Florida’s Average Gas Price Falls Below $3, Lower Locally
May 12, 2025
The average Florida gas price fell below $3 a gallon last week, according to AAA.
The state average dipped to $2.93 per gallon on Sunday. That’s the lowest daily average price since December 2023.
Sunday’s state average is 17 cents less than a week ago, 22 cents less than a month ago, and 54 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.83 on Sunday. Several stations in Pensacola were at $2.66, while a low price of $2.68 was available at one Cantonment station.
“Florida drivers are seeing the lowest gas prices in 17 months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices dipped due to fears that the trade war could trigger a recession and reduce fuel demand. However, reports of easing tensions pushed oil prices higher last week, which could result in rising prices at the pump.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
A Mother’s Journey: Finding Hope, Recovery And Purpose Through Unimaginable Loss
May 11, 2025
There’s nothing like a mother’s love for a child.
And nothing like a mother’s grief when a child is taken away.
On this Mother’s Day, a local author is sharing the courageous story of her son’s battle with cancer and her own path toward healing, offering a beacon of hope for anyone navigating grief.
Janet Little Cooper recently published her book, What Every Grieving Mother Wishes You Knew: How to Support, Heal, & Remember Together.
Life has a way of etching some dates into our hearts forever. For Janet , a former editor at The Atmore Advance and managing editor of the Tri-City Ledger, October 27, 2014, is one such day. It began like any other, until her 17-year-old son, Bryant, walked into her office, his body wracked with an unfamiliar and alarming pain. What started as a mother’s concern for what she thought was a pulled muscle or perhaps kidney stones, soon spiraled into a reality that would alter their worlds forever.
“He showed up two hours early [for his doctor's appointment] telling me he couldn’t wait,” Janet recounted, the memory still vivid. “So I called his pediatrician on her cell and we both agreed it sounded like kidney stones so she told me to get him to the ER. In hindsight, I’m thankful it played out that way because he would have gone to the appointment on his own, but because of how much pain he was in, I drove him to the ER.”
Within a few short hours, the words every parent dreads shattered their hope. “The ER doctor came out with news that turned our world upside down,” Janet shared, her voice thick with emotion. “She told us there were no kidney stones, but instead they saw four tumors in his liver that appeared to be cancer.”
After nine days in the hospital and extensive testing, the diagnosis was Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, a rare, aggressive, and incurable cancer.
“His was already at Stage 4 with tumors located from head to toe,” Janet said.
“On the 11th day, we were flown to MD Anderson in Houston by Pilots for Christ out of Monroeville. The oncologist there told us he had only seen three cases of this cancer in adolescence and they all three died. Bryant would be the fourth. The doctor said, ‘we can start him on chemo to give him maybe two more years to kick the can down the road’.”
“The days that followed were a blur of fear, new medical terms, and a desperate search for hope. From Dr. Marian Stewart, Bryant’s pediatrician, to Nemours at Sacred Heart in Pensacola, and then a flight by the compassionate Pilots for Christ to the renowned MD Anderson in Houston, the family chased every possibility. Yet, the prognosis from a leading oncologist there was heart-wrenching: he had only encountered three such cases in adolescents, and all had been fatal. Bryant, he said, would be the fourth. “We can start him on chemo to give him maybe two more years to kick the can down the road,” the doctor offered.
But Bryant, wise beyond his years and anchored by a profound faith, responded with a strength that would become his hallmark. That night, he told his mother, “Mom, that doctor can’t number my days. Only God can.”
And so began Bryant’s valiant 25-month battle. He started his first round of chemotherapy in Pensacola on his mother’s birthday, November 18, 2014, a bittersweet irony that forever links a day of celebration with the onset of their fight. Through it all, Bryant’s spirit, his unwavering faith, and his radiant smile became a source of astonishing strength for everyone around him. “He literally smiled his way through it!” Janet said, a mix of pride and sorrow in her voice.
Even as the cancer progressed, Bryant exuded a remarkable peace. “He began telling me in the first year of diagnosis that he was going to die,” Janet revealed. “He was confident and assured me each time he said it that he was at peace because he knew he was going to heaven.” His mom felt it was as if Bryant had “set down with God and planned out every detail.”
“About eight months before he died, Bryant made the decision to stop all treatments,” Janet said. “At that time, his Pensacola doctor, among others, met with Bryant in his hospital room, where he carefully laid out every detail of how he wanted to die, down to signing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form. So when the time came on November 17, all I had to do was call the nurses stationand his plan was set into motion.”
The inspiration for Janet to share their sacred story? “Bryant and God,” she stated without hesitation. The desire to honor her son’s courageous spirit and unwavering faith, and a deep-seated love for writing that had been a part of her since childhood, converged. “I’ve always loved writing and miss my days at the Ledger,” Janet said. “Actually, my dad, Rev. Thomas Little, Jr., always wanted us to write a book together, so when God led me to begin writing this book Dec. 23, 2024, it was only fitting that I use some of my dad’s handwritten sermons in the book.” What began as a whisper of an idea blossomed quickly; within four short days, she had penned 16 chapters, a number that soon grew to 29 chapters and 160 pages of raw, heartfelt truth.
What does she hope readers will take from this intimate chronicle of love, loss, and faith? “That there is hope even after such a great loss,” Janet affirmed. “Bryant was a Christian and he knew where he was going for eternity. He wanted everyone to know the same assurance and comfort he had.” As a testament to his faith, small wooden crosses were passed out at his funeral, a symbol of what the cross meant to him and the peace he wished for others. “He has been gone for eight years, and it has been an experience unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. I’m slowly healing and learning how to live with Bryant’s absence in my life by taking my son’s advice by trusting God to carry me through.”
Janet emphasizes that her book, though deeply personal, speaks to a universal experience. “It’s not just for mothers who have lost children, even though the title suggests that. This book is for anyone who has ever experienced loss – a spouse, sibling, cousin, or friend. Grief is universal, but each has a different story.” It also serves as a gentle guide for those who want to support grieving loved ones but are unsure how, offering chapters on “Practical Ways to Help Someone Grieving” and, crucially, “What Not to Say to Someone Grieving.”
Her powerful narrative has resonated widely, earning endorsements from New York Times Best Selling Author Andy Andrews and Rev. Ted Traylor from Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.
Janet’s creative spirit continues to flourish. She has immediate plans to publish four children’s books she penned over two decades ago, a charming series titled “The Adventures of Super Austin and His Sidekick, Baby Boy,” inspired by the real-life escapades of her sons when they were small. The first delightful tale involves a six-year-old Austin feeding his one-year-old brother Bryant leftover giraffe food from a zoo trip, leading to a panicked but ultimately amusing call to poison control and a zoo veterinarian who playfully warned Bryant might start swinging from ceiling fans! She even has plans for a book chronicling her own “mishaps and broken bones and close calls!”
In addition, she has already published three faith-based coloring/storybooks for children and intends to release more monthly. All of her published works are available on Amazon.
“My hope is that through every book, I can share healing, faith, and joy,” Janet expressed.
This Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the incredible bond between mothers and their children, Janet Little Cooper’s story shines with a particular poignancy. It is a narrative of a love that knows no end, a faith that sustains through the deepest valleys, and a mother’s unwavering journey to find purpose and share her son’s enduring light with a world in need of hope.
NorthEscambia.com photo (top) and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Nab Two For Overnight Vehicle Burglaries, Recover Stolen Car
May 11, 2025
Atmore Police arrested two suspects on Saturday in connection with multiple overnight vehicle burglaries.
According to police, the suspects were responsible for five vehicle burglaries. Police said they fled on foot, but officers were able to capture them. Police also recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen in Mobile.
Police charged 19-year-old Ronald Isaac of Mobile with four counts of attempted theft of property first degree, along with theft of property first degree, receiving property first degree, possession of burglary tools, and attempting to elude. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
The second suspect is a juvenile whose name was not released.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Receives Picnic Table Donation From PTA
May 11, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School recently received a donation of new picnic tables from the school’s PTA. The tables were built by the Northview High School Building Construction Academy. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Give Blood On Monday In Byrneville
May 11, 2025
OneBlood is hosting a blood drive this Monday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Loft at Driskells in Byrneville.
All donors will receive several perks. These include a $20 eGift card redeemable at retailers like Walmart or Amazon, a stylish trucker hat, and a comprehensive wellness checkup. The checkup includes monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and a cholesterol screening.
Prospective donors can schedule their appointment online. An ID will be required at the time of donation.
The Loft at Driskells is located at the intersection of West Highway 4 and Byrneville Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
These Are The Road Constructions Spots That Might Slow You Down This Week
May 11, 2025
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 Lane - Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, May 11 through Thursday, May 15, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Rebel Road.
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – The week of Sunday, May 11, 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.
- Signs will be in place to direct drivers and pedestrians around the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, May 11 through Thursday, May 15, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, May 11, 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 milling and paving operations.
- 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, May 11 through Thursday, May 15, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, May 11 through Friday, May 16, 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, May 11, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- The U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp will be temporarily shortened Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16, 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.
- S.R. 97 Tree Trimming Operations near Pilgrim Trail – Drivers will encounter intermittent northbound lane closures Monday, May 12 through Thursday, May 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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, May 11 through Thursday, May 15, 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, May 11 through Thursday, May 15, 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, Sunday, May 11 through Thursday, May 15, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. for construction activities.
- 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, May 11, through Friday, May 16, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Operations near Catamaran Drive – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 12 through Thursday, May 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Tree Trimming Operations from Oriole Street to Stewart Street – Drivers will encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
File photo.
Wahoos Swept In Second Straight Doubleheader
May 11, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-13) fell in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Biloxi Shuckers (19-13) at Keesler Federal Park. The sweep marked the second time this week that Biloxi had won both games of a doubleheader (5/8).
In game one, Pensacola jumped ahead in the top of the first inning when first baseman Nathan Martorella hit into a bases-loaded, no-out double play that scored shortstop Jared Serna from third base. The Shuckers struck back quickly in the bottom of the second against Wahoos starter Dax Fulton (L, 1-2). After center fielder Luis Lara doubled with one out, left fielder Zavier Warren hit a two-run home run to give the Shuckers a 2-1 lead.
Biloxi would never relinquish its advantage and tacked on runs in the third and fourth innings in support of righthander Brett Wichrowski (ND) and lefthander Josh Maciejewski (W, 2-0). Righthander Justin Yeager (S, 5) closed out the top of the seventh to clinch a 4-1 Biloxi win.
In game two, the Wahoos again started the first inning with a run. Shortstop Jared Serna drew a leadoff walk before right fielder Jake Thompson doubled down the left field line to score Serna from first against Biloxi righthander Alexander Cornielle (W, 2-0). The Shuckers answered in the bottom of the second yet again, plating three runs against lefthander Adam Laskey (L, 2-1) on three hits. The Shuckers scored runs in the fourth and fifth to lead 5-1 heading into the top of the sixth inning.
In the sixth, the Blue Wahoo bats came to life against Cornielle. With two outs and designated hitter Kemp Alderman at first base, first baseman Nathan Martorella hit a two-run home run to cut the Biloxi lead to 5-3. After Cornielle was removed for righthander Kaleb Bowman (S, 1), third baseman Josh Zamora came to the plate and hit a solo home run to right-center field. The back-to-back homers marked the second time this season the Wahoos had hit two or more home runs in succession (back-to-back-to-back, Thompson/Alderman/Martorella, 4/26 versus Knoxville). Unfortunately, the three-run rally was not enough as the Shuckers scored two further runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away 7-4. Bowman’s scoreless seventh inning clinched the fourth consecutive loss for Pensacola on the week.
With the defeat, the Wahoos are now tied for first place in the Southern League’s South Division with Biloxi.
Swearing In: Ben Boutwell Returns As Century Mayor; John Bass Fills Council Seat (With Gallery)
May 10, 2025
Century’s next mayor and a new council member took office Friday.
Mayor Ben Boutwell and council member John Bass were sworn in Friday afternoon by Escambia County Judge Kerra Smith.
Boutwell was first elected mayor for a term that began in January 2021, but later resigned in August 2023. After winning a special election with no opposition, he takes over for interim mayor Alicia Johnson, who was appointed after the Luis Gomez, Jr, resigned as mayor for medical reasons effective January 10, just as his new four-term was beginning.
Bass won election to the council to fill the seat vacated by Johnson’s appointment as interim mayor.
For a photo gallery from Friday’s swearing in ceremony, click here.
Pictured: Ben Boutwell (above) was sworn in as Century mayor Friday afternoon, and John Bass (below) was sworn in as a council member. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Miracle League Seeks Teams, Sponsors For June Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
May 10, 2025
The Miracle League of Pensacola’s third annual Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser is coming up June 7 at the Santa Rosa Shooting Center in Pace. The Miracle League is seeking teams, sponsorships, and door prices.
For more information, or to learn how to become a sponsor or make a donation, click here.
Molino Park’s Solchenberger Named Elementary Math Teacher Of The Year
May 10, 2025
Molino Park Elementary School teacher Jennifer Solchenberger was named the Escambia County Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ECCTM) Elementary Math Teacher of the Year. She teaches fourth grade math and science at Molino Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
