DCT Student Merchant Honored By Town, Wins Scholarship
May 17, 2016
Northview High School student Cheyenne Merchant was presented a scholarship and a proclamation in her honor during Monday night’s meeting of the Century Town Council.
Through the Northview Diversified Career Technology (DCT) program, Merchant spent a portion of her school day working at the Century Town Hall for high school credit.
The proclamation recognized Merchant for “her time of service as a positive example in our community” and for her “diligence and eagerness to learn…while continuing to meet the rigors of her academic studies”.
McCall surprised Merchant with the announcement that she was the winner of the $500 Twin City Volunteers Scholarship for 2016. The group is a service club similar to Rotary that works for the betterment of Flomaton and Century.
Merchant and her teacher, Brandy White, presented the town with a Certificate of Appreciation for supporting the Northview DCT program.
Pictured top: Cheyenne Merchant reacts as Century Mayor Freddie McCall announces that she has won a $500 scholarship from the Twin City Volunteers. Pictured below: McCall, Merchant at NHS DCT teacher Brandy White. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Senior Reber Signs With LaGrange College
May 17, 2016
West Florida High School senior Kris Reber of Molino signed Monday to play baseball with LaGrange College in Lagrange, GA. Among those joining him for the signing were WFHS Athletic Director and Head Coach Mark Conti, his brother Zach Reber, sister Olivia Reber and parents TJ and Melissa Reber. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Battle Of The Books Team Takes First Place
May 17, 2016
The Northview Battle of the Books team took home the first place Saturday in the Escambia County School District’s annual Battle of the Books championship held at Washington High School. Students had 15 books to read as a team during the school year. They were quizzed on the books in five different rounds. Pictured are Northview Battle of the Books team members (L-R) Jewel Garner, Jessica Amerson, Jason Perritt, Shyla Pope, and Amber Freeman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall In 10 To Mississippi
May 17, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos had yet another chance to take back first place from the Biloxi Shuckers in the Southern League South Division.
However, Pensacola came up short as Mississippi Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson showed why he was the first overall pick in 2015, smashing a ball over the left field wall for the game winner, 4-3, at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Biloxi had lost, too, 1-0, to the Chattanooga Lookouts in 10 innings.
It was the third consecutive game between these two teams, so far, during this series decided by one run and second time they went into extra innings. Mississippi leads the five-game series, 2-1.
Pensacola dropped to 22-16, while Biloxi is 22-15.
The Blue Wahoos had runners on base in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings but could not capitalize. In the 10th inning, Swanson hit his solo shot, who went 2-4 with three runs scored Monday. Against Pensacola, he is now 5-12 or .417 with a homer, double, two walks, four runs scored and two RBIs.
Pat Kelly gave credit to Swanson who helped Vanderbilt win the College World Series title in 2014 and to runner-up in 2015.
“He’s a good player,” Kelly said matter-of-factly. “He’s definitely one of better players on the field.”
Pensacola kept the ball game close. Nick Routt threw 3.1 scoreless innings to increase his scoreless inning streak to 17.2—which is the longest this season for the team. Routt had three strikeouts and now has 20 in 22.1 innings.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Chacin threw a wild pitch with runners on first and third that allowed Swanson to score from third and tie the score, 3-3. Chacin, who hadn’t allowed a run to score all year, had his scoreless inning streak ended at 15 innings pitched.
Kelly said Routt has been “impressive” and is hard to hit because of his “spin rate” on his fastball that he keeps up with.
“He’s very intellectual guy,” said Kelly. “Nick (Routt) really tracks it and is aware of it. Hitters just don’t have a good swing at it.”
Mostly Kelly was upset with a call in the sixth inning when it appeared Pensacola shortstop Calten Daal beat out a slow roller to Mississippi first baseman Jordy Lara. It was a close play that would have extended Daal’s hitting streak to 15 games, the longest in the Southern League this season. It also would have scored right fielder Phillip Ervin with the winning run by giving the Blue Wahoos four for the game.
Instead the game went in to extra innings for the second time this series tied, 3-3.
Mississippi pitcher Sean Newcomb, the No. 2 pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization and 20th best prospect in the Major Leagues, bounced back from his last start when he gave up five runs on six hits and two walks in six innings to the Mobile BayBears, who won 5-3.
