AAA: Fuel Markets React to Rising Tensions in the Middle East
June 23, 2025
Florida gas prices jumped 20 cents per gallon early last week before retreating slightly over the weekend. The state average fell to $2.95 per gallon on Wednesday—its lowest level since May 10—then climbed to $3.15 by Thursday, the highest price since May 2. By Sunday, the state average had edged four cents lower to $3.11 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.96, up about six cents over last week. A low price of $2.77 was available at a station on West Burgess Road. In North Escambia, the low price Sunday night was $2.84 at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
AAA said ongoing tensions in the Middle East have added uncertainty to global and domestic gasoline markets. U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran’s response prompted a modest rise in oil prices during early trading this week, though markets have since steadied.
Of particular concern is Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz—a critical passageway for about 20% of global oil shipments.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local First Responders Going On Donut Strike For Manna
June 23, 2025
Local law enforcement and fire departments are running to the rescue once more teaming up again to fight hunger by going on strike lister this week.
These brave men and women are going on strike against donuts from Wednesday, June 25 through Friday, June 27 to encourage the community to fight local hunger by supporting Manna. They won’t give in until truckloads of nutritious food has been donated to the cause.
Each day of the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations. We will have a list of participating grocery stores later this week on NorthEscambia.com. Food donations and financial gifts to Manna may also be dropped off at their headquarters, 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, any day during the week of the Strike, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Because the cost of food and other essentials is rising, Manna is experiencing even greater demand than is typical in the summer months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna. “At the same time, food donations are down, as everybody feels the pinch on their budgets. Every day, our first responders see children and families who are struggling — and we are so grateful for their efforts to impact change.”
File photo.
Wahoos Take First Half Finale In Win Over Biscuits
June 23, 2025
An explosive fifth inning and a 3-RBI day from Cody Morissette propelled the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a 6-3 victory on Sunday over the Montgomery Biscuits, ending the first half on a high note.
Morissette, who picked up two singles and scored a run to pair with his 3 RBIs, knocked in the winning run in the fifth to help put Pensacola back in the win column.
“[I was] just trying to execute the situation and get the job done to get a win today,” Morissette said. “It was good.”
After being held to just two hits through the first four innings by Montgomery’s Ty Johnson, the Blue Wahoos offense came to life in the fifth.
As soon as Montgomery turned to the bullpen, the bats woke up. With right-hander Ryan Shreve (L, 0-1) on the mound, right fielder Grant Richardson belted a 2-RBI double off the wall in right to tie things up at two to score Johnny Olmstead and Ryan Ignoffo, who reached on his first extra-base hit at the Double-A level.
Richardson later came around to score and take the lead as Morissette singled to right. Josh Zamora added one more run in the frame with a sacrifice fly, allowing Morrissette to score.
Morrissette added some insurance an inning later in the sixth, lining a two-out single to center to score two, extending the Pensacola lead to 6-2.
“Credit to the lineup and credit to our pitchers,” Morissette said. “The lineup put a lot of pressure on their pitchers, got on base, we just executed situations and the pitchers kept us in it.”
After four innings of two-run ball from starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr, the Blue Wahoos’ pen took over in a big way.
The trio of Josh Ekness, Ricky DeVito (W, 1-0) and Jesse Bergin combined for five innings of one-run ball, successfully protecting the lead after Pensacola’s four and two-run frames in the fifth and sixth.
Montgomery picked up the first run of the game in the third, after Gregory Barrios drove in Cooper Kinney on a sacrifice fly to left. Shane Sasaki made a jumping catch-up against the wall in foul territory in deep left field, giving Kinney enough time to score on the tag-up.
The Biscuits added a run in the fourth, as centerfielder Homer Bush Jr. singled up the middle with the infield in, allowing Hunter Stovall to score.
Will Simpson added an RBI single in the ninth for the Biscuits, dumping a bloop single into right-center against Blue Wahoos closer Josh Ekness. This was the first run Ekness has given up in the month of June, ending a 7.1 IP scoreless streak.
The Blue Wahoos will travel to Chattanooga to begin the second half of the season, making their lone trip to AT&T Field to square off with the North Division first-half champion Lookouts. Jacob Miller (2-4, 3.05 ERA) is slated to start game one on Tuesday for Pensacola, while Chattanooga has yet to announce a starter.
GAME NOTABLES
— Famed baseball organist Nancy Faust, who became a historic pioneer in the industry when playing for 41 years (1970-2010) at Chicago White Sox games, made her third visit in the past four years to Blue Wahoos Stadium on Sunday, entertaining fans with a medley of music during pregame activities and in-game entertainment. Faust was set up with the same type of Hammond Organ that she played in Chicago, on loan from a local Pensacola church, on the concourse level behind home plate. She was underneath a tent and engaged with fans as she played music and walk-up songs throughout the game.
Aside from her White Sox history, Faust was also the organist at Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games during the 1980s.
— Sunday’s game officially closed the first half of the Southern League schedule. The Blue Wahoos had 39 home games in the first half. The second half begins on Tuesday throughout the league, and the Blue Wahoos will have a 30-game home slate in the second half.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
WHEN: Tuesday through Sunday (June 29).
WHERE: AT&T Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
BACKGROUND: This series begins the second half of the Southern League season. Chattanooga clinched the first-half North Division title on Sunday, locking itself into a playoff spot. The divisional records will be reset, and a second-half winner will be decided in both divisions to determine playoff matchups. This will be the Blue Wahoos’ only trip to Chattanooga to face the Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds’ affiliate. However, the Lookouts will play in Pensacola on July 18-20 and again on August 26-31.
Casey’s Plans For New Convenience Store At Highway 29, Highway 97 In Molino Set For Final Review
June 22, 2025
Final review is set for this week for a new convenience store at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Costcorde, Inc. of Houston submitted plans to the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC).
The updated plans show a 4,569 square foot convenience store, 12 gas fueling stations and two diesel fueling pups. According to the plans, there will only be right turn in and right turn out access on Highway 29 and a full access connection to Highway 97. Casey’s will be on the the northwest corner of the intersection, across Highway 97 from the existing Tom Thumb.
Casey’s is the third largest convenience store and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States. Last year, Casey’s announced the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.145 billion for 198 stores.
The Escambia County Development Review Committee will consider final approval at a meeting on 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Tate High Graduate Serves With The Next Generation Of U.S. Navy Elite Rescue Swimmers
June 22, 2025
Tate High School graduate Airman Ethan Harper is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where the next generation of Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute life-or-death rescues in the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Harper graduated from Tate in 2023.
“My dad was in the Navy and served as a rescue swimmer,” Harper said. “This gives me the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pensacola.
“Growing up, I learned to work hard even when there are challenges,” Harper said.
Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, ARSS provides initial aviation water survival training and CPR qualification to all preflight student naval aviators and student naval flight officers, student flight surgeons, naval aircrew candidates, student aviators from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and international student aviators.
As part of the world’s most elite Special Operations force, AIRRs are a team dedicated to being the top emergency response unit in the world. Leaping from helicopters, swimming through raging seas and saving victims whose lives are on the line, AIRRs complete search and rescue missions in some of the most extreme environments imaginable. The motto of an AIRR is, “so others may live.” It is a testament to not only the selflessness of this job but the honor, courage, and commitment it takes to do it well.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Harper serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Harper has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud that I graduated boot camp,” Harper said. “It was something that required a lot of hard work and determination, so I was glad that I was able to complete it.”
Harper can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Doing something that most people may not want to do is an honor,” Harper said. “I get to save people’s lives as a rescue swimmer and serve my country as a sailor in the Navy.”
Harper is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and my dad for always being there when I needed someone to talk to and for always pushing me to keep going,” Harper added.
Written by Alvin Plexico, and photo by Ensign Tiffany Savoie, Navy Office of Community Outreach for NorthEscambia.com, click photo to enlarge.
NEP Gold Wins Gospel Projects World Series; NEP Blue Claims Second
June 22, 2025
Two NEP teams won big in the 2025 Gospel Projects Tee Ball World Series.
The NEP Gold All-Stars went undefeated on their way to winning the series, outscoring their opponents 29-47.
Reece Phelps knocked out three home runs over a four-game span.
Caleb Moore made history with an incredible 13 home runs in just four games — breaking the tournament record. His record-breaking homer also served as a walk-off to clinch the championship in the top of the sixth inning.
Moore was named the series Home Run Champion.
Also in the series, NEP Blue took second place and was presented the Sportsmanship Award.
Pictured: NEP Gold (top), NEP Blue (below) and Caleb Moore (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With DUI Negligent Manslaughter After Pensacola Beach Motorcyclist Killed
June 22, 2025
A 62-year-old woman was charged with DUI negligent vehicle manslaughter after a fatal crash on Pensacola Beach that claimed the life of a Texas man early Saturday morning.
Ann Passman Killough was driving a BMW SUV that rear-ended one of two motorcycles traveling east on Via De Luna Drive near Avenida 19 about 3:10 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the motorcycle was dragged for almost one block before she stopped.
The motorcyclist, 28-year-old Frisco, Texas, man, was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Killough is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Worry Spots
June 22, 2025
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:
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – The week of Sunday, June 22, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and North Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- Signage will be in place to direct drivers and pedestrians around the work zone.
