Home Off Nine Mile Burns
May 16, 2015
A home just off Nine Mile Road was completely destroyed by fire Friday night.
The first callert reported a brush fire about 9:30 p.m. on Ashland Avenue, but additional callers reported a house fire. The home, which was believed to be abandoned, was a total loss. There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshals Office.
Four In A Row: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Beat Jacksonsville
May 16, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Jacksonville Suns for the fourth straight game and now have won seven of its last eight games—the club’s best streak in two seasons since Aug. 18-24, 2013.
You could call it the Barry Larkin Effect.
The Blue Wahoos have won its last two series since the Hall of Fame shortstop and new minor league roving infield instructor for the Cincinnati Reds coached the team during its last series May 5-9 against the Tennessee Smokies.
The, 3-1, Pensacola victory at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville also lifted the Blue Wahoos out of last place into fourth in the Southern League South Division. Pensacola is 15-20, while Jacksonville dropped to last at 14-20.
Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly and many of the Blue Wahoos credited Larkin for getting them out of their early season slump, when they fell 11 games below .500.
Right fielder Kyle Waldrop, who spoke to Larkin about hitting mechanics, extended his hitting streak to eight games in the eighth inning with an RBI single that drove in left fielder Jesse Winker to put Pensacola out front, 1-0. Third baseman, Seth Mejias-Brean then doubled to clear the bases, plating both first baseman Marquez Smith and Waldrop.
Waldrop is on fire. In the Jacksonville series, he had two homers and 10 RBIs, along with two triples and a double. During his hitting streak, he is batting .419 with 13 hits in 31 at-bats. He leads the team with a .298 batting average, five home runs and 24 RBIs this season.
Both starting pitchers matched each other inning for inning. Blue Wahoos starter Wandy Peralta threw six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks, and striking out six. He threw 90 pitches, including 59 for strikes.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville’s Kendry Flores went seven scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.06.
Temporary Jail In Cantonment Under Consideration
May 15, 2015
Escambia County may construct a temporary jail in Cantonment to save inmate housing costs.
The Escambia County Commission decided Thursday to begin looking for contractors and definitive cost to build a temporary 400 bed detention facility near the Escambia County Road Prison on Highway 297A in Cantonment. It’s estimated that the project could save the county $4 million over three years versus paying to house inmates in other counties.
When the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility exploded in April 2014, the county began housing inmates in other counties. It’s estimated that the county will spend $11.5 million housing those inmates through 2018. A temporary facility is estimated to cost $5.8 million to build plus $2 million to continue out 0f county inmate housing during construction. That translates to an estimated savings of about $4 million through 2018 to construct the Cantonment detention facility.
The county could see other costs savings as well. Commissioners believe many inmates in the facilities to be put to work like road prison inmates — working on roads, drainage, maintenance and more. It is estimated that 400 current inmates would qualify for work crews, in addition to those currently at the road prison.
It is projected the temporary facility would have a life span of about 15 years. Commissioners have not decided how the facility might be used after a permanent jail is completed.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 15, 2015
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized about 130 area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars (pictured top). Every senior received a scholarship. The Four-Year Academic All Stars received a $750 scholarship, three year All Stars were awarded $350, two year All Stars received $250, and one year senior All Stars received $150.
The Randolph B. Luttrell, Sr.Scholarship, valued at $2,000, was presented to Ty’Anthony Riley of Escambia County High School. The Mary Joyner Grissett Memorial Scholarship, also for $2,000, was presented to Christin Simpkins of Escambia County High School.
All total, more than $24,000 in scholarships were awarded by the Atmore Rotary Club.
Guest speaker for the event was Russ Wood, a member of Alabama Coach Bear Bryant’s final football team and a director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“As a player he (Bear Bryant) intimidated you,” Wood said. “Coach Bryant had that mannerism that he expected so much. He wanted us to get a little better every day.”
“You are a role model,” he said, addressing the Academic All-Stars. “Getting this award, you are role model to someone. Be a positive role model.”
