Pensacola Falls, 4-2, To Montgomery
July 24, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored two runs in the second inning and were blanked the rest of the way.
The Montgomery Biscuits came from two runs down to beat Pensacola, 4-2, Sunday at Riverwalk Stadium to capture the series, 3-2.
Pensacola scored its two runs when right fielder Aristides Aquino tripled to center field to drive in left fielder Josh VanMeter to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 1-0. VanMeter hit an infield single to shortstop and stole second base, his 10th of the season, to start the inning.
Blue Wahoos second baseman Shed Long walked putting runners at first and third. Aquino then scored when Montgomery starting pitcher Hunter Adkins made a wild pickoff throw that allowed Aquino to cross the plate to make the score, 2-0.
Montgomery scored one run in the second, third and fourth innings to take a, 3-2, lead. In the second inning, catcher Nick Ciuffo grounded out to allow shortstop Jake Cronenworth to score. In the third inning, Montgomery loaded the bases with two outs, when first baseman Michael Russell hit an infield single to third that brought in left fielder Nathan Lukes. In the fourth inning, Biscuits center fielder Andrew Velazquez hit what turned out to be a game-winning home run, his sixth of the season, to center field that put Montgomery up, 3-2.
Ciuffo padded the Biscuits lead with a homer to start the eighth inning to make it a, 4-2, game.
Meanwhile, the Biscuits pitching staff shut down the Pensacola lineup. The Blue Wahoos never threatened to score over the last seven innings.
Montgomery starter Adkins earned the win to improve his record to 2-2 with a 3.91 ERA. He retired nine of the last 11 batters he faced, giving up two singles. In his five innings of work, he gave up two runs on five hits and one walk and struck out four.
Then Biscuits relievers Yoel Espinal, Kyle Bird and Ian Gibaut took over and allowed just two hits, no walks and struck out three over the last four innings.
Pensacola pitcher Domingo Tapia made his fifth spot start for the Blue Wahoos and earned the loss to drop to 3-6 on the season with a 3.77 ERA.
At the plate, Pensacola was led by Aquino, who was 1-4 with a triple and RBI. Both shortstop Blake Trahan and third baseman Nick Senzel went 2-4.
Missing Beulah Boy Found
July 23, 2017
Update: July 23 6:15 p.m. According to the KlaasKIDS Search Center for Missing & Trafficked Children, Grant Hofberger has been located and is no longer missing.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is search for a missing 13-year old boy from Beulah.
On July 18, after 8 a.m., Grant Hofberger was last seen wearing a blue camo shirt, black jogging pants and toting a grey book bag. Grant was seen riding his black bicycle carrying a sleeping bag and a box of cereal.
It was first believed that Grant may possibly be camping in the Perdido River Wildlife Management area located in Beulah.
Since he was reported missing, the family has received numerous calls of sightings of Grant Hofberger in the Mobile Highway and Beulah Road area.
While this photo is a recent one of Grant, his hair was recently cut very short into a “crew cut” style.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Silver Alert Issued For Missing Escambia County Woman
July 23, 2017
THIS MISSING WOMAN WAS LOCATED SAFE.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for a missing Escambia County woman.
Mildred Taylor Parker, 88, was last seen in the 7800 block of Apollo Drive in Pensacola, where she was on her way to church.
She was last seen driving a dark blue Toyota Camry with Florida tag number Y24RAN. If you see Mildred Parker call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Escambia House Fire Claims One Life
July 23, 2017
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters responded to a fire at a single family home in the 4500 block of Havre Way on Sunday, July 23.
An adult male victim was found during the search. The Florida State Fire Marshal and Escambia Sheriff’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death.
Escambia County Emergency Communications received multiple calls around 7:45 a.m. reporting a structure fire with flames and smoke visible. The first crew arrived on scene at 7:48 a.m. to find flames coming from the year of the home. The fire was called under control at 8:07 a.m. The home was a total loss.
Five adults and one infant were displaced. The American Red Cross has been called in to assist.
Fire officials found no evidence of a working smoke detector. If you do not have a smoke detector in your home and need assistance, both the county and the city have programs to help. For more information, contact Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376). Residents within city of Pensacola limits may call 850-436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.
Deidra’s Gift: Free School Supplies Distributed To Hundreds
July 23, 2017
Free backpacks and school supplies were distributed Saturday in Century to hundreds of children in need. The distribution at the Nadine McCaw Park (former Roadside Park) was thanks to a family honoring the memory of one of their own in a program called “Dedria’s Gift”.
The bookbags full of supplies were distributed in memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11.
In addition to the annual school supply giveaway, “Dedria’s Gift” visited three area nursing homes and assisted living facilities last Christmas with gifts for less fortunate residents.
