TSA Precheck Enrollment This Week At Pensacola Airport
February 3, 2025
The popular Transportation Security Administration PreCheck expedited screening program at a TSA PreCheck Temporary Enrollment Center is at the Pensacola International Airport through Friday. An appointment is required.
TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and more efficient screening experience. For TSA PreCheck travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. TSA PreCheck is currently available at more than 200 airports with over 85 participating airlines nationwide.
The Temporary Enrollment Center at the Pensacola airport will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m daily through Friday, February 7. It is located in the airport administration office on the second floor of Pensacola International Airport at 2430 Airport Boulevard.
Follow these steps to enroll:
- Click here to access the application page
- Under New TSA PreCheck Enrollment Options, select “Apply Now” located under the Idemia column
- Fill out the steps and choose “Next” at the bottom of each screen
- Type in your location in the zip code/City/Airport Code box
- Choose location “Pop Up: PNS, 2/3-2/7” and click “Next”
Select your desired appointment time (Please be sure to make note of your appointment time; no reminders will be sent out).
Once all online appointment slots are filled, TSA will accept a limited number of walk-ins until capacity is reached.
To complete the application process, you will need to bring proof of identity and U.S. citizen documentation (such as a U.S. Passport or a birth certificate and a driver’s license). If you have a valid U.S. passport, that is all you need for ID. The TSA PreCheck program is only open to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Proper documentation must be provided.
The application process is completed on-site, where TSA captures fingerprints for a background check and collects the $78 application for five years of service. The fee can be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
To learn more about TSA PreCheck and review a list of documents to bring to the Enrollment Center, visit the TSA website.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Fall 15 Cents On Average Last Week, AAA Says
February 3, 2025
Pump prices continue to pinball, this time falling in Floridians’ favor. Florida gas prices declined 15 cents last week, falling from $3.22 per gallon to $3.07 per gallon by Sunday, according to AAA.
“The discount at the pump came as a result of a decline in the price of crude oil,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Earlier this month, oil price rose to multi-month highs due to frigid temps in the southern U.S. and sanctions on Russian crude. Now, oil prices are back down to where they were to start the year, allowing gas prices to fall too.”
So far this year, pump prices have ranged from a high of $3.23 per gallon (1/16) to a low of $3.06 per gallon (1/8). Meanwhile, the price for U.S. crude has ranged from $72-$78 per barrel. After trading at $78/b in mid-January, the U.S. price for a barrel of oil settled at $72.53 on Friday.
The Escambia County average stood at $2.90 on Sunday. Sunday night, pump prices were as low as $2.69 at a station on Pine Forest Road. The North Escambia low price was $2.76 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2025
Six more weeks of winter? It’s not what we want to here in Florida after our once-in-a lifetime 7-10 inches of January snow.
But on this Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted six more weeks of winter.
Folklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks (pictured above). And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also saw their shadow this morning here in North Escambia.
The NorthEscambia.com weather ducks have been doing this for 15 years, and they’ve been more right that wrong. Like when they predicted six more weeks of winter in 2010. That’s pictured below.
However, in the near-term, our forecast is for sunshine and highs near 80 by the end of this week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
February 2, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Double Bridge Run over Pensacola Bay Bridge – Motorists will encounter an eastbound single lane closure Saturday, Feb. 1 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the Pensacola Double Bridge Run. One lane will remain open for the traveling public.
- Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, Feb. 2, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Monday, Feb. 3 through Thursday, Feb. 6, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 2, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, for paving operations and for crews to place thermoplastic striping.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Eleven Mile Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures west of I-10 Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- County Road 89 Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound lane closures west of S.R. 87 Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 6 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Feb. 2, through Friday, Feb. 7, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 3 through Friday, Feb. 7 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Five Injured In Century Highway 29 Hit And Run Crash
February 2, 2025
UPDATE: The Florida Highway Patrol says there has been an arrest in this crash, but the suspect’s name was not immediately available.
Five people, including children, were injured in a hit and run crash Saturday night in Century.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Highway 29 near the southern town limits.
The driver of a northbound pickup truck had slowed to make a right-hand turn onto Salter’s Lake Road. That’s when a northbound SUV approached at a high rate of speed and struck the pickup truck, according to troopers. The pickup truck overturned, coming to rest off the roadway just north of Salter’s Lake Road. The SUV rotated into the paved median of Highway 29.
According to witnesses, the driver of the SUV fled on foot, and someone later returned to the SUV in a white pickup truck, removed items from the vehicle and left before law enforcement arrived. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the area were unable to locate the driver.
The occupants of the pickup were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Win Runner-up At State, Heading To Nationals
February 2, 2025
The defending state champion Tate Aggies cheerleaders took the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading state runner-up spot on Saturday.
The Aggie cheerleaders will compete in nationals this week. They will depart Wednesday and being competition on Friday in Orlando. Both the junior varsity and varsity squads will complete n traditional and gameday at nationals.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed Crossing Nine Mile Road
February 2, 2025
A pedestrian was struck and killed late Friday night on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 29-year-old man crossed the roadway into the path of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old Gulf Breeze girl about 10:47 p.m. at Nine Mile road near Holsberry Road. Troopers said the girl was unable to avoid colliding with the pedestrian.
The FHP investigating is continuing.
Sunny Sunday, High In The Low 70s
February 2, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tonight: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 44. Calm wind.
Monday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Escambia Children’s Trust Seeks Applicants For Micro Grants
February 2, 2025
The Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) has announced the launch of the Community, Access, Resilience, and Empowerment (CARE) micro grants designed to to build resilience, access, and empowerment in the community.
The CARE micro grants program will award up to $50,000 in one-time funding for existing programs toward advocacy efforts, training initiatives, and community engagement activities.
The project period runs up to 12 months, starting on or after May 1, 2025, and ending no later than April 30, 2026.
ECT invites established, fiscally responsible local providers with a proven track record of delivering high-quality services to apply. Programs should align with ECT’s mission to serve at-risk youth and address critical areas such as health, education, and environmental sustainability.
Applications are now open and must be submitted by March 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. For more information and the application, click here.
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Escambia (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson Named Alabama Sheriff Of The Year
February 2, 2025
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson has received the 2025 Alabama Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year Award.
Jackson was nominated for his heroic actions that occurred in 2023 when Sheriff Jackson rescued four people that had become stranded on Burnt Corn Creek in rising flood waters. The children were found clinging to tree limbs, and Jackson rescued them with the aid of a jet ski.
Jackson was also recognized for his leadership and service as the Escambia County Sheriff. A graduate of T.R Miller High School, he was elected to his first term as sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Jackson previously served with the Brewton Police Department, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
He is a graduate of the National Sheriffs’ Institute and the FBI National Academy and an FBI-LEDDA Trilogy Award winner. In 2024, Jackson was awarded the Medal of Valor Award by the National Sheriffs’ Association. He is also a member of the Brewton Rotary Club where he serves as past president. He currently serves as second vice president for the Alabama Sheriffs Association.
“Sheriff Jackson not only serves his county but is always eager to assist other Alabama Sheriffs when called upon,” Huey Hoss Mack, executive director of the Sheriff’s Association, said.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson (right) was awarded the 2025 Alabama Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year Award. The award was presented by Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, president of the Sheriffs
Association, at the annual winter meeting in Hoover, AL. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.