Local Unemployment Rate Climbs
July 22, 2013
The latest jobs numbers show the unemployment rate held steady in Florida and fell in Alabama, but the local jobless numbers were not as positive.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate jumped from 6.7 percent in May to 7.1 percent in June. There were 595 more people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 10,156 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 8.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment was up from 5.9 percent to 6.7 percent from May to June. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,017 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.3 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment increased from 7.6 percent in May to 8.0 percent in June. That represented 1,173 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 10.0 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 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in June, holding steady over the month, but down 1.7 percentage points from 8.8 percent a year ago. The state’s May and June rates were the lowest since September 2008 when it was 7.0 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.5 percent in June, was down from May’s rate of 6.8 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 7.6 percent.
Campbells Recognized As Santa Rosa Farm Family Of The Year
July 22, 2013
The Keith Campbell family of Chumuckla was honored as the Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year.
The Campbell farm includes 1,300 acres of cotton, peanuts, wheat, 60 head of beef cattle and an apiary for honey production. The Campbell’s pride themselves on maintaining a family-run, community supported farm that stays on the cutting edge of agricultural progress to reduce costs while increasing total crop yield.
They have embraced numerous technological advancements over the years that have allowed the Campbell farm to thrive and become a mainstay in the Northwest Florida farming community.
In addition to Keith’s wife, Robynn, several other members of the family contribute to the overall success of the farm, including their daughters, Ashleigh, a teacher at Bennett C. Russell Elementary School and Brittney, a student at the University of West Florida; their nephew, Dale Campbell, who helps out after school; and Ashleigh’s husband, Adam Bondurant, a senior at the University of West Florida.
Keith Campbell is a sixth generation farmer. He began farming with his grandfather, W.T. Stewart, in 1983 and has since taken over the entire operation.
The Campbell’s were recognized last week in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Jeff Miller. “My wife Vicki and I wish the Campbell family all the best as they continue to serve the citizens of Northwest Florida,” Miller said.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Danny Amerson, Sr.
July 22, 2013
Mr. Danny Amerson, Sr., 64, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Stapleton.
Mr. Amerson was a native of Bratt and had resided in Stapleton for the past 25 years. His mother, Margie Amerson; two brothers, Jimmy Hibbitts and Eddie Amerson; and one sister, Sandra Lee Wilson precede Mr. Amerson in death.
Survivors include his father, R.J. Amerson of Bratt; two sons, Daniel Frank Amerson, Jr. of Mississippi and Robert Dylan Amerson of Stapleton; one stepson, Joe Amerson of Charlotte, N.C.; one stepdaughter, Jennifer Amerson Parnell of Fairhope; one brother, Bobby Amerson of Bratt; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. C.L. Langford officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 24, 2013, from 1 p.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Joe Joe Bankester, David Amerson, Jr., Pete Amerson, Eddie Amerson, Jimmy Boyington, Jimmy Wilson and Andy Amerson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.
Part 5: Inside Century Correctional – Reel Mowing And Laundry Cents
July 22, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with cost savings in the laundry. Our series will continue later this week with a look inside the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
Cost savings. That’s what running a state agency in Florida is all about these days. The lawnmowers used inside the fence at Century Correctional Institution look like they are on the last half of their own life sentence. Nobody seems to know just how old they are, but with minimal maintenance and a blade sharpening from time to time, they just keep on going. The old fashioned reel mowers are all prisoner powered, no gas engines here.
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The CCI laundry is, obviously, a busy place. The laundry washes all clothes, blankets and linens for the entire main unit population and the nearby work camp. There are 23 inmates assigned to work in the laundry.
The laundry is working toward using their own detergent at a cost of about 2-cents per load. And that’s not where the frugality ends. The laundry makes all their own boxer shorts for the inmate population, and they have recently started using the small and medium size shirts to make larger shirts and pants.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues this week on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured top: Old fashioned prisoner-powered reel mowers are using on the prison grounds. Pictured above and below: The CCI laundry. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wet Pattern Continues
July 21, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Quintette Road Bridge Accident Claims Life
July 21, 2013
One person died in a two-vehicle accident on a Quintette Road bridge Saturday night.
The head-on collision happened about 11 p.m. on the Escambia River Bridge between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The Florida Highway Patrol said 44-year old Floyd W. Scruggs. Jr., of Milton was traveling west on Quintette Road in a 1992 Chevrolet pickup when he crossed into the wrong lane. He collided head-on with a 2008 Ford pickup towing a trailer with an ATV driven by 27-year old Johnathon R. Carpenter of Pace.
Scruggs was pronounced deceased at the scene. Carpenter was transported by Santa Rosa Lifeguard EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he was listed in serious condition.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Emergency crews from both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties responded to the crash. The bridge remained closed into the early morning hours.
Pictured top: The driver of this pickup, 44-year old Floyd W. Scruggs. Jr., of Milton, was pronounced deceased in this accident on the Escambia River Bridge on Quintette Road. Pictured below: The driver of this blue pickup, 27-year old Johnathon R. Carpenter of Pace, was seriously injured. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Apply For Florida KidCare Insurance Monday In Century
July 21, 2013
Parents wishing to enroll their children in the Florida KidCare health insurance can take advantage of an outreach program Monday in Century.
Applications will be taken at the Century Workforce Escarosa office at 8120 North Century Boulevard from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Monday. A community outreach worker from Sacred Heart Hospital will be on had to help with applications and answer questions.
Florida KidCare is health insurance for children younger than $19 years. Most copays are $5 with no annual deductible. The cost ranges from $15 to $20 and up monthly per family. Some children may be eligible at no cost.
For more information, contact Nancy Lake at (850) 390-2901 or (850) 416-6379.
To apply in person Monday:
- Adult applying: Bring Florida State ID or Driver License; ID for each child, or document with their date of birth.
- Bring proof of all income received during the last 4 weeks and proof of monthly income from a repeating source, like Social Security or SSI to show the amount you currently receive.
- Bring the child’s birth certificate and social security card, if possible, unless the child has been on Florida KidCare before. Copies will be made on site and originals returned immediately.
- This is for Florida resident children only. Residents of north Santa Rosa county welcome too.
- Non-custodial parents may apply for KidCare as long as the child is not currently on Medicaid.
Over 100 Attend Women’s Conference
July 21, 2013
Over 100 women attended a one-day Women’s Conference Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid.
Keynote speaker for the event “Unpacking Titus” was Liz Traylor, wife of Dr. Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola. Worship was led by Leah Taylor. Breakout sessions on a variety of topics were led by women from Ray’s Chapel and other churches.
Pictured: “Unpacking Titus”, a women’s conference, held Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Band Washes Its Way Toward The New Season
July 21, 2013
Members of the Northview High School Tribal Beat band held a car wash Saturday in Century to raise funds for the upcoming season. The band must pay may all of its own expenses, including transportation to away football games. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Hazel L. Barrow
July 21, 2013
Hazel L. Barrow, age 70 of Jay, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2013 . She was a long time resident of Jay and a loving mother, grandmother and sister who will be dearly missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Coady and Gladys Hawthorne; husband, James Barrow; son Kevin Wayne Stanton and brother Jessie (Bud) Hawthorne.
She is survived by her son, Keith (Angie) Stanton; brothers, Richard (Debra) Hawthorne and Ronnie Hawthorne; sisters, Ann Malshuk, Vernia (Buddy) White and Chiquita (Jim) Lockhart; grandchildren, Megan Stanton, Kevin Stanton and Ashten Epps; seven nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Reverend Frederick Barrow officiating. Burial will follow at Concorde Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 22, 2013 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Darrin Castleberry, Dwyne Castleberry, Kenneth White, Justin White, Jeff Barrow and Jamie Barrow .
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.