Green Hills Road Closure
August 6, 2016
A section of approximately of 200 feet of Green Hills Road between Stefani Road and Pine Forest Road will be closed to through traffic beginning Tuesday at 7 a.m.
The road closure is part of a drainage enhancement and repair project that will replace and enlarge the existing culvert which was temporarily repaired after the April 2014 flood. Traffic will be detoured either to West Roberts Road to Pine Forest Road to the west section Green Hills Road or West Roberts Road to Stefani Road to the east section of Green Hills Road.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 6, 2016
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Deputies Seek Credit Card Thieves
August 6, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on two suspects that used credit cards that had been stolen during a previous car burglary. The incdent occured July 26 at the Highway 29 Walmart in Ensley. Anone with information should call the Escambia Count y Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Wahoos Drop Series Opener To Biloxi
August 6, 2016
For the second game in a row, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos played in an extra inning game.
This time, the Blue Wahoos lost to the Biloxi Shuckers, 5-4, Friday at MGM Park when second baseman Brandon Dixon made a throwing error trying to turn a double play to end the inning that allowed the Shuckers pinch runner Clint Coulter to score the winning run.
On Thursday, Pensacola lost a nearly five-hour game to the Mississippi Braves, 10-2, in 14 innings at home.
Pensacola fell to 9-5 in extra-inning games and the first half champions dropped to 19-22 in the second half. Biloxi improved to 16-25.
The Biloxi Shuckers scored first when right fielder Tyrone Taylor smacked a two out solo homer over the left center wall for a 1-0 Shuckers lead in the bottom of the first. Biloxi went up, 2-0, when third baseman Tom Belza doubled to center field to drive in first baseman Dustin DeMuth
Pensacola pitcher Tyler Mahle walked to start the third inning and was knocked in by Blue Wahoos left fielder Phillip Ervin’s 19th double of the season to pull within, 2-1.
Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks hit a two-run homer to left center field to put Pensacola on top in the fourth inning, 3-2. Sparks eighth dinger this year also brought in Zach Vincej who started the inning with a single to center field.
Biloxi tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning when second baseman Javier Betancourt doubled to center field to drive in Belza.
Mahle, Pensacola’s starting pitcher, helped himself in the sixth inning with the bases loaded when he singled to left field to score Vincej, who led off the inning with a single. It was Vincej’s 21st multi-hit game and 19th in the second half.
Biloxi shortstop Angel Ortega homered on a line drive to left field, his second of the season, to start the seventh inning and tie the game, 4-4.
Pensacola’s Vincej has been one of the hottest hitters in the Southern League since June 1. He’s hitting .337 (61-181) in 54 games.
Also leading Pensacola at the plate Friday was Sparks, who now has three homers in his last six games. He went 2-5 with a two-run homer and scored twice. Sebastian Elizalde also went 2-5 with a double and has 19 multi-hit games with 15 of those coming in the second half.
Century Man Charged With Animal Cruelty
August 5, 2016
A Century man has been arrested on two animal cruelty charges.
Monroe Kemp Moore, Jr., age 51, was charged with two counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of an animal. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond and with a judge’s order to not possess any animals.
Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized three severely malnourished horses from a property in the 2500 block of Highway 168, near Shaw Road, near Century on May 27, 2015.
“All of the horses were thin, two of them were emaciated. “They didn’t have anything to eat, and they were in really bad shape,” PER President Diane Lowery said at the time the horses were seized. “People need to know that if they are not feeding and taking care of their horses they are going to have to deal with a judge.”
According to court documents in the case, two of the horses had bones that were projecting and visible due to malnourished. The horses were unable to graze due to a lack of grass in their quarter of an acre enclosure. It appeared that the horses had no water an no one caring for them for some time.
The horses were rehabilitated by Panhandle Equine Rescue.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, PER was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Brand New Century Academy Shines During Open House
August 5, 2016
An open house was held Thursday evening at the new Century Academy, a private, non-profit K-12 school that will specialize in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities.
Century Academy is operated by the well established East Hill Academy in Pensacola. It’s located in the former Carver/Century K-8 school on Hecker Avenue — an older building that has been transformed with plenty of paint and decor into a world filled with rain forest and ocean scenes — designed to capture the attention and imagination of children with autism.