The Mississippi southpaw gave up two hits and three walks to Pensacola allowing three runs, one earned, and struck out seven Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola right fielder Phillip Ervin led the Blue Wahoos offense going 1-3 with a double, two RBIs and his 14th stolen base of the season. He smacked a stand up double when he lined the ball down the left field line that drove in Pensacola second baseman Alex Blandino to put Pensacola on top, 3-2, in the sixth inning. Ervin also scored left fielder Tony Renda from third on a sacrifice fly to the warning track in the fourth inning, that pulled Pensacola within, 2-1, against Mississippi.
Happily Ever After: Local Couple With Cerebral Palsy Gets Married
May 16, 2016
A local couple with cerebral palsy married Saturday in an emotional ceremony in Century. Family believes that they are first married couple in Florida where both suffer from cerebral palsy.
Cody Michael Smith of Byrneville graduated from Northview High School in 2008. A short time later, he first laid eyes on Cristy Yevtte Rush at United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida in Pensacola.
The friendship, and then their romance, blossomed — visiting UCP and Christy was the best part of Cody’s life. Until his world came crashing down when the state transferred Cristy to a home in Fort Walton Beach.
“Cody could not stand living without her,” Cody’s brother Chad Smith said. “We would get him to Fort Walton Beach to see her when we could, but it was hard to do very often.”
Cody’s family waited for a room to open at the group home, and then they moved Cody to Fort Walton Beach to be with the love of his life about three years ago.
Dreams came true Saturday as the couple, both confined to wheelchairs, exchanged vows in a small ceremony in Century.
Cody waited at the alter in his wheelchair with smile wider than his black bow tie. Cristy’s empty wheelchair was next to him, as the beautiful bride was helped to walk down the aisle in her flowing white wedding gown.
In an unscripted moment after the ceremony, Cody and Cristy were lifted to their feet for their first dance.
The couple will reside in the Fort Walton Beach Developmental Center.
As they embark on their happily ever after, the couple expressed their thanks to all that attended their perfect day, because fairy tale dreams do come true.
Photos by Morgan Odom for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Marks Three Months Since EF-3 Tornado
May 16, 2016
There were beautiful blue skies Sunday morning in Century, exactly three months since a monster EF-3 tornado ripped through the town, injuring three people and damaging or destroying 109 structures.
On Church Street, in the midst of what some locals now call the “tornado zone” stands two white churches that tell the tale of the tornado. The Century United Methodist Church, built 114 years ago, still leans precariously after the tornado lifted it off it’s foundation and shifted the entire building about two feet away.
On this beautiful May Sunday morning, the old wooden Century United Methodist Church building stood silent once again as members met across across the street in a house owned by the church.
Meanwhile — “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul” — the sounds of hymns could be heard in the street from the 100+plus year old First Baptist Church next door. Battered and weathered by the tornado, it still stands.
Parts of the tornado zone in Century are like the Methodist church building….quiet and empty. Scores of families were without insurance, and they continue to wait for the wheels of government to turn and make housing funding available. They’ve applied; they have placed themselves on waiting lists for help. But the process is slow.
But like the Methodist church members meeting across the street, and those in the Baptist church, the people of Century continue to stand together in faith that there town will be made whole again. In time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Officer Involved Shooting Under Investigation
May 16, 2016
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating an incident that occurred Sunday evening and resulted in a Pensacola Police officer being taken to a hospital for treatment after he was struck by a pipe and the suspect was shot by another officer.
The incident began around 6:20 p.m. near the intersection of North 16th Avenue and East Cervantes Street when a male suspect was reportedly driving with some traffic cones stuck underneath a stolen truck. The suspect refused to stop for police and continued driving recklessly until he finally stopped near Ruby Avenue and West Fairfield Drive.
The male suspect exited the truck swinging a large pipe at officers. One Pensacola Police officer fired at the suspect, who also was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. The officer who fired at the suspect is on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
No names or additional information are being released by the Pensacola Police Department.
Learn About Escambia Emergency Medical Services During EMS Week
May 16, 2016
This week, Escambia County is celebrating National EMS Week. The week honors emergency medical service professions for their dedication to public service and raises awareness about the many services, resources and programs available to Escambia County citizens offered by their local EMS staff. This year’s theme is “EMS Strong: Called to Care”. Community activities include a poster contest and open house on Saturday, May 21.
Fourth graders in Escambia County Schools are being asked to join in celebrating EMS week by designing a poster relating to this year’s theme. All submissions will be displayed at Escambia County Public Safety and one winning poster from each commission district will be selected by EMS staff on May 18. The winning submissions will receive a pizza party for their class delivered by an EMS crew on May 20.
EMS Week will conclude with an EMS open house Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at Escambia County Public Safety located at 6575 North “W” St. Residents are invited to tour the emergency communications and emergency operations center, learn about the county’s disasters assets and capabilities like a mobile command center and mobile hospital exhibits, receive free blood pressure screenings, and meet their local Escambia County EMS Staff.
Escambia EMS Facts:
- Escambia County EMS, a division of the Escambia County Department of Public Safety, is provider of critical care, advanced life support, basic life support and bariatric transports. ECEMS provides these services to Escambia County’s 300,000-plus residents. EMS has an aggressive Public Education Information Program that provides valuable information for various groups, including students, civic organizations, churches, professionals and the general public. EMS also provides both hands free and hands on CPR training.
- Escambia EMS responded to over 39,000 emergency calls last year.
- There are 100 full time employees and 40 relief employees at Escambia County EMS. The staff consists of paramedics, EMTs, stocking clerks, fleet managers, billing staff, and their supervisors.
- Both EMTs and paramedics have the knowledge and skills to transport patients and provide them with emergency care. The biggest difference between them is the amount of education they receive and what they are allowed to do for patients. Emergency Medical Technicians are entry-level patient care providers. EMTs learn the essential skills to help in life-threatening situations and their education is the foundation for all other levels of provider. EMTs are educated in many skills including CPR, giving patients oxygen, administering glucose for diabetics, and helping others with treatments for asthma attacks or allergic reactions. Paramedics are advanced providers of emergency medical care and are highly educated in topics such as anatomy and physiology, cardiology, medications, and medical procedures. They build on their EMT education and learn more skills such as administering medications, starting intravenous lines, providing advanced airway management for patients, and learning to resuscitate and support patients with significant problems such as heart attacks and traumas.
- Escambia County EMS was a 2015 STEMI Silver Award winner. The STEMI award is part of the American Heart Association’s The Mission: Lifeline Recognition Program who acknowledges STEMI Systems, or EMS, Referring Centers and Receiving Centers, for their efforts to improve quality of care for STEMI patients. Silver is the highest award an organization can receive in the first application year.
- Escambia County EMS Services was also recently selected as a 2016 Florida Excellence Awards Best Practices winner for the implementation of a customer satisfaction survey process in which recently transported EMS patients are contacted by telephone asking them for feedback on the quality of the care provided. The information enabled them to measure patient satisfaction, engagement and loyalty.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall To Mississippi
May 16, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos came close to matching the heroics of Saturday’s walk-off win but left the tying run at third base as the Mississippi Braves held on for a 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon.
Jeff Gelalich walked to lead off the ninth inning and advanced to third on a pair of infield outs. But Stephen Janas coaxed a first-pitch swing from Tony Renda to end the game.
“We gave ourselves a chance,” Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said. “We got the tying run on base and winning run at the plate. He was only 90 feet away.”
Chris Ellis earned his Southern League-best sixth win for Mississippi before turning the game over to Janas, who held the Wahoos to one hit in their last three innings. Ellis helped his own cause with three of Mississippi’s eight hits, including an RBI double to open scoring in the third inning. He later scored on a single, the first of two hits for the Braves’ top prospect Dansby Swanson.
The Blue Wahoos led off the fourth inning with two walks before Gelalich’s RBI single, the first of his Double-A career, tied the game. Alex Blandino gave Pensacola a 3-2 advantage on his third home run in 10 games, but the lead was short-lived.
Swanson’s leadoff double to left field started a bases-loaded rally that forced Jackson Stephens out of the game. Former Pensacola catcher Matt Kennelly got a run home on a double play before Matt Lipka hit the eventual game-winner, an RBI single up the middle.
With Biloxi’s 2-1 loss to Chattanooga, the Wahoos remain a half-game out of first place in the Southern League South Division.
Marijuana Industry Sees Green In Florida
May 16, 2016
There wasn’t a tie-dyed shirt to be found last week at a gathering in Central Florida where the buzz was all about the business of pot.
More than 3,000 people from across the nation and seven other countries swapped information about grow lights, soil nutrients and safes — to stash money and products — at the marijuana industry’s premiere trade show. And the choice of Florida for the event was no accident.
“We’re here in Florida, because at all of our national events that we’ve hosted, we’ve had very strong attendance out of Florida. We are confident that when, and it’s not going to be an if, when Florida legalizes marijuana on a medical or a recreational level, the Florida market is going to be absolutely huge,” said Marijuana Business Daily CEO Cassandra Farrington, whose publication organized the three-day convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.
For the second time in two years, Floridians in November will have a chance to legalize medical marijuana for a variety of debilitating illnesses. A similar measure narrowly failed in 2014 to capture the 60 percent support required to pass constitutional amendments.
“(Florida) is going to be a bellwether state, not only in the Southeast, but across the country, for marijuana legalization,” Farrington said. “As such, the business opportunities here are accordingly very, very large.”
While Florida’s emerging market — projected to be home to the second-largest population of marijuana consumers, if the measure passes — was a draw for some of the convention attendees, for others the event was just an opportunity to network and scope out the latest equipment and merchandise in what some experts estimate is a $4 billion-a-year industry.
Wandering through the convention exposition floor, visitors could stop by the “Bud Bar,” which specializes in displays for marijuana dispensaries.
A few feet away, several men in white lab coats embroidered with a pot plant handed out green Mardi Gras-style necklaces festooned with flashing marijuana leaves.
A sign above a piece of machinery declared “Trimming sucks. The Twister T2 doesn’t.”
During an introduction to one of Tuesday’s speeches, Marijuana Business Daily Publisher George Jage begged the audience’s pardon before encouraging attendees to network, which “helps us all reach a little higher.”
And while the parties and after-parties were reminiscent of any other convention or trade show, the hosts, vendors and attendees were all mindful that the product that is the focus of this week’s event is different. While Florida is one of 24 states that have legalized some sort of marijuana, cannabis is still outlawed under federal law.
“The use, distribution or sale of any products containing THC is strictly prohibited at the event, in the exhibit hall, conference sessions or any other function space where the event is conducted,” the convention show guide warned. “Any individual who possesses, transports, or consumes any THC-based products is solely responsible for his/her compliance with local and state regulations.”
Florida legalized non-euphoric cannabis for patients with severe muscle spasms or cancer two years ago, but the products aren’t available yet. This year, lawmakers approved full-strength cannabis for terminally ill patients. But the November ballot’s Amendment 2, largely bankrolled by Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, would vastly expand medical marijuana for patients with a broad array of diseases. Morgan addressed the convention Tuesday.
“Your market is huge and the demographics are so perfect for cannabis,” said Sara Batterby, president and CEO of Hifi Farms in Hillsborough, Ore., who left her Silicon Valley job as a venture capitalist to start up a grow operation.
Baby boomers and seniors who may have experimented with pot “back in the day” might be more amenable to using cannabis as a treatment for ailments as they age, backers of ballot initiatives like Amendment 2 believe.
Adam Bierman, CEO of MedMen, hosted a fundraiser Tuesday night in the hotel’s presidential suite for United for Care, a political committee backing Amendment 2.
November — when 20 states will have marijuana-related measures on the ballot — will be a “watershed moment for the industry and policy in general,” Bierman, whose California-based management company operates in four states and Canada, said in an interview Wednesday.
“From a political standpoint, it becomes harder and harder to be against,” Bierman said.
A poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University showed that Floridians agree with Bierman.
The poll found that 80 percent of voters support the proposed constitutional amendment, which would allow medical marijuana for patients with a wide range of conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Dixie Elixirs CEO Tripp Keber, called by some the “Gordon Gecko of the marijuana industry,” refers to his products as “a new wellness platform” superior to prescription pain pills or alcohol.
The industry creates jobs, helps sick people and puts money into state coffers, said Keber a developer from Alabama who launched his Colorado-based company six years ago and is now operating in six states.
Keber’s company will join forces with one of the six nurseries licensed to grow medical marijuana in Florida, he told The News Service of Florida this week.
“The fact of the matter is that the money is real,” Keber said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida