Florida Gas Prices Continue Falling, AAA Says
October 2, 2023
Oil prices remain high, yet prices at the pump are falling fast. Florida’s average price for gasoline dropped a dime last week.
The state average has now declined 20 cents per gallon, through the past two weeks. Sunday’s state average was $3.49 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since late July.
In Escambia County the average per gallon was $3.33, the lowest metro region in the state. In North Escambia, a low of $3.15 was available Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3.05 at a station on East Nine Mile Road.
“Gas prices are moving lower, even as the price of oil remains near 2023 highs,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that the summer driving season is over, gasoline demand has declined, but gasoline production is stronger than a year ago. Gasoline futures logged a second-consecutive 18 cent drop, which should signal another round of falling prices at the pump this week.”
The price of oil settled at $90.79 per barrel. That was 1% more than the week before.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Sunday Crash Claims Life Of Cantonment Man
October 1, 2023
A late Sunday morning crash claimed the life of a Cantonment man.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 32-year old man lost control of his 2008 Honda Civic and crashed into a utility pole on Highway 297A south of Corral Drive and County Road 297A. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The pole was completely sheared off by the crash, while the vehicle came to rest close to a nearby structure.
The FHP is investigating but no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Highway 297A wsa closed for hours for the investigation and repairs to the FPL utility pole.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Trooper Locates Missing Teen Walking Alone On Nine Mile At 2:20 A.M.
October 1, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol located a missing juvenile walking alone on Nine Mile Road early Sunday morning.
A FHP trooper on patrol observed a 13-year old boy walking along a dark portion of Nine Mile Road near Stefani Road about 2:20 a.m. The trooper made contact with the child, who said he was a missing child that had run away from home.
After positive identification, the boy was reunited with his father and released into his custody.
The child was previously last seen about 3:40 p.m. Saturday on Rose Avenue., according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Reminder: Breakfast And Lunch Are Free For Every Student At 44 Escambia Schools; Others Must Apply
October 1, 2023
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, regardless of income, this school year at 44 schools in Escambia County. Applications must be submitted for free or reduced price lunches at all other schools.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
Meal applications, or payment, will be required at: Beulah Elementary, Blue Angels Elementary, Cook Elementary, Cordova Park Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, Kingsfield Elementary, Suter Elementary, Brown Barge Middle, Ransom Middle, Tate High and West Florida High. Parents at these schools should plan on providing their child with money for their meals until eligibility is established to avoid creating a deficit in their account. Funds can be added to student accounts online at myschoolapps.com.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and was not related to the pandemic.
Free meal schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Bellview Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- C.A. Weis Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- O.J. Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Beulah Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Workman Middle
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia High
- Northview High
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest High
- Washington High
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
- Acceleration Academy
- Achieve Academy
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Hope Horizon
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Success Academy
Free/reduced meal applications are available here.
Pictured: An Escambia County School lunch. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Recognizes Leaders Of The Month
October 1, 2023
Bratt Elementary School honored their September Leaders of the Month with a pizza party on Friday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida’s Minimum Wage Goes Up $1 To $12 An Hour
October 1, 2023
Florida’s minimum wage increased by $1 — from $11 to $12 per hour — on Saturday.
It’s part of the initiative known as Amendment 2 that was approved by voters in 2020. The $1 raises will continue each year until minimum wage reaches $15 per hour in 2026.
The dollar increase this year will net a minimum wage worker an extra $2,080. A minimum wage worker putting in 40 hours a week without a day off for a year will make $24,960.
The required cash wage for tipped employees increased to $8.98 on October 1.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Molino Library Holds ‘Touch A Truck’ Community Helpers Day
October 1, 2023
The Molino Public Library held a “Touch a Truck: Community Helpers” event Saturday.
Attendees had a chance to get up close a touch trucks from Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service, plus the horses from the Escambia County Mounted Posse.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Applications Being Accepted Now For Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Christmas Assistance
October 1, 2023
Applications are being accepted now for the Salvation Army’s 2023 Angel Tree Christmas Assistance program.
Applications will be accepted online at www.saangeltree.org through October 6.
In person applications will be taken with an appointment at The Salvation Army, 1501 North Q Street. Appointments must be scheduled by call (850) 432-1501; walk ups will not be accepted. Appointments will be available October 2-6 from 9 a.m. until noon.
For requirements, eligibility and other details, click or tap here for more information (pdf).
Century Council Member Named To League of Cities Federal Action Strike Team
October 1, 2023
Century Town Council member Shelisa Abraham Florida League of Cities’ 2023-2024 Federal Action Strike Team (FAST).
FAST members are asked to commit to working closely with Florida’s U.S. senators and members of Congress.
