Local Unemployment Increases
March 11, 2011
The latest job numbers released Thursday showed 23,638 people out of work in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties during January.
Escambia County’s unemployment increased from 11.3 percent in December to 11.7 percent in January. That represented 455 additional people out of work, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 16,334 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.9 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded an increase in unemployment— from 9.8 percent in December to 10.3 percent in January. Santa Rosa County lost 310 jobs during the period, with a total of 7,304 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 10.3 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January 2011 is 11.9 percent, down slightly from the December 2010 rate of 12.0 percent. This represents 1,100,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,276,000.
“While Florida’s unemployment rate is still unacceptably high, we are seeing positive signs that employers are starting to hire,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo. “An increase in online advertisements for full-time jobs coupled with an increase in Florida’s Consumer Confidence Index indicates that our business owners and families are increasingly optimistic about Florida’s economic recovery.”
Byrneville Elementary Students Create Sawmill Pageant Posters
March 11, 2011
Three Byrneville Elementary School students were awarded for taking part in a poster contest to promote the 20th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Students in grades 3-5 took part in the contest. The school winners were Lea Nall, first place; Kayla Galvan, second place; and Madicyn Bell, third place. Nall was awarded a $25 cash prize for her winning poster.
The 20th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant sponsored by the Century Lions Club will be held Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. at the former Carver/Century School. Registration will be held Saturday, March 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Southern Treasures Gift Shop at 8341 North Century Boulevard (across from Whataburger). For an entry form and more registration details, click here.
Pictured: 20th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest winners from Byrneville Elementary School (L-R) Madicyn Bell, third place; Kayla Galvan, second place; Lea Nall, first place; and Don Sales from the Century Lions Club. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Wins For Tate, Jay; Softball: Loss For Jay
March 11, 2011
Here’s a look at baseball and softball action from across the area on Thursday:
Jay 6 Northview 4
The Jay Royals picked up a district win Thursday over the Northview Chiefs, 6-4.
Tyler Prescott took this third win of the season on the mound for the Royals, striking out seven in seven inches, allowing two hits, four runs and double.
Tyler Brooks was 2-3 for the Chiefs, with a double and two RBIs.
Kevin Stanton was 2-4 for the Royals with a double; Todd Laney was 1-2 with a double; Trent Sweeney went 1-4 and Payden Roberts was 1-4.
Thursday game was played in Jay, moved from Northview due to concerns over a wet field at Northview. As a result, an April 15 game between Jay and Northview was also moved — the game will now be played at Northview rather than Jay at 6 p.m.
Tate 7 Pine Forest 2
The Tate Aggies defeated Pine Forest Thursday, 7-2. For the Eagles, it was their seventh straight loss of the season.
SOFTBALL
Milton 2 Jay 2
The Milton Panthers defeated the Jay Royals Thursday, 2-1.
Olivia Wright was 1-3 for the Royals, while Tessa Hendricks went 1-4 with an RBI and Sidney Lowery was 1-3.
Free Dental Care Available Saturday During Give Kids A Smile Day
March 11, 2011
Children from low income families can receive free dental care at a Saturday clinic.
An estimated 400 or more children will receive free dental services ranging from preventative care such as cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatment, to fillings and extractions as part of National Give Kids A Smile Day.
Give Kids A Smile is a nationwide program sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) and locally implemented by members of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Dental Society. Approximately 30 local dentists, over 100 dental hygienists and dental assistants, and numerous student and community volunteers will donate their time and skills to provide these free services to eligible children between the ages of 4 and 18 who cannot otherwise afford dental treatment.
The event will take place at the Pensacola State College Warrington Campus located at 5555 U.S. Highway 98 West .Treatment is on a first-come first-served basis.
ECAT will provide free rides on regular routes to the Pensacola State College campus for patients and their families. For a flyer that will serve as your ECAT ticket, click here.
For more information, contact Amy Smith, coordinator, at (850) 478-884 or email amy@shehee.com.
House Votes To Cut Time Jobless Can Get Benefits
March 11, 2011
Saying it will help businesses cut what they pay into the state unemployment compensation system so they can more quickly put people back to work, the Republican-controlled House on Thursday voted to shorten the number of weeks the jobless can collect unemployment.
Easy passage of the bill (HB 7005) came as state officials announced that the jobless rate remained in January at just under 12 percent, with a tiny tick downward giving only a little new hope of a recovery anytime soon. The bill, which quickly won praise from Gov. Rick Scott, now goes to the Senate, where the proposal’s fate is less certain.
A Senate effort to reduce unemployment costs to businesses has largely focused on trying to make it harder for people who shouldn’t be getting benefits to collect them. A bill under consideration in the Senate keeps the time that Florida residents can collect unemployment at 26 weeks before federal benefits kick in.
The House bill, which passed 81-38 along party lines, cuts the number of weeks of state eligibility to 20 if the unemployment rate stays high. If that rate were to drop, the number of weeks would get shorter under the bill. If the unemployment rate were to ever get below 5 percent again in the state, the maximum number of weeks would be 12.
The current maximum unemployment benefit dollar amount stays the same under the measure, at $275 a week, which opponents pointed out is already near the bottom of states. Federal statistics show the state’s average weekly benefit is just over $230.
Employers, who pay into a state trust fund on the first $7,000 of a worker’s wages, have complained that they’ve been hard hit by increases in the tax, which has gone up as unemployment has increased. Even worse for businesses, the state trust fund has dropped into the red and has had to borrow about $2 billion from the federal government to pay benefits. Interest on that is due, and that payment is being passed on to businesses.
The House bill also tries to make it harder for the undeserving to collect benefits.
The measure is the first major, substantive bill to pass the House this year.
“By linking the number of weeks a person can receive benefits to the state’s unemployment levels, we are creating an environment for Florida’s job creators to get the state back to work,” Scott said in a statement commending the House for its bill.
Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, sponsor of the bill in the House, said reducing the number of weeks of eligibility was important for the House as it begins to try to match up its measure with the Senate.
Passage came over objection of House Democrats, who argued that the measure favored businesses over people. Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, asked who would benefit from the money saved by businesses not having to pay more into the unemployment compensation system, and then answered his own question.
“Where does the money go? Much of it will go to shareholder profit and CEO bonuses,” predicted Randolph.
Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, took objection to that – saying he would be helped by it because his small business would eventually get to reduce its unemployment tax burden.
“I am not a rich Wall Street fat cat,” Workman said.
Rep. Geraldine Thompson said unfortunate victims of the economy were being scapegoated.
“The unemployed among us are the victims of the recession, not the cause of it,” said Thompson, D-Orlando.
Another Democrat, however, Rep. Luis Garcia, said trying to help out businesses reel in high unemployment costs was noble, and agreed they need help too. But, he said, this is the worst time to do that because it would pile on more difficulty for people already stressed by being out of work.
“What we have here is the right bill at the wrong time,” said Garcia, D-Miami Beach. “You don’t cut benefits at a time when money is short.”
But Holder said Democrats were trying to preserve government help for the unemployed at the expense of helping employers create jobs that would tackle the problem more efficiently.
“They want jobs,” Holder said of Florida’s out of work. “Not unemployment compensation. Just jobs.” The measure could boost the economy and provide them, he said.
In addition to reducing the length of time the unemployed can collect benefits, the measure also requires a skills review for those applying for benefits and requires them to provide proof they’re actively seeking work.
By David Royse
The News Service of Florida
Kingston “Nick” Smith, Jr.
March 11, 2011
Kingston C. Smith, Jr, known to all as Nick, of Atmore, was called home to be with the Lord at age 69. Born in Cambridge, MA, he spent his youth in Trumbull, CT where he came to know the Lord, fell in love with his wife and married. Nick attended Moody Bible Institute and graduated from The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Immediately after graduation he worked for Reader’s Digest.
Nick volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technical for 8 years in Newtown, CT– one of the first EMT’s in the state. Nick was also a Boy Scout Troop Leader at the same time. Over a 50 year period in five different states, he contributed to many ministries in a variety of churches.
In 1977 Nick accepted a management position at the U.S. Calvary Store in Radcliff, KY. In 1985 he joined the American Bible Society in New York City, commuting from Monmouth Junction, NJ.
Nick served as President and owner of Custom Travel, Atmore, for the last 20 years. He was active in the local community as chairman of the Youth Leadership Atmore (YLA) sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Nick’s passion was traveling throughout Europe and Asia, community volunteering, photography, canoeing, camping and classical music, especially playing the organ. He was always helpful, loved challenges and hard work. He enjoyed trips to Colorado spending time with his family, cheering on the grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.
Nick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara, children Brian (Shelly) Smith and Cheryl (Tim) McLeod of Colorado. Grandchildren are Lindsey, Trevor, Jonathan Smith; and Tyler, Casey, Caitlyn McLeod, all of Colorado. He is also survived by his brother Clint (Vivienne) of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates and step-sister Ruth Glaspey of Traverse City, MI. Nick is the son of the late Kingston and Marion Smith.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 310 S. Main Street, Atmore on Monday, March 14th at noon, preceded by a visiting hour at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Youth Leadership Atmore, Atmore Chamber of Commerce, 501 South Pensacola Avenue, Atmore, AL 36502.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Inc. Atmore, AL. is in charge of arrangements.
Caught On Tape: Tornado Hits Hardware Store
March 10, 2011
When an EF2 tornado hit Wednesday in the Theodore-Dawes area of Mobile, security cameras at Alexander Hardware and Small Engine on Old Pascagoula Road caught the destruction on tape.
Watch three of the videos on this page; to see more, click here.
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Cantonment Hit And Run Murder Suspect Arrested In St. Johns County
March 10, 2011
A 20-year old wanted for murder in connection with an Escambia County hit and run has been arrested in St. Johns County, Florida.
Phillip Michael Chevalier of Cantonment was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals. He’s facing a felony murder charge for the May 6, 2010, hit and run death of 23-year old Billy G. Beck III on Chemstrand Road in Escambia County.
Beck, 23, was walking on Chemstrand Road when he was struck by at least three vehicles. Chevalier, identified by the Florida Highway Patrol as the driver of the first vehicle to strike Beck, fled the scene. Beck’s family maintained that foul play may have been involved in the crash; however there were few leads or witnesses, according to the FHP.
Rebecca Maryellen Austin, 20, of Pensacola; and Brandon Charles Bell, 17, were also charged last week with Beck’s death. Both were passengers in the vehicle with Chevalier, according to the FHP.
On February 27, Florida Highway Patrol investigators developed additional evidence that led to arrest warrants being issued for Chevalier for felony murder and leaving the scene of accident with death. Felony murder warrants were also issued for Bell and Austin.
Bell was arrested last week during a traffic stop by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was also charged with possession of cocaine and is being held in the Escambia County Jail. Austin was already in the Santa Rosa County Jail on an unrelated failure to appear charge.
The drivers of the second and third vehicles to hit Beck were not charged.
Flood Warning: Escambia River
March 10, 2011
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a flood warning for the Escambia River near Century The flood warning is in effect from Friday evening until Saturday evening.
At 11 a.m. Thursday the stage was 14.8 feet. The NWS said minor flooding is forecast.
Flood stage for the Escambia River near Century is 17 feet. The river forecast to rise above flood stage by late Friday evening and continue to rise to near 17.1 feet by early Saturday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by early Saturday afternoon.
At 17 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands will occur, according to the National Weather Service.
Suspected Arrested In 9 Mile Road Bar Stabbing
March 10, 2011
An Arkansas man is in the Escambia County jail today after he allegedly stabbed another man late Wednesday night.
Bobby Borden Jr., 46, from Pound Creek, Arkansas,was arrested shortly after deputies responded to the Ticket Sports Bar, located at 2115 W. Nine Mile Rd., for a reported stabbing.
When deputies arrived at the bar at around 9:43 p.m. they found the victim bleeding from his left side and left leg. The victim was identified as 45-year-old Barry Dan Weaver of Pensacola.
According to witnesses, both Borden and Weaver were in the bar drinking when the two started to argue. The argument led to a physical fight which ended after Weaver was stabbed.
As Borden began to walk away, one of the witnesses was able to grab the knife from him and called 911.
“Deputy John Zabelle and his K-9 partner, Nido, tracked the suspect to the Tall Oaks RV Park where he was arrested without incident,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn.
Borden was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $5,000 bond.
Weaver, who suffered serious cuts to his lower left leg and left side of his abdomen, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment.