Florida Gas Prices Continue Downward Slide
July 25, 2022
Florida gas prices dropped an average of 17 cents per gallon last week. It was the largest weekly decline since gas prices began falling six weeks ago.
The state average has now declined a total of 79 cents per gallon, since setting a new record high of $4.89 per gallon in mid-June. he cost to fill an average 15-gallon tank of gas has declined nearly $12 since then.
The lowest price Sunday night in Cantonment was $3.74 per gallon at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a low of $3.54 could be found in Pensacola at the warehouse clubs and $3.57 at several Nine Mile Road stations.
“Gas prices continue their downward march, after another week of losses in the oil market and underwhelming gasoline demand figures,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
Biloxi Shuckers Take Series Finale Over Wahoos
July 25, 2022
The Blue Wahoos two-run lead Sunday was short-lived, after the Biloxi Shuckers answered in the fourth inning against pitching star Eury Perez and went on for a 7-3 victory to take the weekend series at MGM Park.
The Shuckers took the series 2-1.
The Blue Wahoos will next face the Mississippi Braves, the Southern League’s top team in the second half, when beginning a six-game homestand against the M-Braves at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Tuesday night.
10-Year Old Bicyclist Passes Away After Being Hit By Pickup In Cantonment
July 24, 2022
A 10-year old bicyclist passed away after being hit by a pickup truck Saturday in Cantonment.
The young boy was struck at Bentley Oaks Drive and Highway 297A about 6:20 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a pickup driven by a 31-year old Pensacola man was traveling south on Highway 297A. The boy was traveling east on Bentley Oaks Drive when he entered Highway 297A in front of the pickup truck.
Photos: Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click enlarge.
Palafox Street To Be Closed Monday, Tuesday Near Highway 29
July 24, 2022
Southbound Palafox Street will be closed Monday and Tuesday from Saint John Street to Highway 29 (near Pensacola Christian College).
During the closure, Palafox Street southbound traffic will be detoured to Airport Boulevard to access Highway 29. Signs will mark the detour.
The temporary closure will allow crews to perform widening and drainage work for the Highway 29 improvement project.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Jubilee Church Helps Hundreds At Back To School Giveaway
July 24, 2022
With back to school just around the corner, Jubilee Church worked Saturday to make sure hundreds of students were equipped with what they need for a successful school year.
Jubilee Church and community partners distributed 1,250 backpacks with school supplies, hygiene products and snacks. Local stylists and barbers provided 102 free haircuts for the children, and 35,000 pounds was distributed to the community.
“All of the backpacks were given away in less than an hour and a half,” said Julia Maderia of Jubilee Church.
“Even when it began to rain our volunteers were able to take boxes of food to people’s cars,” she added.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Jumps By More Than Half A Point
July 24, 2022
Escambia County unemployment increased at more than half a point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.1% in June, up from 2.5% in May. That represented 4,655 people out of work out of a county workforce of 151,392. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 5.2%, or 7,506 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area’s private sector employment increased by 5.5 percent over the year, representing 8,800 jobs gained. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 9,773 jobs, a 4.2 percent increase over the year
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 2.8 percent in June 2022, down 0.1 percentage point from the revised May rate. . The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in June.
Pensacola Red Hotts Win League World Series
July 24, 2022
The Pensacola Red Hotts 15U recreation softball team won the All American Youth Sports World Series recently at the Gulfport (MS) Sportsplex. The team went undefeated during the tournament.
The Pensacola Red Hotts’ home park is NEP.
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DeSantis Appoints Cantonment Man As First Circuit Judge; Woman To Escambia Court
July 24, 2022
Gov. DeSantis has appointed a Cantonment man as a First Circuit Court judge and a Pensacola woman to the county court.
Randall “Todd” Harris of Cantonment was appointed to serve as judge on the First Judicial Circuit Court. Harris is a partner at Fleming, Harris, Bond, Bush & Associates, PLLC. Previously, he worked at McDonald Fleming, LLP for nine years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and his law degree from Florida State University. Harris fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael A. Flowers.
Kristina “Tina” Lightel of Pensacola was appointed to serve as judge on the Escambia County Court. Lightel is an assistant regional counsel in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Previously, she worked as an attorney for the Department of Children and Families and as an assistant state attorney in the First Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Alabama. Lightel fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Amy Brodersen.
Courtesy photo.
Wahoos Beat Biloxi 7-5 Saturday Night
July 24, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Biloxi Shuckers 7-5 Saturday night.
Thomas Jones went 2-4 with a homer, RBI and two runs for the Wahoos. Victor Mesa was 2-4 with an RBI and two runs.
Zach McCambley earned the win for the Wahoos, allowing six hits and striking out four.
Escambia Man Guilty Of Shooting And Killing His Stepson
July 23, 2022
An Escambia County man was found guilty Friday of shooting his stepson in December of 2020 off Kingsfield Road.
James Isiah Blackmon, Jr., 56, was convicted of second degree murder for the death of Christopher Roan, his stepson, and attempted first degree murder of Samantha Noble, Roan’s girlfriend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the home on Packwood Drive, just off East Kingsfield Road, to find Blackmon’s wife standing on the front porch of the home and stating that her son was dead and her husband had fled the scene.
Deputies entered the home to find Roan on the floor partially in a hallway with a female witness by his side. He was dead with a gunshot wound to his forehead and multiple gunshot wounds to his torso, according to an ECSO report.
Moments later, deputies were behind Blackmon’s vehicle as it headed back to the scene. Deputies conducted a traffic stop in front of the home (pictured) and took him into custody without further incident. A Smith and Wesson handgun was on the floorboard of the Charger, deputies said.
Blackmon’s attorney argued the shooting was self defense.
His sentencing is set for September 8.
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