January 2021 - Page 11 of 13

Josh Frye

EA quarterback finalist for AISA Back of the Year

Sims By JOSH FRYE News Sportswriter The Alabama Sportswriter Association announced December 29 that Escambia Academy standout quarterback Landon Sims has been selected as a finalist for AISA Back of the Year honors. Sims was a triple threat for the Cougars last season, helping lead the team to the AISA Class AA title game for the fifth straight year. The junior signal-caller rushed for 1,050 yards on 125 carries, including…

A walk with Christ

Jones By JOSH FRYE News Staff Writer It has been over 400 days and 1,883 miles since Gregory Allen Jones Jr. first set off from Lexington, Kentucky on his journey to California on foot. Armed with a backpack and simple wood walking cane with a cross, Jones has been able to move across the southern east coast of the United States, spreading the word and love of Jesus Christ. Jones…

COVID-19 update

Local numbers continue to climb News Staff Report According to the January 5 report issued by Escambia County Healthcare Authority, 224 new cases have been confirmed among Escambia County residents since December 29. Statewide, almost 28,000 (27,789) new cases have been reported since December 29, bringing Alabama’s total to 379,593. Atmore Community Hospital has now collected 845 samples that tested positive for the novel coronavirus, up 68 from the December…

2020: A year of lessons

Ben Smith 2020 finally came to a close. Many welcome the turning of the calendar in hopes of better fortune in the year ahead. My family’s year didn’t go how we planned, but how many years do? While I do not make New Year’s resolutions, I do try and take the lessons learned and apply them in the future. The first lesson of 2020 is to never take things for…

Two paroles granted, another denied

Greer Johnson Marshall By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Two men who were convicted in Escambia County Circuit Court and sent to prison, were freed from their respective correctional facilities last week after the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted each a parole. Another man — convicted in 18 different Alabama counties, including Escambia, for fraudulent schemes he devised and implemented from behind bars since 1999 — was denied…