Latest Jobs Numbers Show Fewer Unemployed Locally
September 22, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a decrease in unemployment in the three-county North Escambia area.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate fell from 9.1 percent in July to 8.6 percent in August . There were 853 fewer reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 12,004 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.2 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment dropped from 8.8 percent in June to 8.1 percent in July. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,871 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.8 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment edged downward from 10.i percent in July to 10.6 percent in August.. That represented 1,563 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 11.0 percent.
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 August jobless rate remained unchanged from July, standing at 8.8 percent as the economy’s jerky recovery continues, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday.
“The month of August showed that 28,000 more Floridians found employment in the private sector and are able to provide for their families,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a prepared statement. “This increase in new jobs is proving that the decisions we’re making here in Florida are pointing our state in the right direction.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.5 percent in August, was up from July’s rate of 8.3 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1 percent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate in August fell to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent in July, a drop attributed to more people giving up job searches instead of finding jobs, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The figure was 1.2 percentage points below an adjusted 9.3 percent rate in August 2011.
Escambia Downs Tate (With Photo Gallery)
September 22, 2012
The Escambia Gators defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night in Cantonment, 45-0.
The Aggies held the Gators to just one touchdown in the first quarter, a two-yard run, and a 3-yard touchdown run in the second.
Tate drove to second and goal with about six minutes left in the half, but the Aggies fumbled it away on fourth down at the one.
For more photos, click here. (Homecoming, band and additional photos will be published on Sunday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Pit Bull Shot By Deputies; Pot Plants Found In Backyard Near Molino
September 22, 2012
An animal complaint north of Molino led to deputies shooting a pit bull and the discovery of pot plants in a backyard Friday morning.
Escambia County deputies responded to a complaint about an aggressive put bull about 9 a.m. at a residence in on Highway 29 near Cotton Lake Road. Th dog was loose in the victim’s yard and had attacked and killed her dog.
Deputies kept the pit bull contained in the yard and notified Escambia County Animal Control. But before animal control arrived, the pit bull attempted to attack two officers who then utilized a shotgun to stop the dog, according to Melissa Rawson, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies attempted to contact the owner of the dog at a nearby home on Highway 29 across from the Camp Of the Pines, animal control located several other pit bulls in varying stages of distress. Escambia County Animal Control officers took possession of the dogs for further investigation.
During the investigation, deputies discovered at least four marijuana plants being cultivated in the backyard of the home. The Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division responded and took over that part of the investigation. Rawson said charges are pending against the residents at this time.
Code Enforcement also responded and opened a separate investigation for various code violations.
Pictured: Marijuana plants discoved Friday morning in the backyard of a home in the 10000 block of Highway 29, near the Camp of the Pines. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Today: Molino Car Show, Pinewood Derby; Blue Kazoo At Century Library
September 22, 2012
There will be a car show and Pinewood Derby today in Molino, and the Blue Wahoo’s mascot Kazoo will make a special appearance at the Century Branch Library.
Kazoo At The Library
On Saturday from 11 a.m. until noon, the Blue Wahoo’s mascot Kazoo will be at the Century Branch Library. September is National Library Card Sign-up month, and to celebrate the West Florida Library has teamed up with the Blue Wahoos. There will be lots of fun and frivolity for children of all ages. The Century Branch Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call (850) 256-6217.
Car Show And Pine Wood Derby
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will host an Open Car Show and a Pinewood Derby Saturday. The car show will take place from 8 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. Registration fee is $25 with all registered vehicles receiving an entry trophy. There are 38 possible trophy awards in several categories. For more details, click here.
A Pinewood Derby race will be held at 9 a.m. Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino.
Pictured below: This drag racer owned by Alan Lowery will be part of a car show this Saturday at Highland Baptist Church. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prep Football Schedule; Live Scores Tonight
September 21, 2012
Here is a schedule of high school football games in the North Escambia area tonight.
For live score updates tonight from select games, become a NorthEscambia.com Facebook fan here: www.Facebook.com/NorthEscambia.
FLORIDA
- South Walton at Northview, 7 p.m.
- Escambia at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- Bay at West Florida, 7 p.m.
- Pine Forest at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
- Pensacola High at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
- Arnold at Gulf Breeze, 7 p.m.
- Crestview at Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- OPEN: Jay, Washington
ALABAMA
- Flomaton at Mobile Christian
- Escambia County (Atmore) at UMS Wright
- Escambia Academy at Morgan
- Bayside Academy at TR Miller
- Southside Selma at WS Neal
Escaped Prisoner Captured Off Nine Mile Road
September 21, 2012
An inmate worker who left his assigned work area this morning at the Escambia County Animal Shelter on Fairfield Drive has been captured near Nine Mile Road.
Alexander G. Kent, 36, asked to use the restroom at the shelter and did not return to his work. Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies established a perimeter around the animal shelter and used a K-9 in an attempt to track Kent. Deputies received information that Kent was hiding at a residence on Bowman Avenue, just off Nine Mile Road, and he was arrested at that location.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on one court of escape.
