Wahoos Get Slim Win Over The BayBears
August 10, 2018
After Gavin LaValley drove in four in the series-opening win, the Wahoos first baseman was at it again as he delivered a two-run home run in Thursday’s 4-2 win at Hank Aaron Stadium.
With the Wahoos trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth, Narciso Crook singled off Daniel Procopio to bring the tying run to the plate. LaValley timed up the 2-0 pitch perfectly and crushed Procopio’s offering over the left-field fence to tie the game at 2-2.
Similar to Wednesday night’s game, the Wahoos scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. Shed Long led off the frame with a single off Zac Ryan (L, 1-3) and then eventually stole second base. The next batter, Mitch Nay, struck out, but the pitch kicked away from BayBears catcher Jack Kruger to allow Long to advance to third. Crook then tapped a slow roller up the first base line, which allowed Long to score the go-ahead run.
Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 9-9) was excellent outside of the second inning. Jose Rojas and Zach Gibbons led off the second with back-to-back doubles to take a quick 1-0 lead. After a single, and a throwing error by Gutierrez, the BayBears had the bases loaded and nobody out. However, the right-hander worked brilliantly around the threat as he induced a double-play ball from Brandon Sandoval, which scored Gibbons to make it 2-0 Mobile. Mitch Spires followed with a groundout to short to end the inning.
Gutierrez pitched the other six innings of his seven-inning effort in shutout fashion. He finished his outing on a high note, retiring six of the final seven BayBears he faced. He departed the game having allowed two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. The win was his first since July 19.
The Wahoos scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning thanks to a fielding error by Roberto Baldoquin. Taylor Featherston hit a groundball to the BayBear shortstop but it bounced past him and trickled into left. Featherston stole second and advanced to third after Kruger’s throw to second rolled into center. Nay brought home the insurance run with a single off Matt Custred to extend Pensacola’s lead to 4-2.
For the second consecutive night, Jody Davis called on Alex Powers (S, 15) to close out the win in the ninth. It wasn’t the cleanest inning for the Wahoos closer, as he allowed a walk and a single to bring the winning run to the plate with two outs. However, Spires flew out to TJ Friedl to end the game, which gave Powers his 15th save of the season and the Wahoos Their 61st win of the season.
The Bay to Bay series continues tomorrow night as the Wahoos try to earn a series win against Mobile. RHP Tony Santillan (4-0, 1.78) will put his undefeated record on the line Friday night against RHP Jose Rodriguez (7-9, 5.83).
Century’s Mayor Takes Aim At Former Candidate, Claiming He Wrongly Received A Free House
August 9, 2018
For an update to this story, click here.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins has taken aim at former candidate for mayor that received a free house after an EF-3 tornado hit the town in 2016.
Felic Fussner filed an application for development to construct a privacy fence in the side and rear yards of a home in the 400 block of Front Street. The Century Historic Preservation Board gave him their blessings with a few modifications, with final approval up to the town council. The board also recommended that he be granted a temporary permit to continue to store tools and building materials in a metal freight container on his property for up to 180 days.
Fussner’s home was moved some 6-8 feet off its foundation during the February 2016 tornado. It was one of six replaced using state funding allocated to Escambia County to assist income eligible homeowners.
“I don’t think this man has the right to be jerking people around the chain when we got people out here that needs a house. He never lived in Century. He bought that house on the auction block. He never lived in it,” Hawkins told the Century Town Council.
Fussner was one three other candidates that unsuccessful challenged Hawkins during the 2016 mayor’s race. Fussner received no votes….not a single one of the 333 votes that were cast…perhaps a first in the state.
“He did not qualify because he did not live in the city,” Hawkins said this week.
But according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, Fussner was a qualified candidate. In fact, the county’s canvassing board conducted a hand audit of the paper ballots just to make sure he received no votes.
Hawkins told the county he would “check with the county” in regards to his belief that Fussner should not have received the house.
“I don’t think at this point and time it matters. The house is built; it’s his. The deed is in his name, and it has been since before the tornado. I don’t think asking the county is going to do any good. They qualified him; they took his application. They processed it, and his house is ready to be moved into,” Century Town Planner Debbie Nickles said.
