Florida Gas Prices Decline For 10th Straight Week, AAA Says
August 22, 2022
Florida gas prices fell an average 11 cents per gallon last week. The state average has now declined for 10 consecutive weeks, dropping a total of $1.36 per gallon since mid-June.
Sunday’s state average price for gasoline was $3.54 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since March 1.
The average in Escambia County was $3.46. Sunday night, a North Escambia low of $3.26 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a low price of $3.21 a gallon could be found in Pensacola.
“Gas prices are still falling, but not quite as fast as they did in recent weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The state average was previously declining at a rate of 15-17 cents per week. Last week, however, the state average dropped 11 cents. This could be a sign that pump prices could soon begin to level out. Oil prices are currently trading at levels we saw in February, before Russia invaded Ukraine. During that time, the state average was in the $3.40s, which could be where pump prices eventually plateau.”
González Grand Slam Leads Blue Wahoos To Doubleheader Split
August 22, 2022
After a rain-filled weekend, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos wrapped up their series against the Mississippi Braves with a doubleheader split on Sunday afternoon. Game one saw the Blue Wahoos prevail 7-3 in eight innings, while the Braves held on for a 4-3 win in game two.
In game one, A.J. Ladwig (W, 7-3) squared off against Mississippi starter Roddery Muñoz. Neither team scored until Thomas Jones blasted a solo homer in the sixth to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead. Ladwig was one out away from a seven-inning complete game shutout before Riley Delgado hit an RBI single in the seventh to force an extra eighth inning.
Jones delivered again with a go-ahead RBI double against Justin Maese (L, 1-6). Nasim Nuñez added some insurance with an RBI infield single to stretch the lead to 3-1 before Norel González capped a six-run frame with a mammoth grand slam to right-center field. Justin Evans allowed a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, but struck out Jordan Cowan to end the game.
In game two, Jefry Yan (L, 1-4) struggled as the first of four Pensacola pitchers in a bullpen game. Drew Lugbauer hit a long two-run homer in the first, and Jalen Miller followed with a two-run single in the second to put Mississippi ahead 4-0.
The Blue Wahoos managed just one run in six innings against Mississippi starter Nolan Kingham (W, 1-0), but put up a fight against Justin Yeager (S, 4) in the seventh and final inning. Marcus Chiu hit a two-run homer, his first at the Double-A level, to draw the score to 4-3 before Kingham secured the final out.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game home series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
Written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Falls Slightly
August 21, 2022
Escambia County unemployment decreased slightly last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.9% in July, down from 3.1% in June. That represented 4,489 people out of work out of a county workforce of 152,204. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, or 7,171 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area’s private sector employment increased by 4.2 percent over the year, representing 6,800 jobs gained. The local industries gaining the most jobs over the year were professional and business services, increasing by 2,300 jobs, and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,300 jobs.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were professional and business services (+2,200 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+2,000 jobs).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in July 2022, down 0.1 percentage point from the June 2022 rate, and down 1.8 percentage points from a year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July.
Century Native Serving Aboard USS The Sullivans
August 21, 2022
Lt. Amanda Sutherland, a native of Century, is serving aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS The Sullivans (DDG 68).
Sutherland, a 2009 graduate of Northview High School, joined the U.S. Navy because of her family.
“My dad and mom were both in the Navy,” said Sutherland. “They met when they were both stationed in Hawaii. I kind of say that I owe my life to the Navy because without it, they wouldn’t have met.”
According to Navy officials, The Sullivans is named to honor five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together on the USS Juneau during World War II. The Sullivan brothers: George, 28; Francis, 27; Joseph, 24; Madison, 23; and Albert, 20; lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. They were adamant about serving together in spite of the Navy wartime policy to separate family members. This was the greatest military loss by any one American family during World War II.
The Sullivans is currently undergoing a routine maintenance period after completing a seven-month global deployment where they participated in multinational operations and joint training exercises with international partners to foster positive relationships while ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security.
Pictured: Lt. Amanda Sutherland .U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jahlena Royer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Horse Rounded Up By County Livestock Officer Is Back Home
August 21, 2022
There’s a little good news to report today about a wayward horse rounded up last Sunday near Walnut Hill. It has now been reunited with its rightful owner.
The brown and white paint gelding horse was found running loose in the 3800 block of Howell Road just west of Highway 97.
The horse was picked up by the Escambia County livestock officer with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Carpet Drive In Atmore Closes Monday For Railroad Spur Construction
August 21, 2022
Carpet Drive in Atmore will close Monday for the construction of a new railroad spur.
The closure is immediately west of Swift Mill Drive.
To access Masland Carpets, Coastal Growers and the surrounding area, motorists should use Highway 31 and Industrial Drive.
A reopening date has not been announced.
The $3 million railyard project will support the existing Coastal Growers peanut processing plant, along with other existing and potential new industries in the Atmore Industrial Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Make It Three Times In Five Days: Blue Wahoos Rained Out Again
August 21, 2022
For the third time in five days, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves were postponed due to rain and wet grounds at Trustmark Park on Saturday night. Originally scheduled as a doubleheader to make up Friday’s rainout, one of Saturday’s games will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday while the other will be canceled.
No Injuries In Three Pickup Crash At Highway 95A And Neal Road
August 20, 2022
There were no injuries reported in a three-pickup crash late Saturday morning at Neal Road and Highway 95A.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Charged With Murder After Woman’s Body Discovered
August 20, 2022
An Alabama man is charged with murder after a missing person report led to the discovery of a woman’s body.
William Joseph Everett, age 50 of East Brewton, is charged with murder for the death of 51-year old Elisha Michelle Jordan.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said his department responded to the 300 block of Travis Road in connection with the report of a possible missing person.
“Deputies found a large amount of blood inside, consistent with a crime scene,” Jackson told NorthEscambia.com.
Everett was taken into custody on an unrelated outstanding warrant and taken in for questioning. Deputies executed a search warrant and worked to locate the victim.
As he was being questioned, Everett confessed to the murder. He stated that he placed Jordan’s body on the back of his truck after he choked her to death. Everett went on to state that he drove her to a secluded area off of Dixon Nursery Road and dumped her body in a ravine.
That led to the discovery of Jordan’s body on a dirt road on hunting club property off Dixon Nursery Road.
The sheriff said Jordan had reportedly been living with Everett for about two weeks.
Everett remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center where he will be held without bond until his trial.
Escambia County IT Director Bart Siders Resigns
August 20, 2022
Escambia County’s information technology director has resigned.
Bart Siders submitted his letter of resignation, according to a social media post from Commissioner Doug Underhill.
The reason for his resignation and the effective date were not available Friday evening.
Siders joined Escambia County in October 2019. Before the county, he worked as Gulf Power IT technology leader with NextEra Energy.