Wahoos Blow Chance To Beat Jackson
May 24, 2015
He had won his last two starts and came close to a third before Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Robert Stephenson walked Jackson Generals right fielder Jabari Blash and was pulled after throwing 107 pitches.
In 4.2 innings of work, Stephenson did strike out a career-high 11 hitters. However, it was not enough by the Cincinnati Reds top prospect, to help Pensacola pull out another win against the Jackson Generals, falling 8-6, in 11 innings.
Pensacola kept clawing its way back into the game in front of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium—the 114th sellout in 225 home games. Pensacola has now won 11 of 16 games since May 7, and stands at 19-24 on the season.
Jackson went back on top, 7-6, in the 11th inning when Jabari Henry scored on catcher Marcus Littlehood’s double to the right field corner. They made it 8-6 when first baseman Dan Paolini was walked in by reliever Kevin Shackelford.
Stephenson walked five batters, including three straight in the first inning that led to the only two runs he gave up. He then fanned 11 of the final 13 outs. He gave up two hits in the game both to Generals leadoff batter Tyler Smith, who doubled and singled. He was 3-5 on the night with two doubles, two runs scored and one run batted in.
Stephenson appeared to protest being yanked by Pensacola manager Pat Kelly but was relieved by Blaine Howell, a Pensacola State College product.
“In the first inning, I’m trying to figure out the ump’s strike zone,” Stephenson said. “Definitely, aside from the first inning, I felt really good.”
Kelly was not happy with the Wahoos after the loss to the Generals.
“We’ve walked 25 guys in the last three nights we’ve played,” Kelly said. “We should just be thankful we won two out of three games.”
Blue Wahoos first baseman Marquez Smith tied the game in the ninth, 6-6, to send the game to extra innings when he hit a bouncer up the middle that scored center fielder Beau Amaral. Amaral led off the inning with a walk, the third leadoff walk in a row.
Jackson had gone ahead with a run in the bottom of the eighth, 6-5, when pinch runner Jabari Henry scored on reliever Carlos Gonzalez’s throwing error to first base on a sac bunt by catcher Marcus Littlehood.
Kelly said the Blue Wahoos simply squandered too many opportunities to win its third consecutive game, pointing to two failed sacrifice bunts during the game. In the bottom of the 11th the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with two outs before Seth Mejias-Brean grounded out.
“We kept battling and kept battling,” Kelly said. “We had opportunities in lots of innings.”
Pollard McCall Principal Hugh White Passes Away
May 23, 2015
Hugh White, the principal of Pollard-McCall Junior High School, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday from natural causes. He was 40 years old.
He had served as a principal for the Escambia County (AL) Board of Education at Pollard-McCall since since February 2006. He previously spent over eight years as a middle school math and science teacher. White received a Masters of Education in educational leadership and administration from the University of West Florida in 2002, and previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and general sciences from UWF in 1996. White also earned an Associates degree from Jefferson Davis Community College in 1994.
White held an auctioneer certificate from Troy University Dothan and served as auctioneer at the Escambia Co-op Stockyard in Brewton, AL.
He leaves behind numerous family members and friends. Service arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Pollard-McCall Junior High School is located in Pollard, AL, just east of Flomaton and about five miles northeast of Century.
Northview Takes On Jay In Spring Game (With Photo Gallery)
May 23, 2015
In the end, the scoreboard said the Northview Chiefs topped the Jay Royals 52-31 Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt. The spring game started with a Northview 22-6 lead in the first half, which consisted mostly of the two team’s junior varsity or reserve players. The second half, which pitted varsity against varsity, Jay earned a 31-30 advantange.
“”We didn’t necessarily come into the game thinking we’d work it at a high tempo, but that’s what we did,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said following the win. He said while the Chiefs were on top, there’s still a long hot summer full of work before they are ready for the regular season in the fall.
“”We definitively have to clean some stuff up. We’ve got to get bigger, stronger, faster in the weight room and with our conditioning during summer,” he said.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott: Area Adds Almost 5,000 Jobs
May 23, 2015
Governor Rick Scott has announced that the Pensacola metro area again experienced positive annual job growth over the year in April 2015 with 4,900 new jobs. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.7 percentage point over the year, from 5.7 percent in April 2014 to 5.0 percent in April 2015. Florida businesses have added more than 865,000 private-sector jobs since December 2010.
Governor Scott said, “Our work to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation is paying off in Pensacola as 4,900 new jobs have been added over the year. Florida has seen positive job creation statewide with more than 865,600 private-sector jobs added across the state since December 2010.”
The industries with the largest job gains in the Pensacola metro area over the year were education and health services with 1,000 new jobs, leisure and hospitality with 900 new jobs, and trade, transportation, and utilities with 800 new jobs. The Pensacola metro area had the fastest annual job growth rate compared to all metro areas in financial activities at 5.7 percent in April 2015, tied with the Orlando metro area. The Pensacola metro area had 6,223 online job openings in April 2015 and 1,014 openings for high wage, high skill science technology engineering math (STEM) occupations over the year.
Florida created 25,800 private-sector jobs in April 2015, and a total of 865,600 private-sector jobs since December 2010. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate for April 2015 was 5.6 percent. In April, more than 37,600 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Escarosa and the state’s other 23 Regional Workforce Boards.
