Local Unemployment Up In Florida, Down In Alabama Over Past Year
September 18, 2010
The latest job numbers released Friday showed increases in unemployment in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties over the past year, while the employment outlook has improved in Escambia County, Alabama.
Greg Evers, the state representative whose district includes a large portion of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, called for changes to improve the employment situation in Florida — including an Arizona-style immigration law.
“I am very concerned by today’s employment numbers and what seems to be a downward spiraling trend,” Evers said Friday. “We have to make serious changes in the coming year to combat unemployment, such as reducing taxes and restrictions on small businesses so they can put more Floridians back to work, and also by passing an immigration law that is similar to Arizona’s original law. We need to make sure that Floridians are not losing job opportunities to illegal immigrants and that all our neighbors have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.”
Escambia County’s unemployment fell slightly— down from 11.0 percent in July to 10.9 percent in august. That represented 184 jobs gained in a month for a total county unemployment of 15,607 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded an a slight decrease in unemployment— from 10.8 percent in July to 10.7 percent in August. Santa Rosa County gained 20 jobs during the period, with a total of 7,869 persons unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.7 percent.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County, Ala., held steady over the month at 10.9 percent, representing 1,581 unemployed. Last year’s unemployment rate for the same period in Escambia County was 13.5 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 9.2 percent in August, dropped from July’s rate of 9.7 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 10.6 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August 2010 iss 11.7 percent. This represents 1,084,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,229,000. The unemployment rate is 0.2 percentage point higher than the July rate of 11.5 percent.
“Although Florida’s unemployment rate has slightly increased, there are still positive indicators of recovery. This is the second consecutive month with an increase in the number of jobs from the previous year,” said AWI Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo. “Historically, mixed signals from economic indicators during the bottom of a recession are common until the economy recovers. Fluctuations in rates of unemployment and job growth are typical examples.”
Freeport Beats Jay 42-6
September 18, 2010
The Jay Royals fell to 0-3, 0-1 in district play with a Friday night loss to Freeport. The Bulldogs beat Jay 42-6 in the district game.
The Royals had only 121 yards total offense, with their only score coming on the final drive of the first half.
The Jay Royals will make the short trip to Flomaton next Friday night to take on the Hurricanes.
Afternoon Fire Causes Minor Damage To Nokomis Home
September 17, 2010
Fire departments from across the area responded to a minor house fire in Nokomis just after 4:00 Friday afternoon.
The fire was reported just after 4 p.m. in the 1500 block of Nokomis Road near Rockaway Creek Road. Only minor damage was reported in the fire, which was contained to a utility room. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department were dispatched to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Workforce Escarosa Awarded $2.5 Million To Help Unemployed
September 17, 2010
Workforce Escarosa has been awarded a $2.5 million Deepwater Horizon National Emergency Grant to help those unemployed as a result of the oil spill.
Eligible persons may receive free programs and services to help them move forward with re-employment, financial aid for retraining, job search assistance, career counseling, career planning, career assessment testing, skills analysis and specialized workshops.
Residents of Escambia or Santa Rosa counties interested in pursuing assistance must complete a questionnaire that will determine eligibility — go to workforcescarosa.com to fill out the questionnaire or visit one of the three one-stop centers:
- 8120 North Century Blvd., Century
- 3670-A North L St., Pensacola
- 5725 U.S. 90, Milton
For more information on re-training opportunities, e-mail oilspilldislocation@escarosa.org.
Cantonment ‘Blighted’ Neighborhoods Could Get Redevelopment Help
September 17, 2010
A large portion of Cantonment will be declared as “blighted” and designated as the Cantonment Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) under a plan being considered by the Escambia County Commission.
The Escambia County Community Development Agency determined that the area was “blighted” because it is experiencing economic distress, endangerment to life or property due to the presence of a large number of deteriorated structures. Problems included the lack of paved roads, lack of sanitary sewer service, 96 percent of the single family homes in the area are in need of some form of repair or rehabilitation, and over half of the homes in the area are worth less than $50,000.
A Cantonment Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District would be created under the plan, funneling tax money collected in the district back into the area.
The average median household income in the area is $28,921, which is over $16,000 less than the county median household income of $45,484, according to the county.
The Escambia County Commission will set a public hearing for 5:32 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 to consider adopting the blighted designation.
West of Highway 29, the blighted area is generally bordered by Heaton Road to the south, Nowak Road and Hicks Street to the west and Well Line Road to the north. East of Highway 29, the blighted area is generally bordered by Becks Lake Road, Virecent Road, and Eden Lane. The blighted area border does not include all properties on the listed roads. For a map provided by Escambia County, click here.
Pictured top: Areas like Lakeview Avenue are under consideration as the Cantonment Community Redevelopment Area by the Escambia County Commission. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Takes First, Second At Cross Country Meet (With Photo Gallery)
September 17, 2010
Northview High School’s boy’s cross country team placed first and the girl’s team placed second at a four-team meet Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
Northview High, Baker High, Central High and Escambia Academy took place in the cross country event, which follows a 5K route around the school campus.
For a photo gallery from the meet, click here.
The first place girl’s team was Baker High School, followed by Northview in second place. The NHS boy’s team placed first, followed by Central High School in second and Baker third.
Top 10 individual results are as follows.
Top 10 Overall Girls
- Georgia Geotter -Northview 27:03
- Cheyenne Brannon-Baker 29:45
- Kennady Fuller-Central 31:12
- Sierra Brannon-Baker 31:18
- Jazzlyn Franklin -Northview 32:31
- Kayla Hunter -Central 33:14
- Katie Smith -Baker 34:01
- Julia Thorpe-Northview 34:19
- London Thiessen -Baker 34:28
- Kristen Matthews-Escambia Academy 34:40
Top 10 Overall Boys
- Josh Scott -Northview 20:12
- Dylan Scott-Baker 21:24
- Taylor Fisher-Central 22:02
- Dustin Lewis-Northview 22:34
- Chason Roley-Escambia Academy 23:31
- AJ Lambert-Northview 24:13
- Brandon Wherly -Baker 24:22
- Kyle Fuller -Central 25:33
- Patton Geotter 25:37
- Dillian Crutchfield -Northview 26:16
Pictured top: The top male and female runners at a Thursday cross country meet in Bratt: Josh Scott and Georgia Geotter, both from Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Fall To Baker (With Varsity, JV Photo Galleries)
September 17, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs came up short against Baker Thursday.
For a photo gallery from the varsity game, click here.
For a photo gallery from the JV game, click here.
Varsity
The NHS varsity fell to Baker in four games — 21-25, 25-23, 21-25, 23-25 — on the road in Baker.
“We played with the most heart and effort I have ever seen. However, we are still needing to work on our serve receive and serving. Once we get those two things up to the play that we did tonight we will really have the season we want to have,” Northview Head Coach Betty Heaton said.
Senior Shawna Montgomery paced the Chiefs with nine kills, three aces, 10 blocks and five digs, while junior Raylin Spence contributed nine assists, one ace, three blocks, one kill and five digs. Sophomore Misty Doran had one assist, seven kills and eight blocks; and Ashley Digmon added nine assists, three aces, three digs and three blocks.
The Northview varsity squad will be in action again on Friday and Saturday in the Spanish Fort Varsity Tournament. Flomaton will host the varsity and JV Lady Chiefs
Junior Varsity
The Northview Junior Varsity team fell to Baker in three games, 25-27, 25-10, 6-15.
Rebecca Masaitis had one dig and an assist for the Lady Chiefs, while Madison Arrington added four assists and three aces.
“We really need to work on making a full effort for every ball and our communication. The girls are doing a good job of trying to get three touches on the ball before sending it back over the net,” Heaton said the JV squad.
Pictured above: Action from the junior varsity Lady Chiefs versus Baker Thursday in Baker. Pictured below: Varsity action from the Northview Chiefs versus Baker. Submitted photos by Brenda McCall for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Moves Toward Red Light Cameras, Could Net $3 Million Per Year
September 17, 2010
Escambia County moved toward the installation of red light cameras in anticipation of adding up to $3 million per year to the county’s coffers.
“Escambia County is interested in pursuing installation of red light cameras at locations exhibiting substantial incidences of red light violations to improve enforcement capabilities,” Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom said in his written recommendation to the county commission.
The Florida Legislature approved the use of red light cameras earlier this year, with the law taking effect on July 1. According to Newsom, Sheriff David Morgan is interested in pursuing installation at problem intersections, and the idea is supported by the county’s traffic operations staff.
The automated cameras snap a photo of the car and license plate of alleged red light runners, and the driver receives a $158 citation in the mail — along with a photo of the violation. Of the $158 fine, Escambia County would retain $75. With 20 camera locations, Escambia County would earn as estimated $2-3 million per year.
The Sheriff’s Department would be responsible for providing trained traffic enforcement officer to review the photos and other evidence prior to a citation being issued. A portion of the county’s revenue would be transferred to the sheriff for increased personnel costs.
A citation will not go on a driver’s record if the fine is paid.
The county will give the county 30 days notice of the red light camera locations prior to their installation.
This Place Matters: Flomaton Historical Group Misses $25K
September 17, 2010
The Flomaton Area Railroad Museum came up short in public voting for a $25,000 “This Place Matters” grant.
Last week, NorthEscambia.com told readers about a This Place Matters Challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation that would award the $25,000 to one entrant to protect places in their community.
The largest number of votes — 7,862 — in the national contest and the $25,000 went to the Tinker cottage Museum in Illinois with 11 percent of the votes. There 101 groups across the country in the running for the cash grant.
Supporters of the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum said they were pleased to be involve in the contest and get national attention.
“I am terribly happy that we were chosen to be on there,” Betty Jones of the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum said.
To see Flomaton’s entry, click here.
Pictured: Levi Wagner, son of Tip Wagner and April Eicher, in photo used by the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum in their “This Place Matters” entry. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Holds Open House; Still Seeks School Advisory, PTSA Members
September 17, 2010
Hundreds of people attended the annual open house Thursday evening at Ernest Ward Middle School.
EWMS is seeking members for their School Advisory Council and PTSA. Both groups will meet on Monday, September 20 — the SAC at 4:00 and the PTSA at 4:30. Interested persons are encouraged to attend.