Escambia County’s Unemployment Rate Decreases By Half A Point
August 21, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined by half a percentage point last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.1% in July, down from 5.6% in June. That represents 7,866 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,835. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 9.8%, or 14,353 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 5,300 jobs over the year, an increase of 3.5 percent. The Pensacola area labor force in July 2021 increased by 13,788 over the year, a 6.0 percent increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,100 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in July 2021, up 0.1 percentage point from the June 2021 rate, and down 6.4 percentage points from a year ago.
Deputies Worked Traffic At Beulah Middle. Here’s How Many Traffic Stops They Made.
August 21, 2021
After receiving multiple complaints about speeding on Nine Mile Road near Beulah Middle School, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spent a morning working traffic in the area of the school zone last week.
Between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on August 17, the ECSO conducted 14 traffic stops in the area. Out of these 14 stops, 10 resulted in a citation. The highest speed was 66 mph in a 45 mph zone. One citation was issued for speeding in a school zone while the lights were flashing.
The ECSO is reminding motorists to slow down in school zones, do not pass buses with flashing lights activated, be alert and remove distractions.
Escambia County Reports 2,419 New COVID-19 Cases, 370 Hospitalizations
August 21, 2021
There were 2,419 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 370 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Additional data about hospitalizations at Baptist Hospital is below is a graphic they provided to NorthEscambia.com. It details hospitalizations in vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 42,840 (+2,419)
Positivity rate last week: 27.8%
Current total hospitalizations: 370
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 361
Under age 18 hospitalized: 9
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 136,937
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 48.5%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 39.2%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 24,195 (+1,5136)
Positivity rate last week: 35.2%
People vaccinated: 76,991
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 48%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,027,954 (+150,118)
Case positivity rate: 19.8%
Deaths: 42,252 (+346)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided.
Hot, Humid Days For The Weekend; Scattered Rain
August 21, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Lightning Strike Causes Apartment Building Fire
August 21, 2021
A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that damaged an Escambia County apartment complex Friday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to an apartment complex in the 3200 block of East Olive Road just after 1 p.m.
Flames and smoke were visible when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The fire was located in the attic area above the second floor of one building and was extinguished within the hour.
There were no injures reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Closes Lobby In Jay, Makes Changes In Walnut Hill Due To COVID-19
August 21, 2021
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the area, Escambia River Electric Cooperative is make changes at their office locations.
The EREC lobby in Jay is closed to the public until further notice. The drive-thru will remain open.
The Walnut Hill office lobby will remain open and social distancing measures will be in place. EREC is asking postal customers to leave packages in the lobby, and staff will collect them after the customer has exited the building.
“This measure is in an abundance of caution to protect our members, the community, and our employees from possible coronavirus exposure,” Sabrina Owens, vice president Marketing and Communications, said. “We encourage our members to utilize remote options for electric service. Payments may be made by mail, online at www.erec.com, telephone autopay, EREC app or by night depository. Services such as opening or closing an electric, water or internet account; making changes to your services; inquiring about your account balance, service orders, etc. can all be handled by email or phone as well.”
For more information, email memberservices@erec.com or call (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848 for assistance.
Pictured: The Escambia River Electric Cooperative Walnut Hill Office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Lloyd Barrow
August 21, 2021
Mr. Ernest Lloyd Barrow, age 93 of East Hecker Road in Century, passed away Friday August 20, 2021 in a local nursing facility. Mr. Barrow was a native of Byrneville, FL and a life resident of the Century area. He retired from St Regis paper company with 44 years of service and was a graduate of Century High School Class of 1946. Mr. Barrow was a United States Army veteran, member of the Century Lions Club for 40 years and charter member of the Century Historical society. In 2008 he received the outstanding citizen award. In 2012, the Lloyd Barrow ball park was named in his honor. He attended Century First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his sons, Mike (Kaye) Barrow of Mobile, Don Barrow of Tallahassee, FL, Ronnie (Sherree) Barrow of Bratt, FL; daughter, Brenda (Eddie) Dunsford of Century; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Ernest Lloyd Barrow will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Oak Hill Cemetery with Brother David Boyd officiating.
