Florida, Escambia County Jobless Rate Soars, And The Numbers Don’t Include April
April 18, 2020
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in March 2020, up 1.5 percentage points from the February 2020 rate, it’s expected to be even worse when the April data is released next month.
There were 444,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,335,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in March.
The March labor statistics reflect some of the early effects of the coronavirus and efforts to contain it. Note that the March survey reference period that includes the week of the 12th predated many coronavirus-related business and school closures that occurred in the second half of the month.
The Escambia County unemployment rate jumped to 4.5% in March, up from 3.2% in February, representing an increase of about 2,000 people out of work.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate increased from 2.8% to 4% during the same period.
Over a half million people have filed unemployment in Florida since the coronavirus shutdowns began, which will lead to higher unemployment data for April. Almost 181,300 Floridians filed for unemployment just last week.
Mustang Reportedly Being Raced On Highway 95A Splits In Half After Hitting Utility Pole, Injuring Two
April 18, 2020
A Ford Mustang reportedly being raced down Highway 95A was split in half when it collided with a utility pole Friday evening, sending two people to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 1989 black Ford Mustang was traveling south at a high rate of speed in the northbound lane of Highway 95A near Countri Lane in Cantonment about 7 p.m.
The driver, identified as 47-year old Antony Lee Thompkins of Pensacola, failed to maintain control, as the vehicle rotated off the roadway hit a utility pole. The engine compartment and dash of the vehicle wrapped around the pole, as the remaining part of the vehicle separated and became airborne before landing by railroad tracks that run parallel to Highway 95A.
Thompkins and his passenger, 27-year old Devon Woodard of Robertsdale, were not wearing seat belts and were ejected. Both were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Tompkins was in critical condition, Woodard in serious condition.
Witnesses on scene told the the Florida Highway Patrol trooper that the black Mustang that crashed may have been racing an older model blue Mustang that was last seen traveling south on Pauline Street. The blue Mustang was described as a mid-90s fastback or “fox body” driven by a white male. The vehicle had a black carbon fiber hood.
Anyone with information on the second Mustang or the crash is asked to call Trooper Knowles at *FHP (*347) from a cell phone, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Charges in the crash are pending, according to FHP.
Gulf Power initially reported about 750 customers lost power as a result of the crash.
NorthEcambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Four Dead, 41 Positives For COVID-19 At Blackwater Prison, Hundreds In Quarantine; Six Quarantined At Century Prison
April 18, 2020
New data from the Florida Department of Corrections provides insight into the COVID-19 situation at Blackwater Correctional Facility in Milton and Century Correctional Institution.
As of Friday, there have been four inmate deaths at Blackwater, 34 positive inmates (including the fatalities) and nine positive staff member cases. Six inmates have tested negative and 11 are awaiting results.
There are 737 inmates on medical quarantine at Blackwater and 23 inmates in medical isolation.
At Century Correctional, one staff member has tested positive and six are in security quarantine.
The Florida Department of Corrections provided the followig definitions of “medical isolation”, “medical quarantine” and “security quarantine”"
- “Medical quarantine refers to the practice of separating individuals who have had close contact with a person who has tested positive or presented with symptoms of an infectious illness to determine whether they develop symptoms. All inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day to check for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and immediately engage with the county health department,” the prison system said in a statement.
- “Medical Isolation refers to the practice of separating a confirmed or suspected individual with an infectious illness, to prevent contact with others and to reduce the risk of transmission. All inmates in medical isolation are tested for COVID-19 and are monitored by health services staff,” according to FDC.
- “Security Quarantine refers to the practice of separating individuals who have recently transferred to a correctional facility. These inmates are asymptomatic and entering the facility from outside court, a community/work release center, county jail, etc. Security quarantine is a precautionary measure. Medical staff monitor these inmates to ensure no inmates show symptoms of illness. At the conclusion of security quarantine, inmates are moved to the general population.”
Update: Health Department Lowers Number Of Escambia County (AL) COVID-19 Positive Cases
April 18, 2020
Update: Friday night, the Alabama Department of Health listed 14 COVID-19 cases in Escambia County (AL). By Saturday morning, two cases were reclassified to other counties, putting the total back to 12.
ADH is reporting 226 total COVID-19 tests have been performed in Escambia County, a positive rate of about 5.3%.
There have been no coronavirus related deaths in Escambia County.
The Alabama Department of Health reported 4,482 total positive cases in the state out of 42,538 tests. Their have been 154 reported deaths statewide.
USDA Approves Florida’s State Hemp Program, Growing Begins As Early As April 27
April 18, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture formally approved Florida’s state hemp program on Thursday, clearing the way for Florida growers to begin cultivating hemp later this month. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), offered the following statement:
“After months of incorporating feedback from the public, growers, and industry stakeholders, we are thrilled that Florida’s hemp industry officially begins now,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “By working closely with our farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers, Florida’s state hemp program will become a model for the nation, will set a gold standard for this emerging industry, and will create billions in economic opportunity for Florida. As our economy deals with the impacts of COVID-19, this approval will give our agriculture industry a new alternative crop for many years to come.”
With the state hemp program’s rules now filed for adoption and approved by USDA, FDACS will begin accepting applications to grow industrial hemp on April 27, the first day authorized under the state filing timeframe, online at FDACS.gov/Cannabis.
