Go Blue Wahoos! Pcola’s New Baseball Team Gets A Name
May 24, 2011
Pensacola’s new Double-A baseball team will be named the Blue Wahoos.
The name, submitted by Shelley Yates of Pensacola, was the slight favorite among thousands of fans that cast their vote during a “Name the Team” contest.
The Blue Wahoos brand was officially welcomed to Pensacola Monday at Cordova Park Elementary School. Quint and Rishy Studer, owners of the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Blue Wahoos President Bruce Baldwin and fifth grade students and teachers from Cordova Park Elementary School were on hand to cheer for the six finalists and ultimately the winning name.
“From the 1,700 people who submitted team names to the pep rally here today at Cordova Park Elementary School, we have all thoroughly enjoyed this whole process,” said Quint Studer. “Naming the team is one of many opportunities for our fans and community to really take ownership of their new team. If the energy and creativity we saw from fans during this contest is any indication, we are going to have a lot of fun when the Blue Wahoos begin playing in Pensacola.”
Named for the explosive way they pull out of the water, Wahoos are a tough hometown fish that mean business. Blue, while part of the fish’s color, also connects to Pensacola’s blue water, blue skies and the Blue Angels, according to the team.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the future Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team will begin play in April 2012 at Maritime Park.
Pictured top: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos name is announced Monday morning during a pep rally at Cordova Park Elementary School. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Accused Of Burglary, Punching Police Dog
May 24, 2011
An Escambia County burglary suspect was arrested early Monday after punching a police dog in the face and trying to break into a car wash.
Allen Jay Dillard, 20, was arrested shortly after deputies responded to reports of the burglary at a Mobile Highway car wash.
The business owner, Donald Roe, witnessed the burglary by watching video surveillance of the business from his home. He called 911 and gave a description of the suspect to sheriff’s dispatchers.
An Escambia County Deputy was on patrol a few blocks away when the call was put out. As the deputy arrived at the car wash, Dillard fled on foot.
“Dillard ran away from the deputy and into a wooded area near Mobile Highway and Michigan Avenue,” said sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “Shortly after Dillard ran into the woods one of our K-9 units arrived on scene.”
Deputy Mark Smith and his K-9 partner, Jeck, tracked Dillard through the woods to the Denver Avenue area.
“Dillard, who was armed with a crowbar, was given several commands to stop running but refused to do so,” Welborn said. “Jeck was released and quickly apprehended him.”
According to a report, Dillard punched Jeck in the face several times but the K-9 refused to let go. Deputies were then able to restrain Dillard with handcuffs.
Dillard was booked into the Escambia County Jail and charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, battery on a police dog, criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence. He was held on a $12,500 bond.
Escambia Considers Small Increase To Fire Tax
May 24, 2011
The fire fee tacked onto your annual property tax bill may be going up if you are a resident of Escambia County.
The Escambia County Commission has scheduled a June 16 public hearing to consider hiking the Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) fee by $5 per year for the next couple of years.
The current fee, assessed to Escambia County residents outside the city limits of Pensacola, is $75 per year. If the county commission passes the proposal, the fee would be $80 in 2012 and $85 in 2013.
Commercial property owners would also see an increase in the their fire tax, jumping about $60 per 10,000 square feet.
The increase fees, estimated at about a half million from residential property owners, will go toward funding 12 paid firefighters at the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the busiest station in the county. The firefighters were first hired under a 2009 grant that decreases yearly before ending.
The public hearing on the increase will be June 16, 5:30 in the commission chambers at the Escambia County Governmental Complex on Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola.
Future Uncertain For Animals In Two Shelters Slated For Closure
May 23, 2011
Rusty the cat really doesn’t know what his future holds. At 15-years old, his life took a dramatic turn when he landed at the Atmore Animal Shelter. His elderly caretaker was forced to move in with her children, unable to take her cat along.
At the shelter, Rusty (pictured left) did not really fit in with the younger cats in the “Cat Room” (he is in his 70’s in human years, after all), so he adopted the office as his own where he can, between long old-man naps, manage things.
But Rusty has a problem — the Atmore Animal Shelter is closing.
Both the Atmore and Brewton animal shelters, which are operated by the Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.), lost over 60 percent of their funding when the Neal Trust of Brewton came to an end. Without the commitment of adequate funding from the governments they serve — Atmore, Brewton, East Brewton, Flomaton and Escambia County (Ala.) — Director Renee Jones announced the shelters will close by May 31.
Jones is proud of the work accomplished at the shelters, proud of the numbers that show euthanasias are down from 79 percent of animal intakes in 2008 to less than 15 percent — only the most necessary of cases — in 2011. A spray and neutering program, along with education, has brought the total number of animals housed at the shelter each year down dramatically.
For more photos of cats and dogs at the Atmore animal shelter, click here.
“I just don’t understand how the cities can’t have the vision to fund a shelter,” Jones said. “Animal control and a shelter is a basic and necessary part of government service.”
After the shelter closings were announced on the group’s Facebook page April 11, there were about 50 adult dogs, 25 puppies and 20 cats in the two shelters in need of a home. A shelter in Brunswick, Maine, the nearby North Baldwin Animal Shelter in Bay Minette and others stepped forward to accept animals.
Saturday, pilot Jack Rowell of Cantonment began a “Pilots n Paws” trip at the Brewton Airport with 15 puppies headed to a humane society in Virginia.
“I believe we have a place for all of them — all of them at no-kill shelters,” Jones said Saturday morning as she provided a tour of the Atmore Shelter. As she passed each dog remaining in the kennel, she pointed out their names and personalities.
“She’s a little shy,” she said of one that was frightened by a camera flash.
By Monday morning, the kennels fell silent with all of the dogs relocated from the Atmore shelter, and the same will happen later in the week in Brewton as the last animals are moved out.
As for Rusty the cat, well, 15-year old cats tend not to get too excited. He’s just taking everything one day at time. As is Jones, hoping that the cities of Atmore and Brewton will come to some sort of an understanding and create a funding plan that will save the shelters.
But until that moment, she continues to work to find a place for each animal as the shelters face closure in about a week.
“It wasn’t suppose to be this way,” Jones said, trying to hold back tears. “It really wasn’t suppose to end this way.”
For more photos of cats and dogs at the Atmore animal shelter, click here.
Editor’s note: It is now, according to Jones, too late for individuals to adopt animals in the shelters.
SPCA Suncoast in New Port Richey, Fla., has agreed to accept most of the remaining animals from the Brewton and Atmore shelters. The Humane Society of Escambia County is accepting donations to help pay for hundreds of dollars in fuel needed to transport the animals. To donate, visit www.petango.com/humanesocietybrewton and locate the “donate now” button for a link to make a PayPal donation. For more information about the Humane Society of Escambia County, click here for their Facebook page.
Pictured: Animals that remained at the Atmore Animal Shelter as of Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino DUI Manslaughter Suspect Back In Court
May 23, 2011
The Navarre man charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with a Molino wreck that claimed the life of a Pensacola woman was back in court last week.
Terry E. Lee, 41, appeared before Judge Linda Nobles who granted a request to delay his trial until late July.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Lee was traveling on Omega Drive about 6:15 p.m. November 10, 2010, when his Toyota car left the roadway, traveled through a wooden fence and across a pasture before hitting another fence and a tree. Lee’s passenger, Brandee N. Scott, 49, of Pensacola, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. She was reportedly impaled by a wooden board from the fence.
Lee, who was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital following the crash, reportedly told Florida Highway Patrol troopers that he was not involved in the crash.
Lee is facing charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI property damage, no driver’s license, driving with license suspended resulting in death, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: A Pensacola woman died in this single vehicle crash last November in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Schedules Awards Day
May 23, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold it’s Awards Day this Wednesday in the school gymnasium. Family members and friends are invited to attend.
The time for each grade level program is as follows:
8th grade — 9:30 – 11:15
6th grade — 11:45 – 1:10
7th grade — 1:30 – 3:00
Gulf Power Preps For Hurricane Season
May 23, 2011
Gulf Power conducted its annual hurricane drill on Monday to test its response system.
The utility has a comprehensive plan for any level of hurricane, and its line crews — among the most experienced and storm tested in the nation — have been recognized for restoration efforts following storms that have made landfall all over the Southeast.
“We prepare year-round for storm restoration,” said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications supervisor, “and our crews are among the best in the nation to restore electricity, safely and quickly. This drill enhances our employees’ awareness and sharpens our skills.”
The company follows a detailed plan to rebuild the electrical system following a hurricane and works closely with the county Emergency Management personnel. Every Gulf Power employee has a storm assignment and if needed, the company brings in thousands of outside utility workers to help — often staging them ahead of time to speed response.
A Gulf Power storm team of more than 100 employees recently spent a week in the Tuscaloosa, Ala., area, restoring power to an area devastated by tornadoes. It was the fourth storm team that Gulf Power has sent out since January to help other utilities.
“This type of storm duty helps hone our employees’ skills as we head into hurricane season,” Rogers said. “Everyone knows their assignments and it’s amazing to see our employees come together and implement a restoration plan,” Rogers said. ”
Planning is also important for Gulf Power’s 430,000 customers. Gulf Power’s storm center website offers comprehensive preparation and safety information, as well as general storm tips and information on how to report outages. The storm center can be accessed at GulfPower.com/storm.
Portion Of Alger Road In Century Closed
May 23, 2011
A portion of Alger Road in Century will be closed this week.
Alger Road about 300 feet northwest of North Century Boulevard and will be closed for a culvert replacement. The road is scheduled to reopen at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon.
Overdue Property Taxes Must Be Paid This Month
May 23, 2011
All 2010 overdue real estate taxes must be paid by the end of the month to avoid the issuance of a tax certificate, which is a first lien against the property, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Payments must be processed by the close of business on Tuesday, May 31 by one of the following methods:
- in person at one of four branch offices
- on the web site www.escambiataxcollector.com
- through the phone service center (850) 438-6500 x252
- on the automated telephone line (800) 601‑1055
Drive thru service and drop box are available at all locations. All tax collector offices will be closed Monday, May 30 for the Memorial Day holiday.
Pedestrian Dies In Sunday Night Highway 29 Crash
May 23, 2011
A pedestrian was killed in an Escambia County traffic crash Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 61-year old Heriberto Ponce of Miami was attempting to cross Highway 29 at Milstead Street when he stepped into the path of a pickup driven by Roy Phillips, 69, of Pensacola. Ponce died as a result of his injuries.
No charges were filed against Phillips.
Editor’s note: This accident happened at Highway 29 and Milstead Street just south of I-10, not at Highway 29 and Milstead Road near the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department.