Suns Take Series Over The Blue Wahoos With 4-0 Win
April 30, 2012
The Blue Wahoos were blanked for just the second time this season as the Jacksonville Suns won the five-game set over the Blue Wahoo with a 4-0 series finale win on Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville.
Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (L, 1-3) got off to a fast start but ran into trouble in the fourth inning when he allowed a double by Shawn Bowman followed by a Taylor Krick single to start the inning. Bowman scored on a sacrifice fly to center as he jarred the ball loose from Wahoos catcher Brian Peacock at the plate. Chris Gutierrez singled home Krick later in the inning putting the Suns up 2-0.
Sulbaran allowed another run in the fifth before exiting with two men out in the inning. The Suns tallied another run in the seventh against the Pensacola bullpen on their way to the series clinching win.
The Wahoos scattered just six hits against three Suns pitchers. Bobby Bramhall held the Blue Wahoos bats in check over the first four innings before giving way to Kyle Kaminska (W, 3-1) who earned the win with three shutout innings in relief.
Sulbaran took the loss after he was tagged for three runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings despite striking out seven in the game.
The Blue Wahoos are off on Monday before opening up a five-game homestand with the Jackson Generals on Tuesday night at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium. Tuesday is a Team Tuesday with select players signing autographs on the concourse prior to the game. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Rodriguez has now hit is nine straight after his first-inning single on Sunday for the Blue Wahoos in Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stafford, Other Elections Supervisors Take On Rick Scott Over Survey
April 29, 2012
Supervisors of Elections from around the state are objecting to survey results distributed last week by the Scott administration that scored them after the January presidential primary on various performance measures , such as how quickly they report results.
Writing for the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, a Republican, said the measurements don’t accurately reflect how good the supervisors are at their jobs – and that the supervisors didn’t learn the purpose of the questions they were asked until the Division of Elections put out the results.
Stafford said the supervisors had urged Secretary of State Ken Detzner not to publish the results.
Stafford reminded Scott in a sharply-worded letter sent Wednesday that the governor doesn’t actually have much control over the supervisors – they’re constitutional officers who are elected independently. And the measurements are flawed, he said.
“Unfortunately, the items used in the survey are not, by themselves, true indicators of a supervisor of elections’ office,” Stafford wrote. “Furthermore, the data is flawed in certain instances, thereby yielding a result which is inaccurate….”
Stafford said the survey – if used to produce a public ranking of each supervisor – “has the potential to undermine confidence in Florida’s elections, which we work tirelessly to instill in the public.
“As you are well aware,” Stafford wrote, “we are responsible for carrying out our duties and the citizens and voters in our counties are the persons best able to evaluate that performance.”
The rankings are hard to decipher, but include seven metrics, such as when results were first uploaded on election night, when early voting dates were announced and when absentee ballots were mailed. An eighth “extra credit” category was for returning the survey early.
The rankings went from 1 point for submitting a particular type of data early to negative 1 for submitting it late, and negative 2 for not submitting it at all. For submitting data “on time,” but not early, counties got a 0.
While no county supervisor got the maximum score of eight, several registered a seven. Several supervisors scored at each level all the way down to three counties that received scores of negative 4, the lowest recorded. Those were Brevard, Palm Beach, and Seminole counties.
While the scores made it out – the state sent them to supervisors this week and they were subsequently leaked – Scott’s office said they won’t be used for the moment.
“Gov. Scott has been briefed on the letter from the supervisors of election and agrees to give this issue additional consideration,” Scott spokesman Lane Wright said. “We will wait to post anything online until he’s had time to evaluate the concerns.”
While the survey came from Detzner’s office, Stafford said officials told the supervisors that Scott was driving the measuring effort.
“It was made clear to us that the survey and ranking were initiated out of the governor’s office,” Stafford said in the letter to Scott. “We have requested a meeting with your office to discuss our serious concerns on this issue on numerous occasions over the past several weeks, but have yet to receive a response.”
In addition to the complaints from the supervisors, Democratic lawmakers also criticized Scott on the survey.
