Escambia County Unemployment Rate Increases Slightly
November 22, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased in October, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.5% in October, up from 5.3% in September. That represents 7,975 people out of work out of a county workforce of 143,717. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 2.9%, or 4,327 people.
DEO announced the Pensacola area private-sector employment decreased by 6,200 jobs (-3.9 percent) over the year. The Pensacola area’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in October. The local industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-4,000 jobs). Construction was the only major industry to gain jobs over the year in October 2020 (+100 jobs).
September labor statistics reflect the continued effects of COVID-19 and the efforts to reopen businesses and services, according to DEO.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in October 2020, down 0.7 percentage point from the revised September 2020 rate, and up 3.6 percentage points from a year ago. There were 659,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,109,000.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in October.
‘We’re Calling About Your Auto Warranty’ – State Fines Company $345K For Unsolicited Calls
November 22, 2020
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued an administrative fine of $345,000 for 171 alleged violations against a West Palm Beach-based company conducting unsolicited telephone sales calls to consumers on the “Florida Do Not Call” list.
The FDACS actions follow an investigation into 69 consumer complaints submitted to the Department between September 11, 2019 and March 23, 2020 against Fidelity Mutual Life, Inc. and Turnkey Auto Group, Inc. The complaints claimed that the entity was conducting non-solicited telemarketing calls to market auto warranties directly to consumers, including Florida residents. As a result of the investigation, FDACS determined that Turnkey Auto Group, Inc. had indeed made unsolicited telephonic calls to telephone numbers on the Department’s “Florida Do Not Call” list.
“Businesses allegedly conducting unsolicited calls in disregard of the ‘Florida Do Not Call’ list aren’t just violating consumer trust, they’re violating the law,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “
As the state agency responsible for consumer complaints, our Department will continue to investigate all potential violations of the ‘Florida Do Not Call’ list to hold bad actors accountable for their actions.”
Want to add your number to the Florida Do Not List or file a complaint? Click or tap here.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
November 22, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no lane closures on state roads from 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY:
• Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until 2021.
• U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Nov. 22:
» Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
• East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures as crews continue construction activities. Eastbound traffic can also expect daytime, right turn lane closures.
• West Fairfield Drive (State Road (S.R.) 295) Turn Lane Construction for Family Dollar – The inside eastbound lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Nov. 24 for turn lane construction.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists can expect intermittent and closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Nov. 24 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
• Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. as construction activities continue.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY:
• Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until 2021.
• S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4 – Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
• I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Sunday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Nov. 24, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements for accommodating additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Church Holds 32,000 Pound Food Giveaway
November 22, 2020
A 32,000 pound food giveaway was held Saturday at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.
Jubilee Church and Pensacola Caring Hearts partnered for the Farm Share distribution.
“At Thanksgiving, we are blessed to be able to help approximately 1,000 families who are in need” said Executive Pastor Tim Fox. He added, “our community continues to recover from Hurricane Sally while fighting against COVID-19. This is why we are excited to have this opportunity to love and serve our community.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Narcotics Search Finds Drugs, Stolen Gun At Home Next To John R. Jones Park, Four Charged
November 21, 2020
Four people were arrested after a search warrant was executed at a home directly next to the John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Complex on Nine Mile Road.
Tony Darlus Goodwin, 59; Jason Wayne Quick, 31; Michele Vincenzo Aiello, 32; and John Henry Croxdale, 57, were all arrested on narcotics related charges.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT team served a search warrant in the 300 block of Holly Street. Inside the home, deputies discovered 92 grams of heroin, 219 grams of methamphetamine, 132 grams of marijuana, 3.5 grams of cocaine, 5.3 grams of psilocybin, a firearm that was reported as stolen in 1989, and more than $6,000 in cash, according to the ECSO.
Vernon Defeats Northview In Regional Semifinals (With Photo Gallery)
November 21, 2020
The Vernon Yellow Jackets defeated the Northview Chiefs 34-19 Friday night in the 1A regional semifinals.
“It was not what we were looking for. We had some chances, and it got kind of close, but we just squandered opportunities,” first year Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “When you get a team like Vernon close like that….you’ve got to take advantage of that. We just let it slip away.”
The Northview Chiefs finished their pandemic shortened season at 7-2 overall.
Not exactly where Summerford wanted to be on a November night, but he said he would like back at the season knowing his Chiefs learned a little more than football this year.
“What we are trying to instill is the Northview way. We are going to take care of ourselves. I tell them all the time there is a lot more than just football, he said. “That’s what we are trying to build here. I think if we can get that going, that mentality that we are going to do the right thing all the time, the football will take care of itself eventually.”
“We’ll get there. We’ll get there, no doubt.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Falls Short In AISA State Championship Game
November 21, 2020
The Escambia Academy Cougars came up short Friday night in the AISA Class 2A state championship game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The Cougars lost 36-34 to Chambers Academy of LaFayette, Alabama.
Bubba Nettles had five touchdowns for the Cougars and had 222 total rushing yards.
The Escambia Academy Cougars finished their season at 10-2..
