Century Applying For $1.3 Million In Grants
August 25, 2016
The Town of Century is currently seeking grants totaling just over $1.3 million for tornado recovery.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has made $600,483 in emergency funding available for recovery efforts following the February 15 EF-3 tornado. The application process for Century is basically a formality…the state has announced that Century is the only local government eligible to apply for the funds.
Wednesday afternoon, the town held the first public forum of the application process. No members of the public attended.
The application process is currently also underway on a $700,000 small cities Community Development Block Grant for housing rehabilitation and replacement.
Pictured: Century Mayor Freddie McCall during a grant application meeting Wednesday at the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall To Mobile
August 25, 2016
After earning two runs in the first inning to go ahead, 2-1, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos lineup simply failed to generate any more scoring opportunities against the Mobile BayBears’ four pitchers Wednesday.
Pensacola got only two more runners on base after the fourth inning.
Mobile, which lost the first two games of the series to Pensacola, pulled out a 3-2 victory in the eighth inning at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The BayBears have not had the best luck in one-run games this season and are now 25-27 in them.
Mobile’s win makes for an exciting three-way race for the second half crown. Mississippi (33-24), which has lost six of its last seven games, is 3.5 games up on Pensacola (30-28) and is four games up on Mobile (29-28).
Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly feels good about his team with 12 games left to play in the Southern League season, despite Wednesday’s loss. Pensacola, which won the first half title with a franchise record 41 wins, are 11-4 in their last 15 games.
“We’re back on track, which is good to see,” Kelly said. “I was a little concerned for a while and wondered if we were getting too complacent. Yeah, they wanted to win but it doesn’t really count. Now, the guys see it does count and they’re doing a great job.”
Mobile’s pitchers, Taylor Clarke, Austin Wright, Miller Diaz and Matt Stites blanked the Blue Wahoos for eight innings. Combined they gave up two runs, one earned on seven hits, walked none and struck out 10. Diaz earned his first win for Mobile and is 1-0, while Stites earned his 14th save on the year.
“They pitched really well,” Kelly said. “They’re a tough, tough club.”
The BayBears’ second baseman Jamie Westbrook scored the winning run in the eighth. Mobile third baseman Dawel Lugo blasted a ground ball down the third base line that Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks backhanded and tagged out Mobile first baseman Kevin Cron for the second out of the inning. However, Westbrook scored.
Mobile pinch hitter Gabriel Guerrero tied the game up, 2-2, in the seventh inning when his single to left field scored Lugo.
Pensacola had gone ahead, 2-1, in the first inning when second baseman Brandon Dixon doubled off the base of the left field wall to drive in left fielder Phillip Ervin with the first run. It was Dixon’s seventh RBI in 10 games and he now has 59 RBIs on the year that is first on the team and ninth in the Southern League.
The second Blue Wahoos run scored when right fielder Sebastian Elizalde scored on a wild pitch. Elizalde extended his hitting streak to 10 games Wednesday. His longest streak is 14 games at High-A Daytona Tortugas last season.
Pensacola looked like they could have piled on more runs in the first inning but third baseman Alex Blandino made an ill-advised steal attempt of third base and was thrown out. He had singled to start the game and moved to second on left fielder Phillip Ervin’s single. But with left-handed hitter Elizalde at the plate and no outs, Blandino took off.
“We had errors of aggressiveness,” Kelly said. “You want your guys to be aggressive. But it came back to bite us tonight (Wednesday).”
Barrett Astin showed he can still start when needed. After blanking Mississippi in six innings and striking out a season-high eight five days ago, the 24-year-old righty threw a season-high 6.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits, walking one and striking out five. Astin didn’t get the decision Wednesday but his ERA as a starter is 2.75.
Of his 10 starts this season, he has allowed two runs or less in nine of them, including two throwing two six-inning shutouts in his last four starts.
“Swing guys in the big leagues right now are very important,” Kelly said. “He’s got a lot of value because he can do both.”