“It is a beautiful place but one that is carefully designed to enhance the educational experience for children with autism and other learning disorders,” said director Barbara Barber.
After winning $20,000 in the Studer Institute’s Century Business Challenge, Barber knew the time was right for Century Academy, and she wanted it to be as much of a part of Century of possible.
“I hired only local staff,” Barber said. “I wanted them to be part of the community.”
The K-12 school plans to operate with a student-teach ratio of about five to one, with a teacher and assistant, in each classroom. Each students will have a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop, not a Chromebook like is being used in the public schools, she said.
Before the open house, about 15 students had officially registered for Century Academy, but Barber said she expects more students will be registered as their August 15 first day of school approaches. And she said she expects additional students to transfer in after school begins.
“I’m so excited about the opening of Century Academy. This school has the potential to change the entire face of the community and raise the bar economically for the community and personally for the children for years to come,” Rep. Clay Ingram, who attended the open house Thursday, said.
Century Academy has an official motto, stenciled on a wall just inside the front door — “We are Century Academy. All of us are unique. And when we come together, The puzzle is complete.”
There are two types of scholarships available for students that will cover the cost of tuition at the private school. Century Academy is now actively in the second phase of registration for the John McKay scholarship. This scholarship has a September 1 deadline to file an intent notice.
For more information about Century Academy, call (850) 437-5560.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Attorney: Morgan Campaign Ad In Northview FFA Program Not Criminal
August 5, 2016
The State Attorney’s Office has completed its review into a complaint that Sheriff David Morgan’s re-election campaign violated the Florida elections law concerning an advertisement that was published in a program booklet for the Northview FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree last spring.
The SAO found that there is insufficient evidence to prove a criminal violation. They determined that possible civil violations of the election law may have been committed, and the complaint has been refereed to the Florida Elections Commission.
The report from the State Attorney’s Office stated:
The State Attorney’s Office was contacted regarding possible election law violations by Sheriff David Morgan’s re-election campaign. These reports alleged two possible violations. The first possible violation was that Morgan’s campaign published a political advertisement that did not contain the required disclosure statement. The second allegation was that a Sheriff Office employee, Chief Deputy Eric Haines, participated in a political campaign while on duty.
Morgan’s campaign was contacted by a student representative at Northview High School to see if the campaign was interested in publishing a political advertisement in the Blue Jacket Jamboree booklet. A half-page advertisement was
purchased and was paid for using campaign funds in February 2016. Chief Deputy Haines asked his daughter to design and prepare the advertisement. On March 7, 2016, Chief Haines’ daughter completed the advertisement and sent it by email to Perry Byars, the FFA faculty advisor at Northview. Byars acknowledged receiving the advertisement and forwarding it to the FFA treasurer. This political advertisement did not contain the required disclosure stating the candidate’s name, party affiliation, or office sought.
On March 31, 2016, the Northview student responsible for the Blue Jacket Jamboree booklet contacted Morgan’s campaign deputy treasurer, Henrique Dias, to determine if the campaign was still interested in publishing an advertisement. At the time this email was sent, the student was unaware that Byars had already received the advertisement. This email was forwarded to Chief Haines the morning of April 1, 2016, shortly before he arrived at the Sheriff’s Office for work.
Haines, being concerned that his daughter had failed to complete the delivery of the advertisement, attempted to contact her. When he was unsuccessful in contacting his daughter and believing that there was an immediate deadline to return the advertisement, Chief Haines sent an email to the Northview student with the political advertisement attached. This email was sent at 9:26 a.m. while Chief Haines was on duty at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. This email was sent using Chief Haines personal cell phone and personal email account. No sheriff’s office computers or equipment was ever used.
The SAO said the required political disclaimer in the ad is a civil matter, enforceable by the Elections Commission with a fine up to $1,000.
The SAO also determined there was insufficient evidence to provide a criminal violation by Haines. Morgan has set forth policies and procedures that prohibit employees from engaging in political activity while on duty.
After the investigation, Haines docked himself one day of leave. For this reason, the SAO said the matter will be referred to the Florida Elections Commission for their review.
Tate Cheerleaders Take Honors At Camp; Four Headed To London
August 5, 2016
The Tate High School cheerleading squads recently attended the UCA Cheerleading Camp in Panama City Beach. The Tate varsity and junior varsity brought home Superior Overall in both of their categories.
