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Aggie Classic: Tate Wins Again

Tate 6 , Muskogee, OK  0

The Tate Aggies picked up another win in their Aggie Classic Tuesday night with a 6-0 shut out of Muskogee, OK.

WP – Jared Hatch (5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 K)

Tate hitters – Mason Land 2-3, run; Branden Fryman 2-3, RBI, run; Jake Davis 2-4, double, 2 RBIs; Hunter NeSmith 1-4, RBI; Kolby Sprague 1-1; Hunter McLean 1-3; AJ Gordon 1-1

OTHER TUESDAY AGGIE CLASSIC SCORES

Shawnee, OK 3, Christ Presbyterian, TN 2

Scott To Veto $256 Million From New Budget

In a surprise move, Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday that he would sign the largest budget in state history while using his line-item veto relatively sparingly, defusing a potential showdown with state lawmakers.

Scott said he would sign the previously $82.3 billion spending plan for the year that begins July 1 while slicing a little more than $256.1 million in local projects and other spending initiatives. The announcement, which came on the same day as the state’s presidential primary elections, was unexpected. Scott generally doesn’t announce specific intentions on the budget until lawmakers officially send it to him for his approval — something that hasn’t happened.

By tipping his hand early, though, Scott dispelled speculation that he would veto a raft of projects in retribution for lawmakers gutting his main priorities during the legislative session, which ended last week. That essentially ended talk that House and Senate leaders would return to Tallahassee to override his decisions.

“Before I came into office, Florida was raising taxes and fees and there is no doubt that I will always want more tax cuts and more jobs,” Scott said in a statement released by his office Tuesday. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature to find more ways next year to return money back to families all across Florida.”

The budget bumps up per-student spending on public schools by 1 percent, moving it to a record amount. It spends more than $713.5 million on education construction projects and funds $151 million for restoration of the Everglades and an area lawmakers are calling the Northern Everglades.

However, legislators largely rejected much of what Scott wanted in a tax-cut package, though he used the numbers to declare victory on his 2014 re-election campaign promise to cut taxes by $1 billion over his first two years in office. Scott’s request for a $250 million “Florida Enterprise Fund” of business incentives was zeroed out.

That led some lawmakers to fear the worst. Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said Scott’s vetoes added up to about half of what Lee had expected. The budget chief noted that “a substantial increase in city and county projects” have been worked into the state budget.

“The governor is right to go after a lot of those line items where there is no compelling state interest,” he said. “I feel like there’s a real role for the governor in this process, and it sounds like, just from a first glance, that he has been very measured.”

Among Scott’s line-item vetoes were $55 million swept from an economic-development trust fund and used to pay for other items that will still be funded. That means he removed about $201 million in spending authority from the plan.

Still, that economic development money could not be spent for its original purpose unless lawmakers approve a budget amendment.

In fact, the amount of money vetoed from the budget falls in the lower half of yearly erasures in Scott’s term. The governor cut more than he did in 2012 or 2014, but less than he did in 2011, 2013 or 2015.

House leaders were also pleased with the announcement. Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and his expected successor — House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes — issued statements applauding Scott.

“Although I do not agree with every decision he has made, the governor’s vetoes provide an important check on the budget process. … I look forward to working with Governor Scott over the next two years, and I know that together we will continue to produce better, smarter and leaner budgets,” Corcoran said.

Crisafulli said Scott “has used his veto in a prudent and fair manner.”

Few of the lines struck from the budget were big-ticket items. The biggest cut was nearly $15 million for construction of the Center of Innovation Technology Education at Eastern Florida State College. The only other vetoes of $10 million or more were the elimination of $11 million to build a performing arts center at Pasco-Hernando State College, and the removal of $10 million for “quiet zone” improvements near railway lines.

But several small-bore projects were also whacked from the plan. The vetoes included items like $3 million for the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse parking structure; $1 million for the St. Johns River Ferry; $200,000 for youth crime prevention programs in West Park; and $25,000 for college prep and science, technology, engineering and math — or “STEM” — programs for girls.

As part of his message, Scott — who has pushed for colleges and universities in particular to focus on STEM education — listed the STEM project among several items he vetoed because “there is no identifiable statewide impact and school districts have the ability through historic funding ($7,178 per pupil) to implement these programs.”

While he appeared to leave bond funding for education construction projects standing, Scott slashed several of the Legislature’s specific proposals. In addition to the cuts at Eastern Florida State College and Pasco-Hernando State College, Scott removed $8 million to help Florida International University buy land and $8.3 million for the University of Central Florida that was to go to the Interdisciplinary Research and Incubator Facility and towards the renovation of its engineering building.

But Scott left in place $20 million to pay for the state share of a downtown Orlando campus for the University of Central Florida, a top priority of outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando.

