Blue Bell Ice Cream Returns After Recall
December 15, 2015
Blue Bell Ice Cream returned to store freezers Monday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and across south and central Alabama.
Blue Bell has been absent from stores since a voluntary recall April 20 due to a listeria outbreak that was linked to 10 illnesses in four states, including three deaths.
For now Blue Bell is producing five flavors of ice cream in the half gallon and pint sizes: Buttered Pecan, Cookies ’n Cream, Dutch Chocolate, Homemade Vanilla and The Great Divide. More flavors will be added in the future. 12-pak Homemade Vanilla Cups and 12-pak Homemade Vanilla and Dutch Chocolate Cups are also available in stores.
Pictured: Blue Bell Ice Cream was back in the freezer at the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville on Monday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Falls In Love With ‘KC The Library Cat’
December 14, 2015
Molino has fallen in love with KC MeowMeow the Library Cat…the resident cat at the Molino Branch Library.
He goes by the nickname “KC” and, well, basically rules his outdoor domain around the library. He’s quite the hit with library and Molino Community Complex visitors. During his NorthEscambia.com photo shoot, several children arrived at the library with their parents. The first stop was not the children’s book section, but around the outside of the library calling KC for a little love and attention. Once the children gained his approval for a petting well done, the kids were off for the library’s children’s section.
Library employees and patrons have raised the money for KC’s care and daily feedings. He has been to the vet where he was neutered and has had all of his shots. When we had our last cold weather, patrons became concerned that he was out in the cold, but a donor provided him with a small heated house.
KC provides outdoor security and mousing services for the library and can often be found at the side entrance serving as official greeter.
KC is also a hit with the children at the neighboring Head Start program.
Pictured above and below: KC The Library cat at the Molino Branch Library. Pictured bottom (submitted photo): A heated cat house was donated to keep KC warm on cold Molino nights. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 13, 2015
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured over two dozen lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the Atmore Christmas Parade Saturday night, including Miss Alabama (bottom photo). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tens Of Thousands Attend Annual Pensacola Christmas Parade (With Gallery)
December 13, 2015
The annual Pensacola Christmas Parade rolled through downtown Saturday night before a crowd estimated at over 50,000 people.
The parade featured the Blue Angels flight team, eight bands from Escambia County, New Orleans and Mississippi, organizations from across the region and dozens of other entries. All profits of the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade go to the local high school band booster organizations.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Children Of Fallen Service Members Board The Snowball Express (Photo Gallery)
December 13, 2015
For a special group of military families, Saturday was not an ordinary day. Nearly 1,700 children and spouses of fallen U.S. military members headed out on an all-expense-paid journey to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, for the 10th annual Snowball Express.
Before departing from Pensacola, 56 family members enjoyed decorations, refreshments and an entertaining send-off at the USO and Gate 9. The aircraft received a water-cannon salute upon departure.
While many look forward to the holiday season with excitement and anticipation of times with family and friends, the holidays can be difficult for those who have lost a loved one — especially the families of our fallen military.
Snowball Express is a nonprofit organization with the goal of “Serving the Children of Our Fallen Military Heroes.” Snowball Express is bringing hope and new happy memories to the children of military heroes who have died while on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
As the official airline of Snowball Express, American Airlines provided the majority of the air travel, and all flight crews and hundreds of employee volunteers are donating their time to participate in this special program. Ten chartered American aircraft departed from numerous cities — including Pensacola — to pick up Snowball families.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Frances Marquis Named ESAR Volunteer Of The Year
December 13, 2015
Frances Gerianna Marquis of Molino was named the Escambia Search and Rescue Volunteer of the Year Saturday during the group’s annual Christmas party. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America Honors Veterans
December 13, 2015
More than 3,500 wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola on Saturday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national event “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began over 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.
Pictured above and bottom: Wreaths placed at Barrancas National Cemetary in Pensacola Saturday morning. Pictured below: The Young Marines Of Pensacola also placed a wreath on the grave of Lcpl. Travis M. Nelson of Bratt at an Atmore Cemetery. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$100K Donated To Escambia School District For Computer Science Programs
December 12, 2015
The Sansing Foundation is giving $100,000 to the Escambia County School District to increase computer science instruction in classes in all grade levels over the next two calendar years.
“As a business owner,” explained Sandy Sansing, “I am keenly aware of the importance of technology in the success of my employees and business. Every local student should have a chance to learn about computer science and technology. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st century career.”
“Mr. Sandy Sansing has been a longtime friend of the Escambia County School District. His desire to see our children and our community prosper, by partnering with us to increase educational experiences for our students and teachers, is evidenced today,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
The first $50,000 of the grant funds will allow the district to do the following in 2016:
● Provide all elementary schools with materials to support participation in Science Olympiad, with EV3 Mindstorm core sets, and LabView Programming Software.
● Send seven district instructors to the Computer Science Teachers’ Association Conference next July.
● Provide the Robotics Academy at Pine Forest High School with Arduinos Microcontroller kits (kits for building digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and control objects in the physical world).
● Bring AP Computer Science courses in selected high schools by training teachers for implementation during the next school year.
● Cover the cost for web development training for teachers from Tate, Washington, Pensacola, West Florida and Pine Forest High Schools to obtain certification this summer to teach HTML next year.
● And, cover the cost for web development training for teachers from Tate, Washington, Pensacola, West Florida and Pine Forest High Schools to obtain certification this summer to teach OCA: Java Script Programmer next year.
A second $50,000 grant donation will allow the district to build on these programs in 2017. The grant will be managed by the ECSD Workforce Education Department.
“Our Workforce instructors use their own training and technical certifications to prepare students to attain their computer science certifications,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, ECSD’s director of Workforce Education. “We know that certifications help our graduates obtain employment, begin careers, and advance their education. The Sansing Foundation has been a catalyst for our district to take a big step forward in preparing students for STEM jobs in computer technology beginning at the elementary level and through increased rigor and opportunity at the high school level.”
Photos: Flomaton Christmas Parade
December 11, 2015
The annual Christmas Parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton Thursday night. The parade featured floats, vehicles, the Flomaton High School cheerleaders and band, the Northview High School NJROTC, twirlers, plenty of candy throws and Santa Claus.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sweet Treats At The Library; Santa To Visit Century And Molino Branches
December 11, 2015
‘Tis the season for Christmas programs at area library branches.
The Molino Branch Library recently held a Holiday Candy program where patrons learned to make a simple candy recipe.
Santa will make a special appearance at the Molino Branch Library on Monday, December 14 at 6 p.m., and Santa will visit the Century Branch Library on Tuesday, December 15 at 5 p.m.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.