- Michigan Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, June 22, 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 utility work and manhole adjustments.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Monday, June 23 through Thursday, June 26, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
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- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- 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:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, June 22 through Thursday, June 26, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, June 22 through Friday, June 27, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. 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 – The week of Sunday, June 22, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
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- The U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp will be temporarily shortened Monday, June 23 through Thursday, June 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reduced turn-lane length is required for daytime construction activities and will reopen nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- 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.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, June 22, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) Routine Maintenance in Pensacola – Motorists will encounter intermittent north and southbound lane closures Sunday, June 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for striping operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Operations at Ambassador Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures Monday, June 23 through Thursday, July 3 for turn lane operations.
- 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, June 22 through Thursday, June 26, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, June 22 through Thursday, June 26, 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.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (County Road 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete repair work.
- 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, June 22, through Friday, June 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- New traffic configuration beginning Sunday, June 22: All lanes between Green Briar Parkway/Country Club Road and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) will be shifted to allow crews to complete median construction operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of Miller Bluff Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures Sunday, June 22 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Thwarted Late, Drop Close Contest To Montgomery Biscuits
June 22, 2025
The Blue Wahoos played their quickest game of the week Saturday and without weather delay.
But it failed to alter a struggling pattern.
Unable to generate a big inning or late-inning dramatics, the Blue Wahoos dropped another one-run game, this time a 4-3 setback against the Montgomery Biscuits before the usual Saturday capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It was their fourth loss in five games against the Biscuits in the final series of season’s first-half schedule. It meant the Blue Wahoos (33-35) won’t have a winning record before the divisional standings reset next week. The Biscuits (38-30) clinched the series with a third straight win.
The night, however, contained a layered number of crowd-pleasing activities.
The biggest, of course, was the post-game fireworks.When it ended, the Blue Wahoos began their “Shark In the Park Night” next door on the boat dock and in the water behind right field. The original “Jaws” was played on a big screen as people watched in the water on the 50th anniversary summer of the iconic film’s debut.
There was also a poignant “Home Run For Life” featuring a young boy who beat back leukemia with help from his father’s stem cell transplant.
The game evolved like others this week with Montgomery taking an early lead. After Homer Bush Jr. led off the game with a walk, Cooper Kinney followed with a 2-run homer off Blue Wahoos starter Dax Fulton.
In the second inning, Bush had a two-out single to score Willy Vasquez, who had been hit by a pitch.
The Blue Wahoos got two runs back in their half of that inning when Johnny Olmstead hit a two-run homer.
Montgomery, however, answered right back when Brayden Taylor led off with a walk and scored on another RBI single from Bush. Fulton finished the inning, but had his shortest start since May 31. It was another tough-luck outing. He had a season-high eight strikeouts and only two walks, but an error and the first inning home run were his downfall.
The Blue Wahoos made it a one-run game when Dalvy Rosario led off the fifth inning with a walk and scored on Nathan Martorella’s RBI single. However, they had just one hit and two baserunners in the final four innings as Montgomery’s bullpen again shut down any opportunity.
The Blue Wahoos had nine fly ball outs in this game. They will now seek to salvage a second win in the series finale on Sunday, as the first half ends.
GAME NOTABLES
— Hours before the game, Blue Wahoos players froze during practice to see a U.S. Marines MV-22 Osprey Helicopter flying over the stadium and landing across Main Street at the former ECUA lot. The players stopped their routine to look at the faded olive green chopper from the Vietnam War. The helicopter was part of a special reunion at the ballpark from retired members of U.S. Marines Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362 (VMM-362), known as the Ugly Angels, who were formed in the early 1950s, then fought in the Vietnam War, the Iraq War and other conflicts. This particular helicopter, which traveled to Pensacola from Oklahoma, had more than 50 bullet holes on its sides from combat duty.
The reunion featured more than 240 members of the Ugly Angels, who got their name from a wounded Marine, rescued by the squadron and chopper and said, “that is the ugliest angel I’ve ever seen.” The group had a two hour event with speakers and other testimonials, then watched Saturday’s game from a group section in the stands.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Suspected Fatal Nine Mile Road Hit And Run Driver Surrenders To FHP
June 21, 2025
A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit and run early Friday morning on Nine Mile Road, and the suspected hit and run driver has surrendered to troopers.
It happened about 4 a.m. on East Nine Mile Road at University Parkway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an unidentified man was struck in a crosswalk while attempting to cross Nine Mile by an unknown make and model white SUV that was traveling eastbound.
The pedestrian, positively identified as a 41 -year-old male for Cocoa, Florida, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Baptist Hospital.
The white SUV fled the scene without stopping to render aid or report the crash, trooper said.
The 34-year-old male suspected hit and run driver was identified and turned himself in to the Florida Highway Patrol later Friday evening. The suspected hit and run vehicle has been located and in in the possession oF FHP.
The investigation is ongoing with charges pending; the suspect has not been named.