Day: October 23, 2019

News Staff Report The Escambia County Board of Education met in special session Friday, October 18. The board awarded a bid to Ward International Trucks in the amount of $78,735 for new buses. With the bid awarded, the board voted to purchase at least two passenger regular school buses from Ward at a cost of $78,735 each, using Fleet Renewal funds for FY2020. In other business, the board received an…

By SHERRY DIGMON News Publisher The Alabama Department of Education report cards are out for 2018-19, and while two of the four schools in this area improved, the grades are still a C. District-wide, the letter grade is a B. Escambia County Assistant Superintendent Beth Drew notes Escambia County Middle School and Escambia County High School continue to earn higher grades. “ECHS improved four points this year,” Drew said. “They…

By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Atmore City Council members voted unanimously during their Tuesday, October 15, meeting to approve a $12 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20. The budget is based on projected revenues of $12,154, 450 — nearly three-fourths ($8.9 million) of which will come from sales taxes ($6 million), business licenses ($1.5 million) and ad valorem taxes ($1.4 million). That total is up about a quarter-million…

By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer A Walnut Hill man suffered fatal injuries Monday night (October 21) when he lost control of his GMC Yukon, ran off a state roadway near Century, Fla. and hit a tree. According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Clayton Joseph Cagle, 31, of Walnut Hill, Fla. was eastbound on the state highway, near its intersection with Pelt Road, around 7 p.m. when he “failed to…

By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks confirmed this week that four people, including three Atmore residents, were arrested October 18 on various drug possession charges when federal, state and local law enforcement raided an Atmore residence and found several illicit substances inside. According to a press release issued by Brooks, the multi-agency task force discovered heroin, methamphetamines, marijuana and prescription pills at the Oak Street…