Northview’s McCall Named MVP; East Beats West In All-Star Softball, Baseball
May 25, 2012
Northview High School senior Lauren McCall was named the West MVP Thursday night as East defeated the West 11-2 in the Pensacola Sports Association’s 2012 Subway High School All-Star Softball Game.
McCall had the West’s first hit during the game that features the top seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. After the shortstop’s infield single, McCall’s catch ended the fifth inning of play at the University of West Florida.
From Jay, Becca Callaway walked before an RBI double from Milton’s Katie Worley, and Tessa Hendricks also added an RBI double.
In the boys softball All-Star game Thursday, the East also defeated the west, 8-0
All-Star Players, All-Star Coaches
Head coaches for this year’s event included Brian Watson from Jay High School for the East softball team and Mike Haveard from Pine Forest for the west softball team. In the baseball game, Cory Hamrick from Niceville High headed up the east team while Tate High’s Greg Blackmon coached the West boys.
Announced rosters for the 2012 Subway High School All-Star baseball and softball games were as follows:
West Softball: Victoria East, Ashley Peters, Brittany Morris, and Aubrey Yeagle from Escambia, Brianna Coleman, Brittany Manning-Davis, Rebeka Touary, and Sara Grace Gunter from Pine Forest, Kristen Hughes from East Hill, Lauren McCall from Northview, Amber Wells from Catholic, Samantha Hurley from Pensacola, Kayla Rosario, Kaitlyn Kenfield, Gabby Leifur, and Kalina Kenfield from West Florida Tech, Heather Schaff, Kim Baker, Barette Barnes, Marina Cobbs, Holly Brown, and Kat Tucker from Tate, and Rachel Medley from Washington.
East Softball: Kasey Harrison from Laurel Hill, Megan McDonald and Amanda Curington from Gulf Breeze, Hannah Day from Crestview, Lauren Osburn, Sarah Beth Marquis, and Meghan Redalieu from Navarre, Hannah Jones from Pace, Stephanie Hartness, Jamie Ujvari, Jessica Ujvari, and Courtney Adams from Niceville, Brittany Tiller from Rocky Bayou, Katie Worley, Kassandra Gilley, and Desiree Velasguez from Milton, Becca Calloway and Tessa Hendricks from Jay, Tory Kilcrease from Baker, Jaime Phillips and Jennifer Phillips from Fort Walton, and Rikki Rummel from Choctaw.
West Baseball: Scott Robertson, Matt Mckibben, and Avery Van Brussel from Washington, Skyler Beckerman, Tyler Murphy, Chase Anderson, and Tucker Massey from West Florida Tech, Tyler Curtis, Hunter Black, Austin Quina, Mac Seibert, and Cody Palmer from Tate, Preston Szuch, Tyler Henry, and Chase Keifer from Catholic, Tanner Brooks and Zach Barrow from Northview, Trenton Potter and Kody Bryant from Pensacola Christian, Brandon Nagem, Jon Cagle-Lister, and Zach Hathaway from Pine Forest, Joey Scapecchi and Kaleb Lewis from Escambia, and Brandon Haragul and Jimmy Threat from Pensacola.
East Baseball: Kameron Miller, Dylan Lee, and Derek Lovelace from Crestview, Kyle Mcgee from Gulf Breeze, Tanner Black, Miguel Paulino, and Luke Clark from Choctaw, Bucky Locke from Baker, Cory Eller and Mike Haynes from Niceville, Sammy James from Jay, Patrick Maddox, Patrick Ervin, Daniel Hampton, Steven Jernigan, and Clay Benefield from Pace, Paul Young and Jordan Martin from Milton, Dylan Peacock from Central, Steven Wills from Rocky Bayou, Kyle Slingerland from Laurel Hill, Jacob Terry and Dusty Jones from Navarre, Ian Hok and Trey Marshall from Fort Walton.
Different Poll Shows Obama Leads
May 25, 2012
While the latest Quinnipiac University poll shows former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leading in Florida, a separate poll by NBC News and Marist shows President Barack Obama ahead in his bid for re-election.
According to the NBC-Marist survey, Obama would get 45 percent of the vote if the vote in Florida if the election were held today, while Romney would get 40 percent.
Obama and Vice President Joe Biden would lead a ticket of Romney and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio by a 48-44 margin, while the gap would close to 47-45 if Romney chose former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
The poll also shows incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson beating Republican Congressman Connie Mack, the GOP frontrunner, by a 43-38 margin.
Democrats have complained that the Quinnipiac poll is too heavily weighted toward Republicans, but the Marist poll gives a strong edge to Democrats that might not materialize in November: 43 percent of those polled were Democrats, 35 percent were Republicans and 21 percent were independents.
The poll was taken of 1,078 registered voters May 17-20 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
By The News Service of Florida
Gulf Power Names New President
May 25, 2012
Gulf Power Company is getting a new president.
