Century Starts Budget Talks
August 7, 2014
The Town of Century will began their fiscal year 2014-2015 budget process with a special town council workshop Thursday afternoon.
Additional budget workshops are planned for Thursday, August 14; Thursday, August 21; and (if needed) Thursday August 28. Each meeting will be held at 3 p.m. in the council chambers at the Century Town Hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard. The meetings are open to the public.
The Town of Century’s budget for the current fiscal year is $4.38 million.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Hot-Hitting Jackson Defeats The Blue Wahoos 9-3
August 7, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos offensive woes continued Wednesday to start its five-game series against the Jackson Generals.
The Wahoos managed just three runs in their loss, 9-3, and now have averaged 2.3 runs in its last 11 games. On the season, Pensacola ranks last in the Southern League in runs scored with 465.
Meanwhile, Jackson has been the hottest hitting team in the league since June 1, hitting .279 as a team. Against Pensacola last night its nine hits included three home runs by D.J. Peterson, the second-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, Patrick Brady and Jody Lara, who hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning.
“They got some guys who can swing the bat from what I’ve seen,” said Blue Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields.
He added that he hasn’t enjoyed watching his team struggle at the plate.
“It’s tough, especially when you know you’re better than that,” DeShields said. “That’s just the way it is sometimes.”
Lively gave up two solo home runs to left field with winds gusting to 20 mph and gave up five earned runs in six innings. After earning his first win in his last start by taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, the Gulf Breeze High School product is still seeking his first win at home.
For the moment, though, Lively’s three strikeouts allowed him to take back the minor league baseball lead in strikeouts with 149. Over his previous eight starts with the Wahoos, opposing Double-A batters are hitting .195 off Lively.
DeShields said he walked to the mound to speak with Lively in the sixth inning with men on second and third base to remind him that first base was open against Jackson’s Dario Pizzano and he was followed by catcher Steve Baron, who is hitting .175. Pizzano ended up doubling in two runs that put the Generals ahead for good, 5-3. Lively struck out Baron to end the sixth.
“I told him (Pizzano) wasn’t his guy,” DeShields said. “Lively just made a lot of mistakes tonight.”
The three bright spots from the Wahoos opening game with the Generals? The Washington High School drum line in the fourth inning, Ross Perez and Juan Duran.
Perez singled up the middle to center field to extend his Wahoos season-high hitting streak to 13 games. During the streak, he’s hitting 22-49, or .449, with 1 home run and 13 RBI and has struck out just three times.
Duran also looked strong at the plate by knocking three doubles – all to the outfield wall – and he scored twice. He is now hitting .245 on the season with a team-leading 15 home runs and 48 RBI and is second in doubles with 18, one behind Travis Mattair.
The second game of the five-game series with Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate the Jackson Generals gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.29) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Generals LHP Tyler Olson (6-6, 4.21).
Ribbon Cut On New Atmore Walmart
August 6, 2014
A new Walmart was officially opened Wednesday morning in Atmore with a brief ribbon cutting ceremony. The new store at 911 North Main Street, about 2.5 miles north of the Florida line, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I want each and every one of y’all to know how proud we are…talking about the associates and also the customers,” Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said. “It’s just going to be nice that y’all don’t have to drive anymore. You can get it right here in Atmore, Alabama.”
“Local business owners, chamber of commerce members and the new Atmore Walmart are the community, and we know the store will be an asset to the city of Atmore,” said store manager Joe Ferguson, who began his Walmart careeer in 1999 as a temporary hourly employee in Mobile.
The store features a full line of groceries and general merchandise categories, a garden center and a pharmacy. Unlike most Supercenter stores, the Atmore stores does not have an automotive center.
The new Atmore Walmart employees about 120 full and part-time associates. The store is smaller, prototype Supercenter. At 69,197 square feet, Atmore’s Walmart will be about one-third the size of a larger Supercenter. By comparison, the Walmart SuperCenter on Highway 29 in Ensley comes in at 215,599 square feet, not counting the garden center and patio.
The new Walmart marks the first time a “big box” retailer has been open in Atmore; the town’s Kmart closed over 10 years ago.
Pictured top: Atmore Mayor Jim Staff (in light color jacket) celebrates the opening of Atmore’s new Walmart as store manager Joe Ferguson cuts the ribbon. Pictured inset: Shoppers stream into the new store. Pictured below: One of the first customers to check out at the new store Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Busted On Florida ‘Spice’ Charges
August 6, 2014
“Spice” has landed an Atmore man in jail following a traffic stop in Florida.
