Forestry Officials Warn Of Fire Danger As Dry Weather Persists
May 27, 2019
It’s been nearly two weeks since the last appreciable rainfall hit much of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and officials with the Florida’s Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are keeping a wary eye on the weather and the potential for significant wildfires.
While Florida has a year-round wildfire season, it peaks every year between late March and early June and there is a history of large fires in this area surrounding Memorial Day.
On May 25, 2013, a wildfire broke out near Giese Lane in west Pensacola. The 200-acre fire took nine tractor/plow units, multiple aircraft and dozens of fire department apparatus to stop. The fire threatened multiple homes, forced evacuations and closed Dog Track Road, Blue Angel Parkway, US 98 and multiple other secondary roads on a busy holiday weekend.
A similar weather pattern of dry, hot air has established itself in recent weeks and is forecast to continue with no significant chance for rainfall in the forecast.
Despite no significant increases in fires recently, Blackwater officials are urging residents not to burn until rainfall.
“People want to get some work done in the yard, we understand,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “It’s hot, it’s dry and there is a very real potential for big wildfires right now so we’re just asking them to hold off.”
Pictured: A May 2018 wildfire near Weller Avenue in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FHP: Escambia Deputy Injured When Driver Runs Red Light, Crashes Into Patrol Vehicle
May 27, 2019
An Escambia County deputy received minor injuries Sunday morning when a driver crashed into his patrol cruiser before fleeing the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Juan Jose Hernandez Fajardo, 50, was traveling south in the outside lane of Pine Forest Road approaching Wilde Lake Boulevard about 6:32 a.m. when he ran a stop light. Fajardo crashed his Toyota Tundra into the passenger side of the deputy’s Chevrolet Tahoe.
Fajardo then fled on foot, according to troopers. He was later located and booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, no driver’s license and failing to stop at a steady red signal.
The deputy was treated for minor injuries and released from Baptist Hospital.
Fajardo remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning due to a hold from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
DeSantis, Florida Delegation Arrive In Israel For Trade Mission
May 27, 2019
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and delegation of nearly 100 people arrived Sunday in Israel for week of meetings, including a Cabinet meeting and time with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about job creation, business opportunities and education.
The delegation includes top legislative policy makers, business brokers, lobbyist and academic leaders.
The governor’s business development mission will provide Florida with a unique opportunity to strengthen the economic bonds between Florida and Israel, according to the governor’s office. During the mission. DeSantis and Enterprise Florida, Inc. President and CEO Jamal Sowell will meet with Israeli companies to recruit new high-wage jobs and make Florida the destination for Israeli business investment. Florida businesses attending the mission will meet with Israeli businesses in an effort to build relationships and create trade opportunities.
“I am excited to be here in Israel with such a diverse group of Florida leaders who will proudly represent Florida and our great nation on this historic business development mission,” said DeSantis. “This mission will affirm our deep and ongoing partnership with Israel.”
Cabinet members in Israel are Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
Scouts, Barrineau Park 4-H And Other Volunteers Place Flags At Barrancas National Cemetery
May 27, 2019
Hundreds of volunteers, including Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, members of Barrineau Park 4-H (pictured) and others placed flags at reacher marker in Barrancas National Cemetery for Memorial Day. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blankenhorn Caps Wild Wahoos Comeback Win With Ninth Inning Homer
May 27, 2019
In maybe their most memorable win this season, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos pulled off their biggest comeback twice in a wild, stunning 11-10 road win Sunday against the Tennessee Smokies.
Trailing 4-0 early in the game, then 10-4 after six innings, the Blue Wahoos scored seven runs in the final three innings at Smokies Stadium to take the series finale off their five game road series in Tennessee.
While the Smokies took the series 3-2, the Blue Wahoos win Sunday provided a jolt of good vibe for a 500-plus mile trip back to Pensacola. It also kept the Blue Wahoos (30-20) two games ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers, who won Sunday, in the Southern League South Division standings.
After tying the game in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Caleb Hamilton and RBI sacrifice fly by Ernie De La Trinidad, the Blue Wahoos scored the go-ahead run on Travis Blankenhorn’s leadoff home run in the ninth.
It was Blankenhorn’s eighth homer this season and he continued his torrid pace at the plate, going 4-for-6 with four RBI. Since he was promoted to Pensacola on April 26, Blankenhorn leads the Southern League in home runs, slugging (563) and total bases (67).
On the mound, facing a starting pitching shortage, the Blue Wahoos turned to Andro Cutura for his second spot start of the series. Two of Pensacola’s starters, Randy Dobnak and Sean Poppen, have been promoted to AAA over the past two days and two more (Brusdar Graterol and Griffin Jax) have recently gone on the injured list.
Cutura allowed four runs on seven hits, only pitching into the second inning. With two outs in the second, Pensacola turned to Jeff Ames, who stranded two inherited runners and threw 2.0 scoreless.
Cody Stashak and Ryan Mason, who have been strong in relief this season, struggled in succession after replacing Jeff Ames in the fourth inning, combining to allow six runs over 2.1 innings.
Tyler Jay followed with 1.1 scoreless, setting up Williams Ramirez to earn the win with 1.2 hitless innings of relief as the Blue Wahoos bats came alive late.