Scott cut almost $8.4 million in projects that lawmakers added to the spending plan at the last minute. The so-called sprinkle lists contained about $123.1 million in funding — but Scott’s vetoes of those projects were larger proportionally than his other cuts to the spending plan.

The governor also let at least one proposal that he had previously vetoed stand: a pay increase for some state firefighters, one of several priorities for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

“With the support of the Florida Legislature and the governor, we are increasing pay for our wildland firefighters, supporting Florida citrus, protecting and growing Florida’s water supply, preserving Florida’s precious landscapes, promoting and defending Florida agriculture, protecting Floridians and much more,” Putnam said, in one of a string of statements from officials indicating the intrigue over the 2016 budget is over.

by Brandon Larrabee and Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

Baseball And Softball Recap: Northview, Tate, Jay

BASEBALL

Baker 4, Northview 3

The Bakers Gators defeated Northview Tuesday night 4-3.

Baker score one run in the first; two in the fifth and one in the seventh for the win. Northview’s three runs cam in the final inning.

Northview hitters: Quentin Sampson 1-1, R; Seth Killam 1-3, RBI; Neese 1-3.

The Chiefs will travel to Chipley on Friday with the JV playing at 4:30 followed by the varsity at 6:30.

Baker 8, Northview 3 (JV)

SOFTBALL

Northview 5, Monroe County 1

The Northview Chiefs defeated the Monroe County Tigers Tuesday night at Northview 5-1. Tori Herrington pitched the win for the Chiefs in 7 innings striking out 10 while only allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits by the Tigers.

Northview hitters – Laurie Purdy 2-4, 1R, 2RBI. Aubree Love: 2-4, 1R, 1RBI. Alana Brown: 1-2, 1R. Daphne Young: 1-2, 1BB. Jamia Newton: 0-2, Sac Bunt, 1RBI. Kendall Enfinger: 1-3, 1R, 1BB. Tori Herrington: 0-2, 1R, 2BB.

The Chiefs travel to Chipley Wednesday for a double header due to rescheduling. First game will be at 4:00 with the second at 6:00.

Tate 18, Washington 1

The Tate Aggies beat Washington 18-1 Tuesday night.

The Aggies scored four in the first, one in the second, four in the third, six in the fourth and three more in the fifth for the win. Hannah Brown struck out 10 batters, allowing four hits and one run, while going 4-4 at the plate with a couple of triples, three RBIs and four runs.

Tate hitters – Hannah Brown 4-4, 2 triples, 3 RBIs, 4 runs; Syndi Solliday 3-3, double, RBI, 2 runs; Savannah Rowell 4-5, double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Savannah Ullrich 3-5, double, 2 triples, 3 RBIs, run

Jay 8, W.S. Neal 0

The Jay Royals rolled past W.S. Neal 8-0 in Brewton Tuesday night.

Jay hitters: Samantha Steadham 4-5 1R, 2B, 2 RBI; Michaela Stewart 1-3 2 R, 3 RBI Avery Jackson 1-3 1R… Mattie Holt 1-1 RBI.

WP — Harley Tagert 7 IP 0 R, 4 H, 3 K, 0 BB.

Pictured top: Northview JV at Baker. Photo by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Alabama Gov. Addresses Violence At Holman, Calls For Prison Reform

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley addressed the recent uprisings and stabbings at Holman Prison in Atmore and called for statewide prison reform to curb the violence.

The governor said the situation at Holman is under control, but it is only a matter of time before another uprising occurs, and he is pressing Alabama lawmakers for funding to make that happen.

“Failure is not an option,” Bentley said. “The Legislature has an opportunity to join us in making public safety in the prison a real priority.”

“I want us to go in this state from being the worst in the country to the best in the country,” Bentley said during a Tuesday morning press conference at Holman.  Alabama has the most overcrowded prison system in the country at almost 200 percent occupancy.

For an earlier story detailing the violence at the Holman Prison, click here.

Bentley is pushing the Alabama Legislature to approve the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act to construct four modern, efficient prisons across the state — three for men and one for women — to replace other facilities.

Many of the state’s current prison facilities were built decades ago. The age and design of the facilities are causing inefficiencies in the operation of the prison system, including increasing costs of maintaining and repairing the facilities, increasing costs of transporting inmates from prison to medical care facilities, increasing correctional and support staff costs because of the geographic disparity of the system and the antiquated design of the prison facilities, and increasing medical costs due to inefficiencies in delivering medical services to inmates.

