Jay Royals Win Regionals; Headed To State Final Four
May 15, 2010
The Jay Royals beat the Port St. Joe Sharks 15-7 Friday night for the Region 1-2A championship and a trip to the state final four.
Hunter Boutwell, Hunter Brown, Sawyer Gandy and Rush Hendricks all scored in the first four, with the Royals and the Sharks 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Port St. Joe managed to take a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. But the Royals rallied with a big three run, in-the-park homer from Kevin Stanton for a 7-6 Jay lead.
The Sharks managed a run in the top of the sixth to tie the ballgame 7-7. But the bottom of the sixth was all Jay as the Royals added eight runs for their 15-7 win. Overall, the Royals scored 15 runs on nine hits and committed just six errors.
Hunter Brown (8-4) took the win on the mound for the Royals. He pitched seven innings, allowing four hits, walking seven and striking out five.
Hitters for Jay included: Hunter Boutwell 2-5, two doubles and one RBI; Hunter Brown 2-4, two doubles and two RBI’s; Rush Hendricks 2-4 with one RBI; Kevin Stanton 2-3, with three RBI’s; and Sawyer Gandy 1-2.
Friday night’s win sends the Royals to their second final four game in the last three years. The Florida High School Athletic Association State 2A Semifinals begin Monday, May 24 at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie with the Jay Royals taking on Shorecrest Prep.
Port St. Joe had a dismal start to their season at 0-5, but then won 18 of their last 22 for a 18-9 record headed into Friday night’s game. The Royals were 17-7, coming off a 1-0 Regional win over the Northview Chiefs.
Pictured top: Hunter Boutwell steps up the plate for the Royals. Pictured inset: Hunter Brown up to bat. Photos courtesy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Seriously Injured In Highway 29 Crash (With Photo Gallery)
May 14, 2010
A Jay man was seriously injured in a two vehicle accident Friday afternoon in Century.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Harold Stewart, 67, of Jay, was southbound on North Century Boulevard at 2:35 p.m. when he turned across oncoming traffic toward East Highway 4. His 1991 Dodge Dakota was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet pickup driven by James T. Wampol, 54, of Wetumpka, Ala. Both drivers were wearing the seat belts.
Stewart was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition.
According to the FHP, Stewart was charged with violation of right of way.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the wreck.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here. Pictured: A Jay man, the driver of the gray pickup on the right, was transported in serious condition to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight following a Friday afternoon wreck in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Trapped After Cantonment Crash
May 14, 2010
The driver of a Ford Mustang was trapped in their vehicle for about 20 minutes Friday afternoon following a two vehicle accident in Cantonment.
The accident happened at the intersection of Tate School Road and Highway 95A about 4 p.m. when the Mustang and a Chevrolet Silverado pickup collided. The drive of the Mustang was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital.
Further details on the accident and the conditions of the drivers were not available. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: At least one person was trapped in this two vehicle accident Friday afternoon in Cantonment.. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.
At least one person was reported to be trapped in their vehicle following the accident that was reported just before 4:00 p.m. The roadway was reopened by 4:30 p.m.
Fla. League Of Cities Names Evers Northwest Fla. Legislator Of The Year
May 14, 2010
The Florida League of Cities has named Rep. Greg Evers as the Northwest Florida Legislator of the Year.
“It is an honor to be recognized in this great capacity by the Florida League of Cities,” said Representative Evers. “Northwest Florida has always been my home, and it has instilled in me strong conservative principles and values. While serving as a voice in the Florida Legislature for my neighbors in Northwest Florida, I have always been committed to ensuring that these same core principles and values are reflective of our district.”
“There is no one more praiseworthy to receive this award than Representative Evers,” said Jay Mayor Kurvin Qualls, who serves as president of the board of directors for the Florida League of Cities. “Greg has shown that he is deeply committed to the communities of Northwest Florida through his service as a State Representative and as a dedicated member of the community. The Florida League of Cities is grateful to have legislators like Representative Evers, who strive to improve their communities and the areas that they serve through proactive legislation and who guide with strong, principled leadership.”
Evers represents portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in Florida House District 1.
McDavid Woman Charged With Smuggling Drugs Into Jail
May 14, 2010
A McDavid woman has been charged with smuggling drugs into the Escambia County Jail.
Valene Alaine Walker, 24, of Highway 164, was charged with a felony count of possessing a controlled substance without a prescription and one felony count smuggling contraband into a detention facility.
According to and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Walker was arrested by Deputy Mike Coburn on an outstanding grand theft warrant. An anonymous caller tipped off detention deputies at the jail that Walker was carrying narcotics in her bra. A strip search, according to the arrest report, located one Xanax pill, four Lortab pills and four Xanax bars in the suspect’s bra.
Walker was released from jail on $5,000 bond. She is due to appear in the court on May 27.
Entire Landscaping Business Stolen
May 14, 2010
The owners of a small landscaping business in Cantonment are asking for the public’s help in finding their stolen equipment.
Sometime overnight on April 30, the company’s entire businesses was stolen when thieves made off with a trailer containing all of their equipment. According an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report a homemade utility trailer with REW Services’ equipment was stolen from a residential address on West Kingsfield Road near Ransom Middle School.
The 1990 six-foot trailer made of solid steel was painted solid black and had Florida tag number A802TY. The left side of the trailer had pipe for tool holders, and in two of the pipes there were pieces of broken wooden handles.
Equipment missing includes a green and black 60-inch cut Lesco Z2 mower; a 36-inch Snapper walk-behind mower; a 21″ Honda mower; a Kawasaki string trimmer; a Shindaiwa edger and a variety of hand tools. The Lesco mower had many deck welds and repairs, according to the owners.
Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured above: A landscaping company’s stolen custom-built trailer. All of the company’s equipment was on the trailer when it was taken. Pictured below: A missing Snapper mower and a missing Lesco mower. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High AJROTC Places In State Drill Competition
May 14, 2010
The J.M. Tate High School AJROTC Drill Team recently participated in the Florida State Drill Competition in Lakeland, Florida. This year’s competition was one the largest and most competitive with more than 80 teams in attendance.
The Tate “Aggies” placed well in each of their events, and proudly displayed the culmination of their hard work. The Regulation Armed Squad had the top scores for the battalion, placing 9th out of 35 teams. The Male Individual Drill placed 12th, Regulation Armed Platoon and Exhibition Armed Squad both placed 14th, Regulation Unarmed Platoon placed 20th, and Dual Male Drill placed 21st.
The teams competed for trophies and a place in the National Drill Competition. The young men and women were commended for their positive attitudes and unrivaled display of teamwork. Meanwhile, the cadets returning to the AJROTC program are dedicated to improving their skills in hopes of obtaining even higher rankings next year.
For more Tate AJROTC photos from regional and state drill meets, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FSU Receives $2.5 Million Grant To Develop Forecasts For Farmers
May 14, 2010
Florida State University has received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Southeast Climate Consortium (SECC) to develop improved methods to forecast droughts and other extreme climate events in the southeastern states.
The forecasts will help agricultural, forest and natural resource managers to reduce risks of losses and environmental damage. In addition, the SECC will develop new partnerships and methods for incorporating climate forecasts into agricultural and water policy decisions. The Agricultural Extension Service managed by the University of Florida is a key partner.
“Agriculture is one of Florida’s largest industries, and for more than a decade the Southeastern Climate Consortium has helped strengthen the contributions the agriculture sector makes to our local and national economies,” U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) said. “I commend FSU for their leadership in the Consortium and for the invaluable research they have provided farmers throughout the Southeast region.”
Boyd joined James O’Brien, emeritus Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Meteorology and Oceanography and former director of the FSU Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS), and Raymond Bye, director of federal relations and economic development at FSU, at COAPS to make the announcement.
FSU is the lead institution in the SECC, which also involves researchers from the University of Florida, University of Miami, University of Georgia, Auburn University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, North Carolina State University and Clemson University. O’Brien is the grant’s principal investigator and leads the FSU team.
“This project provides a bridge between our climate researchers and our farmers, leading to larger crops and more productive farms,” said FSU President Eric J. Barron. “We are thankful for Congressman Boyd’s leadership in Washington and his work in securing funding for this very important effort.”
The grant continues work begun in 2003 to develop new methods to predict the consequences of climate variability – including rainfall, temperature and wild fires – for agricultural crops, forests and water resources. This research provides critical and cutting-edge information to farmers that helps them better adapt their crops to drought, hurricanes and other inclement weather systems.
Farmers throughout the region rely on the short-term climate forecasts by the SECC to make decisions on peanuts, cotton, corn and strawberries, among other crops. The SECC has a website, http://agroclimate.org, that provides climate and crop predictions for each county in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
“The SECC strives to deliver climate forecasts to farmers early enough for decisions to be made,” O’Brien said. “Explanations after an event, like a drought, are knowledge but, in advance, farming practices can be altered and money can be made.”
87-Year Old Caught On Tape Selling Crack Cocaine To Deputies
May 13, 2010
An 87-year old woman was arrested Thursday afternoon after she was caught on video selling crack cocaine to undercover officers.
Ola Mae Agee, 87, of Pensacola, was charged by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with one felony count of selling cocaine.
Over the past month, the Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover narcotics investigation in the area of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and East Desoto Street.
“During the investigation suspect Ola Mae Agee was captured on video selling crack cocaine to undercover deputies. This sale and other narcotic sales at the residence led to a search warrant being executed at Agee’s residence today,” according to a statement release by Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia Sheriff’s Office.
Agee was transported to the jail where she turned herself in on an outstanding warrant and was released on her own recognizance, according to Roy.
‘Cornbread’ Named Inspirational Hero
May 13, 2010
Cornbread is an inspirational hero — as most everyone around Northview High School knows.
Chris Moorer — also known as Cornbread — was named an inspirational hero by Cox Gulf Coast during their 16th annual Inspirational Student Hero Celebration Tuesday night. The event honors students that have faced significant challenges, including the loss of their parents, physical illness, handicaps and language barriers.
“Chris is the type of student every student and teacher knows at school. He brings smiles, compliments, and cheers to everyone’s day. He is a hard worker in class and takes pride with his job at school. Chris was awarded the Most School Spirit Award for this school year,” Northview reading teacher Natalie Nall said about Chris.
According to the event program, “Chris has brought smiles to the halls of Northview and into the lives of the school personnel and students. His proudest success is being able to complete his assignments. He is also very proud that he has learned not to be easily influenced and to take responsibility for his actions.”
Chris, a senior, was also awarded this year’s Most School Spirit Award at Northview.
Other North Escambia area students that received the Cox Inspirational Hero award were Tashima Talton of Cantonment, Escambia Charter School; Sarah Martin, Jim Allen Elementary; Jon Walker, Ransom Middle School; and Rebeccah Elizabeth Godwin, Tate High School.
Pictured above: Chris Moorer, also known as Cornbread, poses for pictures at the Cox Gulf Coast 16th annual Inspirational Student Hero Celebration. Pictured below: About 40 students were honored at the event. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
