Day: February 12, 2025

Tear gas brings end to 6-hour standoff at Brown St. house From left, APD officers John Hiebert and Ryan Gagliano remove crime scene tape to let a sheriff’s vehicle out of the staging area. By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer A six-hour standoff between an Atmore man who shot several times at a city police officer, then barricaded himself and his girlfriend inside their Brown Street residence Monday night (February 10),…

Destiny pastor awaiting DA’s decision on indictment Bishop By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Charges against Destiny Worship Center Pastor Bernard Bishop — arrested December 5 and accused of trying to smuggle drugs, weapons and other contraband into Fountain Correctional Facility Annex — were dropped during a preliminary hearing held Monday (February 10) at the county courthouse.Bishop’s attorney, Jerome C. Carter of Mobile, said he and his client are “very happy”…

By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Four Atmore City Council members gave unanimous approval during their Monday, February 10, meeting to a resolution that will double the monthly pay for the next mayoral administration.The city’s next mayor will be paid $6,000 per month ($72,000 per year), compared to the $35,000 salary Mayor Jim Staff currently receives. Council members, who are paid $400 per month, will be paid twice that when the…

McClain Atmore News Staff Lawyers for Escambia County District Attorney Stephen “Steve” Billy and Sheriff Heath Jackson each claimed in motions filed January 30 to dismiss a federal lawsuit against their clients, that neither could be held legally accountable for any actions involving the 2023 arrests of four local people on charges of revealing grand jury secrets, charges that were eventually dismissed.The DA’s attorney argued in his motion that his…

Talking with television reporters, from left, Keith Martin, Jose Antillon, and Commissioner Rick Pate. By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer When Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) tribal officials first considered expanding their roster of commercial enterprises into the agricultural market, some worried such an expansion might not share the success other tribal business investments have enjoyed. Six years later, those worries have finally been laid to rest.A crowd of roughly 300 showed…