Little Change In Local Job Numbers; Florida’s Rate Best In Four Years
January 19, 2013
The latest job numbers released Friday showed the unemployment rate dropping in almost unchanged in the North Escambia area, while Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to the lowest rate in four years.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.2 percent in November to an even 8 percent in December. There were 227 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,030 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment increased from 7.1 percent in November to 7.2 percent in December. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,159 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.9 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment was down slightly from 8.2 percent in November to 8.1 percent in December. That represented 1,169 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 9.1 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 dipped to 8 percent in December — the lowest rate in more than four years.
The drop in the unemployment rate also lowered the gap between the state’s jobless figure and the national number, which edged up to 7.8 percent in December. The difference between the state and the national unemployment number had been 0.4 percent in November.
The unemployment rate was the lowest it’s been since November 2008, state officials said.
Currently, 749,000 Floridians are unemployed, with slightly fewer than 7.4 million people holding non-agricultural employment.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.1 percent in December, was down from November’s rate of 7.5 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 8.0 percent.
Doc-in-a-Box: Pain Clinic Owner, Two Docs Sentenced For Running Pill Mill Clinics
January 19, 2013
The owner of an Escambia County pain clinic and two doctors have been sentenced for their roles in operating illegal pill mill clinics in Pensacola and New Orleans.
Dennis M. Caroni, age 38 of Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo, age 61 of Bradenton, FL, and Dr. Joseph G. Pastorek, II, age 62 of Slidell, LA, were sentenced Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers. Following a six week trial, all three defendants were charged and found guilty of conspiring to unlawfully distribute prescription pain killers. Caroni and DiLeo were also convicted of conspiring to unlawfully launder the proceeds of their prescription drug distribution violations.
As the owner and operator of Global pain management clinics in Pensacola and the New Orleans area between 2004 and 2008, Caroni was sentenced by Rodgers to 20 years in prison. DiLeo was sentenced to two years imprisonment plus one additional year home confinement for his role as part-owner of one of the clinics and full-time prescribing physician. The other prescribing physician charged, Pastorek, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment plus one additional year home confinement.
This case was the result of a multi-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation named “Doc-in-a-Box” and the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Florida.
‘Massive Burglary Ring’ Suspects Busted
January 19, 2013
Police have arrested two men that allegedly burglarized at least 50 homes.
John Flynn, 19, has been charged with nine burglaries and one count of grand theft auto. Jo’Kavious Wilson, 18, has been charged with seven burglaries and one count of grand theft auto.
Eight burglary and one grand theft warrants also are active on Decker Brooks, 21, of 910 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Pensacola. He has not yet been taken into custody. Flynn and Brooks are brothers.
Pensacola Police Department Detective Danny Harnett said the males are suspects in excess of 50 residential burglaries that occurred since August 2012. More charges are pending on these and other suspects as the investigation continues.
Among items taken were televisions, computers, alcohol, guns, coins and a vehicle. Detectives are still trying to determine what the suspects did with the items.
Harnett said the investigation determined that Flynn was the leader of the group, who typically committed burglaries during daytime hours by ringing doorbells or knocking on doors. When no one answered, they would kick doors in for access to residences.
Byrneville Elementary Celebrates Florida Literacy Week
January 19, 2013
Students across the area have spent the past week celebrating Florida Literacy Week.
At Byrneville Elementary School, numerous guest readers stopped by during the week to read to students. Friday, NorthEscambia.com’s publisher read from “Extra Credit” by Andrew Clements to fifth grade students, and from “The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester” by Barbara O’Connor to fourth graders. Afterwards, students had an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about NorthEscambia.com and how media organizations operate.
Pictured top: Jacke Johnston’s fifth grade class at Byrneville Elementary School. Pictured below: Stephanie Gilmore’s fourth grade class. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Sweeps Freeport; Robinson Scores 41; Jones Adds 39 (With Photo Galleries)
January 19, 2013
In varsity boys action, the Chiefs beat Freeport held a strong 33-12 lead at the end of two periods, before going on to win 68-23. Neino Robinson led the Chiefs with 41, while Cameron Newsome added nine.
In junior varsity boys action, Northview beat Freeport 67-22. The Chiefs held the Bulldogs to just two points in the fourth period. Nick Lambert scored 19 for the Chiefs. Tydre Bradley and Trent Howard both had 13 for Northview.
In girls action, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Lady Bulldogs of Freeport 59-43. Shaquanna Jones scored 39 for the Lady Chiefs, and Elayzha Bates added 8.
The Chiefs will be in action next Tuesday at home as follows:
4 p.m. — JV Lady Chiefs vs. Escambia
5 p.m. — JV boys vs. Baker
6 p.m. — Varsity Lady Chiefs vs. Escambia
7 p.m. — Varsity Boys vs. Baker
For photo galleries, click the links below:
Baseball, Softball Registrations Continue At Area Ballparks
January 19, 2013
Baseball and softball registrations across the area are underway. Here’s a look at registration information for Northwest Escambia, Molino Ballpark, Cantonment Ballpark, the First Baptist Church of Cantonment, Northeast Pensacola and the Pensacola Miracle League:
Northwest Escambia
Northwest Escambia will hold open baseball and softball registration for ages 3-18.
