Florida Gas Prices Decline Average Of 14 Cents In The Past Week
February 17, 2025
Florida gas prices declined 14 cents last week, according to AAA. Sunday’s state average was $3.03 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since December, and 2 cents less than the previous 2025 low.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.89. A low of $2.71 was available on East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. The low-price Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.79 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Oil prices are trading on the lower end of the range they’ve been in for the past few months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This has enabled gas prices to also slip to the lower end of the range they’ve recently been priced at. However, Florida gas prices have been erratic and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an uptick this week.”
Fluoride In Drinking Water? ECUA Board Members Want Public Input
February 16, 2025
The debate on the addition of fluoride to drinking water is coming to the forefront once again, and at least two ECUA board members are looking for public input.
The ECUA board vote in 1998 to add fluoride to drinking water after 58% of Escambia County voters supported the addition in a referendum.
Now, ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stevens wants to know what ECUA customers think about fluoride in the water as the board discusses the issue once again. He said Saturday that he’s spent a lot of time researching the issue and has heard from the pros and cons from both sides of the issue. He said he wants to know what the residents of the county, particularly District 5, think.
“I do agree that it is time,” Stephens said at the January ECUA board meeting about asking for public input. “It’s been 27 years ago since they had that input…I personally would like to see the public weigh in on this. Then, based on that, we make a determination.”
District 4 board member Dale Perkins, who was on the ECUA board when the fluoridation decision was made in 1998, said he agrees it would be good to have public input again. He suggested that those for, or against, try to get another referendum on an upcoming general election ballot.
“See what the general public think, and if there’s a strong desire to take it out, the look at that,” Perkins said, adding that he believes fluoride is beneficial based upon both personal experience and science.
“If the citizens of the county voted again in a referendum that they really want it out of the water, I’d really take that seriously. That would probably change my position on it,” Perkins added. “I would encourage and certainly not oppose a referendum.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been confirmed as President Donald Trump’s head of the Department of Health and Human Services, sparked debate after referencing a study that found an association between I.Q. levels and fluoridated drinking water.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has advised local governments to stop adding fluoride to water supplies across the state. He even called it “public health malpractice.” He said fluoride “increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disease in children and reduces their IQ.”
ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody said late last year that the while the EPA regulates the maximum level in drinking water, the agency does not require any minimum level.
“We depend strongly on recommendations that comes from the scientific community, the EPA, CDC and other bodies,” Woody said at a recent ECUA board meeting. ” So we will be very curious and watching very closely as they provide further guidance as this gets studied.”
The American Dental Association and the CDC still recommend fluoride in public drinking water to prevent tooth decay.
“Studies continue to show that widespread community water fluoridation prevents cavities and saves money, both for families and the health care system,” the CDC said. “Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.”
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cantonment Man Arrested for Alleged Felony Contractor Fraud
February 16, 2025
A Cantonment man has been arrested for allegedly committing fraud by taking payment for a construction service he never provided.
According to an arrest report, 41-year-old Jason Weiss entered into an agreement on June 13, 2023, to install sod at a residence in Escambia County. The homeowner wrote Weiss a check for $2,872, but after several months, the sod was never installed, and the money was not refunded, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim made multiple attempts to contact Weiss, who allegedly provided excuses but failed to deliver the service. On March 30, 2024, the victim sent a certified letter demanding a refund, but no response was received. The letter’s receipt and a copy of the demand were submitted as evidence.
Law enforcement reviewed the case and issued a warrant for Weiss’s arrest. The suspect did not respond to phone calls from investigator, the report states.
Weiss was charged with a third degree felony and released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Beulah Ag, FFA Students Create 200 Valentine’s Arrangements For Nursing Home Residents
February 16, 2025
The agricultural students and FFA members at Beulah Middle School made Valentine’s Day a little happier for residents of two different nursing homes.
They created 200 floral arrangements to share with the nursing home residents Not only did they learn to share love, but they also learned about the floriculture industry, according to organizers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Pensacon (With Gallery)
February 16, 2025
Tens of thousands of people attended the first two days of the Pensacon Friday and Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The event will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Pensacon 2025 is an all-inclusive event that encompasses the many genres of pop culture and the fan community, including sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, anime, gaming, comedy, music and much more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Perry Doggrell and Sheri Hendon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Take Home Awards in Escambia County History Fair
February 16, 2025
The recent Escambia County History Fair showcased entries from students who had advanced from school-level competitions. These entries spanned various categories, including exhibits, websites, performances, documentaries, and historical papers.
The Junior League of Pensacola sponsors the J. Earle Bowden Young Historian Award for Outstanding Senior Entry which was presented to Sarah Tanveer of PHS, for her historical paper titled, “From Atrocity to Accountability: The Doctors’ Trial Impact on Medical Humanitarian Law.”
The Katherine Pomeroy Memorial Award for Outstanding Junior Entry in 2025 was awarded to Avery Smith (Beulah Elementary) for her website, “IDEA: Bridge to Academic Equality.”
The first- and second-place winners in the junior and senior categories (listed below) will advance to the state history fair competing this May.
