Gas Prices Ease Just A Bit After Hitting Four-Year High
May 11, 2026
Florida gas prices are edging lower after climbing to their highest level in nearly four years last week, according to AAA.
The state average jumped 20 cents per gallon, peaking at $4.50 on Thursday. That marked the highest daily average since July 2022. The increase followed sharp gains in the futures market over the previous two weeks, including a 21 percent rise in oil prices and a 59-cent jump in wholesale gasoline.
Prices began to ease through the weekend. The state average fell 9 cents, bringing Sunday’s price to $4.43 per gallon. That is 10 cents more than a week ago, 34 cents more than a month ago, and $1.48 more than this time last year.
Pensacola had the lowest average metro price in the state at $4.12, which is up 16 cents from a week ago, 24 cents from a month ago, and $1.28 higher than one year ago.
“The fuel market remains headline-driven and extremely volatile, making it difficult to predict what drivers will pay at the pump this summer,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group.
The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $3.99 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Escambia Sex Offender Arrested On Pensacola Beach Pleads To Federal Charges
May 11, 2026
A registered Escambia County sex offender arrested on Pensacola Beach, has pleaded guilty to federal child porn charges.
Donnschee Ricky Montrell Foster, 34, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of committing a felony involving minors while being required to register as a sex offender.
Court documents show the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted routine checks on Foster as a registered sex offender in late 2025; Foster has a prior state conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material.
When FDLE determined that Foster was not residing at the location where his sex offender registration required him to be, law enforcement conducted follow-up investigation in an attempt to locate him and obtained an arrest warrant for sex offender registration violations. FDLE, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, located Foster working on Pensacola Beach in November 2025.
Foster was taken into custody, and a search warrant was obtained for his cell telephone. Authorities reported that a search of his phone revealed images of real child pornography as well as computer-generated child sexual abuse material.
Foster remains detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Blue Wahoos Nearly No-Hit Bby Hurtado, Trash Pandas In Homestand Finale
May 11, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the final game of their series and homestand against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Sunday afternoon, falling 2-1 while managing just one hit.
A Cristian Hernández RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning was the only thing separating Joel Hurtado (W, 2-1) and three Rocket City relievers from the third no-hitter in Trash Pandas history. For the Blue Wahoos, it was the 14th time in franchise history that the offense collected one hit in a game.
Hurtado was staked to an early 1-0 lead, as David Calabrese drew a leadoff walk in the first inning and scored on a Gustavo Campero RBI single. That would be the only run allowed by Luis Moreno (L, 0-2), who settled in and worked a season-high 5.0 innings of one-run ball.
The Trash Pandas added a run in the sixth against reliever Jack Sellinger, as Campero singled and scored on a two-out RBI double from Matthew Lugo.
Hurtado completed 6.0 no-hit innings with only a walk and error keeping him from perfection, but departed with 70 pitches thrown after issuing a leadoff walk to Ryan Ignoffo in the seventh inning. Hernández laced a two-out single up the middle to break up the no-hit bid and bring the score to 2-1, but was left at second base as Lucas Mahlstedt struck out Jay Beshears with the potential tying run at second base.
Camden Minacci and Luke Murphy (S, 4) each worked 1-2-3 innings to lock down the Rocket City win and secure just their second series win against the Blue Wahoos since entering the Southern League in 2021.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game road series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, on Tuesday night.
written by Erik Bremer
Full Post Office Services Return To Walnut Hill For The First Time In Nearly Two Years
May 10, 2026
After nearly two years, full services are set to return to the Walnut Hill Post Office on Monday.
Beginning Monday, the post office will once again offer full shipping and receiving services.
“We are excited to finally be back to providing these services to the community,” said Cortney Owens, EREC manager of marketing and communications.
The Walnut Hill post office is officially known as a Contract Postal Unit, a small office located within the offices of the electric utility on Highway 99A across from Ernest Ward Middle School. It previously provided the Walnut Hill community with post office boxes, package pickup and shipping, and standard postal services like mailing and stamps.
