Way We Worked: Learn About The History Of Molino Mills
April 13, 2016
West Florida Public Libraries and the Molino Mid-County Historical Society will host a talk on the history and archaeology of Molino Mills by UWF graduate student, Melissa Maynard, Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. This event will be held at the Molino Community Complex, 6450 Highway 95A. Maynard will provide insight into a lumber mill which operated along the Escambia River from 1865-1884 and was significant because it helped develop a community and an industry.
Also at the Molino Community Complex, visit the complementary exhibit “The Way We Worked.” This Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition celebrates the history of our nation’s diverse workers and industries on display until April 30. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly, closed Sundays, and open during Maynard’s talk from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“The Way We Worked” has been made possible in Molino by the Florida Humanities Council. “The Way We Worked”, an exhibition created by the National Archives, is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
Rowell Pitches Perfect Game For Tate; Jay Advances To Title Game
April 13, 2016
SOFTBALL
Tate 8, Pine Forest 0
Savannah Rowell had a perfect game with 18 strikeouts as Tate beat Pine Forest 8-0 in the District 1-7A semifinals Tuesday night
Savannah Ullrich had two homeruns for Tate. The Aggies advance to the District 1-7A title game Thursday night against Pace. The game begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at Escambia High School.
Pace advance to the title game with a 7-6 win over Escambia on Tuesday.
Jay 5, Freeport 4
The Jay Lady Royals are headed to the District 3-1A title game for the sixth year in a row after beating Freeport Tuesday night 5-4.
Destiny Herring pitched the win for Jay in seven innings with six strikeouts while allowing four runs.
Jay hitters – Destiny Herring 1-3, 2B, 2RBI, R; Avery Jackson 1-3, 2R; Samantha Steadham RBI single.
Also Tuesday, South Walton beat Chipley 4-0. That sets up a Jay versus South Walton title game at Northview Thursday night at 7:00.
BASEBALL
Milton 2, Tate 1
The Tate Aggies fell to the Milton Panthers 2-1 Tuesday night at Milton HIgh School.
Cole Halfacre homered for the Aggies in the fourth inning.
Tate hitters – Mason Land 1-4, Penton 1-3, Cole Halfacre 1-3, HR; Reid Halfacre 1-1, 2 BB.
Wahoos Open At Home With 4-3 Win Over Jacksonsville
April 13, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos first baseman Donald Lutz made up for his slow start to the 2016 season.
He was the hero in the Blue Wahoos sold out season opener at home Tuesday when he slapped a screaming groundball to right field in the fifth inning to score two runners and give Pensacola a 4-3 victory over the visiting Jacksonville Suns 
at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Lutz said it was comforting playing in front of the Blue Wahoos fifth straight season opening sellout crowd. He went 0-15 with nine strikeouts, including striking out five times in five at bats Monday against the Mississippi Braves the day before. But against the Suns, Lutz got some extra work in the batting cage before the game.
“It’s baseball,” Lutz said. “I’m a big believer that it doesn’t matter if you get angry and throw stuff. You can’t get too high or too low.”
He enjoyed breaking out of his slump with two singles in three at bats and the game-winning hit. “When you take the lead it gives you a little phhhh (relief). It loosens you up a little bit.”
The Wahoos came back and scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth off of Esch and chased him from the game.
Lutz had the big hit when his two-out single scored both Amaral and Vincej to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 4-2. Pin-Chieh Chen got the rally started with a lead-off walk and then scored the first run of the inning to tie the game, 2-2, when with the bases loaded Esch hit left fielder Phillip Ervin with a pitch.
Pensacola improved its record to 5-1 to remain atop the Southern League South Division.
Kelly said this game was a test to see how good the Wahoos are. Jacksonville entered the game with a 4-1 record, too.
“Playing another 4-1 club was a good challenge,” Kelly said. “I wanted to see how we would rise to the occasion.”
The game also featured the right field lights going out in the third inning. They never came back on. However, the umpires decided to continue the game when both team’s right fielders said they could still see the ball.
Jacksonville did get a run back in the sixth when second baseman Avery Romero singled to center field to score third baseman J.T. Riddle from second base.
The Suns loaded the bases in the eighth inning off Pensacola reliever Alejandro Chacin. But with one out, he struck out the final two batters to get out of the inning unscathed.
