Wahoos Can’t Break Losing Streak With Birmingham
July 8, 2019
The Blue Wahoos held leads three times Sunday in effort to break a losing streak against the Birmingham Barons.
In each case, prosperity was short-lived.
For the third time in this series, the Blue Wahoos suffered a walk-off loss, but the one Sunday occurred in the most bizarre way, after reliever Zack Weiss’ two out, wild pitch in the 10th inning caromed down the left field line, allowing two runs to score in the Barons’ 6-5 win at Regions Field in Birmingham.
It became the fourth consecutive loss for the Blue Wahoos (9-9 second half), after they entered the road trip on a six-game win streak.
The Barons (13-5 second half), who had the Southern League’s worst record in the first half, won their eighth consecutive home game, their 11th overall in the past 12 games.
Birmingham’s eight-game home win streak is the club’s longest in six years. The Barons and Blue Wahoos will play again Monday and Tuesday as part of a six-game series.
The Blue Wahoos loss continued their recent struggles on the road. They have now lost 12 of their last 14 road games.
They seemed in position for a breakthrough Sunday. Trailing 4-2 in the ninth, they tied the game with singles. Mark Contreras led off the ninth with a base hit. Joe Cronin followed with a single. Aaron Whitehead moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
Jordan Gore grounded out to first, allowing Contreras to score. Travis Blankenhorn came through again with a big hit, this time his two-out, RBI single to right field tied the game.
After Blue Wahoos’ reliever Hector Lujan, who pitched two scoreless innings Sunday, retired the Barons with a double-play after two batters reached on singles, the game went extra innings.
In the 10th, Alex Kirilloff began on second base in the MILB extra-inning format. Lewin Diaz drove him home with a double. But Birmingham reliever Hunter Schryver retired the next three batters to keep it a one-run game.
Weiss started the bottom of the 10th in relief of Lujan. He walked Joel Booker, after Luis Gonzalez was placed on second base. Blake Rutherford singled to load the bases.
Weiss then got Gavin Sheets, the Barons’ hottest hitter, to ground into a double play that began with a force out at home.
One out away from a win, calamity ensued. Weiss’ pitch got away from catcher Ben Rortvedt and the ball bounced down the line allowing Booker to score, then Rutherford, who kept running and beat the throw to the plate.
The game began three hours earlier with Kirilloff blasting a first-inning, solo home run, his second in three days.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Charlie Barnes held that lead until Birmingham tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Sheets hit a solo homer, his 11th HR this season. It also extended his on-base streak to 25 games. He is rated the No. 17 prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization by MLB Pipeline.
The Blue Wahoos regained the lead in the fifth inning when Joe Cronin’s double was followed by Jordan Gore’s one-out double.
But in the sixth inning, the Barons knocked Barnes out of the game after Booker and Rutherford singled and Sheets hit a run-scoring double. Alex Phillips replaced Barnes and got the first out, but gave up an RBI signled to Damek Tomscha, then a ground ball out that scored Sheets with the third run of the inning.
It stayed 4-2 until the eventful ninth and 10th innings.
Four Blue Wahoos players had multiple hits among the team’s 12 for the game. Blankenhorn, Kirilloff, Contreras and Cronin all had two hits. Eight of the Blue Wahoos batters reached base at least once in the game.
The vital statistic again was the Blue Wahoos finishing the game 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
The series continues Monday with the Blue Wahoos’ Jorge Alcala (5-5, 5.81 ERA) going against Birmingham’s Matt Tomshaw (3-4, 3.29).
The good news for the Blue Wahoos is their road woes haven’t cost a big drop in the standings. Jacksonville (10-8) leads the South Division, but the other four teams are within three games. Pensacola and Biloxi are tied for second with 9-9 records.
Girlfriend Charged With Murder After Man Found Stabbed In Cantonment
July 7, 2019
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A man was found stabbed late Saturday night in Cantonment, and his girlfriend has been charged with his death.
Ja’Quoia XiaXiana Collins, 24, stabbed her boyfriend in the chest outside the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in the 800 block of North Highway 29 shortly before midnight, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The approximately 21-year old male was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later died.
The victim’s name and further details have not yet been released as the investigation continues.
Collins is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Temporary Closure Of Cove Avenue At Nine Mile Road
July 7, 2019
Cove Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 until 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 for drainage improvements.
Traffic will be detoured to West 9 1/2 Mile Road and Fowler Avenue. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Individual Dies Shortly After Arrest In Santa Rosa County
July 7, 2019
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after an individual died at the hospital a few hours after his arrest.
About 9 p.m. Friday, Santa Rosa deputies located and arrested a suspect in a felony grand theft, burglary and criminal mischief investigation. Shortly after being taken into custody, the suspect began to have an unspecified medical emergency and was transported to the hospital by Lifeguard EMS. Just after midnight, the individual was medically cleared and was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Back at the jail, the individual had another medical emergency and was transported once again to a local hospital. The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office later learned the person had died at the hospital.
