Florida Consumer Confidence On The Rise
August 3, 2012
Consumer confidence was up slightly in July over June, and dramatically higher than it was a year ago, a new report from the University of Florida finds.
Confidence of Florida consumers rose three points from June to July, to 76, nine points higher than the same period last year, according to the report by the university’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Perceptions of personal finances rose in July to their highest point since the end of the recession at the end of 2009.
Expectations of personal finances a year from now also rose, while expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next year fell one point, the pollsters said.
Floridians’ gloomiest thoughts are on the prospects for U.S. economic conditions over the next five years, on which confidence fell three points to 77.
Perceptions as to whether it is a good time to buy big ticket items rose seven points to 84 in July.
“In July consumers are feeling much better about their personal finances compared to June and really to their circumstances since the recession ended two and a half years ago,” said Chris McCarty, the survey director. “Some of this can be attributed to a more positive housing picture in some areas of the state where prices are actually rising rather than falling.
By The News Service of Florida
Stewart Named Interim Florida Educational Commissioner
August 3, 2012
Public Schools Chancellor Pam Stewart will take over as interim education commissioner while the State Board of Education looks for a permanent leader for the department.
Board members agreed to tap Stewart for the position during a Thursday morning conference call.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Gerard Robinson announced his resignation, effective Aug. 31, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. Robinson had also come under fire in recent months for his agency’s handling of the rollout of some FCAT scores and school grades.
Board Chairwoman Kathleen Shanahan said Stewart is only interested in being interim commissioner.
“Right now, she is not interested in the job on a permanent basis. That is her position today.” Shanahan said.
Blue Wahoos Top Tennesee 6-1
August 3, 2012
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Wirfin Obispo struck out a career-high ten batters and gave up just two hits, while third baseman David Vidal homered and shortstop Billy Hamilton stole two more bases as Pensacola topped the Tennessee Smokies 6-1 on Thursday night at Smokies Park in Kodak, Tennessee.
The victory snapped Pensacola’s four-game losing streak and improved their second half record to 21-19, while Tennessee fell to 19-21 since the All-Star Break. The win also ended the Smokies’ hopes of sweeping the five-game series.
Obispo (6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO) retired each of the first ten batters he faced and gave up the lone earned run on just two hits, along with just one walk. It was the first time the right-hander had last six innings, as he improved to 3-0 on the year.
The bullpen duo of Wilkin De La Rosa and Justin Freeman shut down the Smokies the rest of the way by combining for the final three perfect frames. De La Rosa (1.1 IP, 2 SO) received his fourth hold of 2012, while Freeman (1.2 IP, 2 SO) notched his 12th save.
The Blue Wahoos got the scoring started in the opening frame, plating two tallies. Hamilton began the inning with a walk before swiping both second and third to increase his total to 119 this year, moving him to within 26 of Vince Coleman’s single-season record of 145 set in 1983. Hamilton came home on RF Josh Fellhauer’s RBI double to left, while Fellhauer later came home when 1B Beau Mills reached on an error.
Pensacola then added an additional score in the third to extend the margin to 3-0. CF Bryson Smith reached on a base knock, subsequently stole second and took third on LF Donald Lutz’s single, before Vidal brought home Smith with a single to left.
The two clubs would then trade solo shots, with the Smokies getting on the board with a longball from 2B Logan Watkins, his fifth of the year. Vidal would then push Pensacola’s advantage back to three with a solo blast to left, his sixth roundtripper of the year.
Two insurance runs would then come plateward in the final frame for the Fish. 2B Miguel Rojas led off with a single, before Hamilton’s free pass and Fellhauer’s bunt single loaded the bases for Smith. The center fielder would drive in both Rojas and Hamilton with his two-run single into center, making it 6-1.
Vidal (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) and Fellhauer (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) each recorded multi-hit efforts in the victory for the Blue Wahoos, while Watkins collected the only two hits for Tennessee in the defeat. In total, Pensacola stole a total of four bases, one shy of their single-game season-high.
Tennessee starter Jake Brigham (3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss in his Smokies debut after giving up three runs, two of which were earned on five hits in his three innings of work. RHP Zach Rosscup (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) fired five frames in relief, yielding a lone earned run on just two hits.
The Fish will now head to Huntsville to finish their 10-game road trip with a five-game series against the Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. RHP Chad Rogers, who was promoted from High-A Bakersfield earlier on Thursday is scheduled to make his Double-A debut for Pensacola, while RHP Johnnie Lowe is expected to get the nod for the Stars. First pitch is scheduled for 6:43 p.m. in Huntsville.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Wirfin Obispo struck out a career-high 10 in his six innings on Thursday night for the Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Herman John Hassebrock
August 3, 2012
Herman John Hassebrock, 85, of Bratt, was born to John and Annie Hassebrock on November 20, 1926, in Molino and passed away on Thursday, August 02, 2012.
He was a chemical operator at Monsanto for 31 years and the owner of Hassebrock’s Nursery in Bratt. He was a deacon emeritus and faithful member of Pine Barren Baptist church in Davisville.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 52 years, Annette Darby Hassebrock of Bratt; daughters, JoAnne Hassebrock Webb (Phillip) of Daphne; Donna Hassebrock Burkett (the late Gary Burkett) of Spanish Fort and Rhonda Hassebrock Gehman (Joe) of Birmingham; grandchildren, Zach Webb (Brook), Daphne; Kayla Gehman, Tuscaloosa; Ben Webb, Auburn and Abbey Gehman, Birmingham; his siblings, Eleanor Hassebrock Conover, Connie Hassebrock Gooden, Anne Hassebrock Jernigan, Johnny Hassebrock, Harry Hassebrock, all of Pensacola and Edwin Hassebrock of El Cajun, CA.