And last spring, Dedria’s Gift presented two scholarships to deserving Northview High School students.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
McCants And Team Win At Wood Bat Classic
July 23, 2017
Torianno (TJ) McCants of Quintette and the East Coast Sox’s 2020 Select won the 15U World Wood Bat Classic held in Cartersville, GA. The tournament hosted over 300 15U wood bat teams from across the United States.
McCants is the starting short stop for the 2020 Select and ended the tournament with a .389 batting average and no fielding errors.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By reader submitted.
FHP Continues Investigation Into Fatal Motorcycle Crash
July 23, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation into a motorcycle crash Friday night that claimed the life of a Tuscaloosa man.
The FHP said 37-year old Thomas Woodrow of Tuscaloosa and 29-yearold Jonathan White of Northport, AL, were both on motorcycles traveling southbound on I-110 south of Creighton Road when Woodrow attempted to pass White.
Woodrow failed to maintain control of his motorcycle and went partially into the middle lane occupied by White. The handlebars of the motorcycle collided, causing Woodrow to lose control and collide with a concrete barrier and utility poll, ejecting him onto the roadway. Woodrow was pronounced deceased on the scene.
White was not injured.
Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.
Weekend Gardening: Distinctly Southern Hydrangeas
July 23, 2017
by Santa Rosa County Extension
Nothing defines a southern landscape more than hydrangeas.
These beautiful, large flowering shrubs fill gardens with their green, leafy foliage and incredible blooms during the warm months.
In order to ensure consistent and reliable blooms, these shrubs must be cared for correctly. In addition to proper site location, fertilizer and moisture conditions, hydrangeas may require pruning. Proper pruning includes correct timing.
Hydrangea aficionados are constantly debating pruning techniques. There are many different types of hydrangeas and pruning differs according to the type. It is a big genus of plants and so it’s important to know what type of hydrangeas you may have and on what type of wood they bloom on.
Blooms on old wood, prune after flowering
The bigleaf hydrangeas, known scientifically as Hydrangea macrophylla, are what most people think of when you mention hydrangeas. Most gardeners will know these as mopheads (also called hortensias) and lacecaps. Many of these blooms will be blue or pink although other colors now are available.
Many large colonies of bigleaf hydrangeas have existed around old homes for decades, surviving and blooming in spite of neglect. This tells us that it is not necessary to prune bigleaf hydrangeas.
However, if you want to keep these shrubs within a defined boundary, control their height or rejuvenate old shrubs, it will be necessary to prune them.
Bigleaf hydrangeas can be reduced in size immediately after flowering. A general rule of thumb is that you may remove up to a third of the shrub’s height. Be sure to complete your pruning before August. This is critical because next year flower blooms start to form in August. Pruning after August will remove next year’s blooms.
There now is a small group of bigleaf hydrangeas that are everblooming or remontant. Endless Summer® is one well-known brand. According to the developers of these reblooming hydrangeas, remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. They are quite forgiving and will not suffer if left unpruned or pruned at the wrong time because these cultivars bloom on both old and new growth.
Our native oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a large, deciduous shrub that can grow up to six feet tall. It has deeply lobed, oak-like leaves which turn bronze in the fall. This plant does not usually need pruning. If reshaping or size-reduction is necessary, prune after blooms begin to fade.
Article Continues Below Photo
Lacecap hydrangea
Blooms on new wood, prune in early spring
Smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) is the other U.S. native. The most common cultivar, ‘Annabelle’, produces rounded inflorescences that may reach up to a foot in diameter.
The panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) is more of an upright type. It is typically a 10 to 15-foot large shrub or low-branched tree.
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on current year’s growth and can be pruned anytime from late summer until early spring. If pruning these two species in the spring, try to prune before leaves appear.
Winter pruning
Established bigleaf, panicle, oakleaf and smooth hydrangea plants can often benefit from rejuvenation pruning. Remove about one-third of the oldest stems each year. The result is a fuller, healthier plant. This type of pruning is easiest to do in winter, since the absence of leaves makes it easier to see and reach inside plants.
Hydrangeas offer a wide variety of plants which can make the timing of pruning difficult to remember. Just keep in mind, if in doubt, either don’t prune at all or prune after flowering.
Molino Church Holds Community Fun Day
July 23, 2017
Aldersgate United Methodist Church held a Community Fun Day Saturday in Molino.
The event included outdoor games and competitions. There was also be an art display, a wood carving demonstration and lessons on how to make bows for gift packages. Lunch was provided.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Center Court
July 23, 2017
Every year, around the middle of the summer, with the Legislature long gone and the governor’s office mostly silent, comes a time when courts are the center of the action in Tallahassee.
That season has come.
Courts were dealing this week with everything from quality of schools to the governor’s authority to appoint Supreme Court justices to a state abortion law. The earliest decision in any of those matters is probably weeks away, and some will take even longer.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott turned to a familiar face to fill a high-ranking state post, a reminder that his inner circle remains relatively small more than six years after he first set up shop in the Capitol.
