Christmas Morning Wreck Claims Three Lives In Escambia County

December 25, 2022

A tragic wreck early Christmas morning claimed three lives and critically injured two others in Escambia County, according to troopers.

The traffic crash happened about 12:15 am. Sunday in the area of Gulf Beach Highway and West Sunset Avenue.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 20-year old man driving a 2004 Honda car was traveling west on Gulf Beach Highway when he lost control, ran off the side of the road, and overcorrected. The Honda crossed back into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a 2019 Ford SUV.

The 20-year old man, his 19-year old passenger and a 41-year old passenger in the SUV were all pronounced deceased at the scene.

A 19-year old male passenger in the Honda and the 35-year old female driver of the SUV were critically injured.

All of the victims were from Escambia County. Their names have not been released.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

EREC Sees Highest Power Demand Ever Due To Christmas Eve Cold

December 25, 2022

A bitterly cold Christmas Eve morning prompted the highest-ever energy usage by Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers.

With single-digit wind chills and lows in the teens, EREC’s whole power supplier, PowerSouth, reached a higher winter peak than any other time in its history.

PowerSouth set a new all-time peak demand of 2,675 megawatts, exceeding the previous record set in 2018 of 2,458 megawatts by 10%. Peak usage remained above 2,600 megawatts for three straight hours. EREC experienced a few outages on Christmas Eve, but the cooperative said none were related to the cold weather.

“This weekend’s cold snap put a strain on several utilities across the southeast,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO for EREC. “Cold weather increases demand as people turn up the heat, especially overnight and in the morning during freezing temperatures, combined with the regular use of other large appliances. Fortunately, we were able to meet the historic demand in our area.”

During this cold snap, EREC is encouraging members to keep costs low and keep flowing reliably to everyone this Christmas season by following these steps.

Lower thermostats by just one or two degrees to keep your home comfortable while saving energy.
Turn off lights, devices and electronics that are not in use.
Delay household chores like laundry or washing dishes, especially during peak times when it is very cold, if possible.

“Anything our members can do to help lower energy use helps our entire community as we continue to bring dependable power to you,” said Campbell.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Photos: Bratt Elementary First Graders Make The Cutest Ugly Christmas Sweaters

December 25, 2022

First grade students at Bratt Elementary recently made the cutest ugly sweaters.

The students invited their parents and other special guests to visit the school for a fun activity making the arts and crafts ugly Christmas sweaters.

For more photos, click or tap here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Navy Federal Employees Deliver Smiles For Christmas

December 25, 2022

Navy Federal Credit Union employees made the holidays a little brighter for 115 local families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this year through their annual Project Neighbors: Holiday Giving Program. Team members use paid volunteer hours to shop for items, wrap them and deliver gifts to families.

“Navy Federal helped me in a way that I didn’t know was possible,” one recipient said. “I am very grateful for this company.”

Project Neighbors is part of Navy Federal’s flagship School Partnerships Program, which partners with local public schools and nonprofit organizations, like Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Arc Gateway and Boys and Girls Club, to identify families in need during the Christmas season.

“Being able to help families have a happy holiday brings my team and I such joy,” said Elizabeth Haymans, project coordinator at Navy Federal. “To deliver gifts, to show others this community cares, to ensure so many children get to experience the joy of the season, it really fits our mission of service.”

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Santa And Mrs. Claus Made Christmas Eve Run Through Century

December 25, 2022

Santa and Mrs. Claus made a quick run on a cold Christmas Eve morning through Century and Byrneville, thanks to the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. They traveled through several neighborhoods on a fire truck, made several roadside stops, and visited with residents at the nursing home. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.