Varsity received first place extreme routine, first place sideline, second place game day and Superior Overall.
Junior varsity received second place extreme routine, second place cheer and Superior Overall, and the freshman squad received second in game day.
Four Tate High cheerleaders — Payton Simmons, Zoe Williams, Jasmine Crabtree, and Mallory Stephens — were All-American Cheerleaders out of hundreds who attended the camp. Those who earned All-American status have been invited to cheer in the New Year’s Day parade in London.
Members of the Tate Varsity cheerleaders are: Taylor Roushon, Gloria Jones, Jasmine Crabtree, Emilee Potter, Cole Stillwater, Jonah Cass, Kinsey Gill, Krysanne Hagen, Mallory Stephens, Blessing Kirk, Lexi Holley, Elena Lucci, Morgan Austin, Brylee Dodd, Alexis Wilson, Kennedy Bellard, Hayden Lindsay, Abi Manoso, Kearstyn Lile, Bailey Carter, Shelby Flemming, and Coach Jessica King.
Members of the Tate Junior Varsity cheerleaders are: Payton Simmons, Tayler Mills, Kyndal Milstead, Zoe Williams, Taylor Barnes, Kensley Foley, Payton Herring, Keaden Martin, Kyanna Woods, Hannah Hamilton, Destiny Campbell, Madyson Reaves, Carlie Boswell, Danyah Turner, Ally Stephens, Skylar Smith and Coach Jamie Southard.
Members of the Tate Freshman cheerleaders are: Leila Jones, Madison Lucio, Skye Stillwater, Sherrie Swinson, Maddie Ray, Hailey Morphis, Savannah Weaver, Savanna Bowen, Lillie Hamrac, Karis Parmley and Coach Karen Potter.
Pictured top: Tate Varsity cheerleaders. Pictured first below: Invited to London are All-American cheerleaders Jasmine Crabtree, Mallory Stephens, Zoe Williams and Payton Simmons. Pictured second below: Tate JV cheerleaders. Pictured third below: Tate Freshmen cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mississippi Beats The Wahoos In Five Hour Game
August 5, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves were locked in a 2-2 tie for 13 innings and then the 14th inning happened.
That’s when the Braves sent 12 batters to the plate scoring eight runs on four walks, four singles and four errors by the Blue Wahoos. Mississippi won, 10-2, over Pensacola Thursday in a four hour, 57 minute game at Blue Wahoos Stadium to stay tied with Mobile for first place in the Southern League South Division. Both teams are 24-16, while Mississippi improved to 58-51 this season.
Pensacola fell to 9-4 on the season in extra-inning games. They also dropped to 9-2 in five-game series at home on the year after going a perfect 7-7 in the first half.
Pensacola is now 19-21 in the second half and 60-50 on the season.
In the top of the 14th inning, Pensacola relief pitcher Jake Ehret gave up a one out, bases loaded walk to center fielder Connor Lien to score third baseman Johan Camargo, who started the inning with a single. It gave the Braves a 3-2 lead and opened a flood gate of runs for Mississippi.
Pensacola set a franchise record with 20 strikeouts in the extra-inning game. The previous high was 18, including one that was a regular nine inning game.
Pensacola second baseman Ronald Bueno came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning. Bueno, who was called up from High-A Daytona Tortugas Tuesday, took a 2-2 pitch and sent a liner to left field to score right fielder Brandon Dixon to tie the game, 2-2, and send it into extra innings for the second time this series.
It was no pressure on the 23-year-old Bueno, who in his last bases loaded situation this season hit a double and drove in two runs for Daytona.
The Braves scored first, going up, 2-0, when first baseman Carlos Franco hit a two-out, two-run line drive over the center field wall in the sixth inning.
Pensacola got a run back in the seventh inning when the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with one out and right fielder Brandon Dixon scored from third on a wild pitch, pulling them within 2-1.
Pensacola went 6-50 or .120 with runners in scoring position against Mississippi in the series. In the previous series against the Montgomery Biscuits, the Blue Wahoos hit .190.
Sean Newcomb, the top Atlanta Braves pitching prospect, retired 16 in a row Thursday. He struck out a season-high 10 Blue Wahoos and gave up three hits in 6.2 innings.
