Scott: Area’s Unemployment Drops, Sees Economic Growth
May 21, 2016
Gov Rick Scott announced Friday that the Pensacola area added 1,300 new private-sector jobs over the year in April. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.5 percentage point over the year to 4.5 percent.
Scott said, “Like the rest of our state, the Pensacola area continues to see economic growth with 1,300 new jobs added over the year. While today’s announcement is great news for Northwest Florida, we will keep working to create more opportunities across Florida so everyone who wants a job can find one.”
The industry with the greatest job growth in the Pensacola area over the year was education and health services with 500 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 5,039 job openings in April, with 1,253 openings for high-wage, high-skill, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent in April, down from 4.9 percent in March and the lowest mark for the state in more than eight years. The preliminary April jobless rate represented an estimated 472,000 Floridians being out of work — 6,000 fewer than revised March numbers — from a workforce of 9.8 million, the state Department of Economic Development announced Friday.
Two Honored For Saving Deputy After Beulah Crash
May 21, 2016
A deputy and a citizen have been recognized “for displaying exceptional courage and selflessness in the midst of great personal danger” and actions that saved the life of another deputy following a traffic crash last month in Beulah.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Hector Escajeda, 31, was southbound on Beulah Road April 11 when he ran a stop sign at Mobile Highway and collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Jon Yvarra, 58, of Pensacola. After the collision, the deputy’s 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe caught on fire.
Senior Deputy Robert Guy and civilian Craig Morado removed Deputy Escajeda from the vehicle as he was non-responsive and the vehicle was on fire. Escajeda was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and is recovering from his injuries.
Friday, Escambia County Sheriff Davis Morgan awarded Guy a Medal of Courage and Lifesaving Medal, and Morado received a Medal of Courage.
Yvarra and his passengers – Patricia Yvarra, 57; Damen Hadder, 12; James Hadder 13; and Christian Hadder, 10, were all transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. There has been no update on their conditions.
Pictured top: Sheriff David Morgan presents medals to Senior Deputy Robery Guy (left) and civilian Craig Morado Friday; courts photos/ Pictured inset and below: The April 11 accident scene; NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Says Court Should Reject ‘Docs V. Glocks’ Challenge
May 21, 2016
With a closely watched hearing little more than a month away, state attorneys have filed a final brief arguing that physicians have not shown they have legal standing to challenge Florida’s controversial “docs vs. glocks” law.
The brief filing came as the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments June 21 in the case.
The 2011 law, backed by groups such as the National Rifle Association, seeks to restrict doctors from asking questions and recording information about patients’ gun ownership. A group of plaintiffs, including individual doctors and medical groups, filed a federal lawsuit arguing the law violates First Amendment rights.
A federal district judge sided with them, but a three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld the law in three separate rulings. The full appeals court then agreed to take up the case.
In the brief, state attorneys argued that the plaintiffs do not have standing, at least in part because they have not shown the Florida Board of Medicine would discipline them for the gun-related conversations they want to have with patients. The state’s brief also contended the law does not violate the First Amendment.
“The act’s goals are not only substantiated; they are compelling,” the state brief said. “The act shields patients who own firearms from purposely irrelevant record-keeping, questioning, discrimination, and harassment, and thereby furthers the state’s compelling interest in protecting citizens’ fundamental right to keep and bear arms for defense of self and state.”
But in a brief filed last month, attorneys for the plaintiffs argued the law violates the First Amendment rights of physicians to discuss safety-related issues with patients.
“In (the law), the Florida Legislature does what no legislative body has done before or since; it prevents doctors from providing patients with truthful advice to keep their families healthy and safe — speech that is recommended as standard protocol by national medical associations,” the plaintiffs’ brief said.
Ahoy Matey! Bratt Elementary Top Readers Rewarded At The Treasure Library
May 21, 2016
Bratt Elementary School “Book-aneers” had a chance to visit the “Treasure Library” Friday — a year end treat for students with most “AR” — advanced reader — points.
In addition to snacks, students had the chance to pose for photos on a pirate ship, walk the plank while battling bubbles, send a message in a bottle from a deserted island and search for treasure during the fun-filled visit.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Outwit and Outlast Those Troublesome Armadillos
May 21, 2016
by UF/IFAS Extension Service
Have you ever discovered your once beautiful green lawn looking like the surface of the moon, full of craters? If so, then you may have been visited by an alien-looking creature known as the armadillo.
Armadillos originated in South America. They are mammals. They are neither rodents nor marsupials and are not related to the opossum. Their closest living relative is the anteater and sloth.
The most easily recognized feature of an armadillo is its shell. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish term meaning “little armored one”. All armadillos have shells, made of true bone, that cover their backs. Most armadillos also have bony rings or plates that protect their tails.
Digging machines
Armadillos are built to dig. They rely on this ability to escape danger and survive. They prefer sandy or loam soils that are relatively easy to excavate. Therefore, they are well adapted to Northwest Florida soils.
Armadillos typically rest in deep burrows during the day and become more active during the late evening, night, or early morning. These burrows are usually located under brushpiles, stumps, dense brush, or concrete patios, and are about 7 to 8 inches in diameter and can be up to 15 feet long. They often have several burrows throughout their territory.
Food sources
Armadillos feed primarily on insects. They also eat earthworms, scorpions, spiders, snails, and small vertebrates and their eggs. They consume large amounts of armyworms, cockroaches, ants, wasps, flies, beetles, and grasshoppers. They have been known to dig up entire yellow-jacket nests.
Some consider the armadillo a beneficial creature because they eat potential pests. Many consider the armadillo a pest because of their destructive ways. Armadillo can burrow under driveways and patios causing structural damage. Burrows in pastures can pose a potential hazard to livestock. And because armadillos usually search for food by rooting or digging in the ground, they can damage large areas of the lawn or garden.
Control measures
If you find that you cannot live with these creatures, the University of Florida recommends four ways to deal with armadillos.
- reducing the amount of water and fertilizer you apply to your lawn
- creating barriers (e.g., fences),
- live-trapping
- shooting offending individuals (check local ordinances)
The best solution (and the most expensive) is a stout fence to keep the armadillos out. If you take this route, make sure the fence is buried at least 18 inches into the ground, or they might just burrow under it.
Reducing the water and fertilizer applications to your lawn may help reduce armadillo damage. A moist lush landscape is perfect for earthworms and insect larvae. Armadillos love earthworms. Sometimes watering adjacent areas may attract armadillos away from a site.
Trapping can be frustrating and may require some ingenious thinking. Some tried and true trapping techniques are discussed at length in an online University of Florida publication by Dr. Russ Mizell at http://ufinsect.ifas.ufl.edu/armadillo.htm.
Remember that poison baits are illegal and ineffective. No chemical repellents or fumigants are registered for use in Florida.
Armadillos are very happy in Northwest Florida and are here to stay. If they have become unwelcomed house guests, put your thinking cap on and be committed to outwitting and outlasting this prehistoric-looking creature.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos And Suns Split Doubleheader
May 21, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers Jackson Stephens, Matt Magill and Carlos Gonzalez combined on a seven-inning no-hitter Friday against the Jacksonville Suns at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Pensacola won, 6-0, in the second game of a doubleheader as Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Stephens pitched five scoreless innings, allowing no hits, two walks and striking out two. He improved to 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA.
Reliever Matt Magill then threw one inning and struck out the side. Carlos Gonzalez pitched the seven and set the Suns down in order. This was the second no-hitter in team history with the first one in 2012.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville won the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, 4-0, on a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning by first baseman Brady Shoemaker followed by a solo shot by right fielder Moises Sierra to left center.
Pensacola is 25-17 and now tied with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the Southern League South Division. Pensacola has been chasing Biloxi since it lost to them, 4-3, April 19. Meanwhile, Jacksonville fell to fourth place and is 18-23.
In the second game, Stephens, who’s pitching at the Double-A level for the first time, mowed down the Suns. The 22-year-old has had four two-hitters and one one-hitter in his five years in Minor League Baseball.
Pensacola center fielder Bryson Smith tripled two runs in the top of the third inning to put the Blue Wahoos on top, 2-0. Smith then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tony Renda to right field for a 3-0 lead.
Pensacola added another run in the fourth when first baseman Kyle Parker singled to left field, Brandon Dixon doubled to left field and right fielder Jeff Galalich singled to right field to score Parker and increase the Blue Wahoos’ lead to 4-0.
Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino added two more runs in the seventh when he singled to right field, scoring both Smith and Renda to score make the final score, 6-0.
In the first game, Jacksonville scored four runs with two outs in the sixth inning. Shoemaker hit a three-run homer that brought in center fielder Yefri Perez and left fielder Austin Dean. Sierra then followed with his blast to left center.
Both home runs came off of Pensacola starter Sal Romano, who gave up seven hits and one walk and struck out five in 5.2 innings. Romano is 1-3 with a 4.74 ERA.