Stan Connally, a senior vice president at Georgia Power, will be the company’s 16th president, succeeding Mark Crosswhite who has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Southern Company, Gulf Power’s parent firm.
“Mark and Stan both have a depth of experience throughout our system that has prepared them to assume these new leadership positions,” said Tom Fanning, Southern Company president. “Their experience, along with their passion and insight, will help Gulf Power and Southern Company meet the challenges ahead.”
Connally, who has headed up Georgia Power’s fossil and hydro generation operations since 2010, began his career with Southern Company in 1989 as a co-op student at Georgia Power’s Plant Yates. He has held positions of increasing responsibility in various areas, including customer operations, sales and marketing, and power generation at Georgia Power, Alabama Power and Mississippi Power.
“Gulf Power has a reputation in the utility industry of great employees, great customer service and innovative programs,” Connally said. “I look forward to joining the team and my family and I are excited about living in Northwest Florida.”
A native of Newnan, Ga., Connally graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He completed the Goizueta Executive Education Program at Emory University in 2004 and the Southern Company Senior Leadership Development Program in 2009. He has served on the boards of the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport and United Way of Jackson/George counties in Mississippi.
In his new role Crosswhite will be responsible for Southern Company’s generation and transmission operations, Southern Power, Southern Wholesale Energy, engineering and construction services, and research and environmental activities.
Under Crosswhite, Gulf Power has gone through the lengthy process of getting approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to increase base electric rates.
The leadership transition will become effective on July 1.
Blue Wahoos Top Braves 4-2
May 25, 2012
Pensacola left fielder Yordanys Perez homered as part of a two-hit effort and center fielder Ryan LaMarre threw two runners out at home plate, while the bullpen trio of Clayton Tanner, Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph held Mississippi to just three hits in the final 3.1 frames, as the Blue Wahoos defeated the Braves 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 15th sellout crowd the Blue Wahoos have played in front of this year, in their 21st home opening this year. The victory improves Pensacola’s record to 23-24, while the defeat drops Mississippi to 20-26 in 2012.
Perez got the scoring started for the Blue Wahoos in the second, when he lifted a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall to grab a 1-0 lead. It was the third longball of the year in Perez’s first year at professional level, as well as his second in three contests.
Pensacola would then increase the margin to three in the fourth with a pair of clutch two-out at bats. Perez drove in his second run of the game with an RBI single, while C Mark Fleury drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0.
The Braves however would narrow the deficit to one with single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings, both thanks to 3B Joe Leonard. The third baseman began the fifth frame with a homer to left, and then brought in SS Andrelton Simmons in the following frame with a single.
Mississippi was kept off the scoreboard twice thanks to Blue Wahoos CF Ryan LaMarre, who threw out baserunners attempting to score in the third and sixth innings. LaMarre now has 11 outfield assists this season, ranking him first in the Southern League by a wide margin.
Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings, while Tanner, Partch and Joseph combined to shut down the Braves from there in support of Sulbaran. Tanner (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Partch (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) each notched holds for their efforts, while Joseph (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) converted his Southern League leading 11th save of the year in 12 opportunities. Braves starting pitcher Gary Moran (5,1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year after giving up three runs on five hits in 5.1 frames.
It was Perez’s (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) fourth multi-hit outing in his last six contests, while RF Josh Fellhauer (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) also collected two hits for the Blue Wahoos. Leonard (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI), along with CF Todd Cunningham (2-5), C Christian Bethancourt (2-4) and RF Cory Harrilchak (2-3) all recorded two base knocks for the Braves in the loss.
With the series tied, Pensacola and Mississippi will meet again Friday night, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is slated to take the bump for the Blue Wahoos, while the Braves are expected to give the ball to LHP Luis Avilan in the third game of the series.
All fans are asked to wear blue for Friday night’s game in honor of two-time NFL champion and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes, who will be on hand to throw out a first pitch. Fans will also want to arrive early, as the first 2,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a special patriotic Blue Wahoos cap courtesy of Virginia College.
By Andrew Green
Four Major Daily Newspapers To Publish Only Three Days Per Week
May 25, 2012
Four major daily newspapers announced Thursday that they will only print three issues per week beginning later this year.
The Times-Picayune, a 175-year old New Orleans paper; the Mobile Press-Register, The Birmingham News and The Huntsville Times will only publish a printed paper on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays beginning in the fall. Instead, the papers will focus more efforts on their online offerings.
The Pensacola News Journal, which was at last report printed the Mobile-Press Register facility in Mobile, has no plans to reduce is publishing schedule, according to a post Thursday on the newspaper’s website by Executive Editor Richard Schneider.
Gannett, the owner of the Pensacola News Journal and 81 other daily newspapers, has announced that it will begin charging readers to access news online by the end of the year.
