Florida Gas Prices Reach Six-Week Highs
February 2, 2026
Florida gas prices climbed again last week, according to AAA. The state average increased 9 cents per gallon, hitting a weekly high of $2.93 per gallon on Friday. While prices dipped slightly heading into the weekend, motorists are still paying the highest pump prices seen in the past six weeks.
Despite the recent uptick, Florida drivers are still paying less than they did a year ago. Sunday’s state average of $2.91 per gallon is 5 cents more than last week, 5 cents more than last month, and 17 cents less than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average was $2.66 per gallon.
“Florida gas prices are inching higher as global oil markets react to geopolitical tensions, tightening fuel supplies, and growing optimism about future fuel demand,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “These factors have pushed oil and gasoline futures upward, and when combined with Florida’s normal pattern of price cycling, they’ve contributed to the recent uptick at the pump.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Escambia County Tax Preparers Indicted In Fraudulent Tax Return Scheme
February 2, 2026
Two Escambia County tax preparers are facing federal charges for an alleged fraudulent tax return scheme.
D’ontrinique K. Johnson, formerly known as D’ontrinique K. Wilkerson, 30, and Tequilla D. Nairn, formerly known as Tequilla D. Robinson, 37, were indicted in federal court for one count of conspiracy to aid or assist in preparation of false tax returns and to steal government money and three counts of filing false tax returns. Nairn has additionally been charged with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of wire fraud. Both are set for trial in March.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count and up to three years’ imprisonment for each count related to filing a false tax return.
If convicted, Nairn faces up to five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count, up to three years’ imprisonment for each count related to filing a false tax return, a mandatory consecutive two years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the wire fraud count.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
Escambia County Set To Move Forward On Robinson Street Paving In Cantonment
February 1, 2026
Escambia County is set to pave the dirt portion of Robinson Street in Cantonment.
On Thursday, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider a design and engineering services contract for $214,000 to Panhandle Engineering.
The design will include roadway realignment and drainage system on the unpaved portion of Robinson Street. The existing dirt road begins at Taylor Street and continues about three-quarters of a mile.
The county intends to acquire 50 feet of right of way to construct a 24-foot wide roadway with a drainage system. The north end will have a 90-foot diameter asphalt turnaround within a 100-foot diameter right of way. Realignment of Robinson Street at Taylor Street is proposed to align the roadway with the current paved portion of Robinson Street.
The design and engineering services for the project should be complete within one year, and there’s not yet a timetable for construction.
Funding of the project will come from Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
NorthEscambia.com graphic and image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trinity Barnett Named Escambia County Public Schools Teacher Of The Year
February 1, 2026
Trinity Barnett has been name the Escambia County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Barnett (pictured above) is an art teacher at Blue Angel Elementary School.
Each Teachers of the Year from school across Escambia County were also honored, amd they are listed below. The five finalists are highlighted in bold.
- Jim Allen Elementary – Michelle (Shelly) Helton
- Bellview Elementary – Teswanna Johnson
- Beulah Elementary – Shelly Mitchell
- Blue Angels Elementary – Trinity Barnett
- Bratt Elementary – Angela Stuart
- Brentwood Elementary – Sarah Long
- Hellen Caro Elementary – Lori Walsh
- N. B. Cook Elementary – Megan Habayeb
- Cordova Park Elementary – Brittany Foster
- Ensley Elementary – Susannah Wright
- Ferry Pass Elementary – Nikki Cole
- Global Learning Academy – Whitney Osborne
- Holm Elementary – Etter Wright
- Kingsfield Elementary School – Melissa Venable
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Ashley Phillips
- Lipscomb Elementary – Courtney Geiger
- Longleaf Elementary – Gena Keszthelyi
- McArthur Elementary – Laura Sellers
- Molino Park Elementary – Chad Hetherington
- Montclair Elementary – Felicia Hudson
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Brigit McAroy
- Navy Point Elementary – Jana Arnett
- Oakcrest Elementary – John Herber
- Pine Meadow Elementary – Tara Garic
- Pleasant Grove Elementary – Carol Larsen
- Scenic Heights Elementary – Amanda Pinckard
- O.J. Semmes Elementary – Jessica Zent
- Sherwood Elementary – Bridget Wakeman
- A. K. Suter Elementary – Juliana Barrett
- Warrington Elementary – Christina Myers
- C. A. Weis Elementary – Julia Hodo
- West Pensacola Elementary – Debra Jewell
- Bailey Middle School – Cameron Peters
- Bellview Middle – Clareta Broadnax
- Beulah Middle – Kenneth Atkinson
- Brown Barge Middle – John Blackwelder
- Ernest Ward Middle – Megan Bryan
- Ferry Pass Middle – Velvet Kalber
- Ransom Middle – Holly Kendrick
- Workman Middle – Quintarries Upshaw
- Escambia High School – Kristy Davis
- Northview High School – Brandon Korinchak
- Pensacola High School – Lora Fairhurst
- Pine Forest High School – David Dawson
- Tate High School – Richard Coleman
- Washington High School – Kathryn Cody
- West Florida High School – Tyler Mertz
- Alternative Education – Adam Stumpf
- Beulah Academy of Science – Molly Villanueva
- Achieve Academy – Brenda Baldwin
- Success Academy – Gregory Steen
- Escambia Virtual Academy – Tristan Harris
- Escambia Westgate – Kimberly Ripley
- ESE – Joyce “Kelton” Boykin
- Hope Horizon – Tara Hagan
- George Stone Technical College – Maria Moultrie
- Pensacola Beach Charter – Kimberley Talbert
Northview Lady Chiefs Softball Announces Rosters For The Upcoming Season
February 1, 2026
Northview Lady Chiefs Softball has announced its varsity and junior varsity rosters for the upcoming season.
