Florida Gas Prices Still Declining; Several Escambia County Stations Below $3 Now
December 13, 2021
Florida gas prices are still declining, but may not fall as far as originally projected, after oil prices regained strength last week, according to AAA.
The state average slipped 3 cents last week and a total of 10 cents in the past 23 days. Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $3.27 per gallon.
The average price in Escambia County was over a dime less at $3.18. in North Escambia, at least four stations were below $3 Sunday night, as were several in the Pensacola area. The low price was $2.87 at the warehouse clubs..
Two weeks ago, AAA began calling for a potential discount of 20-30 cents at the pump, after oil prices plummeted 16% after Thanksgiving. The crude price drop was based on concerns about the severity of the emerging omicron variant and whether it would potentially impact global economic growth and limit mobility.
However, about half of that price drop was erased last week as omicron concerns seemed to ease. After falling from $78 per barrel down to $65 two weeks ago, the price of crude settled back up at $71.67 on Friday. Despite the increase, oil prices are still lower than they were two weeks ago, and pump prices have still not yet fully adjusted.
“After plunging two weeks ago, the crude market regained strength last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As a result, that 20-30 cent drop we were anticipating, could be more like 10-20 cents. Oil prices remain the main drivers of prices at the pump. So if oil prices increase again this week, drivers will again need to adjust their expectations.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Road Construction Delays This Week
December 13, 2021
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. Sunday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 18 Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 through Friday, Dec. 17 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- 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.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary and intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Dec. 13 through Friday, Dec. 17 as crews place final striping and complete final work items.
- 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 the week of Monday, Dec. 13, as crews place a watermain.
- S.R. 173 (South Blue Angel Parkway) Turn Lane Construction just north of Sorrento Road– Southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane just north of Sorrento Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 15 as crews perform turn lane construction activities.
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. Sunday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 18 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. Sunday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 16 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.
- S.R. 281 (Garcon Point Bridge) Routine Bridge Maintenance over East Bay– Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures about one mile north of U.S. 98 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 through Wednesday, Dec. 15 as crews perform routine maintenance activities..
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Man Charged With DUI In Molino Crash That Injured Three Kids, Two Adults
December 12, 2021
An Alabama man has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a wreck that injured five people Friday night Molino.
A SUV pulling a utility trailer was traveling south on Highway 29 near Omega Drive about 9:40 p.m. when the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making a turn to head northbound, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Three children ranging in age from 1 to 7 years old and two adults in the SUV were transported by Escambia County EMS to the West Florida Hospital ER on Nine Mile Road for treatment of minor injuries.
William Tyler Jarrell, age 29 of Bay Minette was charged with DUI by troopers. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Saturday afternoon on a $1,000 bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crowds Beat The Rain At Town Of Flomaton’s First Christmas Bazaar
December 12, 2021
People beat the rain Saturday as they turned out for the 1st Annual Town of Flomaton Christmas Bazaar.
The Flomaton Christmas Bazaar was held at Flomaton Hurricane Park, across from Flomaton High School. The town-sponsored event featured arts and crafts, food and drink, classic cars, bounce houses and kiddy train rides.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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New Location This Year: Let The Tate Band Do All Of Your Gift Wrapping
December 12, 2021
The Tate High School Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve.
The gift wrapping will take place at a different location this year — JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Here’s the schedule:
Monday, December 13, 4-8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 14, 4-8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 15, 4-8 p.m.
Thursday, December 16, 4-8 p.m.
Friday, December 17, 4-8 p.m.
Saturday, December 18, noon-8 p.m.
Sunday, December 19, noon-8 p.m.
Monday, December 20, noon-8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 21, noon-8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 22, noon-8 p.m.
Thursday, December 23, noon-8 p.m.
Friday, December 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
UWF Holds Fall Commencement Ceremony (With Photo Gallery)
December 12, 2021
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About 1,500 students graduated from the University of West Florida during three ceremonies on Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Bobby Livingston who graduated from UWF 50 years ago who went on to work in high level positions with the CIA.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Bash Christmas Car And Craft Show Held Saturday
December 12, 2021
The Beulah Bash Christmas Car and Craft Show was held Saturday at the Escambia County Equestrian Center, hosted by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Beulah.
The event featured dozens of craft vendors, free crafts for kids, inflatable fun, food trucks and, classic cars and photos with Santa.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com. click to enlarge.
Suspect Arrested In Connection With Shots Fired Incident Inside Century Convenience Store
December 11, 2021
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a shots fired incident a week ago inside a Century convenience store.
Aaron Lee Sutton, 32, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday night on charges of aggravated assault and improper exhibition of a firearm. He was jailed with bond set at $300,000.
An arrest warrant has also been issued for 16-year old Travis Lavar Scott, Jr. for possession of a firearm by a delinquent. It was not known Friday night if he had been arrested due to delays in accessing juvenile arrest records.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Sutton and Scott became involved in a verbal altercation about 5:55 p.m. December 4 and both pulled firearms. Deputies said Scott fired his weapon inside the Century Kwik Stop on North Century Boulevard, just south of Whataburger.
There were other customers inside the store at the time of the incident, along with the store clerk. There were no injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-9620 or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 433-STOP.
One Injured In Bratt Crash: One Vehicle Overturned, The Other Hit Utility Wires
December 11, 2021
One person was injured in an early Saturday morning crash on Pine Barren Road in Bratt.
The injured driver was in a SUV that left the road and overturned, coming to rest about 200 feet away off the roadway. It was not immediately clear if the vehicle struck the utility pole, or if the utility pole was already down at the time of the crash and the driver swerved as a result.
The utility pole pulled guy wires down across Pine Barren Road, about three-quarters of mile north of Breastworks Road. The driver of a Toyota RAV4 later collided with the downed wires.
The driver of the overturned SUV was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered life threatening. The occupants of the Toyota RAV4 were not injured in the 12:05 a.m. crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay High School Cheerleader Marches In Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade In Hawaii
December 11, 2021
Jay High School varsity cheerleader Hannah Diamond took part this week in the Varsity Spirit Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“I was very honored to be able to cheer…in the parade,” Diamond said after the parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. “And honor the amazing men, women, and families of our great country who fought so hard to protect us and give us the freedoms that we have today.”
Pictured: Jay High School varsity cheerleader Hannah Diamond. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.