One Injured In Accident With Paint Truck
September 21, 2012
One person was injured when a construction vehicle was rear-ended on Highway 29 in McDavid Friday afternoon.
The driver of a pickup truck, 40-year old Gary Hutchings of Pensacola, slammed into a “buffer arm” on a truck that was stopped in the roadway just over the crest of a hill, controlling traffic for a paint striping crew on Highway 29 just south of Main Street, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver of the construction vehicle. 54-year old Johnny Pressley of Pensacola, was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Hutchings was not injured.
Hutchings was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP>
The McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Fire Chief Resigns
September 21, 2012
Escambia County Fire Rescue Chief Daniel R. Spillman has submitted his letter of resignation.
According to the letter, Spillman’s resignation will be effective December 18. His last day in the office will be October 19, and he will use accumulated leave to reach December.
Spillman did not provide a reason for his resignation.
“I have appreciated the opportunity to serve. If I can be of service in the future please do not hesitate to call,” he wrote in the letter to Mike Weaver, Public Safety director.
Daniel R. Spillman was announced as the new county fire chief in January 2011. Spillman was selected after a review of 20 candidates that applied for and met the minimum qualifications for the $81,000 a year job.
Spillman was chief of the Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue in Hollywood, Florida, prior to coming to Escambia County. From 1983 to 2005, he worked as the Deputy Chief of the Tallahassee Fire Department where he retired. During his tenure, the City of Tallahassee combined forces with the county fire departments which were primarily volunteer. With a bachelors degree from Florida International University in Fire Science and Safety, Spillman has 36 years experience in the fire service and emergency medical service fields.
Neiko Robinson Suspension Cut By Two Games; Officials Take Issue With FHSAA Policy
September 21, 2012
The Florida High School Athletic Association has cut Northview Chiefs senior Neiko Robinson’s suspension from six games to four.
Robinson was suspended after being ejected in the fourth quarter of a preseason kickoff game. Robinson, a transfer from the Flomaton Hurricanes and a verbal commitment to Penn State, was tossed out of the game for throwing a punch. His younger brother, Neino Robinson, was flagged for pass interference, and a brief scuffle followed.
In appealing the six game suspension, Northview did not deny that Robinson was guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct. Instead, school officials took issue with the severity of the penalty. A new FHSAA sportsmanship policy went into effect a year ago calling for an automatic six-game suspension for a player ejected for being involved in a fight.
“A six game penalty in a sport like football is excessive,” Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. “Six games in football is most of a season; six games in basketball can be what, a couple of weeks? We are hoping that the FHSAA will take a look at that policy.”
Thomas made it very clear that Robinson was guilty of the unsportsmanlike conduct, as did Northview High School Principal Gayle Weaver.
“He did commit unsportsmanlike conduct,” Weaver said. “But we felt that the number of games was too severe in relation to the number of games in the sport.”
In reducing the suspension by two games, the FHSAA said Robinson will face school discipline.
Northview will require that Robinson make an apology to his team, a public apology to the school, visit Ernest Ward Middle School and “speak to their athletes advising them of the importance of good sportsmanship”, and participate in other Northview sports by mentoring younger players, according to Weaver’s appeal letter to the FHSAA.
“It is most important that he learn not only from his mistakes but also that, as a senior, he has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, while providing him with the opportunity to make a life beyond his small community,” Weaver wrote to the FHSAA. “He made a mistake. Please help us to help him to turn it into a redemptive opportunity.”
“He has a future ahead of him in football, having received offers from Penn State and Purdue, among others,” Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley said in his letter to the FHSAA. “He loves the game and has learned a valuable lesson.”
Robinson will sit out Friday night’s game against South Walton as the fourth game of his suspension. With the reduced suspension, he will be eligible to play September 28 against Gulf Breeze and in Northview’s first district game October 5 against the Jay Royals.
Pictured top: Senior Neiko Robinson picks up yardage for the Northview Chiefs before being ejected from an August 24 preseason game against Panama City Bay. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FEMA Denies Hurricane Isaac Claims By Escambia, Santa Rosa
September 21, 2012
FEMA has denied assistance to Escambia and Santa Rosa County to cover costs associated with damage and cleanup from Hurricane Isaac.
A preliminary damage assessment found Pensacola Beach lost 250,000 cubic yards of sand, which will cost about $8 million to fix. Perdido Key lost 180,000 cubic yards and had up to $6.3 million in damage. About $10.4 million of the Escambia damage was eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Santa Rosa County estimates $704,000 in damages in the unincorporated areas — $4,000 to parks and $700,00 for Navarre Beach erosion and total damages of $1.2 million.
In a letter to Gov. Rick Scott, FEMA said the damage sustained across Florida was not of such severity and magnitude to qualify for assistance.
“Certainly we are surprised and disappointed with FEMA’s decision to deny assistance to the Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Isaac,” said Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver. “We feel strongly that the nearly $11 million in damage Escambia County sustained from Isaac is significant and should qualify for relief. We stand ready to join Governor Scott in appealing this decision to FEMA.”
Scott has already asked the Division of Emergency Management to appeal the denial.