Tate’s Cora Andrews Is Candidate For State FFA Officer
June 5, 2018
Cora Andrews, of the J.M. Tate High School FFA Chapter, has been selected as a Florida FFA state officer candidate.
Andrews is seeking the position of the Area 1 state vice president.
Andres and 32 other high school seniors from around the state participated in the rigorous interview process at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. Over the course of two days, Andrews and the others were challenged with a personal interview, written exam, individual problem-solving exercise, advocacy stand and deliver practicum, state degree interview, agricultural education interview and a conversational exercise.
State officer election will take during the 90th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo, June 11-15 in Orlando, Florida
All-Star Baseball, Softball Games Thursday, Includes Century Little League Equipment Drive
June 5, 2018
The 2017-18 Subway High School All-Star Series concludes Thursday, June 7 with the baseball and softball games at UWF’s Jim Spooner Field and Softball Complex in Pensacola.
New at this year’s event, Pensacola Sports is holding an equipment drive. Fans are encouraged to bring used / new baseball and softball equipment to be donated to the Century Little League. Recently, the Pensacola Sports Foundation donated $3,000 to the league (pictured above).
Donations can include balls, bats, gloves, bags, cleats, catchers gear, trainings aids, etc. Century Little League officials will be on-site collecting the equipment.
Century Little League will also gladly accept donations of monetary value.
Everyone who donates will receive a $10 Academy Sports and Outdoors Coupon.
“We are looking forward to seeing the response we get from the community in our effort to help the Century Little League,” said Pensacola Sports President Ray Palmer. “Our intent is to make this a component of all our all-star games moving forward and will find deserving leagues and organizations to be the benefactor.”
The head coaches for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, are West Florida Tech’s Mike Kent coaching softball and Sonny Reedy of Catholic High School coaching baseball.
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team. John Carlisle of Baker High School will lead the east softball team while Laurel Hill’s Catfish Hill will coach the east baseball team.
West Softball
Catholic — Donovan Whibbs — 2B
Catholic — Griffin Reedy — Pitcher
Catholic — Cole Moore — C/P/OF
Catholic — Hunter Chipman — P
Catholic — Gabe Faucheaux — OF
Catholic — Trey Whitehead — 1B/LHP/OF
Catholic — Evan Dominguez — P/OF
Escambia — Dominick Miller — LHP/1B/OF
Escambia — Bryce Keever — LHP
Northview — John Chivington — 3B/SS
PCA — David Mundt — CF
Pensacola — Damyis Olds — 3B/P
Pine Forest — Kyler Hultgren — C
Tate — Reid Halfacre — OF
Tate — Jesse Sherrill — 2B/SS
Tate — Trent Jeffcoat — 3B/SS
Tate — Blake Anderson — 1B
Washington — Jaxson Messer — C
Washington — Josh Stanton — OF/2B
West FL Tech — Billy Kaser — OF
West FL Tech — Bryant Johnecheck — OF
West FL Tech — Dalton Wise — C
West FL Tech — John Pease — RHP
West FL Tech — Wyatt Whyner — 1B
West FL Tech — Quint Rayburn — RHP
Head Coach: Sonny Reedy, Catholic High School
East Softball
Baker — Lane Boone — OF
Central — Chrystian Westfall — OF, IF
Choctaw — Drew Mercier — SS/2B
Choctaw — Kyle Johnson — C
Choctaw — Zach Nash — 1B
Crestview — Blake Vann — OF/C
FWB — Tobias Ward-Boulden — RHP/SS
FWB — Waylon Steele — CF/3B
Gulf Breeze — Brandon Schrepf — CF/P
Gulf Breeze — Carson Reeder — P/1B
Gulf Breeze — Stephen Halstead — P/SS
Jay — Reid Kelley — OF
Laurel Hill — Bryan Pursley — C/IF/P
Laurel Hill — Justin Rosen — IF/P
Milton — Caleb Mincks — P/2B/OF
Milton — Zach McKnight — 3B/2B/P
Navarre — Cade Taylor — 1B/2B
Navarre — Ryan Cocker — 3B/SS/P
Niceville — Chance Huff — P/OF
Niceville — Noah Bailey — LF/P/3B
Pace — Bennett Shell — CF
Pace — Blake Cordova — SS/2B
Pace — Dalton Childs — C
Pace — Izzy Ham — 1B
Rocky Bayou — Jack Wolgast — P/OF
Head Coach: Catfish Hill, Laurel Hill
West Soft
Catholic — Savanna Nobles — P/1B/3B
Catholic — Kayla Carrell — SS/P
Escambia — Skye Lanham — OF
Escambia — Aleka Anglin — 2B/OF
Escambia — Madeline McCollum — C
Escambia — Peyton Anglin — CF
Milton — Kelsey Hodges — 1B/3B
Pace — Brooke Shelby — CF/P
Pace — Autumn Dunlap — C
Pine Forest — Cierra Morits — 3B/2B
Pine Forest — Halee Nagem — 1B
Tate — Belle Wolfden — C/SS
Tate — Hannah Brown — P/OF
Tate — Sydni Solliday — RF
Tate — Deazia Nickerson — LF
Tate — Taylor Hedgepath — 2B
Tate — Madisen Nelson — 1B
Washington — Brennah Coffin — P/2B
West Fla Tech — Keyana Norman — OF
Head Coach: Mike Kent, West Florida Tech
East Softball
Baker — Makina Potter — 1B/DP/DH
Central — Kira Holley — P
Central — Alex Simmons — 2B
Central — Jackie Jernigan — CF
Crestview — Taylor Bumgardner — CF/P
Crestview — Hannah Dukes — C
FWB — Virginia Elsperman — P
Gulf Breeze — Reagan Raley — SS
Gulf Breeze — Taylor Baker — C
Gulf Breeze — Kamryn Hearn — OF
Gulf Breeze — Alyssa Lewter — 2B/OF
Jay — Kolby Bray — 3B
Jay — Haylee Watson — C
Jay — Sarah Barhill — 1B
Navarre — Britney Silver — 2B/MI/OF
Navarre — Morgan Marquis — P/1B/2B
Navarre — Emma Thomas — 3B/MI
Navarre — Nathalie Holbrook — OF/1B
Niceville — Sydney Bird — 3B/OF
Niceville — Raiven Bryant — SS
Niceville — Katelynn Inness — P
Rocky Bayou — Kaylee Orr –
Head Coach: John Carlisle, Baker High School
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Billionaire Greene Jumps Into Florida Governor’s Race
June 5, 2018
Billionaire real-estate investor Jeff Greene has filed paperwork to run as a Democrat for governor, joining a crowded field that already includes four major candidates.
Greene, 63, who lives in Palm Beach two doors down from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Greene earned 31 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary but was far behind former U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who had 57.5 percent.
Greene also ran unsuccessfully in 1982 as a Republican for a congressional seat in California.
With two weeks before the start of formal qualifying for state races, Greene opened a campaign account on Friday in a primary that includes former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Tallahassee, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Orlando-area businessman Chris King and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.
Christian Ulvert, a top adviser to Levine’s campaign, noted that Greene is entering the race just 50 days before the Aug. 28 primary ballots are mailed out. Levine and Graham have been the early leaders in the primary, although a large swath of Democratic voters remain undecided, public polls indicate.
Levine’s campaign has been bolstered by television ads financed by more than $15 million he has raised through May, including some $8 million in personal contributions.
But Greene, who has a net worth of $3.8 billion according to Forbes, will be able to immediately compete if he decides to self-fund his campaign like he did in 2010, when he spent nearly $24 million in his Senate bid.
While welcoming Greene to the race, Gillum said he remains the only “non-millionaire” running in the primary. “I believe Florida Democrats need a true champion for working people as their nominee,” he said in a statement.
Although his personal wealth may be an asset, Greene is likely to face questions in the Democratic primary over favorable remarks he made about Trump shortly after the president’s election in November 2016.
In an interview with Forbes, Greene said he supported Hillary Clinton in the election but urged Democrats to get behind Trump “and not think about voting him out of office,” noting his non-political background may give him an opportunity “to look at everything with fresh eyes.”
But Greene criticized Trump for allowing “previously intolerable rhetoric to become tolerable,” pointing to campaign statements about keeping Muslims out of the country and identifying Mexicans as “rapists.”
“He opened the door to bigoted and racist behavior,” Greene told Forbes. “I hope he is going to pivot away from that rhetoric.”
Greene lives with his wife, Mei Sze Chan, and three sons in Palm Beach. A native of Massachusetts, he has an undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard.
Greene may not be the only late-arriving candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, with former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, who represented a congressional seat in Martin, St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties, also contemplating a bid.
Murphy said he is exploring a campaign that would include former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a Pinellas County Republican, as his running mate.
Candidates for governor, Cabinet seats and legislative offices will formally qualify for the 2018 ballot from June 18 to June 22.
The winner of the Aug. 28 Democratic primary for governor will face the winner of the Republican primary, where Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis of Palm Coast are the leading candidates. Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for the U.S. Senate, is leaving office in January because of term limits.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Battle Of Midway Anniversary Observed
June 5, 2018
The National Naval Aviation Museum held a commemoration ceremony Monday for the 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway.
An icebox was dedicated to the museum that the VF-34 squadron had with them in their ready room during World War II. It is adorned with a roster of squadron personnel and the squadron’s combat record.
The epic naval engagement at Midway Atoll occured six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor in which U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces turned back a planned invasion of Midway, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers and creating a turning point in World War II.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Biloxi
June 5, 2018
The Blue Wahoos tied the series against Biloxi with a 5-1 victory Monday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The ballgame would become a pitchers’ duel between Pensacola’s Daniel Wright and Biloxi’s Luis Ortiz as both starters pitched a combined 10 scoreless innings before turning things over to their respective bullpens.
The Blue Wahoos took control of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chris Okey hit a three-run double off the top of the wall with the bases loaded, which gave the Wahoos the lead 3-0. The Pensacola added its final two runs on a Daniel Sweet RBI triple and a C.J. McElroy sacrifice fly.
Wright dominated over six shutout innings. He allowed only two hits, two walks, and struck out a season-high 10 batters. The Shuckers threatened in the ninth with a run off Alex Powers before Alejandro Chacin (S, 2) slammed the door on the threat by coaxing Keston Hiura into a fly out to end the game.
Robinson Leyer (W, 3-2) picked up the win with a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. Ortiz pitched four innings and allowed no runs, one hit, no walks, and four strikeouts in a no-decision. The Blue Wahoos did all their damage against Shuckers reliever Cody Ponce (L, 2-4). He worked four innings and was saddled with all five runs on three hits.
The series continues with the middle game Tuesday night. Right-hander Keury Mella (4-2, 3.16) will pitch for the Wahoos against Biloxi right-hander Zach Brown (4-0, 2.76).
Three Arrested In Walnut Hill Double Shooting (With New Details)
June 4, 2018
Three people have been arrested in connection with a double shooting in Walnut Hill Sunday.
Christopher Alan Stacey, 37, was charged with homicide and attempted homicide. His son Christopher James Logan Stacey, 18, and Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain, 21, were each charged with accessory to homicide and accessory to attempted homicide. Christopher Allen Stacey was being held without bond; Christopher James Logan Stacey and Cain were being held with bond set at $150,000 each.
Their arrests came after two men were found shot in the head near Atmore Sunday morning.
Dalton Davis was found dead in a truck in Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road, and Troy Boutwell was found near the road after crawling from the truck, according to an arrest report. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and then airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile in critical condition.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwelll had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the three suspects and another individual in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the home’s living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain was placed in the back of an ECSO patrol vehicle as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey is the ex-husband of the witness and resides with her at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resides in the home, the report states.
Further details were redacted from the arrest reports by the State Attorney’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Above: Suspects Christopher James Logan Stacey (left) and Christopher Alan Stacey (right) watch as investigators process a murder scene in Walnut Hill Sunday.
Above: A deputy questions a person inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill.
Above: Deputies found a burning couch in the backyard of the Walnut Hill home.
Above: Florida investigators arrive at the scene on Deere Creek Road in Alabama.
Inmate Dies At Century Correctional Institution
June 4, 2018
An inmate died at the Century Correctional Institution Sunday.
Corey T. Leland, 44, was pronounced deceased at the prison, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. The death is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Office of the Inspector General.
Patrick Manderfield, spokesman for FDOC, said further details were not available for release. He did not specify if the death appeared to be natural or suspicious.
Leland was serving a five-year sentence from Madison County for fraud, petit theft third conviction and a weapons offense. He was also a convicted sex offender, according to FDLE.
Leland’s death was the 14th inmate death at Century Correctional Institution since 2013.
Photo: Summer Storms
June 4, 2018
Storm clouds roll over Ernest Ward Middle School on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Sunday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT Traffic Delays This Week
June 4, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 3 through Saturday, June 9 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- North Palafox Street will be closed to thru traffic between 9 Mile Road and 9 ½ Mile Road from 8 p.m. Friday, June 8 through 6 a.m. Monday, June 11. This area will be open to local traffic only. The closure will enable crews to place drainage pipes across the roadway at Chauncey Street in association with the U.S. 29 widening project. Local traffic will utilize 9 Mile Road, Chandler Street, and 9 1/2 Mile Road. Thru traffic will be directed to U.S. 29
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 3 through Thursday, June 7 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 3 through Thursday, June 7:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 3 through Thursday, June 7 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 3 through Thursday, June 7 as crews perform paving operations.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road –Alternating lane closures on Salt Grass Drive, Foxtail Loop, and Bell Ridge Drive near Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. the week of Monday, June 4 as crews perform paving operations. Traffic flaggers will be on site to direct drivers through the work zone.
· U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek and Mitchell Creek- Traffic will be reduced to one lane over Canoe Creek and Mitchel Creek, about ten miles north of S.R. 97, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 11 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Temporary Lane Closure- There will be intermittent southbound lane closures on Mobile Highway from New Warrington Road to Edison Avenue 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 through Friday, June 15 as crews perform maintenance activities.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Routine Maintenance at Holley Point Road- Drivers will encounter southbound lane restrictions at Holley Point Road in Navarre from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2 as crews perform sidewalk maintenance.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 3 through Thursday, June 7 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 4 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave. Additionally, traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday. June 3 through Friday, June 8 as crews widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, will also be encountered as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
- U.S. 90 over White River Bridge Cathodic Protection- There will be southbound lane restrictions from west of Woodbine Road to White River Bridge from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 8 as crews continue construction activities.
- S.R. 281 (Garcon Point Bridge) Routine Bridge Maintenance over East Bay – Drivers will encounter lane restrictions on the Garcon Point Bridge over East Bay, about one mile north of U.S. 98, from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 87 Utility Operations- Drivers can expect lane restrictions in two locations on S.R. 87 as crews perform overhead utility work:
- The northbound outside lane south of Howard Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, June 4.
- The southbound, outside lane between Howard Street and Hunter Street will be closed 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
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Bratt Elementary Fifth Grade Awards
June 4, 2018
Bratt Elementary School presented the following year-end awards to students in the fifth grade:
Honor Roll (A’s and B’s all year)
- Ayden Atallah
- Kinslee Coker
- Ashton Covan
- Beau Daw
- Noah Faulkner
- Aliyah Fountain
- Taliyah Johnson
- Kamryn Langham
- Michael McGhee
- Adannaya Mondaca
- Bryce Stabler
- Jayden White
Academic Achievement Award ( All A/s all year)
- Colton Criswell
- JaCee Dortch
- Jamison Gilman
- Mary Catherine Hughes
- Laura Laborde
- Colby Pugh
- Ally Richardson
- Maggie Scott
- Zakyla Smith
Progress Award (Most improvement during the year)
- Troy Ard
- Noah Fehr
- Abbie Hardy
- Cole Hughes
- Sophia Morris
- Brayden Reaves
- Jaden Satterwhite
Outstanding Attendance (5 or less check in/out or absences)
- Troy Ard
- Beau Daw
- Cole Hughes
- Taliyah Johnson
- Kamryn Langham
- Michael Patrick
- Sean Ray
Perfect Attendance
- Irmani Dixon
- Mary Catherine Hughes
- Christopher Weber
Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship
- Troy Ard
- Beau Daw
- Aliyah Fountain
- Derek Kinley
- Justin Kinley
- Colpy Pugh
- Ally Richardson
- Zakyla Smith
Spelling Bee
- JaCee Dortch
Century Lions Club
- Ally Richardson
Cox Hero Award
- Landon Hawthorne
Walnut Hill Ruritan
- Aliyah Fountain
Shining Star
- Laura Laborde
Student of the Year
- Colton Criswell
Presidential Achievement
- Kinslee Coker
- Ashton Covan
- Beau Daw
- Noah Faulkner
- Taliyah Johnson
- Kamryn Langham
- Adannaya Mondaca
- Zakyla Smith
- Bryce Stabler
Presidential Excellence
- Colton Criswell
- Jamison Gilman
- Mary Catherine Hughes
- JaCee Dortch
- Laura Laborde
- Colby Pugh
- Ally Richardson
- Maggie Scott
Outstanding Citizenship
- Cole Hughes
- Markavia Johnson
- Ja’mya Thomas
- JayCee Vernon