The Night The Lights Went Out For The Wahoos
August 14, 2014
The Southern League rivalry between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mobile BayBears will be remembered Wednesday for the first ever game delay because the ballpark lights went out.
The field and fans sat in complete darkness for about 15 minutes in the top of the ninth inning, right in the middle of a Mobile rally. The BayBears had the bases loaded with one out after scoring two runs to go ahead, 4-3.
That’s when the lights on the first base side went out. When the lights came back on, the lights on the first base side did not return to full power.
As a result, the umpires suspended the game until 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The regularly scheduled game will start 30 minutes after the suspended game ends.
Blue Wahoos officials were still trying to figure out why the malfunction happened late Wednesday night.
Blue Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields said he has “never” experienced a suspended game because of the lights going out in his nearly 30 years of professional baseball.
“I’ve had the lights go out before temporarily but not to suspend a game,” DeShields said.
He said he doubts the blackout will effect the game’s outcome.
“I don’t think it will really matter much,” DeShields said. “The bases are loaded and one out. We’ll see what happens.”
Pensacola had comeback with three runs on five hits in the eighth inning to take the lead, 3-2. First baseman Travis Mattair pushed a single through to right field that scored Ryan Wright and Kyle Waldrop.
The third game of the five-game series with Arizona DiamondBacks Double-A affiliate the Mobile BayBears gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. RHP Ben Lively (1-6, 3.96) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the BayBears RHP A.J. Schugel (5-2, 3.43).
by Tommy Thrall
Man Opens Fire Into Multiple Residences
August 14, 2014
A man who shot into at multiple residences Wednesday night in the area of Toni and Goodrich streets in Pensacola is in custody.
Jeremy French, 27, of 1460 Langley Ave. was charged with one count of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, five counts of shooting into a dwelling/conveyance, and one count each of improper display of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm in public.
Police were notified of the shootings when Torya Nobles, 41, of 1311 Toni St., called 911 around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday and said a man was shooting into her home. Two bullets struck Nobles – one in the hand and one in the hip. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Pensacola Police Officer Dennis Salon said French fired approximately 15 rounds into Nobles’ apartment. Salon said Nobles is the property manager for the duplexes. French lives in one of the duplexes and also was the maintenance man for the residences. Police determined he shot into the residences because he had been fired from his job on Wednesday and given three days’ notice to move out of his duplex.
After French shot into Nobles’ residence and her vehicle, he walked to nearby duplexes and fired into at least three more. Motives for the additional shootings remain under investigation.
Salon said the aggravated assault with a firearm charges were filed on French because he pointed the handgun toward at least one man, and Nobles’ two daughters – ages 12 and 13 – were inside her residence at the time. They were not injured.
Police determined French fired at least 20 rounds before he was taken into custody at Langley and Sanders avenues, located approximately two blocks away from the initial shooting.
French was holding a handgun and also had additional ammunition on him when he was taken into custody, said Lt. Stephen Davis.
Man Charged With Assaulting Two Women
August 13, 2014
A man who police said recently robbed two women at gunpoint and forced one of them to perform a sex act on him has been arrested.
Deontra Rysaun French, 23, of 500 E. Fairfield Dr., was arrested around noon Wednesday. He was charged with two counts of armed robbery, and one count each of aggravated battery, aggravated battery on a known pregnant victim, and sexual assault with a weapon.
The incident occurred just after midnight on July 31 when two females – ages 27 and 35 – ere walking in the 3800 block of North Davis Highway. One of the victims told police that the suspect approached them from behind and then forced them at gunpoint to go to the back of a building.
French then ordered the females to lie face down on the ground and struck the 35-year old woman, who is pregnant, in the back of her head with the gun. He then forced the 27-year old woman, whom he also struck in the head with the firearm, to perform oral sex on him at gunpoint, according to Detective Lisa Alverson.
French then fled the area with one of the victim’s cell phones and cash from the other victim, police said.
Man Gets 45 Years For Chumuckla Camping Trip Child Molestation
August 13, 2014
A man has been sentenced to prison on multiple child molestation charges after a weekend camping trip in Chumuckla.
