Wahoos Even Series With 4-1 Win
June 9, 2013
Ryan Dennick pitchedover 7.1 innings and scored a run after hitting a leadoff triple in the Blue Wahoos series-evening 4-1 win over the Mississippi Braves on Saturday night at Trustmark Park.
The game was scoreless until Dennick led off the fifth inning with a triple and scored two batters later on a base hit by Luis Durango. Pensacola added another run in the sixth when Devin Lohman scored Tucker Barnhart from third on a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Wahoos added some insurance with a pair of runs in the eighth. After hitting a lead-off double, Travis Mattair scored on a ground ball from Lohman. A batter later, Brodie Greene singled home Ray Chang. That proved to be more than enough behind Dennick.
Dennick (W, 3-6) allowed just one run on a solo home run from Barrett Kleinknecht. The Wahoos starter was finished after 7.1 innings when Brian Pearl got a pop out and a ground out from the two batters he faced. Loek Van Mil (S, 5) struck out the side in order in the ninth to nail down his fifth save of the year. Mitch Atkins (L, 0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Braves. He allowed just one run on four hits over five innings.
Chang paced the Wahoos offensively with a 2-for-3 game. Lohman went 0-for-2 but drove in two runs.
The Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves will play the third game of five Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. RHP Daniel Renken (1-4, 3.55) gets the start for Pensacola against Mississippi’s RHP Michael Lee (3-4, 4.47).
NOTES: Former Blue Wahoo closer Curtis Partch was recalled by the Reds on Saturday. Partch began the season with the Blue Wahoos and in eight appearances posted a 2.16 ERA while converting all 4 save opportunities before he was promoted to Louisville on 4/24. In 16 outings with the Bats he went 1-2 with a 3.74 ERA and a pair of saves. Partch is the second player to make his Major League debut from the Blue Wahoos 2013 roster.
story by Kevin Burke
Florida Government Weekly Roundup
June 9, 2013
When President Barack Obama adopted a policy last year aimed at allowing some young, undocumented immigrants to stay in the United States, he likely didn’t know it would cause heartburn for Gov. Rick Scott about a year later.
The “deferred action” program didn’t give citizenship or permanent-resident status to anyone living illegally in the country, but it did grant two-year non-deportation promises to undocumented immigrants under 30 who met certain conditions.
Then this week, Scott chose to veto a measure that would have added deferred-action status to the list of documents that the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles could accept as proof of identity or legal presence for driver’s license applications.
Scott’s decision might have played well with his conservative base, but even Tropical Storm Andrea could not sweep away the Democratic furor over Scott’s decision to nix the bill. And Republican legislators acted like they were under a tornado warning, scrambling to avoid questions about why they differed with Scott about the measure and whether it would undermine the party’s efforts.
NO HABLA VETAR
The uproar started after Scott vetoed the bill Tuesday. While saying that the legislation (HB 235) might have had good intentions, he slammed the idea of relying on Obama’s deferred action policy. Republicans have argued that the program is an abuse of the administration’s authority.
“Deferred action status is simply a policy of the Obama Administration, absent congressional direction, designed to dictate removal action decisions using DHS agency discretion,” Scott wrote in his veto letter to Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “It was never passed by Congress, nor is it a promulgated rule. Given that deferred action status does not confer substantive rights or lawful status upon an individual, Florida is best served by relying on current state law.”
But, however sound they were, Scott’s legal arguments soon collided with political reality in a state where Hispanic residents made up an estimated 23 percent of the population in 2011, according to the Census Bureau.
Across the nation, Republicans did poorly with Hispanic voters in 2012, and especially non-Cuban Hispanic voters, a growing population in Florida. So Democrats were quick to pounce on Scott’s veto of the measure in an effort to prove that the GOP isn’t in tune with Latinos on the critical issue of immigration reform.
Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, said the veto could be seen as “anti-Hispanic.”
“It’s hard for people to realize the America dream if you don’t have a driver license and most jobs require you to commute, so I think it’s more than symbolic,” Soto said. “It’s something that is needed in America to succeed.”
