Florida Gas Prices Up About A Dime
October 5, 2020
Florida gas prices jumped an average of 10 cents per gallon last week. This was the fourth consecutive month that begin with higher gas prices; each one with an average increase of 7-12 cents.
Sunday, Florida drivers were back to paying $2.19 per gallon on average. Despite the recent increase, drivers are still paying 30 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.13. North Escambia drivers could find as low as $2.05 at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, while the warehouse clubs in Pensacola dipped to $1.90.
“It’s not uncommon for gas prices to suddenly jump at the end/beginning of the month,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That’s because many retailers enter into new monthly contracts on fuel deliveries, which can come with a higher price tag. When retailers pass the added cost to the consumer, they do it at the start of the month, then allow the market to dictate the direction of prices from there. The good news for drivers is that during the past few months, we’ve seen fuel prices trickle lower as the month progresses.”
Prices at the pump could follow the same trend as last month, according to AAA. September began with the state average suddenly rising to $2.20 per gallon. By the end of the month, the state average slid back down to $2.09.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Endorses Chip Simmons For Escambia Sheriff
October 5, 2020
Chip Simmons, Republican candidate for Escambia County Sheriff, has received the endorsement of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
“As Florida’s Attorney General, I understand the importance of law and order to the safety and strength of our communities. I proudly endorse Chip Simmons for Sheriff of Escambia County and trust that his qualifications and dedication to service and the rule of law will make him an incredible sheriff,” Moody, said.
After nearly 30 years with the Pensacola Police Department, Simmons stepped down as police chief in 2015 to become an assistant county administrator for Escambia County. He joined the Sheriff’s Office as the chief deputy of operations in December 2016. He is responsible for running the patrol, investigations and SWAT divisions.
Submitted photo.
Want To Get Involved In County Government? Here Are This Week’s Meetings
October 5, 2020
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Tuesday, October 6
Planning/Zoning Board – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board Regular Meeting – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Wednesday, October 7
Coffee with the Commissioner, Jeff Bergosh, District 1 – 6:30 a.m.,
Contractor Competency Board Exam Review Committee – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, October 8
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Board of County Commissioners Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Friday, October 9
ATU 1395 ECAT Negotiations – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government B
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two Suspects Charged In Saturday Murder
October 4, 2020
Two suspects have been charged with a shooting death Saturday in Escambia County.
Kentavius Oliver, 30, and Samuel Maurice Young, 26, are both charged with murder and being held in the Escambia County jail without bond.
Two black males wearing ski masks shot a man at an apartment at the corner of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road about 1:30 p.m. before fleeing.
The ECSO has not released the name of the victim found dead at the scene or the motive, but authorities did say they believe the shooting may have been drug related.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured: The scene of a murder Saturday afternoon at Mobile Highway and Klondike Road in Escambia County. Photos courtesy Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing From Local Church, Pawning Items
October 4, 2020
A Cantonment man has be arrested on outstanding warrants for stealing from a local church.
Matthew David Moore, 52, was charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
Moore worked for the Pine Forest Assembly of God Church and took home three heaters valued at $400 in order to fix and return them to the church, according to an arrest report. He also borrowed a lawnmower value, valued at $345. His employment was later terminated, but he never returned any of the items.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Moore later pawned the lawnmower at a pawn shop on Pensacola Boulevard. At the same time, he also pawned an air compressor that had “Pine Forest A/G” written on it. It was determined to also belong to the church, but they were not yet aware that it was missing, the report states.
The total amount of items taken from the church totaled $909.10.
Moore remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $12,500.
City Of Pensacola Offices Reopening To The Public After COVID-19 Closures
October 4, 2020
City of Pensacola offices and facilities that were closed due to COVID-19 will reopen to the public on Monday, Oct. 5, with some restrictions still in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Per city policy an a city ordinance, face coverings are required to be worn by employees and members of the public inside all city buildings and facilities. Anyone entering a city building or facility may be subject to a temperature check and/or COVID-19 screening questions.
