Brent Wipf Selected As Escambia County 2025 Employee Of The Year
December 15, 2025
Brent Wipf, Water Quality and Land Management division manager in the Natural Resources Management Department, has been named the Escambia County 2025 Employee of the Year.
In his role as division manager, Wipf oversees the Water Quality and Land Management branch of the Natural Resources Management Department, serving the community through development and oversight of local environmental resource-focused initiatives. Wipf and his team manage several programs including Surface Water Quality Improvements and Monitoring, Urban Forestry and Land Management, Air Quality Monitoring and Compliance, and Laboratory Services. Wipf was also recognized as the November 2025 Employee of the Month.
Wipf’s team has recognized him for his approachable demeanor, exceptional leadership, and professionalism in running the division. He began his career with Escambia County in October 2001, gaining over two decades of knowledge and experience that have helped him effectively balance ongoing operational responsibilities to ensure the division runs smoothly and efficiently.
“Brent is an exemplary public servant who shows dedication each day to protecting and improving the county’s natural resources,” Natural Resources Management Director Chips Kirschenfeld said. “The quality of work accomplished by our Water Quality and Land Management Division is reflective of his leadership abilities and sets a high standard for performance. He is an invaluable asset to our department, and it is an honor to recognize him as Employee of the Year.”
“My role as Escambia County’s Water Quality and Land Management Division Manager provides continual opportunities to make a meaningful difference for both our citizens and the environment,” Wipf said. “The work never gets old. There are always new problems to solve and challenges to overcome, and I feel truly rewarded by helping the citizens of Escambia County. I am fortunate to manage a fantastic team of scientists and environmental professionals who all share my commitment to public service.”
Escambia Fire Rescue Shares Winter Weather Heating Safety Tips
December 15, 2025
With the arrival of cold weather, Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater and carbon monoxide safety.
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. 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.
Home Heating Tips
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- 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.
- Close all bedroom doors before going to bed. Remember this phrase: Close before you doze!
Portable Electric Heaters
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- 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 or power strip.
- Inspect for loose connections or cracked, damaged, or broken plugs, and replace before using.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas created when fuels like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane oil and methane burn incompletely, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Exposure to carbon monoxide can have fatal results. Due to being invisible and odorless, carbon monoxide has been known as the “invisible killer.”
Safety Tips
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations of the home, including outside each sleeping area and every level of the home.
- Test carbon monoxide alarms monthly. If the alarm sound is low, replace the batteries.
- If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, immediately move to a fresh air location and call 9-1-1.
- Make sure all vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear.
- If a vehicle is located inside a garage, make sure the garage door is open before starting the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Only use gas or charcoal grills outdoors.
- Use generators outdoors, as they produce carbon monoxide.
- Never use a gas stove to warm a home, as it can produce carbon monoxide.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Sleepiness
- Loss of muscle control
- Loss of consciousness
Those experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately get into fresh air and seek medical attention.
Smoke Detectors Save Lives
Escambia County Fire Rescue is available to provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors free of charge for residents. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call (850) 595-HERO (4376).
ECUA: Protect Your Pipes From Freezing Temperatures
December 15, 2025
With freezing temperatures in the forecast, it’s important to take steps now to protect your home’s plumbing, according to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
ECUA offered a few simple tips to avoid costly repairs:
- Insulate Pipes and Faucets: Wrap exposed pipes in unheated areas (garage, attic, crawl space) with insulation to prevent freezing.
- Disconnect & Drain Outdoor Hoses: Remove hoses from faucets and let them drain to prevent frozen pipes.
- Run a Trickle of Water: Let a small stream of water run from the faucet furthest from your water line to keep your pipes from freezing.
- Protect Backflow Preventers: If you have a backflow preventer on your property (for irrigation, pools, etc.), wrap it with insulation or shut off and drain the water supply.
ECUA said taking these steps now can help prevent freezing pipes and costly damage later.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
December 15, 2025
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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing, from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.)) 291 – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on I-110, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Dec. 14 drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, Dec. 14, drivers traveling S.R. 292 from east of Bauer Road (County Road (C.R.) 293) to Manchester Street may encounter nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing work. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with east and westbound travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for manhole adjustments and placement of thermoplastic striping. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I 110 ramp – The week of Sunday, Dec. 14, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, for stormwater management upgrades. Currently, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at F Street and G Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec. 19, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- I-10 westbound traffic will be reduced to one travel lane and shifted south near mile marker 10, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive for construction at the North Palafox Street overpass. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- I-10 Bridge Rehabilitation over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Dec. 14, through Friday, Dec. 19, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing, from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road (C.R. 197A) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from the Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 18, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18:
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for construction activities.
- Intermittent lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from U.S. 98 to south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Move Lower, AAA Says
December 15, 2025
Florida gas prices are moving lower as millions of Americans finalize their year-end holiday travel plans. Of the 7.5 million Floridians that AAA expects to take a trip, 6.7 million are forecast to drive.
“Florida gas prices have declined for three consecutive weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If current trends continue, holiday travelers will find the lowest gas prices in years.”
Sunday’s Florida average of $2.81 is 11 cents less than a week ago, 14 cents less than a month ago, 26 cents less than this time last year, and the lowest daily average price since May 2021.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.69 per gallon. In Pensacola, a low of $2.42 was available at stations on Pine Forest Road and West Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, Sunday’s low price was $2.52 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com photo.