Hope For Olivia
January 10, 2010
This week brought good news for the Bush family and their simple Christmas wish — a cure for Olivia.
We first introduced you to Olivia back in early December. Olivia Bush, 6, is blind, able to see only a little light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.
Just before Christmas, Olivia and her family traveled to Miami Children’s Hospital hoping to find a cure for her seizures. While in Miami, Olivia was monitored by a 35-lead EEG and a video camera with doctors hoping to capture data from a seizure. On the Tuesday night before Christmas, she had a seizure that was captured on the EEG and video, according to her father Tad Bush.
That information has allowed doctors to schedule surgery for Olivia in early February, news the Bush family learned just this week.
“I am so excited about this! I am so happy that if all goes well, Olivia could finally be seizure free! Maybe no more meds? Praise the Lord!” said Olivia’s mom Amber Bush.
A scan of Olivia’s brain is pictured, and Amber Bush offers this explanation:
“The black on the pic is dead, useless brain. It does nothing, has no electrical activity….nada…just there taking up space. So, basically, Olivia has half of a brain. How amazing is that! She is such a miracle. The docs told us that if an adults brain looked like that, they would be a vegetable! Wow, isn’t God good! Her brain has reassigned all of that dead part to other parts of her brain. That is why they aren’t for sure what the part of her brain where the seizures are coming from controls. The more I look at it the more I see God in Olivia!”
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow Olivia’s hope for a miracle. We first introduced our readers to Olivia back in early December. That story is below.
Olivia Bush’s story started July 22, 2003, almost four months before there should have been a first chapter in her life. Born at just 22 weeks, she weighed only one pound six ounces. She stayed in the NICU three and half months, defying doctors and coming home two weeks before her due date. Olivia is the second youngest baby to ever survive at Sacred Heart Hospital.
The current-day chapter Olivia’s story is perhaps best told by her mother, Amber Bush:
“Olivia is now 6 years old. She is blind and can only see light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.
“Our little miracle girl started first grade this year and loves to go to school. She is spoiled rotten by everyone she meets and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She loves to rock and spin and everything needs to be fast. Roller coasters, throw up rides, and bumps are her friends. Olivia doesn’t meet a stranger. She has the greatest smile and laugh and always brightens our day. She is such an inspiration to everyone she meets, and she has come such a long way. Her favorite song is the BIBLE and she tells everyone to sing it to her.
“After enduring the NICU, she came home on oxygen and a heart monitor, and doctor after doctor. Then started the therapy. She is still in physical, occupational, speech, vision, and mobility therapy.”
Now, Olivia is heading to Miami Children’s Hospital. She will see the same doctor that cured the seizures of her cousin, Northview High student Nathan Therrell. NorthEscambia.com introduced our readers to Nate in November of 2008 when he was on the sidelines as Northview’s waterboy. After undergoing surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital, Nathan played in Northview’s Garnet and Gold Game in May of 2009, void of seizures. (Read about Nathan here.)
Olivia will be in Miami Children’s Hospital December 14-16 for a battery of tests that her parents hope will end with a successful treatment plan. It’s their Christmas wish.
“Pray for guidance in this matter and that the seizures will subside,” mom Amber said. “Please pray for Olivia. She has come such a long way, and we are so thankful. God has truly blessed us with a living angel and we are very grateful.”
A successful benefit car wash for Olivia Bush was held in Century on Saturday, December 5.
Pictured top: Olivia Bush with a therapy dog at Miami Children’s Hospital. Pictured top insets: Olivia at the children’s hospital. Pictured top inset: Olivia was just one pound six ounces when she was born at 22 weeks. Pictured bottom inset: Olivia Bush at six-years old. Pictured below: Tad, Olivia, Simon and Amber Bush.Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Presents Delayed Christmas Program
January 10, 2010
Byrneville Elementary School third through fifth graders performed their “Santa’s Holiday Playlist” Christmas program Saturday night — a program that was delayed in mid-December due to flooding in the area.
Christmas spirit filled the air at Northview High School’s theater Saturday night as the children performed as snowflakes, reindeer, toy soldiers, elves, Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus under the direction of music teacher Elaine Holk. The program featured a variety of Christmas music, singing solos and all of the children playing their recorders.
For a photo gallery from the play and backstage preparations, click here.
Pictured above and below: Byrneville Elementary School’s 3rd-5th grade performed their Christmas play Saturday night at Northview High School. Photos by Angi Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Article contributed by Angi Baker for NorthEscambia.com
Winter Weather Photos
January 10, 2010
Our super cold weather is continuing in North Escambia, providing some unique icy photograph opportunities. Deni Deron of Molino sent a photo of a sweetgum tree after a sprinkler was left on in the tree all night. And Deeann Lee in Cantonment emailed us photos of a frozen fountain.
For more photos, including a really cold bird feeder in a picture from Deni Deron, click here.
Do you have cold weather photos you would like to share? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo: Hot Coffee, Frozen Pool
January 9, 2010
The picture above shows a cup of hot coffee sitting on a sheet of ice in a Byrneville pool.
“I sat my hot coffee cup onto the frozen water of the pool and was able to take a photo without the cup even falling through,” Angi Baker said. (The dark objects at the bottom of the pool are leaves, she said.)
Do you have a cold weather photo to share? Email your picture to news@northescambia.com
Submitted photo by Angie Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eddie Cooper Honored For 25 Years With County NRCS
January 8, 2010
Eddie Cooper of Molino was honored Thursday night for 25 years of dedicated service to Escambia County.
Cooper currently serves as the division manager of the National Resource Conservation Division, Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau. The Escambia County Natural Resources Conservation Division (NRCS) was formerly known as the Soil and Water Division.
The NRCS office administers federal funds that are headed to farmers, ranchers and landowners participating in a variety of federal programs. In the just the past 10 years, the NRCS has administered over $27 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture dollars made available to Escambia County and agriculture producers. Agriculture is a $32 million a year industry in Escambia County, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey.
Keith Wilkins, deputy bureau chief of Neighborhoods and Community Services, said Cooper has always been one of the department’s most ethical, sincere and diligent employees.
“I just want to thank Escambia County for giving me the privilege to serve,” Cooper said, adding that he is looking forward to several more years with Escambia County before his retirement.
Pictured above: County Administrator Bob McLaughlin (left) presents a framed proclamation to Eddie Cooper at Thursday night’s Escambia County Commission meeting.
Photos: A Really Cool Swing Set
January 6, 2010
A North Escambia family had one of the coolest swing sets around thanks to our winter weather. An overnight temperature in the upper teens and a sprinkler left on all night created this wintry scene with huge icicles Tuesday morning. Pictured below: Hunter Kinnard climbs a very frozen rope ladder. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For more photos of the swing set and all of its icicles, click here.
Do you have interesting photos that you would like to share with our readers? Email the photos with a description to news@northescambia.com for possible inclusion on our site.
Frozen Fountain Photos
January 6, 2010
Our daily look at the Century Care Center’s frozen fountain continued on Wednesday with a solid block of ice.
Thousands of people have been watching our daily photos of the ice build up in the Nona Hightower Fountain at Century Care Center. Our first photos on Monday showed a few icicles; by Wednesday morning the fountain was finally completely frozen.
“No water is flowing at this time from the pineapple (at the top of the fountain),” Linda Jackson, activities assistant at the Century Care Center, said Wednesday morning. “It’s just that cold!”
Pictured above the Nona Hightower Fountain at Century Care Center Wednesday morning. Pictured below: The fountain Monday morning. Submitted photos by Linda Jackson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2009 Persons Of The Year: Charles Williams
January 4, 2010
Charles Williams has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Charles Williams is one of those behind the scenes people that makes the world go round — at least the world of youth sports in Walnut Hill.
From the Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Boosters to Northwest Escambia Football, Williams is always hard at work to make sure the area’s children have the opportunity to take part in sports.
He is sometimes the man on the public address system at NWE and Ernest Ward Middle School football games, but he is always the man behind the scenes. From mowing the grass to working in the concession stand, he’s the model volunteer.
As president of the EWMS Sports Boosters, Williams is quick to point out that the group works to support every boy’s and girl’s sport at the school, not just the county’s only middle school football team. Williams and his army of volunteers make sure that every player of every sport is appreciated, and that every player is fed an appropriate meal or snack before every game.
“I just don’t know what we would do without Charles,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said at a school sports banquet before presenting Williams with a small token of the school’s appreciation.
Williams accepted the gift quietly and humbly — that’s just the kind of man he is. And hundreds, if not thousands, of youth would tend to agree — he’s just one of those people that influences society quietly, one child a time.
“He’s a true hero,” Perry said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: October
January 4, 2010
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2009. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of October 2009.