Newcomb, who has allowed one run or less in nine of his 22 starts, did not get a decision Thursday and remains 5-7 on the year with a 4.26 ERA.
A first round pick in 2014, Newcomb dueled Pensacola spot starter Barrett Astin matched goose eggs through the first five innings. Astin, who had started in his last three outings and eight times this season, finished his outing pitching 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk and striking out six.
New Plant, 100 High Tech Jobs Coming To Atmore
August 5, 2016
The City of Atmore officially signed off Thursday on an agreement with Hunstville-based Brown-Precision that will bring 100 new jobs and a multi-million dollar investment to a new industrial park. And officials say they hope it is just the beginning of the job announcements in a new aerospace corridor.
Aerospace is Alabama’s second fastest growing industry sector and a key target in my Accelerate Alabama economic development strategy,” Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a prepared statement. “I’m committed to helping companies like Brown Precision expand in Alabama and strengthen their aerospace business. Rural communities are important to me, and I am honored to know the hard-working men and women in Atmore will soon have an opportunity to compete for more than 100 skilled well-paying jobs.”
“We are excited about being in Atmore,” Greg Brown, president and co-CEO of Brown Precision said Thursday morning in Atmore. “We hope this is going to be a corridor of aerospace industry all up and down I-65.” .
“Brown Precision is a great addition to Southwest Alabama’s growing aerospace cluster, which is poised to become a key region in this global industry over the next decade,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Brown Precision counts many of the industry’s biggest names as clients, so its expansion to Atmore says a lot about the region’s potential.”
Brown Precision, a family owned company founded in 1964, performs precision machining for clients in the aerospace and medical industries. It manufactures complex components ranging from aircraft and helicopter components to artificial human joints. Clients include GE Aviation, GKN Aerospace, Bell, PPG Aerospace, and Smith & Nephew.
The Atmore facility is expected to eventually employ more than 100 workers in activities such as CNC-based manufacturing, custom fabrication and component coating. The company expects to make an initial investment of approximately $7 million in the facility, with expansions possible.
“We think the Atmore area is a great fit for what we do at Brown Precision Inc., and we look forward to being part of the community,” said Dan Brown, the company’s co-CEO and chief operating officer. “We believe southwest Alabama and the Coastal Gateway region is positioned extremely well as a point of growth for the aerospace industry, and we wanted to be on the leading edge of that. We look forward to putting down roots that will hold for many years to come.” Dan Brown will move to the Atmore area to oversee the new facility.
At a ceremony in Atmore today, Mayor Jim Staff welcomed Brown Precision as the first industrial tenant in the Rivercane Industrial Park, located at the intersection of Interstate 65 and Alabama 21. A new access road to the park will be built in coming months.
“It is great day for Atmore,” Staff said. “They are going to be a great fit for the community.
“The Atmore area is a prime area to become a cluster of aerospace activity,” Tim Martin, president and CEO of the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. He said CIEDA’s Muskogee Metalworks will work in conjunction with Brown Precision, allowing the companies to bid on larger projects, especially for the government.
To develop the Rivercane Industrial Park, the City of Atmore received funding commitments from the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Delta Regional Authority.
The Alabama Department of Commerce and AIDT, the state workforce development agency, lent support to the Brown Precision project, as did numerous local agencies and businesses. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Creek Indian Enterprises also supported the project.
“We believe our region is going to benefit greatly over the years from the presence of Airbus and the expansion of the aerospace industry in general,” said John Johnson, executive director of the Coastal Gateway Economic Development Alliance, which acted as project manager.
“Adding Brown Precision Inc. to existing local aerospace companies, such as Muskogee Technology, and connecting with our local community colleges and training programs, serves notice that the Coastal Gateway region is not only ready to expand our aerospace sector, but has also proven capable of doing so,” Johnson added.
Pictured top: The Atmore City Council, with Mayor Jim Staff (right), approved the resolutions necessary to enter into an agreement with Brown Precision during a special meeting Thursday morning. Pictured top inset: Greg Brown, president and co-CEO of Brown Precision. Pictured botttom inset: Tim Martin, president and CEO of the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. Pictured below: A large crowd was on hand for the Brown Precision announcement. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
