AAA: Gas Prices Climb in Florida – Up 12¢ from Last Week
July 7, 2025
Florida gas prices rose last week as drivers prepared to hit the road for Independence Day. The state average climbed 20 cents per gallon early in the week, then eased 6 cents by the weekend.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.08 per gallon. That’s up 12 cents from the week before.
Despite the uptick, holiday travelers found the lowest Independence Day gas prices since 2021. On July 4, 2025, Florida gas prices averaged $3.11 per gallon – 42 cents less than 2024’s holiday rate, and 15 cents below what drivers paid on Independence Day 2023.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $2.88, one of the cheapest metro areas in the state. In Pensacola, a low price of $2.69 was available at the warehouse clubs and several stations in the southern part of Escambia County. In North Escambia, a low of $2.78 was available at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Lower oil prices helped make this Independence Day one of the most affordable in recent years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “In Florida, however, prices continue to fluctuate week to week, as local stations adjust prices to remain competitive with nearby retailers. When prices eventually reach a low that’s no longer profitable, retailers raise them back up. This strategy has fueled short-term volatility at the pump—even as national prices and other drivers relatively stable.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Fulton, Snyder Shine, Wahoos Hang On for Victory in Finale
July 7, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (41-39) capped their first series in July with a 4-3 win over the Biloxi Shuckers (49-32) on Sunday.
Pensacola jumped out to an immediate lead in the top of the first inning. On the fourth pitch of the game, Wahoos third baseman Michael Snyder hit a solo home run to left field off Biloxi starter K.C. Hunt (L, 4-5). The Shuckers quickly answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second when designated hitter Darrien Miller hit a solo home run of his own against Pensacola starter Dax Fulton (W, 4-6).
Pensacola retook the lead in the top of the fifth when second baseman Cody Morissette came in on a run-scoring wild pitch from Hunt, but Biloxi tied the game in the bottom half.
With the game tied 2-2 entering the sixth inning, Pensacola’s offense came to life. A pair of Wahoo singles and a walk of designated hitter Nathan Martorella loaded the bases and chased Hunt, who gave way to lefthander Mark Manfredi. With the bases loaded and one out, Cody Morissette hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly off of Manfredi to give the Wahoos a 3-2 lead. Two batters later, catcher Ryan Ignoffo brought home another run on an infield single to hand Pensacola a two-run lead.
The two-run rally proved to be the difference behind Fulton, who earned the win in the longest start of his career (7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K). The outing marked the first time that Fulton had ever recorded outs in the seventh inning as a professional.
Biloxi scored once and put the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth inning, but an unusual final sequence closed out righthander Evan Fitterer’s (S, 1) first professional save and the game. With two outs and runners at first and second, Biloxi center fielder Luis Lara hit a sharp grounder to Wahoo first baseman Josh Zamora, who bobbled the pickup and allowed Lara to reach. However, Zamora looked to third base and threw across the diamond to Michael Snyder, who tagged out shortstop Jheremy Vargas after he had overrun the base.
With a 4-3 victory, Pensacola emerges from the week with three wins in six games against Biloxi across the home-and-home series.
The Blue Wahoos continue their road trip on Tuesday, July 8 when they begin a six-game series at the Columbus Clingstones.
Expanded EMS: Flomaton’s Two Ambulances Boost Safety for Florida Neighbors
July 6, 2025
There are now two ambulances stationed in Flomaton, benefiting Flomaton residents and residents of Escambia County in Florida.
Newman’s Medical Services added a second full-staffed ambulance only July, with a third available as needed. The ambulances are stationed 24/7 at the Flomaton Fire Station.
As we first reported back in February, Escambia County has an agreement in place with Newman’s Medical Services, the oldest privately owned ambulance company in Alabama and the second oldest privately owned service in the United States. Under the agreement, Newman’s responds across the state line to Florida calls in the Century and Walnut Hill areas as needed when an Escambia County (FL) EMS unit is not available.
Pictured: A Newman’s ambulance responded as a second-in unit with Escambia County EMS at a June 15 two-vehicle crash on Highway 29 near McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida’s “Super Speeder” Law Now In Effect, Bringing Stiffer Penalties For Excessive Speed
July 6, 2025
Florida’s new “Super Speeder Law,” officially House Bill 351, has taken effect as of July 1st, introducing significant penalties for drivers who exhibit dangerous excessive speeding.
The law targets those traveling more than 50 miles per hour over the posted limit or exceeding 100 miles per hour overall, with consequences ranging from hefty fines to potential jail time and license suspension.
Just minutes after midnight on July 1st, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office demonstrated the immediate impact of the new legislation. Deputies cited a driver going 104 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour zone.
Under the law, a first offense for “dangerous excessive speeding” could result in a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Repeat offenders face even more severe consequences, including up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Committing two such offenses within a five-year period could lead to a one-year suspension of driving privileges.
Escambia County’s Medical Director Works On New Netflix “All the Sharks” Series
July 6, 2025
There’s an Escambia County connection to the new competition series “All the Sharks”, which premiered July 4 on Netflix.