Democrats continued that pattern for most of the week, with lawmaker after lawmaker lining up to issue press releases decrying the veto.
Republicans came down in one of two places: Either commenting in defense of Scott’s veto, or choosing not to comment at all. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry took the former path.
“National immigration has to be solved,” Curry said. “If Sen. Soto and his pals care about that, why don’t they engage in the national discussion instead of just throwing spitballs from the sidelines?”
Lawmakers largely maintained radio silence. A spokesman for House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, issued a terse statement when asked about the veto and the potential fallout for House members who supported the legislation.
“The Legislature exercised its right to support HB 235 by passing it and it’s the Governor’s prerogative to veto it,” he said.
COURT RULES
Scott also spent some time signing bills that drew establishment Republican support, including a pair of measures that gave victories to doctors and businesses in the fight over lawsuits in Florida, On Wednesday, Scott attached his name to measures leading to changes for expert witnesses in medical-malpractices cases (SB 1792) and ceremonially signed a bill (HB 7015) meant to get rid of “junk science” in lawsuits.
“By signing these important bills, we’ll improve the business climate in the Sunshine State, which means more jobs and opportunities for Florida families,” said Scott in a news release following the Jacksonville event where he signed the bills.
Not everyone agreed. The Florida Justice Association, a major trial lawyers’ organization, said any benefits from the bill will come at the expense of injured patients and consumers. Debra Henley, the association’s executive director, took aim at the malpractice bill.
“The law is anti-consumer and further tips the scales of justice against patients and the families of patients who are killed or injured as a result of medical negligence,” Henley said.
The medical-malpractice bill will require that expert witnesses have the same specialties as the physicians who are defendants in medical-negligence cases. That is a stricter standard than current law, which allows them to have similar specialties.
Another heavily debated part of the bill could lead to what are known as “ex parte communications” between defense attorneys and doctors who are not parties to the lawsuits but have treated the plaintiffs. Such communications would happen outside the presence of the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
The other measure (HB 7015), which Scott signed before a Tuesday deadline, will lead to Florida using the same expert-witness standards as are used in federal courts. Those guidelines are sometimes known in legal circles as the “Daubert” standards.
Other changes could be on the way. The Florida Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a 2011 law that requires out-of-state physicians to be certified by the Florida Department of Health before they can testify in the Sunshine State. Justices are considering a rule lining up with that standard.
Opponents echoed the arguments against the bills Scott signed: The measures would make it harder to sue in Florida.
“The purpose of this is to make it more difficult for plaintiffs to get experts,” said Sean Domnick, a Palm Beach Gardens attorney who argued against the proposal.
COURT RULINGS
There were definitive results elsewhere in the court system. U.S. District Judge James Cohn rebuffed an attempt by a pair of Broward County senior arcades to bar key parts of a law cracking down on Internet cafes.
The arcades — Boardwalk Brothers, Inc., and Play It Again FLA, LLC — had argued that the law was unconstitutionally vague and arbitrary and violated the First Amendment rights of seniors who gather at the arcades.
Cohn essentially said no dice.
“(The) state has a significant interest in proscribing the behavior regulated in the statute,” Cohn wrote. “Plaintiffs have failed to articulate any interest they have which overrides the state’s substantial interest in regulating gambling.”
And the 1st District Court of Appeal threw out a lower court’s ruling blocking the state from privatizing inmate health care at state prisons, saying the policy clearly followed legislative intent even if it wasn’t always explicitly spelled out in the budget.
“Outside the [budget], however, there is ample evidence, not only that the department was authorized to privatize inmate health services, but that the Legislature intends for such privatization to occur,” wrote Judge Stephanie Ray.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott angers lawmakers, particularly Democrats, by vetoing a bill that would have expanded the kinds of paperwork that could be used as identification to obtain driver’s licenses to include papers from President Barack Obama’s deferred action program.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It would be nice to have a member of the executive branch that hasn’t been the target of a federal investigation.”–Joshua Karp, spokesman for the Democratic Party, on the fact that Scott has not yet selected a replacement for former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. Carroll resigned after an investigation into a company she consulted for, but she was never charged and has said she doesn’t believe she was a target of the probe.
