Rules Outlined For Return Of Bear Hunting
May 14, 2015
Rules for the state’s first bear hunt in more than 20 years have been published as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is expected next month to give final approval to the hunt.
The posting of the rules came as the Humane Society has reached out to Gov. Rick Scott to halt the pending hunt because the commission has yet to determine how many bears are in Florida.
“This is very premature,” said Kate MacFall, the Humane Society’s Florida director. “They haven’t even finished the count. They don’t even know about the bear population.”
The society has not heard back from Scott.
The proposed rules were published Tuesday in the Florida Administrative Register and outline how the hunt is expected to occur in four regions of the state starting Oct. 24.
The hunt is considered one way to control the bear population as Florida has seen a growing number of bear and human conflicts.
The wildlife commission on April 15 gave tentative approval to the hunt and is expected to take a final vote the week of June 22 in Sarasota.
The proposed rules were issued after two black bears, both estimated to weigh more than 400 pounds, were killed this month in separate collisions with cars outside Micanopy and Hawthorne, both in Alachua County.
Opponents of the proposed hunt have argued the state should consider relocating problem bears and that people need to be held more responsible for leaving out unsecured food and trash that attracts bears.
“It’s a trash problem,” MacFall said. “The bears are attracted to trash, and that is where the focus should be, large-scale trash management.”
State lawmakers this spring approved a bill (HB 7021) that would in part increase penalties for people charged a fourth time with feeding bears and alligators not in captivity. The charge would be a third-degree felony. Currently, a fourth offense of illegally feeding wildlife within a 10-year period is a first-degree misdemeanor.
The bill has yet to be sent to Scott.
The hunt, meanwhile, is expected to last from two to six days, depending on when quotas are reached in the different regions — the eastern Panhandle, Northeast Florida, east-central Florida and South Florida.
Diane Eggeman, director of the commission’s Division of Hunting and Game Management, said the agency expects to have hunt quota numbers ready for the commission to approve in September.
“We should have the new estimates from the South and Central bear management units sometime this summer,” Eggeman said. “There is a chance that they’ll be ready by the June meeting, but that is unlikely.”
The hunt will target less than 20 percent of the population in the four bear-management areas.
Black bears were placed on the state’s threatened list in 1974, when there were between 300 and 500 across Florida. At the time, hunting black bear was limited to three counties. In 1994, the hunting season was closed statewide.
In moving forward with the plans for the hunt, the state commission has used 2002 numbers, which estimate there are a combined 2,500 black bears in the four regions.
Under the proposed rules, the cost of the hunt would be $100 for Floridians and $300 for non-Floridians. There had been talk by commissioners of lowering the fee for Florida residents to $50, as it is unknown how many will pay to join the hunt.
Each hunter would be limited to one bear, and the kill would have to be registered and tagged within 12 hours.
Also, hunters would be prohibited from killing bears within 100 yards of active game-feeding stations.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Beat Suns 5-1
May 14, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (13-20) took advantage of an early lead to put away the Jacksonville Suns (14-18) by a score of 5-1. The victory gives the Wahoos their second consecutive victory and a leg up in the series against Jacksonville, which they now lead 2-1.
Wahoos starter Robert Stephenson (1-4) earned his first victory of the season, throwing 5.0 innings and allowing one unearned run, two hits and four walks. Layne Somsen and Zack Weiss closed out the game with 4.0 scoreless innings. Suns starter Trevor Williams (0-5) is still looking for his first win, as he pitched 4.0 innings and gave up five runs (all earned). Jacksonville’s relievers (Brian Ellington, Greg Nappo and Craig Stem), however, fared much better as they combined to pitch 5.0 perfect innings after Williams’ exit.
The Wahoos were led at the plate by Kyle Waldrop and Ryan Wright. Waldrop had an RBI single and a two-run homer to give him three RBIs on the day, and Wright had a pair of doubles and scored a run.
The Wahoos got off to a hot start as Ryan Wright doubled with one out in the top of the first inning and eventually scored on a Kyle Waldrop single to left. After another single from Seth Mejias-Brean, Kyle Skipworth hit a double to the wall in right-center to score both base runners.
The onslaught continued in the third, beginning with another double from Wright. Waldrop would later hit his fourth home run of the year to left field, giving the Wahoos a commanding 5-0 lead.
The Suns got a run back in the bottom half as outfielder Kenny Wilson walked, advanced to second on a pickoff error, and advanced home on a pair of groundouts.
Pensacola and Jacksonville pitching went on to throw six consecutive scoreless innings to close out the ballgame. In the seventh, a Chadd Krist ground-rule double and an infield single by Wilson allowed the Suns to threaten with runners at the corners, but Layne Somsen was able to get out of the inning unscathed with the Wahoos still leading 5-1. Somsen allowed a pair of runners to reach the corners again in the eighth but, once again, came up big to not allow any damage.
Northview Chiefs Fall In State 1A Semi-Final (With Photo Gallery)
May 14, 2015
Blountstown defeated the Northview Chiefs Wednesday afternoon 7-4 in the Class 1A state semifinal game at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers. The loss spelled the end for the Chiefs first ever trip to the state final four in school history.
The Chiefs took an early 1-0 lead in the first with a monster home run from junior Thomas Moore over the Green Monster, the popular nickname of high left field wall at Jet Blue Park, the spring training ground of the Boston Red Sox. The wall is just over 37 feet high and is about 315 feet from home plate.
In the bottom of the second, the sun was shining as the Chiefs were still up 1-0, but nearby lightning led to a 30 minute game delay.
The Tigers came back in the top of the third with an RBI single and a three-run double for a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the third, Moore slammed a two-run single off the Green Monster to cut Northview’s deficit to 4-3.
In the fourth, a throwing error led to two Blountstown runs, putting Northview down 6-3 headed into the fifth. Chasen Freeman relieved Brett Weeks on the mound in the fifth and allowed only an infield single.
In the bottom of the fifth, Moore hit over the Green Monster again, but it was a foul. If not, it would have been a three-run homer. The Chiefs added one on a sacrifice fly from Aarron McDonald, and the Chiefs were down 6-4 headed into the sixth.
An RBI hit Blountstown up 7-4 in the sixth. The inning’s highlight for the Chiefs was when Chasen Freeman made a barehanded catch to make it three outs for the Tigers.
The seventh was scoreless, as Blountstown won 7-4.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Northview hitters were: Quentin Sampson 2-3; Chasen Freeman 1-4; Thomas Moore 3-4, 3 RBI, HR; and Brett Weeks 2-3.
The Chiefs entered their season with a school record best of 19-3, a district title, a regional title, and the Chiefs first-ever appearance in the state semi-finals.
Pictured top: Thomas Moore slammed a homer over the Green Monster at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers, the spring training grounds of the Boston Red Sox, during Wednesday afternoons 1A state semi final game. Pictured inset: Brett Weeks on the mound for the Chiefs. Pictured below: Chasen Freeman pitched relief for Northview. Pictured bottom. Northview fans made the 600 mile road trip to Fort Myers to the support their Chiefs on their historic run. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
More photos later on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Ernest Ward High Football Coach Killed In Wreck
May 14, 2015
A former Ernest Ward High School football coach was killed in a single vehicle crash Tuesday night on I-10 in Okaloosa County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 56-year old Arthur McMillion of Milton was traveling eastbound on I-10 when he lost control of his 1999 Chevrolet Silverado about 9:24 p.m. Tuesday. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned, ejecting McMillion. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt.
McMillion was a teacher and football coach at the former Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill from 1984 to 1992. He served Ernest Ward as head football coach and athletic director for four seasons, from 1989-1992. He left Ernest Ward to become head football coach at Milton High School, and was currently the dean at Hobbs Middle School in Milton. His educational career spanned over 30 years, with over 20 of those years in Santa Rosa County.
Chiefs Work Out At Baltimore Orioles Park; Play In Final Four Today
May 13, 2015
Tuesday was a big day for the Northview High baseball team, and today will be an even bigger day, a school history-making day, for the Chiefs.
The Northview Chiefs worked out Tuesday at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, the spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles — compliments of former Century resident and Baltimore Orioles coach Buck Showalter. They also caught a minor league game between the Orioles and the Red Sox.
This afternoon, they will take on Blountstown in the Chiefs first-ever appearance in the FHSAA baseball final four. Blountstown (21-8) and Northview (19-2) did not meet during the regular season. Blountstown is coming off a 3-1 win over Central in their regional final, while Northview has scored an impressive 26 runs in their last three games.
Today’s game is at 3 p.m. (local North Escambia time) in Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers. The winner heads to the state championship game on at 7:35 p.m Thursday against the winner of Wednesday night’s Hamilton County versus Williston game.
Live video from Wednesday’s game (and the following 1A semi-final game between Hamilton County and Williston) will air on the NFHS Network. For a FHSAA.org special access rate of $9.95 for one month, click here.
Also, for periodic live score updates and bonus photos, like NorthEscambia.com on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @northescambia.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Beat Jacksonville 5-0
May 13, 2015
Timothy Adleman finally celebrated his first win as a Pensacola Blue Wahoos starter after 11 starts over the past two seasons.
The visiting Blue Wahoos backed the right hander up with three runs in the first inning and Adleman (1-3) shut out the Jacksonville Suns over the next six innings in the, 5-0, win.
Adleman scattered six hits, walked one, struck out two and lowered his earned-run average to 1.70, currently the fifth lowest in the Southern League. Adleman has whiffed 22 batters in 33.2 innings and walked nine this season.
Pensacola scored three runs in the first when right fielder Kyle Waldrop tripled in center fielder Beau Amaral and left fielder Jesse Winker to put the Blue Wahoos up, 2-0. Waldrop scored on a ground out by third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean to make the score, 3-0.
The 6-foot-5 Adleman entered the game against Jacksonville 0-6 in 11 starts with a 2.21 ERA and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings over two seasons with Pensacola.
Adleman has pitched well enough to win other games during that span. The 27-year-old left his last start against Tennessee in the fifth inning with a 1-0 lead, but Pensacola lost, 4-1. He also shut out the Smokies in his first start on April 17 over five innings.
Adleman has whiffed 22 batters in 33.2 innings and walked 10 this season.
In 2014, Adleman, who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 24th round in 2010 out of Georgetown, made 30 appearances for Pensacola, including six starts. In those starts, he was 0-3 with a 2.38 ERA. He struck out 30 in 34 innings and walked three.
The Blue Wahoos added another run in the sixth inning when Mejias-Brean hit a sacrifice fly to right field in foul territory that scored Winker from third base. Mejias-Brean added a third RBI in the eighth when he singled in Winker, who scored for the third time in the game, to go up, 5-0.
Northview Hits The Road For First Ever State Series
May 12, 2015
The Northview High School Chiefs loaded up and hit the road Monday afternoon for their first-ever in school history trip to the state final four.
The Chiefs will take on Blountstown at 3 p.m. (Bratt local time) Wednesday in the 1A state semi-final game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. With a win, the Chiefs will advance to the state championship game at 7:35 p.m. Thursday.
The players are staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites at 4350 Executive Circle, which is now sold out. Other lodging and special rates for fans can be found by clicking here.
Live video from Wednesday’s game (and the following 1A semi-final game between Hamilton County and Williston) will air on the NFHS Network. For a FHSAA.org special access rate of $9.95 for one month, click here.
Live video from Thursday’s championship game will air on the Bright House Sports Network. Click here to purchase a one-day pass for $6.95.
Also, for periodic live score updates and bonus photos, like NorthEscambia.com on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @northescambia.
The Northview Chiefs baseball team hit the road Monday afternoon for the state tournament in Fort Myers. They received a send-off from the practicing football team (most students were already dismissed and off campus at the time). NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Snap Three-Game Win Streak With Loss To Jacksonville
May 12, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (11-20) are at an early disadvantage in the race for the Golden Skillet as they dropped the first game of the series against Jacksonville (14-16) 5-4 . The defeat also snapped a three-game winning streak for the Wahoos, their longest of the season.
Pensacola starter Keyvius Sampson (1-1) pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out seven. Jacksonville starter Austin Brice (1-3) earned his first win of the season in 5.0 innings while giving up two runs, two hits and six walks. Sean Donatello earned the save for the Suns, his ninth of the season.
Beau Amaral and Kyle Waldrop each added two hits and an RBI, with Amaral hitting his first home run of the season in the ninth. Ryan Wright made an impact at the plate for the Blue Wahoos, reaching safely on four of his five plate appearances with a hit and three walks to go along with a stolen base. Ray Chang extended his hit streak to eight games on a pinch-hit single in the seventh.
The Wahoos got things started with a run in the top of the first. Second baseman Ryan Wright was able to score from second on an infield single from outfielder Kyle Waldrop as the Wahoos managed a pair of hits and a walk in the inning.
The Suns struck back in the bottom half, first with a ground-rule double from Matt Juengel with runners on first and second. The RBI double left runners at second and third, which allowed Viosergy Rosa to drive in another run on a groundout to give Jacksonville a 2-1 lead.
Jacksonville’s Kenny Wilson opened the bottom of the third with a stand-up triple to the right field corner, but Sampson was able to fan three consecutive batters to leave him stranded.
Rosa was able to add to the Jacksonville lead with a solo shot to right to make the score 3-1 in the fourth. The Suns looked to inflict further damage after a pair of singles to put runners at the corners with nobody out, but Sampson was able to strand both of them with two groundouts and a strikeout.
In the fifth, a pair of walks and a wild pitch put Wright and outfielder Beau Amaral at second and third, respectively. First baseman Marquez Smith was able to send Amaral home on a sac-fly to center, bringing the Wahoos within a run.
Zack Cox sent the second solo shot of the game for Jacksonville to right field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, his third home run of the season.
The Wahoos managed a pair of singles from Kyle Waldrop and catcher Kyle Skipworth, putting runners at the corners with one out in the top of the eighth. Waldrop was able to reach home on a sacrifice fly from infielder Juan Perez to bring the Wahoos back within a run at 4-3.
The Suns pushed their lead back to two on a pair of doubles from David Adams and Sharif Othman, with Othman’s resulting in an RBI.
Amaral made things interesting with a solo home run to right field in the top of the ninth to make it 5-4, but a fielder’s choice and a fly-out to center ended the game.
Northview, Jeff Davis Grad Inks Volleyball Scholarship
May 11, 2015
A Northview High School grad has signed a volleyball scholarship after completing two years of junior college play.
Morgan Smith graduated from Northview High School in 2013 after two years playing varsity volleyball. She signed a two-year volleyball scholarship with Jefferson Davis Community College, where she graduated last week. Now, she has signed a volleyball scholarship with Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA, as a starting middle hitter.
After graduating with a bachelors degree in biology, Smith plans to join the U.S. Air Force to pursue a nursing career.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Win Third Straight Over Tennessee
May 10, 2015
Wandy Peralta usually needs a translator when speaking with the media.
Asked if he trusted his fellow Spanish-speaking catcher, Yovan Gonzalez, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos left hander gave his answer in English. “Yes, a lot.”
The battery mates stole the show Saturday as Pensacola won its third in a row—it’s longest win streak since July 22-25 last season—in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Pensacola beat the Tennessee Smokies, 5-1, to also win the six-game series, 4-2. It was the first series the Blue Wahoos have taken this season, too.
Peralta gave up eight runs in two innings in his last start against the Jackson Generals. This time, Peralta got stingy. He gave up just one run in seven innings on four hits and four strike outs. He improved to 2-3 with a 4.85 ERA.
Meanwhile, Pensacola hitters backed him up with five runs, including a solo homer deep over the left field fence by Gonzalez, who was activated off the disabled list Saturday. Gonzalez, who put Pensacola up 4-1, went 2-4 on the night after hurting his back so much he couldn’t even swing a bat.
“My back was so sore I couldn’t even swing,” Gonzalez said. “In a game, I couldn’t throw the bat at the ball.”
Did he feel any pain on his long home run? “No, but the ball did,” Gonzalez said.
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly said jokingly that he doesn’t remember seeing Gonzalez hit a dinger in his career. He actually has 11, including one last year for the High-A Bakersfield Blaze that Kelly managed.
“Wandy is very emotional out there and Yovan does a great job of keeping him calm,” Kelly said. “Their communication is better because of their language. (Gonzalez) caught him a lot in Bakersfield.”
Pensacola got Peralta runs right off the bat, when they went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Kyle Waldrop lashed a two-out triple into the right field corner that scored Jesse Winker, who had doubled, and Marquez Smith, who earned a walk.
Another run came across in the third when Beau Amaral doubled in Ray Chang, who had doubled to make it, 3-0, after two innings. Gonzalez then homered and Pensacola added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Winker scored his second run of the game on a Chang sacrifice fly to right field that made the score, 5-1.
Kelly said he was not surprised by the Blue Wahoos (11-19) performance in the series.
The Smokies hitters, who entered the series leading the league in hitting, batted just .201 against Pensacola pitching. Smokies star hitters catcher Kyle Schwarber, who bats third, went 2-11 and is batting .325 on the season. Meanwhile, first baseman Dan Vogelbach was 3-16 and drove in three runs and is now batting .330.
“This is what we are capable of doing,” Kelly said. “Getting those two-out base hits really makes a difference. It’s nice to see the players with some confidence. They really played great all series.”