Local Unemployment Rate Drops
September 22, 2018
The latest job numbers released Friday show the employment rate decreasing in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s seasonably adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.9 percent in July to 3.6 percent in August. There were 5,347 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 4. 2percent.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate fell from 3.8 percent in July to 3.4 percent in August. Santa Rosa County had a total of 2,734 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 4 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was3.7 percent in August, unchanged from the July rate,and down 0.3 percentage points from a year ago.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Weekend Gardening: It’s Easy To Attract Hummingbirds
September 22, 2018
by UF/IFAS Extension
Few sights are more thrilling in the garden than rapidly moving hummingbirds darting among colorful flowers. Hummingbirds, also known as hummers, are always a wonder to see, and it’s easy to attract them to your garden.
In Florida, we see three different types of hummingbirds, but the most common is the ruby-throated. This feathered jewel is only about three inches long and weighs as little as a single penny.
For their size, hummingbirds have among the largest appetites in the bird world. They feed every 10 or 15 minutes from dawn until dusk. During this period, they eat more than half their weight in food and 8 times their weight in water.
If you’re fascinated by hummingbirds, you probably hang out a feeder or two in the summer to provide them with sugar water. Artificial feeders will attract hummingbirds.
However, feeders should not be the sole source of food provided. The sugar solution may appeal to the hummingbirds’ sweet tooth, but it provides little nourishment. Nectar is much more vital to the hummingbird than just water and sugar. By planting certain flowers and shrubs, home gardeners can provide food and habitat for hummingbirds.
Typical hummingbird flowers are red, have a tubular shape and have no strong scent. But there are several notable exceptions to this general rule. Many plants with red flowers don’t contain very much nectar. Roses, petunias, geraniums and zinnias have brilliant colors but little nectar.
Plants that produce an abundance of flowers over an extended period of time and those that require little care are good choices. Native plants can “fill the bill” where nectar-seekers are concerned and should be used whenever possible.
Perennials that are recommended as nectar sources include butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), red basil (Calamintha coccinea), shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana), cigar plant (Cuphea ignea), firespike (Odontonema stricta), red star hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), and obedient plant (Physostegia spp.).
It’s also important to plant a mixture of nectar producing trees, vines and shrubs that have overlapping blooming seasons. This will insure that a continuous source of nectar will be available to hummingbirds throughout the growing season. Some of the species recommended include red buckeye, bottlebrush, firebush (Hamelia patens), wild azalea, trumpet vine, and coral honeysuckle.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds are not strictly nectar feeders. Insects and other invertebrates are the primary source of protein for adult hummingbirds and their young. An adult female can consume up to 2,000 insects per day. Small invertebrates including mosquitoes, gnats, small bees, fruit flies, spiders, caterpillars, aphids, and insects eggs make up the hummingbirds diet. So keep your plants free of pesticides. Pesticides destroy the insect food base vital to hummingbirds and their offspring, and may also contaminate the nectar they drink.
And if you do use artificial feeders, remember that the sugar solutions must be kept fresh. Florida’s hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth in these feeders and birds that drink contaminated water could die. To avoid this, change the solution every 3 to 5 days. Clean the feeders with hot water and white vinegar. Do not use soap or chlorine bleach.
Milton Panthers Top The Tate Aggies By One
September 22, 2018
The Milton Panthers topped the Tate Aggies 35-34 Friday night.
Milton took an early 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game on a 40-yard run before going to a 14-0 lead on a 27-yard quarterback keeper.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Aggies were the board with a 36-yard touchdown run from senior Patrick Palmer, and the Aggies trailed 14-7. Then take two for Palmer as he scored again, 14-all.
Milton managed to go ahead 28-14 before take three for Palmer, this time from 66-yards out, and the Aggies were down by just one TD.
In the fourth quarterback Hunter Riggan scored on a keeper to even up the matchup at Milton, 28-28.
Then Panthers scored again, 35-28.
But wait the Aggies were not not done. Tate inched within one point as Riggan found Spencer Ruiz for a 63-yard score with 1:19 in the ballgame.
The Aggies decided go for two and the win, but Milton charged for a QB sack and their first win over Tate since 2012.