Deputies Target Thief Caught On Camera
August 25, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is targeting a thief. They say the suspect in this picture walked into Target on Nine Mile Road and walked out with several hundred dollars worth of stolen merchandise. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County To Host Job Readiness Workshops
August 25, 2016
Escambia County is sponsoring a series of job readiness workshops, providing job seekers with information and training to enhance their chances of being work-ready when the right job comes along. Workshop dates will be announced on an as-needed basis. The ongoing workshops are free and open to the public, with training session topics including:
- Job search tips and tricks
- Job application and resume development
- Interviewing techniques
- Dress for success
- Time management
- Finding the right job for you
- Customer service skills in the workplace
- Getting along with others in the workplace
- Keeping the job
- Effects of social media and the workplace
- And more…
To register for a workshop or for more information, call (850) 595-3130 or email Carla Jones at csjones@myescambia.com.
FDOT Installs Signs, Lowers Speed Limit To Help Stop Highway 29 Truck Rollovers
August 24, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation is working on their next step to address a problem with a North Century Boulevard curve that has seen multiple semi-truck rollovers.
A FDOT contractor has installed “Curve 30 Mph” signs both north and southbound approaching a curve near Jackson Street, and north and southbound near a curve just north of Burger King. The contractor indicated that additional signs will be installed next week instructing truckers to use the left inside lane and warning of the tipping hazard.
The Florida Department of Transportation has acknowledged the the signage is a temporary fix. FDOT is working to identify a design and construction project to correct the slope of the roadway. Century and Escambia County have both pressed FDOT to eventually fix the elevation problem with the roadway.
Twice this year, semi-trucks rolled over in a curve on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street. City and county officials believe the curve is badly designed with a slope in the outer lane that is difficult for semis to negotiate at the posted 35 mph speed limit. The amount of lean on an 18-wheeler in the outer lane is demonstrated in the photo at page bottom.
Pictured: A newly installed sign near a on North Century Boulevard near Jackson Street warns drivers to slow for the curve. Pictured below: Another warning sign warns of an approaching curve near Burger King. Century Mayor Freddie McCall is seen observing traffic Tuesday shortly after the signs were installed. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Professor To Attend Makerspace Event At The White House Today
August 24, 2016
Thomas Asmuth, an assistant professor in the University of West Florida Department of Art, will participate in a roundtable discussion at the White House today during an event called “The Nation of Makers.”
Asmuth teaches new media at the University and works on art projects that meld science and technology.
He is also the founder and president of Emerald Coast Community of Makers, a makerspace shop located on North Guillemard Street in Pensacola. “Makerspace” is defined as a community-operated work space where people with common interests in computers, machines, technology, science and digital art and other areas, meet, socialize and collaborate on projects.
“The Nation of Makers” focuses on people who organize makerspace events.
Asmuth responded to a survey about two weeks ago that the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House sent out.
“It was very basic,” Asmuth said. “They were just collecting data about makerspaces in general, and I thought it would be nice to see a pin on the OSTP makerspace map where Pensacola is. I just about fell over when they got back to me and invited me to the White House.”
Roundtable discussions at “The Nation of Makers” are designed to help organizations strategize about growth and sustainability.
Topics to be covered at the White House meeting include legal structures for nonprofit organizations, methods for measuring benefits to the community, ways to cope with burnout, devices for maintaining diversity and inclusion and plans for developing mentorships within organizations and other issues.
“I’m pleased that I’m going to be meeting with people who will be associated with partnerships between makers and spaces, including some universities from around the nation,” Asmuth said. “Hopefully, I will come back with a report that can inform us of how we might have a makerspace at UWF sometime in the future.”
The trip is supported by a grant from the University of West Florida Center for Research and Economic Opportunity.
“Thomas is exactly the right person to be representing UWF at this White House event,” said Dr. Brice Harris, assistant vice president of research and economic opportunity at UWF. “At its core, the maker movement is about empowering individuals to translate their unique thoughts and ideas into creative works and innovative product solutions. The implications for entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing are tremendous. I believe the contributions Thomas will make to the national discourse while attending the event will be important, and he will return home with new ideas and best practices that will enhance our understanding of the burgeoning role makerspaces are playing in higher education.”
Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/University of West Florida for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Water Main Leak Slows Molino Traffic
August 24, 2016
Traffic on Highway 95A near the Molino Community Complex was slowed Tuesday evening as Molino Utilities crews repaired a water main leak. We are told the leak was not significant enough to require a boil water notice. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Indicted For First Degree Murder Of Two Year Old
August 24, 2016
An Escambia County Grand Jury indicted Alonzo Dewayne Thompkins, Jr. for first degree felony murder in the death of a two-year old child.
On August 8, child was found unresponsive by his mother after being home alone with the defendant for approximately one hour. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the death of the child to be caused by blunt force trauma to the child’s torso.
Thompkins is scheduled to be arraigned on September 1 for the murder. He is also charged with aggravated child abuse after a three-year-old child in the residence had multiple bruises on her body and a broken collar bone.
Volleyball: Northview Hosts West Florida (With Gallery)
August 24, 2016
The Northview Chiefs hosted West Florida High School’s Jaguars Tuesday afternoon.
JV 16-25, 22-25 WFHS wins
Varsity 15-25, 17-25, 6-25 WFHS wins
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Northview Chiefs will host Pensacola Christian on Thursday. Junior varsity plays at 4:30 and the varsity takes the court at 5:30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ervin Crushes Game Winning Homer For The Wahoos
August 24, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder Phillip Ervin drove in two runs with a key line drive single to center field and a game-winning home run that he crushed high above the 400-foot sign in dead center.
Ervin, a first round draft pick in 2013 by the Cincinnati Reds, certainly looked like the player the Major League club projected him to be Tuesday, going 3-4 with two runs scored in the, 3-2, victory over the Mobile BayBears at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
On a 2-0 pitch, Ervin got all of the ball in the bottom of the eighth inning. The leadoff homer was the first ball hit out the park by Pensacola since Aug. 13.
“That was very impressive,” Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said, marveling at Ervin’s power. “He’s being patient. When he’s patient like that he gets good hits.”
Ervin, the Reds No. 16 prospect, now has 12 homers and 39 RBIs on the season. He also has 33 stolen bases, making him the first minor leaguer in the organization to have back-to-back double digit home runs and 30-plus steals in a season since Henry Rodriguez did it in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Last season, Ervin knocked 14 homers and 71 RBIs for High-A Daytona Tortugas and Pensacola.
“It’s a great combo,” Kelly said of Ervin’s power and speed. “He’s got great tools. That’s why he was a No. 1 draft choice.”
The Blue Wahoos have now won the first two games of the five-game series over rival Mobile. Combined with the Mississippi Braves, 2-0, loss to the Biloxi Shuckers Tuesday, Pensacola is now 3.5 games behind division leader Mississippi at 30-27. The Braves are 33-23 in the second half.
“We’re peaking at the right time,” Kelly said with 13 games left in the 2016 season. “We’re hitting on all cylinders right now.”
The Blue Wahoos struck in the sixth inning, tying the game, 2-2, when center fielder Jeff Gelalich hit a two out single to score Ervin from third. Ervin had singled to drive in shortstop Alex Blandino earlier in the inning that pulled Pensacola within, 2-1.
Pensacola starter Jackson Stephens pitched out of two bases loaded jams in the first three innings, allowing just one run when he hit Mobile center fielder Evan Marzilli with a pitch that scored left fielder Rudy Flores from third in the second inning.
In the fourth inning, Mobile again put runners at the corners with two outs but Stephens got Mobile first baseman and slugger Kevin Cron to hit a pop foul to first base to end the inning.
Mobile had six runners in scoring position in four straight innings but Stephens was able to get out of the innings unscathed in a gutty performance. Stephens threw 91 pitches in five innings, allowing one unearned run, giving up seven hits, walking two and striking out four.
In all Mobile, was 2-10 with runners in scoring position Tuesday and left 14 runners on base.
“He battled and kept us in the game,” Kelly said. “A couple of those innings could have gotten really ugly. But he pitches with a chip on his shoulder. Nothing’s ever been handed to him. He’s had to earn it. That’s the way you have to be.”
The game stayed, 1-0, Mobile until the sixth inning when BayBears second baseman Jamie Westbrook hit a solo homer just over the left field fence for his third of the year to put his team up, 2-0. It was also the Mobile team’s 99th homer this season, which leads the Southern League.