Don Fletcher

BOE investigations
DA subpoenas ‘COVID Bonus’ records By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy confirmed during the county school board’s October 12 meeting that his office is conducting a criminal investigation into some aspect of the Escambia County Board of Education’s handling of federal COVID relief money.The district attorney issued the confirmation during his remarks in support of Superintendent of Education Michele McClung prior to the board’s 4-3…
‘No-voters’ phones confiscated by deputies
By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer If anyone doubted that District Attorney Steve Billy was upset over the Escambia County Board of Education’s recent 4-3 vote to bring Michele McClung’s tenure as school superintendent to an end when her current contract expires, those doubts were erased Monday, October 23.County sheriff’s deputies, armed with search warrants, spread out across the county and seized or were in the process of seizing the cell…
Wiggins, BOE’s Benjamin, Edwards to face challenges
By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Two members of the Escambia County Board of Education, including its presiding officer, will face challenges for their respective seats in the March 5, 2024 Super Tuesday primary, as will the chairman of the Escambia County Commission.Chief Probate Clerk Natalie Rodgers reported that five of nine local incumbents had qualified for re-election as the qualifying period entered its second week.Of those, BOE President Danny Benjamin,…
Felony arrests
Local woman busted at police station Simmons Sharpless Ethridge By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Atmore police didn’t have to look far for a local woman who was jailed October 17 on several charges. The woman was arrested after she came to police headquarters to file a complaint against another person.According to Atmore Police Department reports, 42-year-old Connie Denise Ethridge came to the police department to file a harassment complaint.While taking…
Blue Devils beaten by Admirals, will close season at home Friday
By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Escambia County High’s football team was overwhelmed for the third straight game last Friday (October 20), dropping a 38-14 Class 4A, Region 1 decision to Bayside Academy that ended ECHS’s shot at its first playoff berth in years.The Blue Devils, 5-4 overall and 2-4 in region play, still have a shot at their best season record since 2018 — when the team went 6-4 in…