Author: Don Fletcher

By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Although it was just the first step, Escambia County Commissioners have started a long and arduous process that will eventually lead to construction of a new county jail. Commissioners announced that the county had agreed to pay $512,000 for 177 acres located behind Brewton Industrial Park — a per-acre price of just under $2,893 — for the new facility. “It’s a very big step,”…

Ellis By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer A Canoe man remained in the Escambia County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond this week, charged with the starvation of at least 28 cats and dogs on his property. Billy Earl Ellis, 53, of a Randolph Avenue address, is currently jailed on 10 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. His property is located directly behind Escambia Academy. The criminal charges were filed…

Crop insurance agent arrested for growing marijuana Burkett A portion of the pot plants By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer A local crop insurance agent is free on $1 million bond after a multi-agency contingent of lawmen raided his home and surrounding property March 9 and arrested him for operating an indoor marijuana farm. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Region A Drug Enforcement Task Force agents from Escambia County and Monroe…

UPDATED WITH POLICE QUOTES Atmore’s Burger King restaurant remained closed this morning (Thursday, March 11) after an unidentified man, reportedly in the midst of a “mental crisis,” jumped the service counter and began knocking over shelves and other fixtures. The incident took place around 6:30 a.m., and a BK employee said the man “seemed to be high on drugs or something.” Police Chief Chuck Brooks said criminal charges have not…

From left, Atmore Memorial VFW Auxiliary Post 7016 members Jenny Hutto, Arlene Delafosse and Gayle Johnson display the proclamation. By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Atmore City Council members swept quickly through a light agenda during their Monday, March 8, meeting, tackling five items in about 12 minutes. The city’s governing body chose delegates to the annual Alabama League of Municipalities meeting, approved a cancer awareness walk and a fundraising…