Don Fletcher

Still ‘Safer at Home’
Order extended as confirmed case count continues to climb By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continued to climb this week, prompting Gov. Kay Ivey to extend her Safer at Home Order through 5 p.m. July 31. The original order, issued May 22, was set to expire this Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. The action came after almost 4,000 more Alabamians, including 58…
White resigns from ACC
Arnold steps up to president White By SHERRY DIGMON News Publisher Loumeek White is one of the founders of Atmore Citizens for Change (ACC) formed in early 2019 and has served as its president since its inception – until last week. ACC is the driving force behind the push for a city school system in Atmore. Although the effort to create the city system began more than a year ago,…
Chief asks that fireworks cease at 10 p.m.
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said this week that although there is no ordinance prohibiting the use of fireworks within the city, there comes a point when the small-scale pyrotechnics displays do fall outside the law. “We don’t have anything on the books against people shooting fireworks, but what we have is a nuisance or noise ordinance,” Brooks said. “Usually, after 10 o’clock, we…
Reopening schools
What does that look like? By SHERRY DIGMON News Publisher Two weeks ago, Escambia County Superintendent of Education John Knott announced that public school will open here August 7. Across the state, educators and parents have waited for the announcement – and guidelines – from State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey. Friday, Dr. Mackey held a press conference and gave general guidelines, but not specifics, leaving that up to individual school…
Driver critical after UTV crash
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Two local men were injured, one critically, in a two-vehicle crash that happened Sunday, June 28, on a rural highway. According to Alabama State Trooper reports, 22-year-old Cody L. Rolin and Austin R. Shuttlesworth, 23, were both flown by medical evacuation helicopter to area hospitals after the collision, which took place around 4:15 p.m. on Manack Bridge, which spans Booneville Road. According to a…