Hamilton city officials have unanimously commissioned a study to analyze the feasibility of creating a city-run education system and splitting ways with the Marion County School System, which currently operates all schools in the county outside of Winfield.
The step taken during a meeting on Monday, June 7, is just a study, but it does send a message. One, there is a strong and shared desire among Hamilton residents to support their local schools. Two, Hamilton believes its schools have a higher potential.

There were two major issues not resolved during the just completed regular legislative session. Gambling and prisons were left on the table and up in the air.
It is foolish to not address a resolution to get some revenues for the state from gambling which currently exists in Alabama. However, it is not imperative that the problem be solved.

Winfield’s Weldy Home for Children hosted an open house on Wednesday, June 9, to celebrate the home reopening after being closed for two years.
Founded in 1991 and named in honor Russellville physician Joseph F. Weldy, the home provides shelter and care for up to 10 girls ages 6-18. The girls are taken in through collaboration with the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

Two Marion County rocketry teams are among 100 national finalists in the American Rocketry Challenge.
Both Hackleburg High School and Winfield City High School have teams represented in the national finals, which will take place in mid-June at launch sites across the U.S., including one at a Birmingham site where a total of seven teams in the state will compete.

WINFIELD - Winfield Rubber was announced the winner of the 3M 2020 Supplier of the Year award during an awards ceremony held virtually early this year for their work with the 3M plant in Guin.
The company was honored with the award in recognition of their contribution to improving 3M’s competitiveness.
“We have had the great privilege to work with the 3M Guin plant for the past 13 years. We supply them the reflective highway marking tape for their Highway Division,” said Winfield Rubber President Frank Hollingsworth.

Public schools across Marion County are searching for children with disabilities or who are suspected of having disabilities in order to provide special services.
The program, simply referred to as Child Find, is a statewide program that is sponsored by the state Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation  Services, Early Intervention, and the Division of Special Education Services.
The program is an effort to locate, identify and evaluate individuals from birth to age 21 who have disabilities or who are suspected of having disabilities.

Special to the Journal Record

Marion County Schools’ seniors were awarded approximately $1,729,460 in scholarship money this year.
The amount is the collective pool of 219 graduating students across five high schools in the Class of 2021, including Brilliant High School, Hackleburg High School, Hamilton High School, Marion County High School in Guin and Phillips High School in Bear Creek.
At Brilliant High, 21 graduating seniors were awarded $428,000 in scholarships.
Thirty-nine seniors at Hackleburg  High were awarded a total of $155,520 in scholarships.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

MONTGOMERY – Ten senior student-athletes in the Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA) have been selected by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) to receive the 2021 Coaches’ Children Scholarships.
Phillips High School’s Allie Veal was selected as the District 7 recipient.  Allie is the daughter of Coach Scott and Lisa Veal. She has one brother, Hunter.

Two longtime principals will b

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

As help wanted signs have been seen popping up nationwide as the country bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marion County jobless rate has taken a slight dip from 2.8% to 2.5% from March to April, a stark contrast from the 10.5% unemployment rate last year at this time.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

HAMILTON - City officials will weigh whether or not to partner with a startup non-profit for animal control services.
Hoof or Paw non-profit founder Calen Weston spoke with the Hamilton City Council during a work session on Tuesday, June 1, to discuss her organization’s push to answer Marion County’s animal control predicament. Weston attended the meeting accompanied by Hamilton resident Felicia Aycock, who has been helping the organization fundraise.

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

HAMILTON - Hamilton Elementary School music teacher and theater director Jenn Zetrouer will be moving to Manchester, England, following her three-year stint at the school.
Zetrouer was hired by the school in 2018 to teach in the music program and directed several productions throughout the last three years.
Zetrouer, 29, was born to Chris and Tonia in January of 1992 and raised in Gainesville, Ga., with her brother, Chris.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

I love the tension of this verse. To me, it shows that Paul wrestles with how God’s grace is the sole reason for his substance.
I’m by no means an authority in the world of theology. I’m sure there will be some who peruse this column who are. I guess it would be appropriate in this context to ask for grace as I’m sure I could be handling this text clumsily.

Using last week’s column to address a few issues some in the district might consider a disappointment from the recent legislative session, I will use this space to share an overview of issues which should be viewed as stepping stones to improve the state’s future.

In March, Ashton Sims of Hamilton, an account executive with Alabama Hospice Care of Jasper, learned of Mrs. Joyce Myrick, an 83-year-old widow who lived alone.
Mrs. Myrick was wheelchair-bound and had been diagnosed with colon cancer a few years ago. She also experienced recurrent issues and infections in her kidneys and had a history of heart issues, including a heart attack and a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

By Chad Fell
Northwest Alabamian

Special to the
Journal Record

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded program administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Farmers Market Authority Section.
The SFMNP provides eligible seniors with $30 in vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from certified farmers at farmers markets and farm stands in the state of Alabama.  
Food benefits are available on a first come, first serve basis until available funds are committed. Don’t delay, complete an application today!

Special to the
Journal Record