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Ground broken for new WEU headquarters
Breaking ground for the new building are front row, from left, Wayne Gray, Forrest Daniell, Kenny Smith, Rob Faircloth, Hooper Mathews, Dr. Steven Shirley; back row, David Chapman, Stephanie Rolin, Dr. Ulysses McBride, Mayor Jim Staff, Myke Smith. By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer West Escambia Utilities officials broke ground Wednesday, January 20, on a new, $1.28 million headquarters building that will take the area’s private water and gas provider…
Events still being changed
News Staff Report Even though 2020 is over, 2021 is starting with many of the same pandemic challenges previously faced. One of those is scheduling events with large gatherings. Every year, Lillie Johnson and her fellow members of the Yellow Hat Society sponsor the Rosa Parks Breakfast near the date of Ms. Parks’ birthday, February 4. However, this year’s event has been cancelled. “We cancelled this year’s breakfast as we…
COVID vaccinations
Officials not sure when elderly, general public will get shots By DON FLETCHER News Staff Writer Administration of COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare and related employees has begun locally, but the process is a slow-moving one, and local healthcare officials aren’t sure when the vaccine will become readily available to the elderly and the general public. According to data furnished by Escambia County Healthcare Authority (ECHCA), 324 people had received the…
Gov. Ivey extends statewide mask mandate
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced today (Thursday, Jan, 21) the extension of a statewide mask mandate for anyone who ventures out in public or comes in close contact with other people. The mandate, which went into effect in July, was to have expired this Friday, Jan. 22. Instead, it will continue through 5:01 p.m. Friday, March 5. The announcement came during a press conference at which health officials announced that…
Obituaries, week of January 24, 2021
Patricia Ann Garrett Garrett Ms. Patricia Ann Garrett, age 77, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021. She was born in Georgiana, Ala. to Obie Leon and Eva Lucille Jernigan Cobb and was a seamstress most of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, James Leon Pettie.  Ms. Garrett is survived by her sons, William R. Pettie and Thomas Wilton Pettie of Brewton, Ala.; her…