Escambia Unemployment Rate Declines Slightly
January 23, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment level declined slightly last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.6% in December, down from 3.8% in November. That represented 5,537 people out of work out of a county workforce of 153,2586. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.6%, or 5,133 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area labor force in December 2021, increased by 15,266 over the year, a 6.7% increase. The area added 6,500 new private sector jobs over the year, a 4.2% increase. The Pensacola area industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,400 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in December 2021, down 0.1% from the November 2021 rate, and down 0.7% from a year ago. There were 466,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,660,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in December.
Ernest Ward Middle Hosting Family Literacy Night On Tuesday
January 23, 2022
Tuesday, Ernest Ward Middle School will host a Family Literacy Night under the stars.
There will be a light dinner, games and the chance to learn new literacy strategies for parents to use at home. All Ernest Ward students in attendance will receive a copy of the book Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick.
The event will take place from 5:30 until 7 p.m., meet in the cafeteria. Students have received RSVP handouts that should be returned to school on Monday.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
January 23, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 through Saturday, Jan. 29. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signal
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 through Wednesday, Jan. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place striping and perform worklist items.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Jan. 24 through Friday, Jan. 28, as crews place a water main
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- Current travel lanes on the northbound portion of the bridge will be shifted slightly to the east and into the gore area (the area marked by yellow slanted painted lines on the pavement near the Publix shopping center). Drivers should use caution and be prepared to stop or slow down when needed.
- Airport Boulevard from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Jan 24 as crews adjust manholes.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Maintenance from East Jackson Street to S.R. 296 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 27 as crews to continue work on sign foundation removal.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 through Saturday, Jan. 29. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Drivers will encounter nighttime temporary right turn lane closures at the intersection of U.S. 98 and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Wednesday Jan. 26 and Thursday Jan. 27. The closures will allow crews to perform utility relocation work.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project: Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 24 through Friday, Jan. 28 as crews perform paving operations for the temporary road widening.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road at the North Palafox intersection, as seen from the Highway 29 overpass. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Group Seeks To Open Cold Weather Shelter In Century
January 23, 2022
A Pensacola group hopes to open a cold weather shelter in Century.
Pastor and co-founder Ingar Scott of Women with Clear Vision told the Century Town Council last week that the organization believes Century should have a cold weather shelter.
Scott said the group offers shelter options for women and children in Pensacola along with other programs such as GED preparation, workforce readiness and financial literacy programs.
The council took no action without a formal plan, but the board may explore and revisit the issue in the future.
Pictured: Pastor and co-founder Ingar Scott of Women with Clear Vision addresses the Century Town Council last week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here’s How To Stay Safe While Staying Warm This Weekend
January 23, 2022
As the area experiences below freezing temperatures this weekend, Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
“Space heaters should have a three-foot safe zone around them,” said Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “They should never be left on while you’re away from home. They should be checked and served every year before used. Never plug a space heater into power strips or extension cords, and always have working smoke alarms.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Need a free smoke detector in Escambia County? Call (850) 595-HERO.
Woman Killed, Man Seriously Injured In Gulf Beach Highway Crash
January 23, 2022
A 59-year old Pensacola woman was killed in a wreck Saturday evening on Gulf Beach Highway in Escambia County.
A 21-year old Pensacola man was westbound on Gulf Beach Highway about 5:15 p.m. Saturday when his pickup truck crossed into the eastbound lanes, according to state troopers. The pickup struck an oncoming SUV, killing the woman.
The driver of the pickup truck was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
File photo.
SUV Goes Over Guardrail, Almost Crashes Into Creek
January 22, 2022
The driver of a KIA Sorrento traveled about 150 feet along a guardrail Friday afternoon, narrowly avoiding a crash into North Escambia creek.
The vehicle was discovered on a guardrail, one tire hanging over a culvert above Canoe Creek on Highway 168, just west of Pine Barren Road in Bratt.
There was no one around the vehicle when first responders arrived, but the uninjured driver returned a short time later. The crash was reported by a passerby just after 4 p.m., but the vehicle had been there long enough to be cold.
The adult female driver was apparently headed westbound on Highway 168 when she cross the center line, ran off the roadway and collided with the guardrail.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Latest Numbers: Escambia Had 3,913 New COVID-19 Cases Over The Last Week
January 22, 2022
There were 3,913 new COVID-19 cases reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health report. There were 5,010 cases reported during the previous week.
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 69,752 (+3,913)
Positivity rate last week: 46.14%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 1,230
People vaccinated: 167,928 (+655)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 57.2%
New hospital admissions: 284
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 239
Total deaths last 7 days: <10
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 41,926 (+3,119)
Positivity rate last week: 45.71%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 1,688
People vaccinated: 97,533 (+341)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 55.3%
New hospital admissions: 30
Total deaths last 7 days: <10
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,280,903 (+289,204)
Case positivity rate: 26.8%
Case Rate per 100k: 1,958
Deaths: 63,763 (+140)
Lawn Care Company’s Trailer And Equipment Stolen From Bristol Park
January 22, 2022
A local lawn care company’s trailer with all of their equipment was stolen Thursday night.
JR’s Classic Cuts Lawn Care said the trailer was stolen from Joshua Drive in the Bristol Park area. The trailers contained equipment that included two Gravely zero-turn mowers. There was a large business sign on the back of the trailer.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Escambia (AL) Jail Corrections Officer Sentenced To Federal Prison
January 22, 2022
A former corrections officer at the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
Lakerdra Shanta Snowden, 31, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, providing contraband to a federal prisoner, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The charges stem from Snowden’s abuse of her position as a corrections officer at jail. In that role, Snowden smuggled prohibited items into the jail and did other corrupt things on behalf of a federal detainee housed there. In exchange, Snowden accepted cash payments from the detainee totaling more than $5,000.
Snowden pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. In connection with her guilty plea, Snowden admitted that she knowingly conspired with the detainee and others to commit federal funds bribery, and that the purpose of the bribery conspiracy was for her to enrich herself by abusing her official position to bring prohibited objects into the jail, which she would then provide to the detainee in exchange for money. The contraband items that Snowden smuggled into ECDC for the detainee included U.S. currency, phones, and K2 spice paper—items that she admitted threatened the order, discipline, and security of the jail, as well as the life, health, and safety of the individuals housed there.
United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose also ordered Snowden to serve a two-year term of supervised release upon her release from prison and to pay $100 in special assessments.
The FBI and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.