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AAA: Florida Gas Prices Surge 84 Cents In 12 Days, More Increases Possible

Florida gas prices continue to climb at the fastest pace in four years. Over the past 12 days, the state average rose 84 cents, adding about $12 to the cost of filling an average-sized gas tank. Sunday’s average reached 3.72 dollars per gallon, the highest daily average price since August 2023.

Compared to recent benchmarks, Sunday’s state average is 27 cents more than a week ago, 84 cents more than a month ago, and 61 cents more than this time last year.

In Escambia County, the average price per gallon on Sunday was below the state average at $3.48 — up from $3.12 a week ago and $2.74 a month ago.

Fuel markets have been extremely volatile since the conflict with Iran began. In the first week of the conflict, the US price of oil (WTI) rose 36 percent, an increase of $23.88 per barrel. This surge was driven by concerns about global supply disruptions and instability affecting major oil shipping routes.

Continued uncertainty pushed prices higher again late last week, lifting oil another $8 per barrel. Gasoline futures also climbed, increasing 29 cents last week and 96 cents over the past two weeks. These higher crude oil and wholesale gasoline costs are now steadily working their way down to retail prices in Florida. If crude oil prices remain elevated or increase further, pump prices in Florida could continue trending higher through the week.

“Even though fuel supplies in the United States remain steady and refineries continue to operate, higher crude and gasoline futures are lifting prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Florida drivers may see another round of price hikes in the coming days as stations adjust to rising wholesale costs. How high prices ultimately go, will depend on how long this conflict continues and whether there are further effects on global fuel supplies.”

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Escambia Man Critically Injured When Pickup Rolls, Hits Pole, Lands In Church Parking Lot

A 30-year-old Escambia County man was critically injured in an early Saturday morning crash.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was traveling west on Highway 90 near Bridget Lane when his Dodge Ram pickup left the roadway, rolled over, and collided with a utility pole just before 3:30 a.m. The pickup came to a stop in the parking lot of Transformation Church.

The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots

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:

• Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, March 15 through Thursday, March 19, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
• Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, March 15 through Thursday, March 19, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping:
  • Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
  • On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
• S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, March 15, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
• Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I- 110) ramp – The week of Sunday, March 15, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
  • On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
• Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, March 15:
  • I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
  • I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
  • The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
  • 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.

Santa Rosa County:

• 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, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Back-to-Back: Tate Track Takes Top Spot At Battle By The Beach

For the second straight week, the Tate High School Girls’ Track and Field Team earned a first-place win.

The Aggies took the top spot in the Second Annual Battle by the Beach Spring Break Invitational hosted by Pine Forest High School on Saturday. A week ago, the Aggies won first place in the Wildcat Invitational.

For more photos from the meet, click here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

UWF Men’s Basketball Falls In NCAA Tournament First Round

West Florida (25-9, 15-7 Gulf South) fell to West Alabama (27-5, 19-3 Gulf South) with a final score of 53–58 on Saturday at Rick Case Arena in the NCAA South Regional Tournament. This game marked the fourth time the two teams have faced each other this season.

Despite the loss, this season concluded as one of the most successful in program history, with the Argonauts achieving the second most wins in a season at 25-9. The season also featured one of the biggest turnarounds in school history, as the team had won only 16 total games in the last two seasons. Additionally, UWF claimed their second Gulf South Conference championship this season.

West Florida’s defense recorded eight steals, contributing to a tense game with 12 ties throughout the contest. The first half began with West Alabama taking an early lead, thanks to free throws by Elliot Tulip, putting the score at 3-0. West Florida quickly responded with a jumper from Aric Demings and a 3-pointer by Elijah Wyche, assisted by Demings, to edge ahead 5-3 at the 16:26 mark. The game remained closely contested with both teams exchanging leads, highlighted by a 3-pointer from the Argonauts’ Christian Monroe at 9:51, bringing the score to 14-11. As the half drew to a close, both teams were tied 29–29 after a late driving layup by Christian Valarezo with 36 seconds remaining.

West Alabama pulled away in the second half to secure the five-point victory over the Argonauts. Rasean Frederick scored the opening points with a jumper, giving the Tigers an early momentum. West Florida tied the game at 33 with Wyche’s tip-in at the 16:54 mark. However, Jakobe Singleton’s consistent scoring, including a layup with 1:35 remaining, helped the Tigers maintain their lead. Although West Florida’s Colby McAllister hit a late 3-pointer with five seconds left to cut the deficit, West Alabama sealed the win with two free throws by Singleton.

McAllister led the scoring for the Argonauts with 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and added four rebounds. Demings contributed nine points, converting all five of his free throws, and recorded three assists. Tim Hall Jr. was active defensively, finishing with two steals and five rebounds. Wyche scored seven points and blocked a shot, making three of his four field goal attempts.

Water Safety Takes Center Stage as Cantonment Rotary Club Visits Bratt Elementary

The Cantonment Rotary Club brought its “Josh the Baby Otter” book project to Bratt Elementary School recently.

Club members have read the book to over 1,000 students at North Escambia area elementary schools.

The book Josh the Baby Otter teaches kids about water safety and learning how to float.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Lillie Miller Stocke

Ruth Elizabeth Stone

Ruth Elizabeth Stone was born in Pensacola Florida on March 4th, 1952, and died in Sant Pere de Ribes Spain on December 31st, 2025. She was predeceased by her parents George G. Stone and Pattie O. Stone.

Ruth leaves behind her son George Aaron Black of Washington DC and granddaughter Eleanor of Philadelphia, son Patrick Ezell of Dadeville, Alabama, and daughter Stacey Ezell (Mouloud) and granddaughter Cosima of Sant Pere de Ribes Spain.

Ruth also leaves behind four siblings, Bruce Stone (Anita), Laura Ferrell (Jerry), Jean Wiggins (Glen), Bob Stone (Cathy), and nineteen nieces and nephews. A private memorial service was held.

Ruth graduated as Valedictorian from Ernest Ward High School, Walnut Hill Florida in 1970. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Florida State University and then in 1976 graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor.

Ruth’s career highlights include practicing with Florida Legal Services, assistant state attorney in the juvenile division of the First Judicial Court State Attorney’s Office, managing attorney for Legal Services Corporation of Alabama, and last in Ruth’s career, she was the Wayne and Pat Hogan Professor of Trial Practice at FSU. She was the faculty advisor for the FSU Law Trial Team and had served as a coach for mock trial competitions. The many highly acclaimed mock trial problems that Ruth wrote for FSU sponsored competitions included topics such as gun violence, right of access to Florida beaches by the public, use of drones, and more. Ruth retired from the university after serving for more than 22 years as a member of the clinical faculty.

Ruth led an adventuresome life. In addition to writing, Ruth was an avid reader, a member of many book clubs, a past president of the Tallahassee Women Lawyers, a joyful shopper of local arts, crafts, and food markets, a worldwide traveler, and our family historian. In her earlier years, she loved to camp, hike, and canoe with her friends and family.

Ruth had a kind and generous heart and will be missed by all who knew her.

Community Honors Cantonment Veteran Critically Wounded In Operation Epic Fury (With Gallery)

Hundreds of people came together Saturday to honor retired former serviceman Hunter Girdner of Cantonment, who was critically wounded while saving a member of his military contract crew in support of Operation Epic Fury.

“I appreciate everyone for coming,” Girdner (pictured left) told the crowd gathered at the University of West Florida Conference Center. “It really means a lot to me, to have the support of the community.”

After being injured while serving, Girdner joined a contract crew at a top secret location in the Middle East, his way of continuing to serve.

“I had something to give, and I found a way to do it,” he said. “I used my body to ease my mind.”

For a photo gallery from the event, click here.

During this deployment, his team was located in a targeted area and was attacked. While relocating, the Cantonment veteran noticed one of his squad members, John Gabrysiak, was left behind. While running back to rescue his teammate, he was hit by shrapnel and critically wounded, undergoing several operations including the removal of a kidney, spleen repair, and more at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Gabrysiak (pictured left) also addressed the crowd, expressing his thankfulness to Girdner.

“He is a son of this community; he is someone who grew up among us, learned the same values that many of us were raised with, and when the moment came to act, he lived those values out in the most profound way possible during Operation Epic Fury,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said about Girdner, a 2016 graduate of Tate High School. “This is not just bravery, it’s character; it’s loyalty. And it’s simply America… It comes from something deeper, values that are forged in family and community and country and in faith.”

“Hunter, it takes a pretty special person to run back into the war zone,” Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins told Girdner during Saturday evening’s event. “Thank you for living up to your heritage of your time in the military, and thanks for standing up for John.”

“Hunter, the power of your moment, you didn’t wait,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “Your moment is going to define your life, and very much your legacy. We appreciate you.”

Simmons presented a Sheriff’s Award for performing an outstanding service to the community.

Prior to the event at UWF, a convoy honoring Girdner traveled from the former Denny’s on Nine Mile Road to UWF, with dozens of motorcycles, including the Patriot Guard, law enforcement and dozens of other vehicles. People lined up along Nine Mile Road to honor Girdner, including several people with a large American flag draped over a pickup truck at the John R. Jones Ballpark.

For a photo gallery from the convoy, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Walnut Hill Ruritan Holds 51st Annual Farm Auction (With Photo Gallery)

The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held  its 51st annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.

All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year in the spring.

For a photo gallery, click here.

The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques, and more.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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