Blue Wahoos Game Rained Out
April 20, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Jacksonville Suns scheduled for Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the Suns return to Pensacola for a five games series May 28-June 1
Fans with tickets Friday night’s game can use their ticket for any 2013 regular season home game excluding July 4 and July 6, subject to availability. Fans must exchange their ticket at least 24 hours in advance of a desired game at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person and cannot be processed via telephone, email or fax.
The Wahoos will now begin a 10-game road trip Saturday against the Jackson Generals. First pitch from the ballpark in Jackson is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Drop In Local Unemployment Rate
April 20, 2013
The latest jobs numbers released Monday show the unemployment rate fell dramatically in the North Escambia area, as did the state jobless rate in Florida.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.4 percent in February to 6.9 percent for March. There were 693 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 9,643 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 8.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment decreased from 6.7 percent in February to 6.1 percent in March. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,517 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.4 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 9.7 percent in February to 8.4 percent in March. That represented 1,220 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 8.4 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.5 percent in March, the lowest it has been since fall of 2008, as the state and national recovery from the recession continued – and Gov. Rick Scott said his efforts to get the state on track are proving effective.
“It’s working,” Scott said, using a new catchphrase that will be his campaign re-election theme as long as the lowering unemployment rate continues to give him the ammunition to do so.
The unemployment picture is dramatically different from just over two years ago when, right after Scott was elected the jobless rate in the state spiked to 12 percent late in 2010.
The March rate was down from a revised 7.8 percent in February and down from 8.9 percent a year ago, the Department of Economic Opportunity said.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.2 percent in March, was equal to February and unchanged from the year-ago rate.
DEP: Environmental Restoration Projects Make Progress in the Panhandle
April 20, 2013
Saturday marks the three year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Over the last three years, Florida has implemented restoration projects, funded by various sources, to help the Florida Panhandle recover from the spill.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to announce that several early restoration projects are either complete or making good progress,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. “We recognize that we still have a long way to go in terms of restoration, but Governor Scott is fully committed to ensuring full restoration of our damaged natural resources and loss of recreational opportunities.”
Florida’s initial projects funded under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment early restoration program include four boat ramp projects and a dune restoration project, all of which are in Escambia County. The Galvez Landing and Navy Point boat ramp improvements are completed, and have been steadily used for recreation by boaters. A new boat ramp at Mahogany Mill is under construction, and construction on a new boat ramp on the Perdido River is expected to begin at the end of this year. Work on the eight-mile dune restoration project has recently been completed.
“The progress of these wide ranging projects is a benefit to all Floridians”, said Nick Wiley, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “These projects help restore opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the rich diversity of fish and wildlife that inhabit our world famous beaches and coastal waters while bringing long lasting economic benefits to impacted communities.”
In addition to the dune and boat ramp projects, a second set of projects focus on coastal conservation and will begin restoring the damage inflicted on the coastal environment during the spill’s response and cleanup efforts. Work on the projects began along the Panhandle in January to protect habitat for nesting shore birds and sea turtles this season. Over the next five years, the state will administer contracts to post, survey, and monitor coastal bird nesting areas at 19 sites from Franklin to Escambia counties. These projects will protect important bird nesting sites in the Panhandle.
Sea turtle habitat will be restored through retrofitting lights on the beach so that they are “sea turtle friendly,” updating the technical manual about lighting for sea turtles, and an outreach campaign so the public understands the importance of dark beaches as habitat for nesting loggerhead sea turtles, a threatened species in the Florida panhandle.
Habitual Traffic Offender Jailed After Hitting Deputy’s Cruiser
April 19, 2013
A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after hitting an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser during a traffic stop near Bratt.
The deputy stopped 31-year old William Wade Steverson of Calvin McGhee Drive in Atmore for speeding on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek, about 2.5 miles east of Northview High School, about 8:20 a.m. Steverson stopped his Mitsubishi Galant on a moderate incline, several feet in front of the deputy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At some point, Steverson removed his foot from his brake, and his vehicle rolled backwards into the deputy’s cruiser.
Steverson was arrested for driving with a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, a felony charge. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
There were no injuries in Thursday morning’s accident. Damage to the deputy’s cruiser was unnoticeable, while Steverson’s vehicle suffered very minor damage.
Pictured: A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after his vehicle rolled backwards into an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Commissioner Kevin White Back In Escambia County Politics
April 19, 2013
Former Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White is back in county government.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to appoint White to a two year at-large post of the Board of Adjustment. White received three votes from commissioners, while Angelique Sanders and Jim Taylor received on vote each.
White represented District 5 on the commission from 2004 to 2011.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment is tasked with considering administrative appeals, conditional use permits, site plan approval extensions and variances under the Land Development Code.
Baldwin County Chase Ends With Florida Traffic Crash
April 19, 2013
A driver that fled from a traffic stop in Foley ended Thursday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 2001 Honda Accord driven by 44-year old Rodney Durand Reynolds of Foley was spotted by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 
County Road 87 and Highway 98 in Alabama. Baldwin County deputies attempted to overtake the vehicle as it continued eastbound at a high rate of speed on Highway 98 into Florida.
Reynolds turned right onto Bauer Road before turning onto Seratine Drive and crashing into a wooded area about 10:24 p.m.. He was apprehended and detained on scene by the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.
Reynolds was placed under arrest by the FHP for DUI and driving while license suspended. He was also cited for careless driving and no proof of insurance. Additional charges are pending in Baldwin County. A passenger in his vehicle 39-year old Cynthia Foster of Gadsden, Ala., was not injured.
Northview’s Food For America Program Named Finalist For Best In Florida
April 19, 2013
Thursday, the Northview High FFA was named as one of five finalists for 2013 Fresh from Florida Advocacy Award.
Formerly known the Food for America program, this program is designed to encourage FFA members to participate in agricultural literacy and awareness projects on the local level.
The local Food for America Program, conducted by the Northview FFA in March, gave over 1,100 students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
Earlier in the year, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read ag-related books to students.
The Northview High School FFA Food for America program has been honored as the No. 1 program in the state multiple times.
The overall chapter winner will be awarded on stage during the 6th General Session of the 85th Florida FFA State Convention on Thursday, June 13th, 2013 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Alimony Overhaul Heads To Scott For Signature
April 19, 2013
With lawmakers squaring off about whether the bill was “anti-woman,” the Florida House gave final approval Thursday to a plan to overhaul the state’s alimony laws.
The bill (SB 718), which was approved by the Senate early this month and is headed to Gov. Rick Scott, would eliminate the concept of permanent alimony and also would make myriad other changes that could affect divorced couples. As an example, it would make it harder to receive alimony when marriages last 11 years or less.
Supporters said the bill would add more fairness to alimony laws and that it could help end what sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, described as “gamesmanship” in divorces.
“We’re just saying that every case shouldn’t be permanent alimony,” said Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City. “You shouldn’t be paying a lifetime of servitude on a short-term marriage.”
But opponents said the bill will hurt women who have given up careers to stay home and raise families and then wind up getting divorced.
“We’re setting up the premise that women will no longer be treated equally in a divorce settlement,” said Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens.
Those arguments, however, were disputed by the bill’s supporters — women and men. Workman said changes in the bill would give families more certainty in what now can be nasty divorce disputes.
“This bill isn’t anti-woman,” Workman said. “It’s pro-family.”
House members voted 85-31 to approve the bill, which passed the Senate by a 29-11 vote. During the session, lawmakers heard horror stories from people on both sides of the issue — including people who argued they had been saddled with making hefty, unjustified alimony payments, along with people who were struggling to make ends meet after divorces.
The 34-page bill, in part, would create new legal standards based on the lengths of marriages. For example, when marriages end in 11 years or less, there would be what is known as a “rebuttable presumption” against awarding alimony. In contrast, a marriage that ends after 20 years would create a presumption that alimony would be awarded.
Also, the bill would set limits on the percentages of monthly income that could be awarded in alimony based on the lengths of marriages.
Opponents of the bill focused heavily on the potential effects on women who have been out of the workforce for long periods of time.
“I shudder to think what this bill will do,” said Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana.
But supporters said the bill would help treat people fairly and that women also sometimes pay alimony.
“Alimony doesn’t always mean that it’s the woman receiving the alimony,” Porter said. “It can work both ways.”
By The News Service of Florida
Lady Royals Win District Tournament
April 19, 2013
The Jay Lady Royals beat the Chipley Tigers 8-6 Thursday night to claim the Class 1A Rural District 2 Softball District championship.
The Royals were down 1-0 in the second inning when they turned things around to a 4-1 lead. The Royals’ Camille Driver scored on an error by the Lady Tigers, and a Harley Tagert Single brought Destiny Herring home. A line drive from Michaela Stewart sent Chassity McCranie across the plate. Tagert scored on a double from Ashlyn Geck to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the third, Driver scored on a Chipley pitcher error for a 5-1 advantage. Chipley answered, evening it up at 5-5.
Olivia Wright and Stewart scored in the bottom of the fourth, and Taylor Moore added run on a line drive single from Bayleigh Upton.
The top two teams in the district head to regionals, so both Jay and Chipley advance. The Jay Lady Royals will host Central High on April 30.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals claimed the district championship Thursday night from Chipley. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Panthers Over Tate In 12 Inning Battle
April 19, 2013
The Tate Lady Aggies ended their season last night after battling with the Milton Panthers for 12 innings.
The Aggies were ahead 4-0 when the Panthers mounted another great come back to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. The Lady Panthers tore open the game in the 12th scoring four more runs while the Lady Aggies could not answer.
Milton will face Pace tonight for the District Championship at Milton High School.