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The junior class at Flomaton High School gathered behind the visitors stands at the football field Wednesday morning to place their handprints on the newly painted wall in memory of their classmate Keslie Taylor Padgett, 17, who died Monday, Oct. 29, following a long, hard-fought battle with brain cancer. Kelsie was a 13-year old student at Pollard-McCall Jr. High School when the brain tumor was first diagnosed. People who knew her said she never gave up and kept a positive attitude and a great...
If absentee voting is any indication, Escambia County (Ala.) should have a heavy voter turnout for Tuesday's General Election with Circuit Clerk John Robert Fountain saying the number could top 500. As of Tuesday morning, Fountain said he had sent out 401 applications and has seen a steady stream of absentee voters. He said in the presidential election year the number of absentees can reach close to 1,000. When there's a governor's race, such as this year, the number is normally around 250 to...
The towns of Century and Jay in Florida will hold General Elections Tuesday, Nov. 6. Century Century voters will vote to fill council seats 3 and 4. Running for Century Council seat 3 is incumbent Councilman Benjamin Boutwell and challenger Amanuel Onell Dubose. Council seat 4 contenders are Mary Hudson Bougeois and James Smith, Jr. In the August 28 election Councilman Gary Riley decided not to run at the end of his term of January 2019. Incumbent Sandra McMurray Jackson is running unopposed...
Flomaton head football coach Doug Vickery huddled players and fans after the Hurricanes historic victory over T.R. Miller Friday night. For more, see Sports....
A participant in Escambia County (Ala.) Drug Court is back behind bars on drug charges after a sheriff's deputy found methamphetamine in his possession with the suspect then telling the deputy he just wanted to make a little money. Waymon Paul Morrison, 29, 320 Elm Drive, Frisco City, was arrested Oct. 29 and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He received a $5,000 bond on the charge but remains in the Escambia County Detention Center on a hold from drug court. According...
Kennedy Cato, left, receives her crown from 2017 Queen Kolby Bray. For more photos of Jay's Homecoming events, see Our Photo Gallery....
“It's been a long time coming,” is how Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education member Danny Benjamin described the board's unanimous approval of a resolution and execution to convey a deed transferring the property that was Boykin School back to the Charitable Aid Association Orphans Home of the State of Alabama. Board chairman Willie Grissette read Resolution 103: 'In the opinion of the Board the value of educational and community services provided by the Charitable Aid Association Orp...
A Century man pulled over for speeding Tuesday night on Upper Creek Road ended up in the Escambia County Detention Center on drug charges after a sheriff's deputy smelled marijuana when he approached and a pipe fell out of his pocket when he exited the vehicle. Michael Watson, 36, 220 Wood St., was arrested Oct. 30 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He has been released on $3,000 bond. According to Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's...
An accident at Golden Cotton Gin in Jay Tuesday claimed the life of an Atmore man. Craig Sullivan, 59, died from injuries he sustained when the 2002 semi-truck he was clearing debris under pulled forward to unload the cargo. According to a Florida Highway Patrol Press Release, after unloading the cargo, the driver, 43-year-old Anthony Mincey from Edison, Ga., received communication to pull forward. Mincey was unaware that Sullivan was under the trailer attempting to clear some debris from the...
“I can't vote for a Democrat.” “I'll never vote for another Republican.” I've heard both of those comments or very close to them over the past several weeks as we head into Tuesday's General Election. It always makes me scratch my head. I personally think voting simply along party lines is for lazy people who don't want to look at the candidates individually. The national media has brained washed us to thinking all Republicans are right -wing conservatives and all Democrats are are left-wi...
If you didn't read it on the front page, we want to remind people that today (Nov. 1) is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 6 General Election. The circuit clerk's office at the courthouse will be open until 4 p.m. today to get that application. Last week we wrote about how Escambia County ranks near the bottom of voter turnout in elections. That's a shame. If you know you won't be around Tuesday to go to the polls, we hope will see this last-ditch effort to get people to vote. You can go into the clerk's office today...
This past week, I had the pleasure of visiting many fine farmers and foresters throughout Southwest Alabama to learn more about the incredible work they do on a daily basis. This was part of my annual “Ag Matters” agricultural tour, which brings me to farms and forests in each of the six counties that make up Alabama’s First Congressional District. Forestry in Alabama first began in Clarke County, and that is where I began my tour. I was pleased to learn more about how the people at Canfor Southern Pine carry on the forestry tradition to this...
This time two years ago, I was bubbling over with anticipation with expectations that I would have two years of fun following an exciting governor’s race. Well, Ole Robert Bentley spoiled my parade. Back in the old days, governors could not succeed themselves. They were governor for one four-year term and then you were out. That means we had a governor’s race every four years and man would they be doozies. We would have 10 candidates, about half of them would be “run for the fun of it” candidates. The most colorful would be Shorty Price. Howeve...
This midterm election has been particularly punctuated by high drama and marred by egregious allegations. Certainly rough and tumble, there are always dirty tricks in politics. Seeking to gain advantage or win votes is one thing, but demonizing opponents is more destructive to our system of self-government than any damage to the intended target. Partisanship is often fiercely passionate, but it should never be hateful. Unfortunately, there will always be some hateful partisans and even worse there are some completely crazy people who act out...
The Century Council approved the transfer of $36,030 to the town's gas operating account at an emergency meeting last Thursday following discussion of a discrepancy of what the town is paying for gas and taking in as gas revenue. The total amount of $36,030 to be transferred will be $25,000 from special revenue and $11,030 from council-designated reserve funds. “The actual cost of gas that BP sent us a bill for August versus September went up in September by almost $1,500, but our billing w...
Century resident Alfonzie Cottrell has once again opened up several turnip green patches that are now available for people to come and pick free of charge. Cottrell, 80, has been planting turnips in different areas around Century for years and said he thought about 'retiring' but said he enjoys helping people in the community. In addition to a patch across from the Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue next to the old AOA Church on Highway 4 and behind his house at 370 Hill Top Road, he...
This time of year, people often ask me if there is a way to preserve their beautiful carved jack-o-lanterns, especially after putting in all their hard work. It’s true that jack-o-lanterns have a seemingly short life span. However, Dani Carroll, Alabama Extension home grounds agent in Calhoun County suggests a few things you can do to preserve your jack-o-lantern for a longer period of time. First, start with picking the correct pumpkin. Next, pick a pumpkin without any bacteria or mold that may be growing around the handle and has no soft s...
LeRoy Dewitte Ackerman, 51, of East Brewton, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. Mr. Ackerman was a native of Jackson, Ala. and former resident of Monroeville, Ala. Before relocating to East Brewton. Of the Catholic faith, he attended Troy University and Jefferson Davis Community College, where he played golf. A retired pipe welder in the construction industry, he was famous for being the 1967 Gerber baby and saying he could fit for two pipe fitters and weld for two welders. A memorial Service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at the...
Robert Louis “Smiley” Coleman, 71, of Atmore, died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 at Atmore Nursing Care Center. Mr. Coleman was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore who was known by those who knew him best affectionately as “Smiley”. He attended Escambia County Training School and was a member of Mt. Gillead Baptist Church and had a green thumb when it came to gardening. The funeral was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at Mt. Gillead Baptsit Church in Freemanville with Elder Edgar McCarthy and Rev. Gary Bryant officiating. Burial followe...
Patsy Anita Odom Helton, 82, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2018. Mrs. Helton was a native of McKenzie, Ala. And had resided in Cantonment, Fla. since 1965. Winner as Queen of the Strawberry Festival and Homecoming Queen, she was a graduate of both Troy State University and University of Alabama, she was a member of the Remnant Church of Latter-Day Saints. She retired from teaching at Molino Elementary School, where she most of her 30-year career. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Diane Ward and Dick Dour...
Robert Earl Lee, 62, of Atmore, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018 in Atmore. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Christian Memorial Funeral Home with Christian Memorial Funeral Home directing....
Tamoka D. Norman, 45, of Atmore, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Ala. Ms. Norman was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore who graduated from Escambia County High School in 1992 and then from Jefferson Davis Community College with an Associates Degree in Business Administration. She had worked as a machine operator at Masland Carpets and as a clerk with Diamond Oil Company. The funeral was held at 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Center in Atmore with Rev. Michael Wilson, Sr....
Hubert Sydney Reed, 78, died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 in Bay Minette, Ala. Mr. Reed was a native of Washington County who had resided in Bay Minette for the past 44 years. Retired from Piggly Wiggly as a manager with more than 20 years of service, he was an avid golfer and a member of the Full Power Holiness Church. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bros. Joe Welch and Eddie Sullivan officiating. Burial followed at Miller Cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing....
Anna “Annie” Ruth Smith, 63, died Monday, Oct., 15, 2018. Mrs. Smith was born June 25, 1955, to J.D. and Bamma Smith in Flomaton, Ala. and was a talented seamstress and hairdresser. She was a friend to all who knew her. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 at Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church with Pastor Avery B. Sims officiating. Burial followed at Century Cemetery with McMurray-Jackson Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Smith is survived by four sons, Christopher Smith, Antwon Smith, Jermaine Smith and Tyrese Smith; three brothers, Jam...
Elouise Square, 75, of Brewton, died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. Mrs. Square was born to Marvin and Verna Godbolt Jan. 16, 1943. She attended Boykin School and later moved to New York City, where she spent years working in the medical field. She relocated back to Brewton, where she began working as secretary for the St. James Baptist Church, then as assistant Sunday School teacher and other roles. The funeral was held at 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at Second Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church with Min. John Hodoh officiating. Burial followed at...
