Articles written by joe thomas


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  • New rules for public libraries

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Sep 5, 2024

    In an effort to conform to guidelines from the Alabama Public Library Service the Flomaton Public Library has begun issuing age-specific library cards and the library will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 16 and 17, to reorganize and possibly move books in the adult, young adult and juvenile book sections. Librarian Kaci Boutwell said the new state guidelines could jeopardize state funding for public libraries in the state that do not conform. Boutwell said the library board met last week...

  • Four locals join Cottrell at Lighthouse

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Sep 5, 2024

    Lighthouse Christian College in Gulf Breeze will kickoff its inaugural football season this Saturday at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan., with Ronnie Cottrell as the team's first head coach and four players from Escambia County (Ala.) on the roster. Cottrell, 65, a Brewton native and graduate of T.R. Miller High School, resigned last year after nine years as the head football coach at Mobile Christian, which won the 3A state title in 2023. Cottrell coached at Flomaton High...

  • EB rape suspect finally jailed

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 29, 2024

    The search is over for Arthur Andrew Simmons of Brewton who has been wanted by the East Brewton Police Department for the past year on charges of rape II and sexual abuse II for allegedly having sex with a 15-year old girl. Simmons, 28, 270 Sawmill Road, Brewton, was arrested Monday by U.S. Marshal's and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. His bond was later set at $50,000. Court records state the sexual encounters with the underaged female occurred in East Brewton from...

  • Lifesaving device arrives in Flomaton

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Staff|Aug 29, 2024

    Thanks to Escambia County Commissioner Larry White, a Lucas 3 chest compression system has been purchased for the Flomaton Fire Department which first responders say will save lives. Commissioner White spent $15,745 out of his discretionary money to purchase the piece of equipment that basically takes over life-saving measures in the event of a heart attack. "Obviously there's a local concern about the lack of ambulance service and I talked with the chief (Steve Stanton) and he said the Lucas de...

  • Garden club seeks donations to honor deceased children

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 29, 2024

    The local Meadorwood Garden Club has joined with the city of Brewton to honor deceased children in Brewton and surrounding communities, which also include East Brewton and Flomaton. The Angel of Hope Memorial Garden will be built in the Brewton city park next to the courthouse as a place to spend a serene, quite time to remember loved ones and a place to honor them. The park will include the Angel of Hope statue, landscaping with floral accents, benches, lighting and personalized pavers. Pavers...

  • Four felony charges on ilegal man

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 29, 2024

    An Atmore man is facing multiple charges that include felony charges of burglary I, robbery I, unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence I stemming from an Aug. 23 incident. According to Atmore police, officers were dispatched to the emergency room at Atmore Community Hospital’s emergency room in reference to a domestic violence incident. Police identified Juan Estaban Garcia-Galvin, 41, 203 Sowell Ave., as the suspect, noting the suspect has common children with the victim and they live in s...

  • Atmore man faces sex charge

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 22, 2024

    An Atmore man arrested for rape I, sodomy I and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 was waiting Wednesday afternoon to see if District Judge Eric Coale would issue him a bond following an Aniah's Law hearing held Tuesday morning. Joe L. Craft, 47, 189 Antioch Road, Atmore, was arrested for allegedly abusing a young girl over multiple years. Tuesday's 11 a.m. hearing was scheduled for not only the Aniah's Law bond hearing but a preliminary hearing. But his attorney, Gordon Godwin asked...

  • Brewton resident murdered

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 22, 2024

    An investigation continues following the Saturday night shooting death of an Appleton resident whose body was found on the side of the road who died from from at least one gunshot wound. Aubrey McAllister ‘Mackie’ Jackson, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene and as of press time Wednesday, no arrests had been made. Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said deputies were dispatched about 9 p.m. Saturday in reference to a body lying on the side of the road. Deputies, along with Sheriff Jac...

  • Ready to meet at the 'Junction'

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 22, 2024

    The Flomaton Area Chamber of Commerce is putting the final pieces in place for the annual Railroad Junction Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28. Anybody wanting to have a vendor booth needs to either look at the chamber's Facebook page or call Marie Morris at 251-363-9027....

  • Flomaton man gets charged

    Joe Thomas|Aug 22, 2024

    A Flomaton man was arrested on three counts of cruelty to animals after police found five dogs in his back yard chained without access to adequate food, water or shelter. Reginald Lee Williams, 38, 2139 Cary St., was arrested Aug. 15 on warrants signed by the Flomaton Police Department. Inv. Clay Smith said the arrest stemmed from a July 2 complaint from an individual concerning the dogs that the individual told police appeared to be suffering from the heat. Smith said police did a welfare...

  • Traffic stops in Flomaton lead to two arrested for meth, pot

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 22, 2024

    Separate traffic stops by Flomaton police for seatbelt violations led to the arrest of two people on drug charges that included methamphetamine. On Aug. 13, Officer Derrick Hodges was on patrol about 6:50 p.m. when he inititated a traffic stop for a seatbelt violation. According to reports, the driver, identified as Leslie Teresa McCann, 36, 729 Jackson St., Flomaton, pulled into a private driveway of a residence of someone she didn’t know. Hodges reported that due to her behavior, he c...

  • Board to seek opinion on tax

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 15, 2024

    The Escambia County (Ala.) Commission voted unanimously Monday to seek an attorney general’s opinion on whether or not the commission has the authority, without legislative approval, to put a 4-mill ad valorem tax increase on the ballot for citizens of the county to decide. The issue centers around two amendments passed by the Alabama Legislature in 1947. Both bills were sponsored by State Rep. Barnes Lovelace. One bill allowed most all counties to put a 4-mill hospital tax on the ballot and R...

