Local Unemployment Rate Climbs
July 22, 2013
The latest jobs numbers show the unemployment rate held steady in Florida and fell in Alabama, but the local jobless numbers were not as positive.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate jumped from 6.7 percent in May to 7.1 percent in June. There were 595 more people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 10,156 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 8.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment was up from 5.9 percent to 6.7 percent from May to June. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,017 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.3 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment increased from 7.6 percent in May to 8.0 percent in June. That represented 1,173 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 10.0 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in June, holding steady over the month, but down 1.7 percentage points from 8.8 percent a year ago. The state’s May and June rates were the lowest since September 2008 when it was 7.0 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.5 percent in June, was down from May’s rate of 6.8 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 7.6 percent.
Campbells Recognized As Santa Rosa Farm Family Of The Year
July 22, 2013
The Keith Campbell family of Chumuckla was honored as the Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year.
The Campbell farm includes 1,300 acres of cotton, peanuts, wheat, 60 head of beef cattle and an apiary for honey production. The Campbell’s pride themselves on maintaining a family-run, community supported farm that stays on the cutting edge of agricultural progress to reduce costs while increasing total crop yield.
They have embraced numerous technological advancements over the years that have allowed the Campbell farm to thrive and become a mainstay in the Northwest Florida farming community.
In addition to Keith’s wife, Robynn, several other members of the family contribute to the overall success of the farm, including their daughters, Ashleigh, a teacher at Bennett C. Russell Elementary School and Brittney, a student at the University of West Florida; their nephew, Dale Campbell, who helps out after school; and Ashleigh’s husband, Adam Bondurant, a senior at the University of West Florida.
Keith Campbell is a sixth generation farmer. He began farming with his grandfather, W.T. Stewart, in 1983 and has since taken over the entire operation.
The Campbell’s were recognized last week in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Jeff Miller. “My wife Vicki and I wish the Campbell family all the best as they continue to serve the citizens of Northwest Florida,” Miller said.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Part 5: Inside Century Correctional – Reel Mowing And Laundry Cents
July 22, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with cost savings in the laundry. Our series will continue later this week with a look inside the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
Cost savings. That’s what running a state agency in Florida is all about these days. The lawnmowers used inside the fence at Century Correctional Institution look like they are on the last half of their own life sentence. Nobody seems to know just how old they are, but with minimal maintenance and a blade sharpening from time to time, they just keep on going. The old fashioned reel mowers are all prisoner powered, no gas engines here.
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The CCI laundry is, obviously, a busy place. The laundry washes all clothes, blankets and linens for the entire main unit population and the nearby work camp. There are 23 inmates assigned to work in the laundry.
The laundry is working toward using their own detergent at a cost of about 2-cents per load. And that’s not where the frugality ends. The laundry makes all their own boxer shorts for the inmate population, and they have recently started using the small and medium size shirts to make larger shirts and pants.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues this week on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured top: Old fashioned prisoner-powered reel mowers are using on the prison grounds. Pictured above and below: The CCI laundry. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Quintette Road Bridge Accident Claims Life
July 21, 2013
One person died in a two-vehicle accident on a Quintette Road bridge Saturday night.
The head-on collision happened about 11 p.m. on the Escambia River Bridge between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The Florida Highway Patrol said 44-year old Floyd W. Scruggs. Jr., of Milton was traveling west on Quintette Road in a 1992 Chevrolet pickup when he crossed into the wrong lane. He collided head-on with a 2008 Ford pickup towing a trailer with an ATV driven by 27-year old Johnathon R. Carpenter of Pace.
Scruggs was pronounced deceased at the scene. Carpenter was transported by Santa Rosa Lifeguard EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he was listed in serious condition.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Emergency crews from both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties responded to the crash. The bridge remained closed into the early morning hours.
Pictured top: The driver of this pickup, 44-year old Floyd W. Scruggs. Jr., of Milton, was pronounced deceased in this accident on the Escambia River Bridge on Quintette Road. Pictured below: The driver of this blue pickup, 27-year old Johnathon R. Carpenter of Pace, was seriously injured. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Over 100 Attend Women’s Conference
July 21, 2013
Over 100 women attended a one-day Women’s Conference Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid.
Keynote speaker for the event “Unpacking Titus” was Liz Traylor, wife of Dr. Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola. Worship was led by Leah Taylor. Breakout sessions on a variety of topics were led by women from Ray’s Chapel and other churches.
Pictured: “Unpacking Titus”, a women’s conference, held Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Band Washes Its Way Toward The New Season
July 21, 2013
Members of the Northview High School Tribal Beat band held a car wash Saturday in Century to raise funds for the upcoming season. The band must pay may all of its own expenses, including transportation to away football games. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipes: Mexican Sausage Pizza, Sausage Mushroom Calzone
July 21, 2013
A busy life does have to put a damper on dinner plans with these two simple recipes — Mexican Sausage Pizza and Sausage and Mushroom Calzone.
(Scroll down to see both recipes.)