Registration will be held at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill on Saturday, January 26 — 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For updated registration fee information, visit the NWE Facebook page. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is needed at the time of registration. NWE is also looking for people willing to volunteer on the board of directors, and as managers, coaches and umpires.
Molino Ballpark
Registration at the Molino Ballpark will be held on Saturdays, February 2, 9 and 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the ballpark on Crabbtree Church Road. Wee Ball, T-ball, baseball and softball for ages 3-16. $55 registration fee for the first child. Birth certificate needed at registration. For more information, call (850) 712-6267.
Cantonment Spring Registration
Registration will be held every Saturday until February 16 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark. The cost is $80 per child.
For more information email TheCantonmentBaseballClub@gmail.com or visit this Facebook page.
First Baptist Cantonment
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold registration this Saturday, January 19 from ages 4-12 for T-ball through coach pitch. Registration will be at the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 beginning at 10 a.m., or register at the church office during the week.
The cost is $35 per child. Games begin March 16. There will be no intense practices and no traveling is required. All games are Saturdays only.
Northeast Pensacola
Northeast Pensacola Ballpark on Nine Mile Road will hold registration every Saturday through January 26 from 9 a.m. until noon and Friday, February 1 from 6- 8 p.m. at Academy Sports and Outdoors on Davis Highway. Online
Online registration for NEP is also available by clicking here.
Miracle League of Pensacola
Registration for the Miracle League of Pensacola will be held Saturday, February 2 and Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at the ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
Registration is $40 for age 4-11; $45 for ages 12-18; $50 for ages 19 or older.
The Miracle League of Pensacola provides physically and mentally challenged individuals a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity for these exceptional people to experience baseball. Volunteers are welcome.
The season begins Friday, March 15.
Leila Junette Smith Coleman
January 19, 2013
Mrs. Leila Junette Smith Coleman “June,” 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, January16, 2013.
Born in Gonzalez in 1924 to parents, Jesse and Bernice Smith, she grew up in the Pensacola area as a child of the Depression and the Second World War. After graduation from Tate High School, she worked in Pensacola at Armor and Company providing secretarial service before heading to Washington, DC to work at the Pentagon. There she spent time with her brother, Harris Smith, SGT, USMC who was recently returned from the war in the Pacific. In 1947, now back in Pensacola, she met and married the love of her life, Malcolm V. Coleman, a Chief Petty Officer stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station. For the next few years she lived the military lifestyle, raising a family of three sons at a succession of postings. In 1961, “Mac” retired from the Navy and the young family moved back to Gonzalez to enjoy being close to family. June found employment at Chemstrand in the yarn plant but soon was able to transition back to secretarial services at what was now known as Monsanto in the engineering department. She worked there until her retirement in 1989. Following the untimely death of her husband in 1979, she devoted herself to her family, volunteer work, golf and travel. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church of Pensacola. After suffering a stroke in 2005, which left her without the power of speech, she could no longer live independently and spent her remaining years with the caring staff of Homestead Village on Pine Forest Road.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Sandra Coleman of Atlanta, Curtis Coleman of Edgewater, FL, and Kevin and Joan Coleman of Pensacola; grandsons, Austin and Beth Coleman of Annapolis, MD, Blake Coleman of Atlanta, GA, and Bryce Coleman of Pensacola; three great grandchildren, Jackson, Grant and Jane Coleman of Annapolis, MD; and brother, Joseph Q. Smith of Lihue, Kauai, HI.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 10 AM till the service time of 11 AM at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Pastor Jim Locke will officiate.
Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery on board NAS Pensacola,.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society; the Alzheimer’s Association or Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Toddler Severely Burned, Two Charged With Abuse
January 19, 2013
An Escambia County toddler is recovering from severe burns at Shands Hospital for Children in Gainesville, and two people are being charged for her abuse in Escambia County.
The child’s father, 25-year old Andrew Gonzalez, and his girlfriend, 23-year old Kristine Belanger, are both charged with child cruelty and neglect. Both remain in the Escambia County Jail.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Fairfield Drive Thursday after receiving a tip that a child had been abused. Deputies discovered the three-year old girl had severe burns on her back, chest, arms, head and face. Deputies said she was burned by hot water in a shower on Tuesday, but Gonzalez and Belanger failed to take the child to the hospital.
Two other children in the home are now in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Residents Learn About Composting
January 19, 2013
Area residents learned Friday how to turn landscape and vegetable scraps into black gold during an program offered by the Escambia County Master Gardeners. The “Garden Talks: Composting” program was held at the Escambia County Extension Office Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Claims One Life
January 18, 2013
One person was killed as fire destroyed their home near Beulah early this morning.
Fire ripped through the double-wide mobile home on Western Way Drive, just south of Mobile Highway, about 2:15 a.m. Neighbors reported hearing some type of explosion before seeing flames shooting from the home.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. The victim was identified by neighbors as Mary Jean Adkison, a longtime resident.
The Bellview, Beulah, Ensley and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze.
Pictured: One person was killed in this early morning fire on Western Way Drive in Escambia County. Photos submitted by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
