Ninth-Inning Homer From Sims Keeps Wahoos Alive In Postseason Hunt
September 15, 2021
Demetrius Sims broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth with a solo home run as the Wahoos came from behind to win the series opener 3-2 on Tuesday night at Toyota Field.
With the win, coupled with Birmingham’s loss to Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos are now 2.5 games out of the final AA-S playoff spot with only five games remaining in the season.
In the top of the ninth the Trash Pandas brought in Zach Liginfelter (L, 0-1) to try and keep the game at 2-2. With one out, Demetrius Sims belted a solo home run to right center to give Pensacola the winning run. Even though it was only Sims’s fourth home run of the season, it is the second time in two weeks that Sims has hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Colton Hock (S, 19) grinded his way to his league-leading 19th save of the year. After back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the ninth, Hock turned a spectacular double play to end the game. Luis Aviles Jr. smashed a ground ball up the middle that Hock somehow stopped with the glove. After a clean throw to second, Sims threw out Aviles out at first for a game-ending double play.
The Blue Wahoos took the lead in the bottom of the first thanks a double from Kameron Misner and a sac fly from JJ Bleday. Misner now has four doubles in his last three games for the Wahoos.
Pensacola’s 1-0 lead was short lived. After a leadoff single from Aviles, the Trash Pandas used a hit-by-pitch and a pair of walks from Kyle Nicolas to score Aviles and tie the game at 1-1.
After Rocket City took a 2-1 lead, the Wahoos tied the game in the top of the fourth. With Griffin Conine at third, Sims singled to right to bring home Conine and tie the game at 2-2. Sims finished the night with three hits tying his season high.
Kyle Nicolas grinded through five innings for the Blue Wahoos in what appears to be his final start of 2021. He allowed two runs on two hits in five innings of work. Despite walking five he also struck out five in the no decision.
The Blue Wahoos will try to make it four wins in a row in the Wednesday’s contest. Pensacola ace RHP Max Meyer (6-2, 2.56) will make his 20th start of the year and he will be opposed by RHP Christopher Molina (5-1, 4.36).
Century Botches Tax Increase, Budget For Next Year
September 14, 2021
The Century Town Council totally botched an attempt Monday to pass a tentative property tax increase and budget for the next fiscal year.
An agenda for the public hearing improperly indicated that property taxes would not increase. Council President Louis Gomez read from agenda, and with a 4-0 vote the council approved no property tax increase. But the resolution required, and signed at the end of the meeting by the council president, sets a different millage rate than discussed and actually includes a tax increase.
Century’s accountant, Robert Hudson, sat through the meeting and did not correct the council’s misguided actions. The mistake was caught by NorthEscambia.com and pointed out to town officials after the meeting. We were the only members of the public to attend the public hearing.
The mistakes invalidate signed resolutions tentatively raising taxes and setting a budget because that was not the council’s actual vote. The percent of the increase as stated in the resolution was also calculated wrong.
It was not clear Monday night what Century’s next required step will be to right their failure, but it seemed that another public hearing will be advertised to redo the resolutions before final public hearing is held. The process needs to be completed before the new budget year begins October 1.
The intended council action last night was the first of two required approvals for a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 7.1% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8553 mills. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year.
A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by Florida law as a tax increase and the town must advertise such, although the council was advised differently by their accountant.
“Y’all are not going up on the taxes,” Hudson advised the council “Even though a person’s real estate tax is going to increase, it’s increasing because the value of their property is going up.”
The town is proposing a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, up from $4.14 million during the current fiscal year. The increase is mostly due to income from grants.
Mayor Ben Boutwell did not attend Monday’s meeting, and council member Leonard White was absent. White had advised the town clerk that he was unable to get time off from his job as a corrections officer. Council member James Smith, Jr., first spoke during the meeting using Zoom audio about nine minutes after the public hearing started.
