Wahoos And Suns Split Doubleheader
May 21, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers Jackson Stephens, Matt Magill and Carlos Gonzalez combined on a seven-inning no-hitter Friday against the Jacksonville Suns at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Pensacola won, 6-0, in the second game of a doubleheader as Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Stephens pitched five scoreless innings, allowing no hits, two walks and striking out two. He improved to 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA.
Reliever Matt Magill then threw one inning and struck out the side. Carlos Gonzalez pitched the seven and set the Suns down in order. This was the second no-hitter in team history with the first one in 2012.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville won the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, 4-0, on a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning by first baseman Brady Shoemaker followed by a solo shot by right fielder Moises Sierra to left center.
Pensacola is 25-17 and now tied with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the Southern League South Division. Pensacola has been chasing Biloxi since it lost to them, 4-3, April 19. Meanwhile, Jacksonville fell to fourth place and is 18-23.
In the second game, Stephens, who’s pitching at the Double-A level for the first time, mowed down the Suns. The 22-year-old has had four two-hitters and one one-hitter in his five years in Minor League Baseball.
Pensacola center fielder Bryson Smith tripled two runs in the top of the third inning to put the Blue Wahoos on top, 2-0. Smith then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tony Renda to right field for a 3-0 lead.
Pensacola added another run in the fourth when first baseman Kyle Parker singled to left field, Brandon Dixon doubled to left field and right fielder Jeff Galalich singled to right field to score Parker and increase the Blue Wahoos’ lead to 4-0.
Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino added two more runs in the seventh when he singled to right field, scoring both Smith and Renda to score make the final score, 6-0.
In the first game, Jacksonville scored four runs with two outs in the sixth inning. Shoemaker hit a three-run homer that brought in center fielder Yefri Perez and left fielder Austin Dean. Sierra then followed with his blast to left center.
Both home runs came off of Pensacola starter Sal Romano, who gave up seven hits and one walk and struck out five in 5.2 innings. Romano is 1-3 with a 4.74 ERA.
Meanwhile, Suns starter Jake Esch pitched six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and six strikeouts. He improved to 5-4 with a 4.63 ERA.
Leading Pensacola at the plate was Calten Daal, who accounted for three of the Blue Wahoos’ five hits on his 3-3 day at the plate. Second baseman Zach Vincej and center fielder Phillip Ervin each got a hit as both went 1-3. Pensacola was 0-10 with runners in scoring position.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Smith went 1-4 with two runs and two RBIs and Blandino was 2-3 with two RBIs. After hitting .167 in April, Blandino has increased his average to .281 in May.
Dump Truck Driver Killed In Escambia County Crash
May 20, 2016
A dump truck driver was killed in collision with a box truck Thursday in Escambia County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 46-year old Jessie Wright of Pensacola was traveling east on Gulf Beach Highway at Athens Avenue in a box truck as 50-year old Shawn Ford of Milton was traveling west about 1:45 p.m. For unknown reasons, the front of both vehicles collided.
Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene. Wright and his passenger, 32-year old Ronald Brown of Pensacola, were both seriously injuries and transported to Baptist Hospital.
Any charges in the crash are pending a traffic homicide investigation by the FHP.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Coin Laundry Robbery Suspect Arrested After Fight With Police
May 20, 2016
A man that allegedly robbed a coin laundry in Century last month has been arrested, but not without putting up a fight.
William Edward Perry, Jr. was charged with robbery and grand theft in connection with the April 21 incident at the Century Laundry and Self Storage, next to the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard.
Perry allegedly entered the business about 3:49 p.m. and ordered to the clerk to remain silent and give him the keys to the office, which she refused to do. Perry, who did not produce a weapon, then told the clerk to sit behind a row of washing machines as he took a bucket containing $300 in coins before fleeing.
Shortly after the robbery, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Perry fled with a children’s trick-or-treat Halloween pumpkin full of coins.
Perry was positively identified inside the Food Giant moments before the robbery checking the funds availability on his EBT card, and he was identified from a photo line-up by the laundry clerk and witness. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Pensacola Police located Perry panhandling near the intersection of Pace and Cervantes. When officers approached, he ran before falling down and scuffling with officers before being taken into custody. He was charged with battery, two counts of resisting an officer and obstructing police by the Pensacola Police Department.
He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $95,000.
Evers Calls For Governor, AG To Fight Transgender Bathroom Directive
May 20, 2016
State Senator Greg Evers has sent letters to Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi urging them to provide legal support to school superintendents who have vowed to reject new federal guidelines on transgender school bathroom access.
“I formally request your office to direct every available legal resource to assist in the fight to protect common sense school policies and ensure that not one dime of federal funding is pulled from these
districts,” the letter from Evers said.
Schools across the Florida Panhandle already implement the least disruptive, most common sense approach to protecting student privacy, regardless of a student’s gender. The new guidelines, announced by the Obama Administration last Friday, would force schools to allow any student to use the locker room or bathroom of their choice. No parental permission, medical or psychiatric diagnosis is required.
Senator Evers has spoken with many of the school superintendents across his district who told him they plan to reject the new rules, even if it means the loss of federal funding.
“These school officials are making the right decision,” Evers said. “Now it’s up to us to back them up, to find a way to protect those students and families that could be affected if Obama pulls the plug on Title
IX funds. I’m going to fight this every way I can.”
Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program Accepting Applications From Private Landowners
May 20, 2016
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program. Applications for the program will be accepted through July 29, 2016.
