Pensacola To Host Florida College Softball Championship
April 17, 2012
The Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) in coordination with the City of Pensacola Department of Neighborhood Services, and Pensacola State College will host the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Women’s Fast Pitch Softball Championship. This is the second year of a four-year contract.
From April 27 to April 29, 16 teams from across the state who have qualified for the state tournament will make their way to Pensacola to compete for the opportunity to advance to the national tournament. This championship actually consists of two district tournaments and a state championship game. The two district champions will advance to play for the national championship in St. George, Utah.
“We are again excited to host this event. We have one year of experience under our belts and we are using that experience to further enhance the event for both the student-athlete and the spectators,” said PSA Executive Director Ray Palmer. “I also predict an even larger crowd of family and friends traveling to support the teams as we heard a lot of very positive comments from the teams last year, many who had never visited our part of the state and who were looking to returning and telling their friends and families about our area.”
Exchange Park will host all the games at its newly renovated four-field complex. Recent upgrades including new field fences, expanded field lengths, dugouts, paint, field work, and remodeled air-conditioned bathrooms.
“The City of Pensacola welcomes the 16 best Florida state college softball teams on April 26-29 at the newly renovated Exchange Park Softball Facility,” commented Pensacola Athletic Superintendent Buddy Connelly. “Being the host City of this prestigious tournament is an honor for our City and our Department of Parks & Recreation. We hope everyone enjoys our efforts to make this tournament the best of an already memorable year for these Schools. The City Staff looks forward to serving all participants and making this tournament a lifetime memory for these young women.”
In addition to the competing teams traveling to Pensacola, the FCSAA Executive Director Jeb Blackburn and staff and college administrators will be in attendance for conference meetings and to watch the great softball action.
“We are looking forward to returning to Pensacola for the Florida College System Activities Association State Fast-Pitch Softball tournament,” said Blackburn. “We received wonderful comments about the tournament last year and the staff of the Pensacola Sports Association and the City Parks staff have been awesome. We hope to fill the stands to watch some great competition.”
Fans are sure to be entertained as they watch some of the best collegiate softball in the country. Teams already qualified include Florida State College at Jacksonville, Seminole State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, Indian River State College, Miami Dade College, Brevard Community College, Chipola College, Tallahassee Community College, Gulf Coast State College, Northwest Florida State College, State College of Florida, St. Petersburg College, Polk State College, and Hillsborough Community College. A playoff will be played between St. John’s River State College and College of Central Florida to determine the 16th and final team.
Group Offers Ideas For Langley Bell 4-H Center Sale, Purchase Of Molino Bayer Property
April 16, 2012
A group called the “Friends of 4-H” has been formed to represent Escambia County 4-H as a group as they vote later this month on the sale of their Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal, the largest credit union in the world.
The concerned citizens, parents, 4-H alumni and supporters are in favor of the sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal, but not as currently being proposed.
“We feel that economic development in Pensacola is a top priority for our growing county. We want the 4-H youth to vote yes to sell the Langley Bell 4-H Center as long as their needs are being met properly,” according to a proposal authored by the Friends of 4-H.
The current offer on the table is $3.6 million from Navy Federal along with 23 acres near the Extension Office on Stefani Road. A small portion of the sale proceeds would complete the Extension Office site, while the remainder, likely about $3 million, would go into an endowment trust fund, supporting 4-H off the interest. The building would not be for the exclusive use of 4-H.
But the Friends of 4-H have other ideas.
“We are trying to bring a win-win-win to the table. A win for Navy Federal Credit Union and Escambia County Economic Development, a win for the Extension Service and a win for the Escambia County 4-H program,” the group says in their plan.
The group’s big idea is for Escambia County 4-H to receive comparable land acreage to the Langley Bell 4-H Center, which is 240 acres adjacent to Navy Federal in Beulah. And the group believes they may have found the perfect location in Molino.