Stewart’s No-Hitter Ends In Sixth As Shuckers Seize Miscues To Win
August 21, 2021
Will Stewart did not allow a hit in his first five innings Friday night against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Unfortunately for Stewart and the Blue Wahoos, the game unraveled in the sixth.
The lefthander lost his command, and the bullpen couldn’t limit the damage, as the Shuckers rallied for four runs which proved enough in a 4-1 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The result evened the series at two games apiece and continued the Blue Wahoos’ run-scoring struggles.
After Peyton Burdick reached on a throwing error and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, that was all the production the Blue Wahoos managed.
Stewart was cruising through five innings. Suddenly, he crashed.
He plunked the leadoff batter in the sixth inning, then gave up his first base hit to the next batter. Stewart walked the bases loaded, then hit another batter to force in the game-tying run.
It forced a pitching changed. Andrew Nardi entered, but threw a wild pitch to score the second Shuckers run. He then gave up soft pop fly that eluded shortstop Galli Cribbs Jr., enabling the Shuckers to score two more runs.
The Blue Wahoos had baserunners in each of the last four innings, including a two-on, none-out situation in the ninth that mirrored the scenario in Thursday night’s 2-1 loss. Same thing occurred with no one able to deliver a big hit.
The teams will play the fifth game of the homestand on Saturday. The Blue Wahoos (47-47) are seeking their first series win since beating the Shuckers five times on Fourth of July weekend.
Sterlon Eugene Scott
August 21, 2021
Mr. Sterlon Eugene Scott, age 82 of State Line road in Flomaton, passed away Friday August 20, 2021 in a Pensacola, Florida hospice facility. Mr. Scott was a native of Chumuckla, Florida and life long resident of the Flomaton area. He previously worked at Jay Hospital in the maintenance department and attended the First Baptist Church of Flomaton. Mr. Scott was a United States Navy veteran.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mrs. Nettie Wilson Scott of Flomaton; brother, Randel Scott of Silver Springs, FL; sister, Grace McConnaughey of Port Orchard, Washington; three nephews, Danny Scott of Lake Wales, FL, Randy McConnaughey of Phoenix, AZ, and Rick McConnaughey of Tuscon, AZ.
Preceded by his parents, Z.Z. Scott and Vera Minnitti; brother, Daniel Scott; nephew, Glenn Scott. A private graveside funeral services for Mr. Sterlon Eugene Scott will be held Sunday afternoon August 22, 2021 at 2pm at the Jay Cemetery with Brother Bill Pritchett and Dr. Tim Tew officiating.
Pallbearers will be Troy Graham, A.J. Graham, Jim McCutchin, Cesar Gonzalez, Andy Henderson, and Larry Smith.
Eva Mae Lambeth
August 21, 2021
Eva Mae Lambeth, 73 of Atmore, AL. passed away on August 12, 2021 in Mobile, AL. She was born on January 31, 1948 in Frisco City, AL to the late Dalton and Lucy Mae Felts Webb. She worked in the bakery at Winn Dixie in Atmore for many years. She is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Cynthia Ann Hayles, step-son Scott Brown, brothers and sisters Thomas Webb, Mildred Bates, Clara Cross and Louise Dyar.
She is survived by two daughters Sandy Clemmons; Lisa Hudson (Charles Stanton); three step-sons Larry(Stephanie) Brown, Jr, Derrick Brown and Keith (Cheryl) Brown; two brothers Lawrence (Sherry) Webb; Buddy (Janice) Webb; three sisters Margaret Bell, Frances Gulley and Mary Ann Pendleton. Three grandchildren J. J. (Maeghan) Brown, Ashley Chandler and Trey (Cearra) Hudson. Five great grandchildren and many family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Uriah Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.