AAA: Florida Gas Prices Are Up Over Last Week
October 6, 2025
“Since the fuel market has been stable, retailers are constantly adjusting prices to attract customers,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “But once those prices fall below a profitable margin, stations raise them again, and the cycle repeats.”
Florida gas prices continue following a familiar pattern of rising and falling through the course of the week. Initially, the state average increased 18 cents per gallon. Through the second half of the week, Florida’s average gas price reversed course, declining by 9 cents per gallon by Sunday, according to AAA.
Sunday’s average across the state was $3.04 per gallon, but $2.80 in Escambia County. In Pensacola, a low of $2.59 was at a station on Airport Boulevard, while in North Escambia, the Sunday night’s low price was $2.67 at a couple of stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Since early September 2024, Florida’s average gas price has consistently bounced between $2.92/g and $3.23/g. The recurring pattern typically involves a gradual decline over 10 days, followed by a sharp rebound to previous levels.
“Since the fuel market has been stable, retailers are constantly adjusting prices to attract customers,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “But once those prices fall below a profitable margin, stations raise them again, and the cycle repeats.”
Century Man Faces Meth Trafficking, Contraband Charges After Chase
October 5, 2025
A Century man with an active warrant saw his desperate attempt to evade the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office end abruptly after a chase, a crash into a tree, a rooftop hideout, and a final takedown by a deputy’s Taser.
The incident began when deputies spotted 35-year-old Terrell Lee Grice driving a silver Kia and recognized him as having an outstanding warrant after fleeing from a narcotics search warrant last week. When they attempted a traffic stop on Twin Oaks Drive, Grice reportedly refused to stop and sped away, leading to a a pursuit.
Grice’s flight ended violently when the Kia crashed into a tree behind an apartment complex off Prieto Drive. Undeterred by the wreck, Grice bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot, scaling a fence and ignoring deputies’ repeated commands to stop.
The ECSO deployed K-9 Gassman, who swiftly tracked the suspect to an unlikely hiding spot: the roof of a nearby building. Grice reportedly jumped off the roof and continued his run, darting into a second apartment complex off Twin Oaks Drive. His short-lived escape concluded there when a deputy spotted him and deployed a Taser.
Once secured, deputies discovered Grice was not only wanted for violation of probation, but his vehicle was also “full of narcotics,” according to the ECSO. The discoveries continued once Grice was booked into the jail, where detention deputies found him in possession of additional marijuana, leading to a charge of introduction of contraband.
In addition to serving the original warrant for violation of probation in a case for possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of a controlled substance, Grice is now facing a significant list of new charges, including:
- Driving while license suspended
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine (189 grams)
- Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (cocaine)
- Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (fentanyl)
- Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
- Failure to obey a law enforcement order to stop
- Obstruction without violence
- Introduction of contraband into a detention facility
“You can run, but you can’t hide—from our deputies, our K-9 partners, or justice,” the ECSO said in a statement.
FHP Arrets 110 Mph ‘Super Speeder’ For DUI On I-110
October 5, 2025
An Escambia County man was arrested on I-10 early Saturday morning for DUI and under Florida’s new “Super Speeder” law.
Zachary Michael Stevens, 28, was driving 110 mph in a 65 mph zone on I-110 in Escambia County around 3:50 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Once he stopped, the trooper noted the odor of alcohol coming from Stevens and observed several open containers in the vehicle.
After an investigation, Stevens was charged with DUI, operating a motor vehicle over 100 mph, and violation of a driver’s license restriction. He was also cited for an open container in the vehicle. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail and released Saturday night on an $1,800 bond.
The new “Super Speeder” law targets those traveling more than 50 miles per hour over the posted limit or exceeding 100 miles per hour overall, with consequences ranging from hefty fines to potential jail time and license suspension.
Lipscomb Elementary Recognizes Special Area Champions
October 5, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School recently recognized their September Special Area Champions. The students were recognized in special areas including, art, music, physical education, and the library. Photo for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 95A Rollover Crash
October 5, 2025
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash on Highway 95A in Cantonment on Saturday.
