Gillum Picks King As Democratic Running Mate
September 7, 2018
Doubling down on his appeal to progressive voters, Andrew Gillum on Thursday picked former primary rival Chris King as his running mate on the Democratic ticket for governor.
Gillum and his wife, R. Jai, joined King and his wife, Kristen, to make the announcement in a live session on Facebook.
Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, said his first criteria in picking Chris King, who is a Winter Park businessman, was selecting a running mate who could step in as governor if necessary.
“But we also talked about the fact that this is a difficult journey. It’s hard. It’s difficult work at times. And what we want to do not only in this race, but when we win the race for governor, is have a partner in helping to lead this state,” Gillum said.
The Gillum-King partnership is founded on a lot of similarities. Both candidates ran as outspoken progressives in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary, embracing such issues as the expansion of Medicaid, the legalization of marijuana, gun control, criminal justice reform and a $15-an-hour minimum wage.
Gillum, the first African-American nominated for governor by a major party in Florida, was the surprise victor in the primary, winning the race with 34.4 percent of the vote. King, making his first bid for elected office, finished in fifth place with 2.5 percent.
After campaigning for nearly a year and half against him, King said he developed a friendship with Gillum.
“This is not a political marriage. This is not a marriage of convenience,” King said. “I came to admire him. His gifts, his talents and most importantly his vision for the state of Florida, to lift up families all across the state who have not had a champion like Mayor Gillum, who have not had someone who has spoken up to issues that the current leadership just doesn’t care about.”
In addition to their politics, the two Democrats mirror each other in other ways. Both are 39 years old. They each have families with three children. Their wives have played key roles in their campaigns.
“When we met Chris and Kristen, we saw that they had those same values, partnership, more importantly, your family, your faith, things that are really important to us as well. I’m just so excited,” R. Jai Gillum said.
One difference between the two candidates is their personal finances. During the primary, Gillum often remarked he was the only “non-millionaire” in the race. King reported a net worth of $17 million in June and spent more than $4 million of his own money during the election.
King’s prosperity is a result of a company, Elevation Financial Group, that he started and has developed affordable-housing projects, an issue important to both candidates.
“We have to do everything that we can to ensure access to accessible and affordable housing for more people in this state,” Gillum said.
Gillum’s decision to join forces with King, rather than some of his more centrist primary rivals, like Gwen Graham or Philip Levine, is another sign that his unprecedented campaign remains committed to trying to energize the progressive base of the party.
Gary Yordon, a Tallahassee-based Democratic political consultant who supported Graham in the primary, called Gillum’s selection of King a surprise.
“It’s surprising because everybody keeps thinking Andrew’s going to pivot more towards the center, and he’s just not,” Yordon, who did some work for Gillum more than a decade ago, told The News Service of Florida on Thursday.
Adding King to the ticket “solidifies where he is as a progressive,” Yordon said of Gillum.
“I think it is another brick in that foundation. This is the campaign it’s going to be, and he’s all in. I think the Chris King pick just says, yep, this is where we are,” he said. “To me, it’s a little bit refreshing to find someone who didn’t try and be something he’s not for a campaign.”
But Gillum’s embrace of the progressive wing of his party is opening up attacks from Republicans, who are characterizing him as too liberal for mainstream Florida voters.
“Andrew Gillum’s choice of Chris King is being heralded by national media outlets as ‘the most liberal in state history,’ and we agree,” said state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.
Ingoglia also contrasted the Democratic ticket with Republican nominee Ron DeSantis’ decision to pick state Rep. Jeanette Nunez, a Cuban-American lawmaker from Miami, as his running mate.
“This socialist-progressive ‘dream team of bad ideas’ has a total of zero legislative experience, and it shows,” Ingoglia said about Gillum and King.
by The News Service of Florida
Gutierrez Powers Wahoos To 4-1 Win In Game 2
September 7, 2018
In the biggest game of the Wahoos season, one of the Reds best pitching prospects turned in his best performance of the season. Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 1-0) turned in seven strong innings and drove in two as the Wahoos defeated the Shuckers 4-1 Thursday night to even the Southern League South Division Series.
Before Gutierrez ever toed the rubber, the Wahoos had the lead. Jose Siri doubled off the first pitch from Thomas Jankins (L, 0-1) and after a bunt single from TJ Friedl, Mitch Nay delivered an RBI groundout to put the Wahoos up 1-0. After a single from Gavin LaValley, the Wahoos doubled their lead behind Shed Long’s sac fly to make it 2-0.
