the option of receiving their winnings in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $783.3 million.
The winning numbers for the August 8 drawing were 13-19-20-32-33 and the Mega Ball was 14.
The retailer will receive a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
In addition to the jackpot prize, Tuesday’s drawing also produced one $2 million Florida winner from a ticket matching all 5-of-5 white balls. The $2 million winning ticket was purchased at Kwik Stop in Hollywood.