Funeral services will be Saturday, August 4, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Harper officiating. Burial will follow at the Pine Barren Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Zach Webb, Ben Webb, Marion Cooper, Greg Vaughn, Mickey Peterson and Scottie Baker.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice of Pensacola (5041 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32504) who lovingly cared for him.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Former Northview Student Convicted Of Killing Younger Adoptive Sister; Will Serve One Year In Jail
August 2, 2012
A former Northview High School student has been convicted of the shooting death of her adoptive sister last August.
Elena Janelle Rendell — who was 17 at the time of the August 3, 2011, shooting — was convicted as a youthful offender for shooting 14-year old Christina Marie Sneary, a former Molino resident.
Rendell was sentenced to one year in the county jail, with no credit for nearly one year she spent behind bars awaiting trial, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille. After release from jail, she will be on probation for five years.
She was also ordered to continue with mental health counseling and treatment. After her time in jail, Rendell will be required to seek and maintain employment or continue her education.
The two girls had recently moved with their mother from Sunset View Lane in Molino to the 7600 block of Kipling Street in the Ferry Pass community.
Rendell told deputies that she began to argue with Sneary over a cell phone. During the argument, Rendell ran into her parent’s bedroom and retrieved her father’s 9 mm handgun from the top of a television shelf that stood about 12-feet high. Rendell then pointed the handgun at her 14-year old sister and fired a single gunshot into the right side of Sneary’s neck. Sneary died a short time later at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Apartment Fire Caused By Child Playing With Lighter
August 2, 2012
Investigators say a fire that heavily damaged two Century apartments Monday night was caused by a young child.
The three-year old was reportedly playing with a lighter on a bed, sparking the blaze, as his grandmother was sleeping nearby.
The fire about 10 p.m. Monday in Building G of the Oakwood Village Apartments on Shady Lane was contained to one apartment, with one adjacent apartment suffering some smoke and water damage.
Century Fire Station Chief Regi Burkett credited the quick work of responding fire departments and a properly constructed firewall between apartments for preventing damage to the entire apartment building.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department also responded to the fire.
Pictured: Firefighters were able to quickly contain a fire Monday night at the Oakwood Village Apartments in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Church Youth Fly High, Cruise Bratt (With Gallery)
August 2, 2012
Youth at the First Baptist Church of Bratt hit the road, and the skies, Wednesday evening.
The youth road motorcycles with church leaders, and flew model airplanes from the Travis M. Nelson park near the church. Afterwards, the group volunteered to paint a portion of the church parsonage.
Pictured top: A candid photo of a youth group at the First Baptist Church of Bratt after flying a model plane at a Bratt Park. Pictured inset: Church member Greg Wilson explains his model plane. Pictured below: Ashley Mooney and Interim Pastor Jerry Kaylor prepare for a spin Wednesday evening. Photos by Marcella Green Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Grand Theft For Not Delivering Yetis
August 2, 2012
A Walnut Hill man is facing multiple theft charges for collecting cold cash for cool Yeti coolers but not delivering the merchandise.
Timothy James Barry, 51, was arrested this week on four counts of grand theft and three counts of petit theft after an investigation by the State Attorney’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was released from jail on a $5,500 bond.
Barry, owner of Baywatch Arms & Accessories, allegedly accepted $2,944.18 during the summer of 2011 from seven people to order Yeti brand coolers, a high-end ice chest, on their behalf. After the coolers were not received from Barry, the victims filed a complaint.
Certified letters were sent by the victims and the State Attorney’s Office in an attempt to collect the money. According to an arrest report, Barry admitted to receiving the money from the victims and told deputies on June 4, 2012, that he was unable to repay them.
Barry provided the victims and the State Attorney’s Office with” numerous excuses to avoid coming in to clear that matter up”, the arrest report states. One victim told the State Attorney’s Office that he contact the Yeti Cooler company and was told the order was complete and awaiting payment from Barry.
Century Prison Inmate Charged With Committing Lewd Act
August 2, 2012
A Century Correctional Institution inmate has been charged with committing a sexual act inside the prison walls.
Paul R. Daniel, 26, charged with lewd and lascivious behavior committing a sexual act in the presence of a correctional facility employee, which is a third degree felony. Daniel’s arrest report does not detail the incident.
Daniel is serving a 12 year sentence for crimes out of Broward County including uttering a forged instrument, marijuana possession, and two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon.
Daniel is currently being held in the Escambia County Jail.
Santa Rosa Superintendent Cleared Of Campaign Finance Allegations
August 2, 2012
The State Attorney’s Office has dismissed a complaint against incumbent Santa Rosa County School Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick.
A review of Wyrosdick’s campaign finances began after a complaint filed by George R. McCormick, who is also running for the superintendent’s seat as a Republican. Wyrosdick received a cash contribution by mail of $200, over the legal limit of $50. Once he noticed the error, he issued a refund.
The State Attorney’s Office found it as an isolated incident and not a willful violation of campaign finance laws and decided that no criminal charges will be filed.