  • Sen. Britt secures $700,000 grant for McMillan Hospital in Brewton

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 15, 2024

    U.S. Sen. Katie Britt announced last week that D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton will receive a $700,000 grant for necessary medical equipment to improve patient care which is part of $15.218 million Sen. Britt secured for health care needs in Alabama. Britt, a member of the senate committee on appropriations locked in the $700,000 for D.W. McMillan for the 2025 fiscal year from the labor, health, human services and education related agencies appropriation act. “Healthcare is c...

  • Creamer site gets CSX OK

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 15, 2024

    Creamer Industrial Park on Highway 31 South in Brewton is now a preferred selected site by CSX Railroad to market the site to industry that needs rail access. A second piece of property, known as the Jones Family Timber Management in Atmore, off of Highway 31 is also on target to become a selected site. CSX officials were Brewton Tuesday to meet with Steve Creamer, city and council officials and economic development leaders. Creamer was presented with a gold railroad spike plaque signifying the...

  • Two jail escapees captured after massive hunt

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 15, 2024

    Two inmates who escaped from the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton Monday night are back behind bars facing felony I charges and will likely face additional charges, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson. Cameron Garner, who was being held for burglary III and attempting to elude and Joseph Loper, who was being held on a failure to appear charge, both escaped from the county jail shortly after 8 p.m. Monday. Sheriff Jackson said he asked Emergency Management Agency Director David Adams...

  • Wanted

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 15, 2024

    The Flomaton Police Department is seeking the public's help in locating 33-year old Caleb Ryan Adams, who is wanted on multiple warrants from Flomaton and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. Adams, whose address on his driver's license was listed as 302 Dusty Lane had been living at 829 Titi St., Lot 6, Flomaton, according to police. Last week, Flomaton police received information that Adams was a suspect involving some stolen property out of Escambia County, Fla. Police obtained a search...

  • No drill!

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 15, 2024

    Flomaton Elementary School Principal Courtney McBride said there were no plans to have a fire drill on the second day of school, but about 385 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade were evacuated in less than a minute when the fire alarm went off Thursday morning. McBride noted that even without any fire drills the teachers and students did exactly what they were supposed to do. 'Everybody knew what to do," said FES teacher Melanie Kent. Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said a...

  • County waits on hospital board

    Joe Thomas, Leder Editor|Aug 8, 2024

    Whether or not the Escambia County (Ala.) Commission takes any action Monday to start the process of possibly allowing the people of the county to vote on an additional 4 mill property tax for hospitals in the county will likely hinge on whether or not the Escambia County Health Care Authority makes a written formal request to the commission asking that board to seek an attorney general’s opinion concerning a 1947 legislative act that led to the current 4-mills to the hospitals. During an a...

  • First day for students at Flomaton

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 8, 2024

    Kindergarten students had their first full day at school Tuesday with some ready to be there and others wanting to go home with their mama. Teachers welcomed them with hugs and encouragement as the new year begins. For more see Page 11....

  • Canterbury home as FHS band director

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 8, 2024

    Last week was a homecoming of sorts for Haley Canterbury as she took over as the new band director for Flomaton High School. Canterbury, 41, is a 2001 graduate of FHS, where she was in the band, and is the wife of former FHS Band Director Josh Cockrell. After graduating from Troy University with a bachelor's degree in music and French, she received her master's degree from Florida State University in music performance. She then spent two years in Canada at the University of Montreal studying...

  • Old middle school shut down

    Joe Thomas and Gretchen McPherson, Ledger Staff|Aug 1, 2024

    With school bells set to ring next week, teachers, employees and administrators in Flomaton have been scrambling after learning last week that the old Flomaton Middle School building had to be evacuated due to faults in the roof, prompting the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education Monday afternoon to approve a resolution declaring a state of emergency at Flomaton High School due to roof damage discovered on July 25, 2024. Flomaton High School Principal Mark Harbison said he learned about 10:...

  • $1 million bond set for trafficking spice

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 1, 2024

    An Atmore man is being held on $1 million bond on several charges that include trafficking synthetic drugs and attempting to the flee police. Kendrick Rihien Bivins, 22, 35 Fisher Lane, was charged with trafficking drugs, attempting to elude and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. According to court records, Atmore police reported that on July 22, Bivins was in possession of 84 grams of spice and ran on foot away from a law enforcement officer attempting to make the arrest. He was also...

  • Parole is denied for Dale Carnley

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 1, 2024

    The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles denied the early release of Flomaton resident Dale Lynn Carnley, who is serving a 20-year sentence on multiple charges and revocations that include dog fighting, drugs, felony criminal mischief and auto theft. The board denied Carnley's early release last week. According to court records, his scheduled release date is Oct. 3, 2035. Carnley's criminal arrests date back prior to 2009 and he was convicted in 2001 for theft of property I. The dog fighting...

  • In the heat of the battle

    Joe Thomas, Ledger Editor|Aug 1, 2024

    Re-enactors filled Jennings Park in Brewton Saturday for the annual 'Battle of Burnt Corn' Creek and had to brave the hot temperatures and the threat of rain on the horizon. For more see Page 11....

  • Child porn leads to jail, bond

    Joe Thomas, Leder Editor|Jul 25, 2024

    An investigation by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation led to the arrest of an Atmore man on five counts of possession of pornography with intent to distribute after officers found photographs of nude and semi-nude juvenile females on his computer. Micah Matthew Mobley, 27, 51 Wooten Road, Apartment 203, was arrested by ABI agents with court records stating the photographs were found on July 17. Court records note the investigation revealed Mobley had a JPEG file...

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