Water To Be Turned Off For Hours Along Part Of Muscogee Road
June 17, 2019
**This boil water notice was lifted Friday, June 21**
Water service will be interrupted for several hours Monday night for many Farm Hill Utilities customers.
Water service will turned off at about 8 p.m. along Muscogee Road from Hicks Street to Stinnis Street and be off for an estimated 6-8 hours , according to the utility, due to an Escambia County project.
Upon restoration of service, a precautionary boil water notice will be in effect. All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes should be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
The precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Smokies Top The Blue Wahoos
June 17, 2019
The difficult finish to their first half season left the Pensacola Blue Wahoos ready to embrace the all star break.
In a game Sunday which characterized a rough, past couple weeks, the Blue Wahoos were unable to generate offense in the early innings, then couldn’t produce a bigger rally at the end, resulting in a 3-2 loss against the Tennessee Smokies at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It left the Blue Wahoos (38-32), who had started the year with a franchise-best eight consecutive series wins, having dropped eight of their last 10 games and five of their last six series matchups. They finished three games behind first place Biloxi (41-29) in the Southern League South Division.
“The roster we have, the players are doing their best, but baseball can just happen like that,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego.
After 70 games, mixed with just four days off, the Southern League season takes a three-day pause for all teams before the second half starts on Thursday with reset records back to start point and a new playoff chase.
“Everybody is waiting for this,” said Borrego, as his players quickly dressed to exit for various destinations. “It’s three days break.. Our bullpen will be fresh now. We will have five starters (pitching rotation). For the coaches, too, it will be good to refresh, regroup.”
The Southern League All-Star game is Tuesday night (6:35 p.m.) at MGM Park in Biloxi, Miss, hosted by the Shuckers, whose turn to host the game happened to fall this season.
Three Blue Wahoos players, leading hitter Travis Blankenhorn, right fielder Jaylin Davis and versatile infielder-catcher Caleb Hamilton will be playing in the game.
Borrego said Blankenhorn and Davis will also participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby at MGM Park.
“I’m so excited for them. They earned that,” Borrego said.
Three other Blue Wahoos players, pitchers Griffin Jax, who worked into the fourth inning as Sunday’s starter, along with injured pitchers Brusdar Graterol and Ryan Mason, were named to the South All-Stars, but won’t play due to their health status.
The all-star break is affording Borrego a chance to return to his home in Fort Myers where his wife and children reside. It will be an extended break for Borrego and Justin Willard, one of the team’s two pitching coaches, both of whom are utilizing the Minnesota Twins minor-league staff option to take five additional days off as vacation.
Hitting coach Steve Singleton will manage the team when the second half begins Thursday with a five-game series on the road against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Cibney Bello, the Blue Wahoos, other pitching coach, will be helping as the assistant manager in that series.
Borrego and Willard will resume their roles when the Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola on June 25 to begin a nine-day, two-opponent homestand that ends July 3.
“You get the five days (vacation) and the organization said you can take it any time,” Borrego said. “My plan was to make to the playoffs, go on vacation and have a good time.
“We had chances (to win first half), but we still have the chance now with second half. We will try to get the second half, get in the playoffs and go try to win the (Southern League) championship.”
Borrego said the roster will be bolstered by the return of Alex Kirilloff, the Twins’ No. 2 overall prospect, who joined the team May 2, then went back on the injured list June 3.
“He’ll be ready for that first game (Thursday) back,” Borrego said. “He had live BP (batting practice) yesterday and he looked good, so he will be ready.”
In addition, Borrego expects the return of third baseman Brian Schales, who played only 18 games at the beginning of the season, batting .241, but with 13 RBI and three homers. The Blue Wahoos also figure to have a set pitching rotation, following Griffin Jax’ solid outing Sunday and the boost provided by Brian Sammons and Charlie Barnes, elevated in late May from the Fort Myers Miracle.
And there may be a couple other players added from Fort Myers, the Twins’ High-A affiliate, who led that team to the first half Florida State League division crown.
“We’ll be a different team,” Borrego said. “We’ll be able to build with different players.”
The Blue Wahoos were hoping to finish with a series win Sunday, amid a sun-splashed crowd of 4,348 which pushed the team’s first half attendance past 148,000 – third best in the Southern League behind much larger Jacksonville and Birmingham.
The game was scoreless until Tennessee (33-36) pushed across a run in the fourth inning off Jax, the Air Force Academy graduate, who had his longest outing since May 16. With two runners on, none out, Jax got the next two batters out, then Andro Cutura, a spot starter, followed by ending the inning on a strikeout.
