AAA: Florida’s Average Gas Price Dips Below $3
March 24, 2025
Florida’s gas price average dropped below $3 a gallon this week as Sunday’s state average fell to $2.97 a gallon, according to AAA. That’s 2 cents less than the 2024 low and the lowest daily average price since December 2023.
AAA said Sunday’s state average was 13 cents less than the week before, 13 cents less than a month ago, and 55 cents less than this time last year. The average cost to fill a 15-gallon gas tank is $44.55. That’s $8.25 less than what drivers paid a year ago.
The average per gallon price in Escambia County Sunday night was $2.89, up from $2.84 a week ago. In Pensacola, a low price of $2.75 at station on Pace Boulevard, East Nine Mile Road, and South HIghway 29. In North Escambia Sunday, the low price was $2.75 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Low oil prices and strong gasoline production numbers have helped push gas prices to lows not seen in more than a year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, it’s not clear how much lower prices will go. Springtime factors like refinery maintenance, strong demand, and the switch to summer gasoline typically keep upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
Rustic Rooster: Highway 97 Deli And Market Plans Set For Final Review
March 23, 2025
Plans are set for final review this week by the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) for a planned deli, market and shop in Davisville.
The Rustic Rooster will be located at 10251 Highway 97, near the Davisville Community Center. The building was previously used for retail and as a restaurant.
The Rustic Rooster will be opening as a deli, market and antique store, according to a an updated application filed March 13.
“We are rebranding what the previous use was and to bring back life to the beautiful building in the community,” a handwritten letter filed with an earlier application. “We have cleaned and updated the interior and exterior to beautify the property.”
The 4,243 square foot building is located on 1.83 acres. Application materials show parking in the front and rear of the building. There will be 19 parking spaces, including four handicap spaces in a front asphalt and an overflow lot with asphalt millings in the rear.
This week’s DRC meeting is set for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building, 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola.
Pictured: The Rustic Rooster in Walnut Hill as seen Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Stacey Road Drainage Project Detour Begins Tuesday
March 23, 2025
Stacey Road between West Quintette and Coweta roads will be closed to through traffic starting Tuesday, March 25 while crews install a storm drain system and perform road improvements.
Traffic will be detoured along Highway 95A and Coweta Road. Motorists should use extra caution and follow posted signs when traveling along the detour. The road is expected to reopen by Tuesday, July 1.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
The $2.5 million project was awarded to Site And Utility, LLC last November. The purpose of this project is to replace the undersized drainage infrastructure from the northwest corner of Stacey Road and Quintette Road to the outfall approximately three quarters of a mile south on the east side of Stacey Road.
The project will replace the existing system with approximately 350 feet of 4-foot x 10-foot box culvert, and will include the installation of 100 feet of a 10-foot-wide paved concrete ditch upstream of the existing system,
reconstruction of three quarters of a mile of Stacey Road and the milling and resurfacing of the intersection of Stacey Road and Quintette Road, and the regrading of the existing downstream ditch.
The project is being funded by American Rescue Plan funding.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students, Employee Of The Month
March 23, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for February. (L-R) Pictured with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Connor Weekley, sixth grade; Sawyer Odom, seventh grade; and Shelby Riffenburg; and Kevin Knowles, science teacher and coach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All West Florida Library Book Drops Closed Until After Special Election
March 23, 2025
All West Florida Libraries book drops are closed until after the April special Congressional election.
Materials can be returned to the service desk at any WFPL library.
All WFPL book drops will reopen on April 2. according to the library system.
The Pensacola, Southwest, Tryon and Bellview libraries will be early voting locations through March 29. The main Pensacola and Bellview libraries are both early voting and election day polling locations; however, Southwest and Tryon are not a regular polling places. (There is also early voting near the Molino Library in the Molino Community Center, but not in the actual library.)
Pictured: The book drop outside the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Win J.U. Blacksher Invitational Tournament Championship
March 23, 2025
The Northview Chiefs claimed the championship in the J.U. Blacksher Invitational Tournament this weekend with a 6-4 win over T.R. Miller.
During the tournament, three Lady Chiefs slammed home runs. Daviona Randolph and Avery Stuckey each had a homer during the tournament at the Arrowhead Park in Poarch as Northview beat Thomasville 8-3.
Bailey Burkette had her first career home run against Elberta, scoring two runs with her homer to centerfield.
The Lady Chiefs will host West Florida on Monday and Pensacola Catholic on Tuesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bailey Burkette
Daviona Randolph
Avery Stuckey
Ice Flyers Fall 4-2 To Bulls (With Gallery)
March 23, 2025
Despite a late third-period rally led by Ice Flyers forward Lukas Jirousek, the Bulls secured another victory 4-2 Saturday night.
Bulls forward Kolten Olynek opened the scoring early in the first period, and forward Filimon Ledziankou extended the Bulls’ lead to two before the first intermission.
Midway through the second period, Jirousek and the Bulls’ Kyler Mathews dropped the gloves in a fight. Later, Andrew Bellant scored to extend the Bulls’ lead to three.
After a tripping penalty against Nikita Kozyrev of the Bulls, Jirousek capitalized with a power play goal. Minutes later, when the Bulls received a holding penalty, Jirousek struck again, narrowing the score to 3-2.
Ice Flyers’ Matt Wiesner received a game misconduct and major penalty for elbowing, putting the Bulls on a power play for most of the remaining third period. The Bulls capitalized with Kolten Olynek’s second goal of the game, making the score 4-2.
Fans can bid on autographed goal pucks from this weekend on Dash.
The Ice Flyers play their final home game of the season on Sunday, March 23.
Scoring Summary
First Period
BHM 1, PEN 0
2:12 Kolten Olynek (17) – Nikita Kozyrev, Andrew Bellant
BHM 2, PEN 0
16:09 Filimon Ledziankous (12) – Arkhip Ledziankou, Carson Rose
Shots on goal: BHM 9, PEN 0
Second Period
BHM 3, PEN 0
18:04 Andrew Bellant (4) – Nikita Kozyrev, Kolten Olynek
Shots on goal: BHM 9, PEN 6
Third Period
BHM 3, PEN 1
4:39 Lukas Jirousek (3) – Jake Hamilton
BHM 3, PEN 2
6:03 Lukas Jirousek (4) – Matthew Gilbert
BHM 4, PEN 2
15:09 Kolton Olynek (18) – Unassisted
Shots on goal: BHM 14 PEN 9
Total Shots: BHM 32, PEN 23
At Least Two Injured In Highway 29 Cantonment Crash
March 22, 2025
At least two people were injured in a T-bone type crash Friday night on Highway 29 at Tree Street near International Paper in Cantonment.
Two pickup trucks collided about 8:10 p.m. An update on the conditions of those involved was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the cras.
NorthEscambai.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Voting Begins Today For 1st Congressional District Election
March 22, 2025
Early voting opens today for the April 1 special general election to fill the 1st Congressional District seat that was left vacant by the resignation of Matt Gaetz.
Early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 daily through March 29 at 10 locations in Escambia County:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W De Soto Street, Pensacola
Polls will be open on election day, Tuesday, April 1 rom 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Brush Fire Burns In Bratt; Officials Warn It’s The Peak Of Wildfire Season
March 22, 2025
A brush fire quickly burned through about two acres in Bratt late Friday afternoon, and officials are urging caution as we enter the peak of Florida’s wildfire season.
The fire, with flames that reached the treetops, was in a wooded area north of West Highway 4 near Dortch Road. There were no injuries, and no structural damage reported.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Walnut Hill, Century and Molino Stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department and the Florida Forest Service battled the fire.
“The middle of March is typically the peak of Florida fire season, according to Joe Zwierzchowski, wildfire mitigation specialist with the Florida Forest Services Blackwater Forestry Center.
He said the growing vegetation in the spring is soaking up rainfall, drying the surface. Add a windy day, and “it’s off to the races”.
“You think of wildfires, and you think all the dead brown vegetation. But Florida burns when it’s green. It’s kind of an anomaly but this is the peak of our wildfire season,” Zwierzchowski added.
He said Northwest Florida residents should hold off on any outdoor burning for another four to six weeks.
NorthEscambai.com photo, click to enlarge.