The following city buildings and facilities will reopen Monday, Oct. 5:
- City of Pensacola administrative offices
- City Hall
- Most City of Pensacola community resource centers
Exceptions:
- All City of Pensacola parks remain closed until further notice due to Hurricane Sally.
- Bayview Senior Center and Theophalis May Resource Center will remain closed to the public until further notice. For virtual programming offered by Bayview Senior Center, like and follow Bayview Senior Center on Facebook.
- Roger Scott Tennis Center hard courts have reopened, but clay courts remain closed
FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Now Open Escambia, Santa Rosa
October 4, 2020
FEMA has opened mobile registration centers for Hurricane Sally survivors at multiple locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The centers, called Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs), are staffed with FEMA personnel who can assist with registration and answer questions about disaster-assistance programs.
The centers are open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- Escambia County Extension Service – 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center – 3200 W. DeSoto St.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- Pensacola State College South Santa Rosa Center – 5075 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze
The centers operate under COVID-19 protocols to ensure visitors and FEMA personnel are safe. Distancing and face coverings are required. Individuals who come to the centers check in at a registration table, give their name and phone number, and then wait in their cars until they receive a text message to come to the FEMA staff at the MRIC. This process reduces the number of people standing in lines to mitigate against COVID.
It is not necessary to visit a center to register with FEMA. Disaster survivors with uninsured losses can also apply by:
- Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
- Downloading the FEMA App; or by
- Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
The following information is necessary when you register:
- Address of the damaged dwelling where the damage occurred (pre-disaster address)
- Current mailing address
- Current telephone number
- Insurance information
- Total household annual income
- Routing and account number for checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into a bank account)
- A description of disaster-caused damage and losses
Pictured: A FEMA center that opened Saturday morning at the Escambia County Extension Office on Stefani Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Road Construction: This Week’s Slowdown Spots
October 4, 2020
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:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed and expected to remain closed for several months.
- · 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, Oct. 4.:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and a Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
o Broad Street will be closed west of U.S. 29 to the railroad tracks from 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5 for road construction. Broad Street between Untreiner Avenue and U.S. 29 will be open to local traffic only.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures as crews continue construction activities.
- · West Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Construction Activities West of I-10 – Motorists will encounter an intermittent, westbound lane closure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Oct. 9 as crews perform curb and gutter work in preparation for paving the new turn lane.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. Motorists may also encounter nighttime lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 8 for the placement of asphalt. Motorists are also advised to look out for debris as cleanup efforts are still underway from Hurricane Sally.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. - · I-10 Lane Reconstruction West of Sandy Creek Bridge – The eastbound on-ramp and eastbound outside lane will be closed on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5 as crews begin lane reconstruction activities.
- · I-10 Light Pole Removal from Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4 as crews remove light poles from the bridge.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- 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.
- · S.R. 87 North Underground Utility Operations from Park Avenue to S.R. 89 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3 as crews perform underground utility repairs.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Alabama’s Gas Tax Just Increased. And There Are More Increases To Come.
October 4, 2020
Alabama drivers are now paying more taxes at the pump.
The state’s gas tax increased on last week, the second phase of a 10 cent overall increase. That brings Alabama’s total gas tax to 26 per gallon.
The first phase of the 10 cent gas tax increase went into effect on September 1, 2019; it was the first state increase since 1992.
There will be another 2 cent increase on October 1, 2021, and there’s another two penny increase coming on October 1, 2023. After that, there will be an annual adjustment on July 1 based upon the National Highway Construction Cost Index.
Teen Bicyclist Struck By SUV On Old Chemstrand Road
October 3, 2020
A 13-year old boy on a bicycle was struck by a car Saturday afternoon, but was not seriously injured.
It happened about 2:45 p.m. on Old Chemstrand Road near Water Oaks Trail. The side of a SUV and the bicycle collided.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
