Jobless Rate Falls In Area
May 19, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a drop in unemployment in the three-county North Escambia area — as Florida’s employment rebound continued.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped from 8.8 percent in March to 8.0 percent in April. There were 414 fewer reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 10,904 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.6 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment slipped from 8.5 percent in March to 7.5 percent in April. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,335 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.2 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 8.5 percent in March to 7.5 percent in April. That represented 1,138 people unemployed in the county during the month.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s jobless rate in April fell to 8.7 percent as the state continued an employment rebound that began 11 months ago, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday. But April’s drop was also affected by the fact that nearly 28,000 job seekers dropped out of the hunt. The number of jobless in April was 0.3 percentage points lower than March and 1.9 points below April 2011. The national unemployment rate for April was 8.1 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.2 percent in April, was down from March’s rate of 7.4 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.2 percent.
Three Charged In Santa Rosa Meth Lab Bust
May 19, 2012
Three people were arrested after a deputy used his nose to discover a meth lab in Santa Rosa County.
A Sheriff’s deputy was on patrol when he noticed a strong odor of smoke and a strong chemical smell coming from a home on Stanley Circle. Inside the home deputies say they found a “shake and bake” meth lab operated by Shawn Fagen and Sarah Rose.
Fagen and Rose were arrested on several drug charges.
Another man, Daniel Perkins, was also arrested at the home and charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Weekend Gardening: Hit A Home Run With Knock Out Roses
May 19, 2012
I love roses, I always have. After many years of growing roses, I found myself becoming, dare I say it, a bit of a rose snob. If it wasn’t a hybrid tea, I didn’t want anything to do with it. But as many Southerners know, the hybrid teas do have to be pampered and constantly monitored and treated for fungal diseases.
A couple of years ago, I decided to add some Knock Out roses to my landscape. I was taking a hesitant turn away from the long stems of the hybrid teas to a common shrub rose. I am very glad that I did. This year, the shrub roses are covered with dozens of beautiful blooms. Massed together, they are breathtaking and grab the attention of neighbors.
Landscape shrub roses will not make you great cut flowers, but they will give your landscape an abundance of rose flowers for the majority of the year. They practically bloom non-stop during the growing season, from March to November in Northwest Florida. Also, they are much less prone to blackspot disease than the traditional hybrid tea, floribunda and grandiflora roses.
The Knock Out family of roses was started by rose breeder Bill Radler when he crossed seedlings of ‘Carefree Beauty’ with ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to create the original Knock Out rose. The family now includes varieties that range from blush to vibrant red and even yellow.
In general, Knock Out roses are drought tolerant, self cleaning, and resistant to black spot and powdery mildew. Since they require little maintenance, they are ideal for gardeners who enjoy roses but who aren’t interested in the upkeep required to grow hybrid tea roses. The only drawback of Knock Out roses is that they don’t have a strong fragrance. According to the Conrad Pyle website, the only true fragrant Knock Out is the yellow ‘Sunny’ cultivar.
Like all roses, Knock Out roses need to be planted where they will receive at least six to eight hours of sun each day. It also helps to have a site with good air movement and well-drained soil that falls between pH 6.0 and pH 6.5.
Knock Out roses generally grow three to five feet tall and equally as wide, but some sources say they can reach eight feet tall if not pruned, so be sure to space them appropriately.
After planting, water them regularly until they get established. Apply a three-inch layer of mulch to help retain moisture in the soil, pulling the mulch back from the stem of the plants. Be sure to avoid overhead watering which can increase the chance of fungal leaf spots. They prefer a deep watering every once in a while rather than frequent light waterings.
Knock Out roses are referred to as self-cleaning meaning that the spent blooms will fall off on their own. They will re-bloom every five to six weeks regardless of your deadheading practices. Deadheading is the removal of faded blooms. Most gardeners have found, however, that occasionally deadheading will create and maintain a tidier, more attractive plant.
For more information on rose pests and diseases, refer to the University of Florida/IFAS online publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep371 or contact your local Extension Office.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Subway Robbery
May 19, 2012
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Friday that John Bruce, Jr. was found guilty of robbery by an Escambia County jury. Following the verdict, Judge Scott Duncan sentenced Bruce as a prison releasee reoffender to 15 years state prison as a mandatory minimum.
On December 16, 2011, John Bruce entered an Escambia County Subway restaurant and demanded money from the cashier. As he was making the demands, he had his hand wrapped in a shirt and motioned as if he had a weapon. The defendant was able to take over $200 in cash. The victim identified Bruce through a photo lineup.
Blue Wahoos Take Jacksonville
May 19, 2012
After waiting out another rain delay, this one only 25 minutes, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos came away with a 2-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Friday night.
The Wahoos plated their first run in the top of the second when Yordanys Perez singled home Mark Fleury from second for the game’s first run. The Suns responded immediately when Thursday night’s hero, Shawn Bowman, blasted his fifth homer of the season, a solo shot, to tie the game.
Pensacola scratched across the winning run in the fourth. Joel Guzman opened the inning with a single. He stole second before scoring on another RBI single by Perez, his second of the game. That was all the Blue Wahoos needed behind a solid pitching effort by Tim Gustafson. The Pensacola starter lasted 5.2 innings and allowed just one run on only two hits while striking out five. He walked three straight in the bottom of the second before bouncing back to retire the next 10 batters. Gustafson got credit for the win, his first as a starter this season.
His opposition, Bryan Evans, was equally impressive. He gave up just two runs over seven innings in the losing effort. Donnie Joseph (8) recorded the final four outs for the Blue Wahoos to earn the save.
The two teams continue the series on Saturday from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (1-1, 1.46) to the mound against Suns righty Zach Neal (2-5, 4.29). First pitch is slated for 5:05 central time.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured above: Tim Gustafson allowed just one run over 5.2 innings Friday night against Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kenneth D. Moore
May 19, 2012
Kenneth D. Moore, 41 of Bay Minette, passed away Wednesday May 16, 2012, in Atmore. He was an corrections officer with Alabama Department of Corrections. He was born on January 30, 1971, in Erie County, NY, to Sylvester and Dorothy Oates Moore.
He is preceded in death by his father, Sylvester Moore.
Survivors are his wife Deborah Gail Howard Moore, son D.J. Howard;,daughter Dejia Moore, all of Bay Minette; mother Dorothy Oates Moore of Brewton; three brothers, John Lovelace, Robert Moore and Michael Moore all of Buffalo, NY; sister Jacqueline Stevens of Brewton; aunt Patricia Moore of Buffalo, NY; three uncles, John Fanning and wife, Marilyn of Buffalo, Jerry Fanning and wife, Evelyn of Andalusia, AL, Johnny McCreary of Pensacola; nieces and nephews Michelle Moore, Tashawna Perkins, Robert Moore II, Desiree Moore, Nnenaha Moore, Jessica Moore, Quincey Strothers, Myranda Hyde; great niece and nephew, Alyiah Smith and Eugene Anderson III; and may friends.
Services will be Monday May 21, 2012, at 4 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with the prison chaplin officiating.
Family will receive friends, Sunday evening May 20, 2012, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 4:30-8 p.m., And again on Monday May 21, 2012, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 8 a.m. until noon.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Camp Fire’s Townson Is Apple Seed Award Winner
May 19, 2012
Pam Townson, director and VPK teacher for the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Leaning Center was recently presented the 2012 Apple Seed Award by the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County.
The annual Apple Seed Banquet recognizes early learning education teachers. Camp Fire USA in Century received a 100 percent grade from the Florida Department of Education for 2010-2011 under Townson’s leadership.
“Pam not only encourages parents to be fully engaged as genuine partners in their children’s development, she advocates that early childhood structure can provide school stability and greater consistency in learning, which leads to better school achievements,” said La-vonne Haven, executive director of Camp Fire USA’s Gulf Wind Council.
Townson credits the curriculum of the Florida VPK Standards and Math Standards along with Creative Curriculum, National Camp Fire USA and the Galileo assessment tools with providing researched approaches to learning about the outdoors, nature, science, and creative arts as well as providing fine and gross motor development, early math skills, language and literacy.
Pictured: Pam Townson, director and VPK teacher for the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Leaning Center. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mr. Charles Edward Hall
May 19, 2012
Mr. Charles Edward Hall, age 62, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. in Biloxi.
Mr. Hall was a native of Walnut Hill and a resident of Cantonment for the past 12 Years. Mr. Hall was a member of the VFW, DAV, a veteran of Vietnam, and a retired United States Marine where he served 22 years as Master Sergeant.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Angel Hall, parents Edison and Christin Hall and a sister Mary Hall Freeman.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Hall of Cantonment; son, Jesse Hall of Canoe; one stepson, John Bray of Cantonment; two brothers, Joe Hall of Walnut Hill and John Hall of Bay Springs, MS; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, May 21, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Petty Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Gipson officiating.
Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 20, 2012, from 6-9 p.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be John Bray, Al Parks, Ray Thompson, Willie Chestang, Alan Hopkins and Mike Skalski.
James Michael Caspar
May 19, 2012
James Michael Caspar, 52, of Cantonment, passed away on May 16, 2012.
James loved to fish, hunt, and read. He was multi-talented and good with his hands. James could draw and create anything out of wood. He also loved to work and was a welder, pipefitter and crane operator.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Myrtle Caspar.
Survivors include: wife, Michelle; daughter, Ashley (John) Chance; sons, Justin and Charlie Caspar; grandchild, Hunter Chance; siblings, Fred (Connie) Caspar and Glenda (Marvin) Thorne; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until memorial service begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the funeral home with Elder Glenn Daniel of The Church of God of Cantonment.
Trahan Family Funeral Home, 419 Yoakum Court, is in charge of arrangements.
James was a kind-hearted and well-liked man who will be missed by all who knew him.
Sunny Weekend
May 18, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.