Drop In Local Unemployment Rate
April 20, 2013
The latest jobs numbers released Monday show the unemployment rate fell dramatically in the North Escambia area, as did the state jobless rate in Florida.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.4 percent in February to 6.9 percent for March. There were 693 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 9,643 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 8.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment decreased from 6.7 percent in February to 6.1 percent in March. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,517 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.4 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 9.7 percent in February to 8.4 percent in March. That represented 1,220 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 8.4 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 unemployment rate dropped to 7.5 percent in March, the lowest it has been since fall of 2008, as the state and national recovery from the recession continued – and Gov. Rick Scott said his efforts to get the state on track are proving effective.
“It’s working,” Scott said, using a new catchphrase that will be his campaign re-election theme as long as the lowering unemployment rate continues to give him the ammunition to do so.
The unemployment picture is dramatically different from just over two years ago when, right after Scott was elected the jobless rate in the state spiked to 12 percent late in 2010.
The March rate was down from a revised 7.8 percent in February and down from 8.9 percent a year ago, the Department of Economic Opportunity said.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.2 percent in March, was equal to February and unchanged from the year-ago rate.
Norma Gean Kilpatrick
April 20, 2013
Norma Gean Kilpatrick, age 70, of Jay, passed away on April 17, 2013.
Gean was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Eugene Kilpatrick; father, Bernice Weekes; mother, Ella Ruth Weekes; two brothers, B.F. Weekes and Richard Eric Weekes Sr.; and one grandson, Mikie Edwards.
She is survived by her three children, Johnny Kilpatrick of Pace, Wendy Alumbaugh (Wayne) of Milton, and Tammy Castleberry of Jay; three sisters, Lou Jara (J.J.) of Pace, Ruth Carr of Milton, and Caffie Wilson (JR.) of Dixon, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Shay and Rebecca Kilpatrick, Ronald and Jake Castleberry, Raven Cole, Dixie Younge, Cameron, Devin, and Megan Alumbaugh; and seven great- grandchildren, Lily, Amberlin, Christian (Buba), Hunter, Kyndal, Lana, Jace, and one in waiting, Bryce.
Graveside services were held at Wallling Cemetery on Saturday, April 20.
Active pallbearers were Robert Wilson, Bart Wilson, Timothy Wilson, John Weekes, Michael Weekes, and Steven Padgett.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Rosewood Manor, and Covenant Hospice for all the care showed to our loved one and family during our time of need.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
DEP: Environmental Restoration Projects Make Progress in the Panhandle
April 20, 2013
Saturday marks the three year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Over the last three years, Florida has implemented restoration projects, funded by various sources, to help the Florida Panhandle recover from the spill.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to announce that several early restoration projects are either complete or making good progress,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. “We recognize that we still have a long way to go in terms of restoration, but Governor Scott is fully committed to ensuring full restoration of our damaged natural resources and loss of recreational opportunities.”
Florida’s initial projects funded under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment early restoration program include four boat ramp projects and a dune restoration project, all of which are in Escambia County. The Galvez Landing and Navy Point boat ramp improvements are completed, and have been steadily used for recreation by boaters. A new boat ramp at Mahogany Mill is under construction, and construction on a new boat ramp on the Perdido River is expected to begin at the end of this year. Work on the eight-mile dune restoration project has recently been completed.
“The progress of these wide ranging projects is a benefit to all Floridians”, said Nick Wiley, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “These projects help restore opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the rich diversity of fish and wildlife that inhabit our world famous beaches and coastal waters while bringing long lasting economic benefits to impacted communities.”
In addition to the dune and boat ramp projects, a second set of projects focus on coastal conservation and will begin restoring the damage inflicted on the coastal environment during the spill’s response and cleanup efforts. Work on the projects began along the Panhandle in January to protect habitat for nesting shore birds and sea turtles this season. Over the next five years, the state will administer contracts to post, survey, and monitor coastal bird nesting areas at 19 sites from Franklin to Escambia counties. These projects will protect important bird nesting sites in the Panhandle.
Sea turtle habitat will be restored through retrofitting lights on the beach so that they are “sea turtle friendly,” updating the technical manual about lighting for sea turtles, and an outreach campaign so the public understands the importance of dark beaches as habitat for nesting loggerhead sea turtles, a threatened species in the Florida panhandle.
Habitual Traffic Offender Jailed After Hitting Deputy’s Cruiser
April 19, 2013
A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after hitting an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser during a traffic stop near Bratt.
The deputy stopped 31-year old William Wade Steverson of Calvin McGhee Drive in Atmore for speeding on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek, about 2.5 miles east of Northview High School, about 8:20 a.m. Steverson stopped his Mitsubishi Galant on a moderate incline, several feet in front of the deputy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At some point, Steverson removed his foot from his brake, and his vehicle rolled backwards into the deputy’s cruiser.
Steverson was arrested for driving with a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, a felony charge. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
There were no injuries in Thursday morning’s accident. Damage to the deputy’s cruiser was unnoticeable, while Steverson’s vehicle suffered very minor damage.
Pictured: A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after his vehicle rolled backwards into an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Commissioner Kevin White Back In Escambia County Politics
April 19, 2013
Former Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White is back in county government.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to appoint White to a two year at-large post of the Board of Adjustment. White received three votes from commissioners, while Angelique Sanders and Jim Taylor received on vote each.
White represented District 5 on the commission from 2004 to 2011.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment is tasked with considering administrative appeals, conditional use permits, site plan approval extensions and variances under the Land Development Code.
Saturday Volunteers Needed For Barrineau Park Cleanup
April 19, 2013
Volunteers are needed for an Earth Day cleanup this Saturday in Barrineau Park. The Honeysuckle Garden Club, the Barrineau Park Historical Society, Barrineau Park 4-H and Clean and Green are sponsoring their annual trash pick-up day.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Barrineau Park Community Center by 8:30 a.m. to receive their assignments. Lunch will be served back at the community center for all participants beginning at 11 a.m.
Baldwin County Chase Ends With Florida Traffic Crash
April 19, 2013
A driver that fled from a traffic stop in Foley ended Thursday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 2001 Honda Accord driven by 44-year old Rodney Durand Reynolds of Foley was spotted by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 
County Road 87 and Highway 98 in Alabama. Baldwin County deputies attempted to overtake the vehicle as it continued eastbound at a high rate of speed on Highway 98 into Florida.
Reynolds turned right onto Bauer Road before turning onto Seratine Drive and crashing into a wooded area about 10:24 p.m.. He was apprehended and detained on scene by the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.
Reynolds was placed under arrest by the FHP for DUI and driving while license suspended. He was also cited for careless driving and no proof of insurance. Additional charges are pending in Baldwin County. A passenger in his vehicle 39-year old Cynthia Foster of Gadsden, Ala., was not injured.
Northview’s Food For America Program Named Finalist For Best In Florida
April 19, 2013
Thursday, the Northview High FFA was named as one of five finalists for 2013 Fresh from Florida Advocacy Award.
Formerly known the Food for America program, this program is designed to encourage FFA members to participate in agricultural literacy and awareness projects on the local level.
The local Food for America Program, conducted by the Northview FFA in March, gave over 1,100 students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
Earlier in the year, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read ag-related books to students.
The Northview High School FFA Food for America program has been honored as the No. 1 program in the state multiple times.
The overall chapter winner will be awarded on stage during the 6th General Session of the 85th Florida FFA State Convention on Thursday, June 13th, 2013 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Donna Redmon Thompson
April 19, 2013
Donna Redmon Thompson, born April19, 1954, passed away April 15, 2013.
Remarkable and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend has ended her battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her son, Bradley, and her parents, Henry “Battle” and Lavada Redmon.
She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Larry; her son and daughter-in-law, Travis and Traci Thompson; three grandchildren, Chandler Ervin (Ben), Chase and Tradley; three sisters, Marilyn Brantley, Sharon Blanton and her twin, Debra Rigby, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, an aunt and uncle and her mother-in-law, Jeanette.
Donna was an active member of Scenic Hills Church of Christ where she spent many hours teaching bible classes and helping others.
She is the co-founder of the local Miracle League Ball Park where she and Larry made a dream come true for hundreds in our local special needs community. Donna worked as a secretary/operator of Professional Air for 35 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Miracle League.
Pallbearers will be Eric Smith, Chris Pinney, Herb Smith, Jerry Caine, Josh Jennings and Vincent Andrys.
Funeral Service will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 20, 2013,. at Gateway Church of Christ with Pastor Kyle Rye officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Jay Relay For Life Begins Tonight
April 19, 2013
The 2013 Jay Relay for Life will begin at 6:00 tonight at Jay High School. The all-night event will continue until closing ceremonies at 9 a.m. Saturday.
A Luminaria ceremony begins at 9 p.m. as participants remember friends and loved ones that have lost the battle against cancer and to honor those fighting cancer presently. Luminaria bags will be for sale prior to the ceremony.
There will also be plenty of entertainment, food, fun and fellowship all night long, according to organizers.
Pictured: The 2013 Jay Relay for Life at Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.