Escambia County Unemployment Rate Declines
May 21, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment level declined by three-tenths of a percentage point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.4% in April, down from 2.7% in March. That represented 3,637 people out of work out of a county workforce of 149,093. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.7%, or 6,807 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area gained 9,200 private sector jobs (+5.9%) over the year in April 2022. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 8,023 over the year, a 3.5%.
In April 2022, the Pensacola metro area had the fastest over-the-year job growth rate compared to all the metro areas in the state in trade, transportation, and utilities (+8.8%).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3% in April, down 0.2 percentage point from the March 2022 rate, and down 2.1 percentage points from a year ago. There were 321,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,543,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6% in April
FDLE Investigating After Man Dies In ECSO Custody
May 21, 2022
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating after a man died in the custody of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Friday afternoon.
Deputies responded to a call of an individual acting erratic and potentially suffering from a mental health episode at Beverly Parkway and W Street, next to the Victor Randall Stadium at the Brent Athletic Park.
ECSO released the following statement:
“Based on the observation of the deputy and the information provided by witnesses, the decision was made to take the individual into custody for a mental health evaluation.
“After the individual was taken into custody, deputies realized the individual was in distress. Emergency medical personnel were called and arrive on scene within minutes. Upon arrival, they began medical assessment and treatment. EMS later pronounced the 51-year-old male deceased.”
As is standard procedure, three deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave. FDLE is leading the investigation into the in-custody death.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
May 21, 2022
Tate High School recently named their March Students of the Month. They are Julie Young and Jackson Shelnut. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Early Morning Wreck On Highway 97 In Molino
May 20, 2022
There were no serious injuries reported in a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning on Highway 97 in Molino.
The crash involving a car and a pickup truck happened about 2:30 a.m. on Highway 97 about one-third of a mile north of Highway 29. The car blocked northbound Highway 97, while the pickup truck came to rest in a shallow ditch in front of a residence following the crash.
Both drivers reportedly refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Adopts HR Policy Requiring Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission
May 20, 2022
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday formalized a human resources policy previously approved by ordinance that requires county employees to resign or take a leave of absence before running for a seat on the commission.
“There is really very, very rarely a time where it’s appropriate for a government to make determinations about who can and cannot, or how they should participate in the political process. As you move further and further down that road, you have a separation between the elected officials, the government itself, and the people that it governs,” District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill said before the vote.
Underhill read from a state statute (F.S. 104.31) that he said prevents the policy.
“Curtailing out employees’ ability to be a nominee or participate in the election process in any way, I would consider to be a direct violation of that (statute),” he said.
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he found it interesting that Underhill dissented Thursday he “rushed to make the motion” for the actual ordinance approved in March. Bergosh said he policy has been vetted by the attorney, and the policy is found across the state among other governments.
“You are not saying they can’t do something. You are just stipulating as to not create a hostile work environment, to not create a dysfunctional work environment,” said Bergosh. “It’s very common.”
The complete text of the county policy is below.
Effective March 7, 2022, Escambia County, Florida, Ordinance 2022-13 states that an Employee is required to resign or take a leave of absence upon the date the Employee becomes a candidate for Elected Public Office for one of the five Commissioners’ districts of Escambia County, Florida. An Employee is prohibited from engaging in any activities in furtherance of seeking qualification as a Candidate on County time. Any Employee failing to timely comply with the requirements of this Policy will be subject to immediate termination by the Interim/County Administrator.
If the Employee chooses to take leave, the Employee may utilize all accrued Annual Leave, Paid Time Off, or Management Options Benefits before requesting Leave without Pay. This applies to all Employees who are in positions included in the Classified Service, Unclassified Service, and assigned Employees performing temporary labor services for the County on behalf of a temporary staffing agency. This applies to all Employees, whether full-time, part-time, temporary, paid volunteer, or volunteer.
As used in this provision, the terms Candidate, Employee, and Public Office shall be as defined in Sec. 2-66(a), Escambia County Code of Ordinances.
This Little Light Of Mine: Tri-City Children’s Choir Holds First Concert (With Gallery)
May 20, 2022
The sun filtered warmly through the stained glass windows at Century First United Methodist Church Thursday evening.
