FDLE Agents Arrest Navy Officer For Online Solicitation Of A Minor
December 26, 2014
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents have arrested Robert Wade Erickson, 27, on one count each of traveling to meet a minor for sex, online solicitation of a minor and illegal use of a two way communications device. Navy Ensign Erickson is stationed at Whiting Field.
Erickson began communicating with an undercover FDLE Agent online and via text messages on December 9, 2014, according t FDLE. During the communication, Erickson solicited who he believed to be a 15-year-old boy. FDLE Agents, with assistance from the Pensacola Police Department, arrested Erickson when he arrived at the predetermined location to meet the boy on Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola.
Erickson was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Santa Rosa Clerk To Stop Performing Marriages
December 26, 2014
Beginning next Thursday, January 1, the Santa Rosa Clerk’s Office will no longer perform wedding ceremonies.
The office will continue to issue marriage licenses at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex on Caroline Street in Milton and at the Santa Rosa County South End Service Center on Gulf Breeze Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze.
For more information, call (850) 983-1823 or (850) 983-1967.
Two Injured In Christmas Rollover Wreck In McDavid
December 26, 2014
Two people received minor injuries in a rollover accident late Christmas night in McDavid.
The accident was reported about 11 p.m. on Highway 29 at South Pine Barren Road. Two people were transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the accident.
Christmas Recycling Workshop For Kids Next Week At The Landfill
December 26, 2014
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management will host a Christmas Recycling Workshop on Tuesday, December 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill at 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment. The workshop is open to participants 5 to 8 years of age.
The workshop will include a tour of the landfill, arts and crafts using recycled materials and games that focus on recycling and reuse. The cost of the camp is one pair of new or gently used shoes to be donated to Soles4Souls. Participants should wear clothing that is appropriate to play in and be worn outside, and bring a brown bag lunch, snacks and a reusable water bottle.
For more information on this workshop or other events at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill, call (850) 937-2160.
Florida Tops New York On Population List
December 26, 2014
Florida has topped New York in terms of population.
The Sunshine State, averaging 803 new residents a day, is now the third most-populous state in the nation, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Tuesday.
“It is an important milestone because it reflects many years of rapid population growth in Florida,” Stan Smith, program director of the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said in an email. “Population growth is important because it is a major driver of the state’s economic growth and has transformed many aspects of life in Florida.”
The new numbers aren’t surprising. But they help prepare state officials for a wide range of issues, from services needed for elderly residents to the stresses put on the natural environment.
More people also mean a larger congressional delegation. In 1910, New York had 43 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to Florida’s four. Both states now have 27 seats.
Gov. Rick Scott called the demographic milestone “exciting” news and pointed to his efforts to increase jobs and boost the economy in Florida.
“Florida is on the way to become the number one destination for jobs and we continue to be the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to more people and more job creators moving to Florida in the near future.”
Scott has often appeared on national cable news programs telling people to move to Florida. New York was also one of the states in which Scott wrote open letters to business owners in 2012 and 2013 touting the economic benefits of Florida.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce praised Scott and the state’s Republican leadership for the population growth.
“People have been comparing apples and oranges for a long time,” the business group said on its website. “Now they’re choosing oranges, and calling Florida home. Thanks to Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature, Florida is now the third most populous state, we’re creating jobs faster than New York, have the 5th best business tax climate compared to New York (49) and Florida has zero state income tax.”
As of July 1, there were an estimated 19,893,297 Floridians, compared to 19,746,227 people who called the Empire State home.
With the U.S. population up 2.4 million to 318.9 million, California remains atop the list of states with 38.8 million residents, followed by the 26.96 million Texans.
Between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014, Florida added 293,000 residents, while New York grew by 51,000.
Only California, with 451,321 new residents, and Texas, with 371,107 additional residents, were credited with larger single-year increases.
New York long held the number-one spot, grabbing that position from Virginia before the 1810 census. But New York got topped by California prior to the 1970 census and surpassed by Texas after the 1990 census.
Florida, which in 1900 had just over a half million residents, joined the top 10 most-populous states with the 1960 census.
Florida’s 1.5 percent increase over the past year was the fifth-fastest growth rate among the states.
The nation’s growth rate advanced at .75 percent the past year.
North Dakota, with a 2.2 percent growth rate, was the nation’s fastest growing, and the only state among the top 10 outside the South or West.
Six states had drops in population: Illinois, West Virginia, Connecticut, New Mexico, Alaska and Vermont.
Among the top 10 most-populous states, Georgia, eighth on the list, went over the 10 million resident mark with the latest figures. Meanwhile, North Carolina is now in ninth place, moving ahead of Michigan.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Florida’s Youth Smoking Rate Reaches An All Time Low
December 26, 2014
New data released by the Florida Department of Health shows that fewer youth in Florida are smoking cigarettes than ever before. In 2014, only 4.3 percent of Florida’s youth, ages 11 to 17, are current cigarette smokers.
There are 59 percent fewer youth cigarette smokers in the state than before the Tobacco Free Florida program launched in 2007. This represents a decrease from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 4.3 percent in 2014.
“Tobacco Free Florida is a nationally renowned program that has set the bar for how other states can reduce cigarette use among young people,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The state’s steady and significant reduction in youth smoking is saving lives and money, and creating a healthier, tobacco free generation.”
The new data from the 2014 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey found that:
- 7.5 percent of high school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 51.6 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among high school students was lower than the national average of 12.7 percent in 2013,[1] the most recent equivalent national survey
- 2.3 percent of middle school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 65.2 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among middle school students was similar to the national average of 2.9 percent in 2013,[2] the most recent equivalent national survey
In 2006, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment requiring 15 percent of the state’s tobacco settlement fund be used for a comprehensive tobacco education and use prevention program. In 2007, the funding was used to launch Tobacco Free Florida, which is managed by the health department. Tobacco Free Florida’s efforts are supported by community interventions at the county level and a statewide media campaign driven by powerful advertisements that demonstrate the dangers and real-life consequences of tobacco use, encouraging more and more youth to never begin.
Christmas In Jail: Escaped Inmate Back Behind Bars
December 25, 2014
An inmate that escaped from the Pensacola Work Release Center Wednesday is back behind bars.
Jeremy Lee Picha, 42, escaped on foot from the North L Street facility sometime between 9:20 and 9:40 a.m. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Picha was recaptured about 2:10 p.m.
Picha was serving a 20 month sentence from possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance charges from Santa Rosa County. He was about five months away from his scheduled release date.
A Look Back: Century Christmas In The 1930’s
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past for the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and what is now Century.
In the top photo, Mr. James H. Jones is seen giving out presents to Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. employee children in the 1930’s. By the 1940’s, this practice had been discontinued, but Mr. Hauss always sent some families a tin of dates from California. The company always seemed to be interested in keeping families together and satisfied, although when it came to the job, it was hard-nosed about making sure the workers gave a day’s work for a day’s pay.
The picture below depicts a scene in December 1936 from one of the logging camps in the woods where races were mixed on the job, despite the attitude towards segregation. Here you see two of the bosses, Fred Gilmore and Mr. Luke Earl (with glasses), a somewhat beloved woods foreman, and a group of workers and children observing Santa Claus as he holds a little boy at their Christmas gathering. Several of the children are clutching their little bags of goodies, probably candy and some trinkets, that Santa had passed out earlier. It’s not know what purpose the wash pot, if any, played in the festivities.
Photos courtesy the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (top) and Photo by Fischer (bottom) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Crews Spend Christmas Eve Helping Mississippi Town Hit By Tornado
December 25, 2014
A storm team of nearly 40 crew and support staff from Gulf Power spent Christmas Eve helping sister company Mississippi Power restore power in Columbia, MS, where more than 50 power poles were down following tornadoes that swept through the area.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Mississippi,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power Corporate Communications manager. “Rolling out on Christmas Eve has its challenges. Families have plans. But this it what our crews do — restoring power and hope, whether right here at home or for our neighbors.”
The crews complete their work and were set to return to the Pensacola area Christmas morning.
Pictured: Gulf Power crews roll out for a storm ravaged Mississippi town on Christmas Eve. Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews worked Christmas Even restoring power in Columbia, MS. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Spread Christmas Cheer
December 25, 2014
The students of the Camp Fire USA Century Learning Center recently visiting the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center to spread Christmas cheer with carols and Christmas cards for the residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