The Northview High School Chiefs picked up a big win against Sneeds on Senior Night. The Silver Wings parachute team was due to parachute the game ball into the stadium prior the game, but weather forced a cancellation.
On the last Friday night of October, a 13-year old girl reported that she was the victim of a home invasion in Molino. The middle school student was cut multiple times on her hands in an apparent attempt to fight off her attacker as she was pinned on a bed but she was not otherwise injured.
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost to the Baker Gators in the District 1-1A volleyball tournament finals in Bratt, but the Lady Chiefs will have one more shot at advancing in the state tournament.
Six more people — including at least one animal control worker — were exposed to rabies following an incident with a rabid cat in the McDavid area.
Christina Rae Rivkin was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for the June death of a Pensacola man riding his bicycle to work so that his wife could use the family’s only car.
When just over 100 World War II veterans headed to Washington Wednesday on the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Honor Flight so that the veterans could see the World War II Memorial — their memorial — NorthEscambia.com gave veteran Billy Ward of Walnut Hill a camera. We asked him to take pictures during his day and share them with you, our readers.
In a battle of rivals, the Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 28-27, and it was a nail-biter down to the last seconds.
The Town of Century started the application process for a $140,000 grant to improve drainage in an area south of the old Century High School.
The Town of Century’s accountant predicts that the new fiscal year will be a good one financially for the town. “It looks better this year than this time last year,” Robert Hudson, Century’s accountant, said. He predicted that by the middle the of the budget year, which started October 1, “I think our incomes will wind up being a little more than we budgeted.”
Students at Molino Park Elementary School took a grand field trip to the faraway world of Egypt, thanks to Pensacola non-profit organization called The Global Corner International Learning Center.
You don’t need a driver’s license to drive an Army tank, and drill sergeants don’t really yell at recruits. Those were just a couple of the interesting answers to equally interesting questions as students at Ernest Ward Middle School met with an Army recruiter.
An Escambia County, Alabama, man died from the H1N1 virus.
Two Century residents that own a horse related business were arrested Thursday on animal cruelty charges after starving horses were found on their property.
NorthEscambia.com was named the “Best Local Blog” in the ninth annual Pensacola Independent newspaper’s Best of the Coast issue.
Barrineau Park Road closed near Jacks Branch Road for bridge repair.
Camping fees at Lake Stone were increased by the Escambia County Commission.
An Escambia County woman was charged with leaving her three young children home alone for two days with nothing to eat except six cups of Jello. One child, an 18-month old girl, was found dead in a trashcan at the woman’s home.
The final bills were submitted for the addition of modular classrooms at Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools — $1,026,214. That bottom line was almost $43,000 over the school district’s original budget.
An $858,713.05 project by Roads Inc. of NWF, completely resurfaced Molino Road from Highway 29 to Highway 99, a distance of just over five miles.
Wanted murder suspect Bruce Edward Day was taken into custody in the Atmore area. A massive manhunt in Pensacola failed to locate Day, wanted for a 2001 Nokomis murder in which authorities have never found a body.
The Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission held a meeting in Century, but only a handful of residents attended.
Thousands from the across the area packed the annual Jay Peanut Festival.
Northview High School beat Baker 34-14 for Homecoming win.
Kassandra Lett was named as Northview High School’s 2009 Homecoming Queen. First runner up was Erica Rendell; second runner up was Amber McMillan.
2009 In Pictures: September
January 4, 2010
Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambeth as deputies searched murder suspects after NorthEscambia.com located their van.
A Hazmat crew works to clean acid out of an Atmore gas station parking lot.
A 10 -year old boy on a dirt bike was injured after being hit by a pickup truck in Bratt.
A 19-year old male and a 15-year old middle school student were charged in connection with the September 14th robbery of the Molino Tom Thumb. Deputies found the 19-year old trying to steal tires after he had a flat on the getaway car. The clothing used in the robbery was found in the back of the car by deputies. A tip from a NorthEscambia.com reader was crediting as breaking the case for investigators. (above).
Eighth grade student Rebekah Miles leads students in prayer at Ernest Ward Middle School’s See You At The Pole rally.
We had a little fun with the urban legend that says you can stand an egg on its end on the spring and fall equinox. We are not sure if we are able to stand eggs on end at other times of the year. No one here has ever tried.
Herman Pleasant, left, waits his turn to address the Century Town Council about code enforcement problems while Eddie Stallworth, right, listens.
Northwest Escambia football action.
Fire destroyed a tractor in Bratt.