The Aggies (1-4) will be at Washington (0-5) next Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Battles Back To A 26-20 Win Over Holmes County
September 22, 2018
The Northview Chiefs battled to a 26-20 win over the Blue Devils of Holmes County Friday night in Bratt.
“It was battle against a good football team,” Northview head football coach Derek Marshman said. “We faced a lot of adversity throughout the game.”
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Holmes County capped their opening drive with a trip to the end zone and a 6-0 lead. The Chief recovered a Blue Devil fumble, with a quarterback keeper from Seth Killam setting up fourth and goal. Sophomore Jayden Jackson was in, tying it 6-6 in the second quarter.
The Chiefs were behind 13-6 at the half before dominating the third quarter of play.
Tied at 20-20 in the third, Jackson put the Chiefs on top in the fourth on an 80-yard touchdown run. Late in the fourth, the Blue D’s drove deep into Chief territory, but an interception by Lance McLaughlin sealed the win for the Chiefs.
“Our kids kept battling,” Marshman said. “They never quit; they never gave up. We had out backs against the wall multiple times, but this team is learning. Not just learning how to play the game, but learning how to be champions. They are learning how to fight, and they are learning how to do the little things that turn into big things.”
Friday night’s win put the Chiefs in positive territory on the season at 3-2.
“Each week we continue to get better. We are going continue to get better and be a really good football team,” Marshman said.
Northview will sit out next week before a homecoming matchup October 5 in Bratt against Jay. The Royals (3-2) lost Friday night to Escambia Academy 30-20.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Look for cheerleader, band and more photos by Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 20 Years In Prison For Cigarette Theft
September 22, 2018
An Escambia County man convicted of stealing cigarettes has been sentenced to two decades in prison as a habitual felony offender.
A jury convicted Robert Spellman, 48, of burglary of an unoccupied structure and grand theft. He was sentenced by Judge Jan Shackleford to 20 years in state prison.
On December 28, 2017, Spellman entered a locked manager’s office at a convenience store and took 10 cartons on NewPort cigarettes valued at $691.90.
When caught, he was wearing the same clothing and had the cigarettes in his possession.
Spellman’s prior criminal record includes 14 felony convictions and 31 misdemeanor convictions, including robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, burglary of a dwelling, gun offenses, obstructing a criminal investigation and battery of a law enforcement officer.
First Day Of Fall Forecast
September 22, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Photo by Betty Coon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
September 22, 2018
Here are Friday night’s North Escambia area high school football scores:
FLORIDA
- Milton 35, Tate 34 [Read more...]
- Northview 26, Holmes County 20 [Read more...]
- Escambia Academy 30, Jay 20
- West Florida 42, Crestview 40
- Pine Forest at Navarre, 7 p.m.
- Gulf Breeze 47, Washington 14
- Pace 45, Choctaw 28
- Pensacola Catholic 28, Pensacola High 12
- Escambia County (Atmore) 46, W.S. Neal 14
- Escambia Academy at Jay, 7 p.m.
- Flomaton 45, St. Michael Catholic 6
- T.R. Miller 31, Bayside Academy 14
One Injured In Rollover Crash Outside Century
September 21, 2018
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident about noon Friday.
The driver lost control on Highway 4A near Broomes Road west of Century and ran off the roadway. Their Jeep Grand Cherokee overturned and struck a culvert.
The driver was transported to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries by Escambia County EMS.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Driver Charged With DUI After Fatal Pedestrian Accident
September 21, 2018
An Escambia County man was charged with DUI after a fatal pedestrian accident Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 25-year old Tyler Allen Simpson was traveling north on Blue Angel Parkway just before 10 p.m. when a pedestrian ran into the road in front of him. Simpson struck the pedestrian with his Honda CRV. The pedestrian was then hit by a second vehicle driven by 40-year old Tony Darnell Johnson.
Simpson and Johnson were not injured.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Simpson was charged with DUI, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Molino Crash
September 21, 2018
A crash just before 5:00 Thursday shut down northbound Highway 29 in Molino, creating a significant traffic backup.
Two people were injured in the accident when a pickup left the roadway and struck a disabled vehicle, boat and trailer on the shoulder. Their injuries were no considered life threatening.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Click here for additional photos.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
