Florida Gas Prices Fall To New 2025 Low, AAA Says
November 10, 2025
Florida gas prices have fallen to a new 2025 low. Sunday’s state average of $2.86 per gallon is the lowest since December 2023.
Escambia County has the cheapest average in the state at $2.67 per gallon. The lowest price to be found in the Pensacola metro was $2.41 at stations on Highway 29 in Gozelez and on East Nine Mile Road.
“Low gas prices should give travelers confidence as they finalize Thanksgiving road trip plans,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, based on recent price patterns, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see gas prices increase this week.”
Florida has followed a familiar cycle for over a year, where the state average declines for 5-10 days, then shoots up 10-20 cents before moving lower again. The state is now at the end of an 8-day streak of declines. During that time, the state average dropped 12 cents per gallon. If the trend holds, an uptick may be imminent.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firefighters, Community Members During 56th Annual Fish Fry (With Gallery)
November 9, 2025
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 56th annual fish fry Saturday.
Andrew Peters (pictured below with Chief Kevh Mininger) was named the department’s Firefighter of the Year and recognized for his service to the department. AJ Beachy (pictured above) was named Officer of the Year, an award chosen by his fellow firefighters.
Over 750 plates, featuring a choice of catfish or grilled chicken for $12, were sold. Plates included a choice of grilled catfish, fried catfish, or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread, and homemade desserts. Proceeds will be used to provide assistance to displaced fire victims in the Walnut Hill and Bratt areas.
There were also drawings for door prizes throughout the event, and the Big Red Bus was on hand for blood donations.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
SEC Soccer Tourney Draws Thousands Of Fans, Boosts Local Economy
November 9, 2025
Thousands of fans have attended with SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament this week in North Escambia, and county officials say it has been a great success, adding to the local economy and quality of life.
During the first two days of the tournament, about 4,600 fans attended the tournament at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park, and the tournament has been televised nationally on the SEC Network.
Vanderbilt will take on LSU at 1:30 p.m. Sunday for the SEC championship.
“It’s important to Escambia County just because we have people coming to visit from all over the southeast,” Ray Palmer, president and CEO of Pensacola Sports told NorthEscambia.com during a tournament match. It’s important for Escambia County because it’s a great thing for our citizens to have these great athletes in our backyard; it improves the quality of life for all the people that live here.”
“It’s just a quality of life addition,” Palmer said.
SEC Assistant Director of Competition Marcus Bishop said the tournament is off to a great start, highlighting the partnerships that make a tournament like this successful.
“What keeps the SEC coming back to Escambia County is really the collaborative nature of our partners here,” Bishop said. “Whether it’s Pensacola Sports or Escambia County Parks and Recreation, it is so easy to work with the people here to put on such a great event. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, you definitely need to be here. We have some great match-ups, great talent, some of the best women’s college soccer in the United States.”
- For Kentucky versus Georgia photos from Tuesday, click here.
- For Vanderbilt versus Georgia, and LSU versus Mississippi State photos from Thursday, click here.
- For more photos from LSU and Auburn, click here.
- For photos from Kentucky and Florida, click here.
- For photos from Mississippi State and Oklahoma, click here.
Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes echoed the valuable partnerships that make the SEC tournament possible each year, also highlighting the significant effort the Parks and Recreation team puts into getting the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park tournament-ready.
“We could not do it without the teamwork,” Rhodes said. “It’s a big collaboration to bring an elite organization such as the Southeastern Conference here. I want to make sure I acknowledge our field staff, our field crews that have spent countless hours out on this field along with the complex itself to provide the best setup possible for the competitors and visitors alike.”
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to once again host the SEC tournament in Escambia County, right in the heart of District 5,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “This tournament just keeps getting better every year, drawing thousands of attendees to Escambia County and Northwest Florida. I appreciate the continued partnership with Pensacola Sports and the SEC, along with the countless staff members and volunteers who work hard to make this event a success. On behalf of Escambia County, I’d like to welcome all of the players, coaches, and fans, and wish all of them a wonderful tournament.”
Escambia County has completed significant improvements to continue to make the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park a first-rate sports complex, including a new multi-use facility that opened in 2023, which serves as additional locker room space for the SEC Soccer Tournament, along with other sporting events including local youth, high school and college soccer. Parks and Recreation staff also repaved the parking lot last year and completed significant upgrades to the field turf at Ashton Brosnaham.
Rhodes also emphasized the impact this tournament has on local youth soccer players, who get to see elite college athletes playing at their hometown soccer complex.
“These fields are also used by our local youth, who are getting to see SEC soccer, elite soccer, play on some of the fields that they play on and practice on as well,” Rhodes said. “They’re getting to see these girls compete and see how far soccer can take you, from the lowest level all the way up to the elite college level.”
“We as a community are very much a melting pot of Southeastern Conference fan bases, and the footprint of their institution is the same footprint that our tourism industry works to attract year-round,” Palmer said. “We believe strongly in these college athletes and the opportunity to show them everything Escambia County has to offer. These kids are going to be looking for places to build families, build businesses, raise families, have a life some point down the road. So it gives Escambia County an opportunity to show off.”
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Several Units At Atmore Self Storage Business
November 9, 2025
Fire destroyed the contents of several self storage units late Friday night in Atmore.
The fire at B&G Storage on Second Avenue was reported just after 11:15 p.m. Firefighters from the Atmore Fire Department and Poarch Creek Fire Department battled the blaze.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Killing Two Children, After Sexually Assaulting One, Setting Trailer On Fire
November 9, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says two children were killed before a mobile home was set on fire early Friday morning.
Deputies have charged 27-year-old John Henry Walston Jr. with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of sexual assault on a victim under 12, one count of arson, and animal abuse.
“Our investigators have confirmed that the tragic fire on November 7th, in which a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old were found deceased was intentionally set after the children were killed,” ECSO said. “Evidence shows that John Henry Walston, Jr. assaulted one of the children before killing them both. He then set the fire before saving himself.”
The fully involved mobile home fire was reported at 12:48 a.m. at Grand Oak Mobile Home Park on Flaxman Street, in the block behind the Escambia High School campus. Two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. Walston, along with another child and adult, were transported to area hospital for treatment. The home was a total loss.
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“I don’t know what I can say about this terrible event, other than hug your children,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Saturday, his voice breaking with emotion.
Cantonment Man Killed In Alabama I-65 Crash
November 9, 2025
A two-vehicle crash Friday night on I-65 claimed the life of a Cantonment man.
Alabama State Troopers said, 32-year-old Austin E. Brown was fatally injured when the 2015 Hyundai Tucson he was driving struck the rear end of the 2016 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer driven by 48-year-old Adhanom T. Ghidey of Houston. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred about 9:22 p.m. near the 93 mile marker, about four miles south of Evergreen.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
File photo.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
November 9, 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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing, from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway State Road (S.R.) 291 – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on I-10, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for drainage improvements and milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 99 (Beulah Road) 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, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for drainage improvements, concrete flatwork and paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, 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 paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers traveling S.R. 292 from Gulf Beach Highway (County Road (C.R.) 292A east) to Manchester Street may encounter nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing work. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with east and westbound travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for manhole adjustments and placement of thermoplastic striping. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) ramp – The week of Sunday, Nov. 9, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. 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, for stormwater management upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at E Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- 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.
- 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, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, 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, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14, 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 – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions from Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14:
- Intermittent daytime lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive at the Palafox Street overpass to allow crews to complete roadway construction. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
- 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.
- I-10 Bridge Rehabilitation over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
- S.R. 95 Routine Maintenance from North Barth Road to Cotton Lake Road – Motorists may encounter intermittent inside lane closures Monday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
- S.R. 291 Routine Utility Maintenance South of Brent Lane – Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound outside lane closures Thursday, Nov. 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Veterans Day Parade from Raymond Hobbs Street to Berryhill Road – Motorists will encounter a road closure Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Veterans Day Parade.
- 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, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 14.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing, from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road (C.R. 197A) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from the Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 13, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Sunday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 14:
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for placement of thermoplastic striping
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Inez Chancery of McDavid Celebrates Her 103rd Birthday
November 9, 2025
Inez Chancery of McDavid is celebrating her 103rd birthday on Saturday.
She has five children, eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and family celebrated with her at Grace Baptist Church in McDavid.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Victim He Followed From The Molino Tom Thumb
November 8, 2025
An Atmore man has been convicted of murdering a man in Pace after following him from the Molno Tom Thumb.
A jury found Ja’Cobey Quartise James guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced in January 2026.
On June 19, 2023, Joseph Liebe was driving home from work and stopped at the Tom Thumb in Molino. Liebe left the gas station and, unbeknownst to him, was followed by James and two other men in a Chevrolet Tahoe. The men had observed Liebe at the gas station and believed that he had cash on his person, according to prosecutors.
Liebe eventually turned onto Wallace Lake Road and pulled to the side of the road after the vehicle following him flashed its lights at him. The Tahoe pulled up beside Liebe’s vehicle and James stepped out of the passenger seat. James pulled out a firearm and fired ten shots at Liebe’s vehicle as he attempted to drive away.
Charges against Ty’jerrious Keon Malone were dropped, and Marcus Terel Dickinson was found mentally or physically unfit to stand trial, according to court records.
Update: Highway 97 Head-on Crash Claims Life Of Pensacola Woman
November 8, 2025
A head-on collision claimed the life of a woman Thursday night on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
Family members have identified the victim as a 70-year-old Pensacola woman.
The crash happened on Highway 97 just north of South Highway 99. Two sedans, both in the southbound lane of Highway 97, collided head-on about 7:50 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not yet released the cause of the crash, but it was apparent on scene that one of the vehicles crossed the centerline.
Both drivers were airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where the 70-year-old female, was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants by the vehicles.
Highway 97 was closed for hours by the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