Ramon Wade Renfro was sentenced Wednesday by Circuit Judge John Simon to 15 years in state prison for lewd or lascivious battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, 15 years in state prison for unlawful sexual activity with minors, and 15 years for contributing to the delinquency of a child and tattooing a minor. Renfro was convicted of these charges on July 10 by a Santa Rosa County Jury.
In February 2011, Renfro had been placed on three years probation for failure to redeliver hired or leased property. Simon sentenced Renfro to five years in state prison for violation of probation, to run concurrent to his previous sentence for a total of 45 years in state prison.
The 40-year old Renfro was supervising a group of teenagers on a weekend camping trip to Webb Landing in Chumuckla in February 2013. During the camping trip, Renfro fondled and had sexual relations with several of the girls who were between 14 and 16 years old.
He gave the teens vodka, whiskey and beer to get them drunk before molesting them. Renfro used tools he brought with him to give one of the girls two tattoos in private locations. One of the girls disclosed the activity to her parents after returning from the trip. They notified the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and Investigator Alvin Bicasan conducted an investigation, which led to Renfro’s arrest on May 24, 2013.
When questioned by Investigator Bicasan, Renfro denied engaging in any sexual acts or inappropriate touching. He further denied providing or bringing alcohol on the camping trip. Renfro claimed that he had not given the girls tattoos; however, during the trial prosecutor Stephanie Pace introduced photographic evidence of the tattoos. Witnesses testified that they had seen Renfro giving the tattoos and engaging in sexual acts with the girls.
School Orientations This Week (With Printable Supply Lists)
August 13, 2014
Orientations are scheduled this week for most Escambia County public schools. School begins next Monday, August 18.
For printable school supply lists, click here.
Orientations will be held as follows:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Orientation, Meet And Greets, August 14-15
- Bratt – August 14 – K-5, 8:30 – 10:30; Pre-K, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Byrneville — August 15, 9-11 a.m.
- Jim Allen – August 14, K-5 9-10:30 a.m.
- Lipscomb – August 14, K – 8:30-9:30; grades 1-5, 9:30-11 a.m.
- McArthur – August 14, 8:30-10 a.m.
- Pine Meadow – August 14, 9-11 a.m.
- Molino Park - August 14, Pre-K 9-10:00; K-5, 10-11 a.m.
For Escambia County elementary schools not listed, click here.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Orientations, August 14
- Bailey – 6th grade 10 a.m.; 7-8th 1:00 p.m.
- Bellview Middle – 9 – 11 a.m.
- Brown-Barge – 9 – 11 a.m.
- Ernest Ward – 10-11 a.m.
- Ferry Pass – 10 – 11 a.m.
- Ransom – 1-3 p.m.
- Warrington - 10: a.m.
- Workman – 1:00 – 2:30
- Woodham Middle – 6th grade 1 p.m.; 7-8th 1-2 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Ninth Grade/New Student Orientation
- Northview
- 8/14/14 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 9th grade/new student orientation
- Tate
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. 12th grade schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 2:00 p.m. 10th-11th grade schedule pickup
- West Florida
- 8/14/14 10:00 a.m. 11th grade schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 1:30 p.m. 10th grade schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 6:00 p.m. Senior/parent(s) information meeting
- Pine Forest
- 8/14/14 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 9th grade/new student schedule pickup
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 10th-12th grade schedule pickup
- Pensacola
- 8/14/14 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 9th grade orientation
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 10th-12th grade schedule pickup
- Washington
- 8/14/14 9:00 a.m. — noon New student orientation
- 8/14/14 8:00 a.m. – noon 11th grade schedule pickup
- 8/15/14 8:00 a.m. – noon 10th grade schedule pickup
- Escambia
- 8/14/14 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 10th- 12th grade schedule pickup
Note that some high schools have already held some orientation events.
