Wahoos Walk With 4-3 Win
June 14, 2012
Blue Wahoos catcher Mark Fleury laid down a suicide squeeze bunt to score right fielder Josh Fellhauer from third in the bottom of the 11th to give Pensacola a 4-3 walk off victory over the Mobile BayBears on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win gives the Fish a team-high fifth straight victory to improve Pensacola’s record to 32-33 in 2012, while the defeat drops Mobile to a 38-28 record this year. Before the game, Oakland Athletics first round draft pick and Pace High School grad Addison Russell was honored and threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
After Fellhauer was hit by a pitch to begin the 11th frame, CF Andrew Means drew a free pass and LF Yordanys Perez was intentionally walked to set the stage for Fleury with one out. The Blue Wahoos backstop then put down a bunt to the third base side as Fellhauer charged home and scored without a play to cue the celebration.
Pensacola also started the game’s scoring in the opening frame with a single tally, marking the sixth time in eight contests the club has scored in the first inning. CF Ryan LaMarre led off with a single and was brought home from first when SS Didi Gregorius doubled to right center to put the Blue Wahoos ahead 1-0.
Mobile however, would counter in the fifth with two scores of their own to take their first lead of the game at 2-1. LF Dan Kaczrowski started the rally with a single, moved to second on SS Wladimir Sutil’s walk and then third on a fielder’s choice, before coming plateward on a sacrifice fly off the bat of CF Evan Frey. Sutil subsequently scored on 2B David Nick’s run-scoring double to push the BayBears in front.
The Blue Wahoos then answered right back to draw the game even at 2-2 in the bottom half of the frame by playing small ball. Fleury began the inning with a double and was advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before being sent home on LaMarre’s sacrifice fly to center.
Mobile then grabbed back the lead in the seventh courtesy of a solo shot from 3B Matt Davidson, which was his Southern League leading 15thh of the year, while the Fish tied it up in the next inning. Following a lead off double from Gregorius, and a sacrifice bunt to move him to third, RF Josh Fellhauer delivered with an RBI single to right to once again even the margin.
Fleury (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) recorded three hits in the game to lead Pensacola, while Gregorius (2-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and 3B David Vidal (2-5, 1 2B) each collected a pair of base knocks. Kaczrowski (3-5, 1 R, 1 BB) paced the BayBears with his three base hits, while Davidson (2-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and C Rossmel Perez (2-5, 1 2B) also notched multi-hit efforts.
Seven different Pensacola relievers held Mobile to just four hits and a run in their 6.2 innings of work in support of starter Tim Crabbe (4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO), with RHP Curtis Partch (1.0 IP) earning his third win of the year, while Mobile LHP Eury De La Rosa (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB) suffered the loss after allowing the final run. BayBears starter Gaby Hernandez (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) did not receive a decision despite yielding just two earned runs on six hits in six frames.
The Blue Wahoos and BayBears will square again Thursday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. LHP Tony Cingrani, the Reds’ No. 15 prospect according to Baseball America is slated to take the hill for the Fish, while Mobile is expected to counter with LHP Tyler Skaggs, who was tabbed as the third-best prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system, and the 14th best prospect overall before the season.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Mark Fleury’s suicide squeeze in the 11th gave the Wahoos a 4-3 walk off win. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Awards Contract For Housing Rehab
June 14, 2012
The Town of Century has been awarded a grant-funded contract to rehabilitate another private home in the town.
The town was awarded a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) last year to rehabilitate or replace homes that are currently occupied by persons of low or moderate income. The town also received $100,000 in Residential Construction Mitigation Program Funds for hurricane retrofits.
The latest project contract was $12,698, awarded to Bill Walther Construction, Inc. The bid includes $5,698 in rehabilitation costs and $7,000 in hurricane retrofits for the home at 301 East Hecker Road
According to the Escambia County Property Appraiser, the house owned by Richard and Eva Carter has a taxable value of $5,525. The 1,264 square foot home was constructed in 1913.
The town has previously awarded about $430,000 in contracts to rehabilitate eight other homes in the town.
Pictured: The residence at 301 East Hecker Road in Century. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
4-H Offers A “Growing Pizza” Program For Kids 8-12
June 14, 2012
Escambia County 4-H invites kids to participate in a “Growing a Pizza” program on Tuesday, June 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Escambia County Extension office, at3740 Stefani Road. This program is open to kids ages eight to 12.
Participants will learn about how pizza is “grown,” tour the Extension pizza garden, play some pizza games, learn about the nutrients in pizza, make their own healthy pizza for lunch and take home their own “pizza” plant.
The cost of this program is $5 which can be paid the day of the event or prior to the program. Participating youth will need to bring clothes that are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor activities. Participants must be registered by Friday, June 15.
For more information or to pre-register, contact Angela Hinkle, at ahinkle@ufl.edu or by telephone at the Extension office at (850) 475-5230.
Free 151st Army Band Concert On June 18
June 14, 2012
The 151st Army Band will perform a free concert next Monday, June 18 at Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park. The performance will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the park’s Hunter Amphitheater.
The amphitheater overlooks Pensacola Bay and can accommodate nearly 5,000 visitors. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but coolers and glass containers are prohibited. Food and drink vendors will be available during the concert.
The 151st Army Band is based in Montgomery. A unit of the Alabama Army National Guard, the band consists of “citizen soldiers” who meet two days a month for rehearsals and performances. The band performs throughout the United States for military and civilian functions, and has traveled to Costa Rica and Columbia performing on United States Embassy Goodwill tours.
The concert marks the first performance at the park, after the weekend’s inclement weather rained out the planned Grand Opening celebration. The canceled performance by the Charlie Daniels Band will be rescheduled.
