Wahoos On Short End Of Rain-Shortened Game
May 9, 2012
The Blue Wahoos dropped a seven inning rain-shortened game with the Mississippi Braves 3-1. The Braves had runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when the rain started and the field was covered. The game was called after a 43 minute delay.
Mississippi scored first in the bottom of the second when Cory Harrilchak scored from third on a groundout by Barrett Kleinknecht. Harrilchak reached on a walk and then stole two bases before scoring on the groundout. The run was ruled unearned against Blue Wahoos starter Kyle Lotzkar who made his Double-A debut for Pensacola on Tuesday night.
The Wahoos evened the score in the fourth, when Joel Guzman singled home Brodie Greene to make it 1-1. That would be the only run Pensacola would scratch across against Braves lefty Sean Gilmartin (1-4).
In the fifth, the Braves got to Lotzkar for the winning runs. Phil Gosselin tripled home Andrelton Simmons for the first run of the inning. A batter later, Evan Gattis singled in Gosselin to give the Braves all they would need.
Lotzkar went six innings in his Blue Wahoos debut and was charged with two earned runs, three total, on five hits and three walks. He finished with two strikeouts in the losing effort. Gilmartin earned the win by allowing just the one run over seven innings. He surrendered six hits, walked just one and struck out a season-high nine batters.
The series continues on Wednesday morning. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-1, 2.61) to the mound against Mississippi righty David Hale (2-2, 4.73). First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
By Tommy Thrall
Florida Seeks Changes In Medically Needy Program
May 9, 2012
Florida Medicaid officials have asked the federal government to approve major changes in a program that serves tens of thousands of people with costly medical conditions, seeking to install a type of managed care and require monthly premium payments.
The Agency for Health Care Administration, carrying out a 2011 law, requested changes in the state’s Medically Needy program. In a document sent to the federal government in late April, the agency said the proposed changes would improve care for beneficiaries.
“The proposed demonstration (the changes) will improve the effectiveness of the Medically Needy program by providing access for this population to an integrated service-delivery system of health care,” the document said.
But Florida CHAIN, a patients-advocacy group, blasted the proposal. It said, in part, that most Medically Needy patients would not be able to “remotely” afford monthly premiums that are part of the plan.
The Medically Needy program, which the agency says will cost about $1 billion this fiscal year, serves people who have often-debilitating conditions but don’t qualify for the regular Medicaid program because of their income levels. On average, more than 48,000 people are enrolled in the program each month, and it serves a combined total of 250,000 people a year, according to the document submitted to the federal government.
Some lawmakers have repeatedly argued in the past for scaling back the program — but the idea has met with fierce opposition from advocacy groups and hospitals, which provide much of the care to the patients. Among the most outspoken opponents during legislative debates have been organ-transplant recipients.
Lawmakers in 2011 approved a massive overhaul of the Medicaid system that included changes in the Medically Needy program. AHCA on April 26 sent a request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for what is known as a “waiver” amendment that would carry out the changes.
The proposal would require Medically Needy beneficiaries to enroll in a statewide provider-service network, a type of managed care that would be responsible for trying to better coordinate services that patients receive. Eventually, the beneficiaries would transition into a broader statewide managed-care system that is the key part of the 2011 law.
The Medically Needy program uses a complicated process in which patients have to qualify each month based on the amount of medical bills they rack up and their income levels. Under the proposed changes, they would continue to qualify for the first month of coverage in that way and then would move into the provider-service network.
In the request to the federal government, AHCA touted that the proposal would allow Medically Needy patients to stay in the program for up to six months without having to qualify each month. It said, in part, that such a change would improve care and remove an incentive for Medically Needy patients to incur medical bills to meet monthly qualification requirements.
“Recipients (would) have access to care coordination, and the incentive is removed for the emergency room to be the first choice of setting for medical care in order to qualify for eligibility,” the document said.
But the proposal also includes a new premium requirement that Florida CHAIN contends would force Medically Needy beneficiaries to pick up a larger share of their medical costs than under the current system and could be unaffordable for many. The amount of premiums would vary, based on factors such as income levels and family sizes.
The proposal, however, includes a “grace period” that would allow people to stay in the program for 90 days before they would be forced out because of non-payment of premiums.
AHCA needs approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before it can move forward with the changes, as Medicaid is governed by federal law and is heavily funded by the federal government. Shelisha Coleman, an AHCA spokeswoman, said in an e-mail Tuesday that the federal agency is not required to respond to the request by a certain time.