Pictured: Century’s accountant Robert Hudson (foreground, right), and council members (L-R) President Luis Gomez, Jr., Sandra McMurray-Jackson and Dynette Lewis. Pictured below: Other than NorthEscambia.com, not member of the public attended the public hearing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Finalizes Contract For New Ambulance Provider. And Why That Matters In Florida.
September 14, 2021
The Atmore City Council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to finalize a contract for a new ambulance provider. It’s an arrangement that’s been running without a formal contract since September 1, and an arrangement that could have impacts for Escambia County in Florida.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Care Authority (ECHCA) reached an agreement with MedStar to provide comprehensive 24/7 ground ambulance coverage for the greater Atmore market, replacing ASAP EMS. Officials have cited a poor response by ASAP as the reason for the change.
The MedStar ambulances are operating out of the former Atmore Fire Station 4 on Pensacola Avenue. The fire trucks and personnel have been moved back to the main Atmore fire station at city hall. Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said he’s confident the move will not have any impact of the quality of service provided by his department, even though that puts all of his fire trucks on one side of a town bisected by railroad tracks The Pensacola Avenue fire station, south of the railroad tracks, was closed about three years after Hurricane Ivan with no significant problems.
One of the MedStar ambulances in Atmore was moved from its previous post at the Flomaton Fire Station. D.W. McMillan EMS has assumed responsibility for providing ground ambulance service in the greater Flomaton area.
ECHCA has also contracted with MedStar to provide medical helicopter service to all of Escambia County, Alabama. MedStar’s Air Care 2 helicopter is currently based at Atmore Community Hospital.
Ambulances from Escambia County, Alabama, also respond to Florida under mutual aid agreements.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responds periodically to Atmore to assist with emergencies, and, a little more often, the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responds to the Flomaton area.
As NorthEscambia.com reported in July, MedStar’s Atmore helicopter will also respond to North Escambia in Florida under a new “first call agreement” between the operator of ShandsCair and Escambia County, Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Make Plans Now For Your Child On Sept. 22, It’s An Early School Release Day
September 14, 2021
Parents of Escambia County School District students take note….Wednesday, September 22 is an early release day and dismissal times have changed.
Early release days offer teachers and staff the opportunity for professional development, according to the district.
On all early release dates, schools will serve lunch and regular transportation will be provided.
In addition to September 22, there will also be early release days on November 3 and January 26. Early release times for each school are below.
Northview Volleyball Defeats Pine Forest (With Photo Gallery)
September 14, 2021
The 1A Northview Lady Chiefs varsity volleyball team improved to 4-1 Monday night with a win over the 5A Pine Forest Lady Eagles.
Northview lost the first match to Pine Forest 21-25, but came back to defeat the Eagles 25-16, 25-13, 25-14 for the win.
Northview has earned victories so far this season over Pine Forest, W.S. Neal, Flomaton, and 6A Escambia. Their only loss was to 4A West Florida.
The Lady Chiefs will be back at home Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Baker (3-1) in their first 1A district matchup of the season.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Register By Wednesday For Tate Lil Aggies Fall Cheer Clinic
September 14, 2021
It’s almost time for the annual Lil Aggies Fall Cheer Clinic, and the deadline to register is Wednesday.
The clinic will take place on Saturday, September 25 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. There will be a parent showcase at noon with a special performance.
Registration forms and payment are due by Wednesday, September 15. Cash, check and money order are accepted. Checks should be payable to Tate High School and must include a phone number.
The cost of the clinic is $50 per athlete which includes an exclusive 2021 Lil Aggies t-shirt and a matching hair bow. Lil Aggies will receive free admission into the football game on Friday, October 1 and invited to cheer during the first quarter with the varsity cheerleaders.
RSVP online by clicking or tapping here, or download a registration form (pdf).
Retired Officer Charged With DUI Manslaughter Following Fatal Airport Boulevard Pedestrian Crash
September 13, 2021
A retired police officer is charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with a fatal crash Monday morning on Airport Boulevard.