Pictured: The 151ast Army Band. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
PSC Staff Against Rate Increase For Gulf Power Nuke Site Costs
June 13, 2012
The Florida Public Service Commission should reject Gulf Power Company’s request to charge customers for costs related to a potential nuclear-power plant site in North Escambia, according to a recommendation from PSC staff members.
The commission is scheduled to take up the $2 million issue next Tuesday, which stems from Gulf Power buying about 2,700 acres of land near McDavid that could eventually be used for a nuclear plant. The increase would equate to about 20 cents per month for the average customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. The 20 cents would be more than offset by about a $10 per month savings from the rate decrease announced in late May.
Regulators earlier this year approved a base-rate increase for Gulf but refused to allow the company to collect money related to the land purchase. Gulf Power has asked for the commission to reverse the decision, but PSC staff has recommended that regulators again deny the request.
The Public Service Commission, however, appears likely next Tuesday to approve another request by Gulf Power to reduce customers’ electric bills because of lower-than-expected fuel prices. If the change is approved, a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month would pay $116.61 — down from the current $126.53.
Gulf Power has not said what type of power plant it wants to construct in North Escambia, but PSC filings indicate that it could be natural gas, coal or nuclear. However, nuclear was repeatedly cited in recent PSC filings.
“This small price is extraordinarily reasonable when compared to the potential benefits of nuclear power if it is pursued, or the lost opportunity if the nuclear option is foreclosed by the action taken by this commission in this case,” documents state.
Pictured top: One of many houses that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. One of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this NorthEscambia.com report.
Floods: Panhandle Delegation Asks For Disaster Declaration
June 13, 2012
Following a weekend of rain that deluged Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, panhandle lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Rick Scott to declare the two counties disaster areas so they can apply for relief.
Parts of the panhandle region were hit with nearly two feet of rain, a torrent that caused widespread flooding and caused a “significant amount of damage” to the Escambia County Jail, which was flooded by up to five feet of water.
“It is with great urgency that we request your assistance by declaring Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties and the areas affected by the rain and flooding as a natural disaster,” stated the letter to Scott from Sen. Don Gaetz, Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ford, Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Rep. Clay Ingram.
Pictured top: Flooding Saturday morning at the Escambia County Jail. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manna Food Pantry Floods, Needs Your Help To Recover
June 13, 2012
Manna Food Pantry suffered significant damage Saturday during flooding that occurred in downtown Pensacola. The food pantry’s entire lower warehouse, including all offices and client service areas, was flooded.
Due to concerns for the health and safety of Manna staff, volunteers, and clients, the Manna offices will be relocated to the larger warehouse until the debris is removed and the area is cleaned and sanitized. Until further notice, Manna will offer services Monday through Friday from 2:00 until 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church’s “The Perry Home” located at the corner of Palafox and Wright Streets in downtown Pensacola.
Manna is currently in need of cash donations to support their flood recovery efforts. The initial estimated cost of damage is $50,000.
Donations can be made on the Manna website at www.mannafoodpantries.org.
Pictured top: The Manna Food Pantries warehouse was flooded. Pictured inset: Offices and client services areas were also flooded. Pictured below: All of Manna’s vehicles suffered water damage. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flood Closes Workforce Escarosa In Pensacola; Century, Milton Remain Open
June 13, 2012
The Workforce Escarosa One-Stop Center on “L” Street in Pensacola is closed due to flood damage.
A mobile unit in the parking lot will only provide assistance in filing of unemployment claims; applying for cash assistance, food stamps or Medicaid; applying for potential training activities and welfare transition services. All job search related activities are suspended until further notice.
The Century One-Stop Center at 8120 North Century Boulevard and the Milton One-Stop Center at 5725 Highway 90 are operating as usual.
State Attorney: Deputy Justified In Shooting Woman With BB Gun
June 13, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was justified when he shot a woman back in April, according to a report released Tuesday by the State Attorney’s Office.
Deputy Brett Heubach responded to an armed disturbance at the Fairfield Villa Apartments on April 20th. That’s where he found 24-year old Shanterika Thomas pointing a gun. He ordered her multiple times to put down the weapon but she did not. Thomas pointed the gun at Heubach so he opened fire, striking her three times.
Thomas was treated at a local hospital.
The weapon turned out to be a BB gun, but it was indistinguishable from a real gun, according to the State Attorney’s Office report. “It’s appearance was such that any person would reasonably believe it was a real firearm. The actions of Ms. Thomas placed Deputy Heubach in fear of death or great bodily harm and accordingly his use of force is justified,” the report states.
Zany Magic: Summer Reading Program Continues At Century Library
June 13, 2012
The Summer Reading Series for kids and teens continued Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
During the program, the zany Dr. Dee and Daffodil the Clown turned to the audience for help as they performed magic acts to bring a special story to life.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Summer Reading Series will continue on Tuesdays at noon at the Century Branch Library as follows:
June 19 — Storytelling with Pat Nease. She will share some witty, wiley and wicked tales.
June 26 — Cartooning with Mike Artell. The award-winning cartoonist and illustrator will present an exciting time of cool and creepy facts about a variety of subjects. Mike gets the audience excited about reading, writing, drawing and creative thinking.
July 3 — No program.
July 10 — Drums with Mark Seymour. Explore the world of drums, drum styles and sounds.
The Century Branch Library also offers a preschool story time each Tuesday in June at 10:30 a.m. for children birth to five-years old.
For more information, call the library at (850) 256-6217.
Pictured: Tuesday’s Summer Reading Series at the Century Branch Library. Submitted photos by August Whorff, Pat Rigel and Renee Coppenger for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
