Escambia Approves Design Of Cantonment Drainage Improvements
July 8, 2013
Escambia County is working to design drainage improvements in a 215 acre area of Cantonment around the Carver Park.
The project has been divided into four areas, with a $87,803.50 contract recently issued to Hatch Mott MacDonald to develop drainage improvement plans for the “East Area”, which is east of Highway 297A and south of the railroad tracks near Muscogee Road. The East Area includes Webb Street, Griggs Street and Ransom Street, along with portions of Booker Street, Louis Street and Washington Street.
Once the design for the East Area is completed, design will begin on one of the three remaining zones. All four zones include an area bounded by Ransom Street to the east, the Escambia County Road Prison to the south, Booker Street to the west, and Muscogee Road to the north.
The complete design will be funded by Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds. The design projects will includes topographic surveys, geotechnical exploration, wetlands assessments, permitting, public meetings and construction administrative services.
The design projects do not include any actual construction; construction contracts would have to be awarded by the Escambia County Commission at a future date.
Retired Escambia Chief Deputy Aiken Joins Technology Company
July 8, 2013
Larry Aiken, former chief deputy of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has joined technology company Edge Access of Odessa, Fla. Edge Access is a developer and integrator of voice over IP technologies for first responders and the correctional industry.
Aiken, who retired from the ECSO effective at the end of June, joined Edge Access as vice president of business development.
“Larry brings 34 plus years of law enforcement experience along with an incredible technical prowess to Edge Access. When you combine that with the most advanced video visitation and investigative system available in the market today, I feel that the company is now positioned to dominate this evolving market,” said Rob Veschi, Edge Access president and CEO.
“I look forward to working with the team to move the company forward by deepening our current customer relationships and attracting new accounts with the most robust visitation system I’ve seen available today,” Aiken said.
11U Argos Win Gulf Coast Elite World Title
July 8, 2013
The Cantonment 11U Argos are the Nations Gulf Coast Elite World Champions. They recently defeated the Gulf Coast Storm 16-9 for the title, after needing to win three straight games during the tournament in Gulf Breeze. Pictured: (bottom L-R) : Christian Munoz, John Pinette, Nathan Brewton, Trevor Norton, Cole Mullins, (top) Sam Shackle, Cameron Bailey, TJ McCants, Chase Barcus and Jacob Bryant. Coaches are Mike Norton, Levy Bryant and Matt Faust. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Generals Put Damper On Late Wahoos Rally
July 8, 2013
The Jackson Generals saw a 3-0 lead disappear but put together a two-run top of the eighth inning to take Sunday night’s game from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-4 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Trailing 4-3 heading to the eighth inning, Jackson took advantage of some sloppy defense to take the lead. The Generals loaded the bases with nobody out with two singles and a sacrifice bunt with Leon Landry reaching on an error by first baseman Donald Lutz. Steven Proscia knotted the game at four with a sacrifice fly before the bases were reloaded with an intentional walk. Loek Van Mil struck out Ramon Morla but then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Landry to scamper home from third with the go-ahead run. Van Mil got John Hicks to fly out to end the threat.
Pensacola wasn’t able to muster a comeback in the final two innings and fell for the third consecutive game, thus losing the series to the Generals with a game still to be played.
The Wahoos offense looked much like it did in Saturday’s doubleheader, mustering just one hit through the first five innings. Jackson had built a 3-0 lead after five thanks to a Proscia solo homer in the second, a Ji-Man Choi single in the fourth and a Hicks sacrifice fly, also in the fourth.
Yorman Rodriguez sparked the Pensacola offense, though, with a one-out solo homer in the sixth against Jackson reliever Kyle Hunter. It was the first career Double-A home run for the 20-year old Rodriguez, and 10th this season combined between Bakersfield and Pensacola.
An inning later, the Wahoos rallied for three runs to take the lead. Matt Kennelly singled to lead off the frame, stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher Hicks. Ryan LaMarre singled him home to make it 3-2. Ray Chang and Brodie Greene followed with singles to load the bases. LaMarre then scampered home on a passed ball to knot the game at three before Devin Lohman reached on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop as Gabriel Noriega’s throw to the plate to try and get Chang was wide, giving the Wahoos a 4-3 advantage. Pensacola was unable to scratch across any more runs as Donald Lutz grounded into a double play two batters later.
Tyler Burgoon (4-2) picked up the win by getting the final two outs of the seventh inning and then retiring the side in the eighth inning for the Generals. Jackson starter James Gillheeney went two innings before exiting the game due to unknown circumstances. Carson Smith picked up his 10th save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.
Daniel Renken started for Pensacola and posted another quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings. Wilkin De La Rosa (2-5) took the loss by allowing the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth. De La Rosa yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits in an inning plus three batters.
The series wraps up on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Recently named All-Star Josh Smith (7-6, 3.47) will take the ball for Pensacola against Jackson’s Chance Ruffin (4-3, 3.66).
story by Kevin Burke
AG Bondi: Hurricane Window Film Is A Scam
July 8, 2013
Attorney General Pam Bondi said people need to be cautious of companies that claim window films provide protection from hurricane-force winds. Bondi’s office has entered eight settlement agreements to resolve allegations against companies that sell window film, noting that the Florida Building Commission has not approved the material as a form of hurricane protection.
“What’s happening now is we have scam companies selling people window film. Making people think it’s safe to stay in their homes during a storm, Bondi said Tuesday. “I don’t want our Floridians, especially our seniors, to purchase this junk and have a false sense of security.”
Bondi added that her agency continues to investigate a number of businesses that are offering the window covering as a storm protection and said consumers should check on the companies with the Better Business Bureau before completing any deals.
Farm Bureau Names Greg Evers 2013 Legislative Champion For Agriculture
July 7, 2013
The Florida Farm Bureau has named several lawmakers as Champions of Agriculture, including Sen. Greg. Evers.
Florida Farm Bureau is initiated the new program to recognize a group of lawmakers as Champions for Agriculture for their role in promoting an agriculture- friendly legislative agenda. After a productive legislative session where all of its priority bills were passed, Farm Bureau recognized 18 representatives and six senators who took an active role in supporting the state’s farmers and ranchers.
“In a year where we had so much legislative support, this is our way of highlighting and thanking a group of legislators who showed leadership in promoting strong agricultural policy for Florida,” stated Adam Basford, director of State Legislative Affairs at Florida Farm Bureau. “Each of these Champions for Agriculture played key roles in passing legislation that allows agriculture to continue to benefit the state both economically and environmentally. We are truly grateful for their efforts.”
The Florida Farm Bureau 2013 Champions for Agriculture are:
Florida Senate
Sen. Jeff Brandes
Sen. Greg Evers
Sen. Denise Grimsley
Sen. Alan Hays
Sen. Bill Montford
Sen. Wilton Simpson
Florida House of Representatives
Rep. Ben Albritton
Rep. Halsey Beshears
Rep. Jim Boyd
Rep. Matt Caldwell
Rep. Marti Coley
Rep. Neil Combee
Rep. Steve Crisafulli
Rep. Katie Edwards
Rep. Travis Hutson
Rep. Mike La Rosa
Rep. Debbie Mayfield
Rep. Ray Pilon
Rep. Jake Raburn
Rep. Holly Raschein
Rep. Pat Rooney
Rep. Charlie Van Zant
Rep. Clovis Watson
Rep. Ritch Workman
Parole Revoked For Murder, Arson Suspect
July 7, 2013
Parole has been revoked for an Atmore murder suspect as he awaits a grand jury hearing into his role in the death of an Atmore woman found in a burning house June 8.
Collis McCaster, 40, is charged with capital murder, first degree arson and first degree sexual abuse in connecttion with the death of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris of Atmore. Her remains were found on a living room couch following a house fire about 5:20 a.m. on June 8 at 227 Adams Street. The fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home where Morris’ body was found on the couch where she usually slept. Her hands had been tied behind her back, according to investigators.
McCaster, known to stay at Morris’ home on occasion, was quickly developed as a person of interest. Less than six hours after the fire, he was arrested in Atmore on an outstanding felony warrant from Conecuh County, AL, related to a stolen debit card. That arrest violated his probation in Conecuh County.
McCaster was transported to the Foley (AL) Police Department where he voluntary underwent a polygraph test and answered questioned concerning the fire. After completion of the polygraph test, McCaster met with investigators from the Atmore Police Department in a separate interview and confessed to committing crimes against Morris and causing her death by strangulation, police said.
He confessed to smoking synthetic marijuana, commonly known as “spice” prior to the murder. He told investigators that he provided three rocks of crack that were smoked by Morris, and that she became angry and threw a beer can at him when he could not provide more.
McCaster became angry, investigators said, grabbing Morris by the neck, before throwing a lantern that had been used to heat the crack onto the couch and starting the fire. He did not admit to sexual abusing Morris as investigators said evidence indicated.
McCaster is back behind bars at the Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery as he awaits a grand jury hearing on the charges related to Morris’ death.
Pictured top and bottom: A woman found dead following a fire at the Adams Street home in Atmore was murdered. Pictured below: Firemen fill out statements for law enforcement following the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Run, Walk Firecracker 5K (With Results)
July 7, 2013
About 1,000 runners and walkers took part in the annual Firecracker 5K Saturday morning to benefit Pensacola’s Ronald McDonald House.
Preregistration had already raised $38,000 for the RMH prior to the start gun, with last minute registrations and sale of items like $7 Ronald McDonald socks.
Overall male finishers for the 5K were 19-year old Ryan Larson of Pensacola with a time of 17:07, followed by A.J. Ricketts at 17:19 and Jared Moore at 18:09. Top female finisher was 16-year old Rachel Kling of Pace at 19:17, followed by Samantha Gardner at 19:36 at Karen Trittschuh at 20:43.
For complete Firecracker 5K Run results, click here (pdf).
For complete Firecracker 5K Walk results, click here (pdf).
Rick Scott Worth $83.77 Million
July 7, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott was worth $83.77 million as he wrapped up his second year in office, according to a newly posted financial disclosure form. The majority of Scott’s money sits in a blind trust while he earns 12-cents a year as the state’s top executive. The blind trust, which accounts for $72.8 million, made $3.1 million in interest last year, according to the financial disclosure form for 2012 that was posted by the state Commission on Ethics.
Scott, a former health care executive who listed a net worth of $218 million when he ran for office in 2010, submitted his five page disclosure report June 28. Scott reportedly spent more than $70 million of his own money to win the office.
According to the report, Scott’s Naples Gulf View Estates home is worth $9.2 million, and a boat club condominium is worth $99,750. He also holds an IRA account with CL King & Associates worth $468,118. No liabilities are listed.
Wahoos Shut Out in Doubleheader
July 7, 2013
The Jackson Generals pitching staff limited the Pensacola Blue ahoos to a combined three hits in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning game one 3-0 before swiping game two 5-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038, the 18th sellout of the season.
Jackson starter Roenis Elias shut down Pensacola’s offense in game one, limiting the Wahoos to two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking just one. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the seven-inning contest before Travis Mattair led off the frame with a single. Elias improved to 5-7 with his 12th quality outing of the season.
The Generals provided all the offense they would need in the second inning against Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe. Jackson loaded the bases with nobody out against Crabbe and took a 1-0 lead on a John Hicks sacrifice fly. Denny Almonte followed with an RBI double before Gabriel Noriega made it 3-0 with another sacrifice fly to center.
Crabbe took the loss, falling to 3-7 by allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. Brian Pearl and Chris Manno tossed scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen.
Pensacola never put multiple runners on in any inning, and never had a runner move into scoring position. Carson Smith picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 seventh.
The story was more of the same in Jackson’s 5-0 win in game two. The Generals jumped on top with two runs in the top of the first against Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick with RBI base knocks coming from Steven Proscia and Ramon Morla. An inning later, Jack Marder scored on a wild pitch to put Jackson on top 3-0.
In the fourth inning, the Generals added to their lead against Dennick. With the bases loaded and one out, Proscia brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Morla followed with a single to left that Donald Lutz mishandled, allowing Chris Taylor to come around and score the fifth run of the game.
Dennick dropped to 4-10 on the year while going a season-low four innings. The southpaw allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Anthony Vasquez dominated the Wahoos again, much like Elias in the first game. Vasquez carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Marquez Smith singled to break up the no-hit bid. Vasquez picked up his first win in three starts with the Generals, allowing just one hit in six innings.
Combined in 14 innings, the Wahoos offense managed just three hits, five walks and never had a runner move past first base.
The series continues with the fourth game of five on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Daniel Renken (2-6, 3.87) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against Jackson southpaw James Gilheeney (3-3, 3.63).
story by Kevin Burke