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks)
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9th Grade
- Charlie Gandy
- Jasmina Stahly
11th Grade
- Madelyn Boatwright
- Cleveland Corley
- Christopher Gehman
- Ethan Heller
- Nathan Jurjevich
12th Grade
- Annie Bobo
- Caleb Hochstetler **
- Wesley Hostetler **
- Darren Landis **
- Alexandria Martin
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
- Jackson Breckenridge
- Austin Williams
10th Grade
- Kallie Byrd
- Eli Godwin
- Paolo Gorme
- Bailey Lancaster
- Abby Smith
11th Grade
- Noah Blue
- Bradley Campbell
- Saige Garrett
- Kajal Patel
- Mikayla Spruill
- Jennifer Weaver
12th Grade
- Scott Brantley
- Claire Dawe **
- Megan Fournier
- Jessica Glick
- Baylie Godwin
- Garrett Kirk **
- Natalie Lassiter
- Auden Lassitter
- Cecily McCullough
- Anna Catherine Sasser **
- Nate Smith **
- Lindsey Weatherford
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH
9th Grade
- Lazarrian Boykin
- Alleria Brooks
- Josaline Hollinger
- Terriana McNeil
- Adrienne Tedder
- Keyaira Wilson
10th Grade
- Jade Adams
- Anthony Beckham
- Chille’ Ford
- Tyranie Henderson
- Derik Kidd
- Triston Knott
- Justin Pearson
- Trey Price
- Wilneshia Robinson
- Ariel Whatley
11th Grade
- Brent Akins
- Daniel Currie
- Alexandria Hinton
- Xavier Leslie
- Chyla Lindsey
- Paige Martin
- Emmanuel Morris
- Gerald Norris
12th Grade
- Dominique Beckham
- Ta’Carra Black
- Alexis Clark
- Kaylee Cox
- Ashley English
- Rodrick Felder **
- O’Shea Fountain
- Robert Henderson **
- Benjamin Hubert
- Lyricia Johnson **
- Raven Lewis
- Cheyanne McKinley
- Ty’Anthony Riley
- Christin Simpkins **
- Jazmine Sinquefield
- Anissa Watson
NORTHVIEW HIGH
9th Grade
- Elisabeth Claire Amerson
- Anna Belle Barberree
- Logan Daniel Calloway
- Kayla Nicole Galvan
- Bria Ashlynn Hardy
- Bailee Brianna Hinote
- Triston Parker Long
- Hannah Mascaro
- Hannah Grace Nelson
- Sarah Elizabeth Perritt
- Jacob Andrew White
- Tara Faith Windham
10th Grade
- Alyssa Brianna Borelli
- Emily Michelle Heard
- Rachel Nickole Irby
- Adrian Daniel King
- Brandon Edward Korinchak
- Mitchel l James Singleton
- Brianna Morgan Smith
- Jada Mona Tucker
- David Conrad Weber
- Hadley Marie Woodfin
11th Grade
- Lillie Kathryn Allen
- Lawrence CW Douglas
- Sarah Elizabeth Dutton
- Leah Grace Fischer
- Abbie Elizabeth Johnson
- Trevor Dale Levins
- Moriah Renee’ McGahan
- Jason Andrew Perritt
- Benjamin Tate Preston
- Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds
- Savanna Brianne Roux
- Jordan Caroline Taylor
- Harmoni Faith Till
- Bradley Andrew Van Pelt
- Brittney Christina Ward
- Haylee Alease Weaver
- Madison Paige Weber
- Courtney Bryce Weekley
12th Grade
- Tristan Taylor Brown
- Megan Paige Bryan **
- Kristen Renae Byrd
- Matthew Ryan Chavers
- Kendal Brooke Cobb **
- Tiffani Amber Cruce
- Austin Blake Cunningham **
- Iyanna Latice Davidson
- Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
- Kaitlyn Grace Kline
- Adriann Dawn Lee
- Jessica Leigh McCullough **
- Aaron Thomas McDonald **
- Tristan Hunter Portwood
- Mallory Mason Ryan **
- Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
- Shania Lynn Wardt
Pictured top: Four year Academic All Stars honored Thursday night by the Atmore Rotary Club were (front, L-R) Christin Simpkins, Kendal Brooke Cobb, Megan Paige Bryan, Anna Catherine Sasser, Claire Dawe, Nate Smith and Austin Blake Cunningham, (back, L-R) Lyricia Johnson, Robert J. Henderson Jr., Rodrick Felder, Wesley David Hostetler, Caleb Hochstetler, Darren Landis and Garrett Kirk. Not pictured are Jessica McCullough, Aaron McDonald and Mallory Ryan. Pictured below: Many of the Northview High School recipients. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Raises Possibility Of Florida Government Shutdown
May 15, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott raised the possibility Thursday that state government could shut down because of a budget impasse in the Legislature and asked agencies to outline services that need to keep running regardless of whether lawmakers reach an agreement.
In addition to raising the issue of a shutdown with state departments, Scott appeared to try to preemptively blame the Senate if negotiations drag on past June 30, the end of the current budget year. Senators have pushed for the budget to include a $2.8 billion plan to use Medicaid expansion funds to help lower-income Floridians purchase private health insurance.
The federal government has also suggested that whether the state adopts something like the Senate plan could influence how much funding Florida receives for the Low Income Pool program, which sends money to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients. The $2.2 billion “LIP” program is set to expire June 30 unless state and federal officials reach an agreement.
Scott and House leaders adamantly oppose the Senate expansion alternative.
“While we have asked the federal government for guidance on what health-care access proposals they would approve at no cost to Florida taxpayers, it is possible that Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and the Florida Senate will not agree to any budget without the specific expansion of Medicaid (at a cost to state taxpayers of $5 billion over 10 years),” Scott wrote in a letter to agency heads. “Therefore, we are also requesting your agency prepare a list of critical state services our citizens cannot lose in the event Florida is forced into a government shutdown on July 1st.”
Scott’s letter came a day after the Legislature’s top two budget-writers, Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, and House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, met to try to come to an agreement that would pave the way for a special session to begin June 1.
The letter and an accompanying memo also suggested that the state is pulling together the list of “critical service needs” for the special session, though Scott’s office said he will not propose a formal budget plan for the session. Already, the governor’s budget advisers have tabbed things like filling operating deficits in several state agencies, education spending and Medicaid in a list of 13 areas the state would need to keep funding, but they are also looking for other services that might fall in that category.
Scott has suggested the Legislature approve a “continuation budget” that would allow the state to create huge reserves in case the federal government refuses to extend LIP.
Legislative leaders, though, already seemed to be brushing off Scott’s suggestions.
“Florida’s constitution assigns the role of developing a state budget to the Legislature,” Katie Betta, a spokesman for Gardiner, R-Orlando, wrote in an email. “The president has outlined his version of a draft proclamation for the special session and is hopeful that he and Speaker (Steve) Crisafulli can finalize the proclamation within the next few days.”
As for the governor’s criticism of the Medicaid expansion alternative, Betta noted that the Legislature’s chief economist, Amy Baker, “projected the program to become an economic generator for the state, creating tens of thousands of jobs, with the state savings surpassing the state costs.”
Crisafulli’s office also indicated that the Legislature would take it from here.
“The House would prefer to have a joint call with the Florida Senate to complete a budget before the July 1 deadline,” an email from a Crisafulli spokesman said. “The House is working hard toward that goal.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Man Charged With 35 Child Porn Counts
May 15, 2015
An Escambia County man has been arrested on nearly three dozen child porn charges.
Brian Mattew Swauger, 35, was charged with 35 counts of possession of obscene material. On May 3, a cellphone was found which contained videos and photos of children engaged in sexual activities, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators were able to identify Swauger from the photographs on the phone.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $350,000.
Scott Signs 27 Bills Into Law
May 15, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott signed 27 bills into law Thursday, including measures that target speed traps, take aim at “revenge porn, and allow “growlers”.
Scott signed what has become known as the beer “growler” bill (SB 186), which will allow half-gallon containers to be filled at breweries, as can be done with other sized bottles.
But don’t rush out to fill-er-up just yet, as the law doesn’t go into effect until July 1. Scott said in signing the measure that he was “eliminating another burdensome regulation.”
The sudsy topic had been a heavily lobbied issue in the Capitol the past few years because of objections from large beer distributors.
Among the other bills signed Thursday is an effort to prevent local police from using traffic-ticket quotas.
The law (SB 264), which also goes into effect July 1, stems from a longstanding speed trap in the small Alachua County town of Waldo, which is along U.S. 301. The town’s police department disbanded last year, at least in part because officers disclosed they had been placed under a ticket quota. State law-enforcement agencies are already barred from using ticket quotas, but restrictions on cities and counties have not been so clear.
Another new law (SB 538), going into place Oct. 1, is known as the “revenge porn” bill. It provides penalties for uploading to the Internet sexually explicit images without the consent of the person in the picture.
Scott also signed a measure (SB 766), which starting July 1 will prohibit the use of aerial drones to capture images that could infringe on the privacy of property owners or occupants.
Also, he signed a bill (HB 593) that allows residents in the Wakulla County fishing village of Panacea — population 816 — to decide if they want to incorporate as a city. The name of the community, located 28 miles south of Tallahassee, comes from small sulfurous mineral springs in the area that were purported to have healing properties.
