Florida Consumer Confidence Dips After Election
November 28, 2012
Florida consumers’ confidence dropped in November after spiking to new highs in the previous two months, likely driven by gloom among those disappointed by the election, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday.
The consumer confidence rating of 76 this month was down four points from October, the university’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research said. People’s perceptions of their personal finances dropped year over year, as did expectations for their personal finances and expectations for the economy as a whole in the nation over the next year and the next five years. Respondents’ perceptions on buying bit ticket consumer items were unchanged.
“We expected a decline in consumer confidence for two reasons,” said survey director Chris McCarty. “The main reason for the decline was the outcome of the elections. Florida was the most divided state in the country, with President Obama winning by 73,309 votes. No matter who won, half of the state was not going to be happy with the outcome.”
McCarty said that since the economy was a central issue, half the electorate naturally thinks the election was bad for the economy.
“The other reason for the decline is the sudden burst of media coverage regarding the fiscal cliff,” McCarty said. The bureau said that generally economic indicators in the state remain relatively positive. Unemployment declined in October and housing stock is declining, increasing demand in the housing market. Gas prices are also down.
By The News Service of Florida
Pen Air Credit Union In Century Robbed (With Photo Gallery)
November 27, 2012
A man claiming to have a gun robbed the Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century Tuesday afternoon.
The robbery was reported about 1:00 p.m. at the credit union on North Century Boulevard. The man walked into Pen Air and said he had a gun, demanding all of the money, according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The man fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. He was described as a thin white male with a gray hoodie and sunglasses.
There were no injuries.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office quickly surrounded the bank with multiple units as they searched for the suspect. K-9 teams were seen searching around the bank, including an area behind the U.S. Post Office next door.
There have been no arrests reported. Further details have not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: The Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century was robbed by a man claiming to have a gun Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician processes the front door of the credit union for fingerprints. Pictured below: A K-9 searches near the back of the U.S. Post Office located next door to the credit union. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Police: Drinking Mother Passes Out, Drops Infant Into Fire
November 27, 2012
Police say an Atmore mother was drinking and passed out, dropping her 8-month old into a fire.
The Atmore Police Department said 26-year old Amanda Pugh of Atmore was drinking and standing by a fire outside her home in the 600 block of Bream Street just before 1 a.m. Saturday. Witnesses told police Pugh passed out, dropping her daughter into the fire.
The 8-month old suffered burns to both of her legs. She was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. She was transferred to the burn center at the USA Medical Center in Mobile by LifeFlight.
Pugh was arrested at the scene and charged with first degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $15,000. The case is also under investigation by the Escambia County Department of Human Resources.
Man Charged With Smoking Spice With Teen Outside Dollar Store
November 27, 2012
A local man is facing child abuse charges after allegedly smoking spice with a 15-year old boy on Thanksgiving Day outside the Molino Dollar General.
Joseph Matthew Trump, age 36 of McDavid, was charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $3,000.
Trump admitted to deputies that he and the 15-year old had smoked Spice in his car in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Highway 29 just north of Molino Road, according to an arrest report.
When deputies searched the vehicle, they reported finding a bag of Spice in the glove compartment that was labeled in large yellow letters “Not for Human Consumption” and red lettering that stated “Not for Consumption. Not FDA Approved”.
“I thought it was OK because you can buy it over the counter,” Trump told deputies, the report states. Deputies also reported finding a rolled cigarette, rolling papers and two open beer cans in the vehicle.
The incident was also reported to the Department of Children and Families.
Escambia Commissioners To Attend State Conference
November 27, 2012
Escambia County Commissioners will attend the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Conference Wednesday through Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota.
An orientation for newly-elected commissioners, including Steven Barry and Lumon May will be held on Wednesday in conjunction with the Legislative Conference. Participants will be exposed to the powers and duties of a commissioner, ethics and Sunshine Laws and other resources and services available through FAC. The program is designed to provide an overview of the responsibilities of a county commissioner.
Dig Pinks Raises Over $1K In Green For Cancer Awareness
November 27, 2012
The final total is in from a Dig Pink volleyball event held last month to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The game between Northview and Flomaton High schools raised $1,150.84 after expenses, according to Northview volleyball coach Barbara Luker.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek To ID Armed Robbery Suspect
November 27, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to identify a man that robbed a gas station and attempted to rob a Family Dollar.
The man first tried to rob a Family Dollar at 1817 West Fairfield drive on the evening of November 17, according to a Monday news release. The man told the clerk he was armed and demanded money. He ran away from the store after the clerk yelled out to the manager, deputies said.
Later in the evening, the same man entered the Shell gas station on Davis Highway just north of I-10 and told the clerk he had a weapon and demanded money. Investigators said the man gave the suspect an undetermined amount of money and he fled the area in gray Jeep Cherokee, possibly a 1998-2001 model year.
The suspect was described as a white male, possibly in his late 40’s to early 50’s, five-foot-nine to six feet tall, with salt and pepper colored hair. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt, dark blue shorts and white shoes.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Scott Challenges Colleges To Offer $10,000 Degrees
November 27, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott “challenged” state colleges to create $10,000 four-year degrees, a continuation of his low-cost strategy for higher education that Democrats slammed as an attempt to turn the schools into “the Walmart of Education.”
Scott issued his challenge in a media blitz and a morning press conference at St. Petersburg College, with another event scheduled for Orlando in the afternoon.
“You should be able to work and go to school and not end up with debt,” Scott told WFLA TV, according to a transcript provided by his office. “If these degrees cost so much money, tuition is so high, that’s not going to happen. I have put out this challenge to our state colleges — we have 28 great state colleges — and say, ‘Can you come up with degrees where individuals can get jobs that the total degree costs $10,000?’”
State colleges are generally what used to be known as community colleges, though many of them now offer four year degrees.
The proposal echoes a similar push by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Scott’s political idol, for $10,000 degrees in that state. It also comes as Scott has made containing the costs of higher education a top priority after colleges and universities say years of budget cuts have forced tuition hikes.
At the morning press conference, St. Petersburg College President William Law said his school would accept the challenge.
“St. Petersburg College is once again excited about the opportunity to be part of a statewide college pilot program that lowers the cost of a college education for the citizens we serve,” Law said in a press release. “Affordable education always has been at the forefront of the college’s mission.”
Scott did not appear to be offering any new funding to colleges to help cover the cost of the initiative.
Scott has talked about the $10,000 degree program before, and others have proposed a set cost for higher education. A blue ribbon task force set up by Scott to study the State University System — which doesn’t include the colleges — recommended a similar goal for Florida’s 12 universities.
“The state will maintain a full-time, resident, undergraduate tuition option with a targeted rate of approximately … $15,000 for a bachelor’s degree,” the task force’s report said.
But the Florida Democratic Party blasted the idea in an email, saying Scott should instead focus on increasing funding for higher education.
“We’ve heard these empty words from Rick Scott before and Florida’s middle class families are looking for real leadership — not failed gimmicks masquerading as sound bites,” the party said.
By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Tate, Ransom Band Students To Perform With The Dallas Brass
November 27, 2012
Next month, the internationally acclaimed Dallas Brass will perform with band students from Tate High and Ransom Middle schools.
This American Musical Journey concert will include music from the time of George Washington to the present day. The event will be held at 7 p.m. on December 3 at Hillcrest Baptist Church. All tickets are $10 at the door.
About the Dallas Brass
Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. The group has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music.
In addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide. Symphonic credits include the Cincinnati Pops conducted by Erich Kunzel, New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson, and the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. The Dallas Brass has performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and has toured overseas to Europe and the Far East. They have shared the stage with the late Bob Hope, have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, have appeared on the CBS “Early Show,” and their music has been used numerous times on the television show, “The Young & The Restless”.
The ensemble has released six recordings: Debut, Dallas Brass II, A Merry Christmas with Brass, Windborne, Nutcracker and American Musical Journey.
Booster Seats Required For Kids Under 7 Under Proposed Law
November 27, 2012
Most children under 7 would have to ride in a booster seat or other safety seat under legislation filed Monday in the state Senate.
The proposal – which federal officials have been pushing Florida to pass for several years – is aimed at avoiding injuries to children who remain too small to be adequately protected by an adult seatbelt, even after they’re too big for infant car seats.
Florida is one of three states that don’t require older children to ride in a booster seat after age 4.
Children over 4′ 9″ inches would be exempt from the new requirement under the bill (SB 66), filed by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera. It has no companion in the House, where no bills have been filed yet for this legislative year. Altman also carried the same bill last year, but it failed to pass.
Advocates say children with smaller body frames don’t fit properly in seat belts, and sometimes are injured even worse in crashes because of them. Backers also say poor children are particularly at risk – because they may not regularly see a pediatrician who would tell their parents that.
Florida passed the requirement in 2001, but Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed it. He said at the time he was concerned that the bill might hurt low-income families, and that it went beyond the requirements of other states – something that has since changed.
Bush also said in his veto message that “we must place some trust in parents and recognize that almost every parent in our state, more so than government, wants their child to lead healthy, safe lives.”
Opponents have argued they weren’t convinced that the seats had a marked likelihood of preventing deaths, though backers say there is statistical evidence of it.
It’s the second auto safety measure filed for the upcoming legislative session, which officially begins in March, but begins committee hearings next week. Last week, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, filed legislation (SB 52) that would ban texting and driving, though it would only allow police to ticket motorists for the offense if they’ve been pulled over for something else.
By David Royse, The News Service of Florida