Florida Gas Prices Down 21 Cents On Average In Past Two Weeks
June 27, 2022
Florida gas prices declined 14 cents last week. The state average has now been on a two-week streak of declines, falling a total of 21 cents per gallon, since setting a new record high price of $4.89 on June 13, according to AAA.
The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $4.44 per gallon at two stations in Cantonment. A low of $4.22 could be found in Pensacola at the warehouse clubs. On average, local prices were amoung the
“Gas prices are moving in a favorable direction, as millions of Americans prepare to embark on an Independence Day road trip,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Despite the recent declines, gas prices are still likely to be the highest for this holiday in history.”
AAA said the discount at the pump is due to a recent drop in crude oil and gasoline futures prices, which are largely driven by concerns about the economy, following the Fed’s interest rate hike. The U.S. price of oil declined a total of 11% during the past two weeks.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Areas
June 27, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, July 1, and ending 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 4.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, June 28, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. 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 – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Daytime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews install pedestrian fencing.
- The new traffic signals on Cervantes Street at the J Street, L Street, and R Street intersections are now activated.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, June 27 through Thursday, June 30 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (Highway 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of Interstate 10 (I-10) – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews work on sidewalk and curb improvements.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night as crews work on guardrail improvements.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, June 27 as crews place a watermain
- I-10 West bound 7 Exit Off-Ramp Pavement Coring Operations at Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, June 29 through Thursday, June 30 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform pavement coring 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 Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, June 28, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. 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:
- Temporary 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, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from east of Portside Drive to North College Parkway as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities on the outside lane.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard remains open. The closure has been postponed until further notice due to material delays.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Conine Homers Twice For Wahoos In Walk-Off Loss To Biloxi
June 27, 2022
Griffin Conine homered twice and drove in four runs, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t hold an early 8-2 lead in a walk-off 9-8 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday night.
Jefry Yan (L, 1-2) was one out away from his first save in the ninth inning before allowing a walk-off three-run double to Biloxi’s Jason Lopez as the Shuckers won the series four games to two.
Conine’s first homer in the first inning was followed by a three-run second inning in which Norel González and Devin Hairston collected RBI singles. By the time Conine blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning against Biloxi starter Noah Zavolas, the Blue Wahoos led 7-2.
Cody Mincey allowed three runs over 5.0 solid innings for Pensacola, departing with an 8-2 advantage after a José Devers RBI single in the sixth inning. Andrew McInvale worked a clean sixth inning, but Aneurys Zabala allowed three runs in the seventh and Yan came up just short in his bid to lock down a Blue Wahoos win as the Shuckers walked off for the second time in three nights.
The Blue Wahoos end the first half with a 35-29 record, champions of the South Division and playoff bound for the first time since 2019.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin the second half with a six-game home series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash In McDavid
June 26, 2022
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday night in McDavid.
A Kia Optima and Chevrolet pickup truck collided about 9:35 p.m. on Highway 29 at Highway 164.
Two people were transported by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Mobile Home On Roberts Circle
June 26, 2022
Fire damaged a mobile home Saturday night on Roberts Circle, just north of East Roberts Road.
The fire was reported to Escambia County Fire Rescue about 8:55 p.m.
There were no reports of serious injury, and no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Minor Injuries In Highway 97 Crash North Of Molino
June 26, 2022
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle crash Saturday afternoon north of Molino.
The vehicle left the roadway and crashed into heavy brush along Highway 97 near Hendrix Lane. The driver was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Alzheimer’s Education Bill
June 26, 2022
Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted record funding for Alzheimer’s disease as he signed a senate bill to establish the Ramping up Education of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia for You (READY) Act.
Additionally, the Governor announced that the final pillar of the five-part Dementia Action Plan, created in 2019, has been fulfilled with the establishment of the Florida Alzheimer’s Center for Excellence.
The Florida House version of the READY Act was filed by District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman.
“My legislation will require community health clinics across the state to educate their patients on the signs and symptoms of early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as provide them with assistance in finding resources for treatment and care. It is a known fact that the sooner you are diagnosed, the better your future as well as the more prepared your family is to help provide the care, ” Salzman said.
“Supporting Floridians suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia is an important part of supporting our seniors,” said DeSantis. “We are working to make sure that any Floridian suffering from this terrible disease can access resources while also supporting innovative technologies that will open up doors for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in the future.”
