Pesticide Applicator Training Course Offered
April 8, 2012
Escambia County Extension, Santa Rosa Extension and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) will present a restricted use pesticide training course on Wednesday, April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for those individuals who wish to obtain or renew their pesticide applicator license.
This course includes topics on the principles of pest control, pesticide labeling and formulations, harmful effects and emergency response, worker protection standards, application equipment, calibration, formulation, area calculations, Florida law and regulations and more. This course counts for continuing education units for private, commercial or public pesticide license holders.
There is a $10 fee for the course. Lunch and all materials are included in the cost.
The course will be offered at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office (Jay Community Center), 5259 Booker Lane, Jay, Florida.
For more information, or to register, please contact Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Agriculture Extension Agent, at 475-5230, or libbiej@ufl.edu.
Blue Wahoos Get Past Biscuits 5-4 In Final Inning
April 8, 2012
Blue Wahoos catcher Brian Peacock of Pensacola laid down an infield bunt single to score pinch runner Josh Fellhauer from third to give Pensacola a 5-4 come-from-behind walk-off victory over the Montgomery Biscuits in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola’s bay-front stadium.
First baseman Joel Guzman doubled to begin the ninth and then was replaced by Fellhauer, who reached third on a double play, before Peacock dropped down a bunt up the first base line. Biscuits reliever Adam Liberatore and first baseman Michael Sheridan converged near the ball but were unable to get Peacock as he dove into the base to cue the celebration.
Liberatore (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss and his first blown save of the season, while Blue Wahoos relievers Clayton Tanner (2.2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO), Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Donnie Joeseph (1.0 IP) kept the Montgomery offense quiet in the final 4.2 innings, yielding just one hit. Joseph earned his first victory of the season after firing a perfect final frame.
Montgomery got off to a quick 4-0 lead after three innings thanks to a run-scoring single in the first and a trio of RBI base knocks in the third. The Blue Wahoos chipped away at the deficit with an RBI single from left fielder Cody Puckett in the fifth, while Peacock and pinch hitter Mike Costanzo delivered clutch hits in the seventh to tie the game.
The win gives Pensacola a 2-1 lead in the series, with the fourth meeting of the five-game homestand set for tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm. Blue Wahoos RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to get the start on Easter Sunday, while RHP Joe Cruz is slated to toe the rubber for the Biscuits.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Catcher Brian Peacock’s bunt single gave Pensacola a 5-4 win Saturday Night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Christian Beats Bonifay
April 8, 2012
The Atmore Christian School Rams came back winners after a trip across the Florida Panhandle. The Rams bet Bonifay 6-5 in Bonifay.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Northview Student Killed In Traffic Crash
April 7, 2012
A former Northview High School student was killed in a single vehicle wreck early Saturday morning near Gulf Breeze.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 18-year old Robert Dakota Brannon of Navarre was pronounced dead at the scene of the the crash at Highway 98 and Kelton Boulevard at 1 a.m.
Brannon was traveling westbound on Highway 98 in a 2002 Honda Civic approaching the intersection when he left the roadway for an unknown reason. His vehicle first collided with a cement pole located in the northeast corner of the intersection at the entrance to the Grand Pointe subdivision. His vehicle then rotated and “vaulted” into a cement traffic light pole, according to a FHP report.
Brannon, originally from Molino, transferred from Northview last year.
Easter Travel Costs Up As Pump Prices Soar
April 7, 2012
That Easter weekend trip hit the pocketbook a little harder with gas prices up about 20 cents in the past month.
The average price Saturday in the Escambia County area for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.86, up from $3.67 just a month ago. One year ago, that gallon of gas was $3.69.
The average price across Florida is $3.96 with cities like West Palm Beach and Miami already averaging about $4.05 a gallon. The local area record was $4.03 in July 2008, leading many motorists to change their driving to save money.
Gas prices across the United States continue to rise as tight supplies and refinery concerns keep upward pressure on prices. The current national average price for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $3.92. This price is three cents more expensive than one week ago, 17 cents more expensive than one month ago, and 28 cents more expensive than one year ago. While the national average price continues to rise, the rate of increase has begun to slow.
Pictured: Gas at this station in Davisville was $3.86 per gallon, the Escambia County average. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Coach Sammy Day
April 7, 2012
Northview High School honored athletic director, baseball and softball coach Sammy Day on Friday before the Chiefs took on Chipley.
Day, who will retire at the end of this school year, has been a teacher and coach for 37 years in the Escambia County School District. He is the only athletic director ever at Northview High School, after serving many years at Ernest Ward High School.
His accomplishments include a 1982 state championship while coaching boy’s baseball at the former Ernest Ward High School.
The Lady Chiefs beat Chipley after the presentation, 8-2. For more on the win, click here.
Escambia Commission Candidate Arrested For Battery
April 7, 2012
An Escambia County Commission candidate was arrested on Friday for allegedly hitting another candidate.
Hugh King, who is running for the District 3 seat on the commission, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a battery charge. He was released on his own recognizance.
Luman May, also a candidate for District 3 post, accused King of hitting him on the back of his head last Saturday during a public meeting at a Pensacola church. The public meeting was held to discuss the death of Sanford teen Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch captain.
Softball: Lady Chiefs Beat Chipley (With Photo Gallery)
April 7, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Chipley Tigers Friday, 8-2.
“We had a great game today, we played very well,” Northview Coach Amy Holland said. “We played more as a team today than we have ever played before. We didn’t give up, and that’s what we have been looking for all year.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs dominated the first inning with six runs, plus added runs in the second and fourth.
Misty Doran pitched the win for the Lady Chiefs, striking out eight, and she was 3-3 at the plate. Samantha Johnson had double for Northview, while Morgan Payne was 1-2. Also for the Lady Chiefs, Ashton Gibbs was 2-3.
Northview had eight hits and no errors; Chipley had nine hits with three errors.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to Washington on Monday. The junior varsity will play at 4:30, and the varsity will take the field at 6:30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Riley Homers As Northview Beats Chipley (With Gallery)
April 7, 2012
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Chipley Tigers 6-5 in varsity baseball action Friday at Northview.
Northview scored three in the second, and one each in the third, fifth and sixth.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Winston Riley with a solo home run; Kevin Vaughan, 2-3 with an RBI; Brannon Freeman 1-3 with a run scored; Chad Smith 2-2 with two doubles, an RBI, and 2 runs scored; and with Brian Ross and Daulton Tullis also scoring runs for Northview.
Kevin Vaughan picked up the win on the mound. Hunter Rigby worked 2⅓ innings in relief.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Northview plays again on Saturday, April 7 at Freeport at 10 a.m.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs beat Chipley 6-5 Friday in Bratt. Pictured inset: Teammates congratulate Winston Riley on a solo homer Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Taylor Rigby, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District Honored For Transparent Website
April 7, 2012
The Escambia County School District has been honored for having one of the most transparent government websites in the nation. The award was presented by Sunshine Review, national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency.
“The Escambia County School District knows the importance of promoting transparency. We are honored to receive a Sunny Award and will continue to empower citizens by providing the necessary information to keep them informed,” said Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
For the 2012 awards, Editors at Sunshine Review analyzed more than 6,000 government web sites and graded each on a 10-point transparency checklist. Editors looked at content available on government web sites against what should be provided. They sought information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes. The winners of the Sunny Award all received an “A” grade during the extensive grading process.
“The Sunny Awards recognizes governments/school districts that are doing an exemplary job at proactively disclosing information to taxpayers,” said Michael Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review. “We would like to congratulate the Escambia County School District for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation.”
Pictured: A screenshot of the Escambia County School District website.