The building was closed by EREC in August 2024, due to mold, and post office box customers were able to collect their mail from the U.S. Post Office on Main Street in McDavid. Post office box mail that was uncollected in McDavid was boxed in Walnut Hill on July 29, 2025, and EREC announced the reopening of its office and the post office. But no more mail was delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
In February 2026, the USPS began delivering mail for boxes at the Walnut Hill post office. Any mail that requires a signature has to be picked up at the McDavid Post Office on Main Street because those require the use of a scanner the Walnut Hill location did not have.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Happy Mother’s Day! Here’s A Peek At Pine Meadow Cupcakes For Mom
May 10, 2026
Happy Mother’s Day!
The Pine Meadow Elementary School PTA recently held a very successful Cupcakes With Mom event, distributing over 900 cupcakes.
- For photo gallery 1, click here.
- For photo gallery 2, click here.
- For photo gallery 3, click here.
- For photo gallery 4 click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Inspirational Student Heroes Honored
May 10, 2026
Cox Communications and the Escambia County Council of PTAs/PTSAs (ECCPTA) came together to recognize 52 remarkable students during the annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards and ECCPTA Students of the Year Awards.
The students were honored for demonstrating strength, resilience, and perseverance while overcoming significant personal hardships. From navigating medical challenges and family loss to persevering through difficult personal circumstances, each student has remained committed to personal growth while inspiring classmates, educators, and school communities.
“Cox is honored to shine a spotlight on these extraordinary students whose courage and determination set an example for all of us,” said David Deliman, vice president of Cox’s Gulf Coast market. “Despite the obstacles they’ve faced, these young leaders continue to move forward with optimism and empathy. Their stories remind us of the power of resilience and community support.”
For more photo with North Escambia area students, families, and teachers, click here.
Students were selected by a committee of school leaders across Escambia County for their ability to persevere through adversity while showing measurable improvement and positively influencing those around them.
“The Escambia County Council on PTAs and PTSAs is proud to celebrate these 52 outstanding students from throughout our county,” said Melanie Gambill, president of the ECCPTA/PTSA. “Their determination, growth, and commitment to success reflect tremendous character. They are truly inspiring, and it is an honor to recognize their achievements.”
During the ceremony, each honoree was presented with a personalized engraved medallion and certificates of honor from United States Senators Ashley Moody, Rick Scott, United States Representative Jimmy Patronis, Florida State Senator Don Gaetz, and Florida State Representatives Alex Andrade and Michelle Salzman. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners presented a proclamation congratulating all the honorees.
Escambia County’s Cox Inspirational Student Heroes/ECCPTA Students of the Year for 2026 are:
- A.K. Suter Elementary School – John Wasilenko
- Bellview Elementary School – Ava Thomas
- Bellview Middle School – NaKeem Burgess II
- Beulah Elementary School – Kennedy Conway
- Beulah Middle School – Ja’Karius Lewis
- Blue Angels Elementary School – Timothy “Tim” Hayes
- Booker T. Washington High School – Ja’Von Williams
- Bratt Elementary School – Shawn Lewis
- Brentwood Elementary School – Kova Sutton
- Brown Barge Middle School – Danielle “Dani” Reisnour
- Byrneville Elementary School – Blake Mathis
- C.A. Weis Elementary School – Zakiyah Jolly
- Cordova Park Elementary School – Maya Barker
- Ensley Elementary School – Camila Lara
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Lillian Trincher
- Escambia High School – William Mitchell
- Escambia Westgate Center – Chase Statam
- Ferry Pass Elementary School – Emma Bolton
- Ferry Pass Middle School – Samantha “Sam” Ross
- Global Learning Academy – SaRenity Walker
- Hellen Caro Elementary School – Mia Chapman
- Holm Elementary School – Aaliyah Watley
- Hope Horizon – Elementary – Graham Utter
- Hope Horizon – Secondary – Colton Hernandez
