Putnam Maintains Fundraising Lead In Governor’s Race
May 14, 2018
In the Republican race for governor, new financial reports show Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis continue to pursue different strategies in their quest for their party’s nomination.
Putnam, a two-term state agriculture commissioner, raised more than $2 million in April and spent $2.4 million, including more than $1.8 million launching his first television ad, the new filings with the state Division of Elections show.
DeSantis, a three-term congressman from Palm Coast, raised $819,000 in April and spent $570,000, the state records show. DeSantis has yet to run any television advertising but is relying on frequent appearances on Fox News to connect with Republican voters.
With total contributions of $28.85 million, Putnam maintained a solid hold as the strongest fundraiser in the governor’s race, among both Republicans and Democrats.
Even with his expenditures, Putnam had approximately $19 million in cash on hand as he moved into May.
DeSantis has raised nearly $8 million and had more than $7 million in cash heading into May, the reports show.
Putnam’s largest contributions reflect his status as the Tallahassee establishment’s favored candidate.
His political committee, Florida Grown, in April received $375,000 from the business-lobbying group Associated Industries of Florida, as well as $215,000 from a political committee affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The committee’s April haul included $100,000 from Publix Super Markets and $100,000 from William Becker, owner of Peace River Citrus Products, last month. And Putnam’s committee received $75,000 from pari-mutuel interests, including $25,000 from Patrick Rooney, president of the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Phosphate companies contributed $50,000 to Putnam in April. He also received $25,000 from Geo Group, a private prison company, and $25,000 from St. Joe Co., a major developer.
The largest April contribution to DeSantis’ political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, was $100,000 from Ahmad Khawaja, the California-based founder of Allied Wallet, an online payment-processing company.
DeSantis’ committee also received $25,000 from a company affiliated with MCNA Dental Plans, a company that has provided dental care for Medicaid patients in Florida. The state is currently reviewing bids for a new contract that will separate dental services from the main Medicaid managed-care program.
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, who announced this week he would not run for governor and endorsed Putnam, raised $49,500 for his Watchdog political committee in April, state records show.
Corcoran raised a total $6.9 million, with about $2 million left at the end of April. He has said he may use some of the money to support Republican efforts to maintain majorities in the state House and Senate.
Among Democrats, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham had the strongest fund-raising month in April, the records show. She raised more than $1 million, with a total of $7.4 million in contributions to her campaign account and Our Florida political committee. Graham had more than $4.7 million in cash in the accounts moving into May, the reports show.
Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, the first Democratic candidate to run TV spots, spent $1.8 million on ads in April, the latest campaign finance reports show. Levine has raised a combined total of $9 million in his official campaign account and All About Florida political committee, while also loaning $5 million — including $2.2 million in April — to his campaign.
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum received $445,000 in contributions to his campaign account and political committee, Forward Florida, in April, the records show. He has raised a total of $3 million, and had $1.4 million cash on hand heading into May.
Winter Park businessman Chris King raised $115,000 in April, according to reports reflecting contributions to his campaign account and Rise and Lead political committee. He has raised a total of $3.76 million and has also loaned his campaign $825,000, including $400,000 in April.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Powered By Tate And PHS, Academic Team Takes State Title
May 14, 2018
In a hard-fought, back and forth, brain-busting battle, the Escambia County Academic All-Star Team walked away from the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge Finals as Division 2 state champions.
In the three-round competition, Team Escambia was behind after the first round, but it was still a close competition. At the end of round 2, there were four teams who were positioned to take the championship, with Okaloosa County in the lead. The third round was when Team Escambia showed their true grit by answering key questions down the stretch and earning 26 or 30 points on the final team worksheet round while minimizing points lost by answering incorrectly. Eventually, the ECSD team, made up of students from Pensacola high and Tate High schools, beat out the teams from Okaloosa and Leon counties to emerge as this year’s champion. In addition, John Dixon of Tate High was named to the all-tournament team for his outstanding performance.
The All-Star Academic Team is composed of the top six high-school “quiz bowl” players in our district along with two alternates. The students compete in rigorous academic competitions that focus on such subject areas as math, science, language arts, social studies, fine arts, and foreign language. Coached by Allan Robinson from Pensacola High School, the members of this year’s Academic All-Star Team are John Dixon, Michael Dixon, and Maggie Brown (Tate High School), and Ally Shah, Philip Mann, Connor Zemeska, and Abby Lyons (Pensacola High School).
The Commissioner’s Academic Challenge, held each April at Walt Disney World, is Florida’s state championship tournament. The CAC features all-star teams from various Florida counties who compete in three divisions based on K-12 full-time enrollment.
Pictured top: Team Escambia (front, L-R) Abby Lyons, Ally Shah, Maggie Brown, Michael Dixon; (back, L-R) Philip Mann, Coach Tristan Harris, Connor Zameska and John Dixon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The ‘Secret Garden Tour’ Will Include Cantonment Treasures
May 14, 2018
The Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs annual Secret Gardens of the Emerald Coast Garden Tour will feature six residential gardens, two of which are in Cantonment, and the Escambia County Extension Demonstration Garden, also in Cantonment.
The Secret Gardens Tour Committee selected seven unique and beautiful private residential gardens, selected for their creativity, use of native plants, stunning garden features and interesting horticulture specimens.
One Cantonment garden the beautifully developed Grande Oaks Farms subdivision off Tate Road. This home was built on the natural springs lake, with a backyard that slopes dramatically to a reverse wall to control erosion. A dock provides easy access for fishing. The stunning North Alabama stone staircase with multiple patio landings connects the house and lawn area. The front curb appeal is achieved with an explosion of seasonal color in curved beds, provided by well-established coral drift roses, Purple Pixie dwarf loropetalum, Veronica Sunny Border Blue, varied shades of SunPatiens, and lavender. Placed throughout are several sizes of flat rock formations. A Tamukeyama Japanese Maple and two larger Bloodgood Japanese Maples frame the traditional brick home and are lovely statement specimens.
Another garden is located off Highway 297A in Cantonment with a “greenhouse tour” focusing on a stunning collection of cacti and succulents. The beautifully constructed greenhouse holds a variety of specimens in terra cotta clay pots. Enhance your appreciation of arid climate vegetation in this environment-controlled grower’s paradise.
The tour will also feature the Escambia County Demonstration Gardens on Stefani Road in Cantonment. Attendees can stroll through a total of nine themed garden areas featuring a wide variety of plants and garden types. A wonderful resource for all community residents, the Extension Service trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Grow houses hold the propagation area, and the bog and sensory garden includes educational features for adaptive gardening ideas and gardening inspiration for youth.
The Secred Garden Tour is May 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person which includes a guide booklet with addresses, a map and driving directions to the gardens. Children 12 and under are free. The tour will be held rain or shine.
Tickets are available 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday at the The Garden Center, 1850 N 9th Ave, Pensacola.
Northview FFA Holds Annual Banquet (With Photo Gallery)
May 14, 2018
The Northview High School FFA held their annual banquet Friday night.
The event included a somber retirement ceremony for four of the chapter’s graduating senior officers as they slowly removed their signature FFA blue jackets for the last time.
The night also included many awards for Northview FFA members and supporters. The Northview High School FFA has been continuously honored as a top chapter in Florida and the nation.
Awards and honors presented included:
Glynn Key Ruritan Scholarship – Cody Kite
Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship - Cody Kite
Northview FFA Alumni Scholarship — Donnie Dixion, Wesley Hardin, Cole Hassebrock, Cody Kite
Retiring Officers
- Donnie Dixon
- Wesley Hardin
- Cole Hassebrock
- Cody Kite
Honorary Members
- Mitchell Singleton
- Allie Eubanks
- Christa Godwin
- Ed Sizemore
2018-2019 Officer Team
- President: Raeleigh Woodfin
- 1st Vice President: Amber Gilman
- 2nd Vice President: Olivia Porter
- Secretary: Autumn Williams
- Treasurer: Destiny Cleckler
- Reporter: Lacie Carter
- Sentinel: Emily Stabler
- Parliamentarian: Meredith McGhee
- Chaplain: Bryce Korinchak
- Historian: Paige Gibbs
- Photographer: Stewart Woodfin
- Public Relations: Summer Waters
- Chairman of Citizenship: Sarah Sconiers
- Chairman of Membership: Rachel Sanders
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heading To Pensacola Beach? Parking Lot Improvements Begin
May 14, 2018
Construction of intersection improvements within the Casino Beach Parking Lot is scheduled to begin Monday on Pensacola Beach.
The improvements will allow motorists to enter the main parking area from the parking lot in front of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Substation, and provide enhanced signage and pavement markings for guidance. The construction is anticipated to last three weeks. However, no construction will occur during the Memorial Day weekend, Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28.
The parking lot will function in a circular configuration in order to improve traffic movements within the lot.
Visitors will be able to access both Casino Beach parking lots during construction, but intermittent lane closures will be in effect.
Drivers are asked to exercise caution in the area while the work is completed.
Five-Run Sixth Lifts Wahoos Past Shuckers, 6-4
May 14, 2018
The Blue Wahoos scored five-unanswered runs in the top of the sixth inning to blast their way past the Biloxi Shucker 6-4 on Sunday afternoon at MGM Park.
Shed Long gave the Blue Wahoos an early lead with his third home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning. Biloxi answered quickly with four runs over the next two innings. In the fourth, a single and hit by pitch set up Jake Gatewood’s two-run double to put the Shuckers up 2-1. Milwaukee Brewers top prospect Corey Ray belted a two-run, two-out home run in the fifth to make it 4-1 before the Wahoos rallied.
Pensacola answered in a big way in the sixth inning. Reliever Josh Uhen (L, 0-2) retired two of the first-three batters he faced before getting ambushed. Aristides Aquino led the charge with a two-run home run to left field. Brian O’Grady followed with a double to right-center field, and scored a batter later on Cassidy Brown’s first double-a hit. Brown came home with C.J. McElroy when Wahoos starting pitcher Keury Mella (W, 4-1) ripped a double to left field.
Mella was solid on the mound too. He was charged with just two earned runs, four total, over seven innings. He added seven strikeouts without a walk to earn the win. Robinson Leyer (S, 1) closed the door with two scoreless innings for the save to secure the win.
The teams meet in game three of the five-game series Monday night. Anthony DeSclafani is scheduled to join the Blue Wahoos on a Major League rehab assignment and get the start. He hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since 2016. Also expected to pitch is former Blue Wahoo Michael Lorenzen, also on a rehab assignment. The Shuckers will counter with RHP Zack Brown (2-0, 3.18).
Missing Santa Rosa County Girl Located
May 14, 2018
UPDATE 5/15 3:15 pm: This missing child has been located, and the missing child alert has been canceled. One person, whose name has not been released, is also in custody. No further details were released.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued a missing child alert for a missing girl from Santa Rosa County.
Emily Navarro was last seen in the area of the 6800 block of Flintwood Street in Navarre. The child may be in the company of Elvin Castron Murcia. He has a slender build. They may be traveling in a black Honda Civic with Tennessee plates.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1100 or 911.
Multiple Children Injured In 297A, Kingsfield Wreck
May 13, 2018
Multiple children and at least one adult were injured in a wreck Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 297A and Kingsfield Road in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 26-year old Enrique Ramos, 26, was southbound on Highway 297A when he failed stop at a stop sign at the intersection with Kingsfield Road. His vehicle collided with a 2013 Chrysler driven by 43-year old Jennifer Heath of Cantonment. She was not injured.
The FHP report states there were six passengers in Heath’s vehicle. A 12-year old, Douglas Meenan and 71-year old Bonnie Meenan of Cantonment were seriously injured. A 3-year old and a 14-year old received minor injuries. An 8-year old child was not injured.
Ramos was cited for failing to stop at a stop sign.
The Ensley and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Driver Plows Through Fence, Across Walking Track At Bratt Park
May 13, 2018
A driver plowed through a fence and across a walking track at the Travis Nelson Park on Saturday.
The driver lost control in a curve at the intersection of Bratt Road and Ashcraft Road and crossed a ditch before traveling through the fence.
There were no injuries reported. No further details on the vehicle or driver were available.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay High Grad Earns His Wings Of Gold, Headed To Japan
May 13, 2018
LTJG Payden Roberts of Jay, and formerly of Milton, earned his Wings of Gold onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field recently.
Roberts, who said both towns hold a special place in his heart, is deeply rooted in the areas surrounding NAS Whiting Field. Roberts and his family lived in Milton for most of his childhood, where he attended the Pensacola Christian Academy, Bagdad Elementary School and Avalon Middle School. After sixth grade, they moved north to the small town of Jay, where Roberts graduated from Jay High School.
“Technically, I could call Milton my hometown,” Roberts said. “But I most often say Jay. It’s where my immediate family still lives and where I would say I really ‘grew up’ the most. Plus, it’s almost a conversation piece. Since no one knows where it is, I get to tell them about it.”
Roberts lived the classic, small-town-America childhood of close-knit friendships, town pride, and baseball. “I do love where I grew up and where I’m from,” Roberts said. “The relationships are really what attach me to this place. Even after moving, I am still able to keep in touch with my friends from Milton and Pace, mostly through baseball.”
But living just west of the busiest airspace in the world is a severe departure from classic small town America. Roberts says there is no wonder where the idea to fly for the Navy originated. Roberts hardly went a day without thinking about aviation, between the Blue Angels ripping through the sky, numerous visits to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, a week at Starbase Atlantis onboard NAS Whiting Field in fifth grade, and his family home being located directly under the T6-B Texan II course-rules for formation flights.
“I have been watching the orange and white planes and helicopters fly over my head my entire life,” Roberts said. “It’s always been my dream.”
Yet, there was an even stronger contributor to Roberts’ decision. “Just as much or more influence came from my family’s prior service,” he said.
Nine members of Roberts’ immediate and extended family are serving or have served the nation through military service, in the ranks of the Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard. With representation in all military branches, Roberts could have claimed family tradition in any one. But he was especially drawn to the Navy, following the steps of his grandfather, retired Lt. Cmdr. Joel Roberts Sr.
“The person who really sparked my interest in all of this, and the Navy in general, was my grandfather on my father’s side,” Roberts said. “He served 30 years in the Navy, enlisting and then earning his commission through Officer Candidate School.”
Robert’s grandfather passed away when Roberts was eleven, but his family had a surprise for him after the winging ceremony. “I remember always asking him to show me his sword, which I thought was so cool. Unbeknownst to me, my father actually found my grandfather’s 57-year-old sword and cleaned it up,” Roberts said. He was then presented the sword as a gift, following a Navy tradition. “It was a pretty emotional moment, as both family and tradition are very important to me.”
Roberts was pinned at the ceremony by his father, Joel Roberts Jr., and was joined on stage by his mother, Laurie Roberts, sister, Jescie Roberts, girlfriend, Emily Dobson, and his mother’s father, Army veteran Harvey Beard.
Like a number of other local natives who recently earned their wings at NAS Whiting Field, Roberts did not immediately pursue a career in the military through the Naval Academy or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Unable to pursue another passion – baseball, Roberts spent his freshman year at the University of West Florida studying business administration.
“It pained me knowing that I definitely had the skill to play baseball at the collegiate level,” Roberts said. “I didn’t really know how college baseball ‘worked’ at the time, but by the time I knew what was going on as far as recruiting and trying out, the time had already passed to go to some of those smaller colleges I was most interested in.”
But he kept practicing, dragging friends out to the Jay baseball field throughout the summer after freshman year in an effort to keep his skills sharp. After months of hard work, he was offered a baseball scholarship at Emmanuel College in the small town of Franklin Springs, Georgia.
Only after earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2015 did he reach out to a local Navy recruiter.
Roberts ended up working with the same recruiter as another recent NAS Whiting Field winger, LTJG. Tyler Mayor of Navarre, Florida. Since recruitment, Roberts and Mayor have followed very similar paths. Both were at Officer Candidate School at the same time, both flew the T6-B in Training Squadron Twenty-Seven (VT-27) in Corpus Christi, Texas, and both earned their Wings of Gold flying the TH-57 Sea Ranger out of Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8) within two weeks of each other.
“Going through flight school proved to be mentally, physically, and spiritually challenging,” Roberts said. “As with anything, I’d have good days, and days that may not have been so good. Through this, I feel like I really started to realize what mattered most to me in my life – things such as my faith and my family, things that I really clung to and supported me and helped me push through and strive to be the best that I could be.”
He said his experiences also helped expand his world view and get him ready for life outside small town America. “Being in contact with so many people from different backgrounds and cultures I feel has helped me become more informed on these cultures,” Roberts said. “I know that somewhere down the line, I’ll be able to use these experiences to help me connect with others.”
Roberts’ next move is to NAS Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida for advanced flight training in the MH-60R Seahawk. He will then join his first deployable squadron onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” Roberts said. “I really embrace the unknown, and with each step I take in this career, I know that I’ll be experiencing something that I never have before. I’ve never been outside of the continental United States, so that will be an awesome experience. Really a dream come true!”