They are:
Varsity
- Addyson Bolen
- Riley Brooks
- Bailey Burkette
- Amanda Fernandez
- Aubrey Hadley
- Kylee Langham
- Mikayla McAnally
- Day Randolph
- Avery Stuckey
- Peyton Womack
- Brooklyn Allen (V/JV)
- Presley Davey (V/JV)
- Kiley Webb (V/JV)
Junior Varsity
- Brooklyn Allen
- Alexa Beasley
- Brooklyn Bowen
- Presley Davey
- Sophia Ikner
- Katie Jones
- Natalie Morales
- Chloe Satterwhite
- Braylan Tuner
- Kiley Webb
- Kinley White
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Alabama Sex Offender Charged Traveling To Escambia, FL, To Entice A Minor For Sex
February 1, 2026
An Alabama sex offender has been indicted on a federal charge for allegedly attempting to entice a minor for sex in Escambia County, Florida.
David A. Girard, 70, of Robertsdale, Alabama, was indicted on a charge of attempted enticement of a minor and traveling in interstate commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The indictment also charges enhanced penalty provisions because Girard is a registered sexual offender based upon prior sex offense convictions in 2009. If convicted, Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’, and up to life, imprisonment.
Girard is scheduled for trial before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on March 2.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, US Customs and Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Christopher C. Patterson.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
EREC Crew Members Continue To Help Restore Power In North Mississippi
February 1, 2026
The crews from the Escambia River Electric Cooperative are continuing to work in North Mississippi to help restore power after an ice storm over a week ago.
EREC is among the cooperatives providing mutual aid to other electric cooperatives in the area. Crews have been working in temperatures in the teens and subzero wind chills.
For additional photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back To Beat Marksmen (With Gallery)
February 1, 2026
The Ice Flyers bounced back in spectacular fashion on Saturday night, defeating the Fayetteville Marksmen 4-3 in front of a roaring crowd of 7,090 at the Hangar for Mardi Gras Night.
The Marksmen struck first when former Ice Flyer Sam Dabrowski opened the scoring. Captain Ethan Price responded midway through the first period, tying the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission. Marcus Fechko gave Fayetteville the lead with the lone goal of the second period, putting the Ice Flyers in a 2-1 hole entering the final frame.
The third period belonged to Pensacola. Mike Moran, Zack Bross, and Tim Faulkner each found the back of the net, propelling the Ice Flyers to a 4-2 lead. Trey Fechko brought the Marksmen within one at 4-3, but the Ice Flyers held strong to secure the victory and avenge Friday night’s loss.
The Ice Flyers return to action next week for Adult Jersey Giveaway Night.
Molino Man Arrested For DUI On I-110, Cocaine Possession
January 31, 2026
A Molino man was arrested by a state trooper on multiple charges after a traffic stop on I-110 in Pensacola.
Stephen Raye Simonds, 36, was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), refusal to submit to DUI testing, marijuana possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released on a $6,000 bond.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper observed a 1993 Chevrolet pickup truck on I-110 that was traveling at about 40 mph, failing to maintain a single lane, and sometimes stopping on the interstate.
Simonds failed DUI field exercises and was taken into custody before providing two breath samples of 0.037 alcohol levels, according to an arrest report. He then refused to provide a urine sample for controlled substance testing.
The trooper reported finding baggies with one gram of cocaine and 7.5 grams of marijuana in the vehicle.
The incident occurred on Christmas Day, but the arrest report was just released. Simonds has since entered a not guilty plea and is set to appear in court in March.
Escambia Animal Shelter Now Open On Sundays; Free Adoptions This Sunday
January 31, 2026
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center will open on Sundays, beginning this Sunday, February 1. Sunday hours will be 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
To celebrate the new expanded hours, adoption fees will be waived on all cats and dogs at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center this Sunday, February 1. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
Adoption fees will also be waived during the Pensacola Paw-di Gras event, taking place Sunday, February 1 from noon to 4 p.m. on Garden Street in Downtown Pensacola. The event features pet adoptions, a pet parade and costume contest, food trucks, vendors, and more.
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 Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
Pictured above: Bisbee the dog, a mixed breed male, and Bella the cat, a 4-year-old domestic shorthair. Both were available for adoption as of Saturday morning at the Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.