Escambia Unemployment Rates Increases Slightly
March 14, 2023
The Escambia County unemployment increased slightly last month, according to data released Monday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Florida’s unemployment rate of 2.6% remained lower than the national average for the 27th consecutive month, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The area unemployment rate increased to 2.7 percent over the year in January 2023, up 0.2 percentage point from 2.5 percent reported in December 2022. The area labor force increased by 4,740 over the year, a 2.0 percent increase.
The industry gaining the most jobs over the year locally was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,300 jobs.
“Florida is number one in net migration, tourism, and new business formations because we have bucked the elites and forged our own path forward towards success,” said DeSantis. “We will continue to prioritize policies that support Florida families as they continue to face persistent inflation and national economic headwinds.”
FCA Presents Spirit Of Champions Awards For Cheerleading, Dance
March 14, 2023
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Spirit of Champions” awards for cheerleading and dance were presented recently. The winners were:.
Cheerleading
- Central — Brooklyn Martin
- East Hill — Abby Seelman
- Escambia — Leah Smith
- Gulf Breeze — Eleanor Caldwell
- Jay — Briana Dunsford
- Northview — Maggie Godwin
- Pensacola High — Jakheria Kelser
- Pensacola Catholic — Anna Petro
- Tate — Paige McKinney
- Washington — Laila Rose
- West Florida Tech — Envy Hunter
Dance
- Gulf Breeze — Priscilla Haradon
Tate Aggies Beat Norman North (OK) In Day One Of Aggies Classic
March 14, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat Norman North (OK) 5-1 on the first day of the Aggie Classic.
Drew Reaves allowed three hits and one run, striking out 13, in seven innings.
Brayden Touchstone Touchstone had a homer in the third inning, going 3-4 at the plate to lead the Aggies.
Tuesday,Tate will play Santa Fe South (OK) at 7 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ruby Jane White
March 14, 2023
Mrs. Ruby Jane White, age 70, passed away, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Century, FL; with her family at her bedside. She was a lifelong resident of Century, FL; and a member of Bethel Methodist Church.
Mrs. White loved spending time with her family, and attending church. She was an avid Auburn Football Fan. She enjoyed going to the beach, Disney World, and going fishing. She liked getting out and feeding the squirrels, playing with her dog, Bosco, and her cat Garfield. She loved her family dearly.
She is preceded in death by her father, Clyde Johnson, mother, Dorothy Jean Cofield Johnson, three brothers, Ricky Hendrix, Terry “ToTo” Hendrix, Lavon Wayne Hendrix.
She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Kenneth White, of Flomaton, AL; one son, Jason (Tiffany) White, of Flomaton, AL; one step-son, Wade White, of Uriah, AL; three brothers, Lamar “Marcy” (Dee) Hendrix, of Byrneville, FL; Tim (Melody) Johnson, of Cantonment, FL; Jim (Melissa) Johnson, of Flomaton, AL; two sisters, Jeannine Moye, of Century, FL; Linda Kay Zimlich, of Bay Monette, AL; four grandchildren, Alicyn White, Elizabeth White, Landon White, Caleb White, two special cousins, Carolyn Harris, of Flomaton, AL; Mary Sue Dueitt, of Leaksville, MS; other relatives and friends.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Fred Stalworth officiating.
Hose M. Creamer
March 14, 2023
Hose M. Creamer, age 95, of Century, FL passed away on March 5, 2023 in Jay, FL. He was born on March 5, 1928 to Thomas and Lena Godwin Creamer. He lived his life being a farmer. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Georgia Ann Walker and his nephew, Earnest Earl Creamer, Sr.
His is survived by his brother, Marvin Marshell “Doodle” Creamer; his great niece, Jennifer Wilson and his nephews: Junior Creamer, Jeffery Creamer and Joseph Creamer.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Bowman Cemetery with Bro. Tim Floyd officiating. Interment will follow in Bowman Cemetery in Wawbeek, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Quintette, Stacey Roads
March 14, 2023
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded the afternoon of March 16 after a bacteriological survey showed the water is safe to drink.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for all of Quintette Road and a portion of Stacey Road.