“Those were tremendous,” Kelly said. “That’s why we love this kid. He’s not afraid. If you’re going to pitch late in the game you can’t have any fear.”
The Blue Wahoos wasted little time to score the first run of the game, when center fielder Beau Amaral led off the first inning by pulling the ball over the right field wall into the Hill Kelly Hill area. Amaral went 2-4 with two runs scored and a solo home run.
Jacksonville shortstop Peter Mooney doubled to lead off the third inning, moved to third on a bunt single by pitcher Esch and scored on a fielder’s choice by center fielder Yefri Perez to tie the game, 1-1.
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers Now Open In Century, Pensacola
April 13, 2016
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers opened Tuesday in Century and Pensacola to assist tornado victims.
The loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to business, non-profits, churches an individuals that suffered physical or economic losses as result of the EF-3 tornado on February 15 in the Century area or the Feburary 23 EF-3 tornado in the Pensacola area.
The Century Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be at the Century Business Center at 140 East Pond Street beginning 8 a.m. Tuesday. The center will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, until final closing at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 21.
The Pensacola location will be open at the West Florida Regional Planning Council office at 4081 East Olive Road, Suite A. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday until final closing on 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 21.
Both locations will be closed on Sunday, April 17.
Loans are available to businesses, individual homeowners and even renters.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judge Turns Downs Challenge To Prison Health Contract
April 13, 2016
An administrative law judge has rejected a challenge to a Florida Department of Corrections decision to award a $268 million contract for health services at the majority of the state’s prisons.
The department in January awarded the contract to Centurion of Florida LLC after another firm, Corizon Health, decided to end its contract to provide services to about three-fourths of the state’s inmates.
The award of the contract drew a challenge from Wexford Health Sources, Inc., which provides services to inmates in the rest of the state. Wexford questioned, at least in part, whether the department acted properly in awarding a no-bid contract to Centurion. The department, however, argued that state law allowed it to award such a contract and that Administrative Law Judge R. Bruce McKibben should “relinquish jurisdiction” of the dispute.
McKibben issued an order last week siding with the department and closing the case at the Division of Administrative Hearings.
“Wexford’s argument, though not without merit, is a matter for resolution by the Legislature,” McKibben wrote.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The medical unit inside Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deputy, Five Others Injured In Traffic Crash
April 12, 2016
Six people, including an Escambia County deputy, were injured in a two vehicle crash Monday night at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Beulah Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Hector Escajeda, 31, was southbound on Beulah Road when he ran a stop sign at Mobile Highway and collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Jon Yvarra, 58, of Pensacola. After the collision, the deputy’s 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe caught on fire.
Escajeda was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Yvarra and his passengers – Patricia Yvarra, 57; Damen Hadder, 12; James Hadder 13; and Christian Hadder, 10, were all transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.
Charges are pending in the crash, according to the FHP.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Four Charged As Flomaton Police Seize Drugs, Thousands In Cash
April 12, 2016
The Flomaton Police Department has made multiple drug arrests over the last two nights.
Sunday night, Flomaton Police arrested 25-year old Koree Harrison, 37-year old Justin Ullrich and 34-year old Oscar Powers in the area of Hurricane Park after its 11:30 closing time. They were found to be in possession of methamphetamine, according to Police Chief Bryan Davis. Each was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Flomaton officers made another large drug bust Tuesday night during a traffic stop on Highway 31.
Christopher Hatton, 53, was charged with multiple felony counts including possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana first degree. Deputies seized a quantity of “high grade” marijuana and other drugs, along with a significant amount of cash.
“We are seeing a great influx of methamphetamine in Flomaton,” Davis said. He said his department will continue to crack down on drugs in Flomaton.
Pictured top and first photo below: Drugs and a large amount of currency were seized by the Flomaton Police Department during a Tuesday night traffic stop on Highway 31. Pictured bottom two photos: Drugs and cash seized during the arrest of three people near Hurricane Park Monday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Poised To Act On Health, Education Bills
April 12, 2016
In a final flurry of activity from the legislative session, Gov. Rick Scott this week will take action on heavily debated health, education and tax bills.
Scott faces deadlines to act this week on 25 bills, including 22 of them on Thursday. After that, one deadline will remain next week for a controversial bill about overhauling the state’s alimony laws.
