Florida Gas Prices Continue To Decline
December 20, 2021
Florida gas prices continue to gradually decline as an estimated 5.4 million Floridians prepare to hit the road for the holidays.
Pump prices averaged $3.23 per gallon on Sunday, after slipping 3.5 cents last week. The state average has declined 12 cents per gallon since Thanksgiving.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $3.15. About a half dozen Cantonment stations were below $3, while a county low of $2.84 could be found at a Pensacola Boulevard gas station.
“Holiday travelers are getting the gift of falling prices at the pump, though these prices surely aren’t falling as fast as many would like,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Travelers are poised to pay about a dollar per gallon more than they did last year. Even still, after many decided to stay home and play it safe last year, it appears that higher gas prices will not be a big deterrent. AAA forecasts a strong 28% rebound in road trips compared to last year.”
Charlotte Giddins
December 20, 2021
Mrs. Charlotte Giddins, age 71, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 in McDavid, FL. She retired from International Paper Company, with many years of employment. She loved attending baseball games and all the grandchildren sports. She loved going to the “Beach”.
She valued her time she got to spend with her family.. She loved to fish, teaching children at school, and cooking. She loved attending baseball games and all the grandchildren sports. She loved going to the “Beach”.
Mrs. Giddins is preceded in death by her parents, W H Burkett and Ethel (Entrekin) McElvoy, and one brother, Michael Burkett
She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-three years, Edward Giddins, of Christian Home, one son, Chad Giddins, of Christian Home, one daughter, Carmen (Stephen) Gindl, of Barrineau Park, FL; one brother, Randy (Denice) Burkett, of Christian Home, nine grandchildren, Caleb, Lacie, Adam, Brayden, CJ, Bella, Blaise, Conner, Cameron, one great-grandchild, Jace, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church at 11:00 AM with Bro. Josh Long officiating.
Burial will follow at Christian Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Gindl, Adam Gindl, Brett Johnson, Tony Hall, Justin Burkett, and Derek Giddins.
40,000 Pound Food Distribution Held In Cantonment (With Photo Gallery)
December 19, 2021
A 40,000 pound food distribution was held Saturday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Sheriff Chip Simmons, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, ECUA District 5 Board Member Kevin Stephens and dozens of volunteers took part in the event.
Salzman said plans call for a similar large food giveaway to be held once per quarter.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Sponsors included Salzman, Barry, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and community partners including Farm Share, Pinewood Presbyterian Church, Cantonment Improvement Committee, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Trailer Parts Plus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century’s Showalter Named New Manager Of The New York Mets
December 19, 2021
Buck Showalter has been named the new manager of the New York Mets, according to an announcement Saturday on Twitter from team owner Steven Cohen.
ESPN is reporting it’s a three-year deal, but that had not yet been officially announced late Saturday night.
Showalter has managed the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. The 65-year old has a career record of 1,551-1,517.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School and Carver Middle in Century for 23 years. Buck Showalter played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park bears the family name.
Photo courtesy Baltimore Orioles for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Cool, Dry Sunday; Rain Returns Monday Afternoon And Evening
December 19, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Escambia Unemployment Rate Drops; About One-Quarter Of Nation’s Job Growth In Florida
December 19, 2021
About one-quarter of all jobs gained in the country during November were in Florida, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
He said Florida’s job growth for November was six times faster than the nation as Florida gained 51,100 jobs while the nation as a whole gained 210,000 jobs over the month.
The Escambia County unemployment level declined by half a percentage point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.7% in November, down from 4.1% in October. That represented 6,261 people out of work out of a county workforce of 153,556. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.3%, or 6,261 people.
The local area added 7,800 new private sector jobs over the year, a 5.0% increase. The Pensacola area labor force in November 2021, increased by 15,144 over the year, a 6.7% increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,300 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in November 2021, down 0.1 percentage point from the October 2021 rate, and down 0.9 percentage point from a year ago.
“Our job growth rate is six times faster than the rest of the nation because we’ve worked hard to keep Florida open and protect the jobs of individual Floridians,” DeSantis said. “Because we have protected their livelihoods, Floridians are confident in finding work and operating their own businesses. We will continue to focus on our state’s foundation of freedom to ensure that Florida remains a leader in economic growth and Floridians are able to succeed.”
Let The Tate Showband Take The Stress Out Of Gift Wrapping
December 19, 2021
The Tate High School Showband of the South is wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve.
The gift wrapping is taking place at a different location this year — JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Here’s the schedule:
Monday, December 20, noon-8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 21, noon-8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 22, noon-8 p.m.
Thursday, December 23, noon-8 p.m.
Friday, December 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America Held
December 19, 2021
Thousands of Christmas wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola and other area cemeteries on Saturday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national event “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began over 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. The wreaths were placed to remember and honor veterans through the placing Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud.
There were 26,000 wreaths placed throughout Barrancas National Cemetery.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Makes Fire Truck Run Through Century And Byrneville
December 19, 2021
Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Century and Byrneville areas Saturday morning with a little help from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, including a special stop to visit with the residents of the Century Center for Rehabilitation & Healing. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Helen Juliann Schifko
December 19, 2021
Helen Juliann Schifko lifelong resident of Cantonment, FL passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the age of 88.
She was born on December 4, 1933 to the late Peter Schifko or Chatherine Hedrich Schifko.
No services are planned at this time.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North entrusted with arrangements.