Winn Dixie, Publix, Kroger Recall Ground Beef Over E. Coli Concerns
August 15, 2011
Certain packages of ground beef sold at Winn Dixie, Publix and Kroger in Florida and Alabama are being recalled over a possible E. coli contamination.
The meat was produced by National Beef Packing Co. in Kansas and sold in large chubs to the grocery stores which, in turn, repackaged it into consumer-size containers for sale. Products affected by this recall were sold in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Products subject to the Winn-Dixie recall have “sell-by” label dates from 7/31/11 – 8/12/11 and can be identified as follows:
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck,” UPC code 20170000000
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck Family Pack (FP),” UPC code 29127700000
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck Patties,” UPC code 20170100000
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck Patties Family Pack (FP),” UPC code 29128200000
Further information about the specific products recalled by Publix are in the graphic below the article; information on Kroger recalls is at the bottom of the page.
The USDA advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Church Hands Out School Supplies To 260+ Students
August 15, 2011
Hundreds of Century area students received school supplies Friday from the Abundant Life Assembly of God. The Century church handed out the school supplies to a total of 268 students as part of an annual community outreach event.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Back To School For Florida Teachers, Alabama Students
August 15, 2011
Monday was the first day back for teachers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and the first day of school for students in Escambia County, Alabama.
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will return to class next Monday, August 22.
Orientation and elementary open house events have been scheduled at schools in Escambia County. Click here for more info.
Great Day Of Service: Churches Volunteer At Molino Park, Jim Allen
August 15, 2011
Three North Escambia churches joined together Saturday to volunteer at two elementary schools.
Aldersgate, Cottage Hill and Allen Memorial United Methodist churches took part in a “Great Day of Service” at Jim Allen and Molino Park elementary schools. Volunteers did yard and landscape work and helped in other areas around the schools to prepare for the return of students on August 22.
“They pulled weeds, mowed the front lawn, trimmed shrubbery and put new mulch in the flower beds at the front of the school,” Molino Park Elementary Principal Alice Woodward said. “These volunteers worked hard and were such a blessing to us. The transformation is remarkable. I really appreciate their passion to serve the community in such an awesome way.”
Pictured: Volunteers work around the campus of Molino Park Elementary for about four hours Saturday morning as part of a Methodist “Great Day of Service”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Several Area Blood Drives This Week
August 15, 2011
Northwest Florida Blood Service’s Bloodmobile will be in several North Escambia area locations this week.
Northwest Florida Blood Services is the exclusive provider of blood products to more than 24 area hospitals who need 175 blood donations a day. Each donation can save up to three lives.
Blood drives will be held as follows:
Tuesday
- 2 to 4:30 p.m. – Escambia County Road Department, 601 Highway 297A, Cantonment
Wednesday
- 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Century Correctional Institute, 400 Tedder Road, Century
Thursday
- 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Ascend, 300 Old Chemstrand Road, Gonzalez
Saturday
- 2 to 6 p.m. — Winn Dixie, 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Kmart, 235 East Nine Mile, Pensacola
Tropical Storm Gert Forms
August 14, 2011
Tropical Storm Gert formed Sunday afternoon and is no threat to the Gulf Coast. The latest information on the Gert is in the graphic above, click to enlarge.
No Injures In Early Morning International Paper Fire
August 14, 2011
There were no injuries in an early Sunday morning fire at International Paper in Cantonment.
The fire was happened about 3:50 a.m. in an area located about 100 feet high in a structure. Firefighters believed they had the fire out about 4:35 a.m., just before it reignited. Firefighters continued to work to extinguish the blaze in the equipment until about 6:15 a.m.
The blaze was reportedly sparked by an overheated piece of equipment that was covered in grease. There was no major damage reported, and most of the plant continued to operate normally during the incident.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire, along with a ladder truck from Ferry Pass.
Shoppers Take Advantage Of Tax Free Bargains
August 14, 2011
Many Escambia County stores were packed over the weeknd as shoppers took advantage of Florida’s three day sales tax break.
At Target on Nine Mile Road, the Linam family of Molino stopped by after Ben Linam’s ninth grade orientation Saturday at West Florida High School. Ben and sister Kayleigh, a student at Ernest Ward Middle School, used the opportunity to look for a few tax-free school supplies.
“We are just seeing what we can find,” mom Lana said.
Florida’s 2011 Sales Tax Holiday ended at midnight Sunday. In general, the sales tax holiday meant no state or local sales tax on clothing, footwear and some accessories selling for $75 or less or school supplies for $15 or less.
Pictured top: Kayleigh and Ben Linam of Molino look at school supplies Saturday afternoon at Target on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Good Neighbors: Communities Celebrate With Back To School Bash (With Photo Gallery)
August 14, 2011
About 300 Cantonment, Farm Hill and Cottage Hill residents came together Saturday in an area park, sharing food, fun and learning how to make their neighborhoods better places.
“The back to school bash and neighborhood watch block party was a great success,” said Michael Steadham, one of organizers of a Back to School Bash and Neighborhood Watch Party held at the Santa Maria Plaza Park in Farm Hill.
During the event, there was lots of free food, activities for the children, a mini car show, several child safety events, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol was on hand, and there were several child safety events. About 70 children participated in a child identification program offered by the Masonic Lodge.
The event was sponsored by the Cottage Hill, Farm Hill and Village neighborhood watch programs.
Pictured: The Back to School Bash and Neighborhood Watch Party Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Men Bitten By Snakes In Separate Incidents
August 14, 2011
Two men were bit by snakes in Escambia County on Saturday, including one in Cantonment.
Robert Moore was working under a home on Highway 95A near South Chipper Road in Cantonment shortly after noon when he was bitten by what was believed to be a rattlesnake. He was transported to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight in stable condition.
In an unrelated incident, a second man, Steve Watson, was bit by another snake Saturday at a home near Big Lagoon State Park. Watson reportedly tried to suck the venom out of his own thumb before emergency workers arrived on scene. He was transported to an area hospital.
NorthEscambia.com photo.