Florida Consumer Confidence Dips After Election
November 28, 2012
Florida consumers’ confidence dropped in November after spiking to new highs in the previous two months, likely driven by gloom among those disappointed by the election, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday.
The consumer confidence rating of 76 this month was down four points from October, the university’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research said. People’s perceptions of their personal finances dropped year over year, as did expectations for their personal finances and expectations for the economy as a whole in the nation over the next year and the next five years. Respondents’ perceptions on buying bit ticket consumer items were unchanged.
“We expected a decline in consumer confidence for two reasons,” said survey director Chris McCarty. “The main reason for the decline was the outcome of the elections. Florida was the most divided state in the country, with President Obama winning by 73,309 votes. No matter who won, half of the state was not going to be happy with the outcome.”
McCarty said that since the economy was a central issue, half the electorate naturally thinks the election was bad for the economy.
“The other reason for the decline is the sudden burst of media coverage regarding the fiscal cliff,” McCarty said. The bureau said that generally economic indicators in the state remain relatively positive. Unemployment declined in October and housing stock is declining, increasing demand in the housing market. Gas prices are also down.
By The News Service of Florida
Pen Air Credit Union In Century Robbed (With Photo Gallery)
November 27, 2012
A man claiming to have a gun robbed the Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century Tuesday afternoon.
The robbery was reported about 1:00 p.m. at the credit union on North Century Boulevard. The man walked into Pen Air and said he had a gun, demanding all of the money, according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The man fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. He was described as a thin white male with a gray hoodie and sunglasses.
There were no injuries.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office quickly surrounded the bank with multiple units as they searched for the suspect. K-9 teams were seen searching around the bank, including an area behind the U.S. Post Office next door.
There have been no arrests reported. Further details have not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: The Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century was robbed by a man claiming to have a gun Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician processes the front door of the credit union for fingerprints. Pictured below: A K-9 searches near the back of the U.S. Post Office located next door to the credit union. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Police: Drinking Mother Passes Out, Drops Infant Into Fire
November 27, 2012
Police say an Atmore mother was drinking and passed out, dropping her 8-month old into a fire.
The Atmore Police Department said 26-year old Amanda Pugh of Atmore was drinking and standing by a fire outside her home in the 600 block of Bream Street just before 1 a.m. Saturday. Witnesses told police Pugh passed out, dropping her daughter into the fire.
The 8-month old suffered burns to both of her legs. She was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. She was transferred to the burn center at the USA Medical Center in Mobile by LifeFlight.
Pugh was arrested at the scene and charged with first degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $15,000. The case is also under investigation by the Escambia County Department of Human Resources.
Man Charged With Smoking Spice With Teen Outside Dollar Store
November 27, 2012
A local man is facing child abuse charges after allegedly smoking spice with a 15-year old boy on Thanksgiving Day outside the Molino Dollar General.
Joseph Matthew Trump, age 36 of McDavid, was charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $3,000.
Trump admitted to deputies that he and the 15-year old had smoked Spice in his car in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Highway 29 just north of Molino Road, according to an arrest report.
When deputies searched the vehicle, they reported finding a bag of Spice in the glove compartment that was labeled in large yellow letters “Not for Human Consumption” and red lettering that stated “Not for Consumption. Not FDA Approved”.
“I thought it was OK because you can buy it over the counter,” Trump told deputies, the report states. Deputies also reported finding a rolled cigarette, rolling papers and two open beer cans in the vehicle.
The incident was also reported to the Department of Children and Families.
Cooling Down Tonight
November 27, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Local Reps Named To Florida House Committees
November 27, 2012
Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford named members of House committees on Monday. Local representatives were appointed to committees as follows:
- District 1 Rep. Clay Ingram, who represents most of Escambia County, was named to the Appropriations, and the Local and Federal affairs committees.
- District 2 Rep. Clay Ford, who represents southern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, was named to the Judiciary and Rules committees.
- District 3 Rep. Doug Broxson, whose district includes most of Santa Rosa County, was named to the Economic Affairs Committee.
Escambia Commissioners To Attend State Conference
November 27, 2012
Escambia County Commissioners will attend the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Conference Wednesday through Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota.
An orientation for newly-elected commissioners, including Steven Barry and Lumon May will be held on Wednesday in conjunction with the Legislative Conference. Participants will be exposed to the powers and duties of a commissioner, ethics and Sunshine Laws and other resources and services available through FAC. The program is designed to provide an overview of the responsibilities of a county commissioner.
Bernice R. Mock Creamer
November 27, 2012
Bernice R. Mock Creamer, born June 24, 1928, in Monroe County, died November 26, 2012. She was a resident of Century and a member of Abundant Life Assembly of God.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William T. Creamer; parents, McClain and Virgie Moye Mock; sister, Mary Jeanette Mock, an infant brother; granddaughter, Ashley Creamer and great-granddaughter, Kaylee Summerlin.
She is survived by her six children, Linda (Floyd) Bardin, Charles (Linda) Creamer, Wanda Creamer Croley, Jerry Creamer, Rose Creamer Culpepper and Steve (Jamie) Creamer; nine grandchildren, Cheryl Croley (Wayne) Ward, Chris (Brandy) Creamer, Crystal Creamer (Derek) Kelley, Brandon Brake, Amanda Brahe (Alan) Smith, Victoria Creamer, Sable Culpepper, Emily Ann Creamer and Natalie Creamer; nine great-grandchildren, Nihoal Creamer, Haylee Ward, Delana Brahe, Laney Ward, Tony Smith, David Ward, Hayden Brahe, Madalynn Kelley and Dakota Creamer; two brothers, Samuel D. Mock of Palmetto, FL, and Isaac Mock of Cantonment.
Bernice was a proud mother and grandmother. She loved and was devoted to the Lord and her family. She was fun to be around and just a blessing to have in our lives. She will never be forgotten and will forever be a memory in our hearts.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Abundant Life Assembly of God with the Rev. Jeff Dewinger, Rev. Joe Lee and Rev. Herman Smith officiating.
Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, November 28, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Susan Kelly “Sue” Jarrett
November 27, 2012
Mrs. Susan Kelly “Sue” Jarrett of Pensacola, passed away Friday, November 23, 2012, in a Pensacola health care facility.
Mrs. Jarrett was born in Pensacola and was raised in Pollard. She was valedictorian of the Flomaton High School class of 1955. Mrs. Jarrett traveled extensively with her husband during his Air Force career and they returned to Pensacola in 1983, coming from Anchorage, Alaska. She was a retired accounting finance specialist with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. She was a member of East Brent Baptist Church. Mrs. Jarrett was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Grover Kelly, Sr. and Yula McKinley Kelly; three brothers, Joseph Grover Kelly, Jr., David Jesse Kelly, and James Lavon Kelly; and her sister, Yula Jean Williams.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years, Johnny Neill Jarrett of Pensacola; a loving daughter and son-in-law, Julia Jarrett Green and Karl Green of Jacksonville; and a very special granddaughter, Grace Taylor Green of Jacksonville; and a number of much loved nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, November 26, 2012, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Dr. A. Dale Patterson and Rev. Wayne Williams officiating.
Interment was in Pollard Cemetery.
Dig Pinks Raises Over $1K In Green For Cancer Awareness
November 27, 2012
The final total is in from a Dig Pink volleyball event held last month to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The game between Northview and Flomaton High schools raised $1,150.84 after expenses, according to Northview volleyball coach Barbara Luker.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.