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The recent commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I marked a time that had a great impact on our local area. Many local men fought in the war. Some such as Sidney Manning became legendary for their bravery on the battlefields which bled Europe white. Many others did their duty as well and served their country. Local men had to sign up for the draft. The draft cards from this era contain a priceless treasure trove of information about these men and their lives before the...
The history of early organized education in Florida is one of none, followed by failed and sporadic efforts by state and local officials until just before the twentieth century. The first real effort came with the post-Civil War Constitution commonly remembered as the “carpet bagger Constitution”. In 1885 a new Constitution used much of its predecessor’s language, adding separate but equal schools for black students and establishing new institutes of higher learning for the training of teachers. Through such foundations the beginning of educati...
Daddy and Mama moved us from our home on 3rd Ave in Atmore to our new home here at Barnett Crossroads Alabama on Thanksgiving weekend 1945. What a memorable time that was for me. I was heading towards my 5th birthday and growing like kudzu. My memories of my early life seem to come from dramatic events......moving day was dramatic. Mama scrambled us some eggs and fried flapjacks in a cast iron skillet in the hot coals of the fireplace. The reason was because the woodburning stove had been disassembled and loaded onto the trucks for hauling out...
On October 3rd, 1863, President Lincoln issued a Proclamation on Thanksgiving establishing the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday, encouraging every American - at home and abroad - to give pause and give thanks. Thanksgiving had existed before in America. There was the First Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims and Native Americans in Massachusetts in 1621, of course, and Presidents George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison also issued proclamations encouraging the celebration of Thanksgiving. It is interesting that...
Despite the best economic times in at least a generation, it seems America is spinning out of control. No matter how much the people clamor, the federal government just can't or won't control the border. California has lost control of wildfires again with horrific consequences. Our big cities exemplified by Chicago have lost control of crime to the point it seems they have given up. And once again, Florida has lost control of their elections. Politics have always been crazy, but the country is reeling from more than two years of out of control...
The only sport that Alabamians enjoy more than Alabama politics is college football. We especially love the Alabama vs. Auburn football game. Folks, this is Alabama/Auburn week in Alabama. The Alabama vs. Auburn annual event is one of the fiercest of college football rivalries. It is the game of the year. It is a state civil war that divides friends and even families. It is bragging rights for the entire year. The loser has to live with his boasting next door neighbor for 364 days. It seems that one must choose a side no matter if you despise...
The sun shown down for the first annual Fall Festival for Flomaton Elementary School, on Sat., Nov. 17. The event was held at the Flomaton High School football field and featured booths from each class. The booth's activities held events such as 'needle in a haystack', corn hole, face painting, hula-hoop toss, ring toss, bouncy houses, darts and a friendly game of 'pin the nose on Mr. Brown'. Crowds showed up to support the school and let children run and play at the various booths. The PTA...
It’s that time of the year! The holidays are upon us. A time when our thoughts turn to family, friends, celebrations, holiday feasts, and yes…leftovers! Holiday meal leftovers can be just as delectable as the original feast. The challenge is after dinner, guarding against “left-out leftovers”. It requires special attention to safe food handling. Even if you have followed all the food safety recommendation, the potential for food-borne illness can still exist. Bacteria that causes foodborne illnesses grow rapidly at room temperature and above....
Randall Alan Balmas, 65, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Mobile, Ala. Mr. Balmas was a native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., former resident of Flippin, Alaska and Molino, Fla. who had resided in Atmore for the past year. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A Memorial will be held at a later date. Mr. Balmas is survived by one son, John Waller (Becky) Johnston, IV, of Humble, Texas; one daughter, Martha Lee (Ryan) Chaver of Molino, Fla.; one sister, Connie (Paul) Ebdon of Oregon; and 10 grandchildren. Mr. Balmas was...
Catherine Estelle Kimmons Buckhault, 83, of Century, Fla., died Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 in Century. Mrs. Buckhault was born Nov. 20, 1934, to Russell and Allie Hanks Kimmons, Sr. in Frisco City, Ala. She was employed as a custodian at Bratt Elementary School for more than 22 years. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Atmore Memorial Chapel with Sis. Kathy Stophel officiating. Burial followed at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery with Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Buckhault is survived by three daughters, Helen (Larry)...
G.S. Scotty Byrne, Jr., 92, of Evergreen, Ala., died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 after a brief illness. Mr. Byrne was a native of Atmore, Ala. and lifelong resident of Brewton, Ala. Retired after serving as sheriff of Escambia County from January 1959 until January 1983, he was of the Methodist faith. Mr. Byrne is survived by two sons, Chip (Judy Fralish) Byrne and Brad (Ann) Byrne, both of Brewton; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Byrne was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Bradley Byrne; and one sister, Arabelle...
Wendell Carnley, 52, died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 in Atmore, Ala. Mr. Carnley was a native and former resident of Brewton, Ala. who had resided in Flomaton for the past 6 years. An employee with the Escambia County Alabama Road Department, he was pastor of the Upper Room Church of Jesus Christ. The funeral was held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Carnley officiating. Burial followed at Lambeth Cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing. Mr. Carnley is survived by his wife,...
