The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Sept. 4, 2023

Sandra V. Richardson

14 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 3, 2009

Day named state Firefighter of the Year: A local firefighter received the state fire association’s top honor earlier this month when he was named Firefighter of the Year.
Frisco City Fire Capt. Daniel Day was honored at the 32^nd Annual Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments banquet in Florence Aug. 1.
Day is the first firefighter from Monroe County to receive the award.

Bulldogs cruise by Coffeeville in opener: J.U. Blacksher’s Bulldogs piled up 364 yards total offense Friday night at Uriah to key a 56-6 win over Coffeeville in the season opener for both schools.
Senior quarterback Chace Godwin led the offense with 130 yards passing. On defense, Dalton Baggett, a sophomore linebacker, was in on 20 tackles, including 14 unassisted.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Seth Baggett, Trey Brooks, Logan Gorum, Labryson Hudson, Trent Luker, Logan Powell, Nolan Wiggins and Michael Williams. Mark Heaton was Blacksher’s head coach.)

Beatrice native gets presidential appointment: One of Monroe County’s own has been appointed to serve on President Barack Obama’s administration as Deputy Under Secretary of Resource Issues for the Department of Defense (DOD).
Sandra V. Richardson is a native of Beatrice and graduate of J.F. Shields High School, Tuskegee University and University of Alabama. She has devoted her life to public service, having served in the Army for 29 years, retiring as a Colonel in 2006. She is the daughter of Bernice Richardson and the late Ervin L. Richardson of Beatrice.

39 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 6, 1984

Paula Stacey tapped for honor: Paula Stacey has been named the 1984 Distinguished Young Woman of Monroeville by the Monroeville Jayceettes for her work in school, church and community activities. She was presented a brass tray Tuesday of last week by Jayceette president Lee Blair during a meeting at the home of Suzanne Davis. The winner of the award, which is given annually, is beginning her tenth year at Monroe Academy, where she teaches English to seniors, juniors and eighth-graders.

MCHS Tigers blow out Panthers 54-0 in opener: The word was out that Monroe County High School’s defense was tough, but the team’s 54-0 win over J.F. Shields Friday had to stun even MCHS’s coaches somewhat. The Tiger defense forced the Panthers to fumble the pigskin nine times in the Monroeville game. The Tiger tacklers held the Panther ball carriers to only 33 yards rushing and zero yards passing.
(Top MCHS players in that game included Tab Andrews, Jerry Betts, Jim Campbell, Willie Carmichael, Jay Dyess, Willie Kidd, Woodrow McCarthy, Bill McPherson, Anthony Morrisette, Steve Ramer, Calvin Richardson, Harold Tolson, Andy Wilkerson and Mark Williams. Howard Busby was MCHS’s head coach.)

Linda Shiell, a Florida State University graduate, has joined the Monroe Journal staff as a reporter. Ms. Shell, 26, moved to Monroeville from Pensacola, where she grew up and until recently was administrative assistant and assistant swimming coach for the Pensacola Junior College Aquatic Club.

64 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 3, 1959

Grand Opening Set For New IGA Store: Grand opening of a modern, spacious IGA Foodliner store in Frisco City is planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 3-5.
Free groceries and prizes will be awarded throughout the three opening days.
Housed in a new brick veneer building, the IGA Foodliner will be owned and operated by E.W. “Pete” Kelly and Henry Rowell.

Sell-Out Foreseen For College Game: A sell-out of reserve seats for a football game between Livingston State and Troy State Colleges here Sept. 19 is expected soon.
This word came Wednesday from Laurie Jones, publicity chairman of the Monroeville Civitan Club, sponsor of the game.
The game begins at 8 p.m. in Vanity Fair ball park.

Lightning Damages Frisco City School: Damage to the Frisco City school by lightning Sunday afternoon was estimated Wednesday to be between $3,500 and $4,000.
A brick smoke stack was hit during a mid-afternoon electrical storm. The flying brick were scattered over a wide area falling on the roof at the back of the stage of the auditorium, damaging it. They also fell on the boiler room, bending pipes underneath the top. The school lunchroom roof was also damaged and a piece of mortar was hurled through a window of the cafeteria.
Residents in the area of the school reported disturbances by lightning during the Sunday afternoon storm, most of them occurring when lightning hit appliances in homes through electric power lines. No injuries have been listed.

89 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 6, 1934

KATZ AND FASHION SHOP CLOSE FOR HOLIDAY MONDAY: The M. Katz store and the Fashion Shop will be closed Monday, Sept. 10, on account of Jewish holiday.

Misses Elinor and Mary Simmons of Repton, Mrs. W.C. Simmons and Miss Alice Lee left Sunday for a motor trip through South Florida. From Miami, they will sail for Havana, Cuba.

McGOWIN WILL GIVE FREE CONCERT: Mr. Mark Miller Godwin, concert pianist, will be presented in concert at the Excel High School auditorium Friday night, Sept. 7, at eight o’clock. Mr. McGowin has given a number of concerts over the state, and it is reported that in every instance he has fully captivated his audience. He is a recent graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory of Music.

Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Lee motored to Auburn Monday to take Miss Bessie Swanson and Miss Louise Lee, who will enter the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.

Medlock-Dees: Miss Bertha Dees and Mr. Erskin Medlock were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Dees of Peterman on Sunday afternoon, Rev. E.D. Wood officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Medlock will make their home in Pensacola.

Edwin and Nelle Harper Lee are visiting their aunt, Mrs. C.F. McKinley, in Atmore.

The 1934 Fall Term of Monroe County Circuit Court will convene on Mon., Oct. 8, and the Grand Jury will on that day begin its investigations.

114 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 2, 1909

Mr. W.E. Ward of Pine Apple was here the first of the week superintending the laying of the foundation for the two new brick stores now in process of construction on the east side of the public square.

C.J. Torrey, Esq., of Mobile, who is spending the heated term at his summer home at Claiborne, was among Monroeville friends Friday.

Mr. F.P. Duke has accepted the position of salesman with the Sowell Mercantile Co. Mr. Duke expects to remove his family to Monroeville within a few months.

Capt. Thos. S. Wiggins has returned home after a few days stay at Bay Minette, where he has been under electrical treatment. His many friends trust that his improvement may be permanent.

Monroeville and vicinity were visited by a much-needed rain on Tuesday afternoon. The rain was somewhat partial, however, extending only a few miles in various directions. Cotton crops in communities not visited are suffering severe injury from the dry weather.

The young people of Monroeville have organized a Social and Literary Club to be devoted to entertainment and improvement. Already much pleasure and interest have been evinced in its meetings.

Gladin G. Scott, son of the late Dr. G.G. Scott, died at an infirmary in Mobile on Aug. 31, after an illness of fever, aged 19 years. The remains were taken to Mt. Pleasant for interment.