Florida Gas Prices Reach New Record Highs, AAA Says
May 16, 2022
The average price for gasoline in Florida reached a new record high of $4.49 per gallon on Sunday. This beats the previous record of $4.38/g, set back in March (soon after Russia invaded Ukraine). Before this year, the record high was $4.08 per gallon, which was set back in 2008.
Florida’s average price jumped about 30 cents in the past week. The state average is now $1.60 per gallon more than a year ago.
Escambia County drivers were paying the lowest average price in the state on Sunday at $4.28. The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $4.18 at a station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while several stations in Cantonment and Pensacola were at $4.19
“Drivers are dealing with unprecedented pain at the pump and things could soon get worse before they get better,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We saw more big gains in the gasoline futures market late last week, which could trickle down to yet another 10-20 cent jump at the pump in the near future.”
“Unfortunately, $4 gasoline is likely to be that unwelcome passenger on most Florida summer road trips,” Jenkins continued. “At this point, the state average is not expected to exceed $5 a gallon. However, the fuel market is extremely unstable and things are changing by the day. Either way, drivers should expect gas prices to keep fluctuating throughout the summer and potentially the rest of the year.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Walk-Off With Series Sweep Over Trash Pandas
May 16, 2022
After a three-hour rain delay, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth for a dramatic 6-5 walk-off win and a series sweep over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Sunday night.
Victor Victor Mesa singled into the right field corner to score pinch runner Thomas Jones from third base, handing the Blue Wahoos their sixth win in a row and the first six-game sweep in team history.
Rocket City scored four early runs in the first inning against Jeff Lindgren, capped by a three-run homer from Ryan Aguilar. Lindgren settled down with three perfect innings afterwards, but only a Cobie Fletcher-Vance RBI single in the fourth inning against Coleman Crow prevented the Blue Wahoos from being blanked in the first half of the game.
Trailing 4-1 after four innings, persistent rain became too much to play through and the tarp was pulled. As the game was not official yet, the two teams waited two hours and 55 minutes before play resumed after 8 o’clock.
Rocket City added an insurance run in the fifth with an RBI double from Orlando Martinez, but the Blue Wahoos got an RBI double from Fletcher-Vance in the sixth to draw to within three runs.
Eli Villalobos and Josh Simpson each turned in scoreless innings before Colton Hock (W, 2-2) worked a scoreless ninth. Trailing 5-2, Griffin Conine led off the ninth with a double before Fletcher-Vance blooped an RBI single, his third run-scoring hit of the night. Bubba Hollins coaxed a walk before Santiago Chávez brought the Blue Wahoos within a run with an RBI single up the middle. Pinch-runner Hayden Cantrelle scored on a Luis Ledo (L, 2-2) wild pitch, setting the stage for Mesa’s walk-off single.
The Blue Wahoos have now won six in a row, their longest streak since May of 2021, and lead the South Division by 2.0 games.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos hit the road for a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Donald Jewel Melvin
May 16, 2022
Donald Jewel “Don” Melvin, age 59, of Atmore, AL passed away on May 12, 2022. He was born on January 23, 1963 in Monroeville, AL to Daniel and Jewel Melvin. Don was a 1981 Escambia County High School graduate. He owned and operated Atmore Plumbing for over 27 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Daw Melvin of Atmore, AL; his son, Daniel Jason Melvin (Tiffany Jordan) of Atmore, AL; his brother, Ricky Melvin of Atmore, AL; his sister, Debbie Melvin of Atmore, AL; his grandson, Timothy Melvin along with many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Monday, May 16, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Wawbeek, AL with Bro. Doug Frost officiating. Interment will follow in Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Frank Daw, Jacob Daw, Brian Toomey, Joshua Toomey and Joseph Toomey.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 16, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Helen “Louise” Capps
May 16, 2022
Helen “Louise” Capps, age 87, of Cantonment, Fl. went to be with her loved ones in Heaven on Friday, May 13, 2022.
She was born in Pensacola, Fl. on January 6th, 1935. She was one of 14 children.
