Friday Wins For Tate, Northview, Jay
February 27, 2016
Here’s a look at Friday baseball and softball action from the North Escambia area:
BASEBALL
Tate 6, Milton 2
The Tate High School Aggies beat Milton 6-2 in seven innings Friday night in Cantonment.
Madison Lockman earned the win on the mound for the Aggies, allowing two runs over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out one, walked three and gave up just two hits.
Milton took an early lead 1-0 in the top of the third inning. The Aggies took the lead in the fourth inning, with Tate scoring six runs on a two run double from Reid Halfacre, an error and an RBI single from Logan Blackmon.
Tate hitters – Branden Fryman 1-2, run; Logan Blackmon 2-3, run, RBI; Reid Halfacre 1-3, 2 RBIs, run.
The West Florida Jaguars are up next for Tate (5-0) in an away game at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Northview 3, Freeport 1
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Freeport Bulldogs Friday night by a score of 3-1. The Chiefs scored one run in the second inning and two runs in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs scored their one run in the third inning.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Quentin Sampson (1-3), Jared Aliff (1-3, 1 run), Zach Payne (1-3), Josh Neese (1-3). Roquan Wiggins and Seth Killam scored one run each.
Daniel Mascaro pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits, struck out five batters and walked three. Josh Neese pitched 2 2/3, giving up no runs on one hit, striking out two hitters and walking none to pick up the win and move his record to (2-0).
The Chiefs improve to 3-1 (2-1) and host Pensacola Christian next Friday.
Northview 5, Freeport 1 (JV)
The junior varsity Chiefs defeated Freeport 5-1. Northview scored two runs in the first, one run in the second and two runs in the fourth inning. Freeport scored their one run in the first inning.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Cade Allen (2-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run), MJ Jones (1-2, 1 SB, 1 run), John Chivington (1-2, 1 SB), Jackson Moore (1-3), Trevor Singleton (1-2), Wesley Hardin (1-2, 1 RBI), and Alex McMinn (1-3, 1 run). Heath Sheldt scored one run.
Jason Fischer picked up the win, throwing five innings, giving up only one run while striking out eight batters.
The JV Chiefs improve to 4-1 on the season.
SOFTBALL
Northview 3, Freeport 0
The Northview varsity softball team shutout the Freeport bulldogs 3-0 Friday night at Northview.
Kendall Enfinger was 2-4 with an RBI, Daphne Young was 1-3 with a two RBI singles, Jamia Newton went 1-3 with an extra base double and a run, Brittany McLemore was 1-3 with a run, Hannah Ging was 1-4, Laurie Purdy was 1-4 and Lydia Smith also scored a run.
Tori Herrington pitched the win in seven innings with seven strikeouts, no0 walks, no runs and gave up only two hits. She also had two assists defensively.
Defensively Young had nine putouts, Enfinger had five assists, McLemore had three assists and a putout and Newton added two putouts.
The Chiefs’ Chiefs next game will be Monday on the road at South Walton at 6:00.
Jay 14, Baker 4
Jay powered past Baker in girls softball action Friday at Jay. The Lady Royals took a strong 6-0 lead in the first inning, and added one in the third, three in fourth and another four in the fifth inning.
Destiny Herring earned the win for the Royals. She was one the mound for five with two errors, allowing six hits walking two and striking out three.
Leading hitters for Jay — Kolby Bray 3-3 2 R, 4 RBIs, 2B; Destiny Herring 2-4 2 R, 3 RBIs, HR; Harley Taggart 3-4 3 R, 2B; Samantha Steadham 2-3 3R; Avery Jackson 3-4 3 R, 2 RBIs.
Up next for the Jay Royals (4-1, 2-0) is a trip to South Walton Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Pictured: Freeport at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested Outside Prison Fence With Drugs, 27 Phones
February 27, 2016
A Mobile man was arrested early Friday outside the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore after corrections officers observed a suspicious person near the facility’s perimeter fence.
The Department of Corrections arrested Jeramie Solomon, 18, of Mobile and charged him with drug trafficking and prohibited activity on state prison property. Solomon was taken to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton following his arrest.
At approximately 3 a.m. Friday, a corrections officer manning the prison’s tower observed the Soloman near the fence and wearing black clothing. When questioned by the officer, Soloman attempted to flee but was detained by the prison’s K-9 unit.
Soloman was carrying a white bag containing several packages wrapped in black tape. In the packages corrections officers found 27 cell phones, battery chargers, synthetic marijuana and other contraband.
New Teacher Of The Year Gets ‘Crowned’ During Surprise Visit
February 26, 2016
Kristy Imhof, the new Escambia County Teacher of the Year, received a surprise visit in her seventh grade language arts classroom at Ransom Middle School Friday morning.
She was officially named Teacher of Year during Thursday night’s Golden Apple Awards ceremony (read story), and received the official “crown” Friday morning, along with flowers from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Pictured top: Ransom Middle School teacher Kristy Imhof was crowned Escambia County Teacher of the Year Friday morning. Pictured inset: She received a surprise visit and flowers from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Pictured below: Imhof with one of her language arts classes. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle’s Kristy Imhof Named Teacher Of The Year
February 26, 2016
Ransom Middle School’s Kristy Imhof was named the Escambia County Teacher of the Year during Thursday night’s Golden Apple Awards Banquet. She is a seventh grade language arts teacher.
Other finalists for the award were:
Tim Deloge, Escambia High School, engineering
Caroline Gray, Tate High School, economics
Melissa Harold, Beulah Elementary School, fourth grade
Allison Hartzog, Montclair Elementary School, kindergarten
As Northview High School’s Anna Barry, the previous teacher of the year, presented Imhof with the Golden Apple pin that is passed each year from winner to winner, she quipped, “Don’t lose it.”
Imhof was ‘crowned’ during a special visit to her classroom Friday morning, click here for that story and photos.
Pictured top: Teacher of the Year Kristy Imhof listens while Malcolm Thomas reads a proclamation announcing her selection. Pictured inset: Thomas presents a Golden Apple to Imhof as a finalist, just before being named Teacher of the Year. Pictured below: Previous Teacher of the Year Anna Barry of Northview High School presents Imhof with a Teacher of the Year pin that is passed each year from winner to winner. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Police Investigating Aggravated Assault At Campus Dorm Building
February 26, 2016
Authorities are searching for two suspects involved in an aggravated assault on the University of West Florida campus.
Witnesses told UWF Police that two black men armed with a revolver and wearing ski masks walked into Martin Hall at UWF Wednesday night. One suspect is reportedly 6′0 and the other is 5′11″. One suspect had on dark colored shorts and the other had on light colored shorts.
Anyone with information is asked to call the UWF Police Department at (850) 474-2415.
Security at the dorm was increased after the incident.
Seven Injuries In Pine Forest Road Crash
February 26, 2016
Seven people were injured, and a family pet did not survive a Thursday evening crash on Pine Forest Road north of 9 and 1/2 Mile Road.
At least one of the two injured adults were transported to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”. Five of the injured were juveniles, all in stable condition.
One family pet reportedly died in the crash, while a dog survived.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Laura Chavers
February 26, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Laura Chavers received the seventh annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Thursday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Friday is actually the first award piece created seven years ago.)
Chavers received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to staff member Barbara Ryals. Previous awards were presented to Betty Coon, history teacher Kenneth Hicks, teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley, Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation participated in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Laura Chavers Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Honors Faculty Members On Military Appreciation Day
February 26, 2016
Northview High School celebrated a Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, honoring faculty and staff members that have served. Pictured are: (L-R) Joseph Chastain, Navy; Sid Wheatley, Air Force; David Crumm, Navy; Captain Charlie Code, Navy; (front) James Mortez, Navy; James Riggs, Navy; Heather Crumm, Army; Gerry Pippins, National Guard; Jason Stabler, Air Force; and Ernest Slaybaugh, Navy. Not pictured are Rachel Pleasant, Navy and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins, Navy. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighter’s Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
February 26, 2016
Fire heavily damaged the home of a Flomaton fireman late Thursday morning.
The mobile home fire in the 1700 block of Jordan Road just outside Flomaton possibly originated with a clothes dryer, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries.
The Flomaton, Friendship and Pineview fire departments from Alabama and the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were all dispatched to the blaze.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fracking Bill Stalls In Senate Committee But Could Return
February 26, 2016
A controversial bill about the regulation of “fracking” in Florida stalled Thursday in a key Senate committee but could return next week.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 10-9 against the measure (SB 318), filed by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples. Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R- Fort Myers, then moved to reconsider the bill, a procedural move that kept it alive.
Committee Chairman Tom Lee, a Bandon Republican who voted for the measure, said he is inclined to put it on the agenda for a meeting Tuesday. A House version (HB 191), filed by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, was approved in a 73-45 vote last month
“It probably would be my tendency to re-agenda the bill, unless Senator Richter does not want to do that,” Lee said after the meeting. “But we would only hear the bill if there was some kind of compromise worked out that would change the outcome.”
The bill would set up a state permitting process for fracking, a method of drilling that involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released.
Among other things, the bill would require companies to inform the state Department of Environmental Protection of chemicals they inject into the ground, although with some restrictions. Also, the bill would set aside $1 million for a study on the impact of fracking, with a temporary moratorium until the study is completed and the Legislature can act.
“A study removes the emotion and permits science to drive the issue,” Richter said. “I want science driving the issue.”
The bill is backed by the Florida Petroleum Council, Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. It is opposed by environmental groups and dozens of local governments that have approved fracking bans. Among the bill’s most-controversial provisions is that it would only allow the state to impose a ban.
“The citizens and local governments recognize … the bill’s intent is to pave the way for fracking in Florida in the future,” the group Floridians Against Fracking said in a statement after the vote.
Thursday’s discussion, which lasted more than two hours, included testimony from officials including Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson and Deputy Secretary Paula Cobb, who oversees regulatory programs. That part of the meeting centered on whether the state already has the authority to regulate fracking without passing the bill.
For instance, Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, asked Cobb if the department had ever denied a permit to drill a well, and under what circumstances. Fracking is widespread in other parts of the country, with critics alleging that it has effects such as contaminating water.
“Now, I can’t imagine anything worse than what I’ve heard about fracking,” Montford said. “So if we can deny it for (another) reason, why can’t we deny that same permit for information and data and scientific research that’s already been done on fracking?”
Cobb said the department would have to base any denial on specific criteria in the law.
“We as an agency can’t just deny a permit because we feel like it,” she said. “We have to follow the law.” And specifically in the oil and gas statutes, she said, “There is a requirement in that law that says we have to have valid reasons, based on permitting criteria, to deny those permits. And so how I would distinguish that framework from what we have with hydraulic fracturing is I don’t have anything specific in law today which would provide me with criteria to deny a permit.”
Montford noted that other states have had difficulties with fracking. “Can’t we rely on that information, that scientific data … to make a decision in Florida that we can deny this well permit?” he asked. “You don’t have that legal authority to do that today?”
“We don’t currently have in the statute … the ability to require a separate permit for this activity,” Cobb replied.
In debate, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, said the department was “tap-dancing” on the question.
Lee said he had similar questions but would give Richter the benefit of the doubt.
“Everybody who spoke against this bill asked for a ban,” Richter said. “A ‘no’ vote does not get you a ban.”
After the meeting, Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat who has sought to pass a fracking ban, said opponents will try to prevent the bill from getting out of the Appropriations Committee.
“There’s a small chance this could come back, but it’s all but dead,” Sierra Club Florida lobbyist Dave Cullen said. “I don’t think the legislators have the stomach for this bill. Voters will remember fracking at the polls.”