Cantonment’s ESA South Named A National Top-Performing Construction Company
March 2, 2026
Cantonment’s ESA South has been ranked 220 nationally on Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2026 Top Performers lists and 114 in the general contractors list. The annual publication, established in 2018, recognizes its contractor members’ outstanding achievements in health and safety, quality and project excellence, ranked by number of hours worked.
“Being recognized on ABC’s Top Performers list is a testament to the dedication, craftsmanship, and integrity our team brings to every project,” said CEO Sean P. Harmon. “We’re proud of this achievement, and we remain committed to raising the standard of excellence for our clients, our partners, and our industry.”
ESA South is a veteran-owned design-build firm headquartered in Cantonment, with a national presence and a reputation for excellence in federal, military, healthcare, and disaster relief construction. Founded in 1999 by two Marine Corps veterans, ESA South has completed more than 200 projects and continues to grow its footprint across the United States and the Caribbean. With a bonding capacity of up to $400 million and a commitment to safety, quality, and efficiency, ESA South delivers innovative solutions for complex construction challenges.
Oil Prices Rise in Overnight Trading; Florida Gas Prices Face Uncertainty
March 2, 2026
Florida gas prices face new uncertainty this week as crude oil markets surged when trading opened Sunday night. U.S. crude oil prices climbed quickly in overnight trading and, as of press time, exceeded $71 per barrel, the highest level since June 2025.
Oil prices are rising largely due to growing instability in a region that is essential to global energy markets, according to AAA. Although the U.S. does not import oil from Iran, the country remains a major producer, supplying nations such as China and India. Any potential disruption to Iranian oil infrastructure can influence global supply expectations.
Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to open waters, remains one of the world’s most important shipping lanes for crude. Even the possibility of reduced traffic through the strait can create ripple effects well beyond the Middle East, affecting countries regardless of how much oil they source from the region. Because oil is traded globally, a shortfall in one region can affect prices worldwide.
“AAA does not predict gas prices, and it is still too early to know how much of an impact rising oil prices will ultimately have at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, higher crude oil costs typically lead to higher gas prices, so we’ll be watching the market closely over the coming days.”
Seasonal Factors Also at Play
Even before the latest geopolitical developments, gas prices were already following familiar seasonal patterns. This time of year, refineries begin the switch to summer-blend gasoline, which includes more expensive additives to limit evaporation in warmer temperatures. Gas demand also tends to rise as spring break travel ramps up.
Last week, Florida gas prices followed a familiar pattern, rising early in the week before easing through the weekend. That movement was unrelated to international events and instead reflected typical price‑cycling trends seen across the state.
Florida and Local Averages
On Sunday, the average price for gasoline in Florida was $2.89 per gallon, which is one cent more than last week, two cents less than a month ago, and 20 cents less than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia Count was $2.72. In Pensacola, a low of $2.49 was available Sunday night at stations on Olive Road and East Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, the low price was $2.59 on Sunday at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Pictured: A gallon of gas was $2.69 Friday evening in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
March 1, 2026
Northview High School recently named its January Students of the Month. Pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill, they are James Smith and Grace Oliver. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Clarifies Waste Collection Rules; Announces Upcoming Bulk Pickup Dates
March 1, 2026
The Town of Century is reminding solid waste customers to use the proper can, and it has released upcoming bulk collection dates with new provider Waste Pro.
Proper Can Use
Yard waste is collected in a green cart with a black lid on Tuesdays, and garbage is collected in a green cart with a blue lid on Fridays.
Century Town Administrator Dave Murzin said there has been some confusion, with customers contaminating yard waste with household trash.
“It is important to keep the yard waste separate. It is used for mulch,” he said. “The cans will not be emptied if non-vegetative material is in the yard waste container.”
Bulk Waste Collection Schedule
Bulk waste will be collected on March 10 in the following areas:
And bulk waste will be collected in the following areas on April 14:
Click either map to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photo and graphics, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Sports Honors Local Athletes, From Tate Cheerleaders To Olympians
March 1, 2026
From the Tate High School cheerleaders to a state champion lifter from Jay High School to pro athletes and Olympians, Pensacola Sports honored local athletes this week at its annual banquet.
