In 1999, 20 years ago, Jefferson Davis Community College was host to Cicely Tyson, renown stage and screen star. She was the keynote speaker for the Phi Theta Kappa 6th Annual Leadership Conference. She spoke of the struggles of blacks in America. Several times she spoke through the various roles she has played over the years.

Construction continued on the new Northview School despite some problems. Groundbreaking for the school took place on Saturday, Jan. 29, 1999.

Representatives of the Poarch Creek Indians were encouraged by a trip they took to Washington, D.C. to put them one step closer to having a casino in Alabama.

Do you remember before Wind Creek? It just seems as if it has always been there.

Two people were charged with murder in the shooting of a Riverview man. A man and his wife apparently killed the man and then hid out in an old car before they were caught.

After 30 years, Darlis Wooten was going for her high school diploma. She quit school in the 11th grade. She was engaged at the time and figured she didn’t need a diploma if she was married, so she chose to let school take a back seat to marriage.

I so admire someone who can do this. Back in the day, it didn’t seem as important for girls to get an education because they would be getting married.

Norman Nero, a student from Escambia County High School, signed with Arkansas to play football.

He said he had a hard time making the decision as to which college he would sign with.

Vangard’s was broken into, but with quick thinking by a policeman, the suspect was caught.

Death row inmates were given the chance to work in Holman Prison in the metal fabrication operations.

Gerlach’s Main Street Grille was offering a great menu for upcoming Valentine’s Day. For $14.95, it was a bargain.

Attorney Everette Price asked for a site charge in a murder case. The decision was to go before Judge Brad Byrne.

Water rates were going up 55 cents a month for Atmore.

Now I don’t know how much that would help or hurt the public and the city at the same time.

At age 70, Ilena Barnes was studying to pass the GED. She quit school in the 10th grade. Her mother told her she would regret it someday, but she didn’t believe it. Barnes said that she found out her mother was right.

It’s amazing how smart your parents are after you become one yourself. I told my granddaughters that no matter if you married or not, girls should get as much education as they could. Did they listen? Of course not.