Escambia County Public Safety Medical Director Dr. Ben Abo served as the medical director on the show.
For more photos, click here.
Abo was in charge of risk assessment, risk management, and generally keeping everyone healthy and safe while diving among the predators. He traveled six countries, five continents and logged over 45,000 miles while working on the show.
In “All the Sharks”, teams encounter sharks across the globe, competing to see which team can capture sharks on camera, with extra bonus points for rarer species. The winning team receives a $50,000 prize for charity.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County To Hold Public Hearing On Updating Laws To Say ‘Gulf of America’
July 6, 2025
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing near week to find out what the public things about changing the wording in county ordinances to “Gulf of America”.
Currently, there are nearly two dozen ordinances — related to Perdido Key, dog parks, littering and more — that mention “Gulf of Mexico”.
The change would follow bills signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April changing Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America in textbooks and state law.
The county’s sign welcoming visitors to Pensacola Beach was updated to Gulf of America several weeks ago.
The public hearing is scheduled for 5:31 p.m. on Thursday, July 10 during a county commission meeting on the first floor of the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building in downtown Pensacola.
Wahoos Fall 6-4 To Shuckers
July 6, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their second game in a row Saturday night, falling to the Biloxi Shuckers 6-4.
Thomas White displayed nasty stuff on the mound for the Wahoos as he made his third start of the season in Double-A, and first before representing the Marlins organization in the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta next weekend. Across 4.2 IP, the Marlins’ top prospect struck out seven Shuckers batters and allowed only three singles.
After a near hour-long delay due to wet grounds, the Blue Wahoos hopped out to an early lead. Catcher Spencer Bramwell opened the scoring, smacking his fourth home run of the year to put the Wahoos up 1-0 in the second. Dalvy Rosario added another run in the fifth with a double to left-center, scoring Johnny Olmstead from first base.
As White’s command waned near the end of his start, Biloxi pushed across three runs in the fifth courtesy of a Zavier Warren two-out, two-run single and a passed ball that enabled Mike Boeve to score.
Michael Snyder picked up a big two-out hit of his own for the Blue Wahoos in the top of the seventh, sending a two-run single to right field that gave Pensacola a brief 4-3 lead.
Biloxi responded swiftly in their half of the seventh, as Darrien Miller belted a three-run home run out to right off of Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 4-4), to take the lead back for good at 6-4.
The Blue Wahoos were unable to find much offense after Snyder’s RBIs in the seventh against Zach Peek (W, 2-0), as Ryan Middendorf and Tyler Bryant (S, 1) shut the door with a scoreless eighth and ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will finish their series in Biloxi on Sunday, with Dax Fulton (3-6, 4.06 ERA) taking the mound to face off with K.C. Hunt (4-4, 4.68 ERA) for the Shuckers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
McDavid Man Riding A Lawnmower Struck And Killed On Highway 29 Friday Evening
July 5, 2025
A man riding a lawnmower was struck and killed on Highway 29 Friday night.
The 61-year-old McDavid man was driving a Cub Cadet lawnmower in the right northbound travel lane of Highway 29 near Bogia around 7:30 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A Honda sedan, driven by an 18-year-old female from McKenzie, Alabama, was also northbound on Highway 29 in the right northbound lane and approached the mower from behind.
“The driver of the Honda did not see the individual on the riding lawnmower with enough time to adequately apply the brakes in time to avoid a collision,” FHP said, noting that the speed limit in the area is 65 mph. “As a result, the front of the Honda sedan collided with the rear of the riding lawnmower.” The lawnmower was pulling an unoccupied children’s wagon.
The McDavid man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The teen was uninjured.
The crash closed northbound Highway 29 for several hours as FHP investigated the crash, which was about two miles south of the McDavid Fire Department.
The McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses This Month In Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
July 5, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Molino, Cantonment, Jay and Milton. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Participants must take the online course before attending a class.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The two-day events will be held as follows, and you must have completed an online hunter safety course and have a copy of the completion certificate or field day voucher prior to taking a Field Day.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- July 7, 6 p.m. and August 2, 9 a.m. — Escambia County Extension, Cantonment
- July 14, 6 p.m. and August 2, 9 a.m. — Molino Community Center
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- June 22, 6 p.m. and June 28, 9 a.m. — Santa Rosa Extension, Milton
- July 21 6 p.m., and August 2, 8 a.m. — Jay United Methodist Church
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes or by calling FWC safety coordinator Jeff Schumacher at (850) 767-3612 for more information or email.
Escambia Animal Shelter Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Today Through July 19
July 5, 2025
The animal shelter in Escambia County has free cat and dog adoptions through July.
Adoptions are free for cats and dogs one year or older. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
The shelter is once again. taking part in the Bissell Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event.
Since its inception in 2016, Empty the Shelters has helped more than 324,000 pets find loving homes and is now the largest funded adoption event in the country. The program partners with more than 815 animal welfare organizations across 49 states and Canada.
View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.