Generals Draw Even In Series With 7-3 Win Over Wahoos
April 22, 2013
Despite a two-run homer by Donald Lutz, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell short against the Jackson Generals 7-3 on Sunday night at the Ballpark in Jackson.
The Generals scored four runs in the first inning against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Renken. Each of the first four Jackson batters reached against him, and all came home to score in the inning. After that, Renken settled down and retired nine in a row before the Generals got to him for two more on a two-run home run by Abraham Almonte in the fourth inning.
Pensacola never got closer the two runs behind after the home run by Lutz, despite scoring an additional run in the fifth.
Renken (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings. Jackson starter Brett Shankin earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits over six innings.
Lutz led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with his 2-for-4 game. Theo Bowe also broke out with a 2-for-4 contest. The two hits were his first two of the season.
The two teams will continue the series on Monday night. RHP Josh Smith (1-2, 10.97) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals LHP Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.06). First pitch is set for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Century Man Runs 9/11 Memorial 5K In New York City
April 22, 2013
Runners from across the world — including one local man — honored the Boston Marathon victims while remembering the tragedy of 9/11 during a 5K run Sunday in New York City.
Jerry Sanders of Century joined about 3,000 runners and walkers in the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk, a untimed fundraiser for the yet to be opened 9/11 Memorial Museum. The event started at Pier 57 and continued 3.1 miles to the World Trade Center.
But the finish line was not the end of the race for Sanders.
“I could not stop,” Sanders said in an email Sunday evening. “Completed the 5K then walked around the city for over 4 hours waving my flag and meeting people. I (my flag) sure was popular! I could not count the people that wanted their pic taken with me.”
Along the way, someone noticed Sander’s “Marines” hat, confirmed that he was a Marine, and led the crowd in the Marine Corp Hymn.
“They sang while I choked back tears, as I was fighting tears from the start,” he said. “Such great people New Yorkers.”
At the finish, a lady approached Sanders and asked why he was carrying the flag, and he explained it was memory of the 9/11 victims and their families. She said her husband had been killed in the North Tower collapse. She asked Sanders if he would meet her husband, and he accompanied her to the site of the north tower where she pointed out her husband’s name on the memorial, rubbing her hand across his name.
“That did it for me,” Sanders said. “I could not talk, only hug her.”
“Words just won’t do,” he said, calling the day an experience of a lifetime.
Pictured: Jerry Sanders of Century carried his American flag as he completed the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk Sunday in New York Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary To Purchase 75 iMacs, iPads With Poarch Grant
April 21, 2013
Tuesday, the Escambia County School District is set to approve the purchase of iMac computers and iPads for Bratt Elementary School as part of a cultural heritage project funded by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The school will purchase 25 iMac computers with three year warranties and 50 fourth generation 16GB iPads with Wi-Fi. The $54,243.25 purchase will be covered from part of a $82,213.90 grant from the Poarch Creeks in March.
The remainder of the grant will be used to allow students to research their cultural background and present the results during a parent’s night in May.
The Poarch Creek grant to Bratt Elementary was part of more than $2 million presented to area schools.
Pictured: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians present an $82,212.90 grant to Bratt Elementary earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Files Suit Against BP On Three Year Anniversary Of Oil Spill
April 21, 2013
Florida filed its own lawsuit Saturday against BP and Halliburton Company seeking to recoup revenue the state claims it lost after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and oil spill. The lawsuit was filed in the Panama City Division of the Northern District of Florida.
The lawsuit includes numerous federal, state and maritime counts. Under the Oil Pollution Act, the State of Florida is entitled to the revenues it lost due to the oil spill, including sales and use taxes; corporate taxes; documentary stamp taxes; cigarette surcharges; cigarette excise taxes; beer, wine, and liquor taxes; fuel taxes; rental car surcharges; and utility taxes and receipts. The State is also seeking punitive damages under maritime and Florida common law due to the egregious nature of the misconduct that led to this environmental and economic disaster.
Two years ago the state rejected a chance to join the on-going federal lawsuit in Louisiana over the Gulf of Mexico spill, with Gov. Rick Scott saying at the time he wanted to ensure Florida was “treated fairly” in terms of receiving reimbursement from BP. The filing came just before the three-year statute of limitation, under the Oil Protection Act, to recover economic losses from the spill.
“The State of Florida suffered considerable economic losses as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and BP and Halliburton must be held accountable,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a release.
Representatives from BP and Halliburton didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bondi’s lawsuit comes as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Friday new test results showing Florida seafood products from the Gulf are safe.