“I am so happy for him. I like what I saw,” said Borrego on Jax’ outing. “We missed this guy in the first half with a couple outings, because of injury. But I think he’s back, so I was glad to see him pitching really well and we will be fine with him for the second half.”
The Smokes scored two runs in the seventh inning off Cutura on Roberto Cara’s two-run single.
But in the bottom of the seventh, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with one out. Jordan Gore drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Tanner English hit an RBI single. But the inning ended when Blankenhorn struck out.
The Blue Wahoos had two runners on in the eight with one out, but Smokies reliever Tommy Nance ended the inning by getting Jimmy Kerrigan and Michael Davis to fly out.
In the ninth, the Blue Wahoos went down in order against Nance.
“We’re trying to put the offenses together in these last couple games, but it didn’t happen,” said Borrego, whose team lost 2-1 Saturday night. All five games in the series were decided by one run and the first three games went into extra-innings.
English and Randy Cesar both had two hits apiece for the Blue Wahoos, who had only six in the game.
Molino Park Elementary Presents Grade 3-5 Awards
June 17, 2019
Below are end of the year award winners in grades 3-5 at Molino Park Elementary School. For grades Pre-K to 2, click here.
THIRD GRADE
A/B Honor Roll
Landon Brown
Gracyn Campbell
Jakob Cutting
Ruby Driver
Carmen Garcia
Nicole Garcia
Allison Penton
Maximus Ridgley
Tucker Scully
Presley Spikes
Alenta Staneart
Esabella Suratos
Good Citizenship
Aadan Adams
Addie Adams
Kaiden Barfield
Addysen Bolen
Rhianna Buttittia
Micah Callender
Gracyn Campbell
Hunter Chance
Christopher Croll
Jakob Cutting
Anthony Davis
Ruby Driver
Devyn Dyer
Carmen Garcia
Nicole Garcia
Makaylah Gerrits
Jordyn Gibbs
Kensee Gibson
Will Gilmore
Jaylie Hall
Brylee Hassebrock
Elizabeth Hewett
Aubrey Jacobi
Skylar Kerns
Kimree Martin
Emily Maughon
Allison Penton
Maximus Ridgley
Tucker Scully
Wyatt Sisson
McKinley Shoemo
Presley Spikes
Tucker Spruill
Alena Staneart
Esabella Suratos
Abigail Williams
Christopher
Williams-McFarlain
Perfect Attendance
Micah Callender
Jayden Gibson
Taleah McNeal
Most AR Points
Nicole Garcia
Brylee Hassebrock
Christopher
Williams-McFarlain
McKinley Shoemo
Most Improved – Reading
Anthony Davis
Jordyn Gibbs
Most Improved – Math
Jaylie Hall
Elizabeth Hewett
Most Improved
Randy Jackson
Sunshine Math Team
Preston Belongia
Micah Callender
Ruby Driver
Carmen Garcia
Ashleigh Grimm
Maximus Ridgley
Tucker Scully
Esabella Suratos
Multiplication Facts Master
Taleah McNeal
Maximus Ridgley
Alena Staneart
Esabella Suratos
Science Olympiad
Preston Belongia
Ruby Driver
Carmen Garcia
Brylee Hassebrock
Aubrey Jacobi
Gavin Switzer
Battle of the Books
Addysen Bolen
Nicole Garcia
Emily Maughon
FOURTH GRADE
A Honor Roll
Brielle Garcia
Savannah Gilmore
Addison Parsons
A/B Honor Roll
Sam Arnold
Auna Arredondo
Jayden Arredondo
Camden Borelli
Bailey Burkette
Autumn Dinkle
Cooper Halfacre
Isabella Joiner
Darla Massey
Aydan Nigam
Cadence Rodgers
Ethan Thompson
Christian Ward
Brooklynn White
Perfect Attendance
Camden Borelli
Christian Callendar
Good Citizenship
Sam Arnold
Auna Arredondo
Jayden Arredondo
Grace Barraclough
Isis Bates
Camden Borelli
Bailey Burkette
Christian Callendar
Cortez Chambers
Asher Creighton
Autumn Dinkle
Joseph Douglas
Aidden Edmonson
Jagger Etheridge
Kobi Fiorenti
Brielle Garcia
Khloe Gibson
Savannah Gilmore
Annabella Grant
Cooper Halfacre
Taylor Hart
Laedin Jordan
Nicholas Kahalley
Jayden Knight
Ali Langley
Joseph Lister
Elizabeth Madden
Adalynn Manning
Darla Massey
McKinsey Mayne
London McAnally
John Parker Miller
Emily Moraes
Aydan Nigam
Grace Oliver
Addison Parsons
Addison Pitts
Kira Reed
Elias Ridgley
Cadence Rodgers
Cheyenne Rouse
Adlynn Salmon
Ethan Thompson
Rayna Thompson
Christian Ward
Raleigh Warr
Brooklynn White
FIFTH GRADE
A- Citizenship
Destiny Abrams
Taylor Anderson
Natalie Andrews
Madison Bosko-Doyle
Alyssa Brooks
Ayden Crabtree
Garrett Crabtree
Shay Crosby
Lily Driver
Nathan Duffy
Caden Eady
Connor Gerrits
Kamryn Gibbs
John Hatch
Raegan Holley
Austin Jackson
Maryjane Kata
Gus Leatherberry
Dallas McCarthy
Macy Miller
Mary Oliver
Alexia Olson
Noel Pugh
Ana Randall
Ryleigh Sampey
Aryanna Smith
Chase Smith
