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As mentioned in last week's article, the Corona virus is historic in its sweeping across the globe. The virus carries with it the potential for untold consequences in the infection of potentially millions and many deaths to follow. Yet the virus is not the first time in history that a pandemic has occurred. Looking back at history is the best way to learn what worked and what did not work in earlier occurrences and it also provides a way to learn how to prepare for what may be coming. The...
The U.S. today faces a new health challenge, but this is not new to our nation. One hundred years ago, or so, the challenge of unknown illnesses was almost routine. Today a primary recommendation is similar to one used then, isolation. The following is the story of one man in the era of quarantine. It is not known when Charles Dyer first arrived in the new town of Flomaton, but in 1888 he married a local woman, Fannie Still, when they were both about thirty years old. Their home in the years that followed was a couple of blocks south of the rai...
I wanted to update you on the latest COVID-19 coronavirus developments. While the situation remains serious, the risk to most Americans remains low. It is important that we stay calm and do not panic unnecessarily. The federal government continues its aggressive response to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, secure access to testing for those who need it, and ensure those who have contracted the disease receive the treatment they need. Vice President Pence and his coronavirus response team have been outstanding and have held regular press c...
We have a great race for the U.S. Senate. When the votes from the first primary were counted Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville were in a virtual tie at 32% and 33%, respectively. Mobile-Baldwin Congressman Bradley Byrne garnered 25% of the vote which is significant and Judge Roy Moore’s 7% is nothing to sneeze at. Tuberville and Sessions will be fighting to convince Byrne and Moore voters to come to their aid. However, the most important quotient of Sessions’ and Tuberville’s missions will be to get their voters back to the polls. Turn out i...
It’s absolutely amazing that just a little more than two months ago few people had ever heard of the corona virus, but in about the last two weeks, this virus from China is shutting down practically the entire world. People around the planet are stunned not by the speed the virus is spreading, but by the speed panic is spreading. Any pandemic of a contagious infectious disease should cause serious concern and sober measures to contain it, so people and nations want to be cautious and safeguard the public health. But how much caution is prudent...
Little Miss Jimma Leigh Hawthorne, a Flomaton Elementary 3rd grade student, claims the proud distinction of being the 9th Great Granddaughter of Peter Kelly, Patriot. Peter O'Kelly was born in County Limerick, Ireland in 1751. Leaving Ireland with his family for the New World, Peter landed in Annapolis, Maryland in June of 1766. Peter dropped the "O" from his name to begin a new life in America to be known forever after as Peter Kelly. Peter, age fifteen and an apprenticed cabinet maker to his uncle William, had sailed the ocean with William...
Teens across the state came out in full force for the Alabama 4-H Midwinter Leadership Retreat. This year’s retreat focused on workforce development, healthy living and independence. The three–day, Hollywood-themed event was held at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana. “With an event hosting more than 170 people it takes a lot of preparation and dedication,” said Joy Scott, Alabama Extension 4-H specialist. “From day one of planning to the day of the event, the Alabama 4-H State Ambassadors demonstrated great teamwork and leadership skills. I...
There is an old story about the Touchstone, a small black pebble that could turn common metal into pure gold. The Touchstone was located on the shores of the Black Sea, lying among thousands of other pebbles which looked exactly like it. But there was one physical difference between the Touchstone and an ordinary pebble: the Touchstone would feel warm while the ordinary pebble was cold. One day a man, who had heard the story about the Touchstone decided to sell his belongings, buy some supplies and a tent, and dedicate his time to trying to...
Lucille Carlie Conway, 91, died Saturday, March 14, 2020, in Century, Fla. Mrs. Conway was a native of Repton, Ala. who had resided in Flomaton, Ala. for most of her life. A former employee of the Shirt Factory of Flomaton, Vanity Fair of Atmore and Chemstrand, she was a homemaker and member of Little Escambia Baptist Church. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, at the Little Escambia Baptist Church with Bro. Jonathan Hill and Bro. Larry Patterson officiating. Burial followed at Little Escambia Cemetery with Petty-Eastside...
Mary Lee Gibbs, 84, died Monday March 9, 2020, in Monroeville, Ala. Mrs. Gibbs was a native of Atmore, former resident of Monroeville and had resided in Gantt, Ala. for the past 5 years. A teacher's associate with the Escambia County (Fla.) School System from 1966 to 1999, she was a member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church of Andalusia, Ala. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 12, at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Diane Everette officiating. Burial followed at Canoe Freewill Cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel...
Mary Alice Kent, 78, died Saturday, March 14, 2020. Mrs. Kent was born in Baldwin County, Ala. and had been a resident of Brewton for most of her life. A homemaker, she was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed fishing and gardening. The funeral was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, at the chapel of Craver's Funeral Home. Burial followed at New Hopewell Cemetery with Craver's Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Kent is survived by three daughters, Edna (Jerone) Hester of Roanoke, Ala., Ann (Tony) Moore of Woodland, Ala. And Rebecca (James) West of...
Kelvin “Andy” King, 46, died Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Atmore, Ala. Mr. King was a native of Brewton and a lifelong resident of the Escambia County, Ala. Area. A 1991 graduate of Escambia County High School, he was a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. The funeral was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Elder Wayne Ellis officiating. Burial followed at Serenity Garden Cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing. Mr. King is survived by his father, Carlton Ray...