Irrespective of Pensacola’s quick start, Thursday was all about Gutierrez. Corey Ray led off the home half of the first with a shallow fly ball to center field that escaped past a diving Siri. Instead of taking the double, Ray tried to take third base but was thrown out after a beautiful relay throw by Taylor Featherston for the first out. After that play, Gutierrez retired 19 of the next 20 Shuckers that came to the plate, including 12 straight.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Wahoos manufactured a pair of runs thanks to solid execution and a little bit of good fortune. With Miguel Sanchez in the game and LaValley down in the count 0-2, the Wahoos first baseman managed to draw a leadoff walk. After a wild pitch moved LaValley to second, Taylor Featherston struck out but reached after the pitch escaped catcher Tyler Heineman for another wild pitch. After Chris Okey struck out for the first, Featherston advanced to second on Sanchez’s third wild pitch of the inning. Gutierrez hit for himself and laced a double to right-center for his first professional RBI’s to give the Wahoos a 4-1 lead.
After picking up two quick outs in the bottom of the inning, Troy Stokes Jr singled and stole second base. He later scored on a double from Lucas Erceg to cut Pensacola’s lead down to 4-1. However, Biloxi would get no closer in game two. After finding the first out in the eighth, Jody Davis went to the bullpen and brought in Carlos Navas (S, 1), who retired the final five outs of the game to give Pensacola a critical win in the series. The victory snaps a six-game losing streak to the Shuckers and it is Pensacola’s first ever playoff win in four tries against Biloxi.
Game three of the South Division Series will begin Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium at 6:35. Because Biloxi won both halves, this is the only game in the series that will be played in Pensacola. RHP Tony Santillan will have the chance to give the Wahoos a 2-1 series lead and he will be opposed by RHP Trey Supak.
Man Charged With Stealing Guns, Later Captured After Manhunt
September 6, 2018
A Walnut Hill man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing several firearms from a home near McDavid and later running from deputies.
Christopher Occie McCullough, 34, was charged with armed burglary, six counts of grand theft of a firearm, criminal mischief, loitering and prowling, and resisting.
McCullough allegedly forced his way into a home in the 500 block of West Bogia Road and stole 11 firearms and a gold men’s wedding band with a total value of $6,000 on July 24.
On August 7, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Alabama authorities after a tip from a woman led the Monroeville County (AL) Sheriff’s Office to eight firearms hidden in a tool storage box in the attic of an old abandoned house in Franklin, AL. The guns were later positively identified as belonging to the Bogia Road victim.
On August 13, the 21st Judicial Task Force conducted an operation at the Greenlawn Motel in Atmore. The suspect completed a sworn written statement indicating she had firsthand knowledge of an armed burglary that occurred in McDavid on July 24. The female suspect was charged with multiple drug offenses and carrying a concealed weapon.
When Escambia County (FL) investigators interviewed her at the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, she stated that she met with the burglary victim at the CVS in Century and borrowed money. She said for about six months, the man had been soliciting her to have sex with him and she had turned him down, according to an arrest report. She said the victim stated that someone had burglarized his home, stealing guns and other property.
She told investigators that she borrowed $200 from the man on July 17. The suspect told him that she was going to his house that evening and would have sex with him, but she said she was not actually going to follow through, the report states. Instead, she and another woman had planned to make him get on the bed and take his clothes off before a third person would enter the home and burglarize it. They backed out after realizing the victim would be able to identify them.
The suspect’s phone contained text messages from the Bogia Road man asking if she was on her way, according to the Sheriff’s Office. She told investigators that she felt like she had been cut out of any money that might have been made from selling the stolen property obtained through her contact with the man.
On August 22, deputies were dispatched to the area of Lambert Bridge Road and Highway 164 in reference to a suspicious person pacing in a backyard. The resident told deputies that he confronted McCullough, who then fled. The resident provided photos that showed McCullough in their yard.
An arriving deputy reported seeing McCullough walk toward him through a neighboring yard, but he ran when instructed to walk toward the deputy.
A K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution tracked McCullough in the woods off Lambert Bridge Road. He was found floating under a logging road bridge that was just inches above the surface of a creek. Deputies were unable to determine if he had a weapon. When he refused multiple commands to surrender, he was tased, according to an agency report.
McCullough remained in the Escambia County (FL) Jail where he was being held without bond.
ECUA: Sewer Overflows In Cantonment, Three Other Areas
September 6, 2018
ECUA has issued a public notice of sanitary sewer overflows that occurred on Wednesday due to excessive generated by Tropical Storm Gordon at the following areas:
- At 360 Well Line Rd., (Lift Stn. # 143). The overflow was estimated at 1,500 gallons, all of which were recovered by vacuum truck and transported to an ECUA water reclamation facility for proper disposal and treatment. The overflow was contained on site and bacteriological sampling was not required.
- At 2980 S. Blue Angel Pkwy. (Lift Stn. # 379). The overflow was estimated at 3,500 gallons, of which 2,500 gallons were recovered by vacuum truck and transported to an ECUA water reclamation facility for proper disposal and treatment. The overflow was contained on site and bacteriological sampling was not required.
- At 2239 Detroit Blvd. (Lift Stn. # 50). The overflow was estimated at 1,650 gallons. Bacteriological sampling has been initiated.