The Freedom First budget recently signed by DeSantis includes $52.3 million for the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Program, an increase of $12 million over the previous year. Additionally, $91.7 million is included for the Community Care for the Elderly Program, an increase of $9 million over the previous year. This program assists functionally impaired seniors to remain in the least restrictive, most suitable environment for their needs.
The bill signing took place in Fort Lauderdale.
Pictured: Florida House District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman, left, watches as Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the Ramping up Education of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia for You (READY) Act during a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Youth Football Camp Is Monday And Tuesday
June 26, 2022
The Tate High School kids football camp is coming up Monday and Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. each day.
Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Monday, and the fee is $40 paid by check, cash or card. No experience is needed in this camp for kids 8-13 years old.
The camp will be directed by the Tate coaching staff, assisted by Tate football players. This is an opportunity to work on fundamentals, practice agility, run through drills and learn about being part of a team.
Participants are not required to live in the Tate district.
Pictured: The 2021 Tate football camp. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Weather Late Biloxi Rally In 8-7 Win
June 26, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos withstood a furious late-inning rally on Saturday night, holding on to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 8-7 despite allowing the final five runs of the game.
Jeff Lindgren (W, 2-1) was dependable as always, recording his sixth quality start in eight Double-A appearances this year with 6.0 innings of two-run ball.
The Blue Wahoos had only one hit through the first six innings, but turned a Thomas Jones double into the game’s first run in the third inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Troy Johnston.
Thomas Dillard, Friday’s walk-off hero for Biloxi, evened the score with an RBI single in the bottom of the third, but Lindgren quickly settled into a groove. The righty allowed a career-high nine hits, but all were singles as the game remained tied 1-1 going to the seventh.
Pensacola put up four runs in the top of the seventh against Luis Contreras (L, 1-2) to take a 5-1 lead. Jones brought home Bubba Hollins from first base with his second double of the game, and scored on a J.D. Orr single past a drawn-in infield. Ray-Patrick Didder walked before Orr scampered to third on a wild pitch and scored on a subsequent throwing error. Johnston capped the rally by scoring Didder from third on his second sacrifice fly of the night.
Lindgren departed after allowing a pair of baserunners in the seventh, but Eli Villalobos worked out of the jam with only one inherited run allowed. Villalobos was handed three more runs of support in the eighth thanks to a three-run homer from Norel González, but gave two back in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer from Biloxi’s Nick Kahle.
In the ninth, Dylan Bice surrendered a leadoff homer to Felix Valerio before walking back-to-back batters. Colton Hock (S, 7) entered in a save situation, allowing an RBI double to Cam Devanney and an RBI single to Yeison Coca, but stranded the tying run at third as he worked out of the crisis to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up the first half against the Shuckers on Sunday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
DeSantis Signs ECUA Term Limits Bill
June 25, 2022
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday that establishes term limits for Emerald Coast Utility Authority (ECUA) board members.
“Any person elected to two consecutive full terms as a member of the Board subsequent to July 1, 2021, is not eligible for election to the Board for the next succeeding term,” the bill states. That means in the future, no one can run for more than two consecutive terms on the board.
“The ECUA bill was one of my passion projects from my campaign trail. After knocking 14,000 doors accountability was one of the biggest concerns of constituents,” Rep. Michelle Salzman, bill sponsor, told NorthEscambia.com Friday evening. “Creating a more collaborative relationship with all government agencies was a goal of mine that I knew would address a majority of the issues I heard from folks.
A 2018 grand jury report, which was not made public until September 2020, recommended term limits for ECUA. The grand jury found that a lack of term limits “has created a sense of complacency and has fostered an overreliance on the executive director and attorneys”.
“The grand jury report was a guide to the other actionable steps — which included the suggestion of term limits. Having spoken to thousands of voters, I knew that they wanted term limits as well,” she said.
The bill also creates a faster process for filling any vacant seats on the ECUA board.
On January 20, 2019, District 3 board member Elvin McCorvey passed away at age 74. DeSantis did not appoint anyone until late November 2019 when he named Cedric Alexander to the seat.
Under the bill signed Friday, if the governor fails to make an appointment within 90 days of the vacancy, the chair of the ECUA board will nominate two people from the district with the vacancy as potential replacements. The remaining members, excluding the chair, will select one of the nominees by majority vote.
“We used the opportunity to review many components of the law and were able to update other key components of the bill to help create a more efficient process for things such as filling vacant seats on the board,” Salzman added.