Scott also signed two bills Thursday that will provide public-records exemptions for email addresses held by county tax collectors and the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. One of the bills (SB 200), sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, will provide an exemption for taxpayers’ email addresses obtained by tax collectors in the process of sending tax notices. Similarly, the other bill (SB 7040) will apply to email addresses that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles collects related to driver’s licenses and motor-vehicle records.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott signed 27 bills into law Thursday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Worley Inks With Jeff Davis
May 15, 2015
Tate High School senior Hunter Worley signed Thursday to play baseball for Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, AL. The senior third baseman had a productive year at the bat hitting .388 with 22 RBI’s, and a .517 OBP. Photo courtesy Tate baseball for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Students Shine At Sunshine Math Competition
May 15, 2015
Over 600 third, fourth and fifth grades took part in the recent Sunshine Math Competition in Escambia County. Winners of the event held at Washington High School were:
Individual Competition Winners
3rd Grade
- 1st Place: Grayson Jackson—Jim Allen Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Sierra Knight—Hellen Caro Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Nicholas Khan—Hellen Caro Elementary School
4th Grade
- 1st Place: Drake Salter—NB Cook Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Leila Owens—Pine Meadow Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Nina Burt—Brentwood Elementary School
5th Grade
- 1st Place: Wassim Khabou—Cordova Park Elementary School
- 2nd Place: Isaac Batz—Hellen Caro Elementary School
- 3rd Place: Michael Hall—McArthur Elementary School
Team Competition Winners
3rd Grade
- 1st Place: Cordova Park Elementary School- Team 2
- Aubrey Miller, Tony Lipnicky, Ava DeJong, William Westerheim
- 2nd Place: Bratt Elementary School—Team 1
- Raegan Abbott, Carsyn Dortch, Mason Edwards, Jacob Spence
- 3rd Place: McArthur Elementary School—Team 1
- Tyler Zobel, Eric Banagan, Kloey Bradley, Clay Philley
4th Grade
- 1st Place: Molino Park Elementary School—Team 1
- Alyssa Jackson, Brycelyn Woodward, Karson Brown, Ethan Collier
- 2nd Place: Pine Meadow Elementary School—Team 1
- Audra Davis, Kali Hurst, Leila Owens, Jacob Young
- 3rd Place: Pine Meadow Elementary School—Team 2
- Max Fina, Ian Delay, Katherine Bradshaw, Marina Deubler
5th Grade
- 1st Place: Hellen Caro Elementary School—Team 1
- Lauren LaCour, Alexis Orr, Christian Hall, Isaac Batz
- 2nd Place: Jim Allen Elementary School—Team 1
- Alyssa Daniels, Ryan Dykes, Christian Meadows, Jaxson Stafford
- 3rd Place: A.K. Suter Elementary School—Team 1
- Tommy Bucco, Maria Grissett, Ibby Green, Gavin McKeon
Pictured top: The Molino Park Elementary School 4th Grade Math Team earned first place in the Escambia County Sunshine Math competition. Pictured are: (L-R) Alyssa Jackson, Brycelyn Woodward, Karson Brown and Ethan Collier. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Take Third Straight From Jacksonville
May 15, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won its third straight game against the Jacksonville Suns, 5-2, Thursday.
The Blue Wahoos got 10 hits to support starter Daniel Wright with his first win of the year (1-4), as he allowed nine hits, two runs, one earned, two walks and five strikeouts.
Wright allowed two runs to Jacksonville in the first inning after giving up four in the first to Tennessee Smokies in his last start. Both times Pensacola came back to win those games.
Jacksonville center fielder Kenny Wilson and third baseman Zach Cox scored for Jacksonville in the first.
Pensacola then got a homer by Kyle Waldrop in the second inning, his team-leading fifth of the season to cut the lead, 2-1. Center fielder Beau Amaral tied the game at, 2-2, when he singled in shortstop Zach Vincej.
The Blue Wahoos’ game-winning run came in the sixth inning when Seth Mejias-Brean singled to left field to score first baseman Marquez Smith for a 3-2 lead. Pensacola scored two more insurance runs in the seventh inning when Daniel Wright drove in Vincej and then Wright scored on a fielding error on a Smith grounder to third base.
Waldrop’s homer was his second in two games and extended his hitting streak to seven games. He’s batting .444 in those games with 12 hits in 27 at-bats. He leads the team with a .299 batting average this year.