On April, 29 1954, she married her other half, Lorin Capps and started a family of her own.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Mamie Johnson, 10 brothers and sisters, Her husband, Lorin, Her son, Willis, 2 grandsons, TeJay Godwin and Brian Morgan, 1 granddaughter, Tara Capps and a great grandson, Matthew Fowler.
She is survived by her children, Judy Hammock, Debra Fowler, Kat Alexander(Tim), Terry Capps (Veniece) and Lisa Odom(Kevin). and her grandchildren, Holly, John, Dale, Tabitha, Pamela, Tasha, Penny, Crissie, Vanessa, Candy, Jonathon, Chad, Josh, Harlie, Tanner, Carolyn, Angel and her faithful dog, Lilly.
The family will receive friends and family on Monday May 16th from 5-7 pm at Eastside Assembly of God church on Kingsfield Road. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 17th at 1:30 pm @ Faith Chapel North in Cantonment, with Pastor Ken Johnson. She will be laid to rest beside her late Husband, at Rays Chapel in Bogia, Fl. Pallbearers will be Terry Capps, Tim Alexander, Kevin Odom, Josh Godwin, John Fowler and James Emmons. Honorary pallbearers are Kenny Capps and Brad Hurd.
The family would like to say special thanks to the nurses and staff at Covenant Hospice at West Florida for taking such great care of our mom during her last days.
Molino Dirt Road Divas Win 8U Alabama League Championship
May 15, 2022
The Molino Dirt Road Divas won the Gulf Coast Sports 8U Alabama League Championship Saturday in Robertsdale. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Airlifted Following ATV Crash Near Walnut Hill
May 15, 2022
One person was airlifted to the hospital following an ATV accident Saturday evening west of Walnut Hill.
The accident occurred about 6:30 along North Pineville Road, a dirt road between Arthur Brown Road and Nokomis Road. The adult victim was flown by AirCare medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Molino Utilities Considering Rate Increase
May 15, 2022
Molino Utilities is considering a rate increase.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the Molino Utilities board of directors will discuss the possibility of a rate increase. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the company office.
Members that wish to speak at the meeting are asked to contact the utility’s office at (850) 587-5538 before 4 p.m. Monday to be placed on the agenda.
Chance Of Scattered Showers And Storms For Sunday
May 15, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Escambia Extension Holds Basics Of Canning Class
May 15, 2022
Saturday, Escambia County Extension held a class on the Basics of Canning at their office in Cantonment.
Participants learned how to preserve fruits and vegetables under the leadership of Dorothy Lee.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
May 15, 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 Sunday, May 15 through Saturday, May 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, May 17, 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 – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Daytime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, construct sidewalks, and make utility adjustments.
- Nighttime lane closures and traffic detours, between A Street and Pace Boulevard, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- In addition, the new traffic signals on Cervantes Street at the J Street, L Street, and R Street intersections will be activated Tuesday, May 17.
- 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 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 20 for mobilization of materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 20.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway the week of Monday, May 16 from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – The sidewalks on the eastern side of Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and Navy Boulevard, are closed for improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the western side of Pace Boulevard during the construction.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –The sidewalks on the northern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Avenue and Pace Boulevard, will be closed for improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians in these areas.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, May 15 through Thursday, May 19 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for sidewalk and curb improvements.
- U.S. 98 Pavement Coring Operations from S.R. 30 (U.S. 98) to Palafox Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 16 through Thursday, May 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement coring operations.
- U.S. 90 Pavement Coring Operations from Hyde Park Road to South of I-10 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 16 through Thursday, May 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement coring operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 15 through Saturday, May 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, May 17, 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:
- Temporary median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to College Parkway.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday May 15 through Friday, May 20 from 9 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from North College Parkway to Ramblewood Drive as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities on the outside lane.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures and lane closures the week of Sunday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. for construction activities.
- Parkmore Plaza Drive (Old Bagdad Highway) Routine Maintenance at the U.S. 90 Intersection – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Monday, May 16 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. from concrete operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.