Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids (With Gallery)
December 11, 2011
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 11th annual toy ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. About 75 bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, Arrington Auto Parts in Flomaton and Atmore City Hall.
- For a photo gallery from Bratt Elementary, click here.
- For a photo gallery from Atmore City Hall, click here.
Pictured top: Santa Claus helps unwrap presents Saturday morning in Bratt from the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. Pictured inset: Santa helps with a quick test drive on a new bicycle. Pictured below: Santa wheels into Bratt Elementary. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured nearly 30 lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
Our redneck friends and neighbors in north Santa Rosa County celebrated Christmas with their annual Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade Saturday. Tens of thousands of people attended the parade and BonfireJam with Josh Turner, Jamey Johnson and Lee Brice.
Deer, camo, trucks and tractors were a common theme, along just good redneck fun.
Proceeds from the event benefit children in the Chumuckla community at Christmas.
For more photos from the Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured above: The annual Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon in north Santa Rosa County. Submitted photos by Ashley Rhodes for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Homes Damaged By Fire
December 11, 2011
Two red bulbs were added Saturday during the Escambia County and City of Pensacola “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign after two homes were damaged by fire.
A fire Friday night damaged a home in the 800 block of Madison Drive. Firefighters arrived at 7:58 p.m. and found a fire in the kitchen of the home. The fire, declared out at 8:41 p.m., caused moderate damage to the kitchen and attic and smoke and heat damage throughout the rest of the home. The cause of the fire was an electrical short near a ceiling fan. Firefighters from Osceola, West Pensacola, Brent and Myrtle Grove responded to the scene.
A fire Saturday at 12:54 p.m. damaged a home in the 5700 block of Wickford Lane. Firefighters arrived at 1:03 p.m. and found a fire in the attic of the home. The fire, declared out at 1:17 p.m., caused moderate damage to the attic and air conditioning unit of the home. The cause of the fire was determined to have been from an electrical problem. Firefighters from Bellview, Brent, Osceola, Myrtle Grove and the Navy responded to the fire.
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department will continue the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign throughout the holiday season. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Blue Angels Send Off Fallen Soldiers’ Families On Snowball Express
December 11, 2011
The Blue Angels welcomed seven local families of fallen military heroes to the Pensacola International Airport Friday before their flight to a Snowball Express event in Texas.
Snowball Express is a charity organization for children of America’s fallen military heroes, and the team was honored to support this event, said Blue Angel #7 Lt. Mark Tedrow.
Blue Angels team members signed autographs, presented each child with a personalized lithograph, and spent time with the children in the USO center before their flight to North Texas to join nearly 1,700 other children and surviving spouses.
“It was a truly humbling and rewarding experience to be able to spend time with the sons, daughters and spouses of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tedrow.
The event is a time for the families to do something fun, said April Lyons, whose husband, Niall, died in 2009. April’s son, John Patrick, was excited to interact with other children in a similar situation.
“I think they’re just excited to know they’re not alone,” said Sarah White, a mother of three.
White’s son, Seth, although it was his first time at Snowball Express, said he knew just what the event would be like.
“I know what to expect,” he said, giggling. “I’m gonna have fun.”
Blue Angels C-130 Pilot Marine Capt. A.J. Harrell said he hoped being part of the event helped the families’ healing process.
“I know the kids were excited,” Harrell added. “It meant a lot to be a part of that.”
Tedrow said the experience was special to him because it is important to remember the sacrifices of not only our fallen soldiers, but also their families.
“Our job as Blue Angels is to credibly represent the Sailors and Marines who are forward deployed all over the world,” he said, “but today was a great opportunity to honor and represent the fallen servicemen and women that are no longer with us.”
American Airlines provides transportation annually for families across the world to the Snowball Express event, where children and surviving spouses meet for a weekend of enjoyment. This year, the schedule includes visits to Six Flags Over Texas and the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.
Pictured: Seven families of fallen military heroes flew from Pensacola to Texas Friday on the “Snowball Express”. Photos and article submitted by Rachel McMarr, Blue Angels Public Affairs, for NorthEscambia.com, click photos to enlarge.
Malone, Meacham To Wed
December 11, 2011
Allen and Shelly Jay of Atmore and Blake and Jackie Malone of Pass Christian, MS, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kaysie Antoinette Malone, to Norvelle Alexander Meacham of Perdido, AL, the son of Tom and Bobbie Meacham.
Kaysie graduated in 2010 from Atmore Christian School. She is a full time student at University of Mobile studying elementary education and works with Atmore Ambulance.
Alex graduated in 2008 from Atmore Christian School. He is the intern assistant to the Director of International Ministries and Church Planting for the Mobile Baptist Association and is a sales associate at Kohl’s. Alex is also a student at University of Mobile majoring in intercultural studies.
The wedding will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church on McRae Street in Atmore. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
Fire Department Holds Toy Drive
December 11, 2011
Members of the Atmore Fire Department held their annual Toy Drive Saturday to benefit children in the area at Christmas. The department collected new toys for hours Saturday outside Fred’s on Lindberg Avenue. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Critically Injured In Early Morning Hwy 29 Crash
December 10, 2011
One person was critically injured in a single vehicle wreck early Saturday morning on Highway 29 in McDavid.
The accident happened just after 3 a.m. on the southbound side of Highway 29 near Black Road. A 20-year old man from Cantonment apparently lost control, ran off the roadway into a ditch and struck a fire hydrant. He was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as a “trauma alert”.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not immediately available.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Pictured: One person was injured in this wreck early Saturday morning on Highway 29 in McDavid. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Helps Feed 65 Animals Seized Near Molino
December 10, 2011
People from across the North Escambia area banded together Friday to help save the lives of 65 animals that were starving near Molino.
Escambia County Animal Control seized 18 donkeys, six miniature horses, four goats, 12 peacocks and 25 pigs. But since they had no where to house some of them, they were kept on the property, according to Diane Lowery, president of Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER).
“These animals have been neglected for quite some time; some have already died,” she said in an emergency plea via email Friday, asking for hay or funding for hay, for some of the animals.
“I just sat at the computer and cried at the responses and the number of people that wanted to help animals in trouble,” she said Friday afternoon on her way to help distribute eight large bales of hay weighing hundreds of pounds to the animals.
“This is such a great community that we live in,” Lowery said. “It just warms my heart the way people helped so quickly.”
She said the owner of the animals is currently in the hospital and was unable to care for them. It was not known late Friday if any charges would be filed against the person.
Pictured top: Hay is delivered to starving donkeys Friday afternoon near Molino. Pictured inset: An Escambia County Animal Control Officers feeds a donkey an apple. Pictured below: Another county animal control officer documents conditions. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