Bratt Elementary Presents Fifth Grade Awards
May 23, 2015
Bratt Elementary School presented the following fifth grade awards Friday:
Honor Roll A’s & B’s
- Lakyn Bodiford
- Cassie Davis
- Tessa Flowers
- Grayson James
- Anna Lee
- James Loftis
- Reid McCall
- Travis Nelson
- Dallon Rackard
- Adrianne Shanks
- Jordan Wilson
Academic Achievement A’s
- Anna Adams
- John Bashore
- Shelby Cotita
- Zane Gurganus
- Sarah Hetrick
- Ethan Kilburn
- Mia Starns
Progress Award
- Tereasia Burt
- Miyhanna Davidson
- Ah’Zavion Gregory
- Rachael Sanders
- Jordan Stanley
- Rebekah Stilwell
- Kiara Wesley
Outstanding Attendance
- John Bashore
- Lakyn Bodiford
- Ashton Cloud
- Miyhanna Davidson
- Sarius Davis
- Jacob Daw
- Jonathan Gibbs
- Ah’zavion Gregory
- Sarah Hetrick
- Grayson James
- Drake Jordan
- Ethan Kilburn
- Dallon Rackard
- Tymiriana Wesley
- Mekhi White
Perfect Attendance
- Anna Adams
Outstanding Citizenship Award
- Anna Adams
- Tereasia Burt
- Sarah Hetrick
- Mia Starns
- Kiara Wesley
Sons of American Revolution
- Anna Adams
- John Bashore
- Tereasia Burt
- Sarah Hetrick
- Dallon Rackard
- Mia Starns
P.E. Award
- Tereasia Burt
- Shelby Cotita
- Jordan Stanley
Music Award
- Da’Merion Findley
- Adrianne Shanks
- Jordan Stanley
- Mia Starns
Art Award
- John Bashore
- Cassie Davis
- A.J. Hasty
- Angel Merchant
- Bailey Stuckey
Battle of the Books Team Members
- Shelby Cotita
- Miyhanna Davidson
- Andrew Denton
- James Loftis
- Kaleigh Macks
Sunshine Math Team Members
- Anna Adams
- John Bashore
- Shelby Cotita
- Cassie Davis
- Zane Gurganus
- Sarah Hetrick
- Mia Starns
Spelling Bee
Anna Adams
Century Lions Club
Kiara Wesley
Cox
Jordan Wilson
Walnut Hill Ruritan
John Bashore
Shining Star
Anna Adams
Student of the Year
Sarius Davis
FWC Law Enforcement Report
May 23, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 21 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Investigator Brown were patrolling the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when they observed three kayakers paddling in a lake along the river. They made contact with the kayakers and discovered that none of them had PFDs and one of them had been fishing without a license. A records check revealed an outstanding warrant on one of the kayakers. After placing him in custody, the officers found the subject to be in possession of marijuana. He was charged for possession of cannabis and transported to the Escambia County Jail on the warrant.
Officers and investigators responded to a single vessel accident where the vessel struck the pilings of the eastbound span of the I-10 Bridge and immediately sank. The operator spent the next 12 hours atop the cobia tower before another fisherman spotted the man and called 911. The man was taken by air-ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital and immediately taken into surgery. The man is in critical condition. Investigator Hughes is conducting the investigation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
The Fin Cat crew was on patrol in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola. The crew initiated a boarding on a recreational vessel with three persons onboard who were actively fishing. Prior to boarding, the subjects were asked if they “had any luck.” One of them responded that they just got there. He was then asked if they had any fish onboard. He reiterated that they just got there and only had bait. During their inspection, the boarding team discovered eight undersized red snapper, a red snapper fillet, and six undersized greater amberjack, the largest measuring 24 inches in length. All three subjects were issued federal citations.
Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater River State Forest when he observed a man and woman camping. Officer Lewis observed the man in possession of a pistol. The couple was also in possession of alcoholic beverages which are prohibited in the area they were in. A records check revealed that the man had a domestic violence injunction against him and could not possess a firearm. The firearm was seized and the man was arrested for possession of a firearm while currently a subject of a protection order.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Scott Signs Evers’ Bill, Unbuckles Seat Belts For Rural Letter Carriers
May 23, 2015
Rural letter carriers in Florida no longer have to wear seat belts while working their routes, under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.
The bill, sponsored by Greg Evers, R-Baker, took effect immediately. The bill adds an exemption to the state’s mandatory seat-belt law for rural letter carriers “performing duties in the course of his or her employment on a designated postal route.”
The state’s law requiring motorists to wear seat belts already included limited exemptions, such as for workers collecting garbage or recyclable goods. During floor debate on April 22, Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, warned the bill could be the “unraveling” of primary enforcement of the seat-belt law. He said mandatory use of seat belts has helped reduce traffic fatalities.
Northview Baccalaureate Service Set For Sunday Afternoon
May 23, 2015
The Northview High School Baccalaureate Service will be held this Sunday, May 24 at Bratt First Baptist Church on Highway 4.
The service begins at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Glenn Weber, executive pastor of Grace Fellowship in Atmore. Everyone is invited to attend.
Pictured: Northview’s 2014 Baccalaureate Service. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Suspicious Infant Death Under Investigation
May 23, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an infant death.
At about 12:45 Friday afternoon, deputies responded to the 300 block of a Teakwood Circle in reference to the death of an infant under suspicious circumstances. The ECSO said the investigation is ongoing and further information will be released upon completion of the medical examiner’s report and consultation with the State Attorney’s Office on applicable charges, if any.
Spring Football: Tate Over PFHS In OT; West Florida Beats Washington
May 23, 2015
The Tate Aggies beat the Pine Forest Eagles 20-14 in overtime Friday night. The Aggie took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a 69-yard TD pass from Sawyer Smith to Jake Henry, and on a 70-yard touchdown run from LaDarryl Paige. The Eagles answered with two runs in the second quarter to tie it up 14-14. Tate’s win came in OT with a touchdown run from junior running back Corey Moorer .
The West Florida Jaguars won the varsity half of their spring game Friday night 35-0 over Washington High School. The JV Jaguars won the second half 55-0 over Washington.