Wahoos Drop Completion 4-2, Original Game Suspended
June 6, 2013
The Montgomery Biscuits wasted little time cashing in on their two baserunners once Tuesday’s suspended game was resumed at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery Wednesday night. The Biscuits held on for a 4-2 win. The Biscuits had runners at first and second with one our when Mark Thomas tripled to the left-centerfield gap giving a Biscuits a 3-2 lead. A batter later, Thomas scored on a sacrifice fly to make it a 4-2 Biscuits lead.
C.J. Riefenhauser slammed the door on the Wahoos in the ninth inning to preserve the lead. He earned his seventh save of the season. Wilkin De La Rosa (L, 1-3) took the loss for Pensacola. Both runners on base were his even though Brian Pearl took the mound when the game resumed. Merrill Kelly (W, 5-5) earned the win for Montgomery after allowing two runs over seven innings before the game was suspended on Tuesday.
Rain started to fall before the originally scheduled game was expected to start and it was eventually postponed. The Blue Wahoos and the Biscuits will now play a doubleheader beginning at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday night to wrap up the five-game series.
The Blue Wahoos are expected to send RHP Josh Smith (4-5, 3.79) to the mound in game one against LHP Enny Romero (4-1, 3.09). In game two Pensacola will go with RHP Shaun Ellis (1-1, 3.50) against the Biscuits RHP Victor Mateo (2-6, 6.35)
Following the game, the Blue Wahoos will head to Pearl, Miss. to open a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves.
story by Tommy Thrall
Criminal Investigation Prompted By Commissioner’s Comments
June 5, 2013
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Tuesday in a letter that he is directing his investigators to interview Escambia Commission Chairman Gene Valentino, and the Sheriff is asking Valentino to recuse himself from a Department of Justice Working Group.
Last week during an interview with WEAR 3, Valentino referenced “correctional officers playing video games on laptop computers and ignoring prisoners” and said “let’s address these issues before you come to me asking for money”. And the following day, he told two radio stations, including NewsRadio 1620, that the sheriff was holding a gun to the head of the county commission and that the commission will look for further efficiencies in the jail operations before agreeing to funding, according to the sheriff’s letter.
“For you or I to attempt to deflect our responsibilities by name calling, finger pointing and nitpicking managerial capabilities (or lack thereof) is an area I strongly encourage you not to venture into,” Morgan wrote in Tuesday’s letter to Valentino.
Morgan said he has opened a criminal investigation based upon Valentino’s “statements as a material witness” regarding correctional officers playing video games on laptops — a third degree felony offense. He said Valentino will be asked to speak to an investigator under oath.
The sheriff also asked Valentino to recuse himself from the Department of Justice Working Group. The group is working, with a deadline just over a month away, to address problems in a Department of Justice report on the Escambia County Jail that found prisoners’ rights were routinely violated, inadequate mental health services and other problems.
Valentino is currently on an economic trade trip to Panama.
Sacred Heart Health System Cutting Up To 150 Jobs
June 5, 2013
Changes are underway at Sacred Heart Health System that could cost between 125 and 150 people their jobs.
About three percent of the hospital’s 5,000 employees will be laid off from facilities in Pensacola, Miramar Beach and Port St. Joe. The layoffs are because the hospital is “facing daunting challenges because of a decline in revenues caused by government cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement” and a drop in admissions.
“To sustain our mission in the face of current trends, we must undertake a wide range of actions to reduce costs and restructure our system for the future,” Sacred Heart President and CEO Susan Davis said. “We are looking at all ways to reduce expenses and our plans include a reduction of supply costs and a reduction in the size of our workforce.”
Tate High School Class Of 2013 Graduates
June 5, 2013
The Tate High School Class of 2013 graduated Tuesday night at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The graduates honored classmate Halee Boyd, who is battling cancer, by wearing gold ribbons in her honor. Boyd is currently hospitalized at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and was unable to walk with her class.
