Author: Don Fletcher

During the meeting, the Rev. Andy Gartman talked about a book he recently read that was an eye-opener for him concerning race relations. By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer The group of more than a dozen ministers who met last Thursday, June 4, with elected city officials and local law enforcement officials apparently know what needs to be done to bring Atmore residents of different races together. All wanted assurance…

APD Chief Chuck Brooks By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer One of the most significant things to evolve from the June 4 meeting between local ministers, city officials and local law enforcement was the criticism leveled by Atmore’s and Escambia County’s top law enforcement officers at the way the Federal Bureau of Investigation handled a recent standoff with a North Carolina murder suspect. Several hours of negotiations failed to spur…

Health officials say reporting backlog has created ‘lag time’ By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Although the latest figures from Alabama Department of Health (ADPH) and Escambia County Healthcare Authority show a continued increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Escambia County, ADPH officials reported this week that those numbers are not a true reflection of the virus’s actual spread. “Due to the large increase in volume…

Atmore man charged in April 25 Dirden slaying Crenshaw By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks announced late last week that city investigators have arrested a local man and charged him with the fatal stabbing and shooting of fellow Atmore resident Desmond Deshun Dirden. Durden, 43, died April 25, around 1:30 a.m., on a Patterson Street Apartments sidewalk before emergency personnel could reach him. According to…