Author: Don Fletcher

Don Fletcher

BOE working to get summer workers paid; new dress code approved
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Escambia County Board of Education members put one problem behind them when they narrowly decided on a new dress code during their meeting of last Thursday (June 26), but a more serious problem was made public when Chief Schools Financial Officer (CSFO) Avery Ford and Superintendent of Education Dr. Michele Collier informed board members that hardly any of the school system’s summer employees have…
by Don Fletcher access_time9 months ago
Healthcare tax election set
By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer The cash-strapped Escambia County Healthcare Authority (ECHA) will apparently shell out more than $100,000 to fund a special election that will decide whether voters will authorize a 4-mill property tax increase to help finance the county’s two struggling hospitals.The results of a petition circulated for several weeks around the county more than justified the call for an election. During the most recent county commission meeting,…
by Don Fletcher access_time9 months ago
Teen killed in shooting
Hooks By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Atmore police reported Tuesday, June 24, that a predawn shooting on Carver Avenue has left a former Escambia County High School (ECHS) student-athlete dead.According to police reports, 17-year-old Gabriel Hooks died at Atmore Community Hospital (ACH) early Tuesday morning after having been taken there, apparently by private vehicle, immediately after the incident.Police reports show officers responded to ACH around 1:50 a.m. after hospital staff…
by Don Fletcher access_time9 months ago
Murray Johnson passes
Known as ‘Father of Atmore youth baseball’ Johnson By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Murray Johnson, whose name is synonymous with youth sports, especially baseball, in Atmore, passed away last week at home with family members by his bedside, bringing to an end a 50-years-plus commitment to the community’s youth.Family members confirmed that a “celebration of life” will be held this Saturday, June 28, at First Baptist Church of Atmore. Visitation…
by Don Fletcher access_time9 months ago
Shooting suspect’s bond set at $1M
Moore By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer District Court Judge Eric Coale has granted a bond to 19-year-old Lemareyoun Moore of Atmore, but the chances of Moore leaving jail anytime soon are remote.Coale set bond at $1 million for Moore, one of six individuals arrested in connection to the May 7 shooting into a vehicle that was approaching the junction of North Main and Howard streets.Moore was reportedly out on bond…
by Don Fletcher access_time9 months ago