Lucian Ray Harden, 54, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 in Flomaton. Mr. Harden was born in Dothan, Ala. and had been a resident of Flomaton for the past 28 years, coming from Pontotoc, Miss. Employed as a truck driver after completing the truck driving program at Reid State, he was the lead singer of the local band 31 South and was of the Baptist faith. The funeral was held at 5 p.m., at the chapel of Craver's Funeral Home with Bro. Ron Harden officiating and Craver's Funeral Home directing. Mr. Harden is survived by his wife of 28 years, Martha...
John Brock McCreary, 75, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. Mr. McCreary was born in Mobile and had been a long-time resident of Brewton. A graduate of Conecuh County High School, he was retired from the U.S. Navy and worked as a bus driver for Greyhound for 24 years. He was also a member of both the Brewton American Legion Post and Zion Hill Baptist Church. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 16, at Zion Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Blair officiating and Craver's Funeral Home directing. Mr. McCreary is survived by his wife, Annette...
Preston Farish Solomon, 88, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, in Pensacola. Mr. Solomon was a native and lifelong resident of Walnut Hill, Fla. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he received a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star V Device and numerous battlefield commendations. A retired farmer and former employee at St. Regis Paper Co., he was a Freemason and member of the Century Masonic Lodge, the Purple Heart Association and the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. Former director of Escambia River Electric, he attended the Annie Jones United Methodist...
Infant Bryson William Woods died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Pensacola, Fla. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Judson Cemetery with Bro. Bill Stuckey officiating and Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing. Infant Woods is survived by his parents, Jake and Devon Marie Woods of Century, Fla.; two sisters, Audrina Woods and Grace Lynn Woods, both of Century; and three grandparents, Bill and Marie Stuckey and Jane Wiggins, all of Atmore, Ala....
Winston Earl Montgomery, 59, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 24, at Old Ship Baptist Church in Atmore with Rev. James Crook officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery with Turner Funeral Chapel directing....
A Facebook post Tuesday morning of a Century man who appeared to be high on drugs sent Flomaton police to a Martin Luther King Drive residence that ended with three people in jail on multiple drug charges that included methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana and Ecstasy. Flomaton police reported seeing the Facebook page that showed Jermaine Smith appearing very disoriented with a voice saying he was on 'Dotchie'. Police noted Smith was wanted on a failure to appear...
People who knew Scotty Byrne said he was a man of his word and spent his life trying to help others. The former Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff died Sunday at the age of 92. A native of Atmore, Byrne moved to Brewton at a young age and attended T.R. Miller High School. He left after his junior year to enlist in the Army. He served in North Africa and Italy during World War II with the 5th Army, 88th Division, Anti-Tank Company 351st Infantry known as the 'Fighting Blue Devils'. Byrne was awarded...
Century Councilwoman Ann Brooks made several inquiries about bills when the council was presented the bill list at Monday night's meeting for approval to pay. Brooks said it looked as if some of the charges were coded to the wrong account. Charges Brooks inquired about include: payments to Florida Gas Utility and City Services for consulting fee services that needed to be terminated; on vehicles that were supposed to be paid off already; a charge of $41.87 to a restaurant on an employee's...
The Atmore City Council revoked the business license of The Assembly Hall just days after three people were shot and one person was arrested. Anji Lynn Baker, 34, of Bay Minette was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle or dwelling in the early hours of Nov. 11. Police reported three people had been shot. On the recommendation of Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, the city council voted Nov. 13 to revoke the business license of the...
On Monday, Nov. 5, Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century, Fla., visited Byrneville Elementary School and presented every student with a new pair of name brand canvas shoes. This presentation was the culmination of over 3 months of planning by the church. A partnership including Abundant Life A/G, Byrneville Elementary School and Convoy of Hope Rural Compassion made this distribution of new shoes possible. In September, Pastor Joey Johnson met with the principal of Byrneville Elementary, Mrs....
Unless you've had your head buried in the sand you've read a lot about the opioid epidemic. I read a story this weekend that Blue Cross/Blue Shield will no longer pay for the pain killer OxyContin, who some say is the beast of addiction to opioids. I read most of the article, but quickly came to the conclusion that it was nothing more than a policitally-correct dog-and-pony show. Not only Blue Cross/Blue Shield but the Drug Enforcement Agency and everybody else wants you to think they are...
They put these public service announcements all over the radio and television stations basically telling you to be careful what you post on Facebook or on the Internet because what you think is private becomes very, very public. We can remember when cell phones first became popular and we heard the same warnings. I think we all remember being somewhere and hear somebody's cell phone conversation come over the intercom of the store where we were shopping. Had somebody tell us not to have a conversation on the cell phone you wouldn't like to see...
At the Escambia County Board of Education meeting last Friday, Superintendent John Knott gave an update on the status of the W.S. Neal High School construction project. Knott said that Johns and Kirksey Roofing Contractor out of Tuscaloosa is working on the reroof and that all of their roofing supplies were delivered Friday and they plan to begin on the reroof on Monday, Nov. 26. “The Phase 2 work will be completed by A.E. Newt Construction Company, out of Pensacola,” said Knott. “They are t...