“Gov. Scott still hasn’t figured out that there are limits to his authority,” said Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg. “Florida’s elections supervisors deserve support from statewide officers and they shouldn’t have to succumb to meddling by the governor. I am confident that county elections supervisors are willing to participate in meaningful surveys, but I am sure they are opposed to the governor meddling in and undermining both their work and the confidence of voters.”
Photos: A Black Tie Affair
April 29, 2012
Residents at Century Care Center enjoyed their third annual Black Tie Ball Friday afternoon with good music, great food and good times with friends.
Dressed in formal attire, the residents were escorted into a ballroom setting where they were served a “formal” dinner.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: The third annual Black Tie Ball Friday afternoon at Century Care Center. Pictured inset: Robert and Diane Shanks celebrated their 46th anniversary during the event. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Regional Electronics, Household Hazardous Waste Roundup Scheduled
April 29, 2012
Escambia County (Fla.) residents are encouraged to drop off their electronics, household hazardous waste (HHW) and other items not accepted into the regular garbage stream at a Regional Roundup on Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. until noon at the former Carver Middle School at 150 East Pond Street in Century.
Businesses and residents of Escambia County (Fla.) can dispose of all types of clean, dry, recyclable electronics including computers, monitors and terminals, keyboards, mice, printers, TVs, copiers, gaming systems, remotes, fax machines, VCRs, stereo systems, cell phones and telephones. Electronics that have been gutted will not be accepted.
HHW items can cause injury if handled improperly. These items will usually have a warning or cautionary statement on their labels using terms such as flammable, corrosive, poison or toxic, and include items such as swimming pool chemicals, cleaners, drain openers, paint and paint products, fuels, gases, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol cans and automotive repair and maintenance products.
All electronics, household hazardous waste and tires are recycled.
The event is open to all Escambia County (Fla.) residents and businesses, not just those in Century. Residents and businesses from Alabama are not allowed to participate in the event.
National Day Of Prayer Events Planned For Century, Atmore
April 29, 2012
Century and Atmore will hold special events on Thursday in recognition of the National Day of Prayer — including one in which the entire Bible will be read aloud in about 30 minutes.
Century National Day of Prayer
In Century, the National Day of Prayer will be observed Thursday, May 3 at 10 a.m. at the Ag Building at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard in Century. Government, business and civic leaders will join the community in prayer for Century, the surrounding communities and the country.
Atmore National Day of Prayer
In Atmore, the National Day of Prayer will be celebrated with multiple events at Tom Byrne Park on Lindberg Avenue on Thursday, May 3. The day’s events will include:
- Walk and Pray – available all day. A walking path will be marked with the names of public officials and prayer topics written in chalk as a reminder for prayers as the path is walked.
- Early Morning Prayer – 6:30 – 8:30 a.m. There will be local pastors and lay people available to pray with participants for national and personal concerns.
- Prayer Service – 5:30 – 6 p.m. A prayer service for the community and nation.
- Childrens Prayer Event – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. New this year is an event for children K-6 to participate in an age appropriate prayer time and balloon release.
- Bible Reading – 6 – 6:30 p.m. The entire Bible will be read as a prayer and blessing over the community.
For more information on National Day of Prayer events in Atmore, contact Sharon Keesler at (850) 982-0804 or sharonkeesler@hotmail.com; Nancy Helton at (850) 655-6358 or nan.helton@gmail.com; or Pastor Ted Bridges at (*50) 380-3814.
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Molino Coaches Named Cat Country Coaches Of Week; Kids To Be On Air
April 29, 2012
Two Molino Ballpark coaches have been named Cat Country’s Coach of the Week.
The first is Coach Rowdy Pope with the Texas Rangers Coach Pitch 7-year olds, and the second is Coach Christa Wilson with the 8U UnDents Softball team. The UnDents girls can be heard saying the pledge of allegiance on-air Monday at 7 a.m. and Rangers boys will lead the pledge Tuesday at 7 a.m.
Pictured top: Coach Christa Wilson with the 8U UnDents Softball team and Coach Rowdy Pope with some of the Texas Rangers Coach Pitch 7-year olds, both named Cat Country Coaches of the Week. Submitted photos by Sarah Tipton for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Continues On New Family Dollar In Century
April 29, 2012
A construction project is continuing on a new Family Dollar store in Century.
The 8,000 square foot discount retail store will be located at 9441 North Century Boulevard — that’s at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Green Street. The site was last occupied by Royal Pizza and Subs, which was destroyed by fire in July 2008. Prior to that, the property housed a barbecue restaurant. The 1.22 acre lot is located just south of the Food Giant grocery store.
There’s no word yet on the number of jobs the business will provide, or when the discount store will open.
Family Dollar currently operates 6,800 stores in 44 states. Other Family Dollar Stores in the North Escambia area are located in Davisville, Cantonment, Pensacola and Atmore.
Pictured: Construction continued this week on a new Family Dollar store in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Suns Even Series With Win Over The Pensacola Wahoos
April 29, 2012
The Jacksonville Suns claimed a 5-2 win over the Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Suns plated three runs in the first, which would prove to be all they would need on their way to evening the series at two game apiece.
Tim Crabbe (L, 1-1) settled down after the first inning and lasted 5.1 innings in the losing effort for Pensacola. Of the three runs he allowed, two were earned. Crabbe only walked one batter in the game, a new season low, and he struck out six, one shy of his season high.
Pensacola pulled within a run on a two-run homer by Cody Puckett in the sixth, but that was all the Wahoos would get. Jacksonville added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh. Wilkin De La Rosa inherited a bases loaded situation and hit the first batter he faced to force in one run, then walked the next, forcing in another. Both runs were charged to Drew Hayes. De La Rosa went on to strike out the next two batters to get out of the inning.
Ryan LaMarre singled in the fifth inning to extend his hit streak to a team-high 11 games. Puckett’s home run was one of his team-leading two hits for the game.
Suns starter Graham Taylor (W, 2-1) earned the win by working six innings and allowing both Blue Wahoos runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five. Evan Reed (S, 6) closed the came with a pair of perfect innings for the save.
The series concludes on Sunday when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (1-2, 4.98) to mound. Jacksonville’s starter has not been announced at this time. First pitch is set for 2:05 CT from the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
By Tommy Thrall
Jones, Wetzel To Wed
April 29, 2012
Duane and Melanie Hines of Brewton and Doug Jones of Gulf Shores are proud to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ashleigh Elizabeth Jones, to Travis Michael Wetzel, son of Mike and Karen Wetzel of Pensacola.
The bride elect is the granddaughter of Evelyn Riley and the late Gordon Riley of Brewton and Nick and Melba Jones of Gulf Shores.
Ashleigh is a 2008 graduate of T. R. Miller High School where she served as valedictorian. She is graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Montevallo in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Ashleigh will be attending the University of West Florida in Pensacola to pursue a Master’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in statistics.
The prospective groom is the grandson of Paul and Shirley Wetzel of Pensacola and the late Geraldine Morris of Jay.
Travis is a 2006 graduate of Jay High School, graduated from Pensacola State College in Pensacola with an Associate of Science degree and is currently attending Global University, majoring in ministerial studies. He is currently employed with David Bowen Sporting Goods in Pace and as associate pastor and worship pastor at Courts of Praise Fellowship in Pensacola.
The wedding is planned for May 26, 2012, at Courts of Praise Fellowship in Pensacola.
Wreck, Gas Leak Shut Down Molino Road
April 28, 2012
A portion of Molino Road was closed for about 45 minutes late Saturday afternoon after a single vehicle wreck caused a natural gas leak.
The driver of a Pontiac G6 lost control on Molino Road about 5:15 p.m., ran off the roadway, struck a culvert, a sign and a fence before hitting an above ground one-inch natural gas service line. The gas line was broken, creating a leak.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured in the crash. Two nearby residents self-evacuated as a precaution due to the gas leak.
The leak was secured and repaired by the Okaloosa Gas District by about 6 p.m., and Molino Road was reopened to traffic.
For a more photos from the scene, click here.
The Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash. Further details have not been released by FHP.
Pictured above and below: This single vehicle crash late Saturday afternoon in Molino created a gas leak, shutting down Molino Road for about 45 minutes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