The name of the individual is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Industrial Hemp Growing In Florida First Time In Decades, Planting Seeds For New Crop
July 7, 2019
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) industrial hemp pilot project has passed a critical milestone towards understanding the potential of growing hemp throughout Florida.
Hemp plants have been planted at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead Florida and at the UF/IFAS Agronomy Forage Research Unit in Hague, Florida — the first hemp plants to be legally grown in the state since the 1950s. Multiple UF/IFAS sites are actively participating in the pilot project. Researchers are looking to identify hemp varieties suitable for planting in Florida, develop industrial hemp management practices for growing hemp in the state’s diverse growing environments and also assess the risk of hemp being an invasive plant that could potential pose a risk to Florida’s landscapes.
“Industrial hemp is a diverse multi-use crop with applications in bioplastics, building material, food, textiles and forage,” said assistant professor of agronomy Zachary Brym, who is leading the University of Florida Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. “Early Americans grew hemp and used it to make clothing, paints, ink, paper, rope, wagon covers, the list just goes on.”
One aspect of UF/IFAS research aims to produce plants with a high level of Cannabidiol extract, or CBD, not only to meet growing market needs but also to find suitable cash crops for Florida farmers. Additional aspects include identifying plants that will have food and fiber uses.
Industrial hemp is a Cannabis sativa plant with less than 0.3 percent of THC, which is the psychoactive chemical that, at a higher level, defines marijuana. Currently, authorization for hemp production is limited to the University of Florida and Florida A & M University. The project requires approval at multiple levels including federal and state agencies, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the university boards of trustees.
The UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka is propagating plants in a greenhouse environment. “Given its versatility, industrial hemp could be a crop of exceptional potential for Florida farmers,” said Roger Kjelgren, UF/IFAS MREC director. “We are excited to be at the forefront of the university’s research efforts and are excited for the opportunity to contribute to this project.”
A total of eleven researchers from seven departments and the College of Pharmacy are engaged in the pilot project. Research activities include three outdoor production locations in Homestead, Hague and Quincy. These locations will conduct a replicated trial of more than 40 varieties of hemp, including grain, fiber, and CBD types. The goal is to gather the most basic information necessary for the initial design and economic assessment of hemp growing systems for regions across the state of Florida. The UF Gainesville campus is involved in assessing the invasion risk that the plant has for Florida’s natural environment. Work to screen hemp for nematode and mildew susceptibility has begun at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma.
Expanding the scope of research to additional research objectives has been facilitated by private industry donations and internal IFAS support.
Looking To Cool Off The Kids? Century’s Splash Pad Is Back To Extended Hours
July 7, 2019
Looking to cool off the kids? Century’s splash pad is now back to extended summer hours from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Late last month, the town cut the splash pad hours due to a vendor programming error with a timer valve that allows the water to flow, but that’s now been repaired.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Birmingham Barons Beat The Wahoos
July 7, 2019
The Blue Wahoos missed several chances early in Saturday’s game against Birmingham to build a lead.
It cost them in the end.
For the second time in three games, the Birmingham Barons celebrated a walkoff win, after Joel Booker hit a two-out, RBI single in the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory against the Blue Wahoos and a third straight win in this weekend series at Regions Field in Birmingham.
The Barons (12-5 second half) continued their hot start in the second half, winning for the 10th time in the past 11 games as Southern League North Division leaders.
Trailing 4-2 in the eighth inning, the Blue Wahoos (9-8 second half) tied the game on Brian Schales’ two-run homer. They had a chance to get another run when Lewin Diaz walked and Brian Navarreto had a two-out single, but reliever Alec Hansen struck out Mark Contreras to end the inning.
In the top of the ninth against Birmingham’s third reliever, Danny Dopico, a repeat scenario occurred. With two out, Travis Blankenhorn, who had a big night going 3-for-3, walked and Alex Kirilloff singled, but Dopico struck out Schales to end the threat.
In the bottom of the ninth, Alfredo Gonzalez led off with a single against reliever Sam Clay. Ramon Torres moved the runner over on a sacrifice bunt. Clay threw a wild pitch to send Gonzalez to third. After Clay struck out Luis Gonzalez for the second out, Blue Wahoos manager summoned Anthony Vizcaya to pitch to Booker.
On a 1-2 pitch, Booker delivered the game-winner.
The game started with Blue Wahoos leadoff batter Travis Blankenhorn smashing his 16th homer over the right field wall. From that point, the Blue Wahoos had runners on base in four of the first six innings, but could not get another run.
They were 1-for-8 in the game with runners in scoring position.
