Escambia Home Sales Up, Average Price Down
January 22, 2012
Home sales in the Escambia County area were up in 2011, but the average price fell.
There were 3,916 single family home sales in the Pensacola market — including all of Escambia County. That was up 12 percent over the 3,497 homes sold by the end of 2010. The average home price fell from $141,000 in 2010 to $134,600 in 2011, a decrease of 5 percent.
Condo sales increased by 40 percent, from 494 in 2010 to 691 in 2011. The average condo price was up, from $171,900 to $188,800.
Across Florida, home sales increased by 8 percent in 2011 from the year before, the third time in as many years that sales have grown as Florida continues to rebound from the housing crash that ground the state’s economy to a halt, according to statistics compiled by Florida Realtors.
“Our expectation is that recovery will continue through 2012,” said Florida Realtors’ chief economist John Tucillo. “The major obstacle in the market is the inadequate accessibility to financing. Prices are moderating, but we don’t expect too much movement owing to the continuing significance of distressed properties.”
The most expensive home currently listed for sale in the North Escambia area is a 5,500 square foot home on an 8.5 acre island in Century. The home, with a $2.5 million list price, is in the middle of a 63 acre private lake on Campbell Road. The detached 7,000 square foot garage has enough space for 13 parked cars and has a mother-in-law apartment above it.
Pictured: This home in Century is currently listed at $2.5 million. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In State Line Road Wreck
January 22, 2012
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident Saturday morning in Century.
The accident happened about 10:25 a.m. on State Line Road near Highway 29. The driver of a 1992 Chevrolet truck failed to negotiate a curve on State Line Road, struck a power pole guy wire and traveled up a steep embankment toward Highway 29.
A passenger in the pickup, 42-year old Cynthis Taylor of Atmore, was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. Another person in the pickup, John Taylor, age 54 of Flomaton, was not injured.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the vehicle was unknown due to no witnesses to the crash.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured top: John Taylor and his sister Cynthis Taylor were involved in this single vehicle accident Saturday morning in Century. Pictured inset: John Taylor waits by the vehicle for the Florida Highway Patrol to arrive. Troopers were unable to determine who was driving the truck. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
10 Volunteer Firefighters Complete Certification Training
January 22, 2012
Ten Escambia County volunteer firefighters completed their Firefighter I training on Saturday.
The newly certified volunteers firefighters, and their station of service, are:
- Cody Brown – Beulah
- Jeremy Chabot – West Pensacola
- Travis Darr – Ensley
- Ian Forrester – Bellview
- Brian Gossett – Ensley
- Ryan Kaderly – Molino
- Nick McCullough -Molino
- C.J. Parker – Molino
- Johnathon Stack – Warrington
- Kevin Winingar – Ferry Pass
Cantonment Trumpet Player One Of Nation’s Best
January 22, 2012
A trumpet player from Cantonment has been selected as one of the best high school players in the nation.
Chris Snyder has been selected as a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition held in Washington, DC. Each year, candidates from across the nation submit a video audition of themselves performing a difficult classical composition. He is one of 30 high school students selected out of hundreds of applicants who audition for the opportunity.
As a semifinalist, Snyder will be able to attend Master Classes led by artists the likes of Doc Severinsen, longtime band leader for the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and various other trumpet professional players from top symphonies across the United States.
Snyder, the son of Mark and Sonya Snyder, is a member of the Celebration Orchestra at Olive Baptist Church. For the past six years, he has studied trumpet privately from Darryl Evans and Tom Savage, both faculty members at Olive’s School of Performing Arts.
The OBC School of Performing Arts offers a variety of vocal and instrumental music lessons for all ages. For more information on the school, call (850) 475-1932 or visit www.olivebaptist.org.
Pictured: Chris Snyder practices at the Olive Baptist Church School of the Performing Arts. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Project Can Help Families In Need Pay ECUA Bills
January 22, 2012
An assistance program is providing a little help for ECUA customers that have trouble paying their water, wastewater or sanitation bills.
Project EUAP (Escambia Utility Assistance Program) was created in 1988 to assist families that are experiencing financial difficulties. The program is made possible through the voluntary contributions if ECUA customers; there 1,545 ECUA customers that were contributing to the program as of November 2011.
Project EUAP offers assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and to crisis victims, individuals who have a financial circumstance due to a medical emergency, death in the family, or any other serious situation. All contributions in Project EUAP are used for emergency relief and never to pay administrative expenses. The program is administered by the Community Action Program, Escambia County Council on Aging, and the Salvation Army.
ECUA customers can participate in the program by having at least one dollar included on their monthly utility bill, or making a one-time contribution.
For more information, to contribute or to sign up as a participant in Project EUAP, visit ecua.org or call (850) 476-0480.
Search Continues For Escambia Bank Robbery Suspect
January 22, 2012
Authorities are searching for a man that robbed an Escambia County bank Saturday morning.
An older white male wearing a cap and a long sleeve light colored shirt held up the Bank of America on Davis Highway at Creighton Road just before 11 a.m. Authorities said the man gave the teller a note demanding money and never displayed a weapon. He fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene within four minutes. A K-9 search was unable to locate the suspect.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to the call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Postage Rates Increase
January 22, 2012
Sending a letter via the United States Postal Service will cost you more.
The new 45-cent price for Forever stamps went into effect across the U.S. on Sunday, the first price increase in 2.5 years.
Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing include:
- Letters (1 oz.): 1-cent increase to 45 cents
- Letters additional ounces: unchanged at 20 cents
- Postcards: 3-cent increase to 32 cents
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.): 5-cent increase to 85 cents.
- Letters to other international destinations: 7-cent increase to $1.05
Prices also changed for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services, according to the USPS.
However, Express Mail and Priority Mail prices were not affected. First-Class Mail Presort mailers went up in price, but the second ounce is free.
And new for all customers is a three-month pricing option to rent PO Boxes, perfect for people on the move and others who need a PO Box for a short time period.
Pictured: New “Weather Vanes” 45-cent first class postage stamps. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Pending After Hwy 29 Crash In McDavid
January 21, 2012
Two people were injured and charges are pending after a two vehicle crash early Saturday morning in McDavid.
The accident happened about 3:30 a.m. near Cox Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2010 Mazda driven by 22-year old Dwayne K. Fountain of Florence, Ala., was legally parked next to Highway 29. His vehicle was struck by a northbound 1999 Ford Taurus driven by 27-year old Anna Maria Rae Lynn of Atmore. The parked Mazda was knocked into a wooded area by the force of the collision.
Fountain and Lynn were transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. A passenger in Lynn’s vehicle, 29-year old Elizabeth A. Skelton of Atmore also received minor injuries.
Charges are pending against Lynn, according to the FHP.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this two vehicle crash earl Saturday morning in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Named One Of The Best Employers In U.S.
January 21, 2012
One of the best companies to work for in the country is located in Escambia County, according to FORTUNE magazine.
FORTUNE announced Friday that Navy Federal Credit Union was ranked #95 on their 15th annual list of The 100 Best Companies To Work For. Navy Federal also made the list in 2008 and is the only credit union to ever receive the honor.
“Service and commitment are a two-way street – employees take care of our members and we take care of our employees. I’ve always believed that Navy Federal is a great place to work. I’m proud of our dedicated and talented team members who contribute to making us one of the ‘100 Best,’ ” said Cutler Dawson, President/CEO, Navy Federal Credit Union.
A Little Good News On The Unemployment Front
January 21, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a little bit of good news in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment was down slightly from 10.1 percent in November to 9.9 percent in December. There were 455 jobs gained during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,512 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment slipped from 9.2 percent to 9.1 percent in December. Santa Rosa County added 97 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,385 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.8 percent.
The employment news was also good in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 9.2 percent in November to 9.0 percent in December. That represented 39 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,305 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment rate in December fell to 9.9 percent, its lowest level in two and a half years. December’s rate translates to 913,000 jobless Floridians out of a potential work force of 9.2 million.
Alabama’s seasonally unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in December, was down from November’s rate of 8.7 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
The unemployment figures do not include discouraged workers who have given up on their job search or part-time employees who would rather be working full time. If those are added, the jobless rate typically climbs by several points.