Members of the Tate High School Top Ten Percent are:
- Amy Elizabeth Sapp – Valedictorian (4.925 GPA)
- Alonna Simone Chastang– Salutatorian (4.8589 GPA)
- Jordan Noelle McGowan
- Bailee Cheyenne Johnson
- Kelsey Marie Potoczek
- Andrew Seth Belt
- Travis Lee Walton
- Brooke Michelle White
- Ryan Colton Rogers
- Sarah Nicole Pierre
- Matthew Donald Bailey
- Ryan Edward Lavoie
- McKenzie Dean Ellis
- Jennifer Marie Brown
- Raven Denise Ellis
- Colter Turner Uebelsteadt
- David Derby Moorhead
- Christopher David Levan
- Hannah Marie Malone
- Samuel Benton Wallace
- Lindsey Rae Gordon
- Allen Christopher Dunson
- Raychel Jean Hardy
- Whitney Leigh Patterson
- Benjamin Matthew Minor
- Breanna Starr Riddell
- Khord Jaime Ramirez
- Haley Morgan Johnson
- Lauren Ryan McKinnon
- Matthew Adam Rickard
- Dallas Juliana Nickerson
- William Tanner Newman
- Lauren Elizabeth Chavers
- Rachel Alexandra Merlin
- Audrey Lynn Freeman
- Emily June Lee
- Madison Elizabethann Leonard
- Katelyn Brooke Godwin
- Sarah Catherine Yohnke
- Jonathan Austin Stacey
- Chase Edward Green
- Bailey Mie McCrackin
- Hannah Dawn Thompson
The complete list of the Tate High School Class of 2013:
- Tyler Daniel Acosta
- Sean Tyler Adamson
- Amanda Denae Adkinson
- Ariel Maria Alexander
- Jesse Tylor Allen
- Kimmikia Alicia Allen
- Cody Michael Anderson
- Bryce Anthony Andrade
- Nikita Anisov
- Caityn Ashleigh Ard
- Parris Annette Ard
- Jeremy Benjamin Arnold
- Nevada Skye Babb
- Matthew Donald Bailey
- Elizabeth Jane Baker
- Evan Whitson Baker
- Ian Kirk Baker
- Marcus Wade Baker
- Tristan Miller Baker
- Dylan Davey Barfield
- Anna Marie Barnes
- Jordan Leigh Barnette
- Luke Westin Barnhill
- James Austin Barrett
- Stephen Aaron Barrett
- Heather Rene Bartley
- Savannah Rae Bass
- Morgan Elizabeth Bathurst
- Tyler Clay Beall
- Madison Paige Bell
- Taylor Jane Bell
- Andrew Seth Belt
- Logan Timothy Benson
- Jordan Ellis Betts
- Kalie Nicole Bodie
- Mercedeez Alexis Boggan-Baldwin
- Jada Wykeshia Bolden
- Nathan Alexander Bonilla
- Michael Ernest Botsford, Jr.
- Shawn Alyse Bourdon
- André Christopher Bowen
- Elizabeth Ann Boyd
- Halee Nickole Boyd
- Daniel Ross Boyett
- Abigail Loren Bracken
- Tori Lynn Brandgard
- Kayleb Lane Brewer
- Nevin James David Bricker
- Andrew Wayne Briske
- Brittany Nichole Brown
- Jennifer Marie Brown
- Jeromy Caleb Brown
- Jhaneé Shanique Brown
- Megan Michelle Bryars-Davis
- Matthew Stephen Burke
- Aaliyah Tranisse Caldwell
- Jordan Nicole Calvert
- Erica Noel Camargo
- James Thomas Campbell
- Aaron Chase Caperton
- Blake Vann Carlisle
- Alexander Julian Carmona
- Haley Marie Carpenter
- Joseph Mitchell Cartwright
- Kentoriah Jenaye Cass
- Rebecca Anne Cassady
- Randall Kenneth Castleberry
- Elisa Grace Catanese
- Brooklyn Kaye Caulder
- Megan Elizabeth Celis
- Ashley Morgan Chaney
- Maverick Eugene Chapman
- Lauren Elizabeth Chavers
- Alexandria Kay Childs
- Wes Jiang Chu
- Joseph Gennaro Ciciarelli
- Chelsea Kay Clabaugh
- Angela Marie Clark
- Breanna Marie Clark
- Jamie Ray Clark, Jr.
