Escambia County Unemployment Rate Decreases Slightly
November 21, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County 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 4.1% in October, down from 4.2% in September. That represented 6,381 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,298. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, or 7,001 people.
The area’s private sector employment added 7,200 new private-sector jobs over the year, a 4.7% increase. The Pensacola area labor force in October 2021 increased by 15,058 over the year, a 6.6% 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 4.6 percent in October 2021, down 0.2 percentage point from the revised September 2021 rate, and down 1.2 percentage points from a year ago
Escambia Reports 94 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
November 21, 2021
There were 94 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 53,957 (+94)
Positivity rate last week: 3.5%
People vaccinated: 157,446 (+1,046)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 57.6%
New hospital admissions: 19
Total deaths last 7 days: less than 10 (CDC data)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 32,593 (+72)
Positivity rate last week: 3.7%
People vaccinated: 91,782 (+576)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 52%
New hospital admissions: 3
Total deaths last 7 days: less than 10 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,677,968 (+10,828)
Case positivity rate: 2.5%
Deaths: 61,081 (+37)
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 by FDOH.
Gladine Elizabeth McMillian
November 21, 2021
Gladine Elizabeth McMillian was born on April 21, 1941 and passed on November 18, 2021 at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thelton Lewis McMillian, Sr., and her parents, Marlvin and Elizabeth Boyd Gay. Gladine is survived by her five children, Cindy McMillian Haas (Billy), Karen Gundersen, Dwight McMillian (Terri), Kenneth Gundersen, and Thelton McMillian, Jr. (Christy); 13 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in the Florida Room at 2:00PM. The family will receive friends from 1:00PM to 2:00PM prior to the service. Burial will be held in Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday November 23, 2021 at 9:00AM. A procession will leave Olive Baptist Church Campus at Warrington at 8:30AM.
In lieu of flowers please donate to American Humane Society or your favorite dog charity.
Arthur Glennon Gunn
November 21, 2021
Mr. Arthur Glennon Gunn, age 74, passed away, Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Fairhope, AL. He was born in Bratt, FL; and has resided most of his life in Walnut Hill, FL. He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Atmore Branch and Mobile, AL. State. He was employed with Escambia County Florida Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. He served in the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War.
Mr. Gunn valued the time he got to spend with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and attending church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. AR (Janice Godwin) Gunn, one brother, Jerry Gunn, step-father, Richard Sirmon.
He is survived by his one son, Sean (Stephanie) Gunn, of New Bern, NC; four daughters, Jennifer Gunn, of Virginia Beach, VA; Megan (Tray) Juarez, of Virginia Beach, VA; Jessica Gunn, of Pace, FL; Rebecca Gunn, of Foley, AL; a special niece, Bethany Merchant,, three brothers, Leamond (Judith) Gunn, of Pensacola, FL; Marlin (Angie) Gunn, of Atmore, AL; Jim (Vicky) Reed, of Orange Beach, AL; three sisters, Joyce Coleman, of Enon, FL; Shelia (Pete) Coon, of Atmore, AL; Patricia Gunn, of Decatur, AL; twelve grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Branch President Tommy Jones at officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021, from 1 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
William T. Matlock, Sr., (Bill)
November 21, 2021
William T. Matlock, Sr., (Bill) age 75 of Flomaton AL went to be home with Our Lord Jesus on
November 11, 2021. He was of the Pentecostal faith.
Bill was born in Tennessee on October 2, 1946 to Walter and Lillian Matlock. As a young man
he joined the Coast Guard and was stationed on the Farallon Islands. He eventually settled in
Flomaton Alabama where he raised his family. Bill was a skilled mechanic and a truck driver
until retiring from Air Products in 1995. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend who
loved Alabama football (ROLL TIDE!) He spent his time working in his garage and helping to
care for his grandchildren, often entertaining them with stories from his trucking and Coast
Guard days. He also enjoyed discussing politics over coffee with the guys.
Bill is survived by his wife Dianne Boswell Matlock, stepdaughter Stevie Boswell and her
fiance’ Greg Vasquez. His sons Tom and Emily Matlock (Maryland), Matthew and Laurie
Matlock (Kansas), John and Alicia Matlock (Florida). Former daughters in law Beth Matlock
(Nevada) and Samantha Matlock Oates (Alabama). Grandchildren Michael and Denise
Matlock (Nevada), Jennifer and Nadab Bent (North Carolina), David Matlock (Kansas),
Phoenix Matlock (Alabama), Grant Matlock and Evin Matlock (Florida) and Marco Matlock
(Maryland).Great grandchildren Jacob Matlock and Elizabeth Matlock (Nevada). Special
family friends Danny Ray and Melissa Lambeth, “Peewee”, Michelle, Trayton and Bella
Boutwell, Michael, Amber, and Ana Cox , many family members from the Shelby County
Alabama area and many other friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Judy Mills Matlock, son Richard Matlock,
daughter in law Lorie Shivers Matlock, sister Aldena Milner and his parents Walter and Lillian
Matlock.
No formal memorial is planned at the request of the deceased.
The family would like to thank Dr. Videau and the MICU nurses at Baptist hospital.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Shamim Gayle Powel
November 21, 2021
Shamim Gayle Powell, age 50, was born and raised in Pensacola, FL on January 30, 1971. She passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 12, 2021.
Shamim was fortunate enough to meet the love of her life and was married to Dwayne Powell on February 25, 1989. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and Mimi. A lover of the sun, sand, and ocean.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Elizabeth Workman.
Shamim is survived by her soulmate and husband, Dwayne Powell; her “one and only” son, Cecil Powell; her “joy in life” grandson, Chandler Powell; her father, Roger (Laura) Workman, her twin brother, Shannon (Tawana) Workman; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Trahan Family Funeral Home will oversee her cremation.
Keeping to her love of the sand and water, Shamim will be laid to rest at Bayview Memorial Park. Inurnment to take place at a later date. No services will be held.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Home; Occupants Escape Uninjured With Pets
November 20, 2021
There were no injuries when fire destroyed a large two-year old brick home in Cantonment Friday night.
The 3,500 square foot structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived just after 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Broadleaf Circle, off Highway 297A near Kingfield Road.
Two people were at home at the time of the fire, but they were able to escape with their pets, according to Escambia County.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Beulah, Bellview, Brent, Ferry Pass, and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire, along with fire units from Santa Rosa County, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Falls To Baker 46-35 In Regional Semifinal
November 20, 2021
The Northview Chiefs football season came to an end with a tough 46-35 loss to defending station champion Baker Friday night in the Class 1A regional semifinals.
When they met during the regular season, the Gators won the 42-41 overtime thriller. Northview fans turned out in full force Friday night at Baker, cheering on their Chiefs as they fought hard to the very end.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
“It was just a fight for four quarters,” Northview head football coach Wes Summerford said. “I thought our kids played hard. There was several times that they could have gave it up, and we fought to get back in it to the end.”
Kayleb Wagner — the Gator standout that broke Derrick Henry’s Florida high school football single-game rushing record earlier this season– gave Baker an early 7-0 lead over Northview on an 88-yard touchdown run.
Northview’s Wyatt Scruggs intercepted a Gator pass on their own five and ran it in to make it 7-7 after a good Brandon Ferguson kick with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, junior quarterback Kaden Odom found a wide open Luke Bridges, and he was in from 20 yards out to give the Chiefs a 14-7 lead with 11:44 remaining in the half. Baker answered with a 49-yard touchdown run with 9:12 in the half for a 14-14 tie.
The Chiefs regained the lead at 24-14 as Odom fought his way into the endzone on a short quarterback keeper with 5:54 remaining in the second quarter. Baker made it 21-20 with under a minute to go in the half and on their way to a playoff win.
“These guys fought hard. I thought we had some opportunities in the ballgame just to get it back even or maybe even stay on top,” Summerford said. “You’ve got to tip your hats to Baker. They are well coached, and good luck to the next round.”
The Baker Gators will host Chipley next Friday night. The Northview Chiefs season ended at 6-5.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
USDA Announces $2.85 Million Loan For Beulah Academy Of Science Gym
November 20, 2021
The Beulah Academy of Science Middle School is currently building a gym with a $2.85 million USDA loan.
The 17,000 square foot ability will enable the students to have access to indoor health and wellness activities during extreme heat and poor weather conditions and will also add three additional classrooms for ag science, culinary arts and engineering classes.
While construction on the gym is already underway, the Beulah Academy of Science loan was one of five rural community infrastructure projects in Florida announced Friday by the USDA.
“The projects announced today are all aimed at improving the quality of life in Florida’s rural communities,” Acting USDA State Director Jason Brower said. “Through its grant and loan programs, USDA is making investments in rural Florida to help provide essential services for our residents.”
USDA is investing in projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Nice For The Weekend
November 20, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.