Unemployment Numbers About Steady In The Local Area
April 19, 2014
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level steady or inching downward in most of the North Escambia area — as Florida’s unemployment rate went up since the first time since the middle of 20110.
Escambia County’s unemployment remained steady between February and March at 6.7 percent. There were 9,213 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.6 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment fell from 5.9 to 5.7 percent from February to March. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,251 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 6.8 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment inched fell from 9.3 percent in February0 to 8.6 percent in December. That represented 1,210 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment mark rose from 6.2 percent in February to 6.3 percent in March. Jobs officials say the negative movement is in part because more people are in the labor pool.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced Friday that while the number of people with jobs has increased, the state’s unemployment mark rose from 6.2 percent in February to 6.3 percent in March.
A release from Gov. Rick Scott’s office briefly referred to the increase, instead focusing on the creation of private sector jobs across Florida during the past month, year and since January 2011, when the governor took office.
“Today I am proud to announce that Florida businesses created more than 20,000 jobs in March,” Scott, who is campaigning for re-election on job growth, also said on Twitter. The bulk of the new jobs were in service-related fields, topped by leisure and hospitality, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity.
The last time the state’s monthly mark — based on estimates of the number of people employed and actively seeking employment — increased was in August 2010. At that time, the figure rose from 11.2 percent to 11.3 percent, and an estimated 1.03 million Floridians were out of work. There are currently an estimated 606,000 jobless Floridians.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.7percent in March, was up from February’s rate of 6.4 percent and was up from the year-ago rate of 6.6 percent
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are
Century Gets Look At Future Economic Development Plan
April 18, 2014
The Century Town Council got a sneak peek at their Economic Development Strategic Plan during a special meeting Thursday afternoon with the Haas Center, the research and consulting arm of the University of West Florida, updating the council on their work over the past several months.
Once finalized, the plan will lay out a vision, a road map of sorts, that will guide Century into their economic future.
Ideas presented by the Haas Center’s Brice Harris included: promoting educational opportunities at locals schools, free financial literacy programs, skills training, anti-poverty initiatives , development of partnerships with organizations that aid low income households and dropout prevention.
The plan also calls for identifying industrial opportunities, soliciting input from local businesses for marketing efforts, developing marketing, pursuit of a daycare program, partnerships with other local communities, improving Century’s “curb appeal”, expanding available broadband Internet services, Internet subsidies for low income residents, identification of mass transit needs, exploring the benefits of expanding the town limits, and pursuing grants for low income residents.
Also under the strategic plan, Century would work with business networks, provide support and training to local businesses, pursue grant funding to staff business incubator, offer small businesses classes, conduct a feasibility study for a local hotel, increase civic participation in local government, stream council meetings online, publish town council meeting minutes, utilize an online calendar, distribute a town newsletter and institute a youth leadership program. The town would also have an increase social media presence, organize more community events and work with area schools and churches to bring more youth-based activities and sports to Century.
In addition to research, the Haas Center has solicited input from area businesses, residents and other economic development agencies in the region in developing the plan, funded by a $25,000 a Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Under the grant requirements, the Haas Center is developing an economic and demographic profile report, local and regional market area analysis, accepted input from local and regional stakeholders and soliciting input from a steering committee.
The final draft of the strategic plan is due to the town by April 30, with an implementation plan and funding matrix to be submitted by May 30.
Pictured top: Brice Harris of the University of West Florida’s Haas Center provides a look at Century’s new Economic Development Strategic Plan during a Thursday afternoon meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Win District 1-7A Championship
April 18, 2014
The Tate High School Lady Aggies won the District 1-7A championship Thursday night with a 8-1 win over the Navarre Raiders. The Aggies will now host Tallahassee Chiles in the quarterfinals next Thursday. Photos by Timothy Dunsford for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office, Other Groups Sweep Milestone Area
April 18, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep operation Thursday morning in the Milestone area.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” was to work with the 9 1/2 Mile Road Neighborhood Watch group, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers from the U.S. Navy also worked throughout the day to clean trash and debris from alongside neighborhoods streets.
During the sweep, there were two arrests, 33 traffic citations issued, 15 code violations, seven sex crime address verifications, one car seized and three tons of trash and debris removed.