Special Achievement Winners
– West Fowler - World Trampoline Championship
– Drew Beroset – Gulf Breeze Track 3200m State Champ
– Arman Truitt – West Florida HS Track, Hurdles & Long Jump, State Champ
– Boy Pace Weightlifting Team – State Champions
– Girls Pace Weightlifting Team – State Champions
– Kollin Daniels – Pace Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Evan Beckham – Pace Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Grant Wise – Pace Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Layah Slaughter - Pace Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Alyssa McMurtie - Pace Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Shyann Donaldson – Milton Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Chase Dooley – Jay HS Weightlifting Individual State Champion
– Hannah Demarcus – Pace HS Gatorade Softball Player of the Year
– Gulf Breeze Beach Volleyball – State Champions
– Tate High School Cheerleading – State Champions
– Taylor Clements – West Florida HS Swimming State Champion
– UWF Golf Team – National Champions
– Gianna Guerriero – UWF Softball
– Cooper Tendick – UWF Golf
– Adriana Mieses Sanchez – UWF Swim & Dive
– Olivia Nelson – UWF Swim & Dive
– Shannah Dillman – UWF Swim & Dive
– Alena Rozova – UWF Swim & Dive
– Ja’Kobe Clinton – UWF Football
– Mya Swinton – UWF Soccer
– PSC Men’s Basketball – FCSAA State Champions
– Pete Penna – Coach of State Championship Team
Amateur Athlete of the Year
Chris Rembert
Professional Athlete of the Year
Jeremy Reaves
Special Olympic Athlete of the Year
Samuel Johnson
Hall Of Fame Inductees
Justin Gatlin
Doug Baldwin
David Williams
Peter Dyson
Special Recognition
Devin Witherspoon
Pensacola Sports Volunteer of the Year
Paco Burrell
Sportsman of the year
Tim Bryant, 5 Flags Speedway
Excellence In Sports Tourism
Ray Palmer, who retires from Pensacola Sports this September after 25 years
Tate High School Meats Evaluation Team Takes Third At Florida State Fair
March 1, 2026
The Tate High School FFA Meats Science Evaluation team earned third place at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
Madison Wise earned an impressive fourth place overall in the state in the highly competitive field. Maegan Coleman, Luke Graham, and Louis Hartjen were also on the award-winning team, coached by Melissa Gibbs.
The Meats Science Evaluation contest is no small task. Identifying 40 retail cuts of beef, pork, and lamb requires intense study and attention to detail. In addition, correctly determining the species, identifying the wholesale cut, and selecting the appropriate cookery method for each retail cut demonstrates a high level of technical knowledge and practical understanding of the meat industry.
The team will advance to the state level final contest in April at the University of Florida Animal Science Meat laboratory. FFA members will be evaluating retail cut classes, beef and pork carcasses, wholesale cuts, and determine beef quality and yield grades, as well as identifying 40 more retail cuts. The contest will challenge each member’s skills and academic preparation as industry standards are implemented with precision and confidence.
Gibbs said the team “represented Tate FFA with professionalism, skill, and excellence at one of the most competitive events in the state. This achievement reflects countless hours of practice and a strong commitment to agricultural education.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
March 1, 2026
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 Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on I-110, between Interstate 10 (I-10) and U.S. 98, Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) 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, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for 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, March 1, 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 east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, March 1, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (C.R. 293) to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with 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. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph through the work zone
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I- 110 ramp – The week of Sunday, March 1, 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 north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, March 1 through Friday, March 6, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge construction activities. 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 the week of Sunday, March 1:
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 eastbound near the U.S. 29 interchange, Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for bridge construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures may occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- 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.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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, March 1, through Friday, March 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for striping operations.
- U.S. 90 Coring Operation over the White River Bridge – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, March 2 through Friday, April 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for coring operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Ice Flyers Fall Short To Birmingham Saturday Night
March 1, 2026
The Ice Flyers were unable to find the equalizer Saturday night, falling 2-0 to the Birmingham Bulls on Saturday night at the Hangar.
After a scoreless first period, Birmingham broke through late in the second when Drake Glover opened the scoring to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead heading into the final frame. Pensacola pushed to get back even in the third, but could not solve Birmingham down the stretch.
With the Ice Flyers net empty in the closing moments, Kolten Olynek buried an empty-netter in the final seconds to seal the 2-0 result.
Pensacola will regroup and turn the page as the team prepares for a road trip next weekend to face the top-seeded Peoria Rivermen.
Man Arrested For Lewd Act Near Cantonment Bus Stop 11 Days After Jail Release For Sex Crime
February 28, 2026
An Escambia County man was arrested on Friday for a lewd act near a Cantonment school bus stop, just 11 days after he was released from jail for another sex crime.
Errice Lewis Rutledge, 36, was charged with indecent exposure and lewd and lascivious behavior in the presence of a victim under the age of 16.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a juvenile and their mother witnessed Rutledge perform a lewd act not far from a school bus stop on Milestore Boulevard. He was arrested walking into a thrift store on Nine Mile Road a short time later.
“These are felony charges as a result of a similar arrest and conviction in December of 2025,” the ECSO said in a statement.
In 2025, Rutledge was convicted of exposure of sexual organs after he was caught pleasing himself in the lobby of Dunkin’ Donuts on Nine Mile Road while in public view of a 3-year-old child under age 16 and three adults. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail with 179 days credit for time served. He was released from jail on February 16, just 11 days before Friday’s alleged school bus stop incident.
According to jail and court records, Rutledge has been arrested 21 other times in Escambia County since 2010 on a multitude of charges.
Wahoos Stadium Win: Tate Aggies Shut Out The Escambia Gators
February 28, 2026
The Tate Aggies shut out the Escambia Gators 10-0 Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium
Conner Dethlefs and Cooper Halfacre had three hits each for the Aggies. Halfacre and Cook had three RBIs, and McNair went 2-3.
RELATED STORY: 50th Anniversary Celebrated: Tate Aggies 1976 State Champion Baseball Team
Bryton McLellan was on the mound for six run-free innings,allowing four hits, striking out five and walking one.
Click here for a photo gallery.
Up next, Tate will host Crestview on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
