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.
Louis Street In Cantonment Will Remain Closed Another Month
December 18, 2021
Louis Street in Cantonment will be closed for twice as long as originally anticipated.
Louis Street (Highway 297A) was closed in the area of Washington Street and Lincoln Street on November 15. Instead of reopening by mid-December as first announced, Escambia County says the road will be closed until January 16, 2022.
Work was delayed due to utility issues during installation of the storm and water lines.
Construction work includes installation of a stormwater pipe, other drainage structures and widening along the west southbound travel lane on Louis Street
Local traffic is being detoured in the surrounding neighborhood. All other through traffic should continue to use County Road 97 between Muscogee Road and Kingsfield Road.
Pictured: Looking north (above) and south (below) on Louis Street from Lincoln Street just before the closure in November. NorthEscambia.com graphic and photos, click to enlarge.
I-10 Wrong Way Driver Gets 15 Years For DUI Manslaughter, DUI Bodily Injury
December 18, 2021
A wrong-way driver has been sentenced to state prison for the death of a man on I-10 in Escambia County during early the morning of June 20, 2020.
Theresa Bernadette King was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Coleman Lee Robinson to serve 15 years for DUI manslaughter and DUI causing serious bodily injury.
King, age 47 of McKinney, Texas, was under the influence of Xanax and alcohol when she caused a head-on collision at approximately 1:30 a.m. on I-10. King had entered the interstate in the wrong direction from the rest area. The crash caused the death of a 25-year old man from Theodore, Alabama, and caused serious injuries to his 34-year old male passenger.
Prosecutors said King had a blood alcohol level of 0.13 and had alprazolam (Xanax) in her system. A bottle of wine was also found in her vehicle following the crash.
Four years of the prison sentence must be served as a mandatory minimum sentence. King’s driver’s license was permanently suspended.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning $49K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold At Grey Goose In Davisville
December 18, 2021
Someone is over $49,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a North Escambia liquor store at the Florida-Alabama state line.
The quick pick ticket sold at the Grey Goose Liquors at 11330 Highway 97 in Davisville was one of four winning tickets sold in Friday night’s drawing and is worth $49,350.14. The other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Punta Gorda and Miami.
The 227 tickets matching four numbers won $140 each. Another 7,748 tickets matching three numbers are worth $11.50 each, and 81,608 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Friday’s winning numbers were 02-18-21-33-36.
West Downs The East 14-0 In All-Star Game
December 18, 2021
The top high school seniors from across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties took part in the Pensacola Sports All-Star Game Friday night at Washington High School.
The West players from Escambia County beat the East players from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa 14-0. Head coach for the East was Jerad Dampson from Jay. Head coach for the West was Rhett Summerford, now of Tate High School and former coach at West Florida High.
Tate High’s Jaxson Stafford received the All-Star Academic Award (highest GPA on the West team) and the All-Star Community Service Award.
The roster included:
From Northview: Travis Nelson, Mekhi White and Logan Misenar
From Tate: Jaxson Stafford, Warren Henke, Zach Van Skyhawk, William O’Brien, Kabron Purifoy and Jaden Lewis
Pictured top: Northview All-Star players. Pictured below: Tate All-Stars, Academic Award winner Jaxson Stafford. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Teen Charged With Homicide, Second Suspect Wanted
December 18, 2021
An Escambia County teenager was arrested for murder Friday night.
Tymetryon Dawun Knight, 18, was charged with homicide and robbery with a firearm for a fatal shooting of a 17-year old on Baggett Court and P Street on December night. Knight was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for 16-year old Mekhi Montarious Lee for the same homicide. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia Reports 203 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
December 18, 2021
There were 203 new COVID-19 cases reported last week in Escambia County, according to a Florida Department of Health report.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 54,431 (+203)
Positivity rate last week: 4.6%
People vaccinated: 162,603 (+779)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 53%
New hospital admissions: 20
Total deaths last 7 days: <10 (CDC data)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 32,881 (+73)
Positivity rate last week: 3.4%
People vaccinated: 94,517 (+528)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 53%
New hospital admissions: 7
Total deaths last 7 days: <10 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,739,348 (+29,568)
Case positivity rate: 5.4%
Deaths: 62,220 (+39)