A motion by councilman Luis Gomez to table action on Fussner’s fence passed 4-1, with Brooks voting no.
As for his storage container – Fussner will get to keep it on his property for now.
“We have not had a chance to revise the ordinance that metal shipping containers are not allowed, so at this point and time they are allowed until we change the ordinance,” Nickles said.
Pictured: he Century Historic Preservation Board member Regi Burkett (front left) addresses Felic Fussner (front right) on July 31. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
High Tech Shirts Donated To Northview Football Team To Protect Against Injury
August 9, 2018
The Northview High School Chiefs football team received a donation Wednesday that will help keep them safe on the football field this season.
They will have high tech performance rib shirts under their uniforms. The shirts hold a shield that begins as a soft material, a high-tech polymer, that molds to each individual player’s body, becoming rock hard and protecting the abdomen from injury.
The shield is different than a foam pad that just softens a blow; the impact from a hard hit is dispersed across the entire shield
Ten years ago, Niceville High School football player Taylor Haugen passed away after a hit to his abdomen ruptured his liver. Since then, Taylor’s parents, Brian and Kathy have made it their mission to bring awareness that high school students need to be equipped with the same abdominal protective gear that professionals use.
The Taylor Haugen Foundation has now outfitted all the high schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, along with schools in 13 states nationwide.
“I lost my son 10 years ago to an abdominal injury. It actually crushed his liver during an impact that he sustained during a game,” Kathy Haugen said. “I found out the following year about this particular product, and I’ve been researching and trying to keep up with the technology ever since.”
She said she wants to see the shirts made part of the required high school football protective gear.
“We concentrate heavily on brain injuries and the impact that has, but there are organs down in your abdominal region that you can’t live without. And if you don’t catch some of the tears and injuries, you can also pass away from those.”
The shirts cost about $80 each.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Two Counts Of Child Abuse
August 9, 2018
Kenneth Dale Elder, Jr., age 46, has been charged with two felony counts child abuse.
Elder told two children within his household that they could go outside to a pool and swim, but he warned them not to get dirt in the pool, according to an arrest report.
He then called the children back inside, according to a witness, and began yelling very loudly at them. The witness told deputies that both children returned outside crying with red marks on their faces, and one had red marks on his chest.
The arrest report states that both children said Elder hit them in the face.
Further details, include the age of the children, were redacted from the arrest report.
Elder remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $6,000.
Escambia Animal Shelter Offers Back To School Adoption Specials
August 9, 2018
To celebrate the back to school season, The Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering a special reduced adoption fee of $50 for all dogs and puppies and $20 for all cats and kittens from Wednesday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 8.
Adoption fees include altering of the animal (spay or neutering services), microchip and the initial vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents will be required to purchase a license at the time of adoption. The license is an additional $11 over the adoption fees and is paid separately. Adopters are required to take their new pet to a primary vet within the first week, and owners will be provided a copy of their pets medical record to show the vet.
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at (850) 595-3075
Lawmakers On The Verge Of Rejecting ‘Stand Your Ground’ Session
August 9, 2018
Republicans are on the verge of scuttling an effort by Democrats to hold a special legislative session on the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law.
After three days of polling by the Department of State, 44 House members have voted against the proposed special session, while 25 have voted in favor. Democrat Katie Edwards-Walpole of Plantation has joined House Republicans in opposition, according to results posted by the state agency.To force a special session, the proposal would require three-fifths support in each of the GOP-dominated legislative chambers.
That would equate to 70 members of the House and 24 members of the Senate voting in favor. The vote in the Senate at the end of Wednesday stood at 12 in favor and 11 opposed. The results were along party lines. Legislators have until noon Friday to respond to the polling.
The request to revisit the self-defense law came in response to the shooting death last month of Markeis McGlockton in the parking lot of a Clearwater convenience store. No charges have been filed against the shooter.
Weather Turning A Little Wetter
August 9, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93
DeSantis, Putnam Clash During Debate
August 9, 2018
In their second and final debate for the Republican nomination for governor, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis clashed Wednesday over President Donald Trump, Florida’s water crisis and campaign contributions.
Putnam, a two-term Cabinet member and former member of Congress, accused DeSantis, a three-term member of Congress, of running a campaign light on Florida issues.
Putnam mocked DeSantis — who has appeared frequently on Fox News — for relying heavily on his endorsement from Trump, likening the congressman’s campaign to the Seinfeld comedy show.
“The campaign is being run out of studio. They have a smattering of celebrity guest appearances. And at the end of the day, it’s all about nothing. But unlike Seinfeld, it’s not funny,” Putnam said. “Floridians deserved better than a candidate who makes it all about himself and not about the future of Florida.”
But DeSantis struck back at Putnam, noting he has spent his entire adulthood in a political office and had accused Trump of being “vile” and “obscene” for sexual comments that were reported during the 2016 presidential campaign. He also noted Putnam did not campaign for Trump.
“No one knew where he was during the campaign. Now he acts like he is this big supporter?” DeSantis said. “This is inauthentic. This is a career politician trying to tell you what you want to see, not coming from the heart. He’s already proven he will say and do anything in terms of millions of dollars in fake ads to get elected. It’s not working. But that’s what he’s willing to do.”
Putnam shot back that DeSantis has run for three offices — an abandoned U.S. Senate bid, a congressional election and governor — since 2015.
“He’s run for three offices in three years. That’s a career politician with ADD,” Putnam said.
Some of the toughest exchanges were related to the water crisis that has resulted in the release of toxic algae impacting coastal communities in southwest and southeastern Florida. Many residents blame the bloom on the release of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee.
Putnam defended his response to the crisis, saying he is committed to protecting the state’s water resources, calling it the “golden goose.”
He questioned DeSantis’ knowledge of the problem.
“I think that you can put everything my opponent knows about water on your sticky note and still have room left over for your grocery list,” Putnam said.
And Putnam said Florida has taken the lead on trying to restore the vast South Florida water system, which includes Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, while support from Washington has lagged.
But DeSantis charged that Putnam’s response was shaped by his support from U.S. Sugar, which DeSantis said had pumped millions of dollars of campaign contributions into Putnam’s bid, using some of the money to finance advertising that DeSantis said distorted his congressional record.
“Adam is basically the errand boy for U.S. Sugar,” DeSantis said. “He will not do anything to offend U.S. Sugar, which is his main supporter.”
Putnam said more than 90 percent of his contributions have come from “real Floridians,” while DeSantis’ campaign has drawn support from casino owners and “pornographers on the West Coast.” The latter reference is to a $213,000 donation from Ahmad Khawaja, whose company helps collect payments for various groups, including porn websites.
DeSantis and Putnam also clashed over the congressman’s support for a “fair tax,” which would replace all federal taxes with a national sales tax.
DeSantis accused Putnam of “lying,” since his campaign is running ads accusing the Republican congressman of supporting a major tax increase on Floridians. DeSantis said the fair-tax proposal has strong support from conservatives since it would replace all other federal taxes, including the income tax. He noted the state Senate passed a memorial in support of the proposal in 2014.
Putnam defended his criticism, noting the fair-tax plan would impose a 23 percent sales tax on purchases such as prescription drugs and housing. He said the plan “may sound good in a Harvard economics classroom,” a reference to DeSantis’ law degree, but it would hurt Florida families.
DeSantis said “lefties at Harvard would hate” the fair tax since it would eliminate the federal tax code.
The two Republican candidates, in contrast to their Democratic rivals, were in agreement in opposing the expansion of Medicaid in Florida under the federal Affordable Care Act. They were also in agreement on recent state laws that have expanded the use of charter schools and other school “choice” programs.
The debate was hosted by the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute and WJXT Channel 4.
Republican voters will decide between DeSantis and Putnam in the Aug. 28 primary. The winner will face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 6 general election. Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat, is leaving office because of term limits.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Open Series Over The Mobile Baybears
August 9, 2018
Gavin LaValley powered the offense with four RBI lead and Alex Powers picked up his 14th save of the season as the Wahoos took the series opener against the Mobile BayBears 7-6 Wednesday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Wednesday’s contest against the BayBears was a back-and-forth battle that saw three separate lead changes. It was the BayBears who struck first against Seth Varner (W, 7-2) in large part to some defensive miscues by the Wahoos.
Jahmai Jones opened the scoring by reaching on an error, stealing second base, and then coming home on a wild pitch by Varner to make it 1-0. Later in the inning, Jack Kruger reached on a fly ball that Aristides Aquino lost in the sun. He later scored on Zach Gibbons’ double to center, and Roberto Baldoquin drove him home with a single to make it 3-0 after one.
The Wahoos responded quickly, scoring twice against Joe Gatto in the second inning. After Shed Long walked, Mitch Nay laced a double to put runners at second and third with nobody out. Narciso Crook’s sac fly to center brought home one run, and Gavin LaValley’s RBI-single cut the score down to 3-2.
Pensacola’s big inning came in the sixth when the Wahoos cashed in on some poor pitching by the BayBears. TJ Friedl led off the inning with his first home run of the season, and after Mobile walked the bases loaded, LaValley delivered again a bases-clearing double off Adrian Almeida, which gave the Wahoos a 6-3 lead.
The BayBears answered with three runs of their own to tie the game at 6-6. After a single to Jose Rojas and a two-out walk to Baldoquin, Riley Unroe belted a three-run shot off Varner. Varner struck out Brandon Sandoval to finish his night with six innings of work in the books and six runs (three earned) allowed.
The Wahoos scored the winning run in the seventh. After Friedl, and Taylor Featherston singled, a wild pitch set up the Wahoos with second and third and only one out. Aristides Aquino brought home Friedl with a sac fly to left off Dario Beltre (1-1) to put the Wahoos up by one.
After Zack Weiss pitched two scoreless innings in relief, Alex Powers (S, 14) was called upon in the ninth inning to close out the game. Despite allowing a single to Unroe, Powers struck out two and induced Mitch Spires into a flyout to right to seal the win and give Powers his 14th save of the season.
The Battle of the Bay series continues tomorrow night as the Wahoos try to make it back-to-back wins. RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (8-9, 4.25) will try to return to his winning ways on Thursday, and he will be opposed by RHP Jeremy Beasley (2-3, 3.29).
Wahoos Beat The BayBears
August 9, 2018
In the bottom of the 10th inning with Wahoos trailing 4-3, Narciso Crook delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded to clinch a series win against the BayBears Tuesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With the win, has surpassed Mobile by a half game in the wildcard standings since Biloxi leads the second-half standings. Pensacola only trails the Shuckers by a half game in the second-half standings, with five games to play.
The Wahoos offense got off to a slow start against BayBear starter, Patrick Sandoval. The southpaw pitched only four innings and carved through the Wahoos, striking out eight across four shutout innings. In the fifth, he was lifted for Jason Alexander, and with the Wahoos trailing 1-0, Pensacola tied the game in Alexander’s first frame. Taylor Featherston walked and took third on Luis Gonzalez’s single with nobody out. Chris Okey grounded into a double play, but Featherston scored from third to tie the game.
The BayBears struck for a pair in the sixth against Wyatt Strahan. With two outs, Strahan issued back-to-back walks and then paid the price after Alexis Olmeda doubled home Mitch Ghelfi to give Mobile a 2-1 lead. Connor Justus followed with an RBI single, which was nearly two had Aristides Aquino not thrown out Olmeda at the plate.
Pensacola tied the game in the eighth with an improbable two-out rally. After back-to-back strikeouts from Alexander, TJ Friedl walked before a single from Mitch Nay. With two strikes, Aquino laced a two-run double into the left-field corner, which tied the game at three. The Wahoos had a chance to win it in the ninth after loading the bases with no outs; however, Alexander managed to navigate through the danger without conceding a run.
After the BayBears scored a run in the top of the 10th against Robinson Leyer (W, 5-3), Pensacola used a hit-by-pitch and an infield single to set the stage for Crook’s winner. Pensacola finishes the regular season with a 37-33 record, and for the third consecutive year, the Wahoos finish with a home record above .500.
The Wahoos will hit the road on Wednesday for Kodak, Tenn. in preparation of the regular season finale against the Smokies. LHP Seth Varner (8-3, 3.49) will make his final regular-season start and will be opposed by RHP Matt Swarmer (4-5, 3.53).