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Karter Davis
- Jim C. Bailey Middle School – Cristofer Garcia
- Kingsfield Elementary School – Samson Boardwyne
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Joshua Jones-Foster
- Lipscomb Elementary School – Oliver Wright
- Longleaf Elementary School – Ka’Myriah Stallworth
- McArthur Elementary School – Allyssa Elrod
- Molino Park Elementary – Ryder Phillips
- Montclair Elementary School – Phallon Samuel
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Dylan Weyand
- N.B. Cook Elementary School – Julian-Reese McClung
- Navy Point Elementary School – Isaiah Nation
- Northview High School – Hannah Jerkins
- O.J. Semmes Elementary School – De’Andre “D.J.” White
- Oakcrest Elementary School – Jaylen Holmes
- Pensacola High School – Jai’Juan McBride
- Pine Forest High School – Ashton Young
- Pine Meadow Elementary School – Conner Warlick
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School – Ray’Una Moton
- Ransom Middle School – Jordan Bryant
- Scenic Heights Elementary School – Braylen Coleman
- Sherwood Elementary School – Makayla Giard
- Success Academy – Kaiden Richardson
- Tate High School – Macy Jensen
- Warrington Elementary School – Lina Weston
- West Florida High School – Zamauriyah Gilliam
- West Pensacola Elementary School – Tony Rand
- Workman Middle School – Jazelle Clother
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Caught On Camera Stealing Wire From I-10 Light Poles, FHP Says
May 10, 2026
Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested a man for allegedly stealing wire from light poles on I-10 in Escambia County.
Troopers were dispatched to a reported suspicious person on I-10 at mile marker 15, near Scenic Highway after a person was seen on FDOT cameras breaking into the interstate light poles and pulling wire from the poles.
Responding troopers located 42-year-old John Edward Stone, Jr. in possession of the tools required to open the pole access panels and cut the wires, and FHP said he was also in possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was arrested and booked into the Escambia County jail on charges of felony criminal mischief, felony possession of burglary tools, misdemeanor drug equipment possession, and misdemeanor loitering and prowling. Stone remained in the Escambia County Jail early Sunday morning with bond set at $6,000.
Escambia Animal Shelter Offering Free Cat And Dog Adoptions
May 10, 2026
The Escambia County animal shelter is offering free adoptions for cats and dogs one year older through Sunday, May 17 for the 10th anniversary of the Bissell Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event.
A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
The adoption fee for pets younger than one year old will be $50 for puppies and $25 for kittens.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
First Students Graduate From Soul Train Youth Workforce Training In Century
May 10, 2026
The first students have graduated from the Soul Train Youth Workforce Training in Century, Students pictured (L-R): Cece, 15; Zyana, 11; Emily, 15; Charley, 15. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Milbrandt Enchants, Praytor Hits Tater In Wahoos Win
May 10, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their second nailbiter in a row on Saturday night, beating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 1-0 thanks to a dominant pitching performance from Karson Milbrandt and a big swing from Sam Praytor.
Milbrandt (W, 2-1) completed 6.0 innings for the third consecutive start, scattering two harmless singles and two walks while striking out a season-high nine batters. In doing so, he lowered his ERA to a Southern League-leading 1.48.
Rocket City’s Austin Gordon (L, 1-3) was nearly as good, but surrendered a solo homer to Sam Praytor in the bottom of the fifth in what proved to be the game’s only run. Praytor, who was activated off the injured list on Thursday, finished 2-for-3 in his first Blue Wahoos game of the season.
Mason Vinyard contributed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, and Kade Bragg (S, 1) worked a spotless ninth to finish off the combined three-hit shutout. It was Pensacola’s first shutout win of the season, and their first 1-0 win since August 1, 2025.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Trash Pandas, and their longest homestand of the season, on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer