By Atmore News Staff
Romantic return
Dean and Cindy Fournier of Atmore have announced the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Melanie Fournier, to David Dobson, son of Tyra Livingston of Atmore and Matthew Dobson of Jay, Fla. The young realtor said Melanie officially became his bride-to-be after he took her to Escambia Academy and proposed to her at the site where six years ago he had asked her to be his girlfriend. No date has been set yet for the wedding.
Gehman’s glee
Local businessman and railroad enthusiast Jerry Gehman got a treat recently when a freight train that included CSX’s 911 locomotive (a tribute to first responders) made a stop in Atmore to pick up more cars from a local industrial concern. Jerry was able to have a couple of photos taken of himself in front of the train engine, and his smile shows his glee.
State champs
Escambia Academy’s junior varsity Cougars recently won the Alabama Independent School Association Junior Varsity State Basketball Tournament. EA’s Ronta Watson was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and ST Clark joined his teammate as an all-tournament selection.
Kaiden’s courtship
College scholarship offers continue to roll in from numerous Division I and Division II schools for Escambia County High School’s 6-7, 360-pound lineman Kaiden Arnold. The list of school’s courting the youngster includes Coastal Carolina, Eastern Carolina, Kennesaw State, University of South Alabama, Grambling, Jacksonville State, Alabama A&M and Alcorn State. It has been years since any ECHS player has drawn that much attention.
Kappa’s ball
Only a few tickets remain for Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity’s Scholarship Ball, which is set to take place February 18 at 7 p.m., at an unannounced location in Bay Minette. To buy tickets, or for more information on the evening of dinner, music and dancing, visit atmorekappas.com.
Elite offers
Seniors Anthony McCants and Dakota DeSpain became the latest ECHS Blue Devils to be offered partial scholarships to Goode Elite Prep School, which was established as a “second chance” institution in 2017 by former University of Alabama defensive back Chris Goode, who also played seven seasons with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. The school, which has campuses in Tuscaloosa and Foley, serves as a fifth year of high school for players who are not yet ready for college.
Possible PWOs
DeSpain, ECHS’s quarterback last season, and center Carmelo Turner were each offered “preferred walk on” spots on Jacksonville State’s team. A PWO offer means the school’s coach has shown an interest in the player but will offer no financial assistance as that player works to make the varsity squad and earn a scholarship.
A year away
Lorenzo Arnold has already received three Division I football scholarship offers, despite that the ECHS standout won’t graduate until 2024. The senior-to-be has already been approached by Coastal Carolina, Jacksonville State and Alabama State.
Another brother
ECHS hoops standout Stephen Williams, a 6-8 junior power forward, is expected to follow in the footsteps of three brothers and attend Coastal Alabama Community College when he graduates next year, but he’s drawing a lot of attention elsewhere. Stephen was recently named by HoopSeen.com as one of five players expected to compete for Alabama Player of the Year honors next season.
Young grappler
Kei’Aja’Nae Spencer, an Escambia County Middle School 8th-grader who wrestles for ECHS’s girls varsity team, recently placed third in the state girls wrestling tournament.
Note: “Who’s News” is a new feature dedicated to the everyday events that happen within the community — from out-of-town visitors to out-of-town visits or trips; from newborns to engagements or wedding anniversaries, to birthdays, birthday parties and other celebrations.
To have your item included, please email to don@atmorenews.com. Deadline for each week’s column is 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding publication.