Community Health Dental Services In Century Moves To New Location
June 15, 2023
Community Health Northwest Florida in Century has consolidated all pediatric and adult dental services and is now seeing both adults and children in a single location.
Dental services were moved from 501 Church Street to the Adult & Family Care location at 6021 Industrial Boulevard. CHNWF said the former dental space on Church Street will allow for additional exam rooms to care for more pediatric primary care patients.
“CHNWF at Industrial Boulevard boasts several state-of-the-art dental operatories with newer equipment in the bright, modern facility, which both patients and staff appreciate,” said Sena Maddison, Community Health director of communications. “Although children and adults will be seen on separate days, it will be a one stop (dental) shop for families of Century and surrounding areas.”
To schedule a dental appointment at the Community Health Northwest Florida Adult & Family location, call (850) 724-4064, option 2.
Groundbreaking Set For Escambia County’s Newest Boat Ramp
June 15, 2023
UPDATE – The Friday groundbreaking ceremony has been canceled due to weather.
A groundbreaking will be held Friday for Escambia County’s newest boat ramp, the first large public access to Perdido Bay.
The new 40-acre facility at 10836 Lillian Highway is located on Heron Bayou and will include a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measuring at 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of five feet will be dredged from the launch facility to Perdido Bay.
Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two primitive campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.
In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property for $1.24 million through Local Option Sales Tax III. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Vessel Registration Fees. The $4.2 million needed for construction is funded through U.S. Treasury RESTORE Direct Component funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Natural Resource Damage Assessment Coastal Protection Fund.
The groundbreaking will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
NEP 10U Gold Wins All-Star Tourney; NEP 10U Blue Takes Second
June 15, 2023
NEP 10U Gold softball took first place and NEP 10U Blue softball finished in second place in the GCGSA All-Star Tournament last weekend.
Kayla Wroblewski was named the 10u Tournament Defensive Player MVP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win In 10 Over Braves
June 15, 2023
The Blue Wahoos checked off the lone void so far in their stellar season.
They won their first extra-inning game. And did it dramatically, of course.
Catcher Will Banfield worked a full count with the bases loaded, then completed a big night by launching a deep fly to center field for a sacrifice fly that scored Troy Johnson with the winning run in the Blue Wahoos’ 5-4 victory in 10 innings against the Mississippi Braves.
Earlier in the game he blasted a 3-run homer.
The Blue Wahoos had a 4-3 lead in the ninth and were one out and no base runners from finishing the game. But reliever Jefry Yan gave up a walk, a double and single. Griffin Conine, however, made a saving throw from right field to thwart Beau Philip from scoring the go-ahead run.
Yan was then strong in the 10th inning. With a runner placed a second in the extra-inning format, he struck out Jesse Franklin, got a short flyball that J.D. Orr rushed in to grab, then struck on the M-Braves Javier Valdes to end the inning. Yan had the crowd fired up, spinning in a celebratory, emotional dance when he ended the inning.
That lift carried right into the Blue Wahoos at-bat. With Johnston placed at second, Victor Mesa Jr. reached on an infield single. Conine was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Up stepped Banfield, who had a pitch from flamethrowing reliever Kyle Wilcox sail over his head, but bounce right back to prevent Johnston from scoring. Banfield then worked a 3-2 count, fouled off a pitch and connected with the next fastball for a flyball that easily scored Johnston.
With the Biloxi Shuckers rained out Wednesday in Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos (36-22) are now 6.5 games ahead of the Shuckers – the nearest team chasing – in the race for the Southern League first half title.
The M-Braves took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a pair of solo home runs off Blue Wahoos starter M.D. Johnson.
In the bottom of the second, Mesa Jr. singled and Conine singled, then Banfield blasted for a 3-2 lead. The Blue Wahoos made it 4-2 when Cody Morissette scored on a wild pitch in the third inning.
The Blue Wahoos got strong relief from Austin Roberts and Dylan Bice, who combined for four innings and just one run allowed. That set up the riveting ending.
The Blue Wahoos will have their top pitcher, Patrick Monteverde (6-1, 2.09) on the mound Thursday against the M-Braves’ Scott Blewett (2-3, 4.43).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
PSC Approves FPL Rate Decrease Beginning With July Bills
June 14, 2023
Florida Power & Light customers could soon see a rate reduction on their electric bills due to lower than expected natural gas costs.
Tuesday, the Florida Public Service Commission approved an additional $359 million reduction to FPL’s 2023 fuel costs.
A reduction of approximately $256 million will be applied to customer bills from July to December 2023. The remaining $103 million reduction will be applied to FPL’s 2024 fuel cost recovery factors.
Beginning in July, an FPL residential customer bill in Northwest Florida for a typical 1,000 kWh usage will decrease $3.95 from $158.86 to $154.91.
“We are committed to keeping bills as low as possible for our customers,” Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of FPL, said. “With fuel prices moderating, we are pleased to pass along additional savings to our customers. We also encourage our customers to use FPL’s free tools to save energy and make their bills even lower.”
Utilities do not earn a profit on fuel charges. The fuel and capacity cost component of customers’ bills is set for each calendar year, but mid-course corrections are used when a utility’s costs increase or decrease significantly in the interim.
IP To Award $63,000 In Grants To Local Nonprofits. Here’s How To Apply.
June 14, 2023
The International Paper Pensacola Mill has announced that it will be awarding a total of $63,000 in foundation grants to non-profit organizations in 2023.
International Paper Pensacola Mill recognizes the vital role non-profit organizations play in addressing critical needs within the local communities. Through these grants, organizations will be able to fund new projects and programs that align with IP’s signature causes and have a positive impact on the lives of individuals.
To apply for these grants, non-profit organizations are invited to submit their applications until Tuesday, July 11. Interested parties can access the application form at www.ipgiving.com.
“International Paper grants are a powerful way for us to make a meaningful difference in our community,” said Whitney Fike, regional communications manager. “We are committed to supporting organizations that share our vision of creating positive change and improving the lives of individuals.”
The International Paper Foundation focuses on making sustainable investments that address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work. Grants are awarded based on signature causes.
Signature causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measurable objectives to demonstrate impact.
For more information about grant guidelines, contact Fike at whitney.fike@ipaper.com or call (850) 968-3076.
Man Charged With Battery On Girlfriend After Cantonment Disturbance
June 14, 2023
An Atmore man has been charged in connection with Cantonment disturbance involving his girlfriend.
Andrew Hank Stabler, 30, was charged with battery and felony criminal mischief.
On Sunday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance at the Circle K on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road. The victim told deputies that she became involved in an argument with Stabler, her boyfriend, at an unknown address on Frank Ard Road. She said she agreed to give him a ride to his residence off Copper Ridge Drive.
The victim said Stabler began to use his fist and head to hit the dashboard and radio in the vehicle, a 2019 Dodge Charger, before grabbing her back the neck and telling her “he was going to kill her while she was driving”, according to an arrest report.
The damage to the vehicle dash and radio was estimated at $1,500.
Stabler denied striking the victim, instead telling deputies that the victim hit him in the face, and he denied damaging the vehicle ,the report states.
When deputies contacted Stabler at his residence, he had a laceration above his right eye and on his hand near his knuckles, injuries that were “consistent with the damage that was done to the vehicle”, according to an arrest report.
Stabler was released from jail Tuesday night on a $3,000 bond.
Plan Ahead: Most Government Offices Closed Monday For Juneteenth
June 14, 2023
Most Escambia County offices and facilities and Century offices will be closed Monday in observance of the federal Juneteenth holiday.
TOWN OF CENTURY
All Town of Century offices will be closed.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
The following Escambia County offices will be closed on June 19, 2023.
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- ECAT administrative offices
Open On Monday/Exceptions
- ECAT will run current weekday service Monday, June 19. UWF trolleys will not run. Regular service will resume Tuesday, June 20.
- The Clerk’s Official Records, Finance, Treasury and Clerk to the Board offices located at 221 Palafox Place will be closed. The Clerk’s Century office located at 7500 N. Century Blvd. will also be closed. All other Clerk’s offices located at the MC Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Building and Public Records Center will be open.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open with regular hours Monday, June 19.
NEP 8U Softball Wins GCGSA All-Star Tournament
June 14, 2023
NEP 8U softball took first place in the GCGSA All-Star Tournament last weekend.
The NEP All Stars went 3-0 on Saturday, defeating Pace Blue 15-14, Molino 12-11 and Pace Red 10-0. On Sunday they started the day with a 9-0 loss to Navarre then beat Pace Blue 11-10 and Navarre 10-0 to force the title game. They topped Navarre 13-9 in five innings to claim the title.
Sadie Jones was named the 8U Tournament Defensive Player MVP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 12-9 Over Mississippi
June 14, 2023
Cody Morissette and Dalvy Rosario created a hit-making, run-scoring tsunami Tuesday, power-surging the Blue Wahoos into a 12-9 victory against the Mississippi Braves to open their six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Morissette became the second Blue Wahoos player in less than two months this season to hit for the cycle – one of the game’s rarest feats – after it had been done just once before in franchise history.
Rosario, meanwhile, continued to wow. Playing just his fourth game for the Blue Wahoos, he went 3-for-5, including his third home run. He joined the team Friday from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate, and promptly ignited his future with a walk-off homer.
The Blue Wahoos (36-22), who maintained a six-game lead against Biloxi in the Southern League division race, led 12-4 into the ninth inning, before the M-Braves got five runs off reliever Zack Leban. He recorded the final two outs.
Morissette, who went 4-for-6 with three RBI, was part of the Blue Wahoos’ season-high 18 hits. The infielder started with a run-scoring double in the third inning.
He then hit a solo homer in the fourth, tripled to lead off the sixth and spun a infield single in the seventh to get the four different hits for the cycle. Donald Lutz in 2014 was the only other Blue Wahoos player to get the feat prior to this season.
Victor Mesa Jr. hit for the cycle on April 18 against the Birmingham Barons. That game was a 10-4 loss.
This one was a middle-inning explosion for the Blue Wahoos. They scored a combined 10 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Four other players had multiple hits.
With their win, the Blue Wahoos put Montgomery and Mississippi – the other two teams in the division – further back in the rear-view mirror at 8 and 8.5 games back respectively. There are now 11 games left in the first-half schedule to determine a playoff spot.
Troy Johnston began the scoring barrage with his solo homer in the first inning. He went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. After the M-Braves took a 3-1 lead in the third inning, the Blue Wahoos responded with 11 runs in the next four innings.
Rosario, 22, a centerfielder and Dominican Republic native, hit a 2-run, 2-out homer in fourth inning to regain the lead for the Blue Wahoos and change the game. It started with Cobie Fletcher-Vance taking a high pitch on a 3-2 count to reach base.
From there, four runs ensued. After Rosario’s bomb, Nasim Nunez tripled and Morissette blasted a ball into the right center berm.
In the fifth inning, Norel Gonzalez and Will Banfield led off with singles. Griffin Conine followed with a monster blast over the batter’s eye in center field. Conine and Johnston both had RBI singles in the sixth as the lead continued to build.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos