Wahoos Fall To Birmingham
August 2, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning Tuesday but then were shutout the rest of the game.
Birmingham Baron’s pitchers, Brannon Easterling, Kyle Kubat and Jack Charleston combined for eight scoreless innings, five hits, no walks and six strikeouts after Easterling gave up two runs on two hits and three walks.
Birmingham centerfielder Hunter Jones blasted his second homer in three games in the sixth inning to deliver a, 3-2, Baron’s victory over the Blue Wahoos at Regions Field. Birmingham leads the five-game series 2-1.
Pensacola is now 19-18 this season in one-run games.
Pensacola third baseman Nick Senzel hit his 11th double to drive in shortstop Blake Trahan to go up, 1-0, in the first inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Blue Wahoos second baseman Shed Long walked to force center fielder Gabriel Guerrero in for the second run of the inning.
Birmingham second baseman Danny Mendick singled to center to drive in both third baseman Trey Michalczewski and catcher Alfredo Gonzalez to knot the score, 2-2, in the fifth inning.
That’s when Jones came through with his game-winning seventh homer to left center to put the Barons ahead, 3-2, in the sixth inning.
Pensacola starter Deck McGuire gave up all three runs to Birmingham over seven innings. McGuire allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out six. He earned the loss and is 9-8 with a 2.65 ERA.
Meanwhile, Kubat who has played in Low-A and High-A this season pitched in his first Double-A game and earned the victory. The reliever out of the University of Nebraska pitched three scoreless innings, allowed two hits and struck out three.
Charleston, making his second relief appearance with the Barons, earned his first save in Double-A. He tossed two scoreless innings, allowed one hit and struck out one.
Pensacola is in frst place in the Southern League South Division with a 19-19 record in the second half. Pensacola is 59-49 overall and won the first half title. Birmingham, which is in last place in the Southern League North Division, improved to 16-22 and are 42-65 overall.
Over 23,000 Business Tax Receipt Notices Headed To Escambia Businesses
August 2, 2017
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford has mailed Business Tax Receipt (BTR) renewal notices to 23,505 businesses in Escambia County. Businesses may renew their BTRs anytime between now and September 30.
Businesses can make online payments at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
“Paying online is easy and secure, and there is no wait time,” said Lunsford. E-checks and credit cards can be used for online transactions. Businesses also can make payments by mail or at one of four convenient offices.
Also, business owners are encouraged to take advantage of the installment plan for tangible personal property tax payments. By utilizing this plan, business owners with a tangible personal property tax bill of at least $100 can make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. Paper applications are being accepted now, and businesses can apply online after November 1, 2017. The Installment Payment Plan application deadline for 2018 property taxes is April 30, 2018.
Lunsford said, “The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time.”
One Injured In Cantonment Crash
August 1, 2017
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident happened shortly after 3 p.m. on Highway 29 just north of Muscogee Road. The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries to a Pensacola hospital. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Board Member Resigns
August 1, 2017
Escambia County School Board member and chair Linda Moultrie has resigned.
“Linda Moultrie has been an outstanding leader in our community, representing the students and their families in District 3, as well as the interests of the entire county, with professionalism, respect and compassion,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. “She has made this decision because it is what is best for her family and we will respect her wishes and support her as she makes this transition. She will be greatly missed by myself, the leaders of the district and the rest of the board.”
Moultrie was elected to the Escambia County School Board as the District 3 representative in August 2008 and was re-elected in August 2010.
The District 3 seat on the school board is scheduled to be on the ballot in 2018. A temporary replacement for Moultrie will be named by Gov. Rick Scott.
Molino Man Sentenced On Two Felony Animal Abuse Counts
August 1, 2017
A Molino man has been sentenced on two felony animal abuse charges in connection with two malnourished horses.
Charles Van Deese, 53, was charged with two felony counts of animal abuse causing cruel death or pain and suffering. Judge John Miller withheld adjudication in sentencing Deese to 36 months probation on each count to run concurrent. He was prohibited from owning, possessing or controlling any animals, and prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol. He was also ordered to pay $1,734.85 in restitution to Panhandle Equine Rescue.
According to court documents, Escambia County Animal Control received a complaint from Panhandle Equine Rescue about two horses in poor condition on Parker Lane off the 3000 block of Highway 97. PER told a county investigator that Deese had been in and out of the hospital during the last several months and was unable to care for his horses. In his absence, they were being cared for by two of his friends.
Animal control reported that a veterinarian that examined the horses stated that they needed to be fed more often, and that the pasture was not sufficient to provide enough food for the horses. The pasture was reported to contain only weeds and very short grass.
Photos by Panhandle Equine Rescue for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sneak Peek: School Sales Tax Holiday Starts Friday
August 1, 2017
The 2017 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, 2017.
During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including: certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item; and personal computers and certain computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use selling for $750 or less per item.
Click here for complete details (pdf).
Escambia County Accepting Applications For Fall Youth Employment Program
August 1, 2017
Applications are now being accepted for the fall cycle of the Escambia County Youth Employment Program, which will provide opportunities for youth to get paid work experience in various county departments.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECYEP will be able to work up to 20 hours a week at $8.10 per hour. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must be age 16-20
- Must live in Escambia County, Florida
- Family household income must meet income criteria (200 percent or below 2017 Poverty Level Guidelines)
Applications can be downloaded here or picked up during normal business hours at 221 S. Palafox Place, 4th floor reception desk. Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 at the same location. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For more information, please call 850-595-0457 or visit the Youth Employment Program page.
Radio Control Aircraft Demonstration Wednesday At Molino Library
August 1, 2017
The Northwest Florida Modelers will present some high-flying fun Wednesday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library. Members of the group will demonstrate their skill and expertise in operating radio controlled aircraft.
The free demonstration will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the area behind the Molino Branch Library in the Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A.
Traffic Delays At Davis And University
August 1, 2017
A safety improvement project to upgrade the traffic signal on State Road 291 (North Davis Highway) at University Parkway in Escambia County will begin the week of July 31. Drivers can expect lane restrictions to occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., however, only one lane will be closed to traffic at any given time. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained. The project is anticipated to be complete in approximately 45 days, weather permitting. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling through an active work zone and reminded to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
All activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia 4-H Members Gain Skills, Earn Money At Regional Tailgate Contest
August 1, 2017
Recently, 4-H members from across Northwest Florida participated in the second annual Northwest Regional 4-H Tailgate Contest.
Grilling competitors took part in one of four categories: beef, pork, poultry (half a chicken or turkey breast), and shrimp. Participants were judged on their grilling abilities, but also on questions from judges on food safety, fire safety, and meat selection.
Regional winners earned $400 in scholarship money for first place, $250 for second place, $100 for third place, and $50 for fourth place. The top two individuals in each protein category earned the opportunity to participate in the State 4-H Tailgate Contest in Gainesville in October.
Five Escambia County 4-H members participated in the regional contest, including Noah Ball – Beef, Aubrie Dillon – Beef, Dillon Conti – Poultry, Raeleigh Woodfin – Pork, and Stewart Woodfin – Pork. All of the Escambia County entrants earned the opportunity to compete after winning the county competition as part of the Escambia County 4-H Tailgate Day Camp.
At the regional contest held at Washington County Ag Center in Chipley, Aubrie Dillon placed fourth in the beef category and Dillon Conti placed third in the poultry category. Dillon plans to continue using his grilling skills to cook for his family.
“I had a lot of fun at the regional 4-H tailgate contests this year. It was actually the first time I ad ever thought about grilling chicken and I think I’ll probably be grilling chicken a lot more now. I want to encourage more 4-H members to participate in the contest and I hope to see many more contestants next year,” Conti said.
Pictured top: Aubrie Dillon relaxes while cooking her steak recipe. Pictured below: Dillon Conti prepares his chicken for the grill, and Noah Ball checks the internal temperature of his steak. Pictured bottom: Raeleigh Woodfin prepares to grill her pork chops and Stewart Woodfin with his pork chops. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
