Florida Gas Prices Up 17 Cents Over The Past Week
January 30, 2023
Florida gas prices rose 17 cents per gallon last week, reaching a two month high of $3.58 per gallon on Thursday. That state average then took a minor step back, declining almost 2 cents through the weekend at $3.56.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was one of the lowest in the state at $3.40. The low price Sunday night in North Escambia was $3.35 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, and $3.19 in Pensacola.
“Florida gas prices surged 32 cents per gallon during the past two weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s unusual to see big gains like this in January, but global fundamentals have kept upward pressure on prices at the pump. Oil investors are bullish that global fuel demand will rise now that China, the world’s largest oil importer, is reopening its economy.”
Driver Strikes And Kills Pedestrian On I-10
January 30, 2023
A 50-year old Virginia woman was struck and killed early Sunday on I-10 near Beulah.
The woman was walking on the shoulder near the edge of the roadway on I-10 westbound about two miles from the state line at 3:17 a.m.
An 18-year old female from Gulf Shores was traveling westbound in the outside lane. She “failed to maintain her lane of travel and left the roadway to the right” and her sedan hit the woman, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
The 18-year old and her 19-year old female passenger were not injured.
Further details were not provided.
Deadline Is Tuesday For Discount On Real Estate, Tangible Property Taxes
January 29, 2023
A 2% discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Tuesday, January 31, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
To receive the 2% discount, payments must be:
- mailed with a January postmark;
- left by midnight, January 31 in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
- made online by midnight, January 31, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services. There is no additional fee to pay current taxes by eCheck. Customers who decide to visit tax collector offices can drop off their payment in the drive thru or in a drop box.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Update: ECSO Locates Missing, Endangered Woman Last Seen In Barth Area
January 29, 2023
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says Brandi Gayle Harrell has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered adult missing from the Barth area since last Tuesday.
Brandi Gayle Howard, 31, was last seen about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24 wearing a pink and blue shirt, with white and gray camouflage leggings, and a hat. She was driving a white golf cart in the area of Barth Road and Brickyard Road.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Sheriff Chip Simmons Receives God In Government Award
January 29, 2023
Leaders from across the area gathered Saturday morning at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola for the 46th Annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast.
Sheriff Chip Simmons was named the 2023 recipient of the God in Government Award.
The purpose of prayer breakfast, which transcends denominational and political affiliation, is to encourage moral and spiritual values in government. The breakfast was started by a group of ministers from the Greater Cantonment-Ensley Ministerial Alliance and is today led by a diverse committee that believes in preserving the original mission of encouraging moral and spiritual values in government.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Utility Work Continues Along 10 Mile Road
January 29, 2023
Utility work is continuing along East 10 Mile Road as part of Florida Power & Light’s storm-hardening upgrades.
A contractor is working to move electrical lines to new concrete poles to improve service reliability. Drivers can expect lane closures during the process.
Pictured: A contractor works to move electrical lines to new concrete utility poles along East 10 Mile Road Saturday between North Palafox Street and Chemstrand Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Navarre 8-1, Head To District Title Game (With Photo Gallery)
January 29, 2023
The No. 2 Tate Aggies and the No. 1 Gulf Breeze Dolphins area headed to the 6A District 1 boys soccer championship game.
In a Saturday afternoon semifinal, the Aggies beat Navarre 8-1 at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Senior Caleb Wise had six goals for the day for the Aggies. Jace Fryman and Levi Penfold each added a goal.
The No. 2 Aggies (10-2-3) will face No. 1 Gulf Breeze (17-2-1) for the district title at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
In Saturday afternoon’s other semifinal game, Gulf Breeze defeated No. 4 Pace 4-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Highway 97 Hit And Run Driver; Victim And His Dog Uninjured
January 29, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver following a crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The driver of a 1991 Ford F150 was southbound on Highway 97 turning left onto Greenland Road when his truck was rear-ended about 12:40 p.m., according to reports. The hit and run vehicle was described as a mid-size black truck possibly driven by a white female with black hair. The black truck will likely have front-end damage from running up onto the trailer hitch and bumper of the victim’s truck.
The adult male F150 driver and his dog were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Anyone with information can call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ensley Walmart Evacuated Due To ‘Suspicious Package’; All Clear Given
January 28, 2023
The Walmart on Highway 29 was evacuated Saturday evening due to a suspicious package, and a bomb squad was called out of precaution, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
By 7:30 p.m. the all clear had been given after the package was determined not to be any type of explosive device.
ECSO Sgt. Melony Peterson told NorthEscambia.com that they were called to the store after an “employee observed a suspicious package by the bathroom with batteries taped together sitting in a car seat. So they evacuated everyone out of the store, just being cautious.”
Shoppers said they were instructed to abandon their carts and immediately exit the store.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Car Seats Credited With Saving Infant, Toddler In Bratt Rollover Crash
January 28, 2023
Car seats are being credited with saving two young children in a serious t-bone rollover crash Friday afternoon in Bratt.
The driver of a GMC Yukon was reportedly northbound on North Pine Barren Road when he pulled from a stop sign into the path of a Nissan Rogue that was westbound on Highway 168. The front of the Yukon collided with the passenger side of the Nissan. The Nissan rotated multiple times before rolling over, coming to rest on its roof. The Yukon, which was pulling a utility trailer, crashed into two road signs.
The adult female driver of the Nissan, a 9-month infant and a toddler were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS for evaluation. The driver of the Yukon, a male in his 60s, and his dog were not injured.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol and witnesses, the infant and toddler were restrained in properly installed car seats. Multiple first responders agreed that the car seats saved the children from serious injury.
FHP is continuing their investigation. The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
