More Winter Photos: Ice In A Pear Tree; Really Cold Ride
January 12, 2010
Our readers continue to have photo fun with our cold weather and sprinklers. Today’s photos feature a frozen bicycle and a frozen pear tree on Tumbling Lane outside Atmore. Submitted photos by Virginia Johns for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have winter photos to share? Email them news@northescambia.com
Way Cool! Homemade Ice Slide
January 11, 2010
Lots of NorthEscambia.com readers have emailed us photos of their ice creations over the past several days. But we’ve got to admit, this ice slide in Molino looks like the most fun! The Woodfin family in Molino created this homemade ice slide in their backyard for Hadley, Sarah and Carley to enjoy. Submitted photos by R. Woodfin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have winter weather photos to share? Email them news@northescambia.com
Photos: Icy Wonderlands
January 11, 2010
NorthEscambia.com readers continue to send us photos of their ice creations, taking advantage of sprinklers and sub-freezing temperatures to have a little frigid Florida run. Pictured above Rachel, Zachary, Austin and Cody in front of an icy scene in Cantonment (submitted by Esta Silvia). Pictured left and below: Lon and Alice Malone created a winter wonderland in their yard on Highway 168 in Byrneville (submitted by Terry Emmons). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For more photos from the Malones in Byrneville, click here.
Do you have winter weather photos to share? Email them news@northescambia.com
Hope For Olivia
January 10, 2010
This week brought good news for the Bush family and their simple Christmas wish — a cure for Olivia.
We first introduced you to Olivia back in early December. Olivia Bush, 6, is blind, able to see only a little light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.
Just before Christmas, Olivia and her family traveled to Miami Children’s Hospital hoping to find a cure for her seizures. While in Miami, Olivia was monitored by a 35-lead EEG and a video camera with doctors hoping to capture data from a seizure. On the Tuesday night before Christmas, she had a seizure that was captured on the EEG and video, according to her father Tad Bush.
That information has allowed doctors to schedule surgery for Olivia in early February, news the Bush family learned just this week.
“I am so excited about this! I am so happy that if all goes well, Olivia could finally be seizure free! Maybe no more meds? Praise the Lord!” said Olivia’s mom Amber Bush.
A scan of Olivia’s brain is pictured, and Amber Bush offers this explanation:
“The black on the pic is dead, useless brain. It does nothing, has no electrical activity….nada…just there taking up space. So, basically, Olivia has half of a brain. How amazing is that! She is such a miracle. The docs told us that if an adults brain looked like that, they would be a vegetable! Wow, isn’t God good! Her brain has reassigned all of that dead part to other parts of her brain. That is why they aren’t for sure what the part of her brain where the seizures are coming from controls. The more I look at it the more I see God in Olivia!”
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow Olivia’s hope for a miracle. We first introduced our readers to Olivia back in early December. That story is below.
Olivia Bush’s story started July 22, 2003, almost four months before there should have been a first chapter in her life. Born at just 22 weeks, she weighed only one pound six ounces. She stayed in the NICU three and half months, defying doctors and coming home two weeks before her due date. Olivia is the second youngest baby to ever survive at Sacred Heart Hospital.
The current-day chapter Olivia’s story is perhaps best told by her mother, Amber Bush:
“Olivia is now 6 years old. She is blind and can only see light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.
“Our little miracle girl started first grade this year and loves to go to school. She is spoiled rotten by everyone she meets and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She loves to rock and spin and everything needs to be fast. Roller coasters, throw up rides, and bumps are her friends. Olivia doesn’t meet a stranger. She has the greatest smile and laugh and always brightens our day. She is such an inspiration to everyone she meets, and she has come such a long way. Her favorite song is the BIBLE and she tells everyone to sing it to her.
“After enduring the NICU, she came home on oxygen and a heart monitor, and doctor after doctor. Then started the therapy. She is still in physical, occupational, speech, vision, and mobility therapy.”
Now, Olivia is heading to Miami Children’s Hospital. She will see the same doctor that cured the seizures of her cousin, Northview High student Nathan Therrell. NorthEscambia.com introduced our readers to Nate in November of 2008 when he was on the sidelines as Northview’s waterboy. After undergoing surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital, Nathan played in Northview’s Garnet and Gold Game in May of 2009, void of seizures. (Read about Nathan here.)
Olivia will be in Miami Children’s Hospital December 14-16 for a battery of tests that her parents hope will end with a successful treatment plan. It’s their Christmas wish.
“Pray for guidance in this matter and that the seizures will subside,” mom Amber said. “Please pray for Olivia. She has come such a long way, and we are so thankful. God has truly blessed us with a living angel and we are very grateful.”
A successful benefit car wash for Olivia Bush was held in Century on Saturday, December 5.
Pictured top: Olivia Bush with a therapy dog at Miami Children’s Hospital. Pictured top insets: Olivia at the children’s hospital. Pictured top inset: Olivia was just one pound six ounces when she was born at 22 weeks. Pictured bottom inset: Olivia Bush at six-years old. Pictured below: Tad, Olivia, Simon and Amber Bush.Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Presents Delayed Christmas Program
January 10, 2010
Byrneville Elementary School third through fifth graders performed their “Santa’s Holiday Playlist” Christmas program Saturday night — a program that was delayed in mid-December due to flooding in the area.
Christmas spirit filled the air at Northview High School’s theater Saturday night as the children performed as snowflakes, reindeer, toy soldiers, elves, Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus under the direction of music teacher Elaine Holk. The program featured a variety of Christmas music, singing solos and all of the children playing their recorders.
For a photo gallery from the play and backstage preparations, click here.
Pictured above and below: Byrneville Elementary School’s 3rd-5th grade performed their Christmas play Saturday night at Northview High School. Photos by Angi Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Article contributed by Angi Baker for NorthEscambia.com
Winter Weather Photos
January 10, 2010
Our super cold weather is continuing in North Escambia, providing some unique icy photograph opportunities. Deni Deron of Molino sent a photo of a sweetgum tree after a sprinkler was left on in the tree all night. And Deeann Lee in Cantonment emailed us photos of a frozen fountain.
For more photos, including a really cold bird feeder in a picture from Deni Deron, click here.
Do you have cold weather photos you would like to share? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo: Hot Coffee, Frozen Pool
January 9, 2010
The picture above shows a cup of hot coffee sitting on a sheet of ice in a Byrneville pool.
“I sat my hot coffee cup onto the frozen water of the pool and was able to take a photo without the cup even falling through,” Angi Baker said. (The dark objects at the bottom of the pool are leaves, she said.)
Do you have a cold weather photo to share? Email your picture to news@northescambia.com
Submitted photo by Angie Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eddie Cooper Honored For 25 Years With County NRCS
January 8, 2010
Eddie Cooper of Molino was honored Thursday night for 25 years of dedicated service to Escambia County.
Cooper currently serves as the division manager of the National Resource Conservation Division, Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau. The Escambia County Natural Resources Conservation Division (NRCS) was formerly known as the Soil and Water Division.
The NRCS office administers federal funds that are headed to farmers, ranchers and landowners participating in a variety of federal programs. In the just the past 10 years, the NRCS has administered over $27 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture dollars made available to Escambia County and agriculture producers. Agriculture is a $32 million a year industry in Escambia County, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey.
Keith Wilkins, deputy bureau chief of Neighborhoods and Community Services, said Cooper has always been one of the department’s most ethical, sincere and diligent employees.
“I just want to thank Escambia County for giving me the privilege to serve,” Cooper said, adding that he is looking forward to several more years with Escambia County before his retirement.
Pictured above: County Administrator Bob McLaughlin (left) presents a framed proclamation to Eddie Cooper at Thursday night’s Escambia County Commission meeting.
Photos: A Really Cool Swing Set
January 6, 2010
A North Escambia family had one of the coolest swing sets around thanks to our winter weather. An overnight temperature in the upper teens and a sprinkler left on all night created this wintry scene with huge icicles Tuesday morning. Pictured below: Hunter Kinnard climbs a very frozen rope ladder. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For more photos of the swing set and all of its icicles, click here.
Do you have interesting photos that you would like to share with our readers? Email the photos with a description to news@northescambia.com for possible inclusion on our site.
Frozen Fountain Photos
January 6, 2010
Our daily look at the Century Care Center’s frozen fountain continued on Wednesday with a solid block of ice.
Thousands of people have been watching our daily photos of the ice build up in the Nona Hightower Fountain at Century Care Center. Our first photos on Monday showed a few icicles; by Wednesday morning the fountain was finally completely frozen.
“No water is flowing at this time from the pineapple (at the top of the fountain),” Linda Jackson, activities assistant at the Century Care Center, said Wednesday morning. “It’s just that cold!”
Pictured above the Nona Hightower Fountain at Century Care Center Wednesday morning. Pictured below: The fountain Monday morning. Submitted photos by Linda Jackson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
