Florida Thanksgiving Gas Prices Set To Be Lowest In 12 Years
November 23, 2020
The average fuel price in Florida was up four cents last week, setting up the lowest Thanksgiving price in more than a decade.
Drivers across the state are paying an average price of $2.03 per gallon. Sunday’s state average is 7 cents less than a month ago, and 34 cents less than this time last year.
A gallon of regular unleaded averaged $2.09 Sunday night in Escambia County, down just a penny from one week ago. A low of $1.97 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while the discount warehouse clubs in Pensacola bottomed out at $1.83 Sunday night.
“Drivers are likely to find the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in 12 years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are inching higher, due to vaccine news, but reports of rising cases of coronavirus should prevent any significant gains at the pump.”
Fire Burns Through Storage Shed In Molino
November 22, 2020
Fire heavily damaged a shed in Molino Sunday morning.
The shed was located near a home in the 1400 block of Brickton Road, just east of Highway 95A. Escambia Fire Rescue was able to quickly knock down the blaze.
There was no damage to the home and no injuries reported.
There were no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Let The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 22, 2020
Wednesday, the volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for Thanksgiving, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there is still time to make an appointment.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road at your appointment time between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $30 per turkey or turkey breast is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Call (850) 377-6236 with questions or to schedule your appointment (leave a message if no answer). Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited and appointments take priority.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Increases Slightly
November 22, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased in October, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.5% in October, up from 5.3% in September. That represents 7,975 people out of work out of a county workforce of 143,717. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 2.9%, or 4,327 people.
DEO announced the Pensacola area private-sector employment decreased by 6,200 jobs (-3.9 percent) over the year. The Pensacola area’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in October. The local industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-4,000 jobs). Construction was the only major industry to gain jobs over the year in October 2020 (+100 jobs).
September labor statistics reflect the continued effects of COVID-19 and the efforts to reopen businesses and services, according to DEO.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in October 2020, down 0.7 percentage point from the revised September 2020 rate, and up 3.6 percentage points from a year ago. There were 659,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,109,000.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in October.
‘We’re Calling About Your Auto Warranty’ – State Fines Company $345K For Unsolicited Calls
November 22, 2020
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued an administrative fine of $345,000 for 171 alleged violations against a West Palm Beach-based company conducting unsolicited telephone sales calls to consumers on the “Florida Do Not Call” list.
The FDACS actions follow an investigation into 69 consumer complaints submitted to the Department between September 11, 2019 and March 23, 2020 against Fidelity Mutual Life, Inc. and Turnkey Auto Group, Inc. The complaints claimed that the entity was conducting non-solicited telemarketing calls to market auto warranties directly to consumers, including Florida residents. As a result of the investigation, FDACS determined that Turnkey Auto Group, Inc. had indeed made unsolicited telephonic calls to telephone numbers on the Department’s “Florida Do Not Call” list.
“Businesses allegedly conducting unsolicited calls in disregard of the ‘Florida Do Not Call’ list aren’t just violating consumer trust, they’re violating the law,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “
As the state agency responsible for consumer complaints, our Department will continue to investigate all potential violations of the ‘Florida Do Not Call’ list to hold bad actors accountable for their actions.”
Want to add your number to the Florida Do Not List or file a complaint? Click or tap here.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
November 22, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no lane closures on state roads from 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY:
• Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until 2021.
• U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Nov. 22:
» Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
• East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures as crews continue construction activities. Eastbound traffic can also expect daytime, right turn lane closures.
• West Fairfield Drive (State Road (S.R.) 295) Turn Lane Construction for Family Dollar – The inside eastbound lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Nov. 24 for turn lane construction.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists can expect intermittent and closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Nov. 24 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
• Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. as construction activities continue.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY:
• Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until 2021.
• S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4 – Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
• I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Sunday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Nov. 24, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements for accommodating additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Church Holds 32,000 Pound Food Giveaway
November 22, 2020
A 32,000 pound food giveaway was held Saturday at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.
Jubilee Church and Pensacola Caring Hearts partnered for the Farm Share distribution.
“At Thanksgiving, we are blessed to be able to help approximately 1,000 families who are in need” said Executive Pastor Tim Fox. He added, “our community continues to recover from Hurricane Sally while fighting against COVID-19. This is why we are excited to have this opportunity to love and serve our community.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Narcotics Search Finds Drugs, Stolen Gun At Home Next To John R. Jones Park, Four Charged
November 21, 2020
Four people were arrested after a search warrant was executed at a home directly next to the John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Complex on Nine Mile Road.
Tony Darlus Goodwin, 59; Jason Wayne Quick, 31; Michele Vincenzo Aiello, 32; and John Henry Croxdale, 57, were all arrested on narcotics related charges.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT team served a search warrant in the 300 block of Holly Street. Inside the home, deputies discovered 92 grams of heroin, 219 grams of methamphetamine, 132 grams of marijuana, 3.5 grams of cocaine, 5.3 grams of psilocybin, a firearm that was reported as stolen in 1989, and more than $6,000 in cash, according to the ECSO.
Vernon Defeats Northview In Regional Semifinals (With Photo Gallery)
November 21, 2020
The Vernon Yellow Jackets defeated the Northview Chiefs 34-19 Friday night in the 1A regional semifinals.
“It was not what we were looking for. We had some chances, and it got kind of close, but we just squandered opportunities,” first year Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “When you get a team like Vernon close like that….you’ve got to take advantage of that. We just let it slip away.”
The Northview Chiefs finished their pandemic shortened season at 7-2 overall.
Not exactly where Summerford wanted to be on a November night, but he said he would like back at the season knowing his Chiefs learned a little more than football this year.
“What we are trying to instill is the Northview way. We are going to take care of ourselves. I tell them all the time there is a lot more than just football, he said. “That’s what we are trying to build here. I think if we can get that going, that mentality that we are going to do the right thing all the time, the football will take care of itself eventually.”
“We’ll get there. We’ll get there, no doubt.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Falls Short In AISA State Championship Game
November 21, 2020
The Escambia Academy Cougars came up short Friday night in the AISA Class 2A state championship game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The Cougars lost 36-34 to Chambers Academy of LaFayette, Alabama.
Bubba Nettles had five touchdowns for the Cougars and had 222 total rushing yards.
The Escambia Academy Cougars finished their season at 10-2..
Pictured: The Escambia Academy Cougars caeme up short inthe AISA Class 2A state championship game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Photos by Andrew Garner/The Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