The Blue Wahoos turned the game’s direction in the seventh while trailing 10-4 when Ben Rortvedthit a two-run homer, then Blankenhorn followed with a two-out, two run, bases-loaded single to score Hamilton and Mark Contreras, who both walked, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 10-8.
In the eighth inning, Mitchell Kranson singled, then Jaylin Davis and Rortvedt were both hit by pitches to load the bases. With the bases jammed, Caleb Hamilton worked a walk to bring home a run and pull Pensacola within one. Ernie De La Trinidad then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 10-10.
Blankenhorn homered leading off the 10th to give Pensacola their first lead of the game at 11-10 and Ramirez retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.
All-in-all, the two teams combined for 31 hits in the game. Pensacola allowed a season-high 19 while knocking 12 themselves.
Kranson finished 3-for-5, joining Blankenhorn as the other Blue Wahoos batter with multiple hits.
After an off-day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos will begin a 10-game homestand on Tuesday as they take on the Mississippi Braves.
Teen Mom, Her Infant Son Found Safe
May 26, 2019
Update: The ECSO says Jamicah Pate and her son are home safe.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a 16-year old and her 9-month old baby that may have been in Cantonment overnight.
Jamicah Pate left home with her son about 6 p.m. Saturday to attend a graduation party at an unknown address in Cantonment. She was picked up by a friend that was driving her to the party, according to Deb Henley, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She was due home around 10:30 p.m.
“Jamicah called her mom around 1:20 a.m. and said she was looking for a ride home. When her mom asked for the address so she could come get them, Jamicah hung up the phone. Jamicah’s phone does not have service and only works if it has wi-fi. While the ECSO does not suspect foul play, due to the young age of the baby, it is asking for help locating Jamicah and her son,” Henley said.
Jamicah Pate was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, light blue leggings, and white/black tennis shoes. Her infant Malakhi Lindsey was wearing a yellow and plaid polo shirt.
If you have any information on Jamicah’s whereabouts or last known location, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Cove Avenue At Nine Mile Closing Tuesday
May 26, 2019
Cove Avenue from Nine Mile Road to Fretz Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 28 through 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 to enable crews to perform roadway construction and drainage improvements. Traffic will be detoured to Bowman Avenue and Fretz Street. 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.
DeSantis Signs Bill Changing Florida Civil Lawsuits
May 26, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill will change how lawsuits are divided between circuit and county counts in Florida.
Currently, the law provided for lawsuits up to $15,000 are heard in the county courts, while larger amounts go to circuit court. The threshold will be increased to $30,000 on January 1, 2020, and increased again to $50,000 in January 2013 under the bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormand Beach.
The $15,000 limit had been in place since 1992.
United Way Of Escambia Celebrates 95 Years; Rebranding With New Name
May 26, 2019
The United Way of Escambia County is rebranding as the United Way of West Florida.
The announcement came this week at “Denim and Diamonds”, their 95th Anniversary Celebration Event at Live Oak Plantation in Beulah.
“It’s important, as we move forward, to have an identity that is representative of both counties that we serve,” President and CEO Laura Gilliam said. “We have a very long history of service as United Way of Escambia County. Our board and staff are excited to move forward, and write our next chapter as United Way of West Florida.”
The United Way of Escambia County Board of Directors recently approved a motion to incorporate Santa Rosa County into the organization’s service area. This came at the request of United Way Worldwide, who approached United Way of Escambia County about assuming the territory.
United Way of Escambia County currently serves more than 313,000 people. Expanding services to include Santa Rosa County will increase that number to more than 480,000 individuals between the two counties. In 2018, the organization generated financial resources in excess of $2.5 million and coordinated more than 45,000 hours of volunteer service.
Wahoos Fall By 5-1 Score For Second Straight Night
May 26, 2019
Travis Blankenhorn led off the game with a home run, but it was the only offense Pensacola would muster as their struggles against Tennessee continued on Saturday night.
The Smokies jumped on Pensacola starter Melvi Acosta, who made his Double-A debut, for eight hits and five runs early in Saturday’s game en route to a 5-1 victory before a crowd of 6,202 at Smokies Stadium.
The win clinched the series for Tennessee (25-23) and became the Blue Wahoos (29-20) sixth loss in the past nine games and their second series loss of the season.
In his first appearance with Pensacola, Acosta got through the first two innings without problem before Vimael Machin hit a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Smokies the lead. The Smokies scored three more runs in the fifth inning after three consecutive hits and a fielding error.
For Pensacola, Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-4, his third multii-hit effort in his last four games, and Ernie De La Trinidad went 2-for-3.
Beyond Blankenhorn’s home run, it was another frustrating game for the team at the plate. The Blue Wahoos had the leadoff batter on base in the fifth through the eighth innings, either by a base hit or an error. Each time, they couldn’t use the opportunity to build a rally.
The Blue Wahoos and Smokies will close out the holiday series on Sunday. After the game, the Blue Wahoos will travel back to Pensacola.
All Southern League teams have Memorial Day Monday off. The Blue Wahoos will then begin a 10-game, two team homestand, beginning on Tuesday against the Mississippi Braves.