By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

Double Springs - The trial for double homicide suspect Jimmy Dale Cooper, 61, of Hamilton began Monday, May 17.
The trial, which is now more than five years in the making, started with a week of jury selection at the
Winston County
Courthouse in Double Springs.
Voir dire is scheduled to conclude on Friday, May 21, with jury striking to select a final group of 12 peers who will be tasked with judging Cooper’s case.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

HAMILTON - In just two months, students can go from their couch to the road, making competitive wages as a truck driver.
Bevill State Community College-Hamilton Campus’ Truck Driver Training program has recently condensed its course into a six-week class, meaning the college can assist in solving the current trucker shortage being experienced nationwide.
“As far as the driver shortage, I don’t know if I have ever seen it like this,” said Marcus Carson, who heads up the Truck Driver Training program at Bevill State.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

Hamilton - A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 3:07 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, has claimed the life of a Hamilton woman.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Cheyenne Nichole Lawson, 43, was killed when the 2002 Jeep Liberty she was driving was struck head-on by a 2018 Freightliner.

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

WINFIELD - Bus driver Jim Harrison received the Bus Driver of the Year award for the 2020-2021 school year during the Winfield City Schools Board of Education meeting  on Tuesday, May 10, at Winfield Middle School.
“This is a special part of my job that I really enjoy. We’ve all had experiences this year--dealing with COVID-19--and dealing with a tough year in a lot of different ways,” said Winfield City Schools Superintendent of Education Chris Cook.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

Hamilton - A high school athlete is recovering after a medical emergency at Hamilton High School required the minor to be transported by air to Tupelo.
At approximately 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, the Hamilton Fire and Rescue Squad responded to a call of an unresponsive minor on the sidewalk at the local high school.
Hamilton Assistant Fire Chief Matt McCracken said first responders were on the scene within minutes and rendered first aid and assisted Regional Paramedical Services.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

HACKLEBURG - It could be a challenge this year to fill the needed lifeguard positions at Hackleburg’s public swimming pool.
During a meeting on Monday, May 10, Hackleburg town councilors discussed how the current worker shortage nationwide is affecting the economy and could complicate the town’s search for summer life guards.
The town will also need to quickly hire someone to open and treat the pool before it is used by the public.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

By Scott Johnson Managing Editor WINFIELD - A Fayette man has been indicted by the Marion County Grand Jury for allegedly scamming Marion County home owners. Josh Lowel Nabors, 41, Fayette, was arrested on May 3 for four counts of home repair fraud, three counts of theft, no home builder’s license and a grand jury indictment for theft. He was held in the Marion County Jail in Hamilton and was released on May 6 on a $88,000 bond.

When Sen. Richard Shelby announced he would not run for reelection to a sixth six-year term in 2022, speculation immediately began as to who would run for our iconic senior senator’s seat. Numerous names were floated as to who might lineup for the coveted seat.  It is expected to be a fairly large field.

Everyone is hiring.
Businesses are having to adjust for staff shortages. Folks are waiting hours for food. I’ve heard of Burger King here in Hamilton having only their drive-thru open due to nobody to work. Some other restaurants are cutting hours. Others are bumping up their pay and offering sign-on bonuses. A Captain Ds in Anniston was offering $100 bonuses to new employees.

When I was a teen-ager I worked summers as a baby sitter for $10 a week. Now days one is paying close to that amount for one hour of this service. Our grand-daughter insists this is the price she must charge in order to buy the latest clothing one that carries the correct label. “That’s the only thing that fits right,” I was informed.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

By JESSE LAMAR General Manager Tuscaloosa - The Hamilton Lady Aggies swept every opponent they faced in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 4A West Regional softball tournament to punch their ticket to the Class 4A state softball tournament. The Lady Aggies, who finished the regular season as the Class 4A, Area 12 runners-up, started the regional tournament with an 8-4 win over Oak Grove High School. Hamilton took the lead early, posting three runs to the board in the top half of the first frame.

By JESSE LAMAR
General Manager

Florence - The Hackleburg Lady Panthers and the Marion County Lady Red Raiders saw their respective seasons come to an end in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 1A North Regional Softball Tournament that was held at the Florence Sportsplex between Wednesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 13.
The Lady Panthers and the Lady Red Raiders faced off in the first round of the tournament with Hackleburg earning the 7-5 win over Marion County in the double-elimination tournament.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

HAMILTON - Kayleigh Mariah Childers, a senior at Hamilton High School, has signed with Bevill State Community College to compete on the Bears’ collegiate volleyball team.
Kayleigh, 17, who is the daughter of Jamie and Stephanie Childers, signed with the Bears on Friday, May 14, outside of the Hamilton High School Library. She plans to study forensic science with the goal of becoming a pathological assistant in the morgue.

By JESSE LAMAR
General Manager

Tuscaloosa - The Winfield City High School Lady Pirates saw their season come to an end on Friday, May 14, after losing back-to-back games in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A West Regional Softball Tournament.
The Lady Pirates, who are coached by Zac Wakefield, came into the tournament as the Class 3A, Area 10 Runners-Up, and matched up with Hale County in their first round contest.

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

WINFIELD - State Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, honored the Winfield City Schools Board of Education during a regular meeting held on Tuesday, May 11, at Winfield Middle School.
Estes stated that he had a resolution passed in Montgomery honoring those working in education during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included those working in the Winfield City School System.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

Albertville - Hamilton’s Kyle Sims finished with a loss in his debut Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) match, which was a three-round bout that ended in a judge’s decision.

Sims, 27, who is 5-foot-9-inches was matched up with 24-year-old Will McCown of Hoover, who stood at 6-foot-2-inches during the Marshall County-based American Fighting League (AFL)’s fight night on Saturday, May 8, at the Sand Mountain Park in Albertville.

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Alabama is expanding COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to include individuals age 12 and older, effective immediately.
This was announced during an address on Thursday, May 13, in Montgomery.

By LOUIS MELLINI Staff Writer

WINFIELD - Win eld’s historic Zion Missionary Baptist Church will be celebrating its 185th Year Anniversary on Monday, May 23.

The church’s theme for the day will be “Going Back”. Former pas- tor, Bro. James Bunger (1979-1998) will be the guest speaker in the morning service.