Meanwhile, Suns starter Jake Esch pitched six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and six strikeouts. He improved to 5-4 with a 4.63 ERA.
Leading Pensacola at the plate was Calten Daal, who accounted for three of the Blue Wahoos’ five hits on his 3-3 day at the plate. Second baseman Zach Vincej and center fielder Phillip Ervin each got a hit as both went 1-3. Pensacola was 0-10 with runners in scoring position.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Smith went 1-4 with two runs and two RBIs and Blandino was 2-3 with two RBIs. After hitting .167 in April, Blandino has increased his average to .281 in May.
Virginia Hyde Nix
May 21, 2016
Mrs. Merle Virginia Hyde Nix, age 93, of East Brewton, passed away Monday, May 16, 2016, in Laurel, MS. She was a native of Evergreen, and a long time resident of Brewton. Mrs. Nix was a member of the Cedar Hill Baptist Church. She was a former employee of Mason Drug Store and Bracken’s Drive-In for many years. She was an avid fisherman and enjoyed reading and quilting.
Survivors include three sons, James A. (Joyce) Nix of Flomaton, Kenneth (Lillian) Nix of Brewton, and Don (Pam) Nix of San Antonio, TX; one daughter, Vicky (Bud) Turner of Laurel, MS; one sister, Marie White of Flomaton; 10 grandchildren, Sunji Hunter, Richard Nix, Scotty Nix, Samantha Howington, Mickie Howington, Cory Nix, Howard Turner, Terry Turner, Keith Turner, and Brent Turner; and 28 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by three grandchildren, Vinson Nix, Wanda Michelle Nix and Brandy Nix; and one great-grandchild, Tosha Nicole Jackson.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 20, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Watts officiating.
Interment will follow in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.
Dump Truck Driver Killed In Escambia County Crash
May 20, 2016
A dump truck driver was killed in collision with a box truck Thursday in Escambia County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 46-year old Jessie Wright of Pensacola was traveling east on Gulf Beach Highway at Athens Avenue in a box truck as 50-year old Shawn Ford of Milton was traveling west about 1:45 p.m. For unknown reasons, the front of both vehicles collided.
Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene. Wright and his passenger, 32-year old Ronald Brown of Pensacola, were both seriously injuries and transported to Baptist Hospital.
Any charges in the crash are pending a traffic homicide investigation by the FHP.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Coin Laundry Robbery Suspect Arrested After Fight With Police
May 20, 2016
A man that allegedly robbed a coin laundry in Century last month has been arrested, but not without putting up a fight.
William Edward Perry, Jr. was charged with robbery and grand theft in connection with the April 21 incident at the Century Laundry and Self Storage, next to the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard.
Perry allegedly entered the business about 3:49 p.m. and ordered to the clerk to remain silent and give him the keys to the office, which she refused to do. Perry, who did not produce a weapon, then told the clerk to sit behind a row of washing machines as he took a bucket containing $300 in coins before fleeing.
Shortly after the robbery, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Perry fled with a children’s trick-or-treat Halloween pumpkin full of coins.
Perry was positively identified inside the Food Giant moments before the robbery checking the funds availability on his EBT card, and he was identified from a photo line-up by the laundry clerk and witness. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Pensacola Police located Perry panhandling near the intersection of Pace and Cervantes. When officers approached, he ran before falling down and scuffling with officers before being taken into custody. He was charged with battery, two counts of resisting an officer and obstructing police by the Pensacola Police Department.
He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $95,000.
Evers Calls For Governor, AG To Fight Transgender Bathroom Directive
May 20, 2016
State Senator Greg Evers has sent letters to Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi urging them to provide legal support to school superintendents who have vowed to reject new federal guidelines on transgender school bathroom access.
“I formally request your office to direct every available legal resource to assist in the fight to protect common sense school policies and ensure that not one dime of federal funding is pulled from these
districts,” the letter from Evers said.
Schools across the Florida Panhandle already implement the least disruptive, most common sense approach to protecting student privacy, regardless of a student’s gender. The new guidelines, announced by the Obama Administration last Friday, would force schools to allow any student to use the locker room or bathroom of their choice. No parental permission, medical or psychiatric diagnosis is required.
Senator Evers has spoken with many of the school superintendents across his district who told him they plan to reject the new rules, even if it means the loss of federal funding.
“These school officials are making the right decision,” Evers said. “Now it’s up to us to back them up, to find a way to protect those students and families that could be affected if Obama pulls the plug on Title
IX funds. I’m going to fight this every way I can.”