Florida Gas Prices Reach A New 2023 High, AAA Says
August 7, 2023
Florida gas prices are inching lower again after surging an average of 18 cents per gallon, last week. On Friday, the state average reached a new 2023 high of $3.84 per gallon – topping the previous high of $3.72, set back in April, AAA said.
This is the fourth consecutive weekly jump at the pump. Sunday’s state average of $3.83 per gallon is 57 cents per gallon more than what Florida drivers paid on Independence Day.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday was $3.59. A low of $3.39 was available Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3.29 at a station on Nine Mile Road
“Florida gas prices are now the highest since August of last year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “These surging prices have been driven by a couple of factors. Extreme temperatures along the gulf coast has kept refineries from operating at full capacity. Globally, oil prices are significantly higher than a month ago, as OPEC production cuts cause global oil supplies to tighten.”
Bratt Elementary Students Will Return To New ‘Teacher Tested’ Playground
August 7, 2023
Bratt Elementary students will return to school this year to find a new playground, including a drum and music station made possible by the PTA.
Several teachers recently “tested” out the playground and were all smiles.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Joshua Aidan Parr
August 7, 2023
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Joshua Aidan Parr of Molino, Florida. Joshua unexpectedly passed away from an unknown cause on August 3, 2023 at the young age of 21 years.
Josh was born in Pensacola, Florida on September 25, 2001 to his mother, Jaime Parr and father. Josh was lovingly raised and cared for by his grandparents, Harlan and Debbie Parr.
Josh was a graduate of Tate High School in 2020 and attended the District Extended Program for 3 years where he learned and experienced various job skills. Those job skills afforded him the opportunity to work for Baptist Hospital, Longleaf Elementary, and Goodwill.
Josh was employed by The Blue Wahoos Organization where he joyously welcomed fans as a stadium greeter, a job he dearly loved.
Josh is preceded in death by his mother, Jaime Lyn Parr. Josh is survived by his loving grandparents Harlan and Debbie (Perry) Parr, his big brother Jack Parr, and Aunt and Uncle, Amanda and Tony Ward and his adoring cousins Kadence and Zola Grace. He is also survived by his biological father, Jeffrey Osley.
To know Josh, was to love him. He brought light and love to everyone he met. His heart was so pure and filled with joy. His greatest pleasure was worshiping, singing, and sharing the word of the Lord.
Josh loved music, specifically Christian praise music. Some of his most favorites were Chris Tomlin, Anne Wilson and the bands Elevation and 10th Avenue North. Many were graced by his love of music through song. He loved Spongebob, Despicable Me, Jeff Dunham, Veggie Tales, Gordon Ramsey, a trip to Wind Creek Casino and really enjoyed a good meal or two.
Though Josh’s time on earth was short, the family takes comfort knowing he was welcomed into the Kingdom with open arms by our Lord and Savior. We also take comfort knowing he has been reunited with his mother, whom he loved very much.
We know Josh is singing one of his favorite songs “I will Rise” in heaven now. Through blessed assurance, we know Josh’s body is fully restored and healed and he is indeed walking the streets of Gold sharing and spreading the word of God.
Visitation services for Joshua Aidan Parr will begin at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at First Baptist Church Cantonment
(118 Morris Avenue, Cantonment, Florida 32533).
A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2:30 pm with Doctor Will Stone officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously ask you to consider making a donation in Josh’s honor to the Special Needs Ministry at the place he loved most, his Church, First Baptist Church Cantonment.
Oh, I want to see Him, look upon his face,
there to sing forever of His saving grace;
on the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Big Shift For Highway 29 Traffic In Century During $4.7 Million Project
August 7, 2023
There has been a big shift in a Highway 29 construction zone in Century.
North and southbound traffic on North Century Boulevard has been shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street.
The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The complete $4.7 million project has an anticipated completion target date in January 2024. FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Pictured: Lane closures on Highway 29 in Century as seen on Saturday, August 5. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Beat Biloxi in Finale
August 7, 2023
The bases were loaded, the lead was halved and dangerous hitters were up as the Blue Wahoos faced seventh-inning trouble on Sunday.
Pitching coach Dave Eiland went to the mound. In less than 60 seconds, his message to reliever Zach McCambley was heeded.
McCambley struck out the next Biloxi Shuckers batter with a well-placed fastball, ended the inning on a ground out and the Blue Wahoos responded with more runs to balloon a 6-4 lead into an 11-6 victory against the Shuckers to claim the series, thus ending the homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium in the best way.
“Dave is such a good guy to have on your staff. He’s been around baseball a long time,” said catcher Bennett Hostetler, who went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in a big run in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead.
“He just told Zach to trust your stuff and to make pitches, throw one at a time and that’s what Zach did,” Hostetler said. “He did a good job of limiting damage in the inning and got us out of it. And we were able to score some runs after that.”
