NewsDon Fletcher

Byrne visits RP Pre-K
U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne got an up-close look last week at one of Alabama’s most successful education initiatives. And he liked what he saw. “I was really impressed with the work going on in their classrooms, but even more impressed by the results,” the congressman posted on his Facebook page after a visit to Rachel Patterson Elementary School. “Pre-K programs make a huge difference in the student’s ultimate achievement level.”…
Convicted cop killer’s execution scheduled
Vernon Madison, 66, has spent almost half his life on Alabama’s Death Row. His life is expected to end there this week. Madison, convicted of shooting Mobile police officer Julius Schulte to death in 1985, is scheduled for execution at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, at William C. Holman Correctional Facility near Atmore. Barring any last-minute reprieves, Madison will become the sixth convict put to death by the state…
2018 Elections – Races taking shape as qualifying continues
The qualifying period for those who wish to seek state or local offices will continue through February 9, but many races — especially for governor and including one for a key county office — have already developed. Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith, who has been in office since 2003, is not seeking reelection, and two veteran lawmen had already qualified by January 22 to become the county’s top law enforcement…
Where there’s smoke …
AFD Capt. Zack Stewart sets up an exhaust fan to pull smoke from a single-wide mobile home that caught fire around 7 p.m. on January 20, at North Main Mobile Home Park. Preliminary indications are that the small fire was caused by a partially extinguished cigarette that fell into a trash can and ignited some paper. Damage, which was contained to the home’s only bathroom, was minimal.
Atmore named one of state’s 50 safest cities
For the second year in a row, the National Council for Home Safety and Security has named Atmore one of Alabama’s 50 safest cities. The ratings, which put Helena — a suburb of Birmingham — at the top of the list were based upon occurrences of violent crime and property crime in 2017. Four of the safest cities, according to the trade association of home security professionals, were in the…