“These tests show that Florida seafood is without a doubt safe to eat. Our shrimp, fish and other products continue to be some of the best quality seafood in the world,” Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said in a release.
The department has used $20 million from BP for testing the more than 3,000 different seafood products from the Gulf and to promote the seafood industry.
University of Alabama Wins National Poetry Championship; Cantonment Resident Places
April 21, 2013
The University of Alabama has brought home another national championship trophy, while a Cantonment native also placed nationally.
Tuscaloosa native Thaddeus Fitzpatrick won first place in Poetry Interpretation at the American Forensic Association-National Individual Events Tournament this month and also finished ninth in the individual sweepstakes out of 198 total students. It marked back-to-back championships for Fitzpatrick, who was national champion in prose interpretation in 2012.
Fitzpatrick’s performance led the Alabama Forensic Council, UA’s speech and debate team, to a fifth place national finish. Junior Collin Metcalf, a gradate of Tate High School, is a member of the team, which placed in the top five for the first time since 2006.
Metcalf placed fourth in Extemporaneous Speaking and ninth place in Impromptu Speaking.
Full results are listed below:
5th Place Team Sweepstakes
Thaddeus Fitzpatrick, senior, Tuscaloosa
National champion, Poetry Interpretation
9th Place Individual Sweepstakes
4th place, Prose Interpretation (finalist)
8th place, Dramatic Interpretation
(semi-finalist)
17th place, Duo Interpretation with Taylor McDonald
Kalyn Lee, freshman, Hoover
19th place, Persuasive Speaking (quarter-finalist)
Collin Metcalf, junior, Cantonment
4th place Extemporaneous Speaking (finalist)
9th place, Impromptu Speaking
(semi-finalist)
Davis Vaughn, junior, Montgomery
19th place, Extemporaneous Speaking
(quarter-finalist)
15th place, Persuasive Speaking (quarter-finalist)
Kevin Pabst, junior, Niceville,
19th place, Communication Analysis (quarter-finalist)
Taylor McDonald, senior, Prattville
4th place, Dramatic Interpretation (finalist)
7th place, Prose Interpretation
(semi-finalist)
17th place, Duo Interpretation with Thaddeus Fitzpatrick (quarter-finalist)
A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Firefighter Mike Staples
April 21, 2013
Funeral services were held Saturday for Mike Staples, a retired assistant chief of the Atmore Fire Department. He was 51.
Staples passed away suddenly last Tuesday.
Fire departments from across the area took part in a fireman’s funeral for Staples. During graveside services, Atmore dispatchers issued one final call for “F-2″, Staple’s assistant chief radio number, over the city’s fire radio system.
“Station 2 to F-2,” the dispatcher said after emergency alert tones.
There was no response. Just static and silence.
“Station 2 to F-2, this is your last call,” the dispatcher said again, his voice resounding across the handheld fire radios at the service.
More static and and silence, broken by the dispatcher with a “last call” for Staples.
“There is no response from F-2. On behalf of the community and the Atmore Fire Department, it is with deep sadness and sorrow to report that after 31 years of heroism, bravery and service, Mike Staples has completed his last and final call. He has returned home with the Lord to fulfill his new duty as an angel to watch over his family, friends and fellow firemen. He will forever be in our hearts.”
Staples devoted over 30 years of life to fire service, joining the Atmore Fire Department as a volunteer at the age of 17. He was hired as a paid fireman in 1981, and retired as assistant chief on September 28, 2012.
Northview’s Elliott, Kyles Place In State Weightlifting Meet
April 21, 2013
Northview’s Arkelle Elliott and LaMikal Kyles placed in the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday.
Kyles finished eighth in the state in the 183-pound class with a total of 560 pounds, an improvement over his 535 pound total at regionals. Kyles, weighing in at 172.5 pounds, had a bench press of 310 pounds and a clean jerk of 250 pounds — all personals bests.
In the 199-pound class, Elliot finished 11th in the state with a total of 575 pounds. Weighing in at 198.9 pounds, Elliot had a best bench press of 330 pounds and a clean jerk of 245 pounds — all matching his personal best records.
Also in the 199-pound class, Justin Beauford of West Florida High School placed seventh with a total weight of 600 pounds.
Pictured: LaMikal Kyles and Arkelle Elliot at the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Budget Negotiations Move Forward After Saturday Talks
April 21, 2013
Lawmakers continued to work toward a budget agreement Saturday, as one budget conference committee finished its work and another cleared away a major hurdle to a deal.
