HAMILTON -  U.S. Marine Corps veteran Harrison Walker heard the call to minister in 1960, but it was a call he didn’t answer. In fact, he ran from it.
Walker first refused the calling shortly after joining the Marines in December 1959. After basic training in San Diego, Calif., Walker was offered the opportunity to go into seminary to become a chaplain.   

HAMILTON - Every Marion County office up for election in 2018 has been won by a Republican candidate.
A Marion County “red wave” overtook every race during the election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, securing public offices for 16 Republicans who will represent the area either on the local, regional or state level.
Twenty-one  other offices with implications for Marion County were secured in the Republican primary and runoff elections over the summer.

HAMILTON - Alabama’s school report cards will be delayed unless changes are made in the next two months.
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West told the Marion County Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16, that the Alabama State Department of Education is trying to tweak its formula for the report cards “as they strive to compare two incomparable tests.”

HAMILTON - Marion County sales taxes for education collected in Fiscal Year 2018 were the highest in the 10 years since the local school system began keeping records in 2008.
More than $1,714,333 in local sales taxes were taken in for the Marion County School System in the previous fiscal year—surpassing the previous high of $1,635,548 in Fiscal Year 2017. The newest total outdistanced the previous mark by $78,785.

WINFIELD - The Winfield Main Street Program is selling Veterans Day Banners that will be flown on the city’s decorative poles for military holidays and other special holidays.
According to Main Street Program Director Tammy Brashier, residents can purchase a veterans flag (size 18x36) for $100. The banners will be flown one or two times each year for three years, at which point residents can keep those flags or have the option of purchasing a new one.

This week’s column will be even shorter--hopefully sweeter--since we are left with just one team playing in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s State Playoffs Second Round.

WINFIELD - The Winfield Pirates used a balanced offensive attack to give Houston Academy problems to no end to defeat the Raiders going away, 40-3, on Friday night, Nov. 9, at Estes Hudson Stadium in Winfield.
The win improved the Pirates to 11-0 on the season and advanced them to the second round of the Class 3A State Playoffs. Winfield also extended its current winning streak to 12 games, going back to the final game of the 2017 season.

FLORENCE - Marion County was shut out for the first time all season in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 1A State Playoffs First Round by Mars Hill 55-0.
The loss dropped Marion County to 7-4 on the year after the Red Raiders finished 4-3 in Class 1A, Region 6. The victory improved Mars Hill to 10-1 overall after the Panthers finished a perfect 6-0 in Region 8.

Following a dominate display by Republican candidate, who gained every statewide and county office on the November ballot, Marion County political party leaders shared their insight into the Tuesday, Nov. 6, election with the Journal Record.
Marion County Democratic Executive Committee Chairwoman Susan Cobb said that on the national level, she was tickled that Democrats have control of the House and can keep President Donald Trump in check.

(There are those who are called to serve in the military and there are those who are called to preach the Gospel. And then, there are those who answered the call to do both. For the month of November, the month we celebrate our veterans, the Journal Record will feature four local preachers who answered the call to both serve their country, and to preach the Gospel.   In Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22, many are called but few are chosen.

WINFIELD - Crestwood Manor Apartments in Winfield, home to elderly and disabled residents, will be receiving a total renovation thanks to the Alabama Affordable Housing Association (AAHA).
The renovation is part of the housing association’s “Making Alabama Sweet Home Again” project.
This project is part of the housing association’s effort to either construct or rehabilitate housing structures in the state to provide more affordable housing to residents.

HAMILTON - A Marion County death row inmate will not have his case reviewed by the nation’s highest court.

ECRU, Miss.- Mississippi wildlife officials have confirmed the year’s second case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer.
A deer exhibiting strange behavior was put down in Pontotoc County, Miss., near Ecru on Oct. 8. The deer had no fear of humans and attacked a dog, according to a report in the Clarion Ledger in Jackson.

With the “Season of Giving” fastly approaching, the Journal Record staff has been reminded of the joys available to those who give of their own resources and time to serve others. We would like to assist the Marion County community in getting involved and experiencing this joy.

It’s all fun and games...until you become a member of the media, that is.
This column is an informative piece about the transition from being a member of society to being a member of the media--a transition that was a bit bigger than I had anticipated.

Now, the real work begins--or at least this is what the calendar tells us.

Our gubernatorial election-year politics ended yesterday. However, there have been other political maneuverings and developments going on behind the scenes, which may ultimately have more long-term ramifications in the Heart of Dixie’s political future.

BRILLIANT - The Brilliant School basketball team is hosting a fundraiser sure to get the blood pumping—the 2018 Star Wars Professional Wrestling Match.
The Brilliant Tigers basketball team will be hosting the family-friendly event at the Glendon-Gibbs Gymnasium in Brilliant High School on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30.
The fundraiser will feature the second annual $1,000 over-the-top-rope, King of the Ring Battle Royal.

WINFIELD - Local residents should mark their calendars for the Winfield Main Street’s annual Bake N’ Auction fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 11, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Pastime Civic Center.
The fundraiser will take place on the same day as the merchant Christmas Open House in downtown Winfield.
“That way you can shop with all our downtown merchants and then come by the Pastime Civic Center and bid on some delicious items!” said Main Street Director Tammy Brashier.

HAMILTON - Marion County senior citizens have been served cold and sometimes unedible food since a new Georgia-based catering service company took over a contract for local senior center meals.
Senior citizens voiced their disapproval of the new operations of the Elderly Nutrition Program, which is provided by Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG), at the Hamilton City Council meeting held on Monday, Oct. 15, at the Hamilton Police Department’s municipal courtroom.

HAMILTON - The property owner of a parking lot traditionally used by residents to sell vehicles is re-upping efforts to keep the lot clear of unauthorized vehicles.
According to Hamilton Police Lieutenant Jimmy Pendley, five to six parked cars, some for sale, were removed from the Hamilton Commons Shopping Center early Monday morning, Oct. 29, which were in violation of the property owner’s policy.
Pendley said that among the vehicles was a soda vendor tractor-trailer.

HAMILTON - The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce recorded about 75 vendors which set up booths, provided entertainment and sold food during this year’s Buttahatchee River Fall Fest.
Completing its 13th annual event, the chamber of commerce saw a “great turnout” at the downtown Hamilton event, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Clarification

The Journal Record would like to clarify some information that was published in the Wednesday, Oct. 10 edition, in an article titled “Council denies de-annexation request." This article states that Brilliant resident Jason Wilds offered to donate 25 acres of land to the town of Brilliant in order for the town council to de-annex his and his family’s property from the town limits. In a recording of the Sept. 26 council meeting, Wilds stated, “There’s 25 acres to the south of us.

Hamilton Police Department

HAMILTON - The following arrests and activities were reported by the Hamilton Police Department for the period of Oct. 23-29:
Incident, offense cases
Four for fourth-degree theft of property; two each for third-degree burglary and third-degree domestic violence; one each for possession of drug paraphernalia, documentation of suicide, menacing, giving false information, third degree criminal mischief and duty upon striking a vehicle.
Citations, Arrests

This week’s column is going to be short and sweet since we only have to teams left standing heading into the playoffs.
Typically, I wouldn’t try to predict the playoffs, but this year, I thought, why not give it a shot?

HAMILTON - The Hamilton Aggies put together a solid game plan in their final outing of the 2018 campaign and it produced a big and memorable 31-8 victory, for it came  on senior night over their long-time rival, the Haleyville Lions.
Head coach Rodney Stidham noted he, his coaches and the team had multiple discussions about the game in the days leading up to it. He called it “an outstanding win for us, the community, and our school.”  Stidham also expressed his pride in how well his Aggies played in the final game of the season.

HACKLEBURG - Hackleburg ended the 2018 season with a 22-12 victory over rival Phil Campbell on Thursday, Nov. 1.
The win gave the Panthers their 16th consecutive victory over their longest-running rival. It also improved Hackleburg’s lead in the all-time series to 50-33-1.
The victory ended Hackleburg’s season at 3-7 overall and 2-4 in Class 1A, Region 8. Phil Campbell dropped to 2-8 overall and finished 1-5 in Class 3A, Region 8.

WATERLOO - Brilliant ended the 2018 season with its eighth loss after falling to Waterloo 57-6 on Friday, Nov. 2.
The loss finished the Tigers’ season at 2-8 overall and 0-7 in Class 1A, Region 6. Waterloo improved to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in Region 8.
Following the loss, head coach Brian Gunnels complimented the Cougars and noted the Tigers played hard despite some having to play out of position due to injuries.

HAMILTON - The City of Hamilton is considering a measure to integrate LED street lights onto its streets.
The council has met with officials from Alabama Power over the last month to discuss the logistics and costs of switching over.

Municipal Account Manager with Lighting Services at Alabama Power Company Terrance Moultrie presented the council with a crossover plan for the city at a work session held on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

HACKLEBURG - Hackleburg Police Chief Kenny Hallmark presented his letter of resignation to the Hackleburg Town Council at its Monday, Oct. 22 meeting. Hallmark will reach 25 years of service with the town and his retirement will become effective Jan. 1, 2019.
Hallmark’s retirement marks the end of a contentious few weeks for the town that came to a head during the council’s Oct. 8 meeting.
At that meeting, councilman Eugene Marbutt voiced his concerns about the ethical aspects of Hallmark working two full-time jobs.

• Crossover voting laws not applicable Nov. 6