By The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Tour Bus, Car Crash In Molino
June 8, 2013
There were no injuries in a wreck involving a car and tour bus Saturday morning in Molino.
The accident happened just before 9 a.m. at the intersection Highway 29 and Highway 97. The front of a tour bus operated by a Selma, AL, company apparently collided with the rear of a Buck Park Avenue. The number of passengers on the bus was not immediately available.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Woman Tosses Puppy Out Of Moving Vehicle In Molino
June 8, 2013
An Alabama woman was jailed Friday after allegedly tossing a puppy out of a moving vehicle in Molino.
Christa Deann Floydroy, 40, of Lincoln, AL, was charged with animal cruelty. Her bond was set at $1,500.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a couple was driving southbound on Highway 29 near Highway 97 about 8 a.m. when they got into an argument. Floydroy allegedly grabbed the driver’s one-year old puppy known as “Little Bit” and threw him out of the vehicle at an estimated 60 m.p.h.
The driver pulled over to let Floydroy out, and then he went back to rescue the puppy. The puppy was treated at a local veterinary office for road rash but is expected to make a full recovery, Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said.
Molino Park Presents 5th Grade Academic Awards
June 8, 2013
Molino Park Elementary School recently presented the following awards to students in the fifth grade:
Good Citizenship/President’s Citizenship Award
- Braden Boutwell
- Emily Boutwell
- Micah Calhoun
- Ben Cantrell
- Lacie Carter
- Jayda Crabtree
- Caleb Eddins
- Alexander Floyd
- Jordan Godwin
- Willa Goodrich
- John Gulledge
- Gabe Hamm
- Jacob Hawkins
- Brandon Jernigan
- Gracie Johnson
- McKinzi Kent
- Cheyenne Kimbel
- Troya Massey
- Rain McClure
- Kayla McKillion
- Dellie Roberts
- Alexa Schlobohm
- Brandon Shelt
- Brianna White
- Logan Wise
- Raeleigh Woodfin
A Honor Roll/ President’s Gold Seal Award
- Braden Boutwell
- Micah Calhoun
- Jacob Hawkins
- Alexa Schlobohm
- Brianna White
A/B- Honor Roll/President’s Silver Seal Award
- Emily Boutwell
- Caze Bradley
- Ben Cantrell
- Lacie Carter
- Jayda Crabtree
- Courtney Devore
- Caleb Eddins
- Jordan Godwin
- Jamiesha Gross
- John Gulledge
- McKinzi Kent
- Troya Massey
- Kayla McKillion
- Byron McVay
- John Perkins
- Bailey Seibert
- Kamren Simpkins
- Brianna White
- Logan Wise
Perfect Attendance
- Courtney Devore
- Alexander Floyd
- Roger Gill
- Jacob Hawkins
- Kayla McKillion
- Ronnie Plenkers
- Dellie Roberts
- Kyle Sconiers
- Brandon Shelt
- Dylan Stephens
- Geatan Vaughn
- Logan Wise
- Raeleigh Woodfin
- Stewart Woodfin
History Fair
- Emily Boutwell
- Caze Bradley
- Micah Calhoun
- Lacie Carter
- Jayda Crabtree
- Cole Fryman
- Jameisha Gross
- Jacob Hawkins
- Ronnie Plenkers
- Kayla McKillion
- Alexa Schlobohm
- Kamren Simpkins
- Raleigh Woodfin
Mastery in Multiplication Facts – Mrs. Fountain
- Tyler Simmons
Most Improved Reading – Mrs. Fountain
- Sarah Woodfin
Perfect Attendance Kindergarten – Fifth Grade
- Stewart Woodfin
Student of the Year
- Micheala Harris
Shining Star Award
- Emily Boutwell
Ana L Vidak Award
- Micah Calhoun
Michael Pierce Citizenship Award
- John Gulledge
Moby Math Awards
- Micah Calhoun
- Jamiesha Gross
- Dean Hatcher
- McKinzi Kent
- Troya Massey
Sunshine Math Awards
- Braden Boutwell
- Micah Calhoun
- Jacob Hawkins
- Alexa Schlobohm
Sons of the American Revolution
Citizenship Awards – Fifth Grade
- Benjamin Cantrell
- Jayda Crabtree
- Hannah Dummond
- Caleb Eddins
- Alexander Floyd
- Troya Massey
- Alexa Schlobohm
- Dylan Stephens
DOE Releases FCAT, EOC Scores
June 8, 2013
