Family’s Home Destroyed By Fire In Bratt; State Fire Marshal Investigating Cause
December 24, 2022
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of a fire that left a family without a home Friday evening in Bratt
The fire was reported about 5 p.m. in the 4100 block of Still Road, about 1.5 miles south of West Highway 4. The mobile home was almost fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, Molino, McDavid and Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
The fire will be represented by another red bulb in Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Keep the Wreath Green fire safety campaign. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage in December, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one in wreaths at fire stations across the county to remind citizens of fire dangers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Children’s Book ‘Jasper and the Christmas Faeries’ Set At Walnut Hill Ranch
December 24, 2022
One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is a special moment of reading with them.
Paul Entrekin and his wife Lisa are sharing a special story from their Walnut Hill ranch with just that in mind.
Proudly passing down his Scottish heritage, Paul Entrekin and his wife Lisa collaborated on this charming tale about a special holiday visit from Scottish pixies known as faeries, as seen through the eyes of Rufus, their Rocky Creek Ranch dog. “Jasper and the Christmas Faeries” follows Rufus as he takes his fluttering guests on a tour of his home and introduces them to his many friends, including a small donkey named Jasper.
“Our yellow lab Rufus had a story about his buddy Jasper, our donkey. It’s a story about Jasper’s encounter with some Christmas faeries when he was really sad during the Christmas holidays and how the Christmas faeries cheered him up,” Paul said.
The story was born on their Rocky Creek Ranch in Walnut Hill, where all of the characters exist in real life.
“It was a story I made up with my grandson sitting on my lap. We had some laser lights focused on the ceiling in our great room, and he said, ‘grandpa, what’s that?’. And me being me, instead of just saying those are laser lights, I said those are faeries and I concocted this story.”
“Jasper and the Christmas Faeries” is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers.
Paul Entrekin is a retired marine and naval aviator, airshow aviator, and Delta airline pilot. He is known for the first civilian pilot in the world to own and fly a Russian MiG aircraft. Lisa Entrekin is assistant principal at Bratt Elementary School and former elementary school teacher. They both hold bachelors degrees from Auburn University and both have masters degrees in educational leadership. The book is illustrated by Jane Brobst, a retired elementary and high school teacher.
Paul Entrekin also authored “Mr. MiG: and The Real Story of the First MiGs in America” and “Mighty Hands: Victory Over Adversity Through the Grace of God”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tonight: Thousands Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Warm Pajamas At Run-a-muck Ranch In Bratt
December 24, 2022
The Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt will be open Christmas Eve with free admission with tens of thousands of Christmas lights. And goats in warm pajamas.
Run-a-muck Ranch is located at 4951 Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs. Don’t expect to see a lot of lights from the road; it’s a driveway back to the parking lot. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
The display will open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Due to the extreme cold, they may close the gate about 8 p.m. Christmas Eve is the last scheduled night. They will consider opening next weekend, but that all depends on the weather. We’ll let you know here on NorthEscambia.com.
Our previous story:
Skip and Kristy Geiser opened the Christmas display two years ago, and it’s even bigger this year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
On our recent visit, children were running and giggling, stopping to stare in awe at the displays. A fire crackled in a fire pit, making it smell like Christmas as marshmallows roasted for s’mores.
The horses were a favorite stop, but there were more “oohs and awes” over the goats in pajamas — Princess, Black Beauty and friends.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small foot bridge into the Christmas wonderland. If it’s rained recently, remember appropriate footwear because it may be muddy. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, animated display and an old-fashioned hayride down a lighted trail.
Concessions are available — hot cocoa, popcorn, cotton candy, hot tea, bottled water and more are mostly $1 each. A S’mores kit will set you back just $3. Only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and propane patio heaters for the cold.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: A recent night at the Christmas lights festival at Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hard Freeze Warning Continues Through Christmas Morning; Wind Chill 5-15 Degrees Today
December 24, 2022
A hard freeze warning remains in effect through Christmas morning for the entire area.
The high today is just barely expected to rise above the freezing mark in North Escambia, and wind chills (the feels like temperature) will range from about 5 to 15 degrees.
And Christmas day is expected to be almost as cold, reaching about 40 degrees with wind chills between 10 and 20 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Becoming sunny, with a high near 34. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 20. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 19. Calm wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Santa Claus Visits Byrneville Elementary School
December 24, 2022
Santa Claus visited Byrneville Elementary School last week to hear those special Christmas wishes.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Polar Express PJ Day
December 24, 2022
Kindergarten and first grade students at Jim Allen Elementary School held a Polar Express Pajama Day this year.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Band Wrapping Gifts Today Until 4 PM
December 24, 2022
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. Look for the tent at JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa To Travel On Fire Truck Through Century, Byrneville Saturday Morning
December 24, 2022
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will take a trip through Century and Byrneville on Christmas Eve morning with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
For a detailed map of the route, click or tap here.
The trip begins at 8 a.m. Along the way, Santa will make stops at the Byrneville Community Center and the vacant lot by Napa Auto Parts on North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: Santa and Mrs. Claus travel through Century in December 2021. File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Post Office Trying To Get ‘Some Bunny Special’ Home For Christmas
December 23, 2022
The Molino Post Office is hoping to deliver “Some Bunny Special” back to his family in time for Christmas.
The bunny was accidently separated from its family at the post office.
“Some Bunny Special” will be waiting for his family and staying warm in his blankie at the Molino Post Office.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP: Motorcyclist Killed When Sedan Makes A U-Turn
December 23, 2022
An Escambia County motorcyclist was struck and killed early Friday morning.
Just before 2 a.m., the 30-year old male from Pensacola was riding his motorcycle on Mobile Highway at Edison Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an 82-year California man driving a car made a U-turn directly in from the motorcycle.
Trooper said the motorcyclist was unable to avoid a collision. He was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries and later died.