‘A COMPLETE RECORD’
Sometimes, judges are able to keep observers guessing about future rulings. Other times, the outcomes are pretty clear. And it seems obvious where Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis is headed on a two-year-old law requiring women to wait 24 hours before receiving abortions.
Lewis during a hearing Wednesday gave Deputy Solicitor General Denise Harle — the state lawyer defending the law — another 60 days to make her case. But he also chastised her for not being ready to move forward two years after the legal challenge began, and left a hint that even the delay was a case of legally going through the motions.
“If I were in your shoes, I think I would have been ready a long time ago,” Lewis said during the hour-long hearing. “On the other hand, I think it’s very important that, whatever happens here, there is a complete record.”
The law is on hold while the case continues.
Harle told Lewis on Wednesday that the state needs more time to gather data about women in other states who have changed their minds after having to wait 24 hours before getting the procedure.
The evidence could show that what Harle called “a very short period of time,” meaning 24 hours, would be the minimum required for women to give “informed consent” prior to abortions.
But Julia Kaye, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Reproductive Freedom Project, argued that whether women have changed their minds about the procedure is irrelevant.
The state’s focus on women changing their minds is rooted in the desire to protect an unborn child, Kaye said. But courts have already ruled that the “point of viability” doesn’t occur until at least after the second trimester begins, while the disputed abortion law deals with first-trimester procedures.
ROLE OF THE COURTS
A day earlier, a lawyer for a coalition of advocates and parents challenging the state’s education system also faced a skeptical court, this time a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal.
At least two judges directed sharp questions at Jodi Siegel, an attorney for plaintiffs in the long-running suit that alleges the state has failed to provide a quality education system.
The central issue in the appeal is whether courts can evaluate the state’s obligations under a 1998 constitutional amendment that declares it is a “paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders.”
But Leon County Circuit Judge George Reynolds ruled last year that the judiciary should be hesitant to wade too deeply into the issue and should give deference to the Legislature under the separation of powers. The appellate judges at Tuesday’s hearing seemed more likely than not to agree.
“Not everybody can be in an ‘A’ school. … Is it adequate to have every school that’s a ‘C’ school?” asked Judge James Wolf.
In another case that revolves around the role of the justice system, Scott’s lawyers filed a brief this week in a battle in the Florida Supreme Court. Justices there could decide soon whether the governor has the authority to appoint replacements for three of the court’s current members when they leave the bench in early 2019 due to a mandatory retirement age.
Scott has said he intends to appoint the new justices, while critics say those appointments belong to the next governor. But that’s not enough to ask a court to intervene, Scott’s office said, because nothing has actually happened yet.
“Petitioners do not challenge any specific executive action that has been taken by the governor, but rather seek the court’s opinion regarding the scope of the governor’s executive authority to act in the future under a hypothetical set of facts,” attorneys for the governor wrote.
`TEAM PLAYER’
As governor, Scott has made a habit of turning to a relatively small group of insiders for key positions that crop up in state government. This week, South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Pete Antonacci was tapped to take over Enterprise Florida, a business-recruitment agency dear to the governor’s heart.
Enterprise Florida’s executive committee Wednesday unanimously approved a recommendation by agency Vice Chairman Stan Connally to offer the president and CEO position to Antonacci rather than to go through a search.
Scott called Antonacci, who for two years served as the governor’s top official lawyer, someone who can “get deals done.”
Connally noted that Antonacci expressed a desire to the governor’s office for the Enterprise Florida position.
“The more I learned about Pete … I learned things like his ability to quickly get up to speed on topics that may not be naturally as familiar to him,” Connally said during a conference call with the committee. “Some would call that a quick study. And I think, given the circumstances in front of us, I think that would be important.”
The agency has been working under interim director Mike Grissom since March, following the abrupt departure of Chris Hart from the top position.
Antonacci’s job offer must still be approved by the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, which is chaired by Scott. The board will hold a conference call Monday.
“My experience with Pete is he is able to negotiate a lot of good deals. That’s part of what you have to do both as general counsel and running the water management district,” Scott told the committee members during this week’s call. “I think he will do a good job. He’ll work hard. He’ll get deals done. And he’ll also be a good team player.”
Antonacci served as Scott’s general counsel from January 2013 until early 2015. He took over the water management district, with its approximately $660 million budget, in September 2015.
Between working for the governor and water management district, Antonacci worked as a registered lobbyist with the law firm GrayRobinson. His client list included Accelerated Learning Solutions, Key West, Corizon, JP Morgan Chase Bank, the National Notary Association and PC Solutions & Integration.
STORY OF THE WEEK: A two-year-old law requiring women to wait 24 hours before getting abortions looked to be on thin ice after a hearing before a Leon County judge.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This is not Lake Wobegon, and that’s exactly what the plaintiffs over and over again were coming up with.” — Rocco Testani, a lawyer for the state in the education case, questioning whether performance on accountability measures can determine whether the state is living up to its obligations.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida