Florida Gas Prices Slip; 2021 Had The Highest Annual Average In Seven Years
January 3, 2022
After a year mostly characterized by rising gas prices, 2021 ended with prices slowly moving lower. Florida gas prices slipped a couple of cents over the past two weeks, averaging $3.21 per gallon.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County ws $3.13. In North Escambia, a low of $2.92 could be found at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, while the warehouse clubs in Pensacola were at $2.87.
In 2021, Florida gas prices averaged $2.93 in 2021, the highest annual average in seven years.
“Since it began, the pandemic has caused a rollercoaster ride for prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices plummeted in 2020 when lockdowns led to lower fuel demand, causing a glut in global fuel supplies. As a result, many countries cut back on crude production, leaving the market vulnerable to what would happen next. In 2021, vaccinations rolled out and demand came roaring back much faster than oil production. As a result, fuel prices skyrocketed to levels not seen in seven years.
“For now, it appears these higher gas prices will hang around well into 2022,” Jenkins continued. “Motorists should expect continued volatility at the pump, as prices will likely ebb and flow, based on news about the pandemic and its implications on global supply and demand.”
In 2021, the average price for gasoline in Florida started at a low of $2.19 per gallon and reached a high of $3.36 per gallon (November 19). That high was well beyond the highs of $2.56 (2020), $2.80 (2019), and $2.92 (2018).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Louis Street In Cantonment Expected To Be Closed Two More Weeks
January 2, 2022
Louis Street in Cantonment is expected to remain closed for another couple of weeks.
Louis Street (Highway 297A) was closed in the area of Washington Street and Lincoln Street on November 15. Instead of reopening by mid-December as first announced, Escambia County says the road will be closed until January 16, 2022.
Work was delayed due to utility issues during installation of the storm and water lines. Construction work includes installation of a stormwater pipe, other drainage structures and widening along the west southbound travel lane on Louis Street.
Local traffic is being detoured in the surrounding neighborhood. All other through traffic should continue to use County Road 97 between Muscogee Road and Kingsfield Road.
Pictured: Recent construction work on Louis Street on the north side of the Washington Street intersection. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cindy Speed Is Beulah Middle’s Teacher Of The Year
January 2, 2022
Cindy Speed was named the Beulah Middle School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After A Holiday Break, Road Construction Lane Closures Return Monday
January 2, 2022
After a holiday break that started December 23, road construction lane closures return Monday morning.
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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 6. 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 will encounter inside lane closures between A and N streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place the thermoplastic striping and to perform worklist items.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 7, as crews place a watermain.
- Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Routine Maintenance at Kaheeley Ridge Subdivision – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 7, as crews perform paving 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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 6. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the County Road 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 6 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing Avalon Boulevard from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Lil Aggies Winter Cheer Clinic Set For January 14
January 2, 2022
The Tate High School Lil Aggies Winter Cheer Clinic will take place on Friday, January 14.
The clinic will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the game will follow at 7:30 p.m. The Lil Aggies cheerleaders will cheer on the Tate varsity boys basketball teams as they take on the Navarre Raiders.
The cost of the event is $40 per athlete, which includes an exclusive Lil Aggies basketball bow, pizza and a drink before the game, and game admission. Registration and payment are due by Monday, January 10th.
Click or tap here for a RSVP form.
Molino Resident Drayton Smith Named Director Of Ministry Village At Olive
January 2, 2022
Molino resident Drayton Smith is the new executive director of the Ministry Village at Olive.
An Escambia County native, Smith grew up in Cantonment. He has served as an associate pastor and lead pastor, and most recently served as the director of major gifts at Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola. Smith will oversee the five programs of Ministry Village at Olive – the Charis House, Tender Hearts Caring Hands, The Most Excellent Way, the Ministry Village Bargain Center, and the Ministry Village Early Learning Center.
Smith said is looking forward to building relationships and sharing the “what” and “why” of Ministry Village with the community.
“When Drayton met with the board, we could sense his passion for serving others and the community. I believe Drayton’s focus on building and cultivating relationships will resonate throughout Ministry Village and our community for years to come,” said Stephen Newsome, board chairman for the Ministry Village.
Drayton and his wife Milissa have five children, one grandson, and two daughters-in-law. They enjoy life on their small Molino farm with their cows, horses, chickens and dogs.
Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. was founded in Pensacola in 2008. The mission of Ministry Village at Olive is to put the words of Jesus into action throughout our community – “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40, NIV)
Pictured: Drayton Smith and his wife Milissa. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Hospital Welcomes New Year’s Baby
January 1, 2022
Escambia County’s New Year’s Baby at West Florida Hospital was Alora Ann who arrived at 1:38 a.m. January 1, 2022.
Born to parents Michael Sanchez and Haylie Luberti, Alora Ann weighed in at 6-pounds, 4-ounces.
and she was delivered by Dr. Jack Ricketts.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are Escambia County’s Teachers Of The Year
January 1, 2022
Escambia County’s Teachers of the Year have been named to represent their respective schools.
Over the past few days we have posted individual stories on several Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area, and we will continue over the next week or so.
One of them will be named the Escambia County School District’s overall Teacher of the year.
The Escambia County Teachers of the Year by school are:
- Achieve Academy — Aarin Phillips Nedd
- Alternative Education — William Broome
- Jim Allen Elementary — Amanda Robar
- Jim C. Bailey Middle — Jessika Brown
- Bellview Elementary — Christina Burson
- Bellview Middle — Dominick Limle
- Beulah Academy of Science — Jessica Lewis
- Beulah Elementary — Kris Lapata
- Beulah Middle School — Cindy Speed
- Blue Angels Elementary — Eunice Angeles
- Bratt Elementary — Mary Rackard
- Brentwood Elementary — Gail Hanson
- Brown-Barge Middle — Angela Nass
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Tammy Robertson
- N. B. Cook Elementary — Mary de Boer
- Cordova Park Elementary — Courtney Lurton
- Ensley Elementary — Iris Jones
- Escambia High — Susan Chambers
- Escambia Westgate — Melissa Caldwell
- Exceptional Student Education — Elizabeth Leonard
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Diondria Bridges
- Ferry Pass Middle — Brittany Wobecky
- Global Learning Academy — Amanda Westbrooks
- Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Lisa Jones
- Hope Horizon — Vivian Gillard
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Jessica Phelps
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Laura Hobbs
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Dustin Brenton
- Longleaf Elementary — Laury Heath
- L. D. McArthur Elementary — Lindsey Jeremiah
- Molino Park Elementary — Jessica Varner
- Montclair Elementary School — Ashley Roache
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Rich Gonzalez
- Navy Point Elementary — Dovennie Day
- Northview High — Jeffrey D. Simpkins
- Oakcrest Elementary — Philip Jones
- Pensacola High — Karen Bruening
- Pine Forest High — Jamiliya McBride
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Christina (Tina) Schlauder
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Amy Urban
- Ransom Middle — Angela Avery
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Janette Calder
- O. J. Semmes Elementary — Rickie Merritt
- Sherwood Elementary — Alicia Smith
- George Stone Technical College — Edward Sizemore
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Alison Link
- Success Academy — Carolyn Dejacimo Pillar
- J. M. Tate High — Karl King
- Ernest Ward Middle — Katie Roley
- Warrington Elementary — Alicia Abbuhl
- Warrington Middle — Caleb Lovely
- Booker T. Washington High — Barbie Spears
- C. A. Weis Elementary — Brianna Cooks
- West Florida High — Laura Rainey
- West Pensacola Elementary — Audra Livingston
- J. H. Workman Middle School — Helene Carrington
Pictured: The Golden Apple Award. File photo.
2022 Begins With 80 Degrees Today, Then Rain, Then Winter Is Back Sunday Night
January 1, 2022
After beginning 2022 with a high around 80 degrees, rain will move in by Saturday Night at Sunday. By Sunday night, our spring-like weather will give way to winter, with lows falling down around freezing for Sunday and Monday nights.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
New Year’s Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 71. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 71. West wind around 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Kevin Brandenburg Named Escambia County Employee Of The Year
January 1, 2022
Kevin Brandenburg is the 2021 Escambia County Employee of the year.
Brandenburg is a fleet management specialist in the Parks and Recreation department. He has worked with Escambia County since June 2014 and was previously selected as employee of the month for April 2021.
As the fleet maintenance specialist, most of Brandenburg’s time is focused on equipment maintenance.
His recent attendance at a school playground installation on behalf of the county has allowed the Parks and Recreation department to install county playgrounds and save money in the department. He is also a leader on an in-house team repairing sports field lighting and installing multiple baseball and football scoreboards across the county. By completing small in-house repairs on various projects, he saves the Parks and Recreation department and the county as a whole thousands of dollars, which in turn can be leveraged and used in various other locations for enhancements and upgrades.
“It is a blessing to have someone who can work together with other departments to complete tasks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. “Kevin is the example of a true team player; he is always thinking outside the box and communicating in a respectful and insightful manner. Kevin is an incredible asset to our Parks and Recreation Department, and an invaluable member on the Escambia County team.”