By The News Service of Florida
Woman Charged With Robbing Her Mother In Bratt Home Invasion
May 8, 2012
A 30-year old woman has been charged in connection with a home invasion robbery at her mother’s home in Bratt.
Jacqueline Bernice Morris, who told deputies that she is homeless, was charged with battery, trespassing, felony grand theft of a controlled substance and felony home invasion robbery. She remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $27,750.
Morris is accused of entering her mother’s mobile home on C.W. Caraway Road, just north of Highway 4 near Northview High School on April 28 and snatching a bottle of about 90 Xanax out of her mother’s shirt.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim was sitting in her living room watching television when Morris, her daughter, entered through a storm door. Morris allegedly grabbed her mother by the arms to restrain her, reached into the pocket of her shirt, grabbed the bottle of Xanax and ran away.
A nearby witness attempted to catch Morris, even giving chase for brief distance along Highway 4 after Morris jumped into her Saturn and sped away.
The day prior to the incident, Morris had been trespass warned by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to stay away from the residence as she retrieved her personal belongings from her mother’s trailer.
The mother was not seriously injured in the incident.
Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive Is Saturday
May 8, 2012
Escambia and Santa Rosa Letter Carriers will join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our communities with their annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food driveon Saturday.
“This is the single most important food drive in the two counties and will largely determine how well providers will meet the needs of the hungry in the coming months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna executive director.
Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag of non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12. Escambia and Santa Rosa County letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks.
Across the six pantries operated by Manna in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, there was 44% increase in need in 2011 compared to 2010.
In 2011, local drive organizers collected more than 200,000 pounds of food. This year, the food will be distributed at Manna Food Pantries, St. Vincent de Paul, Bay Area Food Bank, Warrington Emergency Aid, Acts Ministries of Gulf Breeze and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church.
Arrests Made In Burglary And Arson Of Deputy’s Home
May 8, 2012
Two people have been arrested in connection with the burglary and arson of a Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office lieutenant’s home.
Everly Lippwe, 21, has been charged with arson, felony criminal mischief, armed burglary, grand theft, theft of law enforcement equipment, grand theft of a fire arm and vehicle theft.
A second suspect, 21-year old Joseph Cameron, was arrested on a probation violation and later confessed to being involved in the crimes at the deputy’s home. He was charged with arson, burglary, larceny and vehicle theft.
The incident occurred Saturday, April 21 at the residence of Lt. Chris Watson, and his wife, Bonita Watson (a Santa Rosa County probation officer). Numerous firearms, ammunition, bullet proof vests, badges, and other law enforcement items were stolen from the home and vehicle. A large amount of electronics and jewelry was also taken. The suspect then vandalized his county patrol vehicle with spray paint, stole his personal pickup truck (a 2005 dark blue Chevy Avalanche), and then set fire to the home after dousing the master bedroom with gasoline. The fire did not destroy the entire house; however, it caused extensive damage.
Investigators said Lippwe was a close friend of one of the Watson’s adult children. The Watson’s had no knowledge that Lippwe was a friend of their child, and that he had been allowed into their residence when they were not present, Sheriff’s investigators said.
Lippwe used knowledge and information gained through the friendship to plan out and commit the crime. Investigators found no information to suggest that Watson’s adult child had any knowledge that Lippwe was planning to commit or had committed the crime against their family.
Burglars Strike Byrneville Community Center
May 8, 2012
Authorities are searching for the persons responsible for breaking into a local community center.
The burglary at the Bryneville Community Center was reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon after an office filing cabinet was discovered on the ground just outside a door.
Community center officials said someone had broken into the building and an office in an apparent search for cash or other valuables.
“They pulled the filing cabinet outside, but I guess it was too heavy for them to load,” said Walter Porz, president of the Byrneville Community Center, Inc, a local non-profit that manages the county-owned facility.
Porz said the thieves removed all of the paperwork from the filing cabinet, including the meeting minutes the group is required to keep.
“There was nothing valuable in there,” he said. “I’m not sure why they took all of that.”
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene unit at the Byrneville Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lady Royals Advance To Historic State Championship Game
May 8, 2012
The Jay Lady Royals rallied top beat Port St. Joe 7-5 Monday in the state semifinal round to reach the Class 1A state championship game today.
Update: Jay lost to Lafayette Tuesday afternoon 12-9. A previous story is below.
Port St. Joe took an early 3-0 lead Monday afternoon in the first inning. In the bottom of the first, senior Tessa Hendricks knocked a solo homer over the fence of the National Training Center to make it 3-1.
