Decorated War Hero Bud Day Passes Away
July 29, 2013
Retired Col. Bud Day passed away Saturday at his home. He was 88.
Day is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and command pilot who served in active service in World War II and the Vietnam War. Shot down in an air strike in North Vietnam, he was a prisoner of war for five years and seven months during which time he shared a cell with U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ).
“He was the bravest man I ever knew, and his fierce resistance and resolute leadership set the example for us in prison of how to return home with honor,” McCain said in a statement Sunday.
Day is often cited as being the most decorated U.S. service member since General Douglas MacArthur, having received nearly 70 decorations, a majority for actions in combat. Day is a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
“Day was a patriot in the truest sense of the word. He worked tirelessly for veterans and never backed down to a challenge. He was the most distinguished of warriors and a most loving husband and father. Col. Bud Day was a national treasure and a shining example of bravery. Our community will miss his unwavering perseverance, his limitless patriotism, and his enduring optimism for the future of America,” Rep. Jeff Miller said Sunday.
Wahoos Top BayBears
July 29, 2013
Shaun Ellis combined with four relievers to fire a two-hit shutout of the Mobile BayBears in Pensacola’s 2-0 win on Sunday evening at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The shutout was Pensacola’s eighth of the season
The Wahoos pitching staff tied a team-low for hits allowed in a game this season, sparked by the starter Ellis. The All-Star went four-plus innings, allowing two hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Both free passes came in the top of the fifth inning and forced Ellis from the game. Parker Frazier came out of the Blue Wahoos bullpen to get a strikeout and a double play to end the threat.
Frazier (1-0) picked up his first win in a Pensacola uniform with three scoreless and hitless innings in just his second appearance since being traded from Colorado. The right-hander struck out three and walked only one.
Josh Ravin and Chris Manno combined to toss a scoreless eighth before Trevor Bell closed the door in the ninth inning to pick up his eighth save of the season.
Pensacola provided enough support with a pair of runs in the last of the second against BayBears’ starter Andrew Chafin. Mike Costanzo led off the inning with a walk before scoring on a double from Chris Berset. Ryan LaMarre drove home Berset two batters later with a single to make it 2-0.
Chafin took the loss to fall to 7-6 on the season. The southpaw allowed two runs on four hits in six innings with four strikeouts and two walks.
The Wahoos look to make it two wins in a row on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Daniel Renken (4-7, 3.56) takes the ball for Pensacola against Mobile’s David Holmberg (5-5, 2.92). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Story by Kevin Burke
One Injured In 10 Mile, Palafox Crash
July 28, 2013
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon at 10 Mile Road and Palafox Street.
The injured driver was trapped briefly in their overturned vehicle before being extricated by firefighters. The person was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle was not injured in the 3:55 p.m. crash.
The Ensley, Cantonment and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire Rescueresponded to the crash, along with the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The accident remains under investigation by the FHP; further details have not been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon at 10 Mile Road and Palafox Street. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
School Board Adopts Tentative Millage Rate, Budget
July 28, 2013
A millage rate and tentative budget for the 2013-2014 school year have been approved by the Escambia County School Board.
The millage rate was set at 7.557, which equates to about $755 in taxes per $100,000 in taxable property value. That is a slight decrease from last year’s 7.758 millage rate. The board also approved a tentative operating budget that totaled $553 million.
Possibly Stolen BMW Found Torched At Century Boat Landing
July 28, 2013
A possibly stolen BMW was found torched in Century Saturday morning.
The 2012 BMW was already destroyed by fire when it was discovered about 6:00 a.m. Saturday at Fischer’s Landing near the West Highway 4 bridge over the Escambia River. Preliminary information indicated that the possibly stolen car had been set on fire; the arson is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshals Office.
The driver of the vehicle had fled the scene prior to the arrival of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the fire department.
The incident is also under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
Further details have not yet been released.
Pictured: A stolen BMW was found burnt out at Fischer’s Landing in Century early Saturday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Iraqi Educator Learns About American Farming In Walnut Hill
July 28, 2013
A few farming tips from Walnut Hill may be put to use in Iraq soon.
Walnut Hill farmer Mike Koehn and UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County Extension Agent Libbie Johnson recently hosted Bashar Hwaidi from the Qadisiyah province of Iraq on a short farm tour. Bashar was in Escambia County with a larger delegation of teenage visitors from the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council.
During his trip to Walnut Hill, Hwaidi wanted to learn more about American agriculture and take the knowledge back to Iraq where he serves as an educator at the Small Business Development Center in Diwanyah City.
Hwaidi learned about cotton and peanut production, GPS navigation, financing and marketing systems for row crop farmers.
Ben Koehn of Walnut Hill also demonstrated “hands off” tractor driving in which GPS navigation is used to steer a tractor over an exact path in a field.
Hwaidi explained that precision agriculture is not the norm in Iraq and that he was very interested to see how different production practices are between Walnut Hill and Iraq.
Pictured top and inset: Walnut Hill farmer Mike Koehn explain American farming practices to an Iraqi educator. Pictured below: Bashar Hwaidi from Iraq watches a GPS is used to self-steer a John Deere tractor through a Walnut Hill field. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Broxson, FWC To Hold Black Bear Workshop After Jump In Sightings
July 28, 2013
Due a recent rise in bear encounters, especially in Santa Rosa County, Rep. Doug Broxson and the Wildlife Conservation Commission are hosting a public workshop for area residents to learn how to protect their home and property from bear intrusion.
After dwindling to as few as 300 bears in the 1970s, the Florida black bear population has rebounded to more than 3,000 bears today. The FWC has reported a dramatic increase in bear reports from Santa Rosa County. In 2002, there were 10 bear reports, and in 2012 that number jumped to 386 calls.
“As Santa Rosa County’s population has increased over the last decade, so has the bear population. As a result, the presence of bears in residential areas is higher than ever. We must address the property damage and safety concerns of residents,” Broxson said.
Officials from the FWC will answer questions and discuss preventative measures homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of a bear encounter.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at the Pensacola State College – South Santa Rosa Center at 5075 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze.
Camp Quarternote Presents ‘Sermon on the Mound’
July 28, 2013
Dozens of local kids spent the past week learning an entire play during Highland Baptist Church’s Camp Quarternote. They performed the “Sermon on the Mound” musical Sunday night at the church.
Pictured: Highland Baptist Church’s Camp Quarternote musical “Sermon on the Mound”. Submitted photos for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dorian No Longer A Tropical Storm
July 28, 2013
Tropical Storm Dorian has degenerated into a remnant tropical wave. The last advisory is in the graphic above.
Shooting Involving Two Deputies Injures One Suspect
July 28, 2013
A shooting involving two Escambia County deputies left one person injured early this morning.
At 2:42 a.m., deputies responded to an address in the 200 block of Shadow Lawn Lane of West Navy Boulevard in reference to a possible vehicle burglary.
Neighbors said deputies had followed the man home perhaps thinking the car was stolen, but the car belonged to the victim’s mother and he had permission to drive it. The man was reportedly bent over into the car in his own driveway looking for a cigarette when deputies arrived and approached.
During the incident two deputies discharged their handguns striking the subject, who was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office are investigating. The two deputies will be placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is under investigation, which is standard procedure.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in a written statement, said no further information will be released this weekend.