1. Aug. 2 — Fire at Tiger-Sul (July 29)

A fire broke out early on the morning of July 29 at Tiger-Sul Products’ chemical plant in Atmore.

The Atmore Fire Department was called to the scene, along with firefighters from around the area. Alto Products, a facility that runs 24 hours a day, was closed because of the blaze and hazardous smoke burning from the sulfur. A portion of Highway 31 from Industrial Park Road to James Road was closed to traffic for several hours. Because it was a chemical fire, firefighters set up ladder trucks and unmanned monitors because the building was too jeopardized for an interior attack, Peebles said. An unmanned monitor is a nozzle that can be staked into the ground and shoots water in one direction.

2. Jan. 18 — JDCC, FSCC, others merge to form CACC
The consolidation of JDCC, ASCC and FSCC was finalized in December 2016 after a 12-month process that included several meetings and a couple important approvals from state agencies.

3. July 5 — A.C. Moore consolidated
The Escambia County School Board decided to move forward with the consolidation of A.C. Moore Elementary School with Rachel Patterson Elementary School and Escambia County Middle School. Actions to implement the consolidation include:

• Pre-K and third grades move to Rachel Patterson Elementary School;

• Fourth grade moves to Escambia County Middle School;

• Reorganization of school programs and school assignment of personnel; and

• Reorganization of all support services (CNP, Transportation, Special Services, etc.)

4. Sept. 13 — Big Escambia LLC bottles first state-made bourbon

Big Escambia Spirits LLC bottled its first craft and Alabama made bourbon on Sept. 9 at its manufacturing plant just outside of Atmore.

5. March 29 — Brown Precision begins construction

Construction workers poured 900 yards of concrete over a two-day period in March for the foundation of Brown Precision LLC. Maxwell Construction Co. erected the newest addition to the Rivercane Development.

6. Feb. 22 — Interstate 65 crash

A single-vehicle crash claimed two from Mobile and injured another on Interstate 65 near the 62-mile marker on Feb. 20.

7. June 21 — Rain, rain

Rain and more rain. That’s what hit the Atmore and surrounding areas in the middle of the summer. The city received several inches of rain during the summer.

8. March 8 — Buster’s dish rated top in state

Buster’s Restaurant is a staple of life in Atmore. On any given day, familiar faces line the booths and tables for lunch, dinner or just the afternoon coffee break. But, this month, Buster’s is getting special attention from the Alabama Tourism Department for what draws the crowds each Wednesday – its famous lima beans, pork chops and corn bread. Buster’s and its Wednesday lunch special brought Atmore into the list of the tourism department’s “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama.”

9. Aug. 30 — Splash Pad announced

In August, the announcement that a splash coming to Atmore was made. The effort to bring the pad to Atmore is nearing completion as a breaking ground ceremony will be held soon.

10. Oct. 18 — Bettis Highway dedicated

The Alabama Correctional Officer Kenneth L. Bettis Memorial Highway was dedicated Monday from the Atmore campus of Coastal Alabama Community College.