“Cogongrass is one of the most aggressive weeds in Florida and is capable of rapidly choking out and displacing our native plant species,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Through the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program, landowners can help stop the spread of this harmful pest in Florida.”
Cogongrass is an invasive, non-native grass that occurs in Florida and several other southeastern states. Cogongrass infestations negatively affect tree regeneration, growth and survival, as well as wildlife habitat, native plant diversity, forage quality and property values. They also increase the risk of wildfires and alter fire behavior.
“Left untreated, invasive cogongrass can spread quickly, causing long-term problems,” said State Forester Jim Karels. “In addition to reducing the productivity and value of forests and rangelands, it can greatly increase the risk and severity of wildfire.”
The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program, which is supported through a grant from the USDA Forest Service, is offered for non-industrial private lands in all Florida counties. It provides reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost to treat cogongrass infestations with herbicide for two consecutive years.
To obtain an application form or to learn more about program requirements, contact a local Florida Forest Service county forester or visit the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program web page. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
Escambia Schools To Live Video Stream Graduations
May 20, 2016
For the second year, the Escambia County School District will live stream all 2016 high school graduations.
We are excited to offer this service again this year to our students and their family members who may not be able to attend this milestone event,” said Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
The schedule for graduations ceremonies is below. Live streams will be accessible beginning abut 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time on the Escambia County School District Families page at http://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/families. The video can be watched for free on almost any computer, smart phone, smart TV and many other devices.
- Escambia Virtual Academy, George Stone Technical Center and Judy Andrews (Second Chance) Graduation – May 24, 6:00 p.m., Pensacola High School Auditorium
- Escambia Westgate – May 25, 9:00 a.m., Escambia Westgate
- Extended Program – May 26, 9:30 a.m., J.E. Hall Center, Room 160
- Tate High School – May 27, 11:00 a.m., Pensacola Bay Center
- West Florida High School – May 27, 2:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center
- Pine Forest High School – May 27, 6:00 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center
- Northview High School – May 28, 4:00 p.m., Northview High School
- Escambia High School – May 31, 11:00 a.m., Pensacola Bay Center
- Pensacola High School – May 31, 2:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center
- Booker T. Washington High School – May 31, 6:00 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center
- Summer School Program – July 21, 4:00 p.m., Pensacola High School
Pictured top: Northview valedictorian Kyndall Hall delivers a speech to the class of 2015. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Seniors Celebrate Scholarships
May 20, 2016
The Tate Band had a signing day ceremony to celebrate seniors who have earned scholarships in music and academics to attend college next year.
The list of students/universities is as follows:
Florida State University
Bryce Coots
Texas A&M University
Jacob Norre
Troy University
Ashley Barnett
Zachary Vranich
Tristan Workman
University of Mobile
Madison Tourney
University of South Alabama
Tiana Hendricks
University of Southern Mississippi
Cody Swilley
University of West Florida
Ryan Cawby
Nicholas Touchstone
William Carey University
Katie Woods
Photos submitted by Patricia Maness for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Wahoos Rained Out In Jacksonville
May 20, 2016
The opening game of the five-game series between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (24-16) and the Jacksonville Suns (17-22) was rained out Thursday night.
The two Southern League South Division teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Friday at The Baseball Grounds at Jacksonville.
Pitching in the first game will be Blue Wahoos RHP Sal Romano (1-2, 4.50) against Suns Jake Esch (4-4, 5.31). In the second game, Pensacola RHP Jackson Stephens (2-3, 4.23) is schedule against Jacksonville RHP Chris Mazza (1-0, 3.09).
Per Southern League rules both games of the doubleheader will only last seven innings, instead of the regular nine innings.
One Injured In Early Morning Highway 97 Crash
May 19, 2016
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash early Thursday morning on Highway 97 north of Molino.
The driver of a Jeep Cherokee lost control on Highway 97 south of Hendricks lane about 4:30 a.m. and ran off the roadway. The vehicle rotated and crashed into a wooded area.
The driver was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by Atmore Ambulance with injuries that were not considered to be serious.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details including the name of the driver have not been released. The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Now Offering ‘Bloom’ Compost
May 19, 2016
Several Bratt residents are giving “Emerald Coast Bloom” compost a try…a new product from the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
ECUA is now creating the nutrient-rich compost at the Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment using a combination of yard waste — such as leaves, grass and pine straw — and biosolids –treated sewage sludge that meets high standards.
“It does not smell. That’s always the first question” ECUA Sanitation Supervisor James Courson said as he delivered the sample bags to a group in Bratt Wednesday morning. “It’s a good quality compost, and there’s no smell even when it is wet.”
“Samples have been sent to a national compost-grading agency, and ECUA’s ‘Bloom’ compost has been certified by this agency as meriting its highest rating,” ECUA District 5 Board Member Larry Walker said.
“He (Walker) wants me to try it with my tomatoes,” Bratt resident Howard Hanks said, “planting half of them with the ECUA compost and half without.”
Some of the compost is being sold to smaller landscaping companies for their use and resale to the public. In Escambia County, Woerner Landscape offers the product to the public, including small “by the bag” quantities.
ECUA hopes to soon find a single buyer for all of the compost that they produce, according to Amanda Handrahan, ECUA recycling coordinator.
For more information, call (850) 969-6606.
Pictured top: Bratt resident Howard Hanks receives a sample of ECUA Bloom compost from Sanitation Supervisor James Courson Wednesday morning. Pictured below: Courson loads compost for James Payne. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