Blue Wahoos starter Randy Dobnak pitched out of trouble in the first three innings, allowing just one run. He then retired the next nine Birmingham batters in order through the sixth inning.
But in the seventh, Dobnak gave up a lead off double against Damek Tomscha. With one out, Alfredo Gonzalez reached on a fielder’s choice when Tomscha beat a throw home from shortstop Jordan Gore.
Torres followed with a double against Dobnak to put runners on second and third. Clay entered the game and got Luis Gonzalez to hit a grounder to the mound and he threw out Alfredo Gonzalez at the plate.
But with two out, a wild pitch scored Torres. Clay hit Booker with a pitch to put runners on first and second. Blake Rutherford then doubled to score the third run and give Birmingham its 4-2 lead.
The Blue Wahoos were outhit 10-8 in the game. Blankenhorn had a big game, going 3-for-3, scoring two runs, driving in a run and twice reaching base on walks. Kirilloff went 2-for-5.
The teams will continue their six-game series on Sunday. Charlie Barnes is scheduled to start for the Blue Wahoos.
Sheriff Morgan, Concerned About Child Porn, Seeks To Limit Access To Evidence In ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit
July 6, 2019
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan was deposed Friday afternoon in a federal lawsuit claiming he had knowledge of a sex ring and attempted to influence an internal investigation. Citing concerns over child pornography, he also filed paperwork seeking to limit access to electronic devices belonging to suspects.
Friday, Morgan filed an answer to a request by the plaintiff to access cell phones and computers that were used in the 2015 prosecutions of Leah Manning, Doug Manning and former deputy Walter Thomas in a sex case. The phones are still held in evidence by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Morgan is being sued by the Manning’s twin adult daughters. They were involved as minors in sexual activities that led to the convictions of both Mannings and Thomas. The lawsuits allege Morgan “tolerated the sexual activities” with deputies and other ECSO employees “because of his friendship and personal relationship with mother (Leah Manning).” Morgan is denying all allegations against him.
Friday, Chief United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Timothy ordered attorneys for the plaintiffs and Morgan essentially to talk and work out an agreement by 5 p.m. Monday.
Morgan contends that the phones could contained child pornography not discovered in 2015.
“The same software used in 2015 to extract the data from the electronic devices in question is not the same system used today,” the court filing says. “Due to the nature of the cases involving the Plaintiffs and new software technology being used to extract data, there is a chance that reprocessing the electronic devices may reveal information that could contain child pornography. By using new extraction technology it could result in the unveiling of inappropriate images of minors through programs such as Kik and Snapchat used by the minor children. There is a prohibition under Florida law for the reproduction of child pornography.”
Morgan is asking the the evidence be reviewed at the Sheriff’s Office with conditions to avoid any potential violations of law concerning child pornography, and “since there is always a risk associated with potential loss of data when reviewing original devices in evidence” the State Attorney’s Office and defense counsel for Thomas be notified.
Morgan wants the phones be reprocessed by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee in the presence of a witness for the plaintiff. The sheriff is also asking that no copies be made of any new downloads to avoid the potential transmission of child pornography.
Tales for Tails: Volunteers Read To Dogs, Cats At Shelter During Fireworks
July 6, 2019
Ten-year old Jubilee Lampron of Cantonment spent her Fourth of July night with about 75 other volunteers reading to the dogs and cats at the Escambia County Animal Shelter to help keep them calm as fireworks boomed.
The animal shelter hosted Tales for Tails for two hours Thursday night.
“I felt like it was important to read and talk to the shelter dogs because they needed a comforting distraction from the loud noises of the fireworks,” Jubilee said. “They are already in an unfamiliar environment so I wanted to spend my Fourth of July loving on them and giving them good memories. They were all so sweet and I hope people come down and find a new family member.”
Jubile was joined by her mother, Miranda Lampron, during the event. The family adopted their dog Liberty five years ago on July 3.
Pictured top: Jubilee Lampron of Cantonment reads to a dog the night of Independence Day at the Escambia County Animal Shelter for “Tales for Tails”. Also pictured: Other volunteers read aloud at the shelter. Photos for NorthEscambia, click to enlarge.
Suspect Dead in Pensacola Officer Involved Shooting
July 6, 2019
A Pensacola man was shot by police and later died Friday afternoon.
Pensacola Police said two officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from a car. They attempted a traffic stop, but the driver would not stop. Police said it was not a high speed chase, and they observed narcotics being thrown out of vehicle window.
The SUV driver eventually stopped at C and Brainerd streets where the two Pensacola Police officers attempted to make an arrest. A fight ensued, and a suspect managed to disarm an officer. The second officer fired his weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect was later pronounced deceased at a Pensacola hospital.
The man’s name has not yet been released. No officers were injured.
The officer involved shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.