Sophia St. Cyr
Jordon Thibodeaux
Lysaiah White
Kailyn Wiggins
A/B- Honor Roll
Destiny Abrams
Jack Boutwell
Alyssa Brooks
Andrew Brown
Caden Eady
John Hatch
Connor Gerrits
Gus Leatherberry
Macy Miller
Mary Oliver
Aryanna Smith
A- Honor Roll
Ayden Crabtree
Lily Driver
Austin Jackson
Ana L Vidak
Ayden Crabtree
Lily Driver
Perfect Attendance
Ayden Crabtree
Raegan Holley
Austin Jackson
Noel Pugh
ECCT Student of the Year
Lysaiah White
Shining Star
Larry Chambers
Cox Hero Award
Aryanna Smith
Sons of the American Revolution Award
Lily Driver
Ayden Crabtree
Alexia Olson
Cameron Bodiford
Alyssa Brooks
Ona Spinks
William Nowlin
Spelling Bee Winner
Ayden Crabtree
Sunshine Math Participation
Caden Eady – Participant
Sunshine Math Team
Ayden Crabtree
Lily Driver
Austin Jackson
Alabama Pursuit Ends With Crash In Florida; Driver Airlifted To The Hospital
June 16, 2019
A man being pursued by Alabama deputies crossed in Florida and crashed his van into a tree just west of Century late Saturday evening.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on the van in Alabama, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson, when the driver crossed the state line into Florida. The man continued south on Creamer Road about eight-tenths of a mile. He failed to stop at a stop sign before crossing over Highway 4A and crashing into a tree about 6:30 p.m..
The man, whose identity has not been released, was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. An update on his condition was not available.
Jackson said he the traffic stop originated because the man was believed to have outstanding warrants in Alabama. He also said his department will be seeking additional warrants related the pursuit.
In addition to the Escambia (AL) Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (FL) EMS and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash site. The Florida Highway Patrol did not respond to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Cowboys And Cowgirls Place In Alabama State Rodeo Finals
June 16, 2019
Several North Escambia cowboys and cowgirls place in the Alabama state rodeo finals recently.
Four Ernest Ward Middle School students placed as follows as of year-end:
- Leila Mason finished 9th in pole bending
- Riley Blackwell Finished 5th in barrel racing; 10th pole bending; and 6th in goat tying
- Cody Pugh 3rd bareback steer riding
- Wyatt Jarvis finished 4th in chute dogging; 9th in breakaway roping, 3rd in all around rookie
At the high school level, the following Northview students placed as of year-end:
- Brianna Pugh finish the year 4th in breakaway; 6th in goat tying; and average champion in goats for the finals.
- Gracie Brasch finished 3rd in pole bending; and second in the average for pole bending for the finals.
And homeschool student Ashley Henderson of Pensacola: Alabama state champion breakaway roper and second place in the average; state champion barrel racer and finals average winner; 5thin pole bending; and was re-elected for a second term as the AHSRA student president. She also won the coral boots courage and caring award.
Pugh, Brasch and Henderson have qualified for and will be competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in their respective events in July.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 16, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 30 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood and Captain Glover were on water patrol in the Pensacola Pass when they stopped a vessel coming in from off shore with fishing gear present on the vessel. While conducting a fisheries inspection the officers found two undersized cobia on board the vessel. Two of the vessel occupants admitted to catching the cobia and were issued citations for taking undersized cobia.
Officer Allgood and Captain Glover were on patrol when they saw a vessel violating a wake zone and driving in an erratic manner cutting across other vessels’ paths on several occasions. The officers conducted a stop to address the violations and saw several indicators of impairment. Officer Allgood administered field sobriety tasks and determined that the operator was impaired. Officer Allgood arrested the operator for operating a vessel while normal faculties were impaired and transported him to the Escambia County Jail.
