Local Unemployment Increases
August 16, 2014
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level increasing in the North Escambia area.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate jumped from 6.5 percent in June to 6.9 percent in July There were 9,756 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.5 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment also increased, from 5.9 to 6.3 percent from June to July. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,788 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 7.2 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment increased from 8.8 percent in June to 9.4 percent in May. That represented 1,328 people unemployed in the county during the month. A year ago, the unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in the county.
Florida’s jobless mark continued its steady run through 2014, holding at 6.2 percent from June to July, the state Department of Economic Opportunity announced Friday. The state’s unemployment rate, which stood at 7.3 percent a year ago, has been mostly flat this year, wavering between 6.2 percent and 6.3 percent. Besides state government jobs, the biggest June to July gains in Florida were found in the fields of construction, real estate, and entertainment and recreation
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.0percent in July, was up from June’s rate of 6.8 percent and was above the year-ago rate of 6.5 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.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Last Minute Back To School Shopping? Print A Supply List
August 16, 2014
School starts Monday, August 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here are printable school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in Escambia County, plus the North Escambia area schools in Santa Rosa County and Escambia County, AL.
(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)
North Escambia Area Schools:
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Central Elementary School
- Chumuckla Elementary
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Jay Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Ransom Middle
Complete Escambia County Lists:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- McMillan Pre-K
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Suter Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- Weis Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Brown Barge Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Warrington Middle
- Woodham Middle
- Workman Middle
ESCAMBIA (AL) SCHOOLS
- AC Moore Elementary
- Escambia County Middle School
- Flomaton Elementary School (not provided)
- Huxford Elementary
- Rachel Patterson Elementary
Free School Supplies, Food Today In Century, Molino And Cantonment
August 16, 2014
Three North Escambia events will offer help to those in need this weekend with items such as free school supplies and food.
Century — Farm Share
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, the AmeriCorps Coalition of Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties and Farm Share will host a free food distribution event for residents of Century and Florida residents North Escambia area (including Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino, Cantonment and Jay) on Saturday at The Habitat Building (former middle school) at 150 East Pond Street. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and will continue while supplies last or until noon. Assisted by volunteers, Farm Share will distribute fresh produce, water and canned foods for up to 300 families in need. All participants must have a valid photo identification.
Molino — Day Of Hope
A free Day of Hope will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God at 1895 Victory Road, just south of Barrineau Park Road on Highway 29. The event will offer free groceries, haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, a kids zone and a hot lunch. Items are available while supplies last, rain or shine. No identification is required.
Cantonment — Back To School Bash
The Cantonment Improvement Committee’s Back to School Bash will provide free school supplies to those in need. The event will begin at 10 a.m Saturday at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street in Cantonment.
Pictured top: Fresh produce given away during a previous Farm Share event in Century. NothEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
August 16, 2014
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the week ending August 14.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Cushing was on vessel patrol in Escambia Bay when he observed what appeared to be a shrimp boat pulling two nets. As Officer Cushing maneuvered his vessel closer to the rear of the shrimp boat, he realized that the shrimp boat was actually pulling three nets. Measurements of the nets were taken and it was determined that all three nets were legal, measuring less than 500 square feet in total mesh area. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for pulling more than two nets.
Officers Hoomes and Manning were working the Bob Sikes Bridge for redfish violations. The officers observed one subject catch and keep three redfish that appeared to be over the legal size limit of 27 inches. The officers stopped the subject and found him in possession of three oversized redfish. The fish measured 35, 33 and 29 inches. The subject was cited for possession of over the daily bag limit of redfish and for possession of oversized redfish. The three redfish were seized as evidence.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Early Voting Begins Underway With New Locations
August 16, 2014
Early voting got underway Saturday, with seven sites available in Escambia County for the August Primary Election.
Early voting is available each day through Saturday, August 23 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the following locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 W. Mobile Highway
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- West Florida Public Library, 239 N. Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
Early voters cast paper ballots through digital scanners and may choose any one of the seven sites – three more than the 2012 Primary Election.
Another option for voters is to cast an absentee ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com), phone (850-595-3900), mail, or fax (850-595-3914). Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, August 20. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location.
Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, August 26. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. An AutoMARK ballot marking device will also be available at each polling place and early voting site to assist persons with disabilities.
All eligible voters in Escambia County have been mailed a sample ballot. In addition, voters can verify their registration status, view their sample ballot and find their polling place by visiting EscambiaVotes.com.
Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls, and are encouraged to visit EscambiaVotes.com for complete voting information or contact the Elections Office by phone or e-mail with any questions.
Wahoos Even Series With Mobile
August 16, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saved their best game for last in front of Cincinnati Reds Bill Bavasi, who was in town to evaluate the players firsthand.
Bavasi oversees Cincinnati’s scouting, player development and international operations and looked on as the Reds’ Double-A affiliate romped to an 8-3 victory over its archrival Mobile BayBears – the top team in the Southern League.
Bavasi’s assessment? He gives Pensacola, its club, ballpark and fans all high marks.
“This place is terrific. It’s off the charts,” he said. “This league is full of guys who have great tools and are on their way up. This is a great city and a terrific place to play.”
One of those Wahoos players the Reds have an eye on is its top prospect Robert Stephenson who started Friday’s game. Stephenson earned the win and is now 6-8 on the year. He went five innings, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out five to retake the Southern League lead with 121 on the season.
Stephenson, who left the game after the fifth inning and 88 pitches because his right calf started cramping, said there’s no added pressure when a front office executive like Bavasi pays a visit.
“They have videos and are watching every game any way,” he said. “It didn’t concern me. I just wanted to pitch the way I’m supposed to pitch.”
The hard throwing righty bounced back from his last start when he allowed five runs and nine hits in just 2.1 innings.
“I felt great,” Stephenson said. “I felt my struggles lately have just been mental. I told myself I was going to get everyone out and I was just better than them. It seemed to help me.”
Blue Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields reminded his players of one important lesson.
“They’ve been evaluated all along,” he said. “It comes down to how the guys finished, not how they started. They are all still playing hard. I appreciate the effort they’re giving.”
Stephenson, outfielder Jesse Winker (No. 2), starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (No. 4) and starting pitcher Ben Lively (No. 6) are all among the Reds top 10 prospects in their organization, according to MLB.com. In addition, starting pitcher Daniel Corcino is ranked No. 12, outfielder Yorman Rodriguez No. 13 and starting pitcher Jon Moscot No. 16.
Bevasi said while Stephenson and Winker get all the kudos as the top two prospects, a lot of other players have a chance to play for the Reds in the coming years. Winker has been on the disabled list since July 24 with a sprained right wrist.
“Robert (Stephenson) has developed well and this is a good place for him to get challenged,” Bevasi said. “We wish Jesse (Winker) wasn’t hurt. We’d like to see him get more at bats. But the guys who are written up are not always the ones who end up playing in the Major Leagues.”
And Blue Wahoos players who have the best chance of joining Cincinnati’s starting lineup? All Bevasi revealed is, “I like them all.”
In Friday’s game, the players most fans liked best were leftfielder Juan Silverio, who clubbed a solo homer in the sixth, and first baseman Travis Mattair, who blasted a three-run home run in the seventh inning that put Pensacola up, 8-1.
GAME NOTES
The finale of the five-game series with Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate the Mobile BayBears (73-48) gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-5, 2.98) takes the mound for the Wahoos (53-71) and is scheduled to be opposed by the BayBears RHP Archie Bradley (2-2, 3.77).
by Tommy Thrall
Fire Damages Bratt Home
August 15, 2014
Fire damaged a single story home in Bratt Friday morning.
The fire was reported about 9:15 a.m. in the 3800 block of Macks Road, just east of North Highway 99. A resident reported a problem with a propane gas stove and a resulting kitchen fire. The fire was quickly contained.
There was no immediate report of any injuries.
The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Advisory Issued Due To West Nile Virus Case
August 15, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has received notification of a probable case of West Nile virus infection in a resident of Escambia County, FL.
“There is a heightened concern that other Escambia County, Florida, residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito,” the department said in a news release.
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division and DOH-Escambia is continuing surveillance and prevention efforts. The health department is reminding residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses.
Northview’s FFA To Be Honored As One Of America’s Best Chapters
August 15, 2014
The Northview High School FFA chapter will once again receive one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA.
Northview’s FFA will receive the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the National FFA Convention & Expo this fall in Louisville, KY. The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the county that successfully complete an annual set of required activities that encourage members to grow individually, work as a team and serve others in their community.
In addition to the national honors, the Northview High FFA chapter was recently honored for having the top Fresh From Florida Food Advocacy Program, formerly known as the Food for America Program, in the entire state. The chapter has received top state award numerous times.
During the FFA state convention this summer, the Northview FFA was also selected for the Florida’s Premier FFA Chapters award. The Premier Chapter Award was initiated to recognize superior achievement by chapters in agricultural education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas, which include alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, and public relations, along with recruitment and other FFA activities.
Pictured top: On behalf of the Northview FFA, Courtney Solari (left) and Bethany Reynolds (middle) receive the 2013 Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, last October. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Voter Registration Up In Escambia County For August Primary
August 15, 2014
The final registration date has passed for voters to register for the August 26 primary election. In Escambia County, the final books closed with 198,775 voters registered; that’s up about six percent from the 2012 primary election.
The Escambia County Elections Office says over 200,000 voters should be registered in time for the November 6 general election. The deadline to register to voter in the November 6 general election is October 6.