District 5 Barth, Molino Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is June 12
June 8, 2024
Residents of a portion of Barth and Molino can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup on Wednesday, June 12
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 6,683 tons (13,366,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.
Free Plant Swap Outside The Century Branch Library
June 8, 2024
Take a plant, leave a plant, trade a plant.
That’s the concept behind a new plant swap outside the Century Branch Library. The plant swap will be in place through July.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
M.D. Johnson Leads Blue Wahoos To Win
June 8, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
His aunt and her family had not seen the Blue Wahoos’ M.D. Johnson pitch since his collegiate days at Dallas Baptist University.
They made the drive to Pensacola from Waco, Texas to watch Johnson pitch Friday night for the first time in his pro career.
He made sure it was memorable.
In what he later termed his best outing this season, Johnson again delivered superlatives, working six innings, allowing just a first-inning run and helping the Blue Wahoos to a 3-1 victory against the Mississippi Braves to even this week’s series amid a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The win kept the Blue Wahoos (29-25) within striking distance of the Montgomery Biscuits, who had a rain delayed game Friday and a 2.5 game-lead on the Blue Wahoos for the first half Southern League South Division race.
“I felt good,” said Johnson, after visiting with his aunt, her husband and their children on the field following the game. “I was a little bit off at times. I had the four walks, but really kept the ball on the ground better than I have in all the other starts this year and that really helped.
“What I was trying to do gameplan-wise and executing that, I would say yes, it was my best. The only thing I am upset about is walking four guys. I have to keep the ball in the (strike) zone. It has been my Achilles Heel in pro ball. When I am in the (strike) zone, good things will happen.”
They certainly did just that on Friday. Johnson gave up a game-opening double to David Fletcher, the former Los Angeles Angels veteran who is making a comeback bid as a combo infielder and knuckeball pitcher. Fletcher is set to pitch for the second time this week in Sunday’s series finale.
The M-Braves’ Nacho Alvarez followed with an RBI single. But from that point, Johnson retired the next three batters, striking out the last two in ending the inning. The rest of the way, only one M-Braves hitter got into scoring position through Johnson’s six innings.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was outstanding again.
Patrick Murphy threw two hitless innings, striking out four and bouncing back from a previous rough night.
Austin Roberts recorded his ninth save, the best in the Southern League, sealing the win by freezing Fletcher with a perfect two-strike pitch for the punchout, then getting Alvarez to fly out to end the game.
Johnson has now allowed just one run in each of his last three starts at Blue Wahoos Stadium. A year ago, his earned run average was dramatically lower in home starts than road starts.
Why so?
“Honestly it’s being home,” said Johnson, who improved to 2-3 on the season with a 2.68 ERA. “Whenever I’m at home, my wife’s here, I have my routine.
“I live in a trailer (in Pensacola).. my house. Being home and having a home base is huge. This is where home is.
“I would love to just take (the trailer) on the road trips and it would be fantastic, but it’s not a realistic thing.”
The Blue Wahoos got their first run when Jacob Berry, who returned to lineup Friday after being out with a minor injury this week, singled to start the second inning, then scored on Harrison Spohn’s two strike single.
In the third inning, Joe Mack reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced on Nathan Martorella’s single, then again to third base when Berry beat out a double-play attempt at first. That was big, because a wild pitch then scored Mack for the second run.
Mack then continued his big week at home with an eighth-inning solo blast to straightaway center that just cleared the wall for his third homer in three days.
The series continues Saturday with the Blue Wahoos’ Paul Campbell (5-1) on the mound against the M-Braves’ Jake McSteen. A limited number of tickets remain on the Fireworks Saturday night.
GAME NOTABLES
— The game was designated as ALS Awareness Night. Representatives from the ALS Association-Florida attended the game, participated in a ceremonial first pitch and were interviewed during the game broadcast.
— There were eight different ceremonial first pitches prior to Friday’s game.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
Bicyclist Injured In Crash With Vehicle In Cottage Hill
June 7, 2024
A bicyclist received minor injuries in a collision with a vehicle Friday morning in Cottage Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 33-year-old female was riding her bicycle in the northbound lane of Highway 95A near Williams Ditch Road she collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe that was also traveling north on Highway 95A.
The bicyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 57-year dol driver of the Tahoe was not injured.
Flomaton Hosting Free Summer Bazaar And ‘Touch A Truck’ On Saturday
June 7, 2024
The Town of Flomaton will hold a big Summer Bazaar and Touch a Truck event on Saturday.