Officers Long and Clark were on vessel patrol at Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola when they saw a vessel violate a wake zone. After conducting a stop to address the violation, the officers detected several indicators of impairment. After field sobriety tasks, the officers placed the operator under arrest for operating a vessel while normal faculties were impaired and transported him to the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Lieutenant Berryman received information that a subject fishing on the Pensacola fishing pier caught an oversized red drum and placed it in his cooler. Lieutenant Berryman arrived at the pier a few minutes later and located the subject in question who possessed a 34-inch red drum. Lieutenant Berryman issued the subject a citation for taking an oversized red drum.
Captain Glover and Officer Ramos were on vessel patrol in the Santa Rosa sound and conducted a resource inspection on a boat returning from offshore. The two occupants appeared nervous and during questioning admitted they had harvested a red snapper even though they knew it was closed season. A large red snapper was seized and a notice to appear was issued to the vessel operator.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Gulf Power Foundation Awards Nearly $1 Million in Grants To Nonprofits
June 16, 2019
The Gulf Power Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in grants to community groups through the Amplify! Northwest Florida program.
The grants supports nonprofit organizations in continuing to implement effective programs within the Gulf Power service area.
Recipients include:
- ARC of the Emerald Coast
- The Arc Gateway, Inc.
- Baptist Health Care Foundation, Inc.
- Basic of Northwest Florida
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Inc.
- Boys and Girls Club of Bay County, Inc.
- Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Inc.
- Children in Crisis, Inc.
- Children’s Home Society
- Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College Foundation
- Community Action Program, Inc.
- Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.
- Dixon School of the Arts
- Emerald Coast Science Center, Inc.
- Epps Christian Center, Inc.
- Every Child a Reader in Escambia, Inc.
- Feeding the Gulf Coast
- Florida Wildlife Federation
- Food4Kidz, Inc.
- Fresh Start for Children & Families
- Girls Inc. of Bay County
- LEAD Coalition of Bay County, Inc.
- The Longleaf Alliance
- March of Dimes, Inc.
- The Nature Conservancy
- PACE Center for Girls, Inc.
- Pathways for Change, Inc.
- Second Chance of Northwest Florida, Inc.
- Shelter House, Inc.
- South Santa Rosa Interfaith Ministries
- Special Olympics Florida, Inc.
- St. Andrew Bay Center, Inc.
- Studer Community Institute
- University of West Florida – GeoData Center
- WSRE-TV Foundation, Inc.
- Youth Village, Inc.
The Gulf Power Foundation is funded entirely through resources independent of Gulf Power’s customers.
Florida Retailers Expect Father’s Day Spending To Total $133 Per Dad
June 16, 2019
The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) says Florida families will spend an average of $133 per person for Father’s Day, the second highest in survey history with special events, clothing, gift cards and electronics leading the way as gift choices.
“Consumer confidence remains high, unemployment is at a 10-year low, and our state’s economy remains strong which means Floridians have more money in their pocket to spend on fathers this year,” said FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley. “The retail industry remains robust, and I’m excited about what these spending numbers mean for our member retailers this year.”
The survey found 47 percent of consumers plan to give a “special outing” gift, such as a concert, sporting event or dinner. This category represents the largest share of spending.
Over half of those surveyed plan to buy for their fathers or stepfathers (53 percent) followed by husbands (27 percent) and sons (10 percent).
Escambia Vehicle Burglar Gets 15 Years In Prison
June 16, 2019
An Escambia County Main
Domonic Marquis Culliver was convicted by a jury of attempted burglary and grand theft. He was immediately sentenced by Judge Thomas Dannheisser to 15 years in state prison.
On July 14 2018, police responded to a vehicle burglary at Babe’s on North Davis Highway. Culliver walked southbound from there to a parking lot. Once in the parking lot, Culliver attempted to pull on the door handle
of two vehicles, the doors were locked.
Culliver then turned and walked up to a third vehicle, a Cadillac Escalade in which he obtained access into the vehicle and stole $530 cash from the center console. Culliver then fled on foot and jumped a fence in the rear of the building. The incident was captured on surveillance camera.
On July 24 Dominic Culliver was identified as the suspect and ultimately arrested.
Culliver has prior vehicle burglary convictions and is currently on Alabama probation for robbery.
Culliver also has another case currently pending where he is charged with robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Blue Angel Parkway
June 15, 2019
A pedestrian was a struck and killed early Saturday morning on Blue Angel Parkway in Escambia County.
Edgar Lloyd Proctor, age 56 of Pensacola, was traveling east on Blue Angel near Mobile Highway at 3:25 a.m. when his pickup truck hit a pedestrian walking west in the same lane, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The pedestrian was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The name of the pedestrian has not been released pending notification of next of kin. No charges were immediately filed.
File photo.