Need Those Gifts Wrapped? The Tate Band Has You Covered
December 22, 2024
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve. Look for the tent at JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Volunteers will be wrapping gifts from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, and Christmas Eve.
Ice Flyers Delight Big Crowd With Thrilling Win Against First-Place Havoc
December 22, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The team’s pregame message was about the loyalty Ice Flyers’ fans have shown through this difficult start to the season.
The players then delivered a sought-after Christmas present, making everyone feel warm and joyful.
After Shane Bull produced a go-ahead goal with 2:15 remaining, the Ice Flyers received clutch stops from goaltender Brody Claeys, then held off a 6-on-4 situation in the final 41 seconds to seal a 3-2 win against the Huntsville Havoc that had a crowd of 5,352 at the Pensacola Bay Center standing and screaming in glee.
Just like old times.
“With how things have been going lately, to finally get a win it feels nice, it feels great,” said Bull, who scored a go-ahead goal earlier in the third period before the Havoc tied the game.
It was the Ice Flyers (5-14-2) first win since November 30 against Birmingham. The arena vibe and celebratory finish was a far different setting than the last Ice Flyers home game in a 2-1 loss against Macon when Graham was unable to coach due to a medical situation.
“I told the guys what I was most disappointed about (Macon) game was how we lost,” Graham said. “There were no fights. There was no passion, no urgency.
“And the fans have been extremely patient with the group. They should be upset with me. I understand that part of it. But they have been extremely supportive of the guys.
“I said (to team), do understand how rare that is in pro sports? To have the season we’re having and the fans continue to show up to support you guys. We have to start giving them payback.
“They are the ones who pay the bills, boys. We have to give give back, we have to give more of ourselves on home ice and to get a win for them was very important.”
The Ice Flyers will now take a brief break before a Christmas Day practice in late afternoon in preparation for the Dec. 26 game against the Macon Mayhem. A trip to Macon follows Dec. 27 and the Ice Flyers will be back at home on Dec. 28 against Peoria.
Based on how they played in consecutive nights against the Havoc – the first-place team in the league – the Ice Flyers have reason to gain confidence.
After six losses to Huntsville, including the 5-4 overtime loss Friday in Huntsville, the Ice Flyers gained three points out of four against the best team.
“It is obviously a step in the right direction,” Bull said. “This week we really battled hard in practice and had a setback and refocused on what we had to do to better and I think we showed all those things in past two games.”
In goal, Claeys earned his first win in a big way. He stopped 24 shots, many of those point-blank looks and provided a performance the Ice Flyers needed.
“Everybody played a role tonight, but I thought Brody really stole the game,” Graham said. “I think he played good (Friday) and we had the better scoring chances and weren’t able to get the point and I think Huntsville had the better scoring chances (Saturday) and (Claeys) was the difference maker.’’
A quick recap.
FIRST PERIOD
No scoring. The Ice Flyers killed off the game’s first power play and were in process of killing off another when Huntsville got its first penalty with 46 seconds left.
Claeys made several big saves to keep it scoreless at intermission.
SECOND PERIOD
A mistake behind the net led to Huntsville getting the game’s first goal with 12:39 remaining.
But two minutes later Cayden Cahill finished a perfect pass near the crease area from Tim Faulkner. On the ensuing faceoff, the Ice Flyers’ Sean Gulka dropped the gloves, then dropped Huntsville’s Benito Posa to the ice after both players traded a flurry of punches.
This was a fight that will be a season highlight and got the crowd going.
THIRD PERIOD
Bull’s first goal, his fourth of the season came on a rebound from a shot by Doug Elgstam. Bull was in perfect position after Huntsville goaltender Brian Wilson made a pad save to then bang home the rebound.
Four minutes later, the Havoc tied the game on Dominick Procopio’s wrist shot through traffic.
The score stayed that way until Bull made a power play pass to Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira at the blue li ne, who then passed across to Sam Dabrowski. Bull then rushed to a point near the slot, had his stick locked and loaded and immediately rifled Dabowski’s pass to him into the net.
It was a one-timer that Graham has been preaching to Bull to shoot more often.
“I had to yell him in practice.. what are you doing?” he said. “That is a goal if you just shoot the one timer. It’s an ongoing joke. We when he scored that goal all the players were touching me with their sticks on the bench … “Coach you see, a one timer.
“I’m like thank the Lord we shot the one timer. It was funny but it was a great look, the pass was perfect from Dabo.”
The game ended in the flurry of the final minutes. The Ice Flyers were whistled for a delay of game penalty on a clearing attempt by Ivan Bondarenko that somehow lifted over the glass.
But in the final 15 seconds the Ice Flyers won a boards battled and got a clearing shot on the 6-on-4 situation to end the game.
Acres Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Run-a-muck Ranch In Bratt
December 21, 2024
The Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt is open with tens of thousands of Christmas lights, and you are invited to stop by and see them for free. And see the famous goats in pajamas.
Skip and Kristy Geiser opened the Christmas display several years ago, and it’s even bigger this year.
For a 2024 photo gallery, click here.
There are always plenty of “oohs and ahhs” over the goats in pajamas and mini donkeys.
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 footbridge 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 including hot dog meals, popcorn, s’mores, nachos at hot cocoa are available for a nominal cost, and only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and plenty of room to sit around a fire.
For a 2024 photo gallery, click here.
LOCATION AND HOURS
Run-a-muck Ranch is located on 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 and a lighted arch drive. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
Weather permitting, the lights festival will be open from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. as follows:
- Saturday, December 21
- Monday, December 23
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
- Thursday, December 26
- Friday, December 27
The display will be closed on Christmas, December 25.
Pictured: A recent evening at Run-amuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Home for the Paw-lidays Free Dog, Cat Adoptions At Escambia Shelter
December 21, 2024
The Escambia County animal shelter is offering will offer free adoptions for all dogs and cats one year or older during the “Home for the Paw-lidays” adoption event, beginning through Monday, December 30.
Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12 – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. The shelter will be closed December 24-25, December 31, and January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day.f
FDOT Completes $7.5 Million Highway 90 Resurfacing Project
December 21, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a $7.5 million project to resurface Mobile Highway (Highway 90), from Nine Mile Road to west of Pine Forest Road.
Additional project improvements included:
- Traffic signal upgrades at the Mobile Highway/Blue Angel Parkway intersection. and a new traffic signal at the Mobile Highway/Klondike Road intersection.
- New guardrail, signing, and pavement markings.
- Drainage enhancements.
- Widening of turn lanes to include five-foot bicycle lanes at the Woodside Road, Klondike Road, and Millview Road intersections.
Going Shopping? A Watchful ECSO Eye Has Your Back
December 21, 2024
When you are out finishing your least minute Christmas shopping this weekend, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office may have your back with eye over the parking lot.
The ECOS has several modular camera systems watching over shopping areas with tower cameras that are monitored in the department’s Real Time Crime Center.
The cameras were first deployed on for Black Friday at Target on Nine Mile Road, Tradewinds Shopping Center on Davis Highway, and Academy Sports on Davis Highway.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Soccer And Basketball Earn Friday Night Wins
December 21, 2024
Tate High School Aggie soccer and basketball both earned wins Friday night.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Tate 89, Navarre 58
BOYS SOCCER
Tate 3, Pensacola 1
Escambia County’s First Wawa Store Now Open; Four More Planned
December 20, 2024
Escambia County’s first Wawa opened Thursday morning.
A ribbon cutting was held for the new store at Ransley Station on Pine Forest Road just north of I-10.
“We are excited to end 2024 with marking a significant milestone of opening our first store in Pensacola to fulfill lives of our friends and neighbors,” said Joe Collins, director of store operations for Wawa. “We look forward to bringing our unique brand of fresh food, beverages and convenience to the Panhandle to further our commitment to providing our new friends and neighbors with not only a new level of convenience but a strong, committed community partner.”
Four Wawa more stores are currently planned for Escambia County:
1. Nine Mile Road, Beulah
Plans were approved were October 2023 for a 6,119 square feet location at the corner of Beulah Road and Nine Mile Road. Work is currently underway on the 17.36 acre parcel across Nine Mile Road from Publix.
2. Highway 98
A Wawa store was approved by the county in May for 9262 West Highway 98 at Blue Angel Parkway.
3. North Davis Highway
The Escambia County Development Review Committee approved plan in June for another planned WaWas at 8503 North Davis Highway, near Johnson Avenue and HCA West Florida Hospital.
4. Pensacola Boulevard
A WaWa is planned for 6650 Pensacola Boulevard near W Street.
Photos courtesy WEAR 3 and Wawa for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Fleeing, Striking Officer With Four-Wheeler
December 20, 2024
An Atmore man is facing charges after fleeing on a four-wheeler before hitting an officer.
The Atmore Police Department said an officer was driving on Sunset Drive when he was met by a four-wheeler traveling in the opposite direct. He turned his marked police vehicle around and attempted a traffic stop in response to ongoing citizen complaints about four-wheelers being driver recklessly on the roadway.
Police said the operator of the four-wheeler, later identified as Dallas Owens age 18 of Atmore, accelerated at a high rate of speed through traffic upon the officer activating the emergency blue lights. The officer decided not to
pursue Owens due to the inherent danger of pursuing a four-wheeler.
A few minutes later additional officers observed Owens stopped off the roadway next to Brushy Creek. As the officers approached Owens on foot they began giving him verbal commands. Owens ignored them and
got back onto the four-wheeler and drove toward one of the officers, according to police. The four-wheeler struck the officer.
Owens was removed from the four-wheeler and taken into custody. The officer received minor injuries.
Owens was charged with assault second degree, resisting arrest, reckless driving and attempting to elude.
FHP Charges Molino Man With DUI After Traffic Crash
December 20, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has charged a Molino man with DUI after a traffic crash in Pensacola on Wednesday.
Joseph Daniel Flowers, 45, was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and refusal to submit. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,500 bond.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Flowers was involved in a three-vehicle crash about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday on Brent Lane just west of Davis Highway. Flowers told troopers her sewered in an attempt to avoid a vehicle that swerved toward him. Flowers’ Kia Sorrento collided with two stopped vehicles, according to the FHP report.
“Mr. Flowers’ speech was slurred and intelligible. He seemed confused by my questions and was fumbling with his vehicle paperwork. He seemed tired and lethargic,” trooper wrote in the report.
The report states that he was unable to properly perform field sobriety exercises. He provided a breath sample that registered no alcohol level and”appeared to doze off”,” FHP said, before refusing to provide a urine sample for analysis.
FHP said Flowers’ license was suspended in June with three prior driving while suspended convictions and one prior suspension for refusal.