NorthEscambia.com: Our Snow Photos Part II
February 13, 2010
NorthEscambia.com was on the road Friday, taking lots of photos from North Escambia to Uriah, Alabama.
Most of the photos you will see in our second photo gallery were taken on Highway 21 north of Atmore up to Monroe County, where there was much more snow than North Escambia.
For the photo gallery, click here.
For part one of our photo gallery, click here.
Don’t forget to email your snow pictures to news@northescambia.com so we can add them to our photo galleries.
Pictured above: Little River State Park was postcard picture perfect. Pictured below: The snowfall was heavy in Uriah, Alabama. Pictured inset: This snowman was ready for Mardi Gras. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Olivia Heading Home To North Escambia After Brain Surgery
February 13, 2010
Olivia Bush, 6, — the young North Escambia girl that had part of her brain removed Monday at Miami Children’s Hospital — is now on her way home.
She underwent the surgery to alleviate seizures that have plagued her since she was born as the second youngest premature baby to survive at Pensacola’s Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. During the surgery, doctors removed a 7 centimeter portion of her brain — basically taking out the bad, non-functioning portion and leaving behind the good, healthy tissue.
Olivia was released Friday from the hospital in Miami. After spending Friday night in Orlando, the family is expected back home by Saturday afternoon.
“Olivia is doing well and is getting better everyday,” said her father, Tad Bush. The doctor said everything looked good.” Olivia will need to travel back to Miami in about three months for a follow-up visit. Then she will be followed by her regular neurosurgeon in Pensacola.
To read an earlier story about Olivia, click here.
Pictured top: Olivia Bush resting Monday evening at Miami Children’s Hospital after a six hour brain surgery to alleviate seizures. Pictured left inset: Olivia prior to surgery. Pictured bottom: Olivia ready to leave Miami. Submitted photos by Tad Bush for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Looking To Be The Best: Northview, Ernest Ward Cheerleaders Seek National Titles
February 13, 2010
The Northview High School Competition Cheerleaders and the Ernest Ward Middle School Competition Cheerleaders are in Orlando, for this weekend’s national championships.
Members of the Northview High School team are: Felicia Settle, Carley Hetrick, Megan Ryan, Heather Ward, Charleigh McPherson, Lauren McCall, Taylor Byrd, Taylor Rigby, Ashley Cunningham, Ariel Holland, Ashley Mooney, Tori Reid, Tori Chavers, Tiffany Chavers, Lindsey Holderfield, Kassandra Lett, Laneicia Gomez, Courtney Merritt, Ande Gideons, Hillary Byrd, Lauren Cloud, Caroline Prater, Autumn Slay and Brooke Tullis.
Member of the Ernest Ward Middle School team are: Hannah Gibson, Katelynne Calloway, Paeton Hadley, Shnala Banks, Reagan Bell, Raven Weaver, Madison Arrington, Jadlyn Agerton, Mallory Ryan, Tamara Green, Anna Fischer, Morgan Ward, Lily Townson, Kendall Cobb, Saige Garrett, Dariane Guy, Mariah Albritton, Danielle Robinson, Kristen Byrd, Ali Martin, Courtney Weaver, Lana Clayton, Chelsea Ward and Mallory Wiggins.
The Northview team did not attend last year’s competition, while the EWMS cheerleaders brought home a national title last year.
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview cheerleaders in Orlando, click here.
Pictured above: The Northview High School Competition Cheerleaders at Disney World in Orlando Thursday morning. Submitted photos by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More NorthEscambia.com Reader Submitted Snow Photos
February 13, 2010
NorthEscambia.com readers submitted hundreds of snow photos from Friday’s big snow.
From all across Northwest Florida and well into South Alabama, our reader photos provide a complete look at the first snowfall in 14 years.
For part three of our reader photo gallery, click here.
Don’t forget to email your snow pictures to news@northescambia.com so that we can run add your photos to our galleries.
Pictured top: A group of Flomaton High School students build this eight and half foot snowman. Pictured inset: Horse Brandy enjoys the snow in Castleberry, Alabama. Pictured below: This group, including some North Escambia residents, built “FROSTYKONGZILLA” in Uriah, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos, click toe enlarge
Photo Gallery: Even More NorthEscambia.com Reader Submitted Photos
February 12, 2010
For another NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photo gallery from Friday morning’s snow, click here.
Don’t forget to email your snow pictures to news@northescambia.com so that we can add your photos to our galleries.
Pictured top: Making a snow angel in Bratt. Pictured inset: Making a snowman at Jefferson Davis Community College north of Atmore. Pictured below: Snow tasting in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos, click to enlarge
NorthEscambia.com: Our Snow Photos Part I
February 12, 2010
NorthEscambia.com was busy Friday taking lots of photos from North Escambia to Monroe County, Alabama.
Most of the photos you will see in our first photo gallery were taken in and around Atmore, which received significantly more snow than North Escambia.
For the photo gallery, click here.
Don’t forget to email your snow pictures to news@northescambia.com so we can add them to our photo galleries.
Pictured above: Bethel UMC on Highway 21 near I-65. Pictured below: The Atmore train station. Pictured inset: Welcome To Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: NorthEscambia.com Reader Submitted Photos
February 12, 2010
For a NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photo gallery from Friday morning’s snow, click here.
Don’t forget to email your snow pictures to news@northescambia.com so that we can run add your photos to our galleries.
Pictured top: A snowman in Nokomis, Fla. Pictured left: “Redneck Snowman” in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
How To Drive On Slippery Roads
February 12, 2010
Here are tips for driving on slippery roads from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management.
The best tip — is stay home. But if you must drive:
- Drive according to the conditions on the road. Remember bridges, overpasses and infrequently travel roads will freeze first.
- Allow extra time to get to your destination.
- Don’t use cruise control on icy roads.
- Reduce your speed and leave plenty of room to stop. There should be at least three times the normal amount of space between you and the car in front of you.
- To avoid skidding break gently if your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Put extra distance between you and the car in front of you.
- If your car starts to slide, turn your wheels in the direction it is sliding to straighten it out.
- Turn on your lights to see and be seen.
- Clear snow and ice off the headlights, tail lights, mirrors and license plates.
- Stop the car when necessary to keep the windows clear.
- Check the windshield wipers to make sure they are not frozen to the windshield.
- Slow down. Wear seat belts. Never drink and drive.
County Offers Winter Weather Fire Safety Tips
February 12, 2010
With our winter weather, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
According to the National Fire Protection Association annual fire department survey, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported home structure fires in the United States in 2006. These fires accounted for 16% of all home fires and were responsible for an estimated 540 deaths, roughly 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage. With this in mind, Escambia County would like to offer a few safety tips involving heating equipment:
- Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
- Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
- Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
- Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
- Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.
Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
Escambia County encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For more information on cold weather hazards click here. If you have additional questions regarding heater safety or other fire safety issues, please contact Lt. Daniel Akerman at (850) 475-5530.
Road Crews Work All Night To Sand Bridges, Slick Spots
February 12, 2010
Escambia County’s Roads and Bridges Division worked most Thursday night to sand bridges and any potential slick spots across North Escambia.
“They are working hard to sand the bridges and make driving as safe as possible,” Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom told NorthEscambia.com. “It’s probably best that people stay off the roads.”
Pictured above: An Escambia County road crew spreads sand on a bridge in Bratt late Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.