Historical Exhibit Awards
Elementary Group Division
3rd place “Sorosis: of Women, by Women, for Women,” Harper VanLandingham and Austyn Hoxworth (Beulah Elementary)
Junior Individual Division
3rd place “The Montgomery Bus Boycott,” Jackson Loyed (Beulah Academy of Science)
Junior Group Division
2nd place “The Rights and Responsibilities of the Titanic,” Darby Walker and Kinsley Lukas (Ransom Middle School)
3rd place “The Great Emu War,” Emery Truitt, Brayden Scales, and Weston Wagner (Ransom Middle School)
Senior Individual Division
1st place “China’s One Child Policy,” Brandy Li (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “Teacher Unions: Who’s Responsible for the Rights of Educators?” Jude Poller (Booker T. Washington High School)
Senior Group Division
1st place “Bhagat Singh Thind v. US Supreme Court (1932),” Sudhishna Gampa and Hasini Kandala (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “The Chicago Tylenol Murders of 1982,” Virain Nanda and Naren Yerramsetty (Pensacola High School)
Historical Documentary Awards
Senior Individual Documentary Division
1st place “The Montreal Protocol: Environmental Movements that Work,” Lark Keckler (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “The Right to Education,” Myles Robinson (Booker T. Washington High School)
Senior Group Documentary Division
2nd place “America’s Bombing of Japan; A Turning Point in History,” Berkeley Henderson and Michael O’Brien (Pensacola High School)
Historical Paper Awards
Senior Division
1st place “From Atrocity to Accountability: The Doctors’ Trial Impact on Medical Humanitarian Law,” Sarah Tanveer (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “Informed Consent from Shloendorff to Canterbury: The Patient’s Right to Know and the Doctor’s Responsibility to Inform,” David Knoblock (Pensacola High School)
3rd place “History of Vaccine Mandates,” Roxanna Boland (Pensacola High School)
Historical Website Awards
Elementary Division
1st place “IDEA: Bridge to Academic Equality,” Avery Smith (Beulah Elem)
Junior Group Division
2nd place “Prohibition Era,” Micah Doyle, Hunter McLaughlin, and Isaiah McHenry (Ransom Middle School)
Senior Individual Websites
1st place “ Book Bans in Schools: Turning the Page on Censorship,” Lillien Williams
(Pine Forest High School)
2nd place “Breaking the Pace, Beyond the Finish Line: Katherine Switzer and the Boston Marathon” Sarah Boyles (Pensacola High School)
3rd place “Sati: Sacred Tradition to Social Revolution” Shrinithi Sridhar (Pensacola High School)
Senior Group Websites
1st place “The West Virginia Coal Wars: The Hardships for Unionizing And Labor Rights,” Michala Holland and Alexia Wilcox (Pine Forest High School)
2nd place “Rights and Responsibilities – Bill of Rights,” Jordan Dahms and Audreyanna Price (Pine Forest High School)
Historical Performance Awards
Elementary Individual Division
1st place “Title IX,” Callie Griffith (NB Cook Elem.)
2nd place “Rosa Parks: An Amazing Civil Rights Activist,” Gunner Knight (NB Cook Elem.)
Tie 3rd place “Susan B. Anthony,” Bellamy Lobley (NB Cook Elem.)
Tie 3rd place “Jackie Robinson: Breaking the Color Barrier in the MLB,” Jayden King (NB Cook Elem.)
Elementary Group Division
1st place “Miranda Rights and How They Affect You,” Balian Gregory, Casey Herzberg, Roark Robledo, and Liam Van Horn (NB Cook Elem.)
2nd place “Ruth Bader Ginsberg: Rights and Responsibilities,” Olivia Yasunaga, Victoria Owens, Major Johnson, and Riley Durre, (NB Cook Elem.)
3rd place “Women’s Voting Rights: A Difficult Fight” Peighton Schmidtke, Sloane Genest, and Kalani Thompson, (NB Cook Elem.)
Senior Individual Performance
1st place “A Court for the Creeks: How Seven Men Set in Motion a 150-Year Battle,” Aya Prince (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “Alice Paul and the Struggle for Women’s Rights,” Sydney Burkey, (Booker T. Washington HS)
Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
February 16, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Tuesday, February 25. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
The term for this vacancy is February 16, 2023 until February 16, 2025.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
February 15, 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:
- Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through 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 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 8 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 Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. 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:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- 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.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- S.R. 292 Routine Underground Maintenance from Barrancas Avenue to Manchester Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 17 through Thursday, Feb. 20 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for maintenance on underground utilities.
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia River – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Big Juniper Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures west of County Road 191 Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 16 and Monday, Feb. 17 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- 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, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20 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.
- 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, Feb. 16, through Friday, Feb. 21, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 21 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Ballots Mailed For Upcoming Century And Congressional Special Election
February 15, 2025
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office has sent out vote-by-mail ballots for two upcoming special elections.
A batch of ballots for the upcoming March 18 Century special primary election were mailed Friday.
Supervisor of Elections Robert D. Bender said 890 ballots were sent out to military and overseas voters for the April 1 2025 special general election. Domestic voters who have an active vote-by-mail request on file will have their ballots mailed out next week.
Any voter has the option to vote-by-mail. Requests must be made for each new election cycle. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is Thursday, March 20 for the April 1 special general election and March 6 for the Century special primary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Padgett and Wine Homer As Tate Beats West Florida 11-4
February 15, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the West Florida Jags 11-4 on Friday night in their final preseason game.
Mykamia Padgett and Kara Wine both hit homeruns for the Aggies during an eight run third inning. Padgett’s dinger was to center field to score two runs and Wine homered to center field to score three runs.
Padgett earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, giving up two hits and one unearned run in three innings while walking one and striking out three. Peyton Womack three four innings in relief, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) while waking six and striking out two.
Wine went 2-4 for the Aggies with her three RBIs. Padgett, Madison Smillie, Lacy Wilson, and Womack each had two hits for Tate.
Next, the Lady Aggies will take on Crestview on Thursday.
Pictured above: Mykamia Padgett (left) and Kara Wine both had homeruns to center field in the third inning Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.