Smiles beamed from the faces of the crowd packed into the wooden pews as music filled the church.
“This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine.”
It was the first concert by the new Tri-City Children’s Choir, a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus for young singers in grades 2-6 who reside in the Century, Flomaton, Jay and surrounding areas. They have practiced under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher, since March.
“They have done outstanding,” Driver said. “They have always exceeded my expectations, and so I am just terrifically thrilled.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The choir was a tuition-based program that cost $5-15 weekly. Families could choose the weekly amount that worked best for their household finances, and scholarships were also available.
An ensemble from the Pensacola Children’s Chorus opened the concert with a performance that included Prayer for Ukraine: Bozhe Velykyi. The Tri-City Children’s Choir performed How Can I Keep From Singing, To Music and This Little Light of Mine.
Driver said the choir will open enrollment again in the fall, giving an opportunity for area youth to shine.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Names Travis Tompkins As New Emergency Manager
May 20, 2022
Travis Tompkins has been named the Escambia County emergency manager.
Tompkins has served with Escambia County Emergency Management since 2017. Throughout his time with the county, he has served as the Situational Awareness Unit leader during Hurricane Michael, the emergency management coordinator during Hurricane Sally, and was responsible for the emergency management response to the distribution of COVID-19.
“I am pleased to introduce Travis Tompkins as Escambia County’s next emergency manager,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “Travis and our emergency management team have worked hard together throughout several hurricanes and during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am confident in Travis’ abilities to lead this team and look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Before joining Escambia County, Tompkins served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic non-commissioned officer. He also spent over 20 years in the private sector serving in multiple roles for a Fortune 500 company.
“I am honored and humbled to be your new emergency manager,” said Tompkins. “I am a person of faith, and Christians are given two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor. To me, there is no better way to love my neighbor than to serve them and to help all our citizens be prepared for any hazard that affects our community.”
Tompkins is also an active advocate for the homeless community, serving in two non-profit organizations and as a volunteer chaplain for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Tompkins has been married to his wife Jennifer for 29 years, and has two children and one granddaughter.
Dirt Sharks Youth Mountain Bike Club Wrap Up Successful Season (With Gallery)
May 20, 2022
The Gulf Coast Composite Mountain Bike Club, The Dirt Sharks, have wrapped up a successful season.
The Dirt Sharks finished seventh overall at the Alabama State Championship in Anniston out of 23 Division 2 teams.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Dirt Sharks are part of the Alabama Interscholastic Cycling League, which is composed of 34 teams and over 700 student athletes from across Alabama, Southern Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle.
During the season, Ransom Middle School student Eli Forehand won the 8th Grade Boys State Championship; he was the point leader for four out of five races during the season.
Three area athletes were awarded coveted spots in the league’s Varsity category.
Sophomores Avery Strother, Kayla Liles, and Landon Forehand competed against the very best in the league throughout the season. These riders finished the season with top 10 rankings. Avery and Kayla finished ninth and tenth in varsity girls, while Landon finished tenth in varsity boys.
Ransom Middle’s Branden Ruiz finished ninth in the sixth grade boys division.
The 2022 Dirt Sharks consisted of 21 student athletes from grades 6-11 along with the support of 10 coaches. Organizers said the Dirt Sharks culture is one of family centered fun that consists of camping, team dinners, and organized rides for everyone. No cycling experience is required, and racing is not an expectation to join. The certified coaching leadership will teach the fundamental biking skills to the athletes and coaches. Parents are highly encouraged to participate, either as coaches or as volunteers.
For more information, contact club director Brett Liles at gulfcoastcomposite@gmail.com.
Byrneville Elementary To Hold Kindergarten Parent Orientation On Monday
May 20, 2022
Byrneville Elementary School will hold a kindergarten parent orientation meeting on Monday.
Parents can join Byrneville teachers for an informational session explaining what to expect from kindergarten next school year. Tips will also be presented on things to do to help a child be prepared to exceed.
The meeting will take place at 5-6 p.m. Monday at Byrneville Elementary, 1600 Byrneville Road.
Pictured: Byrneville Elementary School 2022 Teacher of the Year Ashley Slade with her kindergarten class. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 20, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named Students of the Month. They are Paisley Black and Jaxon Southern. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