Pictured above and below: Officials and volunteers ready for a Clean Sweep operation in the Milestone area Thursday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Library Program Features Stories, Crafts And The Easter Bunny
April 18, 2014
A special Easter program was held Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch of the West Florida Library. Children had a chance to listen to a fun story, eat treats, make a craft and meet the Easter Bunny. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Lady Jags Win District 1-4A Championship
April 18, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars won the District 1-4A championship Thursday night with a 10-0 blowout of the Marianna Bulldogs. The Lady Jags will host Godby on Wednesday at 7p.m. in the Region 1-4A finals. Pictured: (bottom, L-R) Jibrasha Moore, Danyelle Black, Ealon Pyle, Korina Rosario, Jordaine Watkins, Nachelle Watson, Kristin Gunter, Kayla Miller, (back row, L-R))Maegan Freeman, Farrah Nicholas, Lauren Carnley, Breana Rogers, Emily Loring, Ali Cutaio, Coach Angie Johnson, Jasmyn Nguyen, Kathleen Smiley, Head Coach Jessica Smith, Coach Gary Jackson. Photos by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Egg Hunting At Molino Park Elementary
April 18, 2014
Kindergarten students at Molino Park Elementary school wrapped up their school week Thursday afternoon with an Easter egg hunt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Claim District 3-1A Championship
April 18, 2014
The Jay Lady Royals won the District 3-1A championship Thursday night with a 5-2 win over Chipley. It was the third consecutive district championship for Jay.
Chassity McCraney pitched the win in seven for the Lady Royals, allowing five hits, striking out seven.
Jay hitters were Destiny Herring 2-4, R, RBI; Sydney Lowery 3-4, 2RBI; Samantha Steadham 1-3, R, 2B; Michaela Stewart 1-4, R, 2B; Harley Taggert 1-3, 2R.
Photos by Diann Penton Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Supreme Court: Pregnancy Discrimination Barred Under State Law
April 18, 2014
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a state law barring discrimination based on gender also applies to pregnant women, resolving divisions in lower courts and addressing a question confronting lawmakers this session.
The 1992 Florida Civil Rights Act, which bars employers from discriminating based on “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status,” includes pregnant women although the condition is not specifically identified in the law, the Supreme Court ruled in a 6-1 opinion.
“Indeed, the capacity to become pregnant is one of the most significant and obvious distinctions between the female and male sexes. For this reason, discrimination based on pregnancy is in fact discrimination based on sex because it is discrimination as to a natural condition unique to only one sex and that arises ‘because of [an] individual’s . . . sex,’ ” Justice Barbara Pariente wrote for the majority.
The case was filed by Peguy Delva against The Continental Group, which is a property-management firm. Delva contended, in part, that the firm would not allow her to cover other workers’ shifts to earn extra money and that she was not scheduled for work after returning from maternity leave, according to court documents. A Miami-Dade County circuit court and the 3rd District Court of Appeal sided with the company. The appeals court said there was “no doubt” the Delva, a front desk manager, had a sufficient claim of discrimination but that the law did not cover pregnancy. Delva no longer works for the company.
In a dissent, Chief Justice Ricky Polston agreed with lower courts that found the “plain meaning” of the law does not address pregnancy discrimination.
“On its face, the term ’sex’ does not refer to whether one is pregnant or not pregnant even though that status is biologically confined to one gender,” Polston wrote.
Federal law contains an explicit ban on discrimination “on the basis of pregnancy,” contained in the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act. But, unlike state law in discrimination cases, the federal law includes caps on some legal damages that depend on the size of the businesses. State law also gives plaintiffs more time to file lawsuits.
The Florida Senate unanimously approved a bill (SB 220) that would add pregnancy to the Florida Civil Rights Act, and a House companion (HB 105) is ready for a floor vote.
Despite Thursday’s ruling, Rep. Lori Berman, a Lantana Democrat and sponsor of the House measure, said the Legislature still needs to act.
“I think it’s great,” Berman, a lawyer, said of the court’s decision. “I think my bill is a codification and I think that it’s just as important as ever for the Legislature to pass it and for the governor to enact it as law.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Split Games With Washington
April 18, 2014
The Northview Chiefs wrapped up their regular season Thursday as they hosted the Washington Wildcats.
The junior varsity Chiefs defeated Washington 4-3, while the NHS varsity lost to WHS 5-0.
The varsity Chiefs finished the season at 15-5, 7-3 in the district. The district championship games being Monday in Chipley. Northview will play on Tuesday in Chipley against the Monday winner between Freeport and Holmes County.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
