AG, FHP and Local Law Enforcement Leaders Warn About the Dangers of Impaired Driving this Holiday Season
December 26, 2023
In recognition of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, Attorney General Ashley Moody today warned Floridians that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol this holiday season could result in a trip to jail—or the morgue. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard reports more than 6,200 impaired-driving crashes occurred in 2022—leading to more than 1,100 fatalities.
During the holiday season, fatalities increase dramatically with nearly 160 fatalities in December last year. To prevent deaths, Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze, Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez, Kissimmee Chief of Police Betty Holland, St. Cloud Chief of Police Douglas Goerke and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Central Florida Executive Director Kristi McElroy joined Attorney General Moody in Kissimmee to urge Floridians to drive responsibly this holiday season.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month serves as a critical reminder to be responsible on our roadways. Driving under the influence can shatter lives and devastate families. Law enforcement will have extra deputies, officers and troopers monitoring the roadways to help ensure Floridians remain safe throughout this holiday season. So please, drive sober or you will get pulled over.”
Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze said, “Now through January 1st, law enforcement throughout Florida, including your FHP, will participate in the “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The goal is to proactively educate the public on the dangers and consequences of getting behind the wheel while impaired. The holiday season, when people are celebrating with friends and loved ones, increases the risk of impaired driving. With that increase, FHP and our law enforcement partners, will step up enforcement efforts to remove impaired drivers from Florida Roadways so everyone can Arrive Alive.”
Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez said, “We want Osceola County residents to know that our priority is to keep people safe. This is why we urge everyone to plan ahead and never drive impaired. Driving impaired puts your life and the lives of others at risk, and it is illegal in Florida.”
Moody recommends following these tips for safe travels on the roadways this holiday season:
- Do not drive under the influence or permit others to drive under the influence;
- Establish a designated driver, call a cab or use a ride-sharing service if there is no designated driver;
- Fasten seatbelts when driving or riding in a vehicle;
- Avoid distracted driving, including texting while driving; and
- Beware of the increase in impaired drivers—especially at night.
First Responders Put On Christmas Light Show For Children’s Hospital Patients
December 25, 2023
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.
For the fourth year, local first responders gathered outside the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Christmas Eve night. Children and families inside watched as the first responders gathered outside waving, every emergency light flashing. A few minutes to say they care about the children inside and shine a little light for those who can’t be home this Christmas Eve.
The Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Pensacola Fire Department, and more made Christmas a bit brighter for those in the children’s hospital.
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
One More Night Planned For Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Bratt Ranch
December 25, 2023
There’s one more chance planned for Friday night, December 29 to see tens of thousands of Christmas lights at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt.
And see the goats in pajamas.
The lights festival will be open Friday, December 29 from 5:30 until 9 p.m. The gate closes at 8:30 p.m., and the last hayride is at 8:15 p.m.
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. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, and animated displays.
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 if it’s cold.
Runamuck 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.)
Pictured: The Christmas lights festival at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Wrong-Way Driver Killed On I-110 Early Christmas Eve
December 25, 2023
A wrong way driver was killed early Christmas Eve mornng on I-110 in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an Escambia County man was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes on I-110 about 4:10 a.m. His Ford collided head on with Chevrolet SUV that was traveling southbond. The Ford erupted int flames and smoke obscured vision on the roadway. As a result a Toyota sedan. driven by a 41-year old Pensacola woman southbound on I-110 collided with the Chevy SUV .
Trooper said the man in the Ford died from his injuries, while the driver of the Chevy suffered serious injuries. The driver of the Toyota was not injured.
Ice Flyers Sweep The Mayhem Headed Into Short Holiday Break
December 25, 2023
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,138 fans, the Ice Flyers downed the Mayhem in a 7-3 win at the Pensacola Bay Center Saturday night.
Mitch Atkins got his first Ice Flyers hat-trick after scoring a pair of goals in the 2nd period and then capitalizing on a power play in the 3rd.
Riley Morris made his first appearance back home in front of the Ice Flyers faithful this season. Morris played 11 games for the Ice Flyers last season before being called up to play for the ECHL Tulsa Oilers.
The Ice Flyers return to the Hangar on Tuesday, where they’ll be up against a tough Birmingham team that is finding success and sitting at first place in the league standings.
Fiery Crash Reported Saturday Night In Molino
December 24, 2023
A fiery two vehicle crash closed Highway 97 in Molino Saturday night.
The crash happened about 7:50 p.m. near Molino Park Elementary School. One of the vehicles burst into flames following the crash.
Further details were not yet available from the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Mr. And Mrs. Claus Take Last Minute Trip Through Century, Byrneville
December 24, 2023
Mr. and Mrs. Claus made a last minute trip through Century and Byrneville on Saturday morning thanks to the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Santa will made 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 on a fire truck in Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Rain Likely Christmas Eve Into Christmas Day
December 24, 2023
Here is your official NorthEscambia.com area forecast:
Tonight: Showers before 9pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 9pm and 3am, then showers after 3am. Low around 60. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Christmas Day: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Patchy fog between 9pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Tate High Names Students Of The Month
December 24, 2023
Tate High School recently announced their Students of the Month for November. They are Madison Galle and Aamir Sardar. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Many Use Space Heaters To Stay Warm. And That Can Be Dangerous.
December 24, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Need a free smoke detector in Escambia County? Call (850) 595-HERO.