Florida Gas Prices Down 20 Cents In Three Weeks
September 19, 2022
Florida gas prices declined three cents last week, but the state average is down 20 cents per gallon over the past three weeks, according to AAA.
Florida gas prices have now fallen a total of $1.47 per gallon since mid-June. On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.42 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since February 1st.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.20, the lowest metro price in the state. The lowest North Escambia price Sunday night was $3.08 on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while at least nine stations in Pensacola were under $3 per gallon.
“Crude oil and gasoline futures finished the week slightly lower than the week before, on ongoing concerns that a global recession and potential U.S. interest rate hike could stifle global fuel demand,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This should enable gas prices to slip even lower this week.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Blue Wahoos Wrap Regular Season With 5-2 Win Over Biloxi
September 19, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos ended their 10th regular season in team history with a 5-2 win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday afternoon, heading to the Southern League playoffs with a 68-63 record.
In just his second Double-A start, Luis Palacios (W, 1-0) silenced the Shuckers with 5.0 one-hit innings to snap Biloxi’s winning streak at nine and avoid a sweep.
The Blue Wahoos broke through in the third inning against Carlos Luna (L, 5-6) with a Griffin Conine RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. After Biloxi’s Tristen Lutz briefly tied the game 1-1 with a solo homer in the fifth, Pensacola came right back with another Conine RBI single and a Will Banfield RBI double in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead for good.
Conine ends the regular season with 24 home runs and 74 runs batted in, both single-season records for the Blue Wahoos franchise.
Palacios handed the game to the Pensacola bullpen after five innings as Jorge Mercedes, Tyler Mitzel, Chandler Jozwiak and Andrew McInvale (S, 1) kept Biloxi at arm’s length. Davis Bradshaw capped the scoring with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to bring the score to a 5-2 final.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin the best-of-three Southern League Division Series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night in Montgomery.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia Unemployment Rate Holds Steady Over The Past Month
September 18, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment rate held steady last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.9% in August, unchanged from July. That represented 4,364 people out of work out of a county workforce of 152,346. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.6%, or 6,740 people.
The area’s total nonagricultural employment increased by 3.8% over the year in August 2022 (+7,200 jobs). Private sector employment increased by 4.8%over the year, representing 7,800 jobs gained.
The industry gaining the most jobs location over the year was professional and business services, adding 2,500 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.7% in August 2022, a full percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7%.
“Florida has the lowest unemployment rate among the 10 most populous states and the highest number of new business formations because we have encouraged workforce development, kept the economy open, and put Florida families first,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Photo Gallery: See The Cruise In Benefit Car Show At Gonzalez UMC
September 18, 2022
A Cruise In Benefit car show was held Saturday at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The show benefited Tyler Penegar, a 29-year old cancer patient that has been approved for a trial program in Miami.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Escambia Motorcyclist Killed In Dirt Road Crash Near Munson
September 18, 2022
An Escambia County motorcyclist was killed in a crash in the Blackwater State Forest near Munson.
The crash happened on Cemetery Road near Charlie Forster Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said the 66-year old man lost control of his motorcycle on the dirt road.
There were no other vehicles involved and no passengers on the motorcycle.
FHP no longer releases names of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
September 18, 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:
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road to West of Pine Forest Road- Work will begin the week of Monday, Sept. 19 on a $7.5 million project to resurface Mobile Highway (U.S. 90), from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297). The project also includes the following improvements:
- Installation of a new traffic signal at Klondike Road and signal improvements at Blue Angel Parkway.
- Renewing guardrail, signage, and pavement markings.
- Improving various drainage structures.
- Widening for turn lane additions, to include five-foot “keyhole” bicycle lanes, at the Woodside Road, Klondike Road, and Millview Road intersections.
During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and intermittent lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The project is estimated for completion in early 2024.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. 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 may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian crossing signals, irrigation system and landscaping.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 23 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating outside lane closures and traffic flagging operations on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, 18. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 22 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 22 as crews install barrier delineators:
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- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
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- Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 23 for construction operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Sorrento Road, between the Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road Monday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 23 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow for shoulder construction and drainage work.
- Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue and side streets, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Sunday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 22 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
- I-10 Bridge Replacement over Eleven Mile Creek – Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures Sunday, Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 23 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction actives.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Motorists will encounter a temporary eastbound traffic shift beginning Friday, Sept. 16. The shift will decrease the bike lane from four-feet to two-feet as two lanes of eastbound traffic will remain on the bridge.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. 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 – 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 S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 23 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning Monday, Sept. 19, Settlers Colony Boulevard will be closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures the Monday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 23 for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Drop Fifth Straight
September 18, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw their losing streak reach a season-high five games on Saturday night, falling 4-1 to the Biloxi Shuckers.
Marcus Chiu’s solo home run in the third was one of only three hits the Blue Wahoos managed all night, as a quality start from Cody Mincey (L, 5-7) was squandered by Pensacola’s struggling offense.
The Shuckers took a 2-0 lead in the second with back-to-back homers from Zavier Warren and Tristen Lutz, and answered Chiu’s home run with a solo blast from Nick Kahle in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.
Nick Bennett (W, 7-11) established a new career high with 11 strikeouts over 7.0 dominant innings for Biloxi, allowing only Chiu’s home run and a J.D. Orr single in his final start of the year.
An RBI single from Jackson Chourio in the seventh stretched Biloxi’s lead to 4-1, and Harold Chirino (S, 3) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to help the Shuckers to their ninth straight win.
The Blue Wahoos play their final game of the regular season against the Shuckers on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia Man Gets Federal Prison Time On Weapons Charges Following Shootout
September 18, 2022
An Escambia County man was sentenced Friday to over 17 years in federal prison for multiple firearms offenses.
Mario Antwan Brewer, Jr., 29, was sentenced to 17.5 years after pleading guilty. The sentence was based upon two federal indictments stemming from violations of federal firearms laws in 2020 and 2021.
Court documents reflect that on December 28, 2020, a shootout took place between two vehicles at a gas station on the corner of Fairfield Drive and North Davis Highway. Multiple discharged shell casings of 9-millimeter ammunition were left behind at the crime scene which were collected as evidence by the Pensacola Police Department. One of the involved vehicles was located in Alabama and linked to Brewer. On January 28, 2021, Brewer was located at an apartment in Pensacola along with multiple firearms. One of those firearms, a Smith & Wesson 9-millimeter pistol, ballistically matched the firearm that left behind the spent shell casings during the December 2020 shooting. That same firearm had Brewer’s DNA on it when seized.
Brewer was again caught with a loaded firearm on August 27, 2021. This time, he was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Pensacola Police Department. Brewer was taken into federal custody at that time.
“Our law enforcement partnerships play a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting the public,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “This sentencing is another example that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”
“Today’s sentencing reflects the collaboration and partnerships required to combat violent crimes in our communities today,” said ATF Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier. “This case also demonstrates how ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network — or NIBIN — can help investigators link shootings and take violent offenders off of our streets.”
“Violent crime is impacting too many lives,” said Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall. “Today’s announcement of this sentencing is another example of our commitment to hold accountable those who commit violent acts in our community.”
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jennifer H. Callahan.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Ribbon Is Cut Opening The New Bellview Library (With Gallery)
September 17, 2022
The ribbon was cut Friday to officially open the new Bellview Library on Mobile Highway.
The 12,500 square foot facility features a unique origami-inspired design with a capacity to hold 480 people.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Inside, the library consists of a large open space divided into areas for a lobby, story time events, library service programs, leisure reading and more. The open floor plan provides entrances to other support spaces including multiple study rooms, a computer room and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room. The library plans to hold skill-building classes, daily hands-on activities and more.
The library was funded by Local Open Sales Tax and library MSTU funds. It will be open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is located at 6425 Mobile Highway, at the corner of Mobile Highway and Belleview Avenue (across from The Farm produce market).
NorthEscambia.com photos, and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Caitlyn Gibson Named Northview High Homecoming Queen (With Photo Gallery)
September 17, 2022
Caitlyn Gibson was named Northview High School’s 2022 homecoming queen Friday night.
First runner-up was McKenna Simmons, and Emma Gilmore was named second runner-up. Saniyah Hixon was named junior maid, Payton Daw was named sophomore maid, and Kathryn Beasley was named freshman maid.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