The crash happened north of East Kingsfield Road, near The Happy Taco and involved a car and a pickup truck. The truck came to rest on its roof in a vacant lot adjacent to the restaurant parking lot.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating; troopers have not released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
I-10, I-110, 29, 99 — Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
October 5, 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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing, from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291) – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on I-10, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 9, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for drainage improvements and milling and paving operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions, as crews perform drainage improvements:
- An outside lane closure on the I-10 westbound ramp to access I-110 southbound (Exit 12).
- Shoulder closures on the I-110 northbound on-ramp from Cervantes Street (U.S. 90), Sunday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 9, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Oct. 5, 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 Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Oct. 5, drivers traveling S.R. 292 from Gulf Beach Highway (County Road (C.R.) 292A east) to Manchester Street may encounter nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing work. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and Patton Drive, with all lanes shifted south. Signage is in place to guide drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 9, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I-110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, Oct. 5, 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 south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for stormwater management upgrades. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at C Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- S.R. 99 (Beulah Road) Resurfacing from U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) to Isaacs Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 9 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for concrete work and shoulder stabilization operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – The week of Monday, Oct. 6, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Interstate Circle at Eight Mile Creek, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for construction activities. Traffic flaggers will be on site to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 9, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. 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 from Sunday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 10:
- On U.S. 29, between Diamond Dairy Road and Broad Street, crews will be working intermittently in the median area of the roadway. Drivers are urged to use caution.
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
- 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.
- I-10 Resurfacing from East of Shoal River Bridge to West of S.R. 285 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Thursday, Oct. 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for paving operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Sunday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 9, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
o Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
o Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 10.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Argos Use Late 4th Quarter Drive To Stay Perfect On The Season
October 5, 2025
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – When the Argos needed to put together its best offensive drive of the game, it produced, leading to a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. UWF would hold that lead to earn a 31-24 win over Northeastern State and move to 5-0 on the season.
West Florida took control of the ball with just over eight minutes remaining in the game after Northeastern scored on a 77-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 24-24. The Argos proceeded to go on a seven play, 84-yard drive for a touchdown while also chewing up four minutes of play clock.
Quarterback Marcus Stokes completed back-to-back first down passes with one going 14 yards to Mikaiah Stephenson followed by a 12-yard pass to Corey Scott. TJ Lane then broke a 37-yard run to get the Argos into the redzone. Stokes capped off the important drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Stephenson.
Stokes finished the game going 26-of-37 for 332 yards and four touchdowns.
FIRST HALF
UWF scored all 17 of their first half points in the second quarter. Northeastern was the first to score late in the first quarter. On the first drive of the second quarter Stokes connected with Tyree Holloway on a 46-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. The Argo defense then forced a turnover on downs with two straight tackles for loss when the Riverhawks needed just a yard for the first down.
A key component to the win on Saturday was the UWF rush defense which allowed no rushing yards for the hosts. NSU had 17 rush attempts for 0 yards on the day.
After the fourth down stop the Argos used the positive field position to punch in another touchdown with tight end Jake Robinette catching a 10-yard pass for the TD.
The Riverhawks had the answer with a long touchdown pass to tight end Cam Woods to tie the game. Woods led the home team with three touchdowns.
Both teams in their final possessions of the half converted on a field goal to leave the game tied 17-17 heading into the halftime break.
SECOND HALF
With the teams going punch-for-punch it was the Argos special teams that made the big play early in the fourth quarter.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Riverhawks began the fourth quarter in UWF territory and lined up for a field goal to take a 20-17 lead. Chester Fearon was able to get a hand on the 43-yard kick giving the Argos the ball back at their own 26-yard line.
The UWF offense responded with a go-ahead touchdown on a 23-yard pass from Stokes to Holloway. It was his second receiving touchdown of the day.
Following the game-winning drive by the Argos the Riverhawks had just over four minutes to produce a tying drive. But it was Fearon who stepped up again with an interception at the goal line.
NSU forced a quick stop on the defense forcing UWF to punt with less than a minute remaining in regulation. Punter Michael Shine delivered a 54-yard punt to pin the Riverhawks back in their own territory. Walker Robinson gave the final blow with an interception to close out the game.
KEY PERFORMANCES
Marcus Stokes went 26-of-37 for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns
TJ Lane rushed for 88 yards on 14 attempts
Tyree Holloway had 5 receptions for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns
Corey Scott led the team with 9 catches (96 yards)
Ja’Kobe Clinton led the team with 10 tackles including 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also added a pass breakup.
Chester Fearon had a kick block and an interception
Walker Robinson made 5 tackles and had an interception
Brogan Woeber was 4-for-4 on XP and made a 21-yard kick
Tyler Patterson had 5-of-6 kickoffs for a touchback
Michael Shine had 3 punts for an average of 47 yards
UP NEXT
The 5-0 Argos will be back at home on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. for a homecoming game against Chowan.
ECSO Speed Enforcement On Highway 97 Goes High Tech, Data Driven
October 4, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing speed enforcement efforts on Highway 97, including the return of data-collecting speed detection trailers they were forced to quit using.
It’s all part of Sheriff Chip Simmons’ push to use technology and data to solve issues across the county, Chief Deputy Andrew Hobbs said recently.
The trailers display the speed limit and the speed of passing vehicles, complete with small flashing red and blue LED lights to attract driver attention. But there’s much more going on, Hobbs said. The trailers collect data including the speed and direction of passing traffic, allowing the ECSO to concentrate enforcement efforts during the time periods needed.
“We are not just sending deputies out there, we are sending them out there during the time when the traffic violations are occurring and maximizing manpower,” the chief deputy said. “Sometimes drivers are not really speeding, but they are crossing over the centerlines and making other traffic flow violations. We look at what’s going on in an area.”
The ECSO was forced at one time to remove the speed detection trailers from the right-of-ways on state roads, but that issue has been solved and the ECSO trailers have returned to state roads. Hobbs credited new Century Town Administrator Dave Murzin, for making contact with FDOT to facilitate action on the issue.
“We are once again partnering with FDOT on these trailers we were unable to use before, and we are able to do as much as we can with the resources we have,” he said.
In addition to deputies that work in the local precincts, the chief deputy said the ECSO Traffic Unit is periodically patrolling Highway 97 from Highway 29 in Molino to the Alabama state line in Davisville.
Highway 97 has been the site of numerous serious traffic crashes and fatalities. A fatality occurred just before 7 a.m. on September 12 on Highway 97, and a two-vehicle crash about an hour later, and about 3.5 miles south on Highway 97, injured two people. There was also a five-vehicle wreck with multiple injuries that occurred in August on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Held For New We Care Thrift Store In Atmore (With Gallery)
October 4, 2025
The ribbon was cut on Friday morning for a new We Care Thrift Store in Atmore, which benefits prison ministry programs across the area.
We Care’s three thrift stores fund the We Care Program in-prison ministries in Alabama, Florida and Ohio, including Holman and Fountain correctional facilities in Atmore, and the Century and Santa Rosa correctional institutions in Century and East Milton.
The Atmore We Care Thrift Store is located on Highway 21 at Northgate Drive, across from Hendrix Tractor and just over two miles north of the former store location in downtown Atmore. The brand-new 21,000-square-foot building includes a dedicated donation and sorting area and 10,000 square feet of retail space.
The thrift store offers a variety of merchandise, including a wide selection of clothing, household items, electronics, and furniture. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The former downtown Atmore We Care location, which opened in 1989, closed on September 27. We Care’s other stores have been located in Monroeville since 2002 and Flomaton since 2008.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Slip To Baker 22-19 (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2025
The undefeated Baker Gators got past the Northview Chiefs 22-19 Friday night in Baker.
Tyson Phifer, Easten Odom, and Nate Duffy each had touchdowns for the Chiefs. Northview also had big interceptions from Caleb Levins and Phifer (pictured above).
With the loss, the Chiefs fell to 1-5. Baker improved to 7-0, a feat the Gators had not accomplished since they won the 1A state championship in 2020.
For a photo gallery, click here.
*Look for cheerleader, band and fan photos by Tuesday.
While they fell short of the win, Northview head coach Doug Vickery said he was proud of the performance from the Chiefs.
“I”m proud of these guys; the effort was really, really good,” Vickery said. “They just haven’t given up all year and just continue to play hard –the resiliency is there. I hate it for them, I wish we could have pulled one out, and it’s been several close ones, a play here, a play there. We’ve just got to learn how to finish it.”
Next week, the Northview Chiefs will host the Jay Royals in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt. Coming off a 47-7 win over Central on Friday night, Jay is 2-4 on the season.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