NorthEscambia.com has no plans to charge readers for content.
Third Grade FCAT Scores Released
May 24, 2012
Third grade FCAT scores in reading and math were released Thursday morning by the Florida Department of Education.
In Escambia County, 51 percent of third graders score a grade level 3 or higher in reading, while 52 percent scored a passing grade level 3 or greater in math.
In Santa Rosa County, 72 percent of third grade students scored a 3 or more in reading, and 72 percent score a 3 or higher in math.
Coming up this weekend on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll take a look at how local schools fared on the third grade reading and math FCAT.
Photos: Waterspout On Pensacola Bay This Morning
May 24, 2012
A waterspout formed over Pensacola Bay about 6:30 this morning. There was no rain associated the waterspout, which traveled across the bay for about five minutes. Photos by Brenda Kahalley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Teen Gets Six Years For Drug Trafficking
May 24, 2012
A Century teen caught selling drugs during an undercover operation has been sentenced to six years behind bars.
Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett, 17, was sentenced as a youthful offender by Judge Paul Rasmussen for a first degree felony drug trafficking charge. Rasmussen recommended that Lett serve his time in a boot camp program.
The court did not impose an ordinarily mandatory $100,000 fine due to Lett’s youthful offender status, overruling objections by the state.
Lett was caught in the act of selling 25 Lortabs by undercover officers near the Dollar General store on North Century Boulevard on April 21, 2011, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Lett was previous adjudicated as an adult in an unreleated weapons case and sentenced to nine months in the county jail. In October 2010, he was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. Lett, who was a 16-year old middle school student at the time, traded $40 in marijuana for .22 caliber pistol that was dumped on North Century Boulevard following a traffic stop. A deputy ran over the gun, shooting out his own tire.
Night Work On Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge
May 24, 2012
Lane restrictions are planned nightly through the weekend on the Escambia River Bridge on Highway 4 between Century and Jay.
Crews will be working to restripe the bridge lanes from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. through Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation, causing traffic delays.
“Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area, and to use caution, especially at night when driving in work zones,” said Tanya Branton, public information specialist for the Florida DOT.
FWC: ‘Be Bear Aware’ Because Bear Love Is In The Air
May 24, 2012
Just days after a young male black bear was spotted at an apartment complex in Cantonment, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants the public to know that love is in the air for Florida black bears.
The young black bear was first seen on Sunday, walking about the Wild Oak Farms Apartments, just north of the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 and directly adjacent to Jim Allen Elementary School. During his Sunday visit, the bear reportedly tore into trash and rummaged through a dumpster, but many apartment residents described him as otherwise seeming “friendly”. [Read more about the Cantonment bear here.]
Breeding season for bears runs from June to July, and FWC is reminding homeowners that bears are moving around, foraging for food and looking for mates.
According to FWC bear management program coordinator Dave Telesco, the agency is seeing an increase in calls about bears in neighborhoods around the state. The animals are lured into neighborhoods to feast on unsecured trash. His best advice: Do not feed the bears.
It is also illegal to feed bears in Florida.
“Problems arise when bears have access to people-related food sources such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, birdseed or livestock feed,” Telesco said. “Bears learn very quickly to associate people with food, and this puts the animals at increased risk of illegal kills or crossing highways and getting hit by vehicles.”
Black bears normally are too shy to risk contact with humans, but their strong food drive can overwhelm these instincts. Residents can help these bears “move on,” so they don’t cause a conflict.
“If people remove the attractants, the bears will stay where we want them to stay – in wooded areas – and not enter urban and suburban neighborhoods,” Telesco said.
Properly storing and securing garbage is a proven method of discouraging bears. Barbecue grills should be stored in a secure place, such as a garage or a sturdy shed when they are not in use (typically evenings). Keep garbage cans secure and only place them outside on the morning of pickup, rather than the night before. People can encourage their neighbors, community or local government to use bear-resistant trash containers or dumpsters. To find out where to get them, go to MyFWC.com/Bears and select “Brochures & Other Materials.”
“Another way people can help is to feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding,” Telesco said.
“Relocating bears is not always the best option,” Telesco explained. “Most bears do not stay where we put them, and more than half of the bears we move just end up causing conflicts again in a new location.”
“If you see a black bear, remain calm. Don’t run. Walk calmly toward a building or vehicle and get inside,” Telesco said. “If you have children or pets, bring them inside. Once you are in a secure location, encourage the bear to leave by banging pots and pans, blowing a car or air horn or whistle. The more stressful a bear’s encounter with you, the less likely it is to come back.”
If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone. Remove people and dogs from the area. The bear usually will come down and leave when it feels safe, which is typically after dark.
If the bear is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock or is causing property damage, report it to the FWC at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Pictured: A young black bear was spotted at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments in Cantonment last Sunday. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.