Florida Gas Prices Back Off 2021 High
November 8, 2021
Florida’s average gas price is backing off the 2021 high of $3.32 per gallon. The state average is now $3.28 per gallon, after declining 3 cents last week.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.29. A North Escambia low of $3.22 was at one Cantonment station Sunday night, while four Pensacola stations were at $3.13 or below.
The price of crude oil – which has been the main driver of rising gas prices this year – dropped 7% last week, as domestic oil production and stocks logged weekly gains. It was the first real sign of weakness in the oil market in a month. Unfortunately for motorists, half of that oil price drop was erased by the end of the week, as fuel demand continues to outpace global supplies. The price for U.S. oil settled at $81.27 per barrel, down $2.30 (3%) from the week before – lowering the cost of producing gasoline.
“Gas prices may inch a little lower this week, following the recent declines in the oil and gasoline futures market,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Despite the setback, significant upward pressure remains in the oil market. Prices are still at 7-year highs and are likely to remain elevated through the holiday season, which will in turn keep upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
At 103, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Breaks His Own World Record As ‘World’s Oldest Conductor’
November 7, 2021
At 103-years old, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own world record Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
Two years ago, he set the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” as he conducted “The Stars and Stripes Forever” at the Pensacola Civic Band’s Memorial Day Concert in May 2019.
Saturday night, he led the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes” at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington.
Wearing a Hawaiian print shirt with a Pearl Harbor Survivor patch, Emond turned to the crowd, smiling and waving as he received a standing ovation.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He went into action, evacuating the dead and wounded.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968. Emond continued to perform with the Pensacola Civic Band and lead music at Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
Pictured above and below: Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment breaks his own Guinness World Record Saturday night as the “World’s Oldest Conductor” at age 103. Pictured first below: Emond turned to the crowd, smiling and waving as he received a standing ovation. Images courtesy American Veterans Center for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fall Back — Why Not Keep Daylight Saving Time Year Round In Florida?
November 7, 2021
Florida enacted year-round Daylight Saving Time years ago, but that is not yet the case.
In March 2021, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio led Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country
This week, Florida “fell back” and turned our clocks back an hour to Standard Time, something Rubio called “this annual craziness of changing the clock, falling back, springing forward”.
“We need to stop doing it. There is no justification for it. Let’s go to permanent Daylight Saving Time,” he said. “The overwhelming majority of members of Congress approve and support it. Let’s get it done. Let’s get it passed, so that we never have to do this stupid change again.”
Rubio first introduced the legislation in the 115th Congress, and reflects the Florida legislature’s 2018 enactment of year-round DST; however, for Florida’s change to apply, a change in the federal statute is required. Nineteen other states — Arkansas, Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming — have passed similar laws, resolutions or voter initiatives, and dozens more are looking.
The legislation, if enacted, would apply to those states who currently participate in DST, which states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. Many studies have shown that making DST permanent could benefit the economy and the country.
Standard Time continues until Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Photos: Saturday’s Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
November 7, 2021
Thousands attended the 75th anniversary Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Saturday at Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery from Saturday click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Friday, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Fatal Hit And Run Crash Suspect
November 7, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a suspect after a fatal hit and run pedestrian crash Saturday in Escambia County.
A pickup truck was traveling westbound on Mobile Highway and struck a pedestrian that was on the shoulder of the road east of Buckingham Road.
The pickup fled the scene after the crash, and the 57-year old male pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene.
From vehicle parts recovered at the crash site, FHP determined that the pickup is possibly a 2014-2015 Toyota Tacoma with right side damage.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Corporal Diaz or Trooper Van Pelt at (850) 245-1402 or *FHP.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
November 7, 2021
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
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 13. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 12 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between the following locations as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- A and N Streets (inside lane closures)
- Q and N Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Kirk and R Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary intermittent shifts to allow crews to pave turn lanes, side streets, driveways, and the on- and off-ramps to Interstate 10 (I-10). Access to all businesses will be maintained. Traffic flaggers and signage will be in place to direct traffic.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Nov. 8 as crews place a watermain.
Santa Rosa County
- S.R. 87 Routine Maintenance East of Bob Tolbert Road in Navarre – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 as crews perform concrete operations.
- 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, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 13. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include the installation of pier lighting.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River Bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 through Thursday, Nov. 11 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance East of Whitsett Lane in Milton – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 as crews replace a utility pole.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are set to begin the week of Monday, Nov. 8. Improvements on the 4.25-mile section include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median; safety and drainage upgrades; resurfacing State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge; extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard; and new signage and pavement markings.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
No. 4 UWF Crushes No. 21 West Alabama, 47-7
November 7, 2021
The fourth-ranked UWF football team scored on five of its first six possessions and the defense didn’t allow any points in a 47-7 throttling of 21st-ranked West Alabama at Tiger Stadium Saturday.
UWF (8-1, 5-1 Gulf South) won its tenth-consecutive road game and completed regular-season road play at 6-0, joining Shepherd as the only teams in Division II to go 6-0 on the road thus far.
