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Jail gets green light with new architect
Construction crews began working on the new jail site in Hamilton on Monday, March 13.
HAMILTON — Marion County has its new jail architect after the county commission unanimously voted to hire Jim Berry Associated Architect's new architect Paul Butler.
Cities react to upcoming bill
GUIN — During the Guin city council’s regular meeting on Monday, March 6, the council was reminded of pending legislation that would slowly phase out occupational taxes in the state of Alabama.
Hackleburg Panthers are county champions
Hackleburg Panthers are, front row from left, Jakoby Bruns, Kross Weeks, Chandler Benford, Gavin Heggy, Carson Swinney, JaQuan Reeder, Cameron Ingram and Maddox Vickery. Back row, Alan Slusher, Jon McKinney, Payton Scott, Edge Weeks, Jayce Ables, Blaise Vickery, Ross Hudson, Drew Williams, Abe Morgan, Aydan Beard, Braiden Godwin, Jaxon Fincher, Brynn McGuire and Rynn McGuire.
HACKLEBURG — The Hackleburg Panthers were crowned the Marion County Champions after beating Winfield, Marion County and Hamilton on home turf on Saturday, March 11.
Marion County back in C3
Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (C3) CEO Tom Wisemiller speaks to Marion County Commissioners during a meeting.
HAMILTON — Marion County is back in the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (C3) after commissioners voted to rejoin the economic development group lead by CEO Tom Wisemiller.
Buddy Ball announced at Winfield
WINFIELD -- The Winfield Park and Recreation department is excited to announce Buddy Ball to the Winfield area for their new adaptive athletics program. Buddy Ball is a league devoted to the children with special needs.
Pyron elected state Beta Club VP
Caroline Pyron
GUIN — Marion County High School Junior Caroline Pyron was elected as the next state vice-president of the National Beta Club’s Alabama Convention.
Fatal fire at Ward residence
BEAR CREEK — A house fire proved fatal for a Bear Creek man, who was found by firefighters near the front door of his home while fire raged toward the back of the residence.
High winds, tornado leave path of damage
A chicken house in Hackleburg is pictured with the roof blown off due to high winds.
MARION COUNTY — Marion County was hit by severe weather last week, resulting in the Shottsville community being hit by an EF-1 tornado.
Lady Red Raiders make 1A state runners-up
Bottom row from left to right are Jasmine Wilson, Kaley Webb, Becca Junkin and Mckenzie Stephens. Top row, Erin Culp, Scott Veal, Anna Rea White, Addison Randolph, Krissa Comer, Porshia Lipsey, Lilly Robinson, Rachel Roberts, Alecia Shack, Bree Lipsey and Lexie Dishner.
BIRMINGHAM — The Marion County High School Lady Red Raiders are the 2022-23 season basketball 1A state runners-up.
Winfield reflects on lockdown, honors board members
WINFIELD — The Winfield City School Board heard from Police Chief Brett Burleson during its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, exactly one week after all three school campuses were placed on lockdown after a threat was received over the phone.
Marion County Ag Expo event presented to 10th graders
Pictured are, bottom row, left to right, Greg Carter, Lauranne James (executive director Northwest RC&D Council), Ronald Madrigal, Rick Pate (commissioner of agriculture and industries in Alabama), Isaac Burleson, David Sims, Gary Weatherly and Ginger Eatman (SNAP-Ed educator). Top row, left to right, Jared Carter (programs director AMRV RC&D Council), Katie Thomas (executive director, Alabama Association of RC&D Council), Vanessa King, Wade Hill (USDA district conservationist), Brett Miller, Sawyer Thompson, Hunter Garrard, Brent Shaw, Carla Lewis (Marion County CEC), and Rebecca Danley (Marion County 4-H FREA).
HAMILTON — The Marion County Extension Office partnered with Northwest RC&D, USDA, NRCS and Live Well Alabama to develop the Marion County Ag Expo.
The event took place on Friday, Jan. 20, at the Bevill State Community Center in Hamilton.
World War II veteran returns to Hamilton
IReynard Martin is a World War II veteran.
HAMILTON — Hamilton resident Reynard Martin is one of few left in Marion County who served the United States military during World War II.
Martin, 98, was born in the State of Texas to parents Manuel and Lela Martin in October of 1924.
He has two sisters, Hazel and Neva, and one brother, Herman.
“My mom and dad ran a little store. I remember I would get up in some of the shelves and take a nap,” said Martin.
FedEx truck overturns on I-22
:A truck is shown turned over on its left side following an accident on I-22.
HAMILTON — Traffic on Interstate 22 heading eastbound was held up for over an hour after a FedEx tractor trailer turned over onto its left hand side, blocking both lanes of traffic.
The accident took place on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 16, near Exit 3 on I-22.
Jordan Carter with the Byrd Fire Department stated BFD, Shottsville Fire Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Marion County Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency all responded to the accident.
Winfield Schools placed on lockdown
Winfield school board member Chris Carothers (left) and school board chairman James Garner (middle) stand by the fence at the elementary school during the lockdown to explain the situation to parents arriving for a school event, all while Winfield police officer Shane Dickinson (right) stands guard with his rifle.
WINFIELD — Winfield City Schools were all placed on lockdown on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, after receiving a threat over the phone.
Officers from the Winfield City Police Department, as well as the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and others responded to each school around 11:30 that morning after the threat was received.
Parents who arrived at the elementary school for a scheduled event were either left standing in the parking lot or stuck in the elementary school’s auditorium during the lockdown.
Mac McAnally opens concert season for Pastime
WINFIELD -- The Pastime Theatre in Winfield announces Mac McAnally to open the 2023 concert season Feb. 25.
Winfield mayor explains delays on paving
A culvert under Midway Drive has deteriorated and collapsed, causing a severe pothole to form that takes up an entire lane.
WINFIELD — Mayor Randy Price spoke at the Winfield city council’s most recent regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, to update citizens on the progress of several projects that have met with delays and setbacks.
Law enforcement receiving ballistics protection this year
MARION COUNTY — Marion County is aiming to arm its law enforcement officers in the case of active shootings after unanimously approving a reimbursement grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
Can new jail solve turnover?
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams
HAMILTON — Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams has yet again had to hire a new jailer to work at the Marion County Jail in Hamilton after some time dealing with high turnover at the facility.
Drive: The Roberson Coy Sullins story
Coy Sullins stands with a creation of his about 1940 in Florida.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer — With information from Rob Swinney and Marie Sullins Holmes
When it comes to car transmissions, many folks nowadays don’t know how to operate manual transmissions, or “stick-shifts.” Manual transmissions have mostly fallen out of favor after the rise in popularity of the automatic transmission.
One Marion County man might have had a significant role to play in this transmission transition.