Atmore News

Atmore police reported this afternoon (Tuesday, Aug. 1) that a Mobile man, who they say should be considered armed and dangerous, is responsible for the July 25 murder of an Atmore man. Sgt. Darrell McMann reported that APD investigators have obtained warrants for the arrest of 19-year-old Antonio LeMarcus Pettaway II, who is accused of fatally shooting Jatyrain Aquamini “Tank” Tolbert, 22, while Tolbert sat in his car. Police said…

Still no arrest in fatal Brooks Lane shooting Police discuss the shooting behind yellow crime scene tape. By DON FLETCHERNews Staff Writer Atmore police have still not reported by Tuesday’s press deadline an arrest in the July 25 slaying of a 22-year-old Atmore man.Jatyrain Aquamini “Tank” Tolbert, who was reportedly shot once as he sat in his car, became the city’s fourth homicide victim of the year.The initial report relayed…

Ground broken for ECHS fieldhouse renovation From left, county school board members Loumeek White, Sherry Digmon, Cindy Jackson, Coleman Wallace and Mike Edwards joined Superintendent Michele McClung for the ceremonial groundbreaking. By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer On Friday, July 28, Escambia County education officials took the first step in providing a new athletic fieldhouse for Escambia County High School (ECHS), a sweeping renovation that will turn a 50-year-old building…

School system accountant ‘finds’ $5 million Goolsby By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Escambia County Board of Education members got a pleasant surprise during a two-hour workshop held just prior to the board’s July 31 meeting. Chief Schools Financial Officer (CSFO) Rochelle Richardson, who replaced retiring CSFO Julie Madden last July, said she and Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) Shaun Goolsby were working on “budgets and stuff” when she learned…

By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Escambia County Board of Education members approved during their July 31 meeting the expenditure of $170,815.79 for educational technology services, professional development for teachers and other services. All but $10,937.08 of the expenditures are to be paid for with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, federal money that was allotted to help recover from the impact of COVID-19 and which must be…