MONTGOMERY - Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded an $800,000 grant to increase the presence of state troopers on Alabama’s highways and improve highway safety.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will use the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program funds for year-round patrols to enforce traffic speeds and take dangerous drivers off of the roads.
“My desire is that all drivers on Alabama roads obey our traffic laws and arrive at their destination safely,” Ivey said.

HAMILTON - Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) General Manager Heath Reed received the Alabama Natural Gas Association’s Person of the Year award during a meeting held on Monday, August 3, at the NWAGD office in Hamilton.
Each year, the Alabama Natural Gas Association (ANGA) considers members of the ANGA to receive the Gas Person of the Year Award.
Reed was awarded  in reflection of this year’s theme for the ANGA, “Energy through people”.

Air conditioning projects at Brilliant School and Marion County High School (MCHS) will be postponed due to inflated pricing.
The projects only received bids from one company. That company offered to do the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)  work at Brilliant School for $683,000 and at MCHS for $699,000.
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West told the Marion County Board of Education during a meeting on Thursday, July 30, that the bids were much higher than expected.

HACKLEBURG - Long-time Hackleburg High School administrator  and coach Max Ray, 84, passed away on Friday, July 17.
 Ray, one of 16 children, was the son of  Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Ray.  He was an outstanding student-athlete, participating in football, basketball and baseball while attending Hackleburg High School.
He attended college at Mississippi State University. Following his graduation in 1963, Ray returned to Hackleburg where he taught history and  was named head football coach.

Virtual supply drive will air Aug. 8

HAMILTON -  The Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) unanimously voted to pass a resolution authorizing issuance of Series 2020 refunding bonds for the company during a special called meeting on Thursday, June 25, in Hamilton.

This plan is based on the current State Health Order and recommendations from the Alabama State Department of Education and is subject to change.

A Message From The Marion County Schools’ Superintendent

HACKLEBURG - An audit report for the Town of Hackleburg for Fiscal Year 2019 revealed no errors or discrepancies.
Northport accountant Don Wallace met with the Hackleburg Town Council on Monday, June 22.
“During the audit, I did not identify any deficiencies in internal control that I considered to be material weaknesses,” Wallace said.

GU-WIN - With movie theaters worldwide feeling the impact of coronavirus shutdowns, drive-in theaters have been seen as the place where individuals can enjoy a show while still operating under the social distancing guidelines.
But, according to Blue Moon Drive -In owner Chris Curtis, business for drive-in theaters is not as booming as some have been led to believe.
“From the beginning of things starting to open back up to now, business has been terrible,” said Curtis.

HAMILTON - Marion County School students are expected to return to school on schedule.
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West says schools are set to open the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 11, just 36 days from now.
The start date was approved by Marion County Board of Education members in February, prior to the large-scale U.S. outbreak of COVID-19.
“As we all know, any plans we make these days are subject to change,” West said.

HACKLEBURG - Big 95.5 Radio Station Owner Hutty Hutcheson says he has purchased a TV station.
The Hackleburg Town Council heard from Hutcheson during its regular meeting on Monday, June 22.
Hutcheson, who operates the radio station out of the rec building in downtown, says he is looking for space to build a broadcast tower.
“I’m trying to get it to where it is here and here on out,” Hutcheson said. “I just think it’d be good for the town.”

HAMILTON - A franchise company from Birmingham says it plans to open a Domino’s Pizza in Hamilton.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page told the Journal Record during a phone interview on Thursday, June 25, that he and Hamilton City Attorney Scott Hunt sat down with company officials last month where they shared their plans to locate the restaurant near downtown Hamilton.
The businessmen told Page the company has been considering Hamilton for the past three years and plan to have a store operating by August of this year.

Birmingham -   Fred’s Pharmacy in Hamilton was recently recognized as a Patient Champion by the American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. (APCI).

Wondering how to celebrate Independence Day next Saturday, July 4? There are a number of events taking place here in Marion County.

HAMILTON - In a measure to curb sewage backflows, Hamilton officials have passed an ordinance granting city inspectors the authority to inspect grease traps.
At the recommendation of Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams and Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, the Hamilton City Council considered the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) ordinance during a regular meeting on Monday, June 15.

GUIN -  Despite growing concerns about a second wave of COVID-19 effecting proceedings, the Guin City Council voted 3-1 in favor of holding its annual July 4 fireworks show during a regular meeting over the phone on Monday, June 13.
Councilman Jerry Gann was the only member of the council to vote against holding the fireworks show due to concerns about spreading COVID-19.