Florida Gas Prices Drop Sharply As Gas Tax Holiday Month Begins
October 3, 2022
Florida drivers began to see sharp drops in prices at the pump over the weekend. The state’s monthlong gas tax holiday started Saturday with a 25.3 cent tax break on each gallon of gasoline.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.26 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since January.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.06. In North Escambia, one Highway 29 station was at $2.83 on Saturday and Sunday, while others were just over $3. In Pensacola, a low of $2.73 could be found at several stations.
“This gas tax builds on the previous downward pressure on pump prices, stemming from global recession concerns and underwhelming fuel demand,” said Mark Jenkins spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices are now beginning to dip below $3 a gallon at various gas stations in the state. While everyone might not be so lucky to see sub-$3 gasoline, all Floridians should expect a sizeable discount this week.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
October 3, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian crossing signals, irrigation system and landscaping.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to adjust manholes, and mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter the following lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.:
- Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operation from the Theo Baars Bridge to Innerarity Point Road as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operations between Doug Ford Road and Bauer Road as crews perform shoulder widening and drainage work.
- Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue and side streets, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
- East Nine Mile Road. (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes will be temporarily closed beginning Tuesday, Oct. 4 to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will now share the roadway
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 7 for construction operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 7 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia And Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices, Pensacola Police Assisting With Ian Recovery
October 3, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office have deployed personnel to assist with Hurricane Ian recovery in hard hit Charlotte County.
The ECSO sent 21 members of their disaster response team along with eight PPD officers. The group will be self-sufficient with their own sleeping quarters, generators, communications equipment, a mobile kitchen unit, refrigeration unit, mobile garage operations, and search and rescue resources.
The SRSO and Gulf Breeze Police Department also deployed personnel and resources over the weekend.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Dead, One Injured In Bellview Ballpark Double Shooting
October 2, 2022
UPDATE: The ECSO is no longer looking for a Nissan Altima, but they are still searching for the suspects.
One person is dead and another was injured after a shooting late Saturday afternoon at the Bellview Ballpark off Longleaf Drive in Escambia County.
A 20-year old male was pronounced deceased at the ballpark, and another adult male was transported to a local hospital.
“There were two males wearing masks that engaged with the individual that right now is deceased. Shots were exchanged,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “I would say that there were dozens of shots being fired.”
The ECSO is currently searching for two suspects in a white Nissan Altima. No further details on the suspects were available.
Simmons said this took place between a football field and baseball field.
“There were games going on; there were a number of people present,” Simmons said. “It a very senseless, careless, just a ridiculous act.”There were dozens of gunshots being fired with children nearby, he added.
The sheriff said it is believed that the deceased individual was targeted, but a motive is not known at this time. Simmons said Saturday’s shooting could be linked to shootings as far back as the murder of Ladarius Clardy in July 2021.
The Bellview Athletic Park is located just west of Longleaf Elementary School and Pine Forest High School.
Pictured: Escambia County EMS at the scene of a shooting Saturday at the Bellview Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
ReImagine Cantonment Blesses Those In Need With Food, Clothing And Hope (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2022
The hearts and lives of hundreds of area residents in need were touched during ReImagine Cantonment at Carver Park on Saturday.
The faith-based event included a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, haircuts and health tests. Absolutely everything was free. There were also free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle. There were also plenty of free hugs and prayers.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
ReImagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and was sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Dry Pattern Continues All Week
October 2, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Update: ECUA Recycling Facility Open After Weekend Fire
October 2, 2022
UPDATE: The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility will be open Monday and will be accepting recyclables on a normal schedule.
Earlier story:
Less than a week after reopening, a fire broke out Friday night at ECUA’s recycling facility, but officials are hoping it will be running on Monday.
The fire was reported about 6:15 Friday in the ECUA Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in what is known as the “plastics bunker”, according to ECUA Public Information Officer Nathalie Bowers. She said smoke and flames were able to reach the presort room above the bunkers through discharge chutes.
The heat triggered just four sprinkler heads, two in the presort room and two above the plastics bunker. Bowers said this helped limit the fire, and Escambia County Fire was able to quickly contain the fire shortly after arrival.
“The machinery had been off since 1:30 pm Friday and there is no machinery or electrical equipment in this bunker area, so the source of the fire is not likely anything related to equipment,” Bowers said. “Due to the mass of melted plastics in the bunker, we were unable to confirm what materials in the plastics bunker caused the fire. This serves as a reminder to our customers that only accepted materials should be placed in their recycling container.”
A preliminary review of the area revealed limited damage to one wall in the presort room, lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles. The sprinkler heads were set to be replaced on Saturday.
“ECUA staff will replace the fixtures, check wiring in this area, and inspect the belt to confirm that there was no damage,” Bowers added. “At this point, we are cautiously optimistic that normal operations will be able to resume Monday and will confirm that after the inspections are completed.”
The recycling facility was closed in June after an equipment failure and just returned to service last Monday, September 26.
In July 2021, a fire damaged the ECUA MRF at the Perdido Landfill in July 2021, shutting down the recycling program until October 2021.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Mobile Command Center Supporting Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts
October 2, 2022
Escambia County’s Emergency Mobile Command Center, nicknamed “THOR,” is supporting Hurricane Ian recovery efforts at an emergency operations center in Tallahassee.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and there are dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas, high resolution cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida’s Minimum Wage Workers Just Got A Raise
October 2, 2022
The second of six yearly increases to Florida’s minimum wage has gone into effect.
The previous minimum wage of $10 per hour increased by $1 to $11 per hour. The rate for tipped workers went from $6.98 an hour to $7.98 per hour.
In November 2020, Florida voters approved changes to the state’s minimum wage, which will gradually increase from $8.65 an hour in 2020 to $15 an hour by September 2026.
The current federal minimum wage, which neighboring Alabama follows, is $7.25 an hour.
Escambia Man Charged With Double Shooting
October 2, 2022
An Escambia County man has been charged in a double shooting Thursday night in Escambia County.
Keenan Antwan Hall, 28, is charged with two counts of first degree attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated battery, multiple weapons offenses and criminal mischief property damage. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
About 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Hall allegedly opened fired from his vehicle into another vehicle on Mobile Highway near Edison Avenue.
Two people were transported to the hospital with injuries, with one of them reportedly suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.