The Lady Royals were on fire in the bottom of the second with four runs for a 5-3 Jay lead. The Royals had RBI singles from Olivia Wright, Tessa Hendricks and Ashlyn Geek.
Port St. Joe made it a tie game in the third with a couple of a RBI singles, 5-5.
The fourth and five innings were scoreless.
In the sixth inning, the Lady Royals added two. Olivia Wright had a single and made second on sacrifice bunt by Ashlyn Geek. Tessa Hendricks was walked. Then Port St. Joe committed a grave error on a fly to right, allowing the ball to roll to the fence. That sent Wright and Hendricks across the plate.
Then with three up and three down for Port St. Joe in the seventh, the Lady Royals secured the chance at the state championship game on Tuesday.
Services Announced For Retired Fire Chief Robert Stewart
May 8, 2012
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Robert Stewart, the former chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department who passed away on Sunday at age 62.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6–9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Homer Stewart and Rev. Kevin Stott officiating. Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.
Stewart will receive a full fireman’s funeral. His coffin will be carried atop an Escambia Fire Rescue truck along the funeral route — from Petty Eastside Chapel on Highway 31 west of Atmore, through downtown Atmore along Highway 21 to Highway 97 in Florida, and west on Highway 4 to Godwin Cemetery. The public is invited to line the funeral procession route to pay respects to the man that first began answering fire calls 35 years ago.
Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament Planned
May 8, 2012
The Cantonment Rotary Club will host the second annual Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, May 11 at the Scenic Hills Country Club in Pensacola.
“Mr C,” as he was affectionately known throughout Florida’s Panhandle, was a longtime member and past president of the Cantonment Rotary Club and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Cantonment Rotary Foundation. The Foundation presents at least eight scholarships per year as part of an endowed scholarship program, provides funding for the Miracle League, Council on Aging, Honor Flights, Loaves & Fishes, and numerous other local charities, as well as international projects through Rotary International Matching Grants.
The golf tournament is the primary funding source for the Cantonment Foundation and requires not only the dedicated efforts of club members, but also the support of the community. Tee sign sponsors, door prizes, and sponsored teams are the essential elements of any golf tournament.
The format is a four person scramble with the usual prizes for “closest to the pin”, “longest drive”, etc. In addition, every player receives a nice door prize. Last year’s door prizes ranged from $25 gift certificates, to an exquisite diamond ring from Jeweler’s Trade Shop. No one left empty handed and some were fortunate enough to get more than one door prize.
In addition to the first place prize, the winning team will have their names placed on the Ted Ciano Trophy which is permanently housed at Scenic Hills Country Cluband will also receive a fee paid invitation to defend their title in the 2013 tournament. The field will be limited to 32 four-person teams. To participate, contact Paul Fredrick at (850) 384-9745 or email ears_1@cox.net.
The Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Wahoos Fall 3-2 In 12
May 8, 2012
The Blue Wahoos led most of the way, but needed a ninth inning run to force extra innings before Keenan Wiley scored from third on a wild pitch with two outs in the 12th inning giving the Mississippi Braves the 3-2 win over Pensacola.
The Wahoos went up 1-0 when Joel Guzman unloaded for his fourth home run of the season in the top of the second. Mark Serrano kept it that way by working five shutout innings in his first start of the season. Mississippi tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Ian Gac which drove home Matt Kennelly from second. The hit was off Drew Hayes, though Clayton Tanner got charged with the run.
Mississippi took the lead with a solo home run by Evan Gattis to make it 2-1. Pensacola capitalized on a leadoff walk by Didi Gregorius in the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Josh Ewing drew a pinch hit walk to load the bases before Koyie Hill worked a walk from Ryan Butcher to force home Gregorius and tie the game.
It stayed tied until the 12th. After a double steal put runners at second and third, Chris Manno (0-1) threw a wild pitch which scored Wiley from third. Hill’s throw to Manno covering home looked to be ahead of the runner, but the ball got away allowing Wiley to get in safely for the winning run.
Henry Rodriguez waited until the top of the 12th to collect his first hit of the game, a double to right field, and extend his hit streak to a league-leading 15 games. Brodie Greene led the way for the Wahoos offensively with a four-hit game.
Manno was charged with the loss after allowing the winning run to score in the 12th after recording two outs. Chris Masters (1-1) earned the win for the Braves. He allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless 12th inning.
The series continues on Tuesday night with the first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. from Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. Right-hander Kyle Lotzkar will make his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos after earning a promotion at the end of the Blue Wahoos homestand. He will be opposed by Mississippi left-hander Sean Gilmartin (0-4, 3.55).
By Tommy Thrall