Latest news with #DailyCommercial
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why was the CR 475 overpass closed over I-75 Monday morning?
WILDWOOD — A highway overpass is undergoing repairs because of a collision that gridlocked traffic on Monday morning, March 17. County Road 475 is one of the most scenic two-lane highways running north and south through Marion and Sumter counties, past farms and horse ranches. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a dump truck driver inadvertently left the bed in a raised position while passing under the CR-475 overpass, and the truck bed struck the overpass. Why would that happen? A raised dump truck bed increases the height and center of gravity of the vehicle, and uneven terrain or an improperly aligned truck can cause the vehicle to tip over, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). That's what happened in the northbound lanes of I-75 in Sumter County at 1:20 a.m. A 56-year-old Ocala man was driving northbound on I-75 near the 333.5 milepost, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The bed of his dump truck sheared off and became lodged under the overpass while the truck itself continued a few hundred feet to its final rest just north of the impact point. No injuries were reported by the driver. Florida Department of Transportation engineers arrived to inspect the overpass, and the highway was cleared at around 8:15 a.m. The FHP told the Daily Commercial that the dump truck driver was charged with careless driving. Motorists detoured using U.S. 301 to County Road 484 to drive east-west. Also in the news: Behind on paying fines? Get help through Lake County's Operation Green Light "We don't have a timeline for the repairs yet," a spokesperson for FDOT told the Daily Commercial. "The repairs will be designed, then constructed, and that process typically takes weeks or months depending on the extent of the damage. In the meantime, it's safe to use the overpass, and both lanes are open. The shoulder is closed at this time." Florida is among the three states with the most serious truck accidents, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Dump truck accidents are not uncommon in Florida because they can cause both primary and secondary accidents. In January, a woman was killed in a head-on crash involving a dump truck in Lake County, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The crash happened at the intersection of County Road 439 and County Road 44A. A dump truck driver, a Leesburg man, 28, was not injured, but the 23-year-old Altoona woman driving the Toyota was transported to Waterman Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. "Despite the massive size and weight, dump trucks are used to make repeated trips between construction sites, suppliers and waste drop-off points," a spokesperson at Ansara Law Group explained in a 2021 report. "Repeated trips increase the potential for collisions. Drivers are often under significant pressure to get the job done, leading to dangerous actions behind the wheel, including speed, distraction, and aggressive driving." This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: CR 475 overpass damaged by dump truck bed
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Which are the best places to watch the lunar eclipse near us? What we know
The first total lunar eclipse in two and a half years will be visible from Florida this week. The night show will turn the moon a blood-red shade for more than an hour. Depending on the time, the eclipse will appear different as it progresses. While the blood-red moon will be visible for more than an hour, the entire event lasts just more than six hours. In Leesburg, The Weather Channel forecasts a mostly clear sky. Wear a sweater or jacket, or bring a blanket. The low will be near 55 degrees. Clermont will be partly cloudy with a low of around 59 degrees. On the night of Thursday, March 13, the moon will begin to darken slightly as it enters the outer part of Earth's shadow — also called the penumbra. This will begin to happen at 11:57 p.m. but will not be highly noticeable. Staying up later will give the best show. Beginning at 1:09 a.m., the moon will start to darken more noticeably as the partial eclipse begins. At this point, the moon is moving into the Earth's shadow. At 2:26 a.m. on Friday, the moon enters into the total eclipse — known as totality. At this point, the only light from the sun reaching the moon are red wavelengths, turning the moon a blood-red. This will last for 65 minutes, with the greatest eclipse occurring at 2:59 a.m. At 3:31 a.m., the totality will end, and the moon will be only partially eclipsed again, starting to move out of Earth's shadow. By 4:47 a.m., the partial eclipse will be over, and the moon will once again start to appear full. By 6 a.m., the event will be fully over, with the moon back to its normal brightness. First, you'll want to find an area that is unblocked by trees and buildings, obviously, but also a "dark sky" area, where ambient light doesn't obscure the cosmos. If you live in Groveland, have loved ones there, or want to spring for a hotel, the southern Lake County city is the first community in Florida and the Southeastern United States to become a certified international DarkSky Community in 2023. Ocala National Forest is a recognized dark sky location in Florida for stargazing and astronomy activities. As a U.S. national forest, dispersed camping, also known as boondocking, is permitted away from car and RV campsites, which allows for even darker skies. A permit may be required. Visit to find out more. Floridians are days away from witnessing a total lunar eclipse, with the "blood moon" visible for several hours as the Earth casts its shadow across the moon. Here's what to know about the lunar eclipse and its view from cities across Florida. This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Where, when to watch lunar eclipse in Lake County & The Villages