They are proposing the purchase of the the former Bayer Crop Science Facility on Crabtree Church Road in Molino. The 250 acres stretches from Crabtree Church Road north to Highway 97 near Molino Park Elementary School.
The Bayer property is ready-made for 4-H use, according to Whitney Vaughan Fike, a member of the Friends of 4-H and a 4-H alumnus. It includes 4,100 square feet of greenhouses, three irrigation ponds, three buildings, three storage barns, a weather station and complete fencing with a security gate.
“We feel the facility is already set up for hands on demonstrations and the property and functioning of the land are in line with the core reasons Dr. M. Langley Bell donated the original 400 acres. The facility will come with a complete environmental study to insure there are no environmental issues, as a phase one environmental study is currently in process,” according to the Friends of 4-H.
The Bayer property would lead to economic development, Fike said. The facility could also be used for events such as a revival of the Blueberry Jamboree, farming, agricultural projects, gardening, horse trails and rides, livestock shows, fishing, education camps and more. The facility would also allow greenhouses for the Escambia County Master Gardeners and provide a location for GCA/NRA livestock programs, held for 19 years at Langley Bell, to continue.
The estimated cost of the Bayer facility would $1.3 to $2.1 million, paid for out of the $3.6 million sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center.
“While the Friends of 4-H strongly support the economic growth and development of Escambia County through the expansion of Navy Federal Credit Union we also firmly believe that other options should be placed before the Escambia County 4-H youth for consideration,” the group states. “Friends of 4-H want to continue forward with the 4-H program, rather than taking steps backwards. We seek a compromise that allows growth for Navy Federal Credit Union, potential businesses, growth in Pensacola and for Escambia County 4-H.”
If Escambia County won’t agree to the purchase of the Bayer property or similarly sized property for 4-H, the Friends of 4-H are asking for $1.5 million in Local Option Sales Tax monies for an additional building at the Extension office plus 23 acres and a voice in the use of the new building on Stefani Road.
“Above all, this compromise will meet the needs of current and future 4-H youth by providing a place to continue personal growth, leadership and citizenship development through 4-H clubs using this facility for generations to come,” the Friends of 4-H stated.
The 4-H County Council, comprised of members age 8 to 18 that represent each of the individual 4-H clubs in the county, will meet this week to talk about their options. They will vote on the sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center next week.
Pictured: The Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Arrests Molino Woman On Drug Charges
April 16, 2012
A Molino woman is facing drug charges after a recent traffic stop on Highway 29 near Brent Lane.
Marlo Sheriee Knapp, age 28 of Crabtree Church Road, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, felony driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to an arrest report, she was stopped by a Florida Highway patrol trooper who found that her license was revoked for seven years in July 2010. Insider her vehicle, the trooper reported finding a crack pipe with residue and numerous hypodermic needles. When searched, authorities reported finding two Xanax pills without a prescription in her purse, along with two used hypodermic needles.
Knapp was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $11,000 bond.
Photos: Molino 12U, 16U Lady Jags
April 16, 2012
The Molino 12U Lady Jags took part in the Mid Season Softball Tourney in Pace over the weekend.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Releases Third Nine Weeks Honor Roll
April 16, 2012
Bratt Elementary School has released their honor roll for the third nine weeks.
All A’s
Anna Adams
Maggie Amerson
Lexxi Baggett
Haley Baker
John Bashore
Zoe Bergfield
Leah Berry
Brody Black
Tanner Boone
Luke Bridges
Aiden Broadhead
Lexi Broadhead
Keaton Brown
Abbie Buford
Katie Buford
Conner Byrne
Emilee Cabral
Ashtyn Carnley
Noah Casson
Savannah Doremus
Ryan Dove
Jayson Fayard
Jamyla Feagin
Amanda Franklin
Gabby Franklin
Makayla Garrett
Caitlyn Gibson
Alabama Gilley
David Gilley
Amber Gilman
JP Gilman
Emma Gilmore
Shelby Godwin
Zane Gurganus
Kara Hawkins
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Hannah Hughes
April Johnson
Anna King
Trent Knighten
Kennedy Long
Braeden McGhee
Bailie Merchant
Colby Morris
Abigail Nelson
Travis Nelson
Christopher Nordman
Jaylon North
Madison Peterson
Libby Pugh
Dallon Rackard
Kinzie Rackard
Tyler Ray
Kenna Redmond
Teriana Redmond
Carter Sigafoose
McKenna Simmons
Lydia Smith
Bailey VanPelt
Cailee Wilburn
Autumn Williams
Clay Wilson
Lane Wilson
Kendall Wise
Connor Wolfe
All A’s and B’s
Cassidy Boutwell
Sheyenne Dillon
Jackson Edwards
Gracen Brook
Cameron Cloud
Savannah Spence
Franki Daw
Shane Hardin
Cheyenne Philyaw
Jalexis Robinson
Ty Wise
Kelley Bradley
Karlee Criswell
Colton Dockens
Ansleigh Maholovich
Chloe Criswell
Makayla Dove
Kerry Hicks
Da’Mius Wesley
T’ahna Wesley
Alyssa Stabler
Bryuana Bivins
Destiney Bradley
Michael Merchant
Mary Paige Nassar
Tobias Madison
Blaize Parrish
Matthew Pruitt
Arquavian Smith
Vivyan Smith
Sarah Branch
Madelyn Berry
Jayden Jackson
Paige Gibbs
Anna Lee
Shelby Rice
Kaleigh Macks
Shelby Bashore
Logan Chavers
Savannah Fullerton
Delaney Reynolds
Allison Rice
Wyatt Dillon
Martina Howard
Adam Miller
Erich Amerson
Alexis Evans
Tatyanna Findley
Jarvis Skanes
Kayla Campbell
Audrey Odom
Summer Waters
Taviana Parker
Anyis Cabral
Cassie Davis
Jonathan Gibbs
Ah’Zavion Gregory
Angel Merchant
Adrianne Shanks
Ashton Cloud
Addie White
Tyler Davis
Emilee Bomba
Kiara Wesley
Gracie Godwin
Jaylee Redmond
Mary Rice
Ahmad Elliott
John Michael Ward
Ann-Margaret Boothe
Caren Cannon
Catherine Casey
Cameron Long
Aaliyah Tucker
Michael Ward
Shelby Bartley
Cantonment Man Charged With Forged Checks At Walmart
April 16, 2012
A Cantonment man was arrested for allegedly passing forged checks at two Pensacola stores.
Jourdan Alexander Truitt, 21, was charged with four counts of passing a forged check, one count of grand theft and larceny. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond on unrelated violation of probation charges.
Truitt allegedly wrote four checks totaling $935.49 to two Pensacola Walmart stores. According to an arrest report, he is seen on Walmart survelliance video using the checks for purchases.
The victim in the case is listed as Pen Air Federal Credit Union because they reimbursed their account holder for the money lost from her account.
Blue Wahoos Walk Off With 2-1 Win Over Jacksonville
April 16, 2012
Pensacola first baseman Joel Guzman walked with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
The win gives Pensacola a 1-0 lead in the five-game series, while the capacity crowd was the sixth in as many games at the Blue Wahoos’ bayfront stadium.
Pinch hitter Miguel Rojas, shortstop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Henry Rodriguez all singled in the final frame to set the stage for Guzman with two outs. The native of the Dominican Republic then drew a game-ending free pass on four pitches to cue the celebration and give the Blue Wahoos their second walk-off win at home this year.
Rodriguez started the scoring for Pensacola with a solo home run to left, his second of the year, to grab a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville however, drew the contest even at 1-1 when second baseman Jeff Dominguez brought home catcher Kyle Skipworth with a run-scoring single in the subsequent frame.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned his second victory of the year after striking out the side in the ninth, while Suns reliever Wade Korpi (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss after allowing the final run, along with three hits in 1.2 innings of support. Pensacola starter Pedro Villarreal (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) pitched well but did not receive a decision despite yielding just a lone earned run on only five hits while fanning five in six frames.
Gregorius (2-5), Rodriguez (2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and second baseman Brodie Greene (2-4) all tallied multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos, while right fielder Jake Smolinski (2-4, 1 2B) was the lone Suns batter to tally two hits. Despite his game-winning walk, Guzman saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end, though he has now reached base in his first nine contests.
Pensacola and Jacksonville meet again Monday night for the second game of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm. RHP Curtis Partch is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos, while the Suns are expected to send RHP Bryan Evans to the mound.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: First baseman Joel Guzman delivers a bases-loaded walk to push Pensacola to a 2-1 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heavy Lifters: Northview, Tate Athletes Compete For State Titles
April 16, 2012
Two North Escambia athletes will compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state weightlifting championships Friday and Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.
Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow lifts in the 219 pound weight class. His best total of the season is 600 pounds. He will compete in the Class 1A finals on Friday.
Tate High School senior Chase Carroll lifts in the 183 pound weight class. With a 650 pound total lift, he’s the top ranked lifter in the class, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association. It’s the third trip to the FHSAA finals for Carroll, who also excels off the bench. He has a 3.7 GPA, and is in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, Rho Kappa, FFA, is FCA president and has participated in football and track.
Pictured: Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow. Pictured left: Tate High School senior Chase Carroll. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Wants Casino, Poarch Creeks To Pay Up
April 15, 2012
An Alabama county is looking to force the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to start paying property and other other taxes on tribal lands in Atmore — including the Wind Creek Casino — because they don’t legally qualify to operate tax free.
We are now posturing ourselves to no longer ignore,” “We are going to fish or cut bait.”
Their actions stem from a 2009 Supreme Court ruling that said essentially that under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the federal government had no right to create land trusts with tribes that were not recognized by 1934. Federal recognition for the Poach Creeks did not come until 1984.
That’s 50 years too late, according to David Stokes, chairman of the Escambia County (Ala.) Commission. The commission is demanding that U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar determine if the Tribe has protective status. If not, the county will begin the process of assessing and billing property and other taxes to the Poarch Creeks.
“Does the tribe want to cooperate with the tax assessor and have property be assessed and valued,” asked Bryan Taylor, attorney for Escambia County and an Alabama state senator. “Or does the tribe maintain the position that the Supreme Court decision doesn’t apply to them?”
Man Charged Last Month In Wheelchair Rampage Arrested Again
April 15, 2012
The Century man that allegedly went on a wheelchair rampage in a convenience store last month is back behind bars.
Curtis Edward Smith, age 55 of the 3000 block of Highway 168, was due to appear in court Thursday on two counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief property damage. But according to court records, he was a no show before Judge Jan Shackelford.
A failure to appear warrant was issued for his arrest Friday, and he was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Saturday morning with bond set at $1,100. He is awaiting another hearing on April 20.
Smith was charged after an incident just before sunrise March 19 at the Bindu Food Mart on Gulf Beach Highway.
Smith allegedly approached the clerk and demanded to speak to the manager, who was not in the store at the time. The clerk told deputies that Smith then began yelling and ripping his shirt, claiming he had been attacked. Smith began to chase the clerk around the store in motorized wheelchair, hitting her once on the shin, and threw potato chip racks at her and around the store, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The clerk said Smith then began ramming his wheelchair into the store’s door, shattering the glass. Another witness corroborated the clerk’s story and also claimed the Smith called him racial obscenities and hit him with the wheelchair.
When deputies arrived, Smith was still inside the store, yelling, “Call the [obscenity] police and take me to jail”, the arrest report states. As the deputy tried to calm Smith, he attempted to roll toward the deputy, demanding that the officer purchase him a drink and some food. The deputy ordered Smith to turn off the wheelchair, but he began to roll around the store.
Smith was later stopped and transported to West Florida Hospital to be treated for injuries to his feet caused by shattering the glass door of the store.