Florida Gas Prices are Slightly Higher Than Last Week, AAA Says
October 27, 2025
Florida gas prices continue to fluctuate, but remain low compared to the rest of the year. Last week, the state average declined 4 cents, increased 9 cents, then declined 3 cents.
Sunday’s state average was $2.92 per gallon. That’s 2 cents more than last week, 7 cents less than last month, 24 cents less than last year.
The state’s lowest priced metro area was Pensacola at an average of $2.67. In North Escambia, a low of $2.46 was available at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Price cycling remains a common occurrence at Florida’s gas pumps,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The good news for drivers is that the higher end of that trend is much lower than it used to be.”
NAS Pensacola Assists Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Non-Mission Essential Personnel Ahead of Hurricane Melissa
October 26, 2025
Approximately 864 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola over the weekend as part of a Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season.
Family members, civilian employees and contractors and pets were all part of the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement, arriving on five different flights, as Hurricane Melissa, potentially a major storm at projected initial landfall in Jamaica with a second landfall anticipated early next week in Cuba, could impact Naval Station Guantanamo Bay operations and could experience significant weather events including downpours, strong winds and storm surge.
“The safety and well-being of our Navy family is always a primary concern,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra ‘Mamasan’ Newman. “The Sailors and civilian employees here are dedicated and adaptable, making sure they accomplish our Navy mission –and right now that’s taking care of our Navy family from Guantanamo Bay.”
This non-mission essential personnel movement will allow Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to minimize operations during the storm and expedite recovery operations after the hurricane has passed. The naval station has an estimated 5,500 personnel and families living and working on the installation.
NAS Pensacola was notified of the non-mission essential personnel movement Oct. 24, and Newman said preparations began instantly. “Our Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) established an Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), and our lodging and dining facilities prepared for the influx of people. The NAS Pensacola team is proud to be part of an operation contributing to the safety and well-being of our service member’s families.”
EFACs are established at specific locations by FFSC’s to provide assistance to service members, their families and other eligible personnel following a large-scale emergency. EFACs provide a wide range of services to military personnel, civilians and their families including counseling, information referral, financial assistance and housing assistance.
NAS Pensacola’s Navy Lodge and Navy Inn provided lodging accommodations for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-essential personnel, and local American Red Cross representatives are also providing assistance.
NAS Pensacola, the only Navy installation in the Gulf with both a deep-water port and active airfield, previously received non-mission essential personnel during 2016’s Hurricane Michael, and also serves as a safe harbor for numerous U.S. Coast Guard and USNS ships during extreme weather situations.
Story by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jon Jezreel Japay Andres.
US Navy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Charged In Accidental Shooting Of 16-Year-Old At Walnut Hill Party
October 26, 2025
A 16-year-old was shot early Sunday in Walnut Hill. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting has been ruled accidental, but the teen who discharged the firearm has been arrested.
The shooting happened around 12:05 a.m. Sunday near South Highway 99 and Morgan Road.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Melony Peterson said the victim was shot by another 16-year-old at a party. The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The victim remains in critical condition.
Late Sunday morning, Peterson said the 16-year-old male who discharged the firearm has been charged with grand theft and possession of a firearm by a minor. She confirmed the shooting is still ruled accidental, and the teen has not been charged in connection with the injury.
The shooting incident remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two-Alarm Fire Damages Commercial Building On Oil Plant Road In Jay
October 26, 2025
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Saturday night commercial structure fire near Jay.
Firefighters from across the area responded to the two-alarm fire on Oil Plant Road in Jay shortly after 9 p.m. The Allentown, Berrydale, Munson, Skyline, and Whiting Field fire departments from Santa Rosa County, Ladder 5 from the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, and the Flomaton Fire Department all responded to the blaze, which heavily damaged a building and at least one vehicle.
Lifeguard Ambulance, Santa Rosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
There were no injuries reported. Additional details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Critically Injured When Vehicle Crashes Into Wooded Area Near Jim Allen Elementary
October 26, 2025
A man was critically injured Saturday when he crashed his vehicle into a wooded area near the intersection of Highway 95A and Eden Lane, near Jim Allen Elementary School.
The 55-year-old man was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with critical injuries to his leg.
His Chevrolet Impala SS came to rest in the wooded area.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
United Way Day Of Caring Makes A Difference At North Escambia Schools
October 26, 2025
Volunteer groups fanned out across Escambia County Friday for the United Way of West Florida’s 32nd Annual Day of Caring.
Day of Caring is a community-wide initiative that connects volunteers and resources with local agencies and schools needing support. In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, hundreds of people worked together to complete all kinds of projects that provide additional capacity to the organizations and institutions that keep our community strong.
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Volunteers and projects in North Escambia included:
- International Paper and Trane Technologies at Jim Allen Elementary School
- Escambia County Corrections at Escambia Westgate School
- Cerex at Lipscomb Elementary School
- ECAT at McArthur Elementary School
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
International Paper and Trane Technologies at Jim Allen Elementary School
Jim Allen Elementary
Jim Allen Elementary
Escambia County Corrections at Escambia Westgate School
Cerex at Lipscomb Elementary School
ECAT at McArthur Elementary School
McArthur Elementary School
McArthur Elementary School
Tate Beta Club Holds Trunk Or Treat For Miracle League Players
October 26, 2025
Saturday, the Tate High School Beta Club held their annual Trunk or Treat for players at the Miracle League of Pensacola on Nine Mile Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Library Holds No-So-Scary Spooky Walk (With Gallery)
October 26, 2025
Kids of all ages entered a world of not-so-scary thrills at the Molino Library’s family friendly Spooky Walk Saturday afternoon.
On the walking track behind the library, attendees wandered through festive stations featuring spooky crafts, zombie bowling, a haunted bean bag toss, and more ghoulishly delightful games.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Improve Tto 8-0 With Dominant Win Over West Virginia State
October 26, 2025
The UWF Argos stayed perfect on the season after a dominant 55-6 win over West Virginia State on Saturday afternoon at PenAir Field.
It was a lopsided victory as UWF, the No. 3 team in the nation, out gained the Yellow Jackets 478-132 in total offense. The Argo defense produced five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception while only allowing an average of 2.8 yards per play to the visitors. WVSU was only 1-of-11 on third down conversions. Leading the stout defense was senior linebacker Ja’Kobe Clinton with nine tackles including three tackles for loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass break up. Chester Fearon recorded his third interception of the season with a pick near midfield in the second quarter.
TJ Lane and the UWF rush offense controlled the contest. The Argos ran the ball 48 times for 268 yards and five scores. Lane had three touchdowns to go with 67 rush yards. Three touchdowns in a game is a new career high for the redshirt sophomore.
The 8-0 Argos have had the best start in program history. Next week the team will head to Delta State for a massive Gulf South Conference showdown between two nationally-ranked teams. Delta State is coming off a 41-38 win over No. 11 West Alabama. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. in Cleveland, Mississippi.
Photo: Elijah Nall/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Woman Faces Drug Charges After Traffic Stop In Atmore
October 26, 2025
A routine traffic stop late Thursday night led to the arrest of a Walnut Hill woman on multiple drug charges in Atmore.
Tracy Showers, 48, was taken into custody after an Atmore Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop near Martin Luther King Drive at approximately 11:15 p.m.
According to Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann, the officer pulled the vehicle over after observing it swerving into the opposing lane of traffic.
During the interaction with Showers, the driver, the officer noted that she appeared to be under the influence and detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. It was also discovered that her driver’s license was suspended. A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle yielded a small amount of crack cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, and various items identified as drug paraphernalia, according to McMann.
Showers was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.