Local Unemployment Rate Increases
March 12, 2024
FloridaCommerce announced Monday that the Pensacola metro area private sector employment increased by 3.3% (+5,500 new jobs). The Pensacola area’s unemployment rate was 3.4% in January 2024, a 0.5 percentage point increase from the January 2023 rate of 2.9%.
FloridaCommerce announced that the Pensacola area labor force increased by 8,022, a 3.4% increase over the year in January 2024. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality increasing, by 1,500 jobs; and education and health services, increasing by 1,300 jobs.
Florida’s private sector job growth rate increased by 0.4% (+37,900 jobs) in January 2024, double the national rate of 0.2% over the same period. Florida’s economic data continues to indicate economic stability and confidence among Florida’s workforce as the state’s labor force grew by 2.2% (+243,000) over the year in January 2024, faster than the national over-the-year rate of 0.8%, including 16,000 net new workforce participants in January 2024.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate for 39 consecutive months. The national unemployment rate was 3.7% for January 2024, 0.6 percentage point higher than Florida’s rate.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
March 12, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named their February Students Of The Month. They are Ryleigh Brown and AJ Glodfelter. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Sentenced To 30 Years For Trafficking Meth In Escambia County
March 12, 2024
A Gulf Breeze woman has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for trafficking methamphetamine in Escambia County.
Angela Anderson was recently sentenced after being convicted in January. She . She must serve a minimum mandatory of 15 years in prison.
The Pensacola Police Department stopped Anderson in January 2023 for an expired registration in Escambia County, and a K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in her vehicle. Oer 200 grams of methamphetamine were found in the center console.
During sentencing, the state argued that methamphetamine is one of Florida’s “most dangerous drugs and is destroying our communities. Judge Simon took note that the defendant had two hundred and seventeen grams of methamphetamine in her possession and was transporting that methamphetamine for sale to the citizens of Escambia County,” the State Attorney’s Office said.
Northview Beats Baker 5-2, Tate Tops Fort Walton
March 12, 2024
Monday night, the Northview Chiefs beeat Baker, and the Tate Aggies topped Fort Walton.
Northview 5, Baker 2
Jamison Gilman struck out 10 Baker batters as the Northview Chiefs beat the Gators 5-2 Monday on a cool evening in Bratt.
Gilman gave up five hits and a run while walking two in six innings.
Fore more photos from Baker at Northview, click here.
Mikayl McAnnally pitched one inning in relief for the Chiefs, allowing two hits, one run and striking out three.
Gilan was 2-4 at the plate to lead the Chiefs at bat. McAnnally, Chloe Ragsdale, Daviona Randolph, and Riley Brooks drove in one run each.
Northview stole seven total bases during the game, with Gilman and Brooks stealing multiple bases.
Choctaw will be at Northview on Thursday, and the Lady Chiefs will travel to Jay Friday night.
Tate 6, Fort Walton 4
The Tate Lady Aggies beat Fort Walton Beach 6-4 Monday night in Cantonment.
Jordan Smith earned the win for the Aggies in seven innings, surrendering nine hits and four runs while striking out one and walking two.
At bat for Tate, Peyton Womack led with three hits with four at bats. Kara Wine had three RBIs. and Smith was 2-4.
The Lady Aggies will host Pine Forest on Tuesday and travel to Niceville on Thursday.
Pictured above and below: The Northview Chiefs beat Baker 5-2 Monday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
March 11, 2024
Ransom Middle School has named their February Students of the Month. They are Dominic Gill and Gabriella Langham. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Group Living Facility Proposed For Molino
March 11, 2024
A group living facility acility is being proposed for Molino.
The facility would be located on 5.12 acres at 599 Meharg Road at the corner of Highway 95A.
According to a conditional use application filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee, owner Austin Conner is seeking a conditional use for an existing 8,074 square foot home as phase one of the facility.
The second phase would entail the additional “guest home for additional space for group residents”, acording to the application.
The application does not specify how the facility will be used other than “adult family care facility” and “group living facility”.
