Ernest Ward FFA Members Compete At State Level
July 1, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School FFA team members competed this past week at the 84th Florida State FFA Convention in Orlando. After winning at the district level, the team qualified to compete at the state level in the Parliamentary Procedures category. Team members also attended various leadership and educational workshops while at the convention. There were over 3,000 registered attendees at this year’s convention.
By Allison Woodfin,
EWMS FFA Reporter
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA members in Orlando (front, L-R) Miranda Vidak, Bethany Reynolds, Courtney Weekley, Ian Schneider, Haylee Weaver, Hunter Kite, (back, L-R) Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Allison Woodfin, Cindy Wilson-Advisor, Mitchell Singleton and Renee McGahan. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firecracker 5K Results
July 1, 2012
About 1,000 runners took part in Saturday’s annual Ronald McDonald House Firecracker 5K in Pensacola to support the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida.
Top male finisher was 17-year old Charlie Lawrence of Foley, MN, with a time of 16:19.42. He was followed by 30-year old Brent Schneider of Pensacola at 16:30.86 and 17-year old Alec Clark of Pensacola at 16:40.27.
The first female finisher was 35-year old Olivia Jernigan at 19:39.35. Second female was 16-year old Kaysi Roberst of Pensacola at 19:48.22, and third was 33-year old Rebecca Massie of Robertsdale at 19:57.36.
For overall male results, click here.
For overall female results, click here.
(Both lists highlight North Escambia finishers in bold.)
Pictured top: A young racer is greeted by Ronald McDonald Saturday morning at the finish line of the Ronald McDonald House Firecracker 5K in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Top Generals 4-2 To Take Series
July 1, 2012
Pensacola starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran gave up just two earned runs on five hits in his 6.2 frames, while designated hitter Beau Mills mashed a two-run double into the right center field gap in the fifth to lead the Blue Wahoos to a series-winning 4-2 defeat of the Jackson Generals in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Saturday evening at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win improves the Fish’s record to 6-4 in the second half, while the Generals dropped to a 5-5 mark since the All-Star break. The capacity crowd was the third straight for the Blue Wahoos, as well as their 26th overall in their 39th home date.
Trailing 2-1 coming into the bottom of the fifth, CF Ryan LaMarre singled and SS Didi Gregorius drew a free pass to begin the frame before 2B Brodie Greene moved both over to the next base with a sacrifice bunt to set the stage for Mills. The left-handed slugger laced the 1-2 pitch into deep right center just in front of the wall to send in both runners to give the Blue Wahoos a lead they would not relinquish.
Jackson plated the first run of the contest in the second frame with the longball. RF Chih-Hsien Chiang started the frame with a solo shot to left to push the Generals ahead 1-0. The Blue Wahoos however, would answer with a score of their own in the bottom of the frame when 1B Stephen Hunt doubled and then scored on a run-scoring base knock from LaMarre.
The Generals however would even the count at 2-2 in the top of the fifth thanks to their second homer of the contest. DH Kalian Sams launched a pay-off pitch to deep left field for his seventh roundtripper of the season.
Following Mills’ clutch knock, the Fish tacked on an insurance run in the seventh to increase the margin to 4-2. Mills started the rally with a base-on-balls before moving to second and third on back-to-back singles and scoring on a Jackson fielding miscue for the final tally.
Hunt (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) and 3B David Vidal (2-4) each collected two hits for Pensacola, while 2B Eric Campbell (2-3, 1 BB) was the lone batter to record a multi-hit effort for Jackson.
Pensacola starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) earned his sixth win of the year after giving up just two earned runs on five hits while walking only one and fanning six, while Generals starter Taijuan Walker (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss. Relievers Drew Hayes (1.1 IP, 1 SO) and Curtis Partch (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) fired the final 2.1 frames, with Partch notching his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will now travel to Jacksonville for a three-game series with the Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, with first pitch set for 6:00 pm ET at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to start the series opener for Pensacola, while RHP Omar Poveda is scheduled to take the hill for the Suns.
The next Blue Wahoos homestand begins on Wednesday, July 4, with a three-game series with the Birmingham Barons, with a special start time of 4:00 pm on Independence Day. While the Fish will not be launching fireworks on July 4, fans are welcomed to stay after the game to watch the Sertoma Fireworks show that is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: J.C. Sulbaran earned his sixth win of the year in the Wahoos’ 4-2 win Saturday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Receives Two National Awards
July 1, 2012
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has received two national awards from the Solids Waste Association of North America.
ECUA was honored with a Gold Award in the Public Education category and the Bronze Award in the Collection Systems category in 2012 Excellence Awards.
The Gold Award honors the outstanding public education campaign that ECUA developed and utilized in the start-up and subsequent enhancements of its curbside recycling program. The Bronze Award recognizes ECUA’s comprehensive automated collection program which serves 74,000 residential and 1,100 commercial customers.
“This recognition is a reflection of our employees’ professionalism, hard work and dedication, ensuring our customers receive the best possible service every day,” said Stephen Sorrell, ECUA executive director.
SWANA’s Excellence Awards recognize the most outstanding solid waste programs and facilities in North America.
“The recipients of the SWANA Excellence Awards represent the best solid waste management practices in North America today,” said John H. Skinner, SWANA executive director and CEO.
Scott Doesn’t Know How Florida Would Afford Medicaid Expansion
July 1, 2012
Officials in Gov. Rick Scott’s office emphasized that the governor hasn’t made a decision on whether Florida should expand the Medicaid program under the federal health care law after the governor said on a morning radio show that if Florida were to do so, he doesn’t know how it would be paid for.
“I don’t know how we’re ever going to be able to afford it,” Scott said in an interview on WOKV radio in Jacksonville. The Supreme Court ruling on Thursday upholding the federal Affordable Care Act also said states have the right to opt out of any Medicaid expansion required under the law without risking the loss of existing Medicaid dollars.
The host, Rich Jones, asked Scott if he would push for Florida to opt out of the Medicaid expansion.
Scott replied: “Here’s what you’ve got to look at: I don’t know how we’re ever going to be able to afford it. I mean, look at how tough our budgets are now. My first year I had over a $3 billion budget deficit walking into the fiscal year. Last session I had almost a $2 billion deficit. I mean, Medicaid is the biggest issue we have. Medicaid has been growing at three and a half times our general revenue. We can’t afford it. The federal government cannot just keep raising our taxes.”
The law relies in part on states taking on large numbers of new Medicaid patients – though the federal government would pick up the cost at first and 90 percent of the cost down the road. Still, even at having to pay only 10 percent of the cost of new Medicaid patients, several Florida lawmakers said this week that the state may opt out.
A spokesman for the governor said, however, that Scott “has been very clear that he hasn’t made a decision yet.” The spokesman, Lane Wright said it is being studied.
“He has policy staff and legal staff working on this,” Wright said. “He wants to make sure we fully understand what the decision means for Florida before moving forward.”
By The News Service of Florida
Birth: Lexi Marie Taylar Holland
July 1, 2012
Derrick and Christina (Allen) Holland of Atmore, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Lexi Marie Taylar Holland.
Lexi was born at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope on June 18, 2012, at 9:37 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 inches long.
Proud grandparents are, Karen Allen of Atmore, Pam amd Will Lambert of Atmore. Great grandparents are Johnny Holland of Atmore, and Helen and Glenn Wolfe of Bay Minette.
Armed Standoff In Molino Ends Peacefully
June 30, 2012
A standoff in Molino between an armed man and Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies ended peacefully when he surrendered.
The incident began about 11:20 a.m. in the 5700 block of Shaag Road. The man was armed with a gun and threatened to harm himself or deputies. Deputies surrounded the man inside a brick home just south Omega Drive as they attempted to talk him into surrendering.
The man surrendered to deputies about an hour later, and deputies recovered a gun.
The man’s name has not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to West Florida Hospital for evaluation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
19-Year Old Drowns In Perdido River
June 30, 2012
[Updated] A young man drowned in the Perdido River Friday evening near Cantonment.
The incident happened off River Annex Road near Adventures Unlimited about 7:30 p.m.
John Grace, 19, was wading across the river with his family when he apparently stepped into a deep spot and disappeared below the surface.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were among those that responded and began a search for the Grace. Molino first responders launched boat from the Pipes Landing on Old Bridge Road. Their efforts to locate the him were unsuccessful.
Grace’s body was recovered by divers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office just over three hours later.
Pictured top: A 19-year old’s body was recovered from the Perdido River Friday night, about three hours after he was last seen. Photo courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dangerous Heat Index Conditions This Weekend
June 30, 2012
With the high heat index values forecasted for the weekend, Escambia County Emergency Management urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay cool. Residents working outside should take frequent breaks and be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water. Also, please remember to check on elderly neighbors and family members to make sure they are staying cool. Here are a few more reminders:
- Limit exposure to the sun and stay indoors. If you do have to work outside be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and reapply as needed.
- Stay on the lowest floor in an air-conditioned structure. If air conditioning is not available, stay in shaded area.
- Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
- Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
- Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. None is best.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
- Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
- NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
- Pets should be kept out of direct heat, provided shade and water.
- Monitor NorthEscambia.com for the latest information.
FHP Crackdown Underway For The Fourth
June 30, 2012
The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force during the Independence Day holiday travel period, which began Saturday and extends through 8 a.m. July 5.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making the highways a safer place to drive, by intensifying our patrol efforts to reduce the number of crashes,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “Our troopers will be on the roadways taking appropriate enforcement action to ensure public safety for Florida motorists during the holiday travel period.”
All uniformed FHP personnel, including those normally assigned to administrative duties, will patrol interstates and other major state roads throughout the holiday period. The strategy aims to increase the FHP presence throughout Florida in an effort to deter traffic violations and to enhance services to motorists who break down while traveling or who need other assistance.