Escambia Unemployment Rate Slips
April 23, 2018
The Escambia county area added 2,800 new private-sector jobs in the past year, according to Gov.Rick Scott.. The area’s unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from a year ago.
“The Pensacola area’s creation of nearly 3,000 new jobs over the last year demonstrates that Florida is the best state in the nation to live the American Dream. Businesses across Florida are continuing to grow and succeed, bringing new jobs and opportunities for Florida families,” Scott said.
The industry with the highest growth over the year in the Escambia County area was leisure and hospitality with 1,300 new jobs. The area had 4,966 job openings, including 1,319 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
As of March, Florida’s unemployment rate is at 3.9 percent, a drop of 6.9 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 132,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.3 percent.
Wahoos, Barons Suspended In Third
April 23, 2018
Sunday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and the Barons has been suspended due to rain. Pensacola led the game 4-1 while batting in the bottom of the third when play was halted. The game will be restarted tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. and followed by a seven-inning game.
Pensacola scored a pair of runs in the first two innings of the game off Barons starter Spencer Adams. Shed Long extended his hitting streak to 10 games when singled to open the ballgame. Two batters later, Gavin LaValley notched his team-leading 14th RBI with a double to make it 1-0 Wahoos. He would later score on an RBI single from Gabriel Guerrero to double the lead. Pensacola added to two more runs in the second inning behind RBIs from Long and Nick Longhi. Josh VanMeter picked up his second hit of the game to lead off the third inning, but the game was stopped two batters later.
Keury Mella’s third start lasted only three innings due to the weather. He allowed one earned run with three strikeouts.
Following the completion of game one, Vladimir Gutierrez (0-2, 5.74) will take the mound for the Wahoos in game two. The Barons are still expected to go with RHP Jordan Stephens (0-3, 6.19).
Molino Tornado Caught On Videos
April 22, 2018
An apparent tornado in Molino Sunday afternoon was captured on video.
For more details and damage photo gallery, click here.
credit: Wayne Gulsby for NorthEscambia.com
Minor Damage In Gonzalez From Tornado Warned Storm
April 22, 2018
Minor damage was reported on Gonzalez Sunday afternoon as a tornado-warned storm moved over the Brookside Hills subdivision off Chemstrand Road. Photos by Jeremy Buschman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Apparent Tornado Causes Minor Damage In Molino (With Gallery)
April 22, 2018
An apparent tornado caused damage in Molino Sunday afternoon.
Several homes in the 3800 block of Crabtree Church Road in were damaged. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call from homeowners at 1:23 p.m. reporting damage. Escambia Fire Rescue and Emergency Management crews responded and found approximately five structures incurred slight to moderate damage. Several downed trees and power lines were also found in the area.
There were no injuries or assistance requested.
The National Weather Service is expected to survey the damage on Monday or Tuesday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For two videos of the tornado, click here.
Photos by Kristi Barber, Wayne Gulsby and others for NorthEscambia.com,click to enlarge.
Alger-Sullivan Historic District Historical Marker Dedicated
April 22, 2018
For the first time in decades, a new state historic marker was dedicated Saturday in North Escambia.
The marker near the corner of Jefferson and Front Streets commemorates the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District.
The text of the historic marker is as follows:
In 1901 one of the largest and most advanced southern pine sawmills east of
the Mississippi River was built here. In the tradition of the era, the lumber
company built its own town to house and supply the families of workers
needed to operate the mill. By 1915 the mill town of Century included a hotel,
hospital, commissary, post office, executive club, business district, schools,
churches, and separate housing districts for black and white families. Housing
ranged from small shotgun houses to large two-story executive homes.
Standing along Church St. is one of the lumber company’s last built town
structures – a large theatre and recreation hall completed in 1922. After
remodeling in 1946, it became lumber company offices. The deteriorated
black residential district along Pond St. was largely demolished and the homes
replaced in 1986 through a state block grant. The remaining residential
district along Front, Church, Fourth, and Mayo Streets, and Jefferson and
Pinewood Avenues represents a rare intact example of an early twentieth
century planned company town. The district, consisting of 45 historic
structures and a formal garden site, was added to the National Register of
Historic Places in 1989.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt’s Donut Boy Serves Up Sweet Thanks To Area Law Enforcement Officers
April 22, 2018
Bratt’s Donut Boy Tyler Carach has delivered doughnuts to thousands of law enforcement officers across the country. On Friday, he was busy in Brewton handing out fresh Krispy Kremes to officers from the Brewton Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office. He also dropped off doughnuts at the Flomaton and Atmore police departments.
Since buying doughnuts for four Escambia County (FL) deputies at a Bratt convenience in August 2016, Tyler has taken his mission on the road to thank every cop in America with a doughnut. He’s visited departments from Los Angeles to New York.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Enon Community Cleans Up
April 22, 2018
Enon Baptist Church hosted their first community clean up Saturday morning. Organizers said 16 people cleaned up the roadsides during the event. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Hit Three-Year High
April 22, 2018
Gas prices are at their most expensive point in nearly three years and continue to rise, according to AAA.
Saturday night’s average price in Escambia County was $2.77, up nearly 40 cents per gallon over last year.
“Expensive crude oil prices, unrest in the Middle East, strong domestic demand, record production rates and global oil supply surplus have created the perfect storm to drive spring gas prices toward new heights,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Consumers can expect gas prices to increase.”
Today’s gas price average is 18-cents more than a month ago and 30-cents more than a year ago.
Pictured: Gas was $2.69 per gallon Saturday at this station on Highway 29 at Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
NWE 12U Team Places Second In Myrtle Grove Tournament
April 22, 2018
The Northwest Escambia 12U baseball team placed second in a mid-season tournament Saturday at Myrtle Grove Park. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.