The purpose of the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act is to reduce overcrowding and improve safety conditions for inmates and corrections officers, allow for additional inmate re-entry programs and to improve operational practices and procedures for the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). The legislation allows for the issuance of up to $800 million bonds for up to 30 years by the Alabama Corrections Institutions Finance Authority with the debt service on these bonds to be paid from savings within the annual budget of ADOC. The three men’s facilities will be designed to house at least 3,500 inmates.

Construction of the three regional men’s facilities and one female facility should begin in the fall of 2017 and is expected to be completed within three years, if the Legislature approves.

Pictured top: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley during a Tuesday morning press conference at Holman Prison. Pictured below: Bentley in a closed-door meeting inside Holman. Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.

One Month Later: New Video Shows Century Tornado; Other Videos Show Aftermath

Today, March 15, marks one month since an EF-3 tornado with winds of up to 152 mph ripped through 16.5 miles of the North Escambia area.

We’re looking back with three videos below.

The first is a previously unpublished video from NorthEscambia.com reader Wayne Mixon that shows the tornado from the Flomaton Show Shop as it moves along Fannie and Carnley Road in Florida and crosses the Alabama  state line.

The second video, a NorthEscambia exclusive, shows the rescue of an elderly woman from a collapsed home in Century. This video aired on several national newscasts and networks.

The third video is from Escambia County and shows a drone aerial view of damage in Century.

High School Cheerleaders Honored At FCA Banquet

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spirit of Champions awards were presented Monday night at a banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.  Cheerleaders and dance team members from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties recognized were:

Pensacola High Cheerleading  – Ya’China Dixon

Jay High Cheerleading  – Leslie Kinder

Catholic High Cheerldeading – Serena Bruder

Catholic School Dance – Macy Calvasina

Milton High Cheerleading  – Amy Fulmer

Northview High Cheerleading  – Hannah Nelson

Pine Forest High Cheerleading  – Kamryn McGinty

West Florida School  Cheerleading– Charlyn Murdy

East Hill Christian Cheerleading -  Sara Dominey

Escambia High High Cheerleading  – Ricora Jones

Gulf Breeze High Cheerleading – Pepper Rice

Picture top: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spirit of Champions award winners Monday night at the First baptist Church of Pensacola. (Note: Photo was submitted in black and white.) Pictured inset: Hanna Nelson, FCA winner from Northview High School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Wins Their First Game Of The Annual Aggie Classic

The annual Aggie Classic is underway with 24 teams from five states and is spread across six different play sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

“The Aggie Classic continues to be one of the best high school tournaments in the country. This year we have drawn 18 teams from Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida, not including our six host site teams.” said Greg Blackmon, Head Coach for Tate High School. “The commitment by our community and our Boosters to put on an event of this magnitude is huge. I am truly thankful for everyone’s assistance. The venues for the games have expanded and are the best diamonds in our area. We are looking forward to a great week of competition.”

Tate 7, Morris (OK) 3

The Tate Aggies won their first game 7-3 over Morris, OK,  in the annual Aggie Classic Monday night.

Madison Lockman earned the win for Tate, allowing one run, striking out four, walking two and giving up four hits over four innings.

The Aggies took an early one-up lead in bottom of the first on a Cole Halfacre single that sent Mason Land across home plate.  Tate had a four-run second inning with scores on a three-run error and an RBI single from Branden Fryman.

Mason Land 1-3, 3R; Branden Fryman 1-3, RBI; Cole Halfacre 1-4, RBI; Logan Blackmon 1-2; Logan McGuffey 1-3, R; Josh Kea Kea 1-2, Dbl, 2R.

West Florida 6, Pryor, OK 3

Coweta, OK 9, Escambia 4

Milton 3, Union, OK 2

Gulf Breeze 11, Edmond North, OK 10 (9 innings)

Shawnee, OK  3  Chiles, FL 8

El Reno, OK 4,  Next Level, AL 2

Second Baptist, TX 3, Jenks, OK 10

Stillwater, OK 15, Emery/Weiner 8

Washington, OK 1, Christ Presbyterian, TN 11

Piedmont, OK 4. Maryville, TN 2

SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY

At Tate High School

4 p.m. – Jenks (OK) vs. Chiles

7 p.m. – Muskogee (OK) vs. Tate

At Milton High School

4 p.m. – Morris (OK) vs. Next Level Baseball (AL)

7 p.m. – Coweta (OK) vs. Milton

At Gulf Breeze

4 p.m. – Union (OK) vs. Second Baptist (TX)

7 p.m. – El Reno(OK) vs. Gulf Breeze

At Escambia

4 p.m. – Edmond North (OK) vs. Emery/Weiner (TX)

7 p.m. – Pryor (OK) vs. Escambia

At West Florida High

4 p.m. – Piedmont (OK) vs. Leon

7 p.m. – Washington (OK) vs. West Florida

At Woodham Middle

4 p.m. – Shawnee (OK) vs. Christ Presbyterian (TN)

7 p.m. – Stillwater (OK) vs. Maryville (TN)

Local Unemployment Rate Increasing

The latest job numbers released  Monday show the unemployment level increasing in the three-county North Escambia area

Escambia County’s seasonably adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.0 percent in December to 5.3 percent in January.  There were 7,410 people reported unemployed  during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 6.3 percent.