According to the water utility, Florida Power & Light damaged a six-inch water main on Stacey Road. Residents in the area will experience a brief disruption of water service until the repair is complete.
The boil water notice includes Quintette Road, and all residents on Stacey Road to Quintette Lane going east just past Highway 95A, and all of Stacey Road to St. Matthews Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. For more information, customers should call (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Witnesses Say Molino Wedding Reception Stabbing Victim Was The Aggressor, ECSO Report States
March 13, 2023
Multiple witnesses told authorities that a stabbing victim at a Molino wedding reception was the aggressor, and one man has been charged with the stabbing.
Deputies arrived to find the adult victim bleeding profusely on a bus parked in front of the private event venue in the 4300 block of Crabtree Church Road.
The victim, described as a man in his 60s, was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after the incident just after 8 p.m.
Harold Alfonso Ramos-Feliz (pictured), age 53 of Ocala, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon on a $15,000 bond.
When Ramos-Feliz was taken into custody, he had a black folding knife with blood residue in his possession, according to the ECSO.
Witnesses told deputies that the victim was being aggressive toward Ramos-Feliz and other guests. The victim was being restrained by other guests and directed to the parking lot, according to an arrest report.
One witness told deputies he saw the victim causing problems with other guests when the victim approached him and punched him twice in the face. The man said he did not know the victim or know why he was attacked. He stated that he did not require medical attention and did not wish to pursue charges.
The owner of the wedding venue told deputies that the victim was causing problems with multiple guests. She said the victim “made threats that he has killed people and could kill someone as he is with the CIA”, an ECSO report states, and she demanded that he leave the property. She said the victim was then escorted outside by several of his relatives at which time the altercation with Ramos-Feliz and the stabbing occurred.
Ramos-Feliz’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report provided by the State Attorney’s Office.
The victim was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital with serious injuries. An update on his condition was not available Monday.
Cold Case Symposium To Revisit Four Escambia Murders
March 13, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will hold a two-day cold case symposium this week as they seek to solve four murders, three of which are North Escambia related.
Anna Louise Brown, 38, was found dead on Gibson Road off Crabtree Church Road in Molino on April 30, 2017 (pictured above and inset). Brown, 38, was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered face down by the roadway. Investigators believe the murder was not a random act of violence, and they believe Brown knew the person that killed her. No suspect has been named by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home on January 2, 1981. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood. Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area where Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning in an area near Booker Street. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
Connie Annette Slaughter, 43, was found dead in the backyard of her home in the 400 block of East 10 Mile Road on the morning of December 10, 2010. She had been strangled to death.
Steven R. Davis was shot at a Winn Dixie at 400 North Navy Boulevard during the early morning hours of August 26, 1998. He suffered a single gunshot wound to his head and two to his back.
The symposium, to be held March 15-16, will enlist the expertise of retired certified law enforcement detectives in the area.
“We have a number of retired deputies and law enforcement professionals who have offered their expertise in the past,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “We look to take advantage of the years of experience these veteran law enforcement professionals bring. Just because someone is retired, doesn’t mean they have lost their experience and intuition. We hope that our current cold case investigators combined with volunteer experienced retirees can help close these cases and bring closure to the families.”
The ECSO considers a case to be cold when all leads have been exhausted without establishing probable cause for an arrest.
Anyone with information on any of the cases is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above: The body of Anna Louise Brown was found here on Gibson Road in Molino on April 30, 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Wrestler Lahela Turnquest Places At State For The Second Year
March 13, 2023
Tate High School sophomore Lahela Turnquest placed seventh in the 120 division of the Florida High School Athletic Association state championships.
Turnquest is a two-time district champion and two-time regional runner up. Last year, she placed seventh in the 115 division at state.
Turnquest was the only Tate High wrestler to qualify for state this year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: How To Sweep A Bridge? And Why.
March 13, 2023
So how to you sweep a bridge? And why?
Our cameras recently caught a contractor cleaning the Highway 4 bridge between Century and Jay.
The bridge has small holes along the retaining wall for drainage. Cleaning away the debris keeps those holes from becoming clogged so water does not accumulate when there is heavy rain.
The crew was using a large “jet” blower pulled by a truck, backpack blowers and shovels.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