Man Charged With DUI, Child Neglect After Wrong-Way Trip On Nine Mile Road
August 13, 2014
A Cantonment man was jailed after allegedly driving drunk on the wrong side of Nine Mile Road with two children in the vehicle.
Robert Anthony Hardee, 23, was charged with DUI and two counts of felony child neglect. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy’s report, he was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road when he observed traffic swerving left and right to avoid a Nissan SUV traveling on the wrong side of the road. Hardee turned on Chemstrand Road where he came to a stop. Two children were in the vehicle.
Hardee failed a field sobriety test, and later failed a breathalyzer test with an alcohol level of .242 — just over three times the legal limit of .08 — according deputies. Deputies reported finding a small bottle of vodka in the vehicle, with one of the children telling a deputy that Hardee has just consumed the alcohol.
Hardee also received traffic citations for driving on the wrong side of the road and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle.
Free Farm Share Food Giveaway Planned For Saturday In Century
August 13, 2014
A free food giveaway will be held Saturday in Century.
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, the AmeriCorps Coalition of Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties and Farm Share will host the free food distribution event for residents of Century and Florida residents North Escambia area (including Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino, Cantonment and Jay) on Saturday at The Habitat Building (former middle school) at 150 East Pond Street. (This is a change of location from the originally announced Showalter Park.)
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will continue while supplies last or until noon. Assisted by volunteers, Farm Share will distribute fresh produce, water and canned foods for up to 300 families in need. All participants must have a valid photo identification.
Pictured top: Volunteers help distribute food during a previous Farm Share event in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lightning Strike Apparent Cause Of Cantonment Gas Leak
August 13, 2014
A gas leak that shut down Pine Forest Road in a Cantonment neighborhood Tuesday night was believed to be caused by lightning.
The leak was report about 7:15 p..m. near the intersection of Pine Forest Road and Graham Road, just north of the Pine Forest Assembly of God. A nearby homeowner reported seeing and hearing the lightning strike before walking outside to see natural gas blowing into the air.
Work crews had the gas shut off in about an hour in order to make repairs to the pipe. Three families voluntarily evacuated during the incident.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: Gas can been seen spewing out of the ground Tuesday evening following a lightning strike on Pine Forest Road. Reader submitted photos by Renee Maneen for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Library’s Bookmobile Back In Service
August 13, 2014
A bit of good news today for residents that don’t want to make the trek all the way to their nearest library — the West Florida Library Bookmobile is back in service. The Bookmobile had been out of service since July 21.
The Bookmobile makes regular stops throughout Escambia County. Anyone with a West Florida Library card may visit the library on wheels and check out books, CDs, and DVDs from the selection of thousands on board. Patrons may also reserve materials online to be picked up on the Bookmobile’s next stop. Materials may be returned to the Bookmobile or to any library branch location.
Library card applications are also available from the Bookmobile driver.
The Bookmobile schedule below, provided by the West Florida Library, shows stops for the remainder of the year. Click the schedule to enlarge and print.
Robin Williams’ Death Shines Light On Suicide, Depression
August 13, 2014
As details emerge about the reported suicide of actor and comedian Robin Williams, family members and friends acknowledge he was suffering from a long battle with depression. Many Florida families suffer the same anguish, and suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the state.
Betsey Westuba, who chairs the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, said she hopes Williams’ death serves as a reminder to help people who may be suffering from depression.
“It’s a biological disease,” she said. “Just as we have bodily diseases, we have brain diseases – and, so often, people don’t want to acknowledge that.”
Last year, more than 2,800 Floridians committed suicide, or about eight people a day. It is the second leading cause of death for people ages 25 to 34.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has help available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255. Warning signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts include a sense of hopelessness, apathy and extreme changes in behavior.
Westuba said she has a family history of depression, and a brother who committed suicide in 2007.
“Remember that there are many, many people that go through depression, but they are able to get through it,” she said. “We can help to teach each other skills. We need to educate each other.”
Mental-health experts recommend reaching out to people who may be suffering from depression. She said pets sometimes lift the spirits of those who are depressed, and making future plans may help provide them with a sense of hope.
by Florida News Connection