Jay Library Closing This Week For Renovations
September 4, 2012
The Jay Library will be closed from this Thursday, September 6 through Saturday, September 16 for renovation.
Other Santa Rosa County libraries in Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze and Navarre will remain open during the period.
No materials will be due at the Jay Library during the time the library is closed. Library officials request that no materials be returned to the Jay Library during the closure period.
The Jay Library at 5259 Booker Lane will reopen on Monday, September 17 at 9 a.m. and resume regular hours.
Local Couple Attends Republican National Convention
September 4, 2012
At Atmore couple was among those representing Alabama at last week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Jeff and Jodi Peacock were both alternative delegates for GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
Alabama delegates to the GOP Convention heard from breakfast meeting speakers that included former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, RNC chairman Reince Priebus, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, GOP campaign guru Karl Rove and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Pictured top: Jeff and Jodi Peacock of Atmore at last week’s GOP Republican National Convention in Tampa. Pictured inset: Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks to the Alabama delegation in Tampa. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Fall 8-1 In Season Finale
September 4, 2012
Smokies catcher Anthony Recker drove home four runs, including a three-run blast to left in the seventh inning, as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to Tennessee 8-1 to close out their inaugural season in front of the 40th sellout crowd of the year on Monday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Smokies finished the second half of the 2012 season with a 37-33 mark , while Pensacola ended their first season of Southern League play with a 34-35 record in the second half, as well s a 68-70 mark overall. The capacity crowd was the 40th hosted by the club this year in 68 home openings, while the Blue Wahoos will finish atop the Southern League in both total (328,147) and average attendance (4,825).
Tennessee plated the game’s first run in the third, taking advantage of a pair of Wahoos fielding miscues. Starting pitcher Austin Kirk reached on an error, and then moved to second on a single, before heading home on the second Pensacola error of the frame to go up 1-0.
The Smokies would then score a trio of tallies in the each of the sixth and seventh frames. CF Rubi Silva drove home two with his single to right, while 3B Matt Cerda capped the sixth inning rally with a run-scoring infielder single, push Tennessee’s advantage to four. After a Blue Wahoos run in the bottom of the frame, the Smokies answered back with Recker’s three-run blast to left.
Pensacola got their lone run in the sixth frame. SS Billy Hamilton led off with a single and moved to second and third on walks, before coming plateward on 2B Brodie Greene’s RBI single to center. Hamilton was held without a steal in the contest, which puts the new single-season steals record at 155 for Hamilton. Before the contest, Hamilton signed both bases he stole to tie and break the previous record set by Vince Coleman, while also accepting his California League Most Valuable Player Award.
Recker (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and Cerda (2-5, 1 RBI) collected two hits in the contest for Tennessee, while Greene led the Wahoos with three base knocks, in addition to multi-hit efforts from Hamilton (2-4, 1 R) and RF Josh Fellhauer (2-4, 1 2B). Fellhauer finishes the season with a .314 batting average, which puts him in contention for the Southern League batting title, pending how Mississippi OF Todd Cunningham and Montgomery INF Omar Luna fare later tonight.
Blue Wahoos starter Wirfin Obispo (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss despite yielding just one run, which was unearned on just two hits in four innings of work. Tennessee LHP Austin Kirk (5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory after giving up the lone earned run on just four hits in his 5.2 frames.
After finishing the year against the Smokies, Pensacola is slated to begin the 2013 campaign at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Thursday, April 4 against Tennessee for a five-game series.
By Andrew Green
Overnight House Fire In Byrneville May Have Been Arson
September 3, 2012
An early morning house fire Monday in Byrneville may have been the work of an arsonist.
Authorities are calling the fire in the 1200 block of Tedder Road suspicious, and it is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The residents had been away for several hours. When they returned to their two story home about 1 a.m., they found it full of smoke and called 911. When firefighters arrived, they found that a living room couch had been on fire and had been extinguished, and someone had tried to start a second fire in closet.
The home suffered heavy smoke damage throughout. Five people, two adults and three children, were left temporally homeless by the blaze.
The incident remains under investigation by the fire marshal and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Further details have not been released.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton FIre Department and Escambia County EMS also responded to the blaze.
Seven Horses Seized, One Man Charged With Animal Cruelty
September 3, 2012
An Escambia County man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after seven horses were seized by authorities.
The horses were seized by Escambia County Animal Control and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Bellview last month due to poor conditions, part of an animal abuse case that dates back to 2005.
Samuel Calvin Reuben, 78, was issued a criminal summons for two counts each of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals and tormenting or depriving animals, according to Escambia County Clerk of the Court records. He is due to make his first court appearance on Thursday.
In 2005, animals on Reuben’s property, including horses, cows and goats, had to be removed and relocated until the property dried out and dangerous debris was removed, according to Diane Lowery, president of Panhandle Equine Rescue, a Cantonment non-profit group that serves as the court system’s equine cruelty investigative arm.
“After a couple of years, the horses were brought back to the property, only to have the conditions deteriorate once again. Finally, all of the horses were seized and taken to a safe and dry location. This time, it was worse than before,” Lowery said.
“They were very thin and standing in deep manure and muck. With all the rain we had, the property was flooded once again and four mares struggled through the mud not being able to find a dry spot,” she said.
The seized horses are now in the custody of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office awaiting a decision by the court.
Pictured: Seven horses were seized by Escambia County Animal Control and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office due to poor living conditions and malnourishment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jeff Miller: Americans Struggle In Faltering Economy
September 3, 2012
Across the country, ordinary Americans are struggling to get by in an economy that continues to falter. Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report which found that our economy grew by an unacceptable 1.7 percent in the second quarter of this year. Nearly thirteen million Americans are unemployed and looking for work, more than eight million Americans have been forced to take part-time work because they could not find full employment, and, in the last year alone, over two and a half million Americans have given up the job search altogether.
According to economists, growth at or below two percent is not enough to lower the unemployment rate. Rather than face these facts and exhibit the leadership necessary to jumpstart our economy, the Administration continues to act like their economic recovery has been a success. In reality, however, the Administration’s catastrophic economic policies have led to the weakest economic recovery that our nation has seen post World War II. The President had a chance to lead when our economy most needed it, and he failed.
With the American people set to weigh in this November, the Administration has resorted to simple distortions and untruths. Recently, an Obama campaign official went on a morning cable show and told the public that the Obama recovery has created more jobs than the Reagan recovery following the 1981-82 recession. But, unfortunately for the Administration, the facts just don’t add up. In the three years since the recession officially ended in June 2009, 3.4 million jobs have been created. During the first three years of the Reagan recovery 9.1 million jobs were created. In fact, employment under the Regan recovery rose by 13 percent in those first three years, compared to just 3 percent during the Obama recovery.
Just as troubling as tepid economic growth and low job creation, is the fact that median household income has continued to fall. In fact, household income has actually decreased more during the Obama recovery than during the recession itself. In the 18 month recession from December 2007 to June 2009, median household income in the United States fell from $54,916 to $53,508. But, during the three years since the recession ended, median household income has dropped to $50,964. An economic recovery that produces a five percent decrease in household income can hardly be called a recovery. In fact, just about the only thing that has gone up during the so called recovery is the rate of poverty. Official poverty statistics from 2011 have not yet been released; however, statistics from 2010 indicated that more than 46 million Americans were living in poverty, the highest number recorded since the Census Bureau began monitoring poverty more than 50 years ago.
Under this Administration, our economic recovery has been a resounding failure and the reason for this failure is quite simple: a lack of leadership and an unwillingness to put other issues aside and deal with the most pressing issue on the table. Rather than focus his efforts on supporting the free market and growing the economy, the President decided to push for a reckless and unpopular government takeover of health care that the American people did not ask for, while simultaneously increasing the number of federal regulations which made it more difficult for businesses to expand and hire new workers. This abdication of responsibility has lead to uncertainty and slow economic growth and it is dividing our country.
Unlike the Administration, House Republicans have a plan to cut government red tape, lower taxes, and create the kind of environment that allows the free market to work. We have passed 32 jobs bills that are currently stalled in the Senate. These bills would empower small business owners, reduce the tax burden, increase competitiveness, maximize domestic energy production, and pay down our unsustainable debt. This is the kind of leadership that our country needs to get government out of the way and allow the American spirit of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship to drive a true economic recovery and put our economy back on track.
Work Continues On Molino Highway 97 To Highway 29 Turn Lane
September 3, 2012
Work is expected to be completed this month to add a new turn lane at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 29 in Molino.
Anderson Columbia is constructing a right turn lane from southbound Highway 97 to southbound Highway 29. Drivers can continue to expect delays, intermittent lane shifts and closures, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. However, no lane closures will be permitted between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Pictured: A turn lane from Highway 97 to Highway 29 in Molino is expected to be completed this month. Work on the project ceased for the Labor Day weekend. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
United Way Gulf Coast Disaster Fund Activited To Assist After Isaac
September 3, 2012
In response to the impact of Hurricane Isaac, United Ways of the Gulf Coast have activated the United Way Gulf Coast Disaster Fund.
The United Ways of the Gulf Coast recognized the need for a collaborative effort to address community needs in the wake of disasters that affect our greater region. United Way is committed to providing assistance to Gulf Coast communities in the present and in the long term. Responding to and recovering from disasters reinforces the United Way goals in education, income and health.
Funds will be allocated to groups that have a long-term vested interest in the affected communities and that will be addressing the human (economic, cultural, psychological, emotional) consequences of this disaster. In the short term, the fund will support organizations responding to immediate needs. In the long-term, the fund will assist in building resilient coastal communities along the entire Gulf Coast, as well as build upon Gulf Coast United Ways’ successes in long term recovery in alignment with the 2018 goals in the areas of Education, Income and Health. Gifts to the fund are tax deductible.
The United Way Gulf Coast Fund was established at the request of United Way of the Gulf Coast and their community partners to meet the health and human service needs of individuals and households impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill.
Visit www.unitedwaygulfcoast.org to find out how to make a financial donation to the fund, donate goods large or small, or volunteer time.
Week One: Prep Football District Standings
September 3, 2012
There are winners and losers after week one of high school football in Florida, but none of the area teams opened their regular season with a district game.
In the Rural District 1-1A, three teams picked up non-district wins, while Freeport recorded a loss to Fort Walton. In District 1-6A, Escambia, Milton and Washington added one to the loss column. Tate, Pine Forest and Pensacola all had their season openers canceled due to Hurricane Isaac’s impact on competing teams. In District 1-5A, Arnold and Rutherford both had losses.
Here’s a look at last week’s results and this Friday night’s schedule:
Smokies Topple Pensacola Wahoos 7-3 In 15 Innings
September 3, 2012
Tennessee shortstop Junior Lake blasted a three-run homer as part of a four run fifteenth inning and drove home a total of four runs as the Smokies defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 7-3 on Sunday afternoon in the longest game in the short history of Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory pushed the Smokies to a 36-33 record in the second half of the year, while the defeated dropped Pensacola to an even 34-34 mark since the league’s midpoint of the season. The game set team records for duration by innings played (15) and game time (4:48). The two clubs also combined for 25 hits and 27 runners left on base.
During the contest, the Cincinnati Reds announced they expect to promote Blue Wahoos LHP Tony Cingrani to the Major Leagues on Tuesday. Cingrani, who is expected to be promoted along with former RHP Pedro Villarreal on that day, would become the sixth Blue Wahoos alum to be promoted to the Big Leagues this year.
After both clubs were held scoreless through the first five extra frames, Tennessee power ahead with their big four-run frame. 2B Logan Watkins began the rally with a single and then took second on a sacrifice bunt, while 1B Justin Bour was intentionally walked to bring up Lake, who drove the 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to push the Smokies ahead 6-3. Tennessee added another insurance run in the frame after CF Rubi Silva tripled and was brought home on an RBI groundout.
Entering the seventh down 3-1, the Blue Wahoos forced extra innings by plating two tallies in the bottom of the frame. RF Josh Fellhauer singled before CF Bryson Smith sent Fellhauer in with a run-scoring triple to right-center field. Smith would subsequently score on an RBI double by 1B Beau Mills down the right field line.
Tennessee plated single scores in the first, sixth and seventh innings, with Watkins driving home two of those three runs. The second baseman lined a run-scoring double to left-center in the first and later recorded a second RBI with his sacrifice fly to right. The Smokies broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth when Lake lifted a sacrifice fly to center.
The Blue Wahoos answered Tennessee’s first tally with a score of their own in the first. Smith rached on a single and then advanced to a second on a wild pitch, before he came plateward on a run-scoring double by Beau Mills down the first base line.
LF Donald Lutz (2-6, 1 BB) joined Mills (2-7, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Fellhauer (2-5, 1 R, 2 BB) and Smith (3-5, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI) to record multi-hit efforts for Pensacola in the loss, while five Smokies hitters totaled two or more base knocks. 3B Matt Cerda (3-7, 1 R, 1 RBI) led Tennessee with three hits, in addition to two-hit games from Watkins (2-6, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) and Silva (2-7, 1 R, 1 3B) , along with C Mike Brenly (2-5, 2 BB) and LF Jae-Hoon Ha (2-6, 1 R).
The Smokies and Blue Wahoos combined to use 12 pitchers, including starters, with Tennessee LHP Casey Harman (4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) earning the victory to improve to1-4 in 2012. Pensacola RHP Michael Griffin (2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB) suffered the loss to fall to 1-1. Relievers Chris Manno (0.1 IP), Curtis Partch (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), Justin Freeman (2.0 IP, 1 H) and Wilkin De La Rosa (1.0 IP, 1 BB) together fired 5.1 shutout frames in relief.
During the contest a woman in a dog costume ran onto the field and took 2B Brodie Greene’s hat off between innings, before being caught by stadium security and escorted away. Though appearing random, it was actually a planned stunt to help raise money for a local individual with cancer. To find out more information, please contact Shelley Yates at SYates@BlueWahoos.com.
The two teams will face off in the final game of the inaugural 2012 season at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Blue Wahoos RHP Mark Serrano (7-4, 3.49) is scheduled to get the start, with the Smokies planning to give the nod to LHP Austin Kirk (1-0, 3.57).
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Beau Mills recorded two hits and drove home two runs Sunday afternoon. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.