As of early Monday afternoon, Scott had signed 245 of the 272 bills approved by the House and Senate during the session that ended March 11 and had vetoed only one — a local bill dealing with Gainesville Regional Utilities, according to a Senate tally. After each legislative session, House and Senate leaders gradually send bills to Scott, who then has 15 days to take action.
The batch with a Thursday deadline include bills that were closely watched during the session by health-care and education interest groups and lobbyists.
As an example, Scott will take action on a proposal (HB 423) that would allow advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe controlled substances. Advanced registered nurse practitioners have lobbied for years for the prescribing authority but have faced opposition from doctor groups. The bill would place some limits on the authority, such as restricting the prescribing of what are known as “Schedule II” controlled substances, such as codeine and oxycodone, to seven-day supplies.
Among other health-care measures, Scott will take action on a proposal (HB 221) that addresses an insurance issue known as “balance billing.” The issue, which drew lobbying from health insurers, doctors and hospitals, primarily deals with patients who have preferred provider organization, or PPO, coverage and go to hospitals for emergency care.
Patients have sometimes gotten unexpected bills because doctors at the hospitals are not part of the insurance plans’ networks. The legislation, at least in part, would set up a dispute-resolution process that supporters say would help shield patients from unexpected bills and leave it to health-care providers and insurers to work out payment issues.
Also facing a Thursday deadline is an omnibus education bill (HB 7029) that includes a plan to allow parents to transfer their children to any public schools in the state that are not at capacity. The bill ties together a variety of other education issues, ranging from performance-funding formulas for colleges and universities to changes in high-school athletics.
Among the other proposals set for action is a $129.1 million tax cut package (HB 7099). Perhaps the most-notable parts of the package are a permanent sales-tax exemption on manufacturing equipment and a three-day sales-tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers this summer.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
North Escambia Native Rebekah Bydlak Running For Congress
April 12, 2016
Tuesday, 25-year old North Escambia native Rebekah Johansen Bydlak officially announced her Republican candidacy for Florida’s First Congressional District seat, following Jeff Miller’s announcement that he will not seek re-election.
Bydlak said she will file her official paperwork to run for Congress withing the next week. She chose to make her official announcement first and exclusively on NorthEscambia.com.
Bydlak has served as director of outreach for the Coalition to Reduce Spending, an advocacy organization dedicated to reducing federal spending and debt.
“The First District deserves innovative solutions, not just more of the same,” Bydlak said. “A vibrant, 21st century economy that benefits all demands a federal government that abides by our Constitution.”
“Washington is broken,” she added, “and I have the experience to be part of the solution. Every child born today will face tens of thousands of dollars in debt they did not ring up, thanks to career politicians who have no interest in stopping business as usual. I will fight for my generation’s right to be free from this burden.”
Bydlak said her entrance in the race is sorely needed because voters know that politics as usual will not solve problems such as $19 trillion in government debt.
“Having successfully advocated important spending cuts, pushed back against Obamacare, and built fiscally conservative coalitions nationwide, I’m confident that I have the knowledge and skills to repeal Obamacare, cut spending and debt, protect educational freedom, and take care of our veterans,” she said.
“I think people are ready for new faces in Washington,” Bydlak said. “People are tired and are ready for political outsiders. I can be the outsider people are looking for; there is a real need for new people in Washington.
Bydlak was home schooled her entire life before attending Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. She holds a master’s degree in political science and public administration from UWF and spent the last three years at the Coalition to Reduce Spending, advocating full-time for lower spending and debt among the public, elected officials, and candidates across the country.
In what is expected to be a crowded field of candidates, some of which will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars very quickly, she said campaign funding will not be an issue.
“I have the ability to be competitive, especially this year as voters are looking for more,” Bydlak said. “Not more politics as usual.”
Pictured top: Rebekah Johansen Bydlak is running for Congress. Pictured below: Rebekah Johansen Bydlak with her husband Jonathan and family dog Reagan. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Broxson Brings In $57K In March
April 12, 2016
State Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, piled up campaign cash in March, bringing in $57,050, according to a newly filed finance report.
The March contributions brought Broxson’s overall total to $137,861, and he had about $105,000 in cash on hand as of the end of the month. Broxson has been widely mentioned as a potential candidate for the state Senate seat held by Baker Republican Greg Evers if Evers decides to run for Congress this year. Evers could vie to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla.
Broxson is the only candidate who has filed paperwork to run in House District 3, which includes parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.