Gas Prices Jump In Wake Of Hurricane Isaac
August 31, 2012
Gas prices jumped again Thursday in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, meaning drivers will be faced with the idea of costly fill-ups as they take a final summer spin for Labor Day weekend.
According to AAA, gas prices jumped a couple of cents per gallon to a national seasonal record of $3.82. That gallon of gas was also up a nickel on Wednesday as Isaac pounded the Gulf Coast. AAA predicts the price will rise through the weekend before moderating or falling as oil companies restart their operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Florida’s average price per gallon for regular unleaded was $3.78 Thursday, while the Pensacola area was at an average of $3.67, up from $3.57 one year ago.
Pictured top: A gallon of regular unleaded was was $3.64 Thursday afternoon in Molino, just below the Pensacola metro average of $3.67. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Domestic Violence Incident Leads To Meth Lab Discovery, Arrests
August 31, 2012
Four people were arrested after deputies responding to a domestic violence call near Atmore located a suspected meth lab Thursday.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in reference to a male and female fighting in the yard of a home at 89 Bell Fork Road, just off Highway 21. As deputies were responding to the home, they received a second 911 call from a female, 34-year old Dana Bullin of Atmore, at the Creek Smoke Shop near Highway 21 and I-65. She was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital for treatment of injuries allegedly received during the altercation.
During their investigation, deputies said they determined Bullin had entered the residence on Bell Ford Road and allegedly assaulted Larry Paul and Jamey Bullin before taking Jamey’ Bullin’s wallet.
Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence, where they discovered what they believed to be illegal narcotics, including crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, hashish and prescription medications. Deputies and narcotics agents also recovered items typically used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Dana Bullin was charged with theft of property second degree and domestic violence assault third degree.
Jamey Bullin, age 35 of Stockton, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance second degree, first degree unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Larry Paul, Jr., age 36 of Atmore, was charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance second degree, unlawful possession of marijuana first degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Robert Mayo, age 21 of By Minette, was charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance second degree, unlawful possession of marijuana first degree and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
All four were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton to await a bond hearing.
Pensacola’s Bayfront Stadium Named Ballpark Of The Year
August 31, 2012
Pensacola’s Bayfront Stadium has been recognized as the top new stadium in all of professional baseball according to Baseballparks.com, a popular website that annually reviews baseball stadiums all over the country. Baseballparks.com site mater, Joe Mock made the announcement in a press release early on Thursday that Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was the recipient of the 13th annual Ballpark of the Year.
This distinction is just another in a long list of memorable moments that have made the Blue Wahoos inaugural season a resounding success. The Blue Angels flyover on opening day, visits from Masters Champion Bubba Watson and National Champion running back Trent Richardson, a no-hitter, Billy Hamilton’s stolen base record and now baseball’s best new stadium have all molded a lasting impression of Minor League Baseball on fans in the Pensacola community.
“We are very grateful for the high praise from Baseballparks.com,” said Blue Wahoos’ president Bruce Baldwin. “Considering the other stadiums that have opened this season, we are thrilled to receive this award. It is truly an honor. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication to this project by our owners Quint and Rishy Studer and the confidence and support of this stadium and the vision by the Community Maritime Park Associates, the City of Pensacola and its citizens. I don’t consider this an award for the Blue Wahoos, but one for all of Pensacola and Northwest Florida.”
Mock visited the park in May and provided a review of the stadium on his site following the trip. Other stadiums in consideration for the award included Marlins Park in Miami and the Boston Red Sox spring training facility in Lee County, Fla.
“The architects at Populous should be very proud of their facilities that opened this year,” said Mock. “They designed the incredibly impressive spring-training park and complex in Lee County, Florida for the Red Sox. They were also the architects for one of the most ambitious sports facilities ever built, Marlins Park. But even though it was the smallest of their three projects, I think Pensacola’s ballpark is the best.”
The selection of Populous as the stadium’s architecture firm is indicative of the commitment to the project by the City of Pensacola and the CMPA. Fans have been flocking to the stadium all summer long. The bayfront stadium has been sold out 37 times in 2012 and the Blue Wahoos boast an overall attendance of 303,744 averaging 4,821 fans per game.
“Over the past five months, thousands of people have enjoyed the great atmosphere and gorgeous view at Pensacola’s new bayfront stadium,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “This latest accolade is another testament to the Blue Wahoos’ fanastic first season and the hard work of so many over the past six years. This stadium has been an amazing addition to our vibrant downtown and growing waterfront and another reason that Pensacola is the Upside of Florida.”
Mock credited the design, fan amenities and site selection as contributing factors for the award. Past recipients of this award include AT&T Park in San Francisco, PNC Park in Pittsburgh and last year’s winner Salt River Field in Arizona
Smokies Power Past Pensacola 4-2
August 31, 2012
The Smokies smacked three home runs to account for all four of their scores, with shortstop Logan Watkins, second baseman Matt Cerda and first baseman Justin Bour all leaving the yard to power Tennessee to a 4-2 series-opening victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The loss combined with a Montgomery victory means the Blue Wahoos are now 2.5 games behind the Biscuits for first place in the Southern League’s South Division with four games remaining. The win pushed the Smokies to a 34-32 record in the second half, while the Fish are 33-32 since the league’s midpoint.
The Smokies’ surge began in the opening frame, with Watkins leaving the yard with a solo shot. It was the eighth longball of the season for Watkins, which pushed Tennessee to an early 1-0 advantage.
Pensacola however, countered with two tallies of their own in the third. CF Ryan LaMarre reached on a single and then stole second, prior to coming home when 1B Beau Mills reached on a Smokies error. Mills would then move to third on LF Donald Lutz’s double and eventually come plateward on a 3B David Vidal’s RBI groundout.
Three innings later, Tennessee would grab the lead for good with their second longball of the evening. After the first two hitters were retired, LF Rubi Silva kept the sixth alive with a free pass before Cerda clobbered the 1-1 pitch to left for his third roundtripper of 2012. The Smokies added an insurance run in the in the eighth when Bour blasted a solo big fly to left, increasing the margin to 4-2.
Blue Wahoos 2B Brodie Greene (2-4, 2 2B) recorded a multi-hit effort in his first game back since being activated from the Disabled List, while Lutz (2-4, 1 2B) also collected two base knocks. No Tennessee hitters tallied more than one hit in the contest.
Tennessee starter Dallas Beeler (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned the victory after allowing just two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits in five frames. Three Smokies relievers would reinforce Beeler by combining to yield just three base knocks in the final four frames. LHP Casey Harman (1.0 IP, 1 H) and RHP Trey McNutt (1.0 IP, 3 SO) each collected holds, while RHP Brian Schlitter (2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 SO) notched his sixth save. Pensacola starter Wirfin Obispo (6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 SO) suffered his first loss of the season after giving up just three earned runs on three hits, adding five strikeouts in six innings.
With the Smokies leading the series 1-0, both teams return to action Friday night with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is scheduled to give the nod to RHP Daniel Corcino (8-7, 3.06), while Tennessee is expected to counter with RHP Nick Struck (13-10, 3.30).
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Brodie Greene recorded two hits in his first game back from the disabled list Thursday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Visits Escambia County To Promote Post-Isaac Labor Day Business
August 31, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott visited Pensacola and Pensacola Beach Thursday morning to spread the word that Florida is open for business this Labor Day weekend despite Hurricane Isaac.
Scott met with local leaders representing business, education, government and tourism to talk about plans to bring tourists back.
“I like the food here, the beaches, the people. So I’m going to do everything I can to make sure this part of the state stays busy,” Scott said.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott at the Hilton on Pensacola Beach Thursday morning. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Hwy 29, Hwy 97 Car Versus Semi Crash
August 30, 2012
A Molino woman was injured in a wreck involving a semi-truck and a car midday Thursday in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 64-year old Patsy Settles of Molino was southbound on Highway 29 when a semi-truck turned from a northbound turn lane on Highway 29 into her path about noon.
The FHP said the driver of the semi, 45-year old Ricardo Valdes-Suarez of Miami, failed to see Settles’ 2003 Jaguar due to another semi-truck stopped in a southbound turn lane on Highway 29.
Settles was trapped in her vehicle for a brief period of time while rescuers used the Jaws of Life to free her. She was was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition.
Valdes-Suarez was cited for violation of right of way.
The Molino, McDavid, Cantonment and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in this Thursday accident at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Crash Claims Life; Early Morning Wreck Injures One
August 30, 2012
A late night crash in Escambia County claimed one life, while an early morning wreck injured one person.
Lillian Highway Fatality
The Florida Highway Patrol said Jonathan C. Odom, 21, of Pensacola was southbound on a Lillian Highway near San Sebastian Circle at a high rate of speed when he was unable to negotiate a curve. His Kawasaki 600 motorcycles struck a guardrail about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Odom was pronounced deceased at the scene.
University Parkway Wreck
One person was injured in a two vehicle rollover crash just after midnight on University Parkway between Nine Mile Road and the University of West Florida. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured top: One person was injured in this crash early Thursday morning on University Parkway. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends To Make $10,000 Gift To New Molino Library
August 30, 2012
When the new Molino Branch Library opens this fall, there will be numerous additional items on the shelves, thanks to some “friends”.
The Friends of the Pensacola Public Library has approved a gift of $10,000 to the Molino Branch Library’s book budget, according to Friends member Bette Hooton. An October opening is being targeted for the library.
The former Molino School on Highway 95A is being converted into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum.
The Friends of the Library in a non-profit group with the primary mission of supporting the West Florida Library system. Funding comes primarily from membership and book sales.
Pictured top: The older Molino School is being converted into a library, community center and museum. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Crowd Hit By Vehicle
August 30, 2012
An Atmore man has been charged with attempted murder following an incident in which a crowd of people was struck by a vehicle last weekend, injuring at least six.
Fredrick Rudolph is behind held in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Reports indicate that a crowd of people had gathered early Sunday morning outside at a nightclub on Freemanville Drive, northeast of the I-65 and Jack Springs Road exit. A fight broke out about 2:30 a.m., and then someone rammed several vehicles, knocking multiple people to the ground.
One person was transported by LifeFlight to an area hospital. Two other people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital, and at least three others went to the Atmore emergency room by private vehicle.
Most of the victims were reportedly treated and released by mid-morning Sunday.
The case is under investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which has released no details on the incident.
Florida AG Bondi Takes Aim At Obama During GOP Convention
August 30, 2012
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, sharing the stage with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens at the Republican National Convention in 2012, lambasted President Barack Obama for the health-care overhaul he signed into law in 2010.
Bondi, who was at the forefront of the legal challenge to Obamacare after her predecessor filed the first lawsuit against the measure in federal court in Pensacola, scolded Obama for a provision requiring that almost every American purchase health insurance. Most of the law, including the mandate, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This is what happens when a president has such total disregard for our individual liberty that he knowingly and purposely imposes unwarranted restrictions against the will of the people,” Bondi said. “This is not why our Founding Fathers risked their lives and their fortunes when they created a nation.”
Bondi has emerged as a key female surrogate for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, pushing back on the Democrats’ line that Republicans are waging a “war on women,” though her remarks Wednesday did not address that issue.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi shares the stage with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens at the Republican National Convention Wednesday in Tampa. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.