James William Luker, 77, of Brewton, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020, following a brief illness. Mr. Luker was born March 1, 1943, in Brewton, where he remained a lifelong resident. A 1961 graduate of T.R. Miller High School and Troy State University, he was a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Brewton First Presbyterian Church who retired from Banktrust with 35 years of service as a bank auditor. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, at Brewton First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Parker Johnson officiating. Burial followed at...
Rae Susan Vincelette Mancil, 83, of Brewton, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at a local hospital after a brief illness. Mrs. Mancil was born Nov. 1, 1936, in Vermont, where she lived before she became a long time resident of Brewton. Of the Protestant faith, she was a homemaker. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Dr. James Meadows officiating. Burial followed at Green Acres Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Mancil is survived by her husband,...
Eddie Jeff Pace, 55, of Brewton, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020 following a brief illness. Mr. Pace was a lifelong resident of Brewton, a 1982 graduate of W.S. Neal High School and employed as a pipe fitter in the construction industry. A Memorial Service was held at 6 p.m., Monday, March 16, at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Williams Memorial Funeral Home directing. Mr. Pace is survived by two sons, Dylon (Taylor Hunt) Pace and Houston Pace, both of Brewton; one brother, Ronnie Pace of East Brewton; one sister, Sandra Garmeson of...
Lyman Allen Quinley, 66, of Bay Minette, died Monday, March 9, 2020. Mr. Quinley was born March 16, 1953, in Bay Minette, to Lyman and Willie Mae Dixon Quinley. A graduate of West Point Military Academy and Vietnam War veteran, he worked for Exxon Mobile, retiring with more than 30 years of service. He worked as an auctioneer and car salesman in his free time. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Mr. Quinley is survived by two stepsons, Tony (Sheron) Nall of Milton, Fla. and Gary (Carmen) Nall of Opelousas, La.; one...
Roxie Anna Williams, 92, of Stockton, died Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Oakwood Nursing Home in Bay Minette. Mrs. Williams was a native of Nichols, S.C. who had lived in Stockton since 1947. Matriarch of the Williams family, she had worked many years as a cook at Vaughn Head Start and was a member of Triumph Holiness Church, where she was a member of the prayer band. Her hobbies included quilting, sewing and gardening. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 21, at Triumph Holiness Church in Stockton with Rev. Ulysses McCowin...
Governmental bodies on the city, county and state levels have declared states of emergency in wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic by shutting down municipal complexes, courthouses and other government-owned properties leaving only essential services in place. The shutdowns in the area began Monday when Escambia County (Ala.) Circuit Judge Dave Jordan announced that all court cases had been canceled until further notice. He did state that the court system will remain open but no jury...
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday morning that the primary elections scheduled for March 31 have been postponed until July 14 and the last day to apply for an absentee ballot has been set for July 9. Races on the ballot in Escambia County, Ala., include the Democratic runoff between James Averhart and Kianai A. Gardner for the U.S. House of Representatives' First Congressional District. On the Republican ticket, Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville will...
With the recent developments involving the Coronavirus and advisement to limit contact to suppress it's spread, the Alabama and Florida Escambia County School districts and the Santa Rosa School District in Florida have closed schools and supplied online resources to parents and caretakers to ensure continued instruction until students can return to classrooms, with Bratt Elementary School providing breakfast and lunch to students for the week of March 23 through March 27. The Escambia County,...
Flomaton High School's baseball team was scheduled to begin its 'real' season today (Thursday) when the Hurricanes were to host Bayside Academy to kickoff area play. When and if those games will be played is questionable at this time as all school activities have been canceled until at least April 6 due to the coronavirus. Flomaton head baseball coach Keith Nall said he's been told there will be no practices or games until April 30 but realizes the time frame can change at any time. "The state...
The one thing I've learned, especially over the past week, is that what I learn today won't necessarily be true the next day or even the next hour or so. As everybody scrambles to make decisions about how to react to the coronavirus COVID-19 things change on an hourly basis. Friday afternoon I sat down with Escambia County (Ala.) Circuit Judge Dave Jordan to see what the court system was going to do. At the time they had a court session scheduled to start Monday morning with hundreds of people...
For a few months now, we have been watching the news and seen the horrors unfold in other far-away, distant countries caught in the grips of the smallest of invaders, a virus called COVID-19. We didn’t think it would affect us. We went about our daily lives attending sporting events, shopping, worshiping with our congregations, dining with our families in niche restaurants, booking flights for vacations, grabbing drinks with coworkers for evening social hours, and casually wrote life off as n...
As public officials and private businesses make decisions on how to deal with the coronavirus many employees will be allowed to work from home. Many businesses and public entities will have skeleton crews on hand to take care of daily business. But there is a group of people who can't work from home and can't avoid having contact with the pubic. That group includes police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. These are the people we need to be praying for. They will be the ones exposing themselves at a higher risk. During...
Traffic along Highway 31 in Brewton was scheduled to be reopened late Wednesday afternoon following two days of closure in anticipation that the Alabama Department of Transportation will repave the U.S. highway through Brewton in early summer. U.S. 31 was closed from Underwood Street to the Evergreen Avenue intersection Tuesday and Wednesday as the town made repairs to the sewer line. Town workers also found a ruptured water main in the process. Ray Madden, utilities superintendent for the city...