Two ‘Armed And Dangerous’ Men Wanted For Escambia County Shooting
April 17, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two men in connection with a shooting Thursday afternoon at the Oakwood Terrace apartments in Pensacola.
Trayveon Alexander, 19, is wanted for attempted homicide, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and carrying a concealed firearm without a permit. Woddie Smith Jr., 21, is wanted for battery.
The sheriff’s office said both Alexander and Smith are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The shooting victim survived and was transported to the hospital, but an update on their conditon was not available.
ECSO: Girlfriend Comes Home To Find Another Woman Cooking Man Dinner; He Opened Fire With AK-47.
April 17, 2020
A McDavid man is facing felony charges after allegedly opening fire at his live-in girlfriend and a woman that was at his home on South Highway 99 to cook dinner.
John Hillman Dennis, 32, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
Dennis was at his home with a woman that he had just met the day before that was going to cook him dinner and was cleaning the kitchen, according to an arrest report. The woman that he had been living with for the past year and a half arrived and got into an argument with him, the report states.
The women said they attempted to flee together when Dennis went inside to get a gun. He exited the house, told the women to leave and opened fire with an AK-47, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The women fled without injury in a pickup truck.
Deputies arrived on scene and found Dennis sitting in a chair on his front porch with a handgun in his waistband and an empty half gallon of a Fireball Whiskey on the ground by the porch steps. Dennis was taken into custody at gunpoint without further incident.
The arrest report states an AK-47 rifle was on the porch in front of Dennis’ chair, along with multiple shell casings.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized multiple weapons including the AK-47, two semi-automatic rifles, a pump shotgun, a semi-automatic handgun, multiple magazines and over 200 rounds of ammunition.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $11,000.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s On Nine Mile Road Providing Free Meals For Kids On Saturday
April 17, 2020
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on Nine Mile Road will provide a free lunch for kids on Saturday.
Owner Tracy Goodson said he wanted to give back to the community.
The kids meals will be served curbside pick up from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. or while supplies last. Children must be in the vehicle to receive a meal.
United Way Of West Florida Distributes $246,266 In COVID-19 Response Funding
April 17, 2020
United Way of West Florida (UWWF) has distributed its first phase of COVID9 Response Funding to nonprofit agencies providing direct support to impacted individuals and families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The COVID-19 Response Fund will target assistance to ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households that have been economically impacted by the pandemic with expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, childcare, and other household expenses.
“The ALICE population has been significantly affected by this pandemic,” said President and CEO Laura Gilliam. “These are hardworking individuals, but one missed paycheck can lead to financial crisis, which is where many of them are now.”
Phase One is disbursing roughly 70% of the fund for immediate, basic needs via an expedited grant process to current UWWF Certified Partner Agencies. Remaining and additional funding will be distributed at a later date and will focus on community priorities. To facilitate the distribution process and approve Phase One grants, United Way of West Florida convened a COVID-19 Response Fund Committee comprised of board members and community volunteers.
The following organizations are receiving Phase One disbursements totaling $246,266. As United Way of West Florida Certified Partner Agencies, these organizations are annually vetted to ensure their financial health, governance, and nonprofit best practices.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
- Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
- BRACE
- Covenant Hospice
- Epilepsy Florida
- Community Health Northwest Florida
- Feeding the Gulf Coast
- Gulf Coast Kids’ House
- Health and Hope Clinic
- Manna Food Pantries
- Outreach Navarre
- Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola
- The Salvation Army
- South Santa Rosa Interfaith Ministries
- United Ministries
Agencies will not give money directly to individuals but will work with local vendors like landlords or utility companies, and food will be distributed by agencies. Recipients of COVID-19 funds through this grant process will be required to submit bi-weekly reports regarding disbursement of their funds.
Big Brothers Big Sisters, BRACE, Covenant Hospice, Epilepsy Florida, Gulf Coast Kids’ House, and Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola will assist their own clients. For information on how to access assistance, please dial 211.
To make a donation to United Way of West Florida’s COVID-19 Response Fund, text 850Respond to 41444 or visit www.uwwf.org/covid19fund. Businesses considering a corporate contribution are encouraged to contact Director of Development, Bart Hudson, at bart.hudson@uwwf.org.
Individuals in need of information about available resources or services are encouraged to contact 211 Northwest Florida, powered locally by United Way of West Florida. Dial 211 or visit www.211nwfl.org to speak with a trained Information and Referral Specialist. The program is completely free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Two More Blackwater Correctional Facility Inmates Die From COVID-19
April 17, 2020
Two more inmates have died due to coronavirus at the Blackwater Correctional Facility in Milton.
Rafael Rosario (pictured left), 65, died April 15, and Jessie Bannerman died April 16. As we previously reported, 69-year-old Jeffrey Sand, died April 9, and 84-year-old William B. Wilson, died April 12, according to the District One Medical Examiner’s Office.
Wilson, Rosario and Bannerman died in the hospital, while Sand passed away inside the prison. Rosario was serving 15 years for a Palm Beach County manslaughter, and Bannerman was serving a life sentence for robbery with a weapon.
The latest update from the Florida Department of Corrections shows nine staff members and 34 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at the privately operated prison.
One employee or contract staffer at Century Correctional Institution has tested positive, but no inmate cases have been reported in Century.
A total of 63 employees and 44 inmates across the state have been reported positive for COVID-19 by the Florida Department of Corrections.