That seventh-inning sequence could have gone the wrong way. Instead, it led to the Blue Wahoos’ (61-40) fourth win in six games against the Shuckers, who entered Sunday having won 14 of their last 19 games, including two of the first three games this week in Pensacola.
We always have tough games with those guys,” Hostetler said. “They are always back and forth. We did a good job this week of putting together good innings when we needed them. When they scored, it seemed like we would always had an answer, Just a good job by everybody, really.”
In the ninth inning Sunday, the Shuckers (53-48), the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate, had three of their four batters reach base against closer Jefry Yan. A run was scored. Eiland again went to the mound, this time to calm Yan.
Result? Two strikeouts against the next three batters to end the game.
“He has a great relationship with pretty much all of his pitchers,” Hostetler said of Eiland, a former major league pitcher, who has been pitching coach for the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals. “He knows what to say in the moment and he gets the best out of who we have on the mound.”
The Blue Wahoos used five pitchers Sunday. It started with Collin Lowe making his Double-A level debut. The 24-year-old righthander was summoned from the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Miami Marlins’ Low-A affiliate.
A free agent signee in 2022, Lowe impressed with five innings pitched, two runs allowed, no walks and three strikeouts to get the mound win. Four relievers followed.
Run support was quickly provided. In the first inning, Jacob Berry blasted a two-run homer into the right field berm. He then followed with a two-run triple in the second inning.
Berry, the Marlins’ No. 1 draft pick last year out of LSU, reached based four times Sunday, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI in his biggest game since joining the team last week from the Beloit (Wisconsin) Sky Carp, the Marlins’ High-A affiliate.
José Devers had a two-run single in the fourth inning for a 6-2 lead. Will Banfield, used as designated hitter Sunday, blasted a two-run homer in the eighth to further pad the lead.
All nine Blue Wahoos batters reached base. Eight scored runs.
The Blue Wahoos’ next home series begins on Aug. 15 against the Montgomery Biscuits.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Woman Struck And Killed By Vehicle In Atmore; Driver Assaulted By Bystanders
August 6, 2023
A woman was struck and killed by a vehicle late Saturday night in Atmore, and the driver was severely injured when he was assaulted by bystanders from a bar parking lot.
The Atmore Police Department said 24-year old Hannah Annette Martin was fatally injured when she was struck by a vehicle on Highway 31 just west of Industrial Drive near The Tavern of Atmore. Atmore Police said they arrived to find Martin with severe injuries. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
Alabama State Troopers said the vehicle that struck Martin was a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 45-year old Kenneth Elbert Harrison of Silverhill, Alabama.
“Harrison was assaulted by an unknown number of people in the parking lot and was found severely injured. Harrison was transported by helicopter to a trauma center,” according to Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann. An update his condition was not available Sunday.
Alabama troopers are continuing to investigate the crash, and the Atmore Police Department is investigating the assault.
File photo.
Florida’s Two-Week Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Ends Sunday
August 6, 2023
Florida’s two-week back to school sales tax holiday ends at midnight Sunday.
Items exempt from sales tax include:
- Most school supplies selling for $50 or less
- Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less
- Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use)
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less
“Getting ready for the new school year can be an expensive time for Floridians, and that is why I’m encouraging Florida families to take full advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday. This tax break will help families ensure their children have all the supplies they need to reach their full academic potential this school year,” said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.
For the complete, detailed list, click here.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
August 6, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled Thursday’s planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
Canceling the meeting has become the norm this year.
Here Is The Schedule For This Week’s School Orientations
August 6, 2023
Orientations for many public schools in Escambia County are this week.
- August 7 — 9-11 a.m. — Tate High 9th Grade
- August 7 — 9-11 a.m. – All Elementary Schools
- August 7 — 1 pm — Bailey Middle, Brown Barge Middle, Workman Middle
- August 8 — 9:30 a.m. — Beulah Middle, Ernest Ward Middle
- August 8 — 1 pm — Ransom Middle
- August 8 — 10 a.m. – noon — Escambia Westgate
- August 8 — 1 pm — Ferry Pass Middle
- August 8 — 1:30 pm — Northview High 9th grade and new students
- August 9 — 1 pm — Bellview Middle
Pensacola High, Escambia High, Pine Forest High and West Florida High orientations were last week.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
August 6, 2023
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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until fall when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) – Drivers may encounter lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 10 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 10 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers will encounter alternating daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 10 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as crews perform drainage work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295), from the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Work is complete on a $2.6 million construction project to resurface Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295), from north of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292). The project also included curb and sidewalk improvements constructed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), traffic signalization upgrades, and placement of new signs and pavement markings.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance Between Exit 31 (S.R. 87) and Exit 45 (S.R. 189) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for roadway repairs.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of specific areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, Aug. 6, through Friday, Aug. 11, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to east of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, Aug. 7 and Thursday, Aug. 10 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Monday, Aug. 7 and Thursday, Aug. 10 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Crews will be placing concrete for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.