Thousands Enjoy 2010’s Winter Wonderland
February 13, 2010
It was a winter wonderland to remember for thousands in South Alabama and extreme northern Northwest Florida Friday with the first snowfall in 14 years. For many, it was their first glimpse of the white stuff, which varied from a wet sticky mess in North Escambia to a fluffy white powder in Monroe County, Alabama.
Unofficial snowfall totals across the area ranged from a light dusting to about 1 inch in Florida, to about 2.5 inches in Atmore, to 3 inches just north of Atmore to over 5 inches in Monroe County.
The low snowfall totals in North Escambia led many Florida folks to hit the highways and travel north into South Alabama. At the Atmore campus of Jefferson Davis Community College just north of I-65, there were more Florida tags than Alabama late Friday afternoon. Dozens of snowmen stood around the campus as several snowball fights took place — including one between a handful of Ernest Ward Middle School students.
North Escambia’s snowfall made national news as Florida became the 49th state in the U.S. to have snow on the ground. Only Hawaii had no snow on the ground Friday, as two-thirds of the land mass in the United States was white.
Dozens of people stopped alongside Highway 21 just south of the Escambia-Monroe County line to take advantage of a big hill and the chance to do a little snow sledding. The impromptu — far from the Winter Olympics event — was fast-paced 40 foot slide, and often head-over-heels-tumble into a fluffy snow pile below. The snow-sledders took advantage of whatever they could find in their vehicles to slide, from car mats, to cardboard to trash bags.
Over three dozen traffic accidents were reported Friday in Escambia County, Alabama — many sightseers that slid into ditches.
In Escambia County, Florida, sleet and snow was reported as far south as downtown Pensacola.
Pictured top: Residents build a snowman in Atmore. Pictured top inset: Snow falls in Florida. Pictured bottom inset: Snow sledding near the Escambia-Monroe County line. Pictured below: A snow covered bridge at Little River State Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Snow’s Over; But Cold Weather Will Stick Around
February 13, 2010
(Updated 4 p.m.) Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Presidents’ Day: Sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
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
William P. “Buster” Adams
February 12, 2010
William P. “Buster” Adams, 47, of Cantonment,Fl, died February 3, 2010, at (Forward Operating Base ) Warrior in Iraq. Buster was born in Port St. Joe, FL December 10, l962.
Buster was a machinest-welder with the U.S. Governement, working in Iraq supporting the U.S. Troops in their quest for a peaceful world. He was highly respected by the troops, his co-workers and the company for whom he worked. He was a member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Cantonment.
He was preceded in death by his father, William L. “Billy” Adams; grandfather, Von L. Adams; uncle Mike McWhorter and his beloved Binky Jordan.
Buster is survived by his mother & stepfather; Zela and Jack Jackson of Daphne,AL; stepmother; Margaret Reed; two beloved sons; William Blake and Waylon Lee of Cantonment; daughter; Shanya Gaye Wise of Gulf Breeze,FL; granddaughter; Miley Lee Adams of Caontonment, fiancé; Rhea VinZant of Freeport,Fl; sisters; Lori Hall and Kelly Kersh of Cantonment, stepsisters; Denise Enfinger, Delyn Hanks and Delicia Corona; stepbrother; Danny Amberson; aunts; Leona McWhorter, Lavonne Groce, Penny Hammock and Mary Crowe; uncle Von l. Adams, Jr.; nephews; Shane and Dustin Day; nieces; Amy Killingsworth, Kristi, Ariel, and Kayla Hall and many cousins, especially Buddy Plair and Gary Adams with whom he was very close.
A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 pm Sunday February 14, 2010 at Faith Chapel North-Cantonment with Brother Randy Enfinger officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Faith Chapel North-Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Brr…Going To Be A Cold Night
February 12, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia forecast for tonight:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 24. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of sleet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Presidents’ Day: A 40 percent chance of rain before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 47. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Snow In Atmore, Walnut Hill, Century, Flomaton, Jay, McDavid and North
February 12, 2010
Thanks for joining us today for our 12 hours of live snow coverage here on NorthEscambia.com.
Lots of snow remains on the ground north of I-65, and there is scattered snow between I-65 and the Alabama/Florida line. There is very little, if any, snow remaining on the ground in North Escambia.
Snow was reported across the area in Atmore, Walnut Hill, Century, Molino, Flomaton and Jay.
Saturday morning we’ll have a complete snow recap, including hundreds of photos that we have not posted today that were taken from North Escambia to Monroeville and Evergreen. We will have our photos, plus dozens more reader submitted photos — even an eight and a half foot tall snowman built by some Flomaton High School students.
Don’t forget to email your snow pictures to news@northescambia.com so that we can run your photos on Saturday morning.
Pictured above: Snow in Excel, Alabama, in Monroe County. Pictured top inset: Building a snowman in Davisville, Florida. Pictured bottom inset: Florida snow family. Below: A church in Atmore, an Atmore home. Submitted NorthEscambia.com reader photos, click to 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