She will attend a meeting later this month in Washington, D.C. Her travel will be funded by the Town of Century.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Jiles Overcomes Low Moment With Record Night In Leading No. 6 UWF Past NGU
October 1, 2023
In a span of 75 seconds Saturday, John Jiles went from the lowest point of UWF’s night to stamping the greatest, single-game receiver performance in Argos football history.
Oh, how they needed it, too.
Jiles willed his way with scoring catches, led sixth-ranked UWF to a fourth-quarter explosion that became a 48-24 victory against North Greenville and continued the Argos’ three-season, unbeaten streak in Gulf South Conference road games.
“This means a lot to me and obviously being back in the Carolinas, coming here, that was special, too,” said Jiles, a senior from Wake Forest, North Carolina, who transferred to UWF this year from Virginia Union.
Before Jiles finished the game with an astonishing 11 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns – the fourth most yards by a receiver in GSC history – he had disaster strike.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jiles had the ball ripped from his arms as he was falling on a third-down conversion catch. North Greenville’s Jerrick Foster then headed the other way on a stunning, 33-yard, strip-and-score fumble return that cut UWF’s once-comfortable lead into 27-24 with 12:42 left in the game.
All the emotion, the momentum was suddenly on the Crusaders’ sideline at North Greenville’s Yount Stadium.
But Jiles instantly made amends. After the ensuing kickoff became a touchback, UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett connected again with Jiles for a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 11:19 remaining.
“That was a very low moment for me and right after that play, I said, well, I’ve got to make a play, I gotta make up for it, I gotta make up for it,” Jiles said. “I kept pounding that in my head and it then presented itself and I just went out made a play.”
Just like that, UWF’s lead was 10 points again. The Argos (4-1) later faced a 3rd-and-10 situation from North Greenville 44. UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles called for a pass that Jarrett beautifully threw to Jiles for a knockout touchdown with 2:44 left.
“It was like the cherry on top… it was great to end the night,” said Jiles, whose record surpassed the 254 receiving yards produced by Quentin Randolph, a Navarre High grad, in the 2019 national championship game.
“I am super excited about those guys,” Nobles said. “I can see that happening and I am not surprised, because they’ve had a great connection all summer.”
The only player in college football this season at all levels with more single-game yards is New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube who produced 295 yards in a game against Central Michigan.
“Guys like John Jiles, Peewee Jarrett and all those wide receivers, the tight ends and running backs… they make my life a lot easier. I’m really excited about this offense,” Nobles said.
A minute later, following UWF’s third defensive interception, the Argos were going to run out the clock when Jalen Bussey busted through a gaping hole and went 57 yards to double the lead and create the final score.
“I am very proud of that O-line,” said Nobles, whose team had 607 yards total offense and average 8.8 yards per-play. “They played very well and our running backs were phenomenal.”
This was among the wildest wins in UWF’s conference road streak. And longest, too, after the game took 3 hours, 33 minutes to complete, because of various reasons.
“I am really proud of how our guys played overall, how our effort was the entire game,” Nobles said. “There are a lot of things we really need to clean up, but we are moving in a really good direction.”
Leading the checklist of clean-up is the multitude of UWF penalties. It has been a season issue.
“We have to get more disciplined,” Nobles said.
The Argos overcame a season-high 17 penalties with big performances from many players. Jarrett followed his strong game a week ago against West Georgia – playing only three quarters that night in a lopsided win – by completing 21 of 33 passes against North Greenville for 419 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.
The running game was led by C.J. Wilson with 68 yards, then Jamontez Woods with 59 yards and Bussey’s two carries that included one to the end zone.
Among Jiles’ receiver supporting cast, Caden Leggett had five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. KJ Franklin had two catches, one for a touchdown.
The Argos defense was led by Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, who had 10 tackles, 7 solo stops. Gael Laurent had nine stops. Quincy Milhomme had two interceptions. Ralph Ortiz had the other interception.
The Argos racked up six quarterback sacks.
After North Greenville drove to the Argos’ 2 yard-line on the game’s opening possession, settling for a field goal, UWF took command of the first half, leading 20-3 at halftime.
Jarrett’s scoring run made it 27-10 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. But the Crusaders answered with two touchdowns in 13 seconds. They finished a 79-yard drive with a touchdown pass, then had the big-play fumble return to produce 14 points.
“We pulled away at the end, but obviously I would have loved for us to start out hotter in the third quarter,” Nobles said. “We played well in the first half, executed the two minute drill and had a chance to get points (before missing field goal).”
The win now leads into a defining October, which begins with UWF’s homecoming game next Saturday against Shorter. The Argos will then play West Alabama and Delta State on the road, before ending the month at home against Valdosta State.
by Bill Vilona