Century’s Showalter Named Baltimore Orioles Manager
July 29, 2010
After lengthy negotiations, former Century resident Buck Showalter has been named the new manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a press release.
“We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future.”
Showalter, 54,will officially introduced as the Baltimore Oriole’s manager on Monday, and his first game will be Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a press release. “We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future.”
The Orioles dismissed Dave Trebley as their manager back on June 4.
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
He moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
His father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. Showalter played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after his family.
Man Indicted For Pregnant Woman’s Murder; Could Face Charges For Baby
July 29, 2010
An Escambia Count Grand Jury has indicted the man accused of the the stabbing death of a pregnant mother and her unborn child July 5 in Cantonment.
On Wednesday, the Grand Jury returned a first degree premeditated murder indictment against Phillip Arnold for the murder of Angela Castella Brown, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. He faced Judge Ron Swanson in an arraignment hearing on Thursday.
Arnold, 65, of 349 South Chipper Road, fatally stabbed Brown in the chest, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Brown was about six months pregnant at the time. Doctors performed an emergency C-section to deliver the baby, which died about seven hours later, prosecutors said. The State Attorney’s Office is continuing to consult with the medical examiner’s office to determine whether any additional charges will be filed.
Arnold and Brown were neighbors, and that was their only known connection, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to the stabbing at a mobile home at 349 South Chipper Road about 8:35 p.m only July 5. When they arrived, witnesses told deputies that Arnold fled into a nearby wooded area. As deputies were arriving in the area, EMS personnel advised they had seen a black male running down the railroad tracks on South Chipper Road.
Witnesses at the scene reported observing a black male known to them as Arnold running from the scene moments before they discovered the victim, according to the Sheriff’s Office. K-9 officers attempting to track Arnold discovered a knife that was believed to be the murder weapon. As deputies were surrounding the area to search for Arnold, he called sheriff’s dispatchers about 9:10 p.m. Arnold said he was at a home at 2473 Stacey Road and that he wanted to turn himself in. He was taken into custody without incident.
Brown was the mother of seven other children.
Scott Won’t Seek Re-election To Century Council
July 29, 2010
Century Town Council member Sharon Scott has announced that she does not plan to seek re-election. Scott currently holds Seat 5 on the council, one of three seats up for election this year.
“I love Century and everything about Century,” she said Wednesday night, “but it was just not for me to run again.”
As of the close of business Wednesday, one candidate and prefiled for the seat. Click here for the story. The deadline for candidates to qualify for Century’s primary election is noon Friday.
Pictured: Century Council member Sharon Scott listens to a speaker at a recent Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Savage Prefiles For Century Council Seat
July 29, 2010
Annie Carter Savage prefiled Wednesday for Century Town Council Seat 5 currently held by Sharon Scott.
In order to actually qualify to be on the primary ballot October 5, Savage must file two additional forms and pay her qualifying fee by noon Friday, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Savage said those tasks would be complete on Thursday.
“I’ve been here 47 years in this town, and I’ve seen so much negative and bad,” Savage said Wednesday about her decision to seek a post on the town council. “I’ve got something good for Century, and it was time for me to share.”
Council seats three, four and five are on the ballot in Century this year — the positions are currently held by Henry Hawkins, Gary Riley and Scott. This is the official qualifying week for Century’s elections. Hawkins has already qualified.
Scott has announced that she will not seek re-election. Click here for that story.
Pictured: Longtime Century resident Annie Savage addresses the Escambia County School Board in January, 2009. Savage was speaking in favor of keep Carver/Century K-8 School open. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Forfeited: $68K Lottery Ticket Goes Unclaimed
July 29, 2010
A $68,663.34 lottery prize for a winning ticket sold near Jay has been forfeited.
No one claimed the Fantasy Five prize ticket by the 180 day deadline, meaning the prize money returned to the state. Florida law requires that 80 percent of unclaimed prize funds from expired tickets be transferred directly to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. The remaining 20 percent is returned to the prize pool from which future prizes are awarded or used for special prize promotions.
The Fantasy 5 ticket was sold January 25 at McDonald’s State Line Lotto on Highway 87 at the Alabama/Florida line. The prize winner had 180 days to claim the prize, and that time period expired at midnight Saturday.
The winning numbers were 2-13-19-24-28.
Winn Dixie Announces Closures; Local Stores To Remain Open
July 29, 2010
Winn Dixie has announced the closure of 30 “”underperforming” stores, but none none of the store in this area are on that list.
The stores in Cantonment, Atmore and the rest of the Pensacola area will stay open. The list of stores to close by September 22 includes one location in Alabama and 18 in Florida.
