Don Fletcher

Woman charged with arson
Fire destroys home near McCullough Ferrell By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer An Atmore woman was arrested February 3 after she allegedly set a fire that destroyed a home near McCullough.Escambia County Detention Center records show that 36-year-old Amy Michelle Ferrell was booked into the facility on a charge of first-degree arson.Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Billy Blair reported that ECSO officers were sent to the scene of the destructive fire,…
Extension cord blamed for 5th Ave. fire
The home’s front portion suffered the most fire damage. By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer An extension cord attached to a space heater is being cited as the most likely source of a fire that broke out around mid-morning last Friday, February 4, and destroyed an Atmore home.Atmore Fire Department reports show that city firefighters were dispatched at 9:53 a.m. to 511 5th Avenue, where the residential structure was ablaze.The home,…
Alto scholarships will help fill ‘gaping hole’ in workforce
By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer The county’s top industrial recruiter said this week that a new scholarship program, under which Alto Products employees can earn degrees or certifications at Coastal Alabama Community College (CACC), will be a key to developing a quality work force in and around Atmore.Jess Nicholas, who works with Escambia County Industrial Development Authority to bring new industry to the county, said the program is patterned after…
Fire chief ecstatic over latest truck, equipment purchases
Capt. Chris Hughes, at left, and FF Dee Guy pose with the new brush truck. By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer If Ron Peebles isn’t the happiest man in Atmore, he’s one of the happiest.The city fire chief’s jubilation comes from the performance of his department’s two newest trucks — including Atmore Fire Department’s first brand new fire truck in a quarter-century — and the anticipated performance of two new sets…
Officials look for solution to housing shortage
By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer City of Atmore officials and economic development professionals are smiling over the recent and ongoing local construction boom.But they’re scratching their heads to try and find or create living space for an expected influx of new residents who will work at the new factory, medical facilities and other businesses which have located, or will locate, here.A pandemic-fueled spike in the cost of building materials, along…