Author: Don Fletcher

Don Fletcher

Atmore receives FAA grant
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) reported last week that Atmore Municipal Airport was among the 23 local facilities throughout the state that will share more than $13.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants. The grants range from $2.64 million for the Huntsville International-Carl T. Jones Field Airport to $72,000 for the local landing strip. They are funded through the Airport and Airway Trust Fund…
by Don Fletcher access_time6 years ago
Questions surround man’s death
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Why did a Monroe County man steal a bobtail truck from a Beatrice lumber yard on July 31? Why did he fire an automatic rifle at lawmen who pursued the stolen semi-cab through four counties? Finally, why did the man leap to his death from one of Interstate 65’s tallest bridges after deciding to end the chase? The answers to those questions and others…
by Don Fletcher access_time6 years ago
Chamber mural project ‘moving swiftly’
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer When Emily Harp, the enthusiastic executive director of Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, was looking for someone to paint a mural that would serve as the focal point for a proposed project to enhance the attraction of downtown Atmore, she only had to look about 65 miles to the south. Patti Gillespie, a Crestview, Fla. artist who specializes in murals and whose works have…
by Don Fletcher access_time6 years ago
Chason announces retirement
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Paul Chason, who has held the chief executive officer position at Atmore Area YMCA since September 29, 2013, has announced his retirement, effective December 31. Chason was born in Atmore, at Vaught Hospital, “quite a few years ago” and grew up in Huxford, where he attended grades 1-9. He graduated in 1975 from Escambia County High School. (Ironically, his sophomore year was spent in…
by Don Fletcher access_time6 years ago
Lightning strike sets house afire
By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer A lightning-heavy storm cell that moved through Atmore Sunday afternoon was blamed for a fire that damaged a Grubbs Street home and a near-fire at a McKenzie Street home. The McKenzie Street residence was the first affected by the bolts of electrified air that came flashing out of the black clouds that dumped heavy rain on the area. According to Atmore Fire Department Capt.…
by Don Fletcher access_time6 years ago