Mississippi Braves Walk Off Over Wahoos 3-2 In 11
May 28, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos claimed an early 2-0 lead, but it evaporated in the seventh allowing the Mississippi Braves to win the game 3-2 in 11 innings Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. Jones, who flew out with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, came up with the winning run at third in the 11th inning and drove a single to left-center field to hand the Blue Wahoos their third straight loss.
Robert Stephenson started for Pensacola and got a no-decision. He went 6.1 innings and allowed 2 R/1 ER with a couple of walks and five strikeouts. He allowed just four singles and didn’t allow a runner past first base until an RBI triple by David Rohm in the seventh.
The bullpen kept the game tied until James Walczak (L, 1-2) allowed the winning run in his only inning of work. Rohm, who scored the game winner, moved up to third on a two-out error by the shortstop which kept the inning alive. The Blue Wahoos had a chance to go in front in the 10th when Travis Mattair was thrown out at home on a two-out single to left by Yorman Rodriguez. Left fielder Cedric Hunter’s throw just beat Mattair at the plate to end the inning.
Chasen Shreve (W, 3-0) worked just one perfect inning out of the bullpen to earn the win. He struck out the side in order in the top of the 11th before earning his third win of the year.
The Blue Wahoos will try to snap their skid behind RHP Jon Moscot (3-3, 2.35) on Wednesday night. The Braves will counter with Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect J.R. Graham (0-2, 4.86). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
No Injuries In Minor School Bus Accident
May 28, 2014
There were no injuries in a minor school bus accident Tuesday afternoon on Nokomis Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an Escambia County School District bus driven by Cynthia Formby of McDavid was southbound on Rockaway Creek Road and stopped at the intersection of Nokomis Road. A 1999 Dodge 3500 pickup driven by Daryl O’Farrell of McDavid was westbound on Nokomis Road approaching Rockaway Creek Road.
Formby began to make make a left turn onto eastbound Nokomis Road at about the same time O’Farrell began making a right turn onto northbound Rockaway Creek Road. The school bus tracked across the center as the driver made the turn, according to the FHP, causing the side of one vehicle to strike the side of the other. Formby was cited for making an improper left turn by the FHP.
There were 14 Bratt Elementary School students on the bus at the time. There were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Wreck Involving County-Owned Pickup Truck
May 27, 2014
One person was injured in a collision involving a county-owned pickup Tuesday afternoon in Oak Grove.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an Escambia County Road Department Ford F250 driven by Anthony Delano of McDavid and a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ronald Martin of Atmore were both northbound on County Road 99 just before 2 p.m.
Delano failed to see Martin passing as he attempted to turn on County Road 99A, according to the FHP. The front of Martin’s pickup struck the rear tail light and bumper of the county truck. Delano was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries; Martin was not injured.
Delano was cited for an improper left turn, according to the FHP.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Gets State Prison On Drug Possession, Conspiracy Charges
May 27, 2014
Another North Escambia resident has been convicted and sentenced to prison in connection with last year’s Operation Blister Pack 2.
Jonathan Paul Kite, age 40 of the 700 block of North Highway 99 in Walnut Hill, was convicted of felony drug possession of a listed chemical and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. He was sentenced by Judge Ross Goodman to 18 months in state prison to be followed by three years probation and eight hours of community service per month.
Operation Blister Pack 2 targeted about 80 individuals on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related charges. Many of those arrested were involved with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group”, a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Unpaid Property Taxes Must Be Paid By Friday
May 27, 2014
All 2013 unpaid real estate taxes must be paid to avoid a tax certificate being issued, which is a first lien against the property, by May 30 Over 10,000 accounts totaling $11 million remain unpaid, according to Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Payments must be received and processed by close of business on Friday, May 30:
- in person at one of three branch offices;
- online at www.escambiataxcollector.com; or
- through the phone service center (850) 438-6500 ext. 3252.
Late payments will be returned for additional fees.
Drive thru service and drop box are available at all locations. The Warrington office on Navy Boulevard remains closed due to flooding damage. All tax collector offices are closed Monday, May 26 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Taxpayers may check the status of their taxes online at www.escambiataxcollector.com or call (850) 438-6500 ext. 3252 for more information.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Davis Highway
May 27, 2014
A pedestrian was struck and killed on Davis Highway Sunday night.
The pedestrian was crossing Davis Highway north of Atwood Drive when he stepped into the path of a 2009 Dodge Challenger driven by 59-year old Stanley Wallace of Reserve, LA. Wallace swerved but was unable to avoid hitting the pedestrian, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The pedestrian was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased from his injuries. His name has not been released by FHP pending notification of next of kin.
Wallace and his passenger were not injured. No charges were filed in the crash.
Several Homeless After Apartment Fire
May 27, 2014
A four-family apartment complex was heavily damaged by fire late Monday night on Tumbleweed Trail at the Fowler Place Apartments, leaving at least seven adults and a teenager homeless.
The fire in the 700 block of Tumbleweed Trail, just south of Nine Mile Road off Fowler Avenue, was reported just before midnight. One person reportedly suffered from smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries reported.
The American Red Cross was called to assist residents displaced by the fire.
The exact cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Pictured: Fire rips through an apartment complex on Tumbleweed Trail late Monday night. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Herring Awarded Gandy Memorial Scholarship
May 27, 2014
Austin Ray Herring has been named the winner of this year’s Gandy Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was founded in 2008 at Poplar Dell Baptist Church by family members who wanted to honor their loved ones who had dedicated so much of their time and efforts at the church and for their community. Since that year, the committee has chosen local seniors who have been active in the church as well as their school.
Herring is an honor and dual-enrollment student at Jay High School. He is in the National Beta Club, the National Honor Society, the Spanish club and the Tri-Music Honor Society. He has been a member of the Jay High Royal Pride Band for seven years and has been awarded Best Brass two years in a row. His senior year he served as band captain. At Poplar Dell he has participated in the youth group, the puppet ministry and serves as an usher.
Herring is the son of Mitch and Tabitha Herring of Jay.
Pictured top: (L-R) Vicki Gandy Baggett, Bill Gandy, scholarship winner Austin Herring and John Gandy. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
TaxWatch Urges Scott To Veto $121 Million In ‘Turkeys’ – $3 Million For Local Projects
May 27, 2014
There are $121 million in budget projects that Florida TaxWatch says Gov. Rick Scott needs to strike with his line-item veto. In releasing its annual list of budget “turkeys”, TaxWatch officials urged Scott to veto 107 projects from a 431-page, $77.1 billion fiscal plan that lawmakers approved early this month.
In Escambia County, TaxWatch says Scott should veto $500,00 for a Smart Horizons online career education program and $2 million allocated to ARC Gateway for a job placement program.
In Santa Rosa County, TaxWatch targeted a half million dollar Andrews Institute Foundation Eagle Fund.
Scott has until June 4 to act on the budget, which will take effect with the start of the new fiscal year July 1.
“Florida TaxWatch has once again shown,” Senate President Don Gaetz said in a release, “that it is possible to be absent all year long from any engagement in the budget process, do no research into the merits of any appropriation, utter not one word of testimony on any proposal or alternative and still convince well-meaning people to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep a well-paid staff employed to absolutely no positive effect other than to get mentioned in one news cycle.”
Kurt Wenner, TaxWatch’s vice president for tax research, said the projects on the list aren’t being questioned on their merits, but rather for failing to go through the normal budget process.
“There were an awful lot of member projects in the budget this year,” Wenner said. “I think everybody knew there were going to be, there was more money. The Legislature did do a pretty good job of getting a lot of them in the budget early.”
Wenner said the budget would never get done if there wasn’t backroom dealing. But the group is opposed to new projects being introduced during those talks.
The business-backed organization uses two main criteria to select turkeys: first, whether the project was inserted into the budget during the final negotiations between the House and the Senate; and second, whether the spending was requested by a state agency.
Last year, TaxWatch recommended $106 million in cuts through 107 separate line items. Scott vetoed 71 of the items, worth $71.1 million, as part of his $368 million in cuts from the budget.
Northview’s Solari Is State Finalist For FFA Officer Award
May 27, 2014
Florida FFA has announced that one of the finalists for the 2014 Ryan Rimmer Outstanding District Officer Award is Courtney Solari of the Northview High School FFA.
This award is selected by application from the 24 district officers throughout the state and is given to the district officer who excels in their service to Florida FFA. The state winner will be announced during the 6th General Session of the 86th Florida FFA State Convention on July 3rd at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Pictured: Courtney Solari. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.