But some of the highest-profile issues, from a difference over teacher pay raises to how to structure a major change in Medicaid reimbursements, remained unresolved with a Tuesday deadline looming before legislative leaders take over the negotiations.
A joint House-Senate committee overseeing the government operations side of the budget — largely dealing with state regulators and management — reached a deal on most of the issues facing the committee Saturday, becoming the first of several conference committees to finish its work.
“We both wanted to spend our time wisely and be here and be efficient and so it was a lot more smooth than I think it could have been, or I, in my mind, could see that it could have been,” said Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, who led the House negotiations.
Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, headed the Senate contingent.
But the panel still had to “bump” some issues up to meetings next week between Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and House Appropriations Chairman Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland. All unresolved issues have to be referred to the pair by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Among the differences that couldn’t be overcome: Where some state technology functions should be housed, a pair of measures meant to increase transparency in state spending and a Senate provision requiring the Public Service Commission to perform a review of the “prudency, cost effectiveness, and need of any proposed nuclear power plant for which cost recovery has been authorized.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers working on the budget for the state’s justice system agreed to remove clerks of court from the budget, where they had been housed since 2009. Senate lawmakers had wanted to retain some control over clerks’ spending to ensure accountability.
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said the upper chamber had made that concession on the budget with an eye on later discussions about a related bill.
“But when we start to get into the details of conforming bill language I think you’ll see it become apparent that there will continue to be robust accountability measures with regards to clerks’ operations throughout the state,” he said.
Despite the movements Saturday, some of the biggest conflicts remained unresolved. The chambers didn’t expect to hold discussions on the plans to overhaul the way Medicaid pays hospitals until at least Sunday, preferring to get other, smaller details of the health care budget out of the way first.
And the conference committee hammering out a deal on education spending met just once for the second day in a row. House lawmakers want a difference structure for teacher pay raises and $148.4 million more that local districts could, but would not be required to, use on those increases.
By The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Win 4-3 In 11 To Open Jackson Series
April 21, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened their 10-game roadtrip with an 11-inning 4-3 win over the Jackson Generals at the Ballpark in Jackson in Jackson, Tenn. on Saturday night. Wahoos shortstop Devin Lohman drove in all four runs in the winning effort including a two-run homer, his first of the year, in the seventh inning.
Pensacola struck first when Ryan LaMarre scored from third on a bases loaded walk to Lohman by Generals Starter Taijuan Walker. That was the final run the Wahoos would scratch across against the Jackson ace. The Blue Wahoos only got two more baserunners against Walker, both were scattered walks.
Blue Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick held the Generals at bay until they broke through against him with three straight hits in the fourth. James Jones started the rally with a solo homer with one out before John Hicks doubled. Vannie Catricala brought Hicks home a batter later with a single off the left field wall to put the Generals in front 2-1. It stayed that way until Lohman’s two-run homer in the seventh off Jackson reliever Forrest Snow.
Jackson drew even in the bottom of the seventh when Abraham Almonte scored on an infield single by Francisco Martinez.
Both teams traded zeros into the 11th inning until the Wahoos cashed in on a leadoff walk to Donald Lutz. After he was singled around to third by Bryson Smith, Lohman drove him in for the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice to the third baseman Catricala.
After striking out the side in order in the 10th, Lee Hyde (1-2) retired the Generals in order again in the bottom of the 11th to seal the win for Pensacola. Though he didn’t factor into the decision, Dennick worked six strong innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits while striking out eight. For Jackson, Walker took a no-decision after allowing just the one unearned run over six innings. He fanned six for the game and surrendered only one hit. Moises Hernandez (0-1) took the loss after giving up the winning run in the 11th. It was the sole run he allowed over two innings.
The Wahoos and Generals continue the series on Sunday from the Ballpark in Jackson. RHP Daniel Renken (1-0, 0.71) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals RHP Brett Shankin (0-0, 1.50). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
Story by Kevin Burke
File photo by Gary McCraken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Clean Up Barrineau Park For Earth Day
April 21, 2013
The Barrineau Park community is just a little bit nicer , thanks a volunteer cleanup effort Saturday for Earth Day involving the Honeysuckle Garden Club, Barrineau Park Historical Society, Barrineau Park 4-H, and Clean and Green of Escambia County.
After doughnuts provided by Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, volunteers fanned out across the community, working through the morning collecting trash from the roadsides. The volunteers were then treated to lunch by the Barrineau Park Historical Society.
Pictured: Members of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club picked up trash along Molino Road Saturday morning as part of a Barrineau Park community cleanup. Submitted photos by Sarah-Jane Conti for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
