FDOT: Road Construction Suspended For 4th Weekend
July 4, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation is suspending highway construction projects on major major roadways across Northwest Florida for the holiday weekend. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions Friday, July 4. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the Independence Day holiday, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Win Second Straight Over Jacksonville 3-2
July 4, 2014
The packed Pensacola Bayfront Stadium came to see fireworks and, boy, did they.
Not only did they watch a spectacular 17-minute explosion of color in the night sky but they experienced former Gulf Breeze High School pitcher Ben Lively’s explosive fastball strike out seven Jacksonville Sun batters and an electrifying walk off home run deep to right field by Jesse Winker – his second walk off in a row.
What a difference on the mound it was for Lively in his second start at home in front of an announced 5,038 crowd that looked much larger with even every inch of the grass in the Hill Kelly Hill behind right centerfield taken.
The crowd was into every pitch and play made by the Blue Wahoos, who suited up in patriotic uniforms with stripes and stars, and their new red, white and blue hat with the Wahoos logo in a star.
Lively’s Double-A debut at home was his shortest outing of the year at 3.2 innings, with 52 of his 98 pitches thrown for strikes.
But it was all forgotten Thursday when the hometown prospect, recorded 7 Ks in six innings, allowing just two runs.
Lively’s total this season now stands at 115 Ks, which are second best in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Only Reds starter Johnny Cueto has more with 130. He is also second among all minor league pitchers, trailing only Aaron Blair, who has 117 playing at the A level.
“I was a lot more settled down,” said Lively, who entered the game with hitters batting .194 against him.
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields was pleased, too.
“He didn’t lose his composure,” he said. “His focus was a lot better tonight.”
Although he was happy with his pitching performance, Lively was even more excited about his double. It was his first professional hit and his first hit since he played at Gulf Breeze High School. He launched a line drive over the right fielder that scored Kyle Waldrop. Waldrop had led off the inning with a double off the base of the leftfield wall, sliding head first into second base.
“The hit pumped me up a little bit,” Lively said.
Lively, who already has a jersey out with the number 35 that he wore in his first start, then scored when Yorman Rodriguez followed him with a line drive down the left field line, tying it up at 2 apiece. It stayed that way until “Walk-Off” Winker came to the plate in the ninth inning.
Lively was icing his arm in the club house when he saw Winker lift the ball deep to right field. He quickly jumped up, threw on clothes and gave Winker the first of three shaving cream pies to the face, not to mention a cooler full of ice-cold Gatorade in front of the dugout. Winker, who has a seven-game hitting streak, enjoyed it, spreading his arms open and letting it shower him.
It ended a five-game homestand in which Winker was named to the Sirius XM All-Star Futures game played on Sunday, July 13, his first Double-A home run and then back-to-back walk offs. His one Wednesday night was on a single in the 15th inning.
“It’s very cool. One of the best baseball weeks I can remember,” said Winker, who still had shaving cream covering his head. “As soon as I hit it I thought, ‘Oh, that could go.”
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields was smiling after Thursday’s game. DeShields hasn’t been too happy with Pensacola’s record now at 6-9 in the second half, after a last place finish in the first half.
“That was fun tonight and it didn’t take 15 innings,” he said.
DeShields noted that Winker is 20 and the youngest player on the team.
“He’s a very confident young man,” DeShields said. “He’s growing up. He’s not a big leaguer yet but he will be one day. He’s always dangerous.”
DeShields also praised Drew Hayes, who pitched two scoreless innings of middle relief and struck out three.
“Our bullpen did a solid job tonight,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing these guys pitch.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Double-A affiliated of the Cincinnati Reds, travel to play Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate the Mobile BayBears in a five-game series that gets underway at 7:05 p.m. Friday. RHP Daniel Corcino (7-6, 4.50) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the BayBears RHP Justin Fitzgerald (7-1, 4.04).
by Tommy Thrall
Gov. Rick Scott Honors Veterans At Escambia County Stop
July 4, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott was in Escambia County Thursday, handing out the “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” to 227 former service members. Scott, a Navy vet himself, created the award in March and toured the state this week handing out the medals.
“The courage and sacrifice these veterans displayed while serving our country has contributed to the freedoms and opportunities Florida families benefit from everyday,” Scott said in a prepared statement following one of the ceremonies.
The front of the medal depicts the state seal. The back of the medal displays the five seals representing the five branches of military with an inscription that reads “Honoring Those Who Served.”