The Florida Department of Education today released results of the FCAT 2.0 Grades 4-10 Reading, Grades 4-8 Mathematics and Grades 5 and 8 Science, as well as End-of-Course (EOC) assessments in Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology 1 and U.S. History Results show overall performance on EOCs improved across the board, with Biology 1 and Geometry making the most improvement. Performance also improved for all subgroups with Algebra 1 and Geometry showing the most subgroup gains.
Statewide, student achievement on FCAT 2.0 Reading increased in grades 6, 8, 9 and 10, with grade 10 students making the most improvement. For FCAT 2.0 Mathematics, grade 4 saw an increase in student achievement, while in FCAT 2.0 Science, grade 5 also saw an increase and grade 8 remained the same.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
In Escambia County, about 50 percent of students are proficient in reading and math. In science, 59 percent of students in the third grade and 42 percent of those in the eighth grade are proficient in science.
In End of Course exams, 69 percent of Escambia County students were proficient in Algebra I; 74 percent were proficient in geometry; and 71 percent were proficient in biology
Scores from Escambia County District 5 schools are below.
DISTRICT 5 READING, MATH, SCIENCE
DISTRICT 5 END OF COURSE EXAMS (EOC)
Summer Baseball: Catholic Downs Northview
June 8, 2013
During game one of a Catholic Summer Ball Tournament Friday, the Catholic Crusaders “B” team beat the Northview Chiefs “B” team 14-3.
Here is the remainder of the tournament scheduled for Northview:
A Team
Saturday June 8 11:30 a.m. Northview at Escambia @Escambia
Saturday June 8 7:00 Catholic vs Northview @ Catholic
Sunday June 9 11:30 Navarre vs Northview @ Catholic
Sunday June 9 2:00 Northview vs Pace @ Catholic
B Team
Friday June 7 — Catholic 14 Northview 3
Saturday June 8 9:00 Escambia vs Northview @ Escambia
Sunday June 9 2:00 Northview vs Mosley @ Escambia
Sunday June 9 4:30 Navarre vs Northview @Escambia
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life For Child Sex Abuse
June 8, 2013
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison after being convicted on child sexual battery charges.
Jeffrey Todd Morris was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of two counts sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12.
The charges stemmed from ongoing sexual activity from the time the victim was six years old until she was 18 years old. The victim gave birth in February and DNA confirmed the
defendant to be the father.
Jeffrey Morris is scheduled to be sentenced by Circuit Judge Frank Bell on July 10. Morris faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years to a maximum of life in state prison.
Winn Dixie Donates $17K To Manna Food Pantries
June 8, 2013
Eleven Winn Dixie stores and their customers from Cantonment to Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Navarre teamed up to present a $17,260 donation to Manna Food Pantries. The donation was made during the grocery chain’s annual volunteer day event at the food pantry. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Shot Near I-10
June 8, 2013
One person was seriously injured in a shooting late Friday afternoon north of I-10 near Highway 29.
The shooting was reported about 5:45 p.m. as the victim was walking along the 1600 block of Lepley Road. The victim was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was searching for at least two males in a two-door, light-colored car.
Further details have not been released.
Anyone with information on the shooting should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.