Bonus Photos: Tate Aggies At Wahoos Stadium
March 11, 2024
Arnold 3, Tate 0 (Varsity)
The Tate Aggies fell 3-0 to Arnold lsat Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
For a bonus photo gallery, click or tap here.
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Gabe Harrison took the loss for Tate. He went for two innings, surrendering three runs on three hits while striking out two and walking two. Zane Warrington threw four innings in relief, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out seven and walking one.
Tate had one hit each from Ketch King, Kaleb Posta, Connor Hassell, and Madox Land.
The Aggies Friday night game against Payxton was rained out Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Photos by Chrisy King for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Inch Lower After Reaching New 2024 High
March 11, 2024
Florida gas prices are inching lower after reaching a new 2024 high of $3.46 per gallon on Friday. The state average rose 15 cents per gallon last week. However, by Sunday, it was back down to $3.43 per gallon on average.
The average per gallon price in Escambia County was $3.19. A low price of $3.05 was available in North Escambia at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. The lowest price in Pensacola Sunday night was $2.99 at the warhouse clubs.
“Strong gasoline demand and the switch to summer fuel contributed to last week’s jump at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Severe weather and power outages at major refinery plants across the US were also reportedly to blame. However, gasoline and oil futures moved lower late last week, reportedly due to uncertainty about whether the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates later this year. This could temporarily cause the gas price hike to stall.”
Crude oil futures declined nearly $2 per barrel last week (-2%). Gasoline futures dropped 9 cents.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia County Offering Tips On When To Call, Or Not Call, 9-1-1
March 10, 2024
In hopes of alleviating unnecessary emergency responses., Escambia County is offering advice on when a resident should — and should not — call 9-1-1.
“As a reminder, 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency. Citizens should keep in mind that not all medical situations require 9-1-1, and some issues are better handled by urgent care, primary care, a pharmacy or self-care,” the county said.
Escambia County Emergency Communications answered 216,663 calls in 2023. During each of these calls, Escambia County EMS s or Escambia County Fire Rescue responded. Often, both EMS and ECFR will respond depending on the severity of the call.
“What was discovered was several of these calls were low acuity or non-emergent, resulting in an ambulance being diverted away from a potential or active emergency call. When several 9-1-1 calls are made all at once for an ambulance, the odds of emergency calls being held rise exponentially,” the county said. When a call is held, those calling for help essentially wait in line for an available ambulance.
Escambia County said do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergent situations such as:
- Non-life-threatening medical situations: Minor injuries or medical conditions that do not require immediate medical care do not warrant a 9-1-1 call. If you or someone you know has mild food poisoning, a slight fever, nausea, or a minor cut, consider calling a physician or going to urgent care.
- Requests for information: Calls for information, such as directory assistance, driving directions or road closures, should not be made to 9-1-1.
- Minor assistance: Do not call 9-1-1 if you need minor assistance, such as reaching something high up or across the room.
- Rides to the hospital: Do not call 9-1-1 just for a ride to the hospital if there is not an emergency medical situation.
- If you are unsure whether the situation is a true emergency, officials recommend calling 9-1-1 and letting the call-taker determine whether you need emergency help.
Escambia County also said consider the following guide when determining who to call for non-emergency medical situations:
- Urgent Care (urgent but not life-threatening): Sprains, severe cold/cough, minor burns, skin infections
- Primary Care (symptoms that don’t go away): Chronic symptoms, back pain, stomachaches, high blood pressure management
- Pharmacy: Questions about prescriptions or over-the-counter medications
- Self-care (minor injury or illness): Sunburn, minor cuts, seasonal allergies
Escambia County offers the following tips when identifying an emergency that requires immediate assistance:
- A medical emergency, such as someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention
- A fire
- A crime, especially if in progress
- A car crash, especially if someone is injured
In an emergency situation that warrants a call to 9-1-1, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:
- The location of the emergency, including the street address
- The phone number you are calling from
- The nature of the emergency
- Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency
Graphics and information courtesy Escambia County for NorthhEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Recognizes Leaders Of The Month
March 10, 2024
Bratt Elementary School recently recognized their February Leaders Of The Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.