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott (left) awards the “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” to a veteran Thursday in Pensacola as Congressman Jeff Miller (right) looks on. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Honored For State And National Level Accomplishments
July 3, 2014
The Northview High School FFA was honored by Wednesday for their accomplishments on both the state and national level during the 86th Florida FFA Convention in Orlando.
The Northview FFA was selected as one of Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters for completion of the National Chapter Award program application. Chapters that receive the honor have excelled in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA. The Northview FFA will be among the chapters that will represent Florida at the national level during the National Chapter Award Program in Louisville, KY.
Also Wednesday, the Northview FFA was selected as one of Florida’s Premier FFA Chapters. The Premier Chapter Award was initiated to recognize superior achievement by chapters in agricultural education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas, which include alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, and public relations, along with recruitment and other FFA activities.
Pictured top: Outgoing Northview FFA President Courtney Solari and Northview FFA advisor Perry Byars (middle) accept the Florida’s Finest FFA Chapter award Wednesday in Orlando. Pictured inset: Byars and incoming Northview FFA Vice President Bethany Reynolds accept the Florida’s Premier FFA Chapter award on stage during the 86th Florida FFA Convention. NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Office Open Again
July 3, 2014
The Escambia County Extension Services office has reopened for regular business.
The office was closed and staff moved to other facilities due to damage from the late April flooding event.
The office is located at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. For more information, call the Escambia County Extension Services office at (850) 475-5230.
Lady Astros Win The Firecracker Classic
July 3, 2014
The Lady Astros softball team won the Firecracker Classic tournament at Exchange Park recently, topping about a dozen other teams from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The Lady Astros got off to a rough start, dropping a couple in pool play, but came back to sweep five in row.
Coach Donnie Nicholson said the team was at their best both offensively and defensively, along with top notch pitching. The tournament team batting average came in around .450, scoring 47 runs while holding opposing teams to 17 runs.
Team members are from Jay, West Florida, Pine Forest, Gulf Breeze and Northview High Schools. They include: Briana Morgan, Jibrasha Moore, Gracie Kilcrease, Farrah Nicholas, Megan Freemon, Sydney Wright, Brooke Lauber, Dana Blackmon, Emily Loring, Briana Rogers, Rebecca Mejia, Kaley Workmon and Hannah Ging. Coaches are Nicholson and Kathy Blackmon.
Pictured: The Lady Astros (top, L-R) Briana Morgan, Jibrasha Moore, Gracie Kilcrease, Farrah Nicholas, Megan Freemon and Sydney Wright, (bottom, L-R) Brooke Lauber, Dana Blackmon, Emily Loring, Briana Rogers and Rebecca Mejia. Not Pictured are Kaley Workmon and Hannah Ging, and coaches Donnie Nicholson and Kathy Blackmon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fourth Of July Picnic About $6 Per Person This Year
July 3, 2014
An all-American Fourth of July picnic of the nation’s favorite foods including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk will cost slightly more this year but still comes in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost for a summer picnic for 10 is $58.72, or $5.87 per person. That’s about a 5-percent increase compared to a year ago.
“Despite some modest price increases over the past year or so – meats, especially – most Americans should be able to find summer picnic foods at prices close to the averages found by our volunteer shoppers,” said John Anderson, deputy chief economist at AFBF.
“Retail meat prices are higher compared to a year ago because the nation’s cattle herd is now at a historically small level,” Anderson said. “The total number of hogs farmers across the nation are raising is also down, which has contributed to higher retail prices for pork products.”
Although consumers will pay a bit more for their Independence Day picnics, finding delectable meat cuts and ingredients for side dishes will not be a problem.
“As a nation, we continue to enjoy a consistent, high-quality supply of meats and poultry that can be grilled or prepared any number of different ways. The whole array of home-grown foods Americans typically enjoy in the summer also is in plentiful supply,” he said.
AFBF’s summer picnic menu for 10 consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, watermelon for dessert, and ketchup and mustard.
A total of 84 Farm Bureau members (volunteer shoppers) in 25 states checked retail prices for summer picnic foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
Japanese Sister City Donates $12K To Support Local Flood Relief Efforts
July 3, 2014
Pensacola’s sister city, Gero, Japan, has donated $12,888 to support flood relief efforts. After the devastating flood impacting our community at the end of April into early May, representatives from Gero contacted the City of Pensacola seeking ways to lend a hand, according to the United Way of Escambia County.
“We are incredibly grateful to our Sister City in Japan for their generosity,” said Mayor Ashton Hayward. “Residents throughout our community experienced significant losses as a result of the flood. Though they are half a world away, our friends in Gero saw our need and stepped up in a big way. Their donation will be used to help those who need it most.”