Mexican Sausage Pizza
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes 4 servings
1 pound roll sausage (can use hot)
3 cups baking mix
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced tomato
1/2 cup minced cilantro
2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Sour cream (optional)
Salsa (optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In medium skillet over medium heat crumble and cook sausage until brown. Cool.
In large bowl, combine baking mix, cheddar cheese and cooked sausage. Stir in 5 or 6 tablespoons water to form a dough. Pat out into a thin layer on a large baking sheet or pizza pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until light brown.
Spread crust with refried beans. Top with onions, tomato, cilantro and cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Sausage and Mushroom Calzone
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes 4 servings
1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained (4 ounces)
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In large skillet, crumble and cook sausage until browned. Set aside.
Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 12- to 14-inch rectangle. Cut into 4 pieces.
Top half of each rectangle with sauce, sausage, mushrooms and cheese. Fold dough over to enclose. Crimp around edges with a fork. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Photos: Alabama, Florida Fire Departments Conduct Joint Water Training
July 21, 2013
Several area fire departments continued their series of joint training exercises Saturday morning.
Members of the Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Fire Department, Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department, McCall Volunteer Fire Department, Appleton Volunteer Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue took part in the joint exercise that was all about moving a lot of water quickly.
Using two 1,500 gallon tankers from Walnut Hill and a tanker from Nokomis, firefighters shuttled water from a hydrant over a half mile away to Escambia County High School in Atmore. The water was dumped into storage pools capable of holding 4,000 gallons, allowing the tanker trucks to support a 500 gallon per minute water flow. The tankers were also used to supply a 1,000 gallon per minute flow.
Firefighters said the exercise allowed the departments to learn how to work together to carryout an operation that would allow them to fight a very large fire using only tanker trucks as a water supply in the event a hydrant was not available.
The city of Atmore does not currently have a tanker truck in its fire department, so the exercise also gave Atmore firefighters a chance to learn more about tanker truck operations.
Pictured top: About 1,500 gallons of water are quickly dumped from a Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department tanker truck into a 3,000 gallon storage pool that was being used to supply a 1,000 gallon storage pool and a 500 gallon per minute nozzle Saturday morning at Escambia County High School in Atmore. Pictured inset: Walnut Hill Station Chief Chris Brown adjusts a 1,000 gallon per minute nozzle being supplied by two tanker trucks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hunstville Beats Wahoos 10-5
July 21, 2013
Jason Rogers smashed three home runs and drove home another run with a single as part of a six-RBI night in the Huntsville Stars’ 10-5 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday night in front of the 21st capacity crowd of the season at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Rogers started the scoring with a two-run homer in the top half of the fourth inning against Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe. It was part of a four-run frame for the Stars who got an RBI triple from Adam Weisenburger and an RBI single from Eric Patterson to build a 4-0 lead. Crabbe was taken out of the game after four frames. He allowed four runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
However, in the last of the fourth, the Wahoos countered with four runs of their own against Huntsville starter Taylor Jungmann. With runners on second and third and one out, Devin Lohman reached on an infield single to score a run while another run scored on a throwing error by the pitcher Jungmann to make it 4-2. Corey Wimberly doubled home Lohman two batters later to make 4-3 before Wimberly scored on an RBI single from Yorman Rodriguez, knotting the game at four. Rodriguez finished the night going 4-for-5 with a triple and an RBI. It was the first time this season a Wahoo has recorded four hits in a game.
Rogers broke the tie in the sixth inning with a solo homer and added an insurance tally with a two-out single in the seventh to give the Stars a 6-4 lead. Both hits came against Loek Van Mil who fell to 0-6 by allowing two runs on seven hits in three innings.
In the ninth, Rogers provided the exclamation point to his night with another two-run shot to left, capping a four-run frame for Huntsville and opening up a 10-4 cushion. Rogers went 4-for-5 with the three homers and six RBI, both career-highs. The three blasts were his first since May 27.
Pensacola scored a run in the last of the ninth inning when Tucker Barnhart singled home Donald Lutz to make it 10-5. Barnhart went 2-for-3 with an RBI to extend his hitting streak to eight games.
David Goforth picked up the win for Huntsville to improve to 4-1. In relief of Jungmann, Goforth fired three scoreless frames with two strikeouts. Jungmann didn’t last past the fourth inning for Huntsville, as he gave up four runs on seven hits and took a no-decision.
Pensacola will look to salvage the final two games of the series starting on Sunday at 4 p.m. Josh Smith (7-8, 3.72) will start for the Wahoos while Ariel Pena (5-7, 3.47) gets the call for the Stars.
story by Kevin Burke
Birth: Brantley James Sharpless
July 21, 2013
Aaron and Rachel (Martin) Sharpless are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Brantley James Sharpless. Brantley was born on May 30, 2013, at 7:44 am. He weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz., and was 21.5 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Keith and Rochel Martin. Paternal grandparents are Glenn and Jeannie Sharpless.
Great grandparents are the late Frank Stewart Jr., Billy and Joyce Etheridge, Ken and Janette Beck, the late Henderson Robinson, Jack and Betty Sharpless, and the late Frank and Sue Robinson.