The day the music died (again): A side

Mr. Fowler is shown with his son, Jim.

Mr. Fowler is shown with his son, Jim.

By Kathryn “Chazz” Hirschfeld
Staff writer
Mr. James Fowler was a jolly old man, the opposite of a grumpy old man. I never saw him without a smile after he retired. And during the time I knew him while he managed Hamilton’s WERH Radio Station, he was most always smiling. In fact, I only saw Mr. Fowler one time in 10 years without a smile. That’s a pretty good record.

Barton sentenced to 235 months

Suspect pictured is Jeffrey Barton

Suspect pictured is Jeffrey Barton
BIRMINGHAM – A convicted felon was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison for kidnapping and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

Hamilton welcomes new hospital administrator

Underline: Present for the meet-and-greet for Robin Mixon (front row, center) are (front row, from left) NMMC-Hamilton Board Member Belinda McRae and Hamilton City Councilor Sherry Armstrong; and (back row, from left) Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, and hospital board members Bobby Wallace and Sonny Nix, and board chairman Wade Nixon.

Underline: Present for the meet-and-greet for Robin Mixon (front row, center) are (front row, from left) NMMC-Hamilton Board Member Belinda McRae and Hamilton City Councilor Sherry Armstrong; and (back row, from left) Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, and hospital board members Bobby Wallace and Sonny Nix, and board chairman Wade Nixon.
HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton held a meet-and-greet for Robin Mixon, the new hospital administrator for North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton, on Monday, Nov. 20, at city hall.

Guin discusses library’s future - Losing public status could be catastrophic for city, school says library director

The Marion County High School Community Library would lose many of its books and technological resources if it loses its public library status

The Marion County High School Community Library would lose many of its books and technological resources if it loses its public library status
GUIN — The Guin City Council met with members of the library board in a work session on Monday, Nov. 20, to discuss several concerns regarding the Marion County High School Elaine Junkin Community Library.

Signed, scanned, delivered - Deeds and mortgages scanned, backed up and available online

These deed books in the Marion County Courthouse have been scanned, the images cleaned up, everything backed up and fits in the palm of Marion County Probate Judge Paige Vick on an external hard drive (right). These records will be safe if the courthouse is involved in a disaster and will be preserved digitally. Additionally, the image files are indexed and available online for searches. Mortgages for the past 50 years and the reverse and direct index books and plat books are included. The external hard dri

These deed books in the Marion County Courthouse have been scanned, the images cleaned up, everything backed up and fits in the palm of Marion County Probate Judge Paige Vick on an external hard drive (right). These records will be safe if the courthouse is involved in a disaster and will be preserved digitally. Additionally, the image files are indexed and available online for searches. Mortgages for the past 50 years and the reverse and direct index books and plat books are included. The external hard drive contains approximately 232,676 images.
HAMILTON — The advancement of technology has allowed the world to preserve and share things we would not be able to otherwise. Thirty years ago, if someone was asked to read a book online, they would not understand the meaning of these words. Not only can we read a book online now, the inventory of entire courthouses can be found online. Hundreds of books from the Marion County Judge of Probate office went live online Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

Student-led art features in Guin mural

Master muralist Missy Miles (left) and gifted art student Gracious Webb stand before the “Greetings from Guin” mural, which Webb illustrated and Miles painted.

Master muralist Missy Miles (left) and gifted art student Gracious Webb stand before the “Greetings from Guin” mural, which Webb illustrated and Miles painted.
GUIN — As you travel along U.S. Highway 43 in Guin from east going west, a remarkable sight meets your eyes. Displayed on the side of the Guin Post Office is a strikingly beautiful and colorful mural spelling out the name of the city. As you continue driving, you might see three other murals in the city, all painted by artist and master mural painter Missy Miles.

Winfield police chief suspended

Winfield Chief of Police Brett Burleson served a three day suspension.

Winfield Chief of Police Brett Burleson served a three day suspension.
WINFIELD — Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson faced a three-day suspension two weeks ago after mayor Randy Price did not approve of the way Burleson handled a confrontation related to a personal issue.

Soloing at Sixteen: Macon Harris earns driver license, student pilot certificate in one day

Sixteen year old Macon Harris takes off on his first solo flight Nov. 16. He is piloting a Piper Cherokee.

Sixteen year old Macon Harris takes off on his first solo flight Nov. 16. He is piloting a Piper Cherokee.
HAMILTON — Hamilton High School sophomore Macon Harris got two licenses on his birthday—one for driving a car, and the other for flying a plane.

Walk of Trees a city, chamber success

Teamwork makes light work for the Hamilton Street Department’s (from left) Gus Morrow, Brett Holcomb, Shawn Holloway and Tracy Lee.

Teamwork makes light work for the Hamilton Street Department’s (from left) Gus Morrow, Brett Holcomb, Shawn Holloway and Tracy Lee.
HAMILTON — The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce expected some participation in their inaugural “Walk of Trees” event. What they didn’t expect was to fill all 100 slots available for the project in just three days.

Extension hosts first Garden Expo

The Northwest Alabama RC&D Council sits at a table at the first Garden Expo. Shown above are Executive Director Lauranne James, Anna Morrison and Vanessa King.

The Northwest Alabama RC&D Council sits at a table at the first Garden Expo. Shown above are Executive Director Lauranne James, Anna Morrison and Vanessa King.
HAMILTON — The Marion County Extension Office partnered with Northwest Alabama RC&D to host a garden expo as part of an outreach through NRCS/USDA on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Bevill State Community College in Hamilton. Carla Lewis, Marion County Extension coordinator; Lauranne James, Northwest RC&D Council, executive director; and Tomeesa Shedd, NRCS conservation technician welcomed the attendees to the Garden Expo.

Old grocery store fire

Hamilton fire fighters open windows to help vent the smoke from the fire as it rises from the east end of the building

Hamilton fire fighters open windows to help vent the smoke from the fire as it rises from the east end of the building
HAMILTON — Hamilton firefighters and police responded to a fire in the unoccupied building on Highway 278 / Bexar Avenue East across from the Hamilton Housing Authority on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The building was formerly known as Ray Grocery.
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