Their generous donation will be added to the nearly $180,000 United Way has already disbursed to local non-profit partners experiencing loss from the flood. Dollars were raised online, at a May telethon/radio-thon at Cordova and Santa Rosa malls, local contributors to flood relief and United Way’s reserve funds.
In 1998, The City of Pensacola and Gero, Japan partnered through Sister Cities International to promote exchanges of culture, education, information and trade. The cities partnered to create a lifelong friendship that would provide prosperity and peace through person-to-person “citizen diplomacy.”
Pictured top: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Don Gaetz tour Pensacola flood damage in early May along with other local leaders. Pictured inset: Scott discusses recovery efforts with FEMA representative Cheria Brown. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Gulf Coast Kid’s House Expanding
July 3, 2014
Gulf Coast Kid’s House is expanding and setting out to raise $1 million to provide needed renovations.
At a groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday, it was announced that the new wing would be named the Allen R. Levin Family Advocacy and Education Wing in recognition of a significant gift made by local philanthropists Teri Levin and Martin Levin.
Teri Levin spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony on behalf of the family. “The Levin Family has been committed to Gulf Coast Kid’s House since the beginning. We are proud to support them and Our Children, Our Future. My late husband Allen, was a humble and generous man – we’re glad that his name too will be included on this building that offers hope to so many children.”
Pam Schwartz, Gulf Coast Kid’s House chair spoke of the importance of GCKH to help children move from “victims to victorious” and celebrated her tenth year on the board of directors.
The Gulf Coast Kid’s House expansion will add an additional 3,000 square feet to the existing structure and will allow the agencies housed at GCKH to serve the most egregiously abused children in Escambia County. The new space will include a new medical exam room, community conference room, therapy rooms, and offices. Many opportunities are available for individual and corporate sponsorships of the new space.
Stan Connally, Gulf Power CEO, urged attendees to support the campaign saying, “Relative to my fellow board members, I am a new member of the Kids House team, but I am equally as committed to the mission. During my first few months in Pensacola, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation at the FSU School of Medicine. There, two medical students were presenting and they showed many horrible images - the one that is burned in my memory was of a young 2 year old that had been held in scalding hot water in an abuse case. I have two children of my own and knowing that children could endure this kind of torture was heart-breaking and unacceptable to me.”
For additional information, contact Stacey Kostevicki at (850) 595-5780.
Florida Supreme Court To Weigh If Felons Can Stand Their Ground
July 3, 2014
The Florida Supreme Court will consider whether convicted felons have the right to claim immunity under the state’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defense law, even if they are barred from possessing guns in the first place.
Justices agreed Wednesday to hear the case of Brian Bragdon, who was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a document in the case.
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ragdon argued that he fired the gun while trying to defend himself and sought to get the charges dismissed under “stand your ground.” But a circuit judge ruled that Bragdon was prevented from seeking immunity because he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm at the time of the shooting, and the 4th District Court of Appeal also ruled against him.
The appeals court based its decision on its own 2012 ruling in the case of Harvey Hill, a felon who shot a man during a confrontation over a woman and then claimed he did so in self defense. The court ruled that he couldn’t do so under “stand your ground.”
“Here, the defendant used the very instrumentality that he was not lawfully allowed to possess to injure his alleged assailant,” the court ruled in the Hill case.
But between Hill and Bragdon, the 2nd District Court of Appeal found in another case that there was at least one section of the “stand your ground” law that could apply even to felons. The court was considering the case of Aaron Little, who shot another man in a confrontation.
“His status as a felon in illegal possession of a firearm did not preclude that claim of immunity,” the 2nd DCA ruled. “And, as set forth above, Little established by a preponderance of the evidence that his use of force was justified to prevent his imminent death or great bodily harm as provided for in” the law.
The 2nd DCA said it wasn’t sure whether the decisions in the Little and Hill cases were in conflict — something that makes the Florida Supreme Court more likely to intervene. But in its ruling on Bragdon, the 4th DCA said there was a conflict with the Little ruling. Bragdon asked the justices to hear the case based on that conflict, and lawyers for the state agreed.
The “stand your ground” law says people can use deadly force and do not have a duty to retreat if they think it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. The law offers criminal and civil immunity in such cases.
It’s not clear when the Supreme Court might rule. The order issued Wednesday sets out a schedule for attorneys in the case to file briefs but said the court would set a time for oral arguments later.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida