Pensacola Beats BayBears 6-0 In Wahoos’ First No Hitter
June 17, 2012
Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Daniel Corcino and reliever Wilkin De La Rosa combined to toss the first no hitter in team history, with Corcino going the first eight frames while De La Rosa pitched the ninth in a 6-0 victory over the Mobile BayBears in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory improves the Fish’s record to an even 33-33 mark this season, while the defeat dropped Mobile to a 39-30 record in 2012. The no-no came a year to the date Montgomery Biscuits LHP Matt Moore held the BayBears hitless. The sellout crowd was the 22nd Pensacola has hosted this year at the bayfront stadium.
Corcino (8.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO) in his eight frames yielded just three walks while striking out nine, including five of the final six batters he faced. The right-hander threw 110 pitches, 68 of which were for strikes, and also induced nine groundouts and six flyouts. The win improves Corcino’s record to 3-4 this year. Mobile starter David Holmberg (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 in 2012 after allowing just a lone earned run on six hits in his five frames.
De La Rosa (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) came on in the ninth to finish off the BayBears, and struck out the side in addition to walking one, retiring the final batter LF Marc Krauss on a called third strike to cue the celebration near the mound. The two closest moments for a BayBears hit were in the second and fifth frames. Krauss tapped a soft grounder to the right side of the infield in the third, with Corcino racing off the mound to throw out Kruass, while Blue Wahoos 3B David Vidal barehanded a slow ground ball in the fifth and set down RF Alfredo Marte.
Both teams were held quiet on the scoreboard until the fifth, when Pensacola struck with their first score. SS Didi Gregorius laced a triple down the right field line before he was brought in on a clutch two run-scoring single to right by 1B Joel Guzman to give the Fish all they would need.
Vidal launched his first home run at the Double-A level over the left field wall in the seventh, a two-run blast, to push Pensacola ahead 3-0, while pinch hitter Josh Fellhauer singled home RF Andrew Means in the eighth to move the lead to 4-0. The Fish would then take advantage of a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch to complete the scoring in the frame.
Gregorius (2-4, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 BB) and LF P.J. Phillips (2-5) each collected multi-hit efforts for Pensacola in the victory, while Corcino helped his own cause in the third, recording a base knock to left field.
By Andrew Green
After clinching the five-game series with the win, Pensacola and Mobile will face off again on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm. The Blue Wahoos are scheduled to send RHP Kyle Lotzkar to the hill, while the BayBears are expected to counter with RHP Chase Anderson.
Picture: Daniel Corcino fired the first eight innings of the first no hitter in Blue Wahoos’ history Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ethics Panel Zeroes In On Legislative Changes
June 17, 2012
Tired of being what one member described as a “paper tiger” in getting laws passed, the state ethics commission said Friday it will try to more narrowly focus its lobbying efforts during the 2013 legislative session.
The Commission on Ethics will particularly focus on trying to get lawmakers to increase its power to collect fines from state and local officials who fail to file required financial-disclosure reports. That could include seeking approval to place liens on the scofflaws’ property.
Commissioner Matt Carlucci, who will help lead the lobbying efforts, said such disclosure forms are needed to make public any potential conflicts of interests. He said Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, has agreed to file a bill that would increase the commission’s enforcement powers.
“It (the requirement to file financial disclosures) is there for a purpose,” said Carlucci, a former Jacksonville City Council president. “It’s there for a reason.”
Also, the commission likely will push to increase maximum penalties for ethics violations from $10,000 to $25,000. In the past, the commission has called for maximum penalties of $100,000, but Carlucci said he did not think lawmakers would go along with that idea.
The discussion of a legislative agenda came during a meeting in which the commission also elected a new chairwoman, Fort Lauderdale attorney Susan Maurer. She replaces Tallahassee attorney Robert Sniffen in leading the appointed panel.
Commissioners expressed frustrations at being unable to persuade lawmakers in recent years to change ethics laws. Edwin Scales III, a Key West attorney, suggested focusing on one or two priorities and offered the “paper tiger” description in getting legislation approved.
“We have not been successful in having the Legislature adopt any of our recommendations,” Scales said.
The commission in the past has sought at least limited power to initiate investigations without having to receive complaints. Commissioner Linda Robison, a Pompano Beach attorney, said she thinks such additional power is important, but Carlucci and Scales said they would rather focus on the issues of collecting fines and increasing potential penalties.
Commissioners hammered the fine issue during the meeting, with panel member Morgan Bentley even reading off a list of officials from throughout the state who owed tens of thousands of dollars for failing to file financial disclosures. Florida has a four-year statute of limitations on such fines, but the commission Friday refused to write off fines that have gone uncollected beyond that time period.
By The News Service of Florida
NWE Adult 8-on-8 Flag Football Tourney Planned
June 17, 2012
An adult eight team 8-on-8 adult flag football tournament to benefit the Northwest Escambia Youth Football League will be held at the Ernest Ward Football field on Saturday, July 28.
The entry fee per team is $125 with registration and seeding beginning at 8 a.m. The first eight teams to reserve a spot will be taken. Call (850) 281-5146 for more information.
Florida Court: Cops Can Search Cell Phone
June 17, 2012
A state appeals court Friday ruled that police could search the cell phone of a man arrested on drug charges, but it also called on the Florida Supreme Court to take up the issue.
The 5th District Court of Appeal overturned a Brevard County circuit judge’s ruling that tossed out evidence found in text messages on the phone. Police did not obtain a search warrant before searching the phone of Ricardo Glasco, who was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, possession of cannabis and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the ruling.
Police officers searched the cell phone while Glasco was being processed into jail.
“Text messages retrieved from the cell phone revealed that Glasco had cocaine he intended to sell,” the ruling said.
The three-judge panel relied heavily on similar rulings in the 1st District Court of Appeal that said evidence obtained in cell phones should not be suppressed.
By The News Service of Florida
Unemployment Rate Up
June 16, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed an increase in unemployment in the three-county North Escambia area — as Florida’s employment rate was down a full two percentage points from one year ago.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate increase from 8.1 percent in April to 8.4 percent in May. There were 627 more reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,573 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment held steady from April to May at 7.6 percent. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,449 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.5 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment jumped from 7.8 percent in April to 9.0 percent. That represented 1,342 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 10.5 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s unemployment rate in May fell to 8.6 percent, down 0.1 percent from April and 2.0 percent lower than a year ago, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday. The U.S. rate remained unchanged from April and remained at 8.2 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.4 percent in May, was up from April’s rate of 7.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.3 percent.
1,200 Elderly Or Disabled Adults Reported Abused In Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 16, 2012
Over 1,200 elderly or disabled adults were reported to be abused last fiscal year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, elder abuse is an often under-recognized and unreported problem. Research indicates that more than one in ten elders may experience some type of abuse, but only one in five cases or fewer are reported. Many times the elderly are abused by people they trust. Elders can be reluctant to report their abuse and often go without the help they need.
With 941 reported cases, Escambia County led the Florida Panhandle in the case of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults last fiscal year. There were 263 cases reported in Santa Rosa County.
“Every day, hundreds of elderly or disabled adults are being mistreated physically, emotionally or financially,” said DCF Secretary David Wilkins. “Please take time to check on your family members, friends and neighbors to make sure that the needs of these vulnerable members of our community are being met.”
DCF offers the following ways you can help prevent abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults:
- If you suspect an elderly or disabled adult is being victimized, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
- Keep in contact with older friends, neighbors and relatives. It might be their only chance to talk to someone about any problems they might be experiencing.
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to identify programs and support, such as Meals on Wheels. These programs help seniors maintain health, well-being and independence.
- Volunteer at a local program that helps vulnerable adults.
Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Photo Gallery: Summer Fest At The Ole Mill Pond
June 16, 2012
Summer Fest at the Ole Mill Pond was held Friday afternoon at Century Care Center. Local vendors were on hand selling their wares and there was live entertainment and more.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Obama Administration To Stop Deporting Some Young Illegal Immigrants (With Video)
June 16, 2012
The Obama Administration announced Friday that nearly 800,000 “dreamers” – undocumented children who grew up here – won’t face deportation but be offered at least temporary safe harbor in the United States, bringing reaction from all sides on an issue that has long vexed the nation and Congress.
Speaking to reporters from the White House Friday afternoon, President Barack Obama said the Department of Homeland Security would immediately adopt a set of guidelines that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to stay in the United States in many cases.
Called “Dreamers,” for the “Dream Act” proposals that have sought to provide a path to college for “American” children of undocumented immigrants, the group includes children and young adults who came to the United States before they turned 16 and consider their adopted country home. Many, in fact, do not remember living in their native country and have forgotten or never acquired the language of their parents.
In the meantime, they have grown up going to U.S. schools, working in U.S. jobs and sometimes fighting in U.S. wars, all the while facing potential deportation because their parents brought them into the country illegally.
“They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds and in every other way but one, on paper,” Obama said.
(Article continues below video, scroll down.)
The directive gives immigration officials the right to focus their attentions elsewhere without actually changing the law. The rule sets out a number of criteria, limiting the protections to people under 30 who were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16. To qualify, they must also have been enrolled in school, lived at least five consecutive years in the country and have no criminal record.
Congress has been wrangling over the Dream Act for several years but has failed to act, Obama said Friday, in explaining in part why the administration was stepping in. Earlier Friday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the change in policy, which can go into effect without congressional approval.
Reaction to the new rule and Obama’s announcement was immediate.
“Today’s announcement will be welcome news for many of these kids desperate for an answer, but it is a short term answer to a long term problem,” Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said in a statement. “And by once again ignoring the Constitution and going around Congress, this short term policy will make it harder to find a balanced and responsible long term one.”
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, agreed.
“If I’m president, we’ll do our very best to have that long-term solution,” Romney told reporters during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. “An executive order is, of course, just a short-term matter that can be reversed by subsequent presidents.”
“I’m extremely disappointed the President has chosen to circumvent the Legislative Branch in an election year attempt to implement a policy he couldn’t get through Congress. This action is an enormous power grab by the Executive Branch and completely disregards the rule of law. It effectively bypasses Congress and grants what is essentially amnesty for a portion of the illegal immigrant population,” Rep. Jeff Miller said.
“The Obama Administration’s attempt to completely bypass the policy of an elected Congress is a tremendous breach of trust with the American people and seriously threatens the separation of powers so fundamental to our democracy. Further, I feel this action will negatively impact the scores of unemployed Americans who are currently looking for jobs,” Miller continued
Interviewed by “The Hill” newspaper, U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said he’s concerned that the effort could be used as a “backdoor” to ultimately allow non-citizens to vote, either this fall or in the future.
“How far down the rabbit hole will it go?” West asked.
Other groups offered unequivocal support.
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials praised the move for recognizing the contributions of immigrants to improve their adopted home.
“The Administration’s directive recognizes that law-abiding immigrant youth who are currently in school, or have completed their high school education or served in the military and meet several other key criteria should be provided protection from removal and the ability to seek gainful employment in the United States,” the group said.
By The News Service of Florida
NWE 9-10U Beats Evergreen, Advances In District Tournament
June 16, 2012
Northwest Escambia’s 9-10U All Star team defeated Evergreen Friday night 17-7 to advance in the 2012 All Star District Tournament in Evergreen, AL.
NWE will play Opp at 4:00 Saturday afternoon at Evergreen Municipal Park.
Pictured: The NWE 9-10U All Stars Friday night in Evergreen, AL. Photo by Michelle Thomas for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Recognizes Scholarship, Special Award Recipients
June 16, 2012
Tate High School presented or recognized the following special awards or scholarships for members of the Class of 2012 recently:
- Matthew Warren – University of Alabama Engineering Scholarship
- Daniel Pierce – Florida State University College of Medicine Scholarship
- Daniel Pierce and Tatiana Teate – Take Stock In Children Scholarship
- Chase Carroll – Wings Over America (US Navy) Scholarship
- Rhett Chancellor – National Merit Letter of Commendation
- Courtney Graves – Future Educators of America Scholarship (also 2 other Education-related scholarships)
- Jasmine Baldwin – MLK Scholarship from International Paper for Florida A&M University
- Antonio Odom – Pensacola Civitan of the Year
- Sarah Barlow, Asia Cravens and Tatiana Teate – Received a Congressional Record from Jeff Miller in honor of the Mock Trial Team winning the Florida State Championship
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Educational Grant Recipients: Chase Carroll, Katelyn Clairain, Morgan Geary and Megan Gibbs