- At 731 Frances Dr. (Lift Stn. # 150). The overflow was estimated at 1,100 gallons. The overflow was contained on site and bacteriological sampling was not required.
In each case, ECUA crews worked to manage/mitigate the excess flows using vacuum and tanker trucks, pumps, and onsite overflow tanks, until the rains abated and the lift stations could once again process the flows unassisted. Crews ensured that the overflow areas were cleaned and disinfected with a biocide agent that abated any contamination concerns, per State protocol. In accordance with standard operating procedure, the ECUA notified the Escambia County Health Department, the State Warning Point, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Jay Man A Finalist For National Electrician Of The Year
September 6, 2018
A Jay man has been named the Southeast Electrician of the Year and needs your vote to win the title of National Electrician of the Year from Klein Tools.
Working in the trades isn’t just a career for Mike Adams.
It’s a family tradition dating back four generations. With his mom, dad, uncles and cousins working by his side, there was never a doubt that Adams would grow to love and live by the rules of the trades.
Through his years as an electrician, Adams learned the importance of proper safety procedures and a dedication to even the smallest details of a job. He instills these lessons in the next generation of electricians as an advisor for SkillsUSA where he has helped lead many students to success in regional and national competitions.
Adam’s work takes him all over Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and Escambia County in Alabama.
To vote for Mike Adams at the National Electrician of the Year, click here.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Williams Ditch, Parker Road Area
September 6, 2018
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for all of Williams Ditch Road south of Parker Road and all of Parker Road.
Residents located in the specified area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use 8 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes.
For more information, call Cottage Hill Water Works at (850) 968-5485.
Tate And Northview Non-Varsity, West Florida Varsity Football Games Canceled
September 6, 2018
The non-varsity football games tonight at Tate and Northview high schools have been canceled.
The Tate JV and freshmen teams were scheduled to play at Gulf Breeze, but were canceled. The Tate varsity football team will still travel to Gulf Breeze for a game Friday at 7:00 (the Tate schedule said 7:30, but it’s really 7:00).
Northview’s junior varsity was set to play Flomaton tonight, but Flomaton has forfeited both of the their JV games against Northview, according to the NHS Quarterback Club. The varsity Chiefs will host South Walton at 7:00 Friday in Bratt.
West Florida High School’s varsity football game Friday night against D’Iberville, MS, was also canceled. Due to Tropical Storm Gordon was unable to practice.
Pictured: Northview Chiefs JV football quarterback Ben Wilson with a pass. NorthEscambia.com photo.
A Look Back: The Stories And Photos From Tropical Storm Gordon (With Gallery)
September 6, 2018
Here’s a look back at the stories and photos from Tropical Storm Gordon.
And a note about the first photo below — it was the single most popular Gordon photo on our social media sites. It’s a contract worker attempting to clear a drainage pipe alongside Highway 29 in Cantonment near O’Reilly Auto Parts.
For a photo gallery from around Escambia County, click here.
- TS Gordon: Thomas Discusses Decision To Open Escambia Schools Wednesday
- Two Rescued After Flood Waters Isolate Cantonment Neighborhood (With Gallery)
- Gulf Power, EREC Restore Power For 30,000 Customers After Gordon
- Tropical Storm Gordon Claims Life Of Child In Escambia County
- Gordon Makes Landfall
- Tropical Storm Damage Closes Pensacola Beach Pier
- Gordon Doesn’t Hit Motorist In The Pocketbook At The Pump
Bicyclist Hit By Car In Cantonment
September 6, 2018
A adult male was injured when a vehicle collided with his bicycle late Wednesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident happened at Louis Street and Mucsogee Road. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries by Escambia County EMS.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
No additional information has been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gordon Doesn’t Hit Motorists In The Pocketbook At The Pump
September 6, 2018
Fears that Tropical Storm Gordon could increase gasoline prices have abated after the storm made landfall Tuesday night west of the Alabama-Mississippi border.
The auto club AAA reported Wednesday that Gulf Coast refinery operations were not impacted by the storm.
“Refineries dodged a bullet, but are not out of the woods just yet,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a prepared statement. “This year’s hurricane season is far from over. If a major storm moves into the Gulf of Mexico, refineries will go back on alert and pump prices will face renewed upward pressure.”
The Gulf of Mexico is home to nearly half of America’s gas-refining capacity. Futures prices rose on Tuesday, due to the initial threat. Wednesday afternoon, gasoline prices on the NYMEX traded nearly 10 cents below Tuesday’s peak.
AAA forecasts the national average price will drop to $2.70 per gallon this fall, with state averages lower in some cases.
“With just a couple days removed from the summer driving season, it appears fuel prices are already slipping,” Jenkins said. “Pump prices usually push lower in the fall as demand dips and refiners switch to a cheaper-to-produce winter-blend fuel.”
Pictured: Drivers fill gas cans in advance of Gordon Sunday afternoon just across the state line in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.