MONTGOMERY - Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation giving governmental bodies in the state the ability to hold meetings via telephone conference, video conference or other similar communications equipment.
The proclamation affects bodies such as the Marion County Commission, city and town councils and boards of education within the county that are unable to hold open public meetings with 25 or more individuals.
This is due to new guidelines under the current state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

MONTGOMERY -  Gov. Kay Ivey rescheduled the runoff election originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, for Tuesday, July 14.
This occurred following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the State of Alabama and the declaration of a National Emergency by President Donald Trump and the declaration of a State of Emergency by Ivey.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill requested an emergency opinion from Alabama Attorney General  Steve Marshall’s Office related to the possible postponement of the March 31 Runoff Election.

HAMILTON - The Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) is continuing to grow in profitability.
Gas district accountant Greg Guin presented the Fiscal Year 2019 audit during a NWAGD board meeting on Monday, March 2, telling the board there is $1.6 million available to be declared as ANDI monies, which stands for “annual net distributable income.”

HAMILTON - NTN-Bower Hamilton was recently involved in creating a sensory board for the Hamilton middle and elementary schools.
The sensory board will allow students to take a break from classwork and recharge. The board gives them an opportunity to use their fine and gross motor skills.
The idea for sensory boards at the schools was brought to NTN-Bower Hamilton by NTN Vice President and Treasurer Steve Hensley, whose daughter is a special education teacher who focuses on students with autism.

• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have grown to seven in Marion County, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s database. The numbers were recorded around noon on Thursday, March 26, nearly doubling the county’s case count from the previous day of four. The first confirmed case, a Hackleburg resident, was made on Saturday, March 21.

• According to Northwest Medical Center officials, the Winfield hospital has collected 37 samples as of Thursday, March 26--four of which have been confirmed as positive for COVID-19.

• Bedford industrial plot priced at $10,000/acre for new jail site

HAMILTON - A new Marion County Jail is beginning to become more of a reality.

The Hamilton City Council voted unanimously during its Monday, March 16, meeting to pledge $200,000 a year to the Marion County Commission to help cover payments for up to a $10 million bond for a new jail.

The pledge was passed with a provision that the commission not raise lock-up fees for the Hamilton Police Department.

HAMILTON - Construction on Hamilton’s new Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store has been pushed back again.

Hamilton Mayor Bob Page told the council during a work session held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, that Love’s March 21 start date has been delayed until April.

Love’s officials had projected construction on its new $12 million facility to begin in December. The store will be located off Interstate 22’s Exit 14 in Hamilton, off County Road 35 and River Road Drive.