By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
Being a sports official isn’t the most glamorous of jobs.
Officials have to make the tough calls in the biggest games, and, in doing so, could end up ruffling quite a few feathers of coaches, players and parents.
Perhaps due to the bad reactions that officials get from time to time, sports referees have been harder to come by in recent years, not just in Marion County, but throughout the country.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — Winfield City Schools have announced that all students will be able to attend Winfield home sporting events for free.
High school principal Adam Aldridge said the decision was made because student involvement is crucial for Winfield’s athletic programs.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council, police department and the board of education have partnered to hire two new police officers to better protect students in light of recent tragedies, such as the Uvalde school shooting.
According to Police Chief Brett Burleson, the new officers will not be dedicated school resource officers but will be regular police officers. The addition of the new officers will allow Winfield Police to have an officer rotate between each school throughout the day.

By Louis Mellini
General Manager
HAMILTON — For 90 days, Hamilton will not be using the traffic light located at First Avenue and Military Street South.
On Monday, Aug. 15, the Hamilton City Council made the decision to cover the lights and make First Avenue Southeast a one way road.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — Winfield City Police arrested Zackary Marshall Tingle, 25, on Sunday, Aug. 21, charging him with two counts each of criminal mischief and burglary, as well as one count attempted arson.
According to Police Chief Brett Burleson, the break-in and vandalism took place early on Sunday morning, Aug. 21, around 2 a.m. at Winfield City Family Church, located on Highway 129 in Winfield.
Tingle allegedly broke in once, then came back later, which resulted in the multiple charges.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Journal Record is excited to announce that, this school year, we will be bringing back our school page!
Each week, one of our schools in Marion County will be featured on a page of the Journal Record with school news and pictures of students and faculty.
This is something that the Journal Record has done in the past, and we are excited to bring the news of what the kids and young adults in the county are doing in our great schools.

By Shelly Hess
Courtesy of the Northwest Alabamian
HALEYVILLE — Lakeland Community Hospital will soon experience a change at the helm, but the focus on high quality patient care will remain the same.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton will now be using Northstar Emergency Medical Service and will establish the Marion County EMS ambulance service for the City of Hamilton following the Hamilton City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 1, at Hamilton City Hall.
The city previously used Regional Paramedical Services for all of their emergency transport needs, but, according to Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, the city was not satisfied with the time it took for ambulance services to respond.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The scent of roasted corn, funnel cakes and other familiar smells are set to return to downtown Winfield once again next month.
Mule Day is still set to return to Winfield on Friday, Sept. 23, for Mule Night and Sept. 24, for Mule Day. This will be the first time the once-annual festival will be held after it was canceled two years in a row due to the pandemic.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Hamilton City Council approved entering an agreement with Wal-Mart to purchase two camera systems at the Wal-Mart property.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page stated that Wal-Mart will purchase one of the camera systems while the city will purchase the other.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
DOTHAN — Winfield’s 8U Dixie Youth baseball team finished as runners-up in the 2022 Dixie Youth Division II AA World Series on Tuesday, Aug. 2, in a narrow loss to North Carolina, wrapping up a 23-3 record season.
The team advanced to the World Series after defeating Fayette in the state tournament on Monday, July 11. They went on to represent the state of Alabama in the World Series starting on July 27.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — Former Winfield Mayor William “Bill” West passed away Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. West was mayor for two terms from 2000-2008.
West was instrumental in helping the city build the storm shelter next to city hall through grant money and other projects, according to former city clerk Candy Reed.
Before being elected mayor, West was a history teacher at Winfield City High School, a role in which many former students say he inspired them.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON —Coaches and Hamilton school officials applauded as the Hamilton City Council approved phase one plans beginning the construction of the new Hamilton track facility.
This took place during a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 1, at Hamilton City Hall.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
BRILLIANT — Brilliant School has hired Roger Satcher as the new head football coach after the resignation of former coach Brian Gunnels.
Satcher brings decades of coaching and school administration experience. From 1995 to 2005, Satcher worked as head baseball coach, defensive coordinator, assistant principal and athletic director for Jasper City Schools.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West met with Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams as well as police chiefs from every municipality in the county to discuss safety and security in schools for the future.
In attendance were West, Winfield City Schools Superintendent Randy Thomley, Williams, Bear Creek Police Chief Doug Hallman, Hamilton Police Chief Ronny Vickery, Hackleburg Police Chief Kenny Hallmark, Guin Police Chief Doug Webb and Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
SHOTTSVILLE — Both the Shottsville and Byrd fire departments were called to a major emergency situation during the stormy conditions that occurred on the night of Saturday, July 30.
Shottsville Fire Department was the first to arrive on the scene to respond to the fire located on County Highway 56 at the facility operated by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company of Kinder Morgan.
“We just saw a big ball of fire on top of one of the buildings,” said Shottsville Fire  Chief Jeff Williams.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — After the massive success of the Marion County Stampede just a few months ago, county resident Jamie Gann plans to bring more horse events on a more regular basis to the youth and other residents of Marion County.
During a regular meeting held on Monday, July 18, at the commission office in Hamilton, Gann suggested that the county lease him property located just off of Highway 43 South.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council recognized the 8U boys Dixie Youth state champions and discussed plans to honor World Championships silver medalist Trey Cunningham during its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 19.
Players and coaches of the team stood holding a celebratory banner as the council passed a resolution recognizing them for their achievements.