Category: Headlines

By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Although it was just the first step, Escambia County Commissioners have started a long and arduous process that will eventually lead to construction of a new county jail. Commissioners announced that the county had agreed to pay $512,000 for 177 acres located behind Brewton Industrial Park — a per-acre price of just under $2,893 — for the new facility. “It’s a very big step,”…

Karean Reynolds received the Citizen of the Year award Murray Johnson, left, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Buck Powell News Staff Report It was a first for the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce – an annual meeting (banquet) held outdoors under a tent. It was also a first for some awards celebrating people’s contributions during a most unusual year. People and businesses stepped up – and the Chamber recognized…

Ellis By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer A Canoe man remained in the Escambia County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond this week, charged with the starvation of at least 28 cats and dogs on his property. Billy Earl Ellis, 53, of a Randolph Avenue address, is currently jailed on 10 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. His property is located directly behind Escambia Academy. The criminal charges were filed…

Crop insurance agent arrested for growing marijuana Burkett A portion of the pot plants By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer A local crop insurance agent is free on $1 million bond after a multi-agency contingent of lawmen raided his home and surrounding property March 9 and arrested him for operating an indoor marijuana farm. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Region A Drug Enforcement Task Force agents from Escambia County and Monroe…

Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for all 67 counties ahead of the potential severe weather. The state of emergency went into effect this evening, Tuesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. Central Standard Time. The governor issued the following statement: “The threat for potentially dangerous weather is rising for much of Alabama tomorrow (Wednesday, Mar. 17). “Out of an abundance of caution, I have issued a state…