Pensacola Launching New Parking App January 1
December 29, 2023
The City of Pensacola has partnered with ParkMobile to launch a new parking app for downtown city-owned parking spaces beginning Monday, Jan. 1.
The decision to partner with ParkMobile LLC, the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in the United States, was based on results from the city’s recent Downtown Parking Survey. 45 percent of survey respondents said they prefer to use an app to pay for parking, while 18 percent said that their biggest concern when parking downtown is difficulty using available payment methods.
“In Pensacola, a lot of drivers want to pay to park with an app,” Mayor Reeves said. “They also want an app that’s easy to use. That’s the number one goal of our partnership with ParkMobile — to help create a user-friendly downtown parking experience.”
The ParkMobile app has 50 million users across North America — more than 8 million in Florida — and holds the highest user rating for functionality with more than 1.2 million reviews.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 1, ParkMobile will be available for both iPhone and Android devices and may also be accessed on a mobile web browser. To pay for parking via the ParkMobile app or website, users will enter the zone number or scan the QR code found on the signs located within the parking zone, choose the duration of time they wish to park and select the “start parking” button.
Tonight Is The Last Night To For Christmas Lights, Hayrides, Goats In Pajamas At Bratt Ranch
December 29, 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.
Pictured: The Christmas lights festival at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Offers Fireworks Safety Tips; Fireworks Blamed For Multiple Residential Fires
December 29, 2023
As Escambia County prepares for New Year’s Eve festivities, Escambia County Fire Rescue encourages residents who choose to purchase and display their own fireworks to utilize extra precautions and safety measures during the holiday.
As numerous Floridians choose to purchase their own fireworks, the number of residential structure fires has increased during holidays that are celebrated with fireworks.
Between 2017 and 2023, Escambia County experienced nine residential structure fires caused by fireworks. Seven of those fires were caused by fireworks that were improperly disposed of after their use.
Residents are also encouraged to use caution while using sparklers. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under five years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
ECSO: Molino Man Attacked His Girlfriend With A Sword And Hammer On Christmas Eve
December 28, 2023
A Molino man allegedly attacked his girlfriend with a sword and hammer on Christmas Eve.
Dawain Bryant Baxter II, 46, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and battery by strangulation, both domestic violence related.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she invited Baxter, her boyfriend of four months, to come over for Christmas. He began to threaten and told her he would “bash your head in so you never wake up”, according to an arrest report.
Baxter then hit the woman in the forehead with a hammer, struck her across the chest with a sword and choked her until she passed out, the report continues. Deputies noted that she had injuries consistent with her allegations.
ECSO deputies later located Baxter at a convenience store on Highway 29 in Cantonment and found him with the sword.
Baxter said the woman had hit him in the stomach with a hammer. A deputy stated in his report that he only had a small scratch that did not appear to be caused by a hammer.
Baxter remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $50,000.
Escambia Man Gets 23 Years For Beating 5 Kids With Belts, Cords
December 28, 2023
An Escambia County man has been convicted and sentenced to 23 years in state prison for child abuse.
Eric Suggs was convicted of aggravated child abuse and multiple additional child abuse charges.
On November 9, 2022, officers responded to a call regarding child abuse of five children between the ages of 13 months and 11 years. Subsequent investigation revealed that all the children had injuries from abuse with the 13-month old’s being the most extensive. According to the other children the 13-month-old was maliciously punished by being beaten with belts and charging cords to make the child walk.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 28, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary School has named third graders Aubrey Dorris and Januelle Soriano as Students of the Month for November. Also pictured below is October Student of the Month, fourth grader Sarah Simpson, who was absent when the award was presented the previous month. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Retired Longtime Century Town Clerk Lawson Passes Away
December 28, 2023
A former longtime Century town clerk has passed away.
Willie Ray Lawson, 83, passed away Saturday, December 23 in Pensacola.
A Century native, Lawson served as town clerk in Century for over 30 years before his retirement.
Lawson is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gloria Jean Lawson, and numerous other relatives.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at Poplar Dell Cemetery. For the complete obituary, click here.
Escambia Tax Collector To Offer Saturday Hours To Issue New Auburn University License Plate
December 28, 2023
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector, will host an event to issue the new Auburn University license plate on Saturday, January 6 from 8- 1:00 am. The event will be held at the Marcus Pointe office located at 6451 North W Street, Pensacola. Appointments are required for this event and may be made at EscambiaTaxCollector.com/auburn.
The Auburn University license plate is the second license plate to be authorized in Florida for an out-of-state university. Universities must sell 3,000 pre-sale vouchers before a license plate may be manufactured and sold to the public. The University of Georgia became the first to achieve this goal earlier this year. The University of Alabama is working to become the third but needs to sell an additional 800 pre-sale vouchers before the license plate may be issued and made available. An Alabama license plate pre-sale voucher may be purchased by visiting EscambiaTaxCollector.com and using the menu to select “Purchase a License Plate Pre-Sale Voucher.” Proceeds from these license plates benefit local schools.
Lipscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year Is Rionna Wages
December 28, 2023
Rionna Wages was named the Limpscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is wrapping up 2023 by honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February; Wages is a finalist.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Exceeds Goal, Collecting $160K Locally
December 28, 2023
The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign raised $160,765.62 in the local area, exceeding the local goal of $148,000.
The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s primary fundraising initiative, providing life-changing programs and services throughout the year, including food assistance programs, emergency financial assistance, youth programs, and disaster response.
The Red Kettle campaign ended December 23, with kettles in 19 locations in both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.
“The Salvation Army has an unwavering commitment to helping people in times of need, and the Red Kettle campaign is a critical source of funding that helps us meet that commitment,” said Captain Stephan Wildish of The Salvation Army of Pensacola. “The funds the community generously gives to the Red Kettle ensures families do not have to make agonizing choices between basic needs like housing, food, and medical care.”
The Salvation Army relies on the money raised through the Red Kettle campaign to provide Christmas to local families and safeguard the well-being of people in need through year-round programming and social services.