Austin Reed threw for 403 yards, eclipsing the 300-yard mark for the fourth-consecutive game, and hit David Durden and Ka’Ron Ashley for two touchdowns each.
Ashley had 125 yards and Durden had 105 yards receiving, making them the fifth set of UWF teammates to go for 100 yards in the same game in program history.
Shomari Mason continued to churn out yards in big chunks averaging 13.2 yards per carry on his way to 66 yards on five rushes. Anthony Johnson, Jr. also had a strong game with 59 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.
Griffin Cerra made two field goals and five point after touchdowns for 11 points.
But for all of the offense, the UWF defense built off last week’s second-half shutout at Mississippi College, not giving up an offensive score to the Tigers while forcing them into eight punts, two turnovers and a turnover on downs. The Tigers’ lone score came on a 71-yard fumble return midway through the fourth quarter.
D’Anthony Bell had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown, six tackles and one for a loss. Shea Campbell was credited with a team-high seven stops, while De’Marco Artis spent a lot of time in the Tiger backfield with a sack and a forced fumble. The Argonauts sacked Jack McDaniels five times.
UWF had 562 yards of total offense, a week after putting up 641. The 403 passing yards on Saturday are a season high and the seventh-most in UWF history.
McDaniels completed 32 passes for 238 yards. The Tigers managed just 35 yards rushing.
UWF held UWA without an offensive touchdown for the first time since 2012.
The victory sets up one of the most anticipated games of the season next week when No. 2 Valdosta State (9-0, 6-0) comes to Pensacola and Blue Wahoos Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by going online to GoArgos.com/footballtickets.
Photos: Morgan Givens/UWF on NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Park Open To The Public At Jim Allen Elementary School
November 6, 2021
Escambia County’s newest park is now open when school is not in session at Jim Allen Elementary School.
The walking track and front play area at the are open on weekends and holidays from sunrise to sunset. The park is closed during normal school hours and may be closed during any after-school or weekend events and programs as well.
“I want to thank my dear friends from the school district, Jim Allen Principal Rachel Watts and School Board Member Bill Slayton for their help and support collaborating with Michael Rhodes, our Parks and Recreation director, to complete this project,” said Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. “I am ecstatic to bring an additional amenity to my friends in the Cottage Hill community.”
“Thanks to Commissioner Barry for including Jim Allen in this community project. This will be a tremendous asset to the school and neighborhood. This is Escambia County working together at its best,” said Escambia County School Board District 5 Member Bill Slayton.
Parks and Recreation and the school district as still working on a final schedule for access next summer for the Jim Allen School Public Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said, “We’re always looking for new ways to provide the citizens of Escambia County with the opportunity to get outdoors. We know that the improvements made at Jim Allen Elementary will be enjoyed by the citizens of the community.”
The walking track will be available for student use only during school hours.
Photo/graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Friday At Pensacola Beach
November 6, 2021
Thousands attended the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on a cool and breezy Friday at Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Here is the Saturday schedule:
- 11:20 National Anthem / Navy TW-5 and TW-6
- 11:25-11:35 Coast Guard SAR Demo
- 11:37-11:47 Veteran’s Flight Team in Stearmans
- 11:49-12:04 Air Force F-22 Raptor
- 12:06-12:21 Mustang/Kate with Airbase Georgia
- 12:23-12:38 Rob Holland
- 12:40-12:55 Aeroshell Team
- 12:57-1:12 Navy F-35 Lightning II
- 1:14-1:29 Red Line
- 1:31-1:46 Skip Stewart
- 2:00-2:45 Fat Albert and the Blue Angels
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets 49-27 Win Over 5A Arnold; Playoff Bound Next Week (With Gallery)
November 6, 2021
The 1A Northview Chiefs beat 5A Arnold of Panama City Beach 49-27 Friday night in Bratt to close out senior night and the regular season.
The teams battled to a 21-21 tie at end of two, but Northview powered back in the second half outscoring the Marlins 28-6.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
“Truthfully, you can’t complain about our offense first half, but I go on to them about defense,” Northview head football coach Wes Summerford said. “I tried to light a fire under them, and it got them going in the second half.”
The Chiefs move into the 1A playoffs next Friday night. The opponent and location won’t be known until Sunday afternoon.
In Class 1A, playoff spots are not determined by district wins; it’s the Rating Percentage Index (RPI). RPI rankings are based upon a mathematical formula based upon a team’s current record, current Winning Percentage (WP), Opponents Winning Percentage (OWP), and their Opponent’s Winning Percentage (OOWP). Basically, beat better teams and rank higher.
The top two teams, which Northview won’t be, will have a bye next week. The bottom four will be in action.
The likely scenario, Summerford believes, has Northview at home against Bozeman or Freeport, but until Sunday’s FHSAA announcement a road trip can’t be ruled out.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. Look for cheerleaders, band and fan photos to be posted by Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