James Jarvis Peoples, age 56 of Short Street, was charged with felony synthetic narcotic possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
A Pensacola Police Department officer stopped Peoples on Pace Boulevard for a tag light offense. The officer reported seeing Peoples drop a “crack pipe”. A search of his vehicle revealed a bag of “Geeked Up” synthetic cannabinoid, commonly known as “spice”, in the center console, according to an arrest report.
Peoples’ vehicle was seized by police. He was also given a written warning for a blown tag light.
Northview Preseason Game Against Escambia Academy Canceled; Garnet And Gold Game Planned
August 6, 2014
Northview High School’s preseason kickoff game August 22 against the Escambia Academy Cougars has been canceled.
The Florida High School Athletic Association would not approve the game because Escambia Academy is a not a member of an organization that is part of the National Federation of State High School Associations, according to Northview Principal Gayle Weaver.
Weaver said the school is finalizing plans for a Garnet and Gold game with just the Chiefs at 7 p.m. on August 22.
The Northview Chiefs will open the regular season on the road at Bozeman at 7 p.m. on August 29.
Escambia Academy is private school located in Canoe, Ala. The Cougars are members of the Alabama Independent School Association, which is not a NFHS member association. The Cougars will open their regular season at home against Autauga Academy of Prattville, Ala., on August 29.
Santa Rosa Wreck Claims One Life
August 6, 2014
A 20-year old woman was killed in a Santa Rosa County traffic accident about 1:00 Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 18-year Alexis Penton of Milton was traveling north on Highway 87 near Choctaw Road in a 2005 Ford Mustang when she crossed the center line into the southbound lane. She collided with a 2005 Mack truck driven by 46-year old Mark Williams of Milton.
Penton’s front seat passenger, 20-year old Ronni Stone of Milton was pronounced deceased following the crash, while two-year old passenger Payton Lee Stone was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Penton was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries. Williams received on minor injuries.
Charges against Penton are pending, according to the FHP.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Continues On New Ernest Ward Middle School
August 6, 2014
Work is continuing on the new replacement Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. The $20 million project, funded by local option sales tax funds, has a target completion date in December. That would allow students to move into the school following Christmas break. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Messy Situation Shuts Down Highway For Six Hours
August 6, 2014
A messy situation shutdown Highway 31 on the west side of Flomaton for about six hours Tuesday afternoon.
A John Deere spreader being driven from Atmore to Samson, Ala., ruptured a hydraulic hose and spilled several gallons of hydraulic fluid over a quarter-mile stretch of Highway 31. The spill was cleaned up by the Flomaton Fire Department and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
There were no injuries in the incident.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Third Suspect Arrested In Detroit For June 22 Escambia County Murder
August 5, 2014
A third person has been arrested in connection with the June 22 Escambia County murder of 31-year old Tabius Cardell Huff.
Jimmy Jermaine Bonner, 27, was arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Detroit and extradited back to Escambia County on Monday. Trent Baker, 29, was arrested on June 24 and Jarrod Blackmon, 23, was arrested June 30, both also charged in the murder.
Huff was shot about 10 p.m. June 22 outside a convenience store in the 5300 block of Jackson Street near Edgewood Circle. Huff was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Health Alert Rescinded For Area Around Rolling Hills Pit
August 5, 2014
Effective immediately, in response to air quality monitoring performed by Escambia County, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is rescinding the health alert that was issued on July 22 for the area surrounding the Wedgewood Community Center and the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill.
- Since July 22, daily air quality monitoring has been performed by Escambia County at multiple locations surrounding the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road, Pensacola.
- Since the air quality health alert was issued, all air samples taken at these monitoring sites have measured hydrogen sulfide gas concentrations that are below the minimum level of concern for long term exposure to humans.
- Inspections conducted by Escambia County and information from the operators of the landfill have indicated that the operators at the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill have taken actions that have assisted in the prevention of further excessive hydrogen sulfide gas emission.
- The health department notes that the odor of hydrogen sulfide gas that can be detected by most people is below the minimum level of concern for long term exposure to humans.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will continue to monitor for health risks in the area surrounding the Wedgewood Community Center and the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill. Additional recommendations or alerts may be issued if new information becomes available.