- Diamonique Kiara Clausen
- Brandyn Wyatt Clemmons
- Alyssa Marie Clinton
- Ashton Jesse Kyle Coates
- Joshua Davis Collins
- Wesley Alexander Collins
- Seth Russell Comeau
- Hayley Renee Cook
- Dewayne Gabriel Cooks
- Kaylee Lynn Coots
- Joshua Scott Couture
- Khadijah Latori Cowart
- Nicholas Regaspi Cox
- Tori Diane Crooke
- Sarah Elizabeth Cummins
- Nathan Dakota Cunningham
- Katherine Beatrice Cutting
- Cody Wade Dannelly
- Taylor Lexus Davis
- Franklyn Albert DeRise II
- Rashaun Deontae Dickens
- Tyler James Dirks
- Moriah Joy Alice Dorsey
- Asia Gabrielle Dukes
- Allen Christopher Yates Dunson
- Austin Daniel Eagle
- Dylan Chase Echols
- Justin Clayton Elliott
- Kenneth Jeremy Elliott
- McKenzie Dean Ellis
- Raven Denise Ellis
- Derrion Daeshar Epting
- Khalid Waleed Eqab
- Easter Ruth Etheredge
- Deiondrea Sharece Eubanks
- James Darrell Facyson
- Aaron Joel Farley
- Brandon Childers Fiedor
- Luke Hunter Fillingim
- Morgan Ashley Fillingim
- Amanda Margaret Finger
- Crystal Marie Firmin
- Arielle Adail Ford
- Brittany Monique Foss
- Khe’Tyiah Quarterius Foster
- Shawnna René Foster
- Zyn Mythias Foster
- Brooke Nicole Fowler
- David Jason Franklin
- Ashanti Demontrae Freeman
- Audrey Lynn Freeman
- Ashley Leanne Fulmer
- Jordan Jack Gainey
- Tanner Chase Geoghagan
- Alexander Charles George
- James Dakoda Gibson
- Kimberly Lynne Gibson
- Cody Jaye Gillman
- Nathan John Gist
- Katelyn Brooke Godwin
- Aaron Charles Gollub
- Miranda Michelle Gonzalez
- Lindsey Rae Gordon
- James Taylor Granat
- Zachary Paul Gravitt
- Austin Macull Green
- Chase Edward Green
- Shaunteria Cabrina Green
- Easaunté Niambi Gregg
- Dillon Ray Griffith
- Sydney Caitlyn Grissett
- Tyler Ryan Hamilton
- Charles Gabriel Hamrick
- Dilen McKay Hanvy
- Raychel Jean Hardy
- Collin Wayne Hargett
- Cameron Michael Harris
- Micheal Klent Harris
- Tony James Harris II
- Philip Ross Harrison
- Alethea Marie Hawkins
- Jonathan Edward Hawks
- Eukia Marie Hazzard
- Isaac Weatherford Heller
- Shelbi Lynn Helton
- Shelby Faith Helton
- Derek Ryan Hered
- Jessica Lacey Hinton
- Riley Lawton Hodge
- Jared Taylor Hoffman
- Paige LeeAnn Holland
- Lucious Hughes Holley II
- Carly Elizabeth Holmes
- James Scott Howard
- Kegan Lane Howard
- Tyler Adrian Hudson
- Rachel Ann Hughes
- Jared Scott Hutson
- Tate Riddle Illian
- Andrianna Nicole Jackson
- Cameron Martin Jackson
- Troy Austin Jackson
- Hailey Renee James
- Quartaylius Danielle James
- Ladye Wanda Jiménez
- Gage Jake Johns
- Anthony Bernard Johnson, Jr.
- Ashley Monique Johnson
- Brea Anise Johnson
- Haley Morgan Johnson
- Katelyn Brooke Johnson
- Kimberlyn Breana Johnson
- Cameron Weaver Jones
- Glendine Elizabeth Garmin Jones
- Whitney Danyelle Jordan
- Noah David Jowers
- Andrew Arnold McCall Kasper VII
- Nicolette Bryce Keough
- Johnathon Robert Kessler
- Brandon Alan Kimsey
- Ashley Nicole Knight
- De’Zaraye Ra’Quel Markessa Knight
- Garret Daniel Knight
- Jonathan Tyler Knowles
- Kaitlyn Noelle Kwiecinski
- Bernita Evette Kyles
- Christopher Stephen Lakatos
- Dominique Nicole Lanier
- Luke Wesley Lanning
- Kayla Kristian Lapata
- Ryan Edward LaVoie
- Albert Louis LeDuc IV
- Emily June Lee
- Ricky Wallace Lee III
- Madison Elizabetha Leonard
- Christopher David Levan
- Jacob Henry Levins
- Jamie Colleen Lewis
- Megan Taylor Light
- Timothy Allen Lippitt
- Lorenzo D’Vaughn Long
- Payton Elizabeth Long
- Alexandrea Lee Loomis
- Sarah Lynn Lorimor
- Christopher Michael Love
- Timothy Brandon Lurie
- Andrew David Mack
- Mallory Reid Maiberger
- Shane Glen Majors
- Hannah Marie Malone
- Megan Elizabeth Malone
- Joshua Levi Marlin
- Desiree Shemeka Martin
- James Blake Martin
- Kylie Ashton Mason
- Katherine Alexis Massey
- Samuel Killian Mauldin
- Tyler Patrick Maxwell
- Christopher Matthew Mayer
- Tyler Ray Maynard
- Ashton Nicole Mayne
- Megan Ann McAlister
- Amber Briana McCall
- Ruben DeAngelo McCants
- Faith Melaine McCarragher
- Taylor Jean McCarty
- Bailey Mie McCrackin
- Joshua Gage McDaniel
- Justice Sara Patricia Lynn McDonald
- Patrick Ian McElroy
- Taylor Kathryn Rebecca McKinney
- Lauren Ryan McKinnon
- Philip Thomas Jackson McPherson
- Dylan Wyatt Medley
- Melissa Graham Melvin
- Rachel Alexandra Merlin
- Haneda Izumi Miller
- Marvin Nicholas Miller
- Stephen Tyler Miller
- Maranda Leigh Milstead
- Benjamin Matthew Minor
- Brett Allen Moore
- Kayla Rae Moore
- Skylar Austin Moore
- David Derby Moorhead
- Corey Tyler Morgan
- Aspen Elizabeth Moricoli
- Steven Ray Moseley
- Brian Tyler Mouring
- Cody Lane Nelson
- Christopher Michael Netherton
- Breanna Raye Nettles
- William Tanner Newman
- Dallas Juliana Nickerson
- Blake Thomas Noble
- Lindsey Taylor Nolen
- Caleb Justin Norris
- Allyssa Anne Norstum
- Melissa Christine Norwick
- Katie Michael Oakes
- Alecsandra Digh O’Brien
- Austin Luke O’Brien
- Samantha Marie O’Dillon
- William Dalton Oglesby
- Jordan Ryan Owens
- Laura Nicole Pace
- Caitlyn Maria Packer
- Neal Brandon Packer
- Theodore Reynolds Paige, Jr.
- Lindsay Jordan Palmer
- Jarrett Cole Parker
- Ariel Ann Patterson
- Shawn Caleb Patterson
- Whitney Leigh Patterson
- Jessica Leigh Ann Payne
- Christina Maria Pendleton
- John Robert Pendleton II
- Dylan Thomas Perry
- Jeremiah Samuel Phillips
- Sarah Lyn Pickard
- Sarah Nicole Pierre
- Corey Scott Pitman
- Travis Eugene Poole
- Angel Mekhell Posey
- Anthony James Potts
- Kelsey Marie Potoczek
- Alyssa Michele Powell
- Mandi Lynn Praytor
- Andrew Gregory Prevatte
- Courtney Rae Price
- Holly Letitia Price
- Naomi Nicole Price
- Savannah Faye Price
- Shanekqua Lavonté Price
- Jessica Renae Purifoy
- Reginald Andrew Purifoy
- David Green Ramey, Jr.
- Khord Jaime Ramirez
- Priscilla Janis Ramos
- Sa’Mara Elease Ranaldson
- Jesse Aren Reitz
- Tiffani Nicole Rice
- Kimberlee Marie Richards
- Gabrielle Hope Richbourg
- Matthew Adam Rickard
- Breanna Starr Riddell
- Michael DeSean Rivers II
- Tanner Warren Roberson
- Brian Timothy Roberts
- Dylan James Robinson
- Ryan Colton Rogers
- Zoe Marie Rogers
- Tyler Andrew Rollins
- Tiffany Joy Roper
- William Dallas Roper II
- Cameron Alexander Ross
- Robyn Elizabeth Ross
- Michael Devan Russell
- Todd Cameron Ryals
- Victoria Kay Ryder
- Brienna Ellen Sackett
- Brandon Blake Satterfield
- Garrett Channing Saul
- Caleb Michael Schoppmann
- Blake Stewart Scruggs
- John Shaw IV
- Christopher Elijah Shelby
- Karen Ashley Simmons
- Randy Paul Simmons
- Rebecca Lynn Simmons
- Steven Cody Simpson
- Douglas Dakotamoon Smith
- Dylan Roberts Smith
- Jeffery David Smith II
- Jordan Campbell Smith
- Michael Dylan Smith
- Tracy Alan Soles
- Daniel Reid Sorensen
- Mehgan Renee Southard
- Phoenix Laurenne Spaulding
- Brandon Kyle Spencer
- Tristan Jade Stabler
- Jonathan Austin Stacey
- Ka’Dasha Monae Stallworth
- Ulysses Lovell Stanton
- Andrew Robert Stark
- Loren Brooke Steadham
- Kaosha Shamona Stromas
- John Dillon Stroud
- Ryan Edward Sturmer
- Joseph Bryan Summerford
- Brandon Russell Tanton
- Miranda Paige Taylor
- Colin Mitchell Thayer
- Logan Austin Thirtyacre
- Heather Danielle Thomason
- Haley Lin Thompson
- Hannah Dawn Thompson
- Joseph Robert Thompson III
- Kaitlain Lee Timothy
- Amanda Sharon Tirendi
- Justin Thomas Tisler
- Ashton Marie Turner
- David Shelby Tyus
- Colter Turner Uebelsteadt
- Kristen Nicole Urbanavage
- Brooke Nicole Ursrey
- Seza Dorothy Uvah
- Naiya Rein Valdes
- Maranda Lily Valentine
- Katelyn Elizabeth Varhalla
- Brooke Lindsey Verlaan
- Niya Shandré Walden
- Samuel Benton Wallace
- Barron Tyler Wallach
- Tyler Evan Walsh
- Cleotis Antonio Walton
- Tanika Nicole Walton
- Travis Lee Walton
- Jardae Ashanti Ward
- Amy Elizabeth Waters
- Elizabeth Violet Gracio Watson
- Timothy Joseph Watts
- Skyler Avery Weekley
- Kaleigh Marie Wellborn
- Taylor Nicole West
- Kinsie Reed Westmoreland
- Brooke Michelle White
- Torri Elizabeth White
- Cheyenne Nicole Wildt
- Kaitlyn Nicole Wilks
- Gary Dale Williams
- Lindsey Kay Williams
- Maleah Kahlil Williams
- Paul Bryant Williams
- Bryton Paul Wilmot
- Brody John Wilson
- Rakeria D’Asia Winns
- Aaron Louis Wolfe
- Rykendall Deandré Wright
- Sarah Catherine Yohnke
- Bruce Lee Young
- Kyle Hunter Young
- Mateo Erron Zaldana
- Josie Marie Frances Zayszly
Byrneville Elementary Thanks Poarch Creeks For Grant Money
June 5, 2013
As school came to a close last week, the students and staff at Byrneville Elementary School posed for a group photo to express their appreciation to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which made a $54,647.21 grant to the school. The funds were used to purchase much needed netbooks and charging stations. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century, Flomaton To Hold Joint Independence Day Fireworks Show
June 5, 2013
Century and Flomaton are once against planning a joint Independence Day fireworks show. In 2011, the two towns agreed to sponsor the joint show, with each town alternating as the yearly host. Last year’s show was in Century, so this year’s show will be at Hurricane Park in Flomaton. The show will be held after sunset on July 3rd. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Federal Judge: Escambia Flow Control Ordinance Constitutional
June 5, 2013
A federal court judge has ruled an Escambia County ordinance dealing with the control of solid waste is constitutional.
On June 3, United States Federal Judge Richard Smoak dismissed a lawsuit filed by West Florida Recycling against Escambia County regarding its flow control and disposal ordinances. Judge Smoak found the Escambia County ordinance did not violate the Constitution and declined to hear all state law claims.
“This decision validates Escambia County’s authority to use flow control in providing solid waste management programs that best protect the public’s health and well-being,” said Patrick Johnson, Escambia County Solid Waste director. “The administration of municipal solid waste while remaining environmentally-protective and cost-efficient is not an easy task. It requires committed resources from local government and we are appreciative of the Federal Court’s recognition of our efforts in this area.”
In a prepared statement, Escambia County said the Federal Court decision upholds the role of local government in facilitating development of environmentally- and economically-sound waste management alternatives, including projects such as the joint Waste to Energy (WTE) program between Escambia County and Gulf Power.
The Escambia County and Gulf Power landfill methane gas conversion program generates $800,000 per year in revenue for the County and has saved Gulf Power customers more than $1.7 million since 2010.
The county said flow control is critical to maintaining a solid waste stream capable of supporting a program of this capacity.
Summer Baseball: Tate Takes On Northview
June 5, 2013
Summer ball got underway Tuesday for the Tate Aggies and the Northview Chiefs.
Tate’s team “A” defeated Northview’s team “A” at the University of West Florida. And in Bratt, team “B” from Northview and Tate faced off in a double header modified by a rain delay. The Aggies came out on top over the Chiefs, 9-2 and 6-3.
Pictured: Tate visited Northview for a rain delayed double header Tuesday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos-Biscuits Suspended In Seventh
June 5, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Montgomery Biscuits were suspended in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Wahoos leading 2-1 on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala.
The Biscuits plated their run on a solo home run in the third inning by Mark Thomas. Pensacola took the lead on a two-run home run by Joe Mather in the top of the seventh inning. Merrill Kelly has worked seven innings for the Biscuits and allowed both Blue Wahoos run in the seventh.
Daniel Renken started the game for Pensacola and is the pitcher of record. Wilkin De La Rosa was pitching in the bottom of the seventh inning with runners at first and second base and a 2-0 count on Mark Thomas when plate umpire Bandon Henson called for the tarp and the game was delayed. It was in a delay for less than 30 minutes before the field was deemed unplayable and the game was suspended.
The game will be resumed from that place on Wednesday. The completion of Tuesday’s game will begin at 6:05 p.m. and be completed to nine innings followed by a full nine inning game.
story by Kevin Burke
Lightning Strikes Walnut Hill Home
June 4, 2013
Minor damage to a few electrical outlets was reported after a lightning strike a Walnut Hill home this afternoon. The strike was reported about 4 p.m. at the home in the 5000 block of Highway 97. The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.