Santa Rosa County unemployment increased from 4.4 percent to 4.7 percent from December to January.. Santa Rosa County had a total of  3,476 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 5.2  percent.

In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment increased from 6.8 percent in December to 7.3 percent in December. That represented 1,044 people unemployed in the county during the month. One year ago, the unemployment rate in Escambia County, Alabama, was 7.2 percent.

Florida’s vunemployment rate was 5 percent in January, down from a revised 5.1 percent in December. Both the December and November rates were initially announced at 5 percent before being adjusted to 5.1 percent. The January jobless rate represents 492,000 Floridians being out of work from a labor force of 9.76 million. The state’s unemployment mark, which a year ago was at 5.7 percent, sits just behind the national mark of 4.9 percent.

Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.2 percent in January, was down from December’s rate of 6.3 percent and was above the year-ago rate of 6.0 percent.

The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

Emergency Teams Regain Control Of Holman Prison After Stabbings

The Alabama Department of Corrections sent three Correctional Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to the William C. Holman Correctional Facility on Monday in response to an inmate-on-inmate stabbing.’

For more information from Gov. Robert Bentley’s visit to the prison Tuesday morning, click here.

Officials report the assault happened at approximately 8:30 a.m. in a prison dormitory when an inmate assaulted another inmate with a makeshift weapon. Corrections officers responded to the incident and removed the victim from the dormitory. The inmate’s injuries were not considered life-threatening.

When officers tried to apprehend the suspect in the stabbing, they were met with resistance. Prisoners became aggressive and barricaded themselves inside the dorm. Officers secured all sections of the prison to prevent the inmates inside the dorm from entering other parts of the facility. Approximately 70 inmates were the dorm at this time of the incident. Inmates had attempted to gain control of the same dormitory on Friday, with the prison regaining control the following morning.

In response to Monday’s disturbance, the CERT entered and regained control of the dorm at approximately 2:45 p.m. The inmates responsible for Mondaday’s disturbance were detained and moved to segregation. The dormitory is again secured and the prison remains on lockdown. No additional injuries to officers or inmates were reported.

The lockdown limits the movement of inmates inside the prison, and officials have temporarily cancelled visitation. A CERT team will remain at the prison to assist corrections officers in maintaining order at the prison.

The corrections officer who was stabbed Friday night is recovering from his injuries. Warden Carter Davenport, who was also stabbed, reported to the prison on Sunday. The inmates who were involved in the weekend stabbings, and other inmates who took part in the disturbance, were being detained away from the prison’s general population

After the weekend disturbance ended, the CERT Teams searched the prison’s housing units and found 30 cellphones, makeshift knives and other contraband. It is not known at this time what prompted the disturbance. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is expected to visit Holman Monday to meet with prison officials and tour the facility to get the latest information on the two disturbances in the past three days that have left three people with stab wounds.

Pictured top: Holman Prison in Atmore Picture below: Visitors to Holman Prison in Atmore were stopped at a guard gate along Highway 21 on Monday as the facility remained under lockdown. NorthEscambia.com photos.

Northview JV Beats Central

The Northview junior varsity baseball team defeated Central 9-3 on Monday night to improve to 9-1 on the season.

Both teams exchanged one run in the first inning and the Chiefs added one run in the second and third innings to take a 3-1 lead after three innings. The Chiefs then scored four runs in the fourth to go ahead 7-1. The Jaguars answered with one run in the bottom of the fourth. The Chiefs added two more insurance runs in the fifth to lead 9-2 after five innings. The Jaguars added one more run in the sixth inning.

Leading hitters for the Chiefs were MJ Jones (2-4, 2 R), Wesley Hardin (1-1, 2 RBI), Jason Fischer (1-1, R), Andrew Sharpless (1-1), Cade Allen (1-2, 3 R), John Chivington (1-3, 2 SB, R), Jackson Moore (1-4, 2B), and Heath Sheldt (1-4). Trevor Singleton and Sam Stott also added a run each for the Chiefs.

Trevor Singleton earned the win on the mound, throwing five innings and striking out six batters. Cade Allen threw one inning.

The Chiefs return to action Tuesday night at home against Baker, with JV playing at 4:00 and varsity at 6:00.

Pictured: The JV Northview Chiefs beat Central Monday night 9-3. Photos by Charity Sheldt for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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