Pictured: The Escambia Academy Cougars caeme up short inthe AISA Class 2A state championship game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Photos by Andrew Garner/The Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Out Of The Running To Be The Future Home Of U.S. Space Command
November 21, 2020
Pensacola is out of the running to be home to the new headquarters for U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM).
Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida, will be one of six locations to participate in the next phase of the process. Brevard joins Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska as finalists.
Pensacola was one of Florida’s communities that applied to be home of Space Command Headquarters. Pensacola made it to the evaluation phase, and in August, replied to questionnaires from the Air Force to assess each Pnesacola’s ability to host, employ and sustain the headquarters of USSPACECOM.
In August of 2019, U.S. Space Command was established as the military’s 11th unified combatant command. The Air Force has said that it expects to announce a final site next year, but that it could take up to six years to construct new facilities. During that time, USSPACECOM will remain provisionally headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Pictured: Downtown Pensacola, with an added U.S. Space Command logo. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Friday Night High School Football Playoff Scores
November 21, 2020
Here are high school football playoff scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
1A Region Semifinal
- Story, photos…]
- Baker 34, Freeport 22
3A Region Semifinal
- Florida University HS, 34, Pensacola Catholic 27
5A Quarterfinal
- Tallahassee Rickards 38, West Florida 16
- Pine Forest 21, Suwannee 20
6A Quarterfinal
- St. Augustine 48, Escambia 27
- Pace 23, Jacksonville Lee 21
7A Quarterfinal
- Buchholz 35, Navarre 21
- Niceville 42, Leon 0
ALABAMA
AISA Class 2A Championship
- Chambers Academy 36, Escambia Academy 34 [Story, photos...]
Here’s How Escambia County Has Spent CARES Act Funds So Far; Thousands Of Applications Waiting For Approval
November 20, 2020
The Escambia County Commissioner initially set aside $3.5 million in CARES Act funds to be distributed directly to Escambia County residents in the form of direct payments. The commission later increased the amount of available funds to $16.5 million and the individual grant’s amount from $2,000 to $3,000.
According to Deputy County Administrator Chips Kirschenfeld, more than 4,900 grant applications are in the final approval stages before funding. Once these grants have been funded, an additional 600 will be approved for funding from the remaining applications. Kirschenfeld said that the county would be able to utilize all $16.5 million earmarked for this program.
Clara Long, director of Neighborhood and Human Services Department, said that approvals are continuing and anticipates the completion of the approval process for the Escambia CARES Family Assistance grant by the first week of December.
“We are working feverishly to finalize all of the applications and get the money in the hands of our citizens,” Long said. “We know this is important to those who applied, but we must do our diligence in making sure that these grants are distributed accurately. We ask that the applicants be patient and wait for a response before contacting our office. That will help us process all of the applications and get this money into the hands of our residents faster.”
Assistant County Administrator Debbie Bowers indicated that the Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grant program was continuing, with more than 80 applicants still needing review.
The grant programs are a good portion of the CARES Act funding that the county has at its disposal to assist with additional expenses or hardships related to COVID-19. In all, $18.7 million of $57.2 million is dedicated to county residents or businesses.
Along with the grants, in its continuing efforts to assist the community, Escambia County also agreed to distribute $3.65 million in funding initiatives for its citizens. Nearly $2.4 million is allocated to the Escambia Serves program, and the county has apportioned $1.25 million for rapid testing programs.
The Escambia Serves programs benefit county residents through the Feeding the Gulf Coast. Escambia County has also dedicated monies to establish and boost broadband internet service at its parks and community centers, allowing its residents to access the internet at socially distanced locations throughout the county.
Community Health Northwest Florida and Ascension Sacred Heart will be receiving $1.25 million in funding for rapid testing. Rapid testing is essential because it provides potentially infected individuals access to results much quicker so they can reliably begin the quarantine process much sooner.
The county initially received 25% percent of CARES Act money upfront from the federal government by way of the State of Florida. It has until Dec. 3 to encumber the remaining expenses.
To finalize its expenditure plan to submit to the state, the Board eliminated the FEMA Reimbursement category and reassigned more than $60,000 to the COVID Operations and Oversight category. The Board also increased the total funding for the COVID Operations and Oversight category to $400,000 to account for additional staffing needed to complete the Escambia CARES Family Assistance grant program.
The Board also authorized additional expenses to be paid by CARES Act funding:
- A budget of up to $250,000 for the OpenGov Software Service Agreement, allowing for remote budget management
- Expenses for the medical examiner’s office of $107,195.88 in COVID-19 related costs and $51,454.02 in salary
- The implementation of a Human Resource Information System for the Clerk of Court and the county
- An increase in inmate transportation services by Escambia County Sheriff from $23 to $28 per hour
- Coronavirus relief aid in the amount of $2,204,714.40 for the City of Pensacola
- Increase COVID-19 Operations and Oversight to $400,000
In all, the Board ratified the spending categories for the $57.3 million in CARES Act funding. In total, $30.3 million is allocated to Public Health and Safety, $19.6 million to resident and business grant programs, $3.4 million to Government Response and Compliance, $2.3 million to Escambia Serves programs, $1.25 million to Rapid Testing and $400,000 to COVID-19 Operations and Oversight.