To see the Winn Dixie store closure list announced Thursday morning, click here.
Florida’s School Chief Looks At Oil Impact On Local Schools
July 29, 2010
Florida’s school boss was in Escambia County today, evaluating how the Gulf oil spill might impact the upcoming school year.
Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith, leading a team of Department of Education (DOE) senior staff members, concluded a series of visits with Florida panhandle school districts Wednesday to learn about the unique challenges they are facing due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
As a part of the visits, Commissioner Smith and his team were able to hear first-hand from superintendents and other district officials about the impacts the spill is having on their local communities and how they are addressing those impacts in preparation for the upcoming school year.
The team first traveled to Escambia County where they met with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, as well as Escambia County Foundation for Excellence board members and several school district staff. The visit provided keen insight into the diligent community and district planning efforts that are being undertaken to ensure this school year, and the many beyond it continue the district’s educational goals.
“What immediately struck me during my visit to Escambia was the incredible level of community engagement and the efforts superintendent Thomas has gone through to foster input and participation from stakeholders throughout the county,” said Commissioner Smith. “It’s clear that this is a community that cares deeply about education and I left feeling uplifted with how they have rallied around each other to ensure a quality educational experience for their students.”
Following the Escambia visit, the team traveled to Bay County where they accompanied Superintendent Bill Husfelt on a visit to the joint campus of Rosenwald High School and the newly established CC Washington Academy. There they were able to meet with principals and staff to gauge their expectations for the new school year and discuss how they are planning for the immediate and potential long-term effects of the oil spill in their community.
“What Bay County School District lacks in size they more than make up for in heart, drive and a commitment to learning,” said Commissioner Smith. “Superintendent Husfelt has worked with his staff to develop strong, innovative programs that promote student growth and increased expectations, and these schools are well prepared to provide critical services that further that goal.”
Florida Department of Education Chancellor of Public Schools Dr. Frances Haithcock and other Department leaders concluded the trip with a visit to Gulf County.. While there, the DOE team met with Superintendent Tim Wilder and his staff to discuss the district’s preparations for the fall semester and explore ways the Department could provide assistance. They also traveled to a nearby BP command center to gain additional insight about the disaster and the potential economic impacts to the region in the months and years ahead.
Commissioner Smith concluded his thoughts on the trip by saying, “It’s clear that these districts have many unforeseen challenges ahead of them. But I can say without question that the right leadership is in place to meet those challenges and the Department of Education stands ready to assist them in any way possible to ensure the necessary support systems are in place to minimize the impacts on their children.”
Hospital Honors Dr. Smith For 30 Years Of Service
July 29, 2010
Jay Hospital employees and affiliated physicians recognized C. David Smith, M.D., for 30 years of dedicated service.
“There is no greater example of a caring, loyal, and hard-working physician anywhere,” said Mike Hutchins, administrator of Jay Hospital. “Dr. Smith’s positive impact on our hospital and community over these 30 years is beyond measure.”
Baptist Health Care partnered with Jay Hospital in 1979, to strengthen the then county-owned facility with resources related to technology, personnel and support services. Securing a physician to serve the rural community was critical to the hospital’s survival.
At that time Dr. Smith was in the middle of his residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile when approached to return to his hometown of Jay, Fla. He agreed to fill the role and began his practice on July 16, 1980. Since then, he has cared for thousands of patients in the North Escambia area.
“We could not ask for a more dedicated physician than C. David Smith,” said Don Salter, Santa Rosa County Commissioner. “His life’s work has been at Jay Hospital for the benefit of his fellow residents.”
VBS: Having A ‘Blast’
July 29, 2010
Cadets and Mission Leaders are having a blast this week at Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School. Galactic Blast VBS will continue Thursday and Friday evenings from 5:30 until 8:30. New “Cadets” are welcome to join.
There will also be a “Final Debriefing” for VBS participants and parents Sunday afternoon from 5-6:00 in the church’s “Astro Bistro” fellowship hall. A “Starship Galactic Praise” event will follow from 6-7:00.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from the “Galactic Blast” VBS at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Updated: Drowning Of Boy, Age 6, Ruled Accidental
July 28, 2010
The drowning death of a six-year old boy in Molino Wednesday afternoon has been ruled accidental, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the child was found unresponsive at the bottom of an above-ground pool behind a home in the 6000 block of Chestnut Road just before 2:00. The child was reportedly brought to work by a woman that worked as a caretaker for a resident of the home.
Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and LifeFlight responded to the home.
The identity of the young boy has not been released.
Pictured above and below: The scene of an accidental drowning on Chestnut Road in Molino Wednesday afternoon after the drowning of a 6-year old child. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
