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.
Tate Beats Pace
April 7, 2012
The Tate Aggies improved to 17-2 on the season with a 7-4 win over Pace Friday night. The Aggies are now 10-1 in the district.
Wyatt Butler pitched the win for the Aggies, striking out four, allowing four hits, four runs and three errors.
Austin Quina was 3-4, with two RBI, David Moorhead was 1-3, a home run and three RBI, and Cody Palmer was 1-2, with a home run and two RBI.
The next game for the Aggies is Tuesday at Navarre.
Biscuits Beat Blue Wahoos 9-3
April 7, 2012
Montgomery center fielder Cole Figueroa drove in five runs, including four on a third inning grand slam, as the Biscuits scored nine unanswered runs to top the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 9-3 on Friday night at Pensacola’s bay-front ballpark.
Montgomery first baseman Michael Sheridan led off the third with a double before back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Figueroa, who deposited the second pitch of the at bat over the right-center field wall.
The Blue Wahoos got off to a 3-0 lead in the second thanks in part to a pair of run-scoring extra-base hits. After first baseman Mike Costanzo drew a walk, second baseman Brodie Greene brought in Costanzo with an RBI triple, while catcher Mark Fleury followed with a run-scoring double to bring home Greene. Pensacola would then take advantage of a fielding error for their third score.
Biscuits starter Alex Colome (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned the victory after allowing three earned runs on five hits in his five innings of work, while reliever Jim Paduch (3.0 IP, 1 H, 4 SO) notched his first hold of the year with three shutout innings of relief. Blue Wahoos starter Curtis Partch (3.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss after allowing five earned runs on seven hits in three frames.
Sheridan (3-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 3B), along with Figueroa (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and shortstop Hak-Ju Lee (2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) recorded multi-hit efforts, while no Pensacola hitters collected two or more hits in the contest.
The two squads will meet again Saturday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is scheduled to get the ball for the Blue Wahoos, while he is slated to be opposed by Biscuits RHP Kyle Lobstein.
By Andrew Green / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos fell to the Montgomery Biscuits 9-3 on Friday night. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.