About 7:30 a.m., a pedestrian was walking westbound on an Airport Boulevard sidewalk, between The Fresh Market and Sam’s’ Club, when they were hit by a pickup truck driven by 74-year old Alvin Odessel. Godwin.
The name of the victim has not been released, but Pensacola Police have confirmed the victim was not a student at nearby Washington High School.
According to police, Godwin retired from the Pensacola Police Department as a lieutenant about 20 years ago. He was released from the Escambia County on a $100,000 bond. Due to his status as a retired officer, his mugshot is exempt from release under Florida law.
Airport Boulevard was closed for several hours due to the crash but has since reopened.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Cashed Check Stolen From Cantonment Mailbox, Forged Another, ECSO Says
September 13, 2021
A Cantonment man is accused of trying to cash a check stolen from a mailbox on East Kingsfield Road, cashing second fake check and pawning a gun.
Allen Alberto Maddox, Jr., 48, was charged with felony counts of uttering a forged check, uttering a false instrument, defrauding a money service business, grand theft and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
A victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that on June 23 he placed three envelopes containing checks in his empty mailbox for pick up. The checks were payable to Gulf Power, a $1,400 check to a mortgage company and a third to another company. The following day, he received a call from his credit union asking if he had written a $1,400 check to anyone local, and he stated that he had not. He obtained the information to contact Cash Any Checks on Pensacola Boulevard.
He contacted the check cashing business to find a male was at the location trying to cash a $1,400 check made out to “Allen Maddox”. Maddox left the store before law enforcement could be contacted. The company sent a copy of the check to the victim, who turned to the internet to find Maddox’s previous arrests and photos in a jail view log and Facebook. He sent the photos back to the check cashing business, which confirmed the pictured man was the one that attempted to cash the fraudulent check.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the check did appear to be altered, and Maddox was identified from a lineup.
In late July, Maddox was identified as the person that allegedly cashed a fraudulent $865 check at National Check Cashing on Mobile Highway. According to an arrest report, Maddox provided his photo identification and fingerprint when cashing the check, which had an inconsistent check number and an nonexistent routing number.
And in August, Maddox allegedly pawned a revolver for $350 after asking for $500. Maddox provided his photo identification and fingerprint at the time, according to the arrest report. The firearm was was not listed as stolen.
Maddox remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $15,000.
Tate Aggies Honor 13 Fallen Service Members
September 13, 2021
The smell of Aggie Fries was in the air below the Aggie Shack Friday night at Tate High School’s Pete Gindl Stadium.
Tate’s Showband of the South and the West Florida band battled to be the loudest shortly after kickoff.
And the Tate AJROTC stood watch over 13 chairs. just off the track and the end zone of Carl Madison Field.
Up on the grass above, a few kids tossed a football. Some sat watching the game. A group of girls took selfies for their insta. #Cute #Happy #GoAggies #Merica.
These chairs that would not be filled on this Friday night with a faint hint of fall weather in the air. Thirteen chairs, thirteen photos, thirteen pairs of boots, and 13 American flags. Seats saved for 13 brave men and women who never made it home from war. Seats to remind fans about what’s really important.
It may have been a tough task for Tate against West Florida Friday night. They lost. Pretty bad actually. But the Aggie spirit won.
As the team left the field, many players stopped by the 13 empty chairs. They knelt. Some silent, some in prayer. All in respect of the 13 heroes lost. And freedom.
The Aggie spirit won Friday night. #GoAggies #Merica.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Decline A Couple Of Cents On Average
September 13, 2021
Florida gas prices drifted lower last week, declining two cents per gallon. The state average is now slightly below $3 for the first time this month, according to AAA.
“Gas prices are inching lower as most of the refineries that went offline because of Hurricane Ida are now in restart mode,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Drivers may see another week of similar declines this week after a relatively uneventful week in the futures market.”
Escambia County’s average price Sunday night was $3.02. Three Cantonment stations were the cheapest in North Escambia at $2.85, while a couple of Pensacola stations had the lowest metro price at $2.83