The bazaar, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., will feature arts and crafts, food vendors and a bounce house.
The touch a truck, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. will allow children to get up close with all sorts of trucks and equipment, from farm and road equipment to emergency vehicles, a helicopter and more.
Both events are free admission and open to the public in downtown Flomaton.
‘Project Dynamo’ Offers $2.5 Million For 25 Acres Of OLF-8 To Bring 210 New Jobs
June 7, 2024
A company looking to create 210 new jobs has made a $2.5 million offer for a portion of the county-owned OLF-8 property.
The Escambia County Commission voted 3-0 Thursday evening, with Commissioner Lumon May absent, to enter into negotiations.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance presented the industrial project with codename “Project Dynamo” to the Escambia County Commission. The name of the company or the nature of their business has not been announced as is allowed under Florida law during economic development negotiations.
Some of the 210 proposed jobs will be part time; the company expects 170 to 189 full-time positions to be created with a total annual payroll of $5.1 to $5.6 million.
The company offered the $2.5 million — $100,000 per acre for 25 acres of the 540 acre parcel at the extreme northwest corner of OLF-8 bordering Frank Reeder Road. The company wants to be in a completed facility by October 2025.
“OLF-8 is the only location in Escambia County the company is considering,” FloridaWest said.
Project Dynamo Details:
- ±25 Acre Site, extreme northwest corner of OLF-8 (Light Industrial Area)
- Offer to purchase at $100,000 per acre for a total of $2.5 million
- Building size: ~110,000sf
- Capital Investment: Minimum $35 million
- Construction type: Tilt-Up Concrete with parking, lighting and landscaping
Project Dynamo Workforce:
- o Total Workforce : 210 employees
- o Full-time Equivalent (FTE) employees: 170-189 est.
- o Minimum starting Pay: $16.50/hr. + comprehensive benefits for full-time jobs
- o Annual Payroll: $5.1 – $5.6 million est.
“This project is an excellent fit for OLF-8 and should help to stimulate additional development and investment in the park. FloridaWest will work with the County and other partners to pursue Triumph Grant Funding to support required infrastructure including roads and utilities, within and nearby OLF-8,” FloridaWest noted in their presentation to the county.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
June 7, 2024
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting another license-free freshwater fishing weekend on June 8 and 9.
Freshwater fishing is a fun activity for all ages to enjoy and there are many great locations across Florida to explore. Florida residents and visitors of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to try recreational fishing on this special weekend and the FWC has helpful resources for new anglers to get started.+
All other rules, such as seasons, bag and size limits apply during license-free fishing weekend.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Recent Tate Grad Wins State High School Rodeo Barrel Racing Title
June 7, 2024
Recent Tate High School graduate Lexi Nelson recently won the Alabama High School State Rodeo Championship in barrel racing.
She competed in monthly rodeos all over Alabama and Northwest Florida since August before winning the title.
Lexi was awarded a state champion saddle and buckle and will compete for the national championship this July in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
She was also awarded a scholarship from Bar F Ranch and another from the National High School Merit Association.
She graduated from Tate in May with a 4.0415 GPA . She plans to attend UWF in fall to become an occupational therapist and work with special needs children.
Lexi, and other rodeo participants from Northwest Florida, compete in the Alabama High School State Rodeo Association because the Florida rodeos are all held in South Florida.
She is no stranger to winning titles and crows — she won five crowns during her time at Tate, every possible crown the school has. Her junior year she was crowned prom princess and Tate rodeo queen. Her senior year she won homecoming queen, Miss Tate, and prom queen.
Lexi is daughter of Edwin and Lisa Nelson and granddaughter of Tom and Joyce Harrell and Joe and Marie Nelson.
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Child Abuse
June 7, 2024
A Century man was recently charged with child abuse.
Dennis Clyde Mathis, 45, was charged with felony child abuse in a domestic violence situation.
Mathis allegedly struck the child in the left eye and right leg. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the child had a bruise and swelling on the left and a bruise of his right front leg area that was consistent with being punched with a semi-closed fist. The incident allegedly occurred at Mathis’ home near Century.
Statements made by Mathis and the age of the child were redacted from the arrest report.
Mathis was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Molino Red 8U Wins GCGSA All-Star Championship
June 7, 2024
The Molino Red 8U softball team took the GCGSA All-Star Championship recently. Molino Red won all four of their games by mercy-rule. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.