By Scott Johnson
General Manager

HAMILTON - City officials will be considering a possible wholesale water rate increase as a recent production audit has shown the city to be selling water to other local water systems at a loss.
The Hamilton City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, May 11, with Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams, who discussed his department’s finances and pricing.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

Marion County’s newspaper will be led by a new general manager.
Effective Monday, May 24, Scott Johnson has been named the general manager of the Journal Record, filling in the position of Jesse Lamar, who has accepted a position as a design engineer at Kith Kitchens in Bear Creek.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

Special to the
Journal Record

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

Winfield restaurant Pirate’s Den caught fire early Friday morning on May 21 and the restaurant has now closed its doors until further notice.
Winfield Fire Chief Allan Stovall stated that the Winfield Fire Department responded to a call about the fire at 12 a.m. and were at the scene within five minutes of the call.
  Stovall stated that they arrived with three fire engines, a ladder truck and two support vehicles.

I sat down at the table early in the morning with a cup of coffee ready to write. In my mind I already had a plan to write about the month of June and why I think it’s the best month of the year.
I glanced down at my phone to see how much time I had to write and instead of seeing the time, my eyes fell to the date stamped on the home screen of my phone. Immediately, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. May 28. I’m pretty sure my heart skipped a beat or two.

Before discussing the numerous achievements in the most recent session of the Alabama Legislature, I am certain many in House District 17 would prefer to speak of what some might consider the failures.
In the minds of many across the three-county area, the two most visible and controversial issues yet to be addressed in the state would be the failure of any legislation involving gambling and the funding of construction of new prisons.

The 2021 Legislative Session is in the books.  I would rate it a success. When you pass budgets that are balanced, any session is a success.  In fact, the only constitutional mandate given to the legislature is that they pass the two budgets.
 The amazing revelation that is almost difficult to comprehend is the fact that both the General Fund and the Educational Fund budgets were not only status quo but were flush with growth coming out of a year of the COVID pandemic.  State employees and teachers both received raises in the budgets.

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

HAMILTON - Females ages 17-34 are statistically the largest demographic to litter, according to a non-profit litter prevention director.
“They want to keep their car clean,” said Denise Taylor, Keep Alabama Beautiful Executive Director, during a recent meeting with a group of Hamilton community volunteers.
Taylor said this information comes from studies on litter and it matches up with what she hears from students during educational events around the state.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

Double Springs - Jimmy Dale Cooper has pleaded guilty to the murder of Donnie Miller and Linda Cole and has been sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity of parole.
The development abruptly closes the five-year-old case that only lasted three hours in its jury setting,  held at the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs.

WINFIELD – Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, and state Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, have announced the procurement of a $2.5 million federal grant to assist in the renovation of the emergency department at Northwest Medical Center in Winfield.
The announcement was made through the congressman’s office on Friday, May 21, with several news outlets across the state carrying the story regarding the deal. The federal grant will be partnered with a $1.5 million investment by Northwest Medical Center to complete the $4 million project.

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

HAMILTON - Many individuals in both academics and athletics play a part in shaping the hearts and minds of young people throughout their early lives from teachers to coaches.
But, perhaps an overlooked profession that could have a positive and lasting impact on youth development is that of a sports official.
Norm Tilberg, 78, of the Byrd community, has been working side by side with kids in athletics for a large portion of his life, hoping to make a positive and lasting impact for their futures.

A good many of you enjoyed the George Wallace story I shared with you a few weeks ago. Allow me to reminisce and share two more funny Wallace era stories.
I became acquainted with Governor Wallace when I was a young Page in the legislature.
I was elected to the legislature in 1982. Ironically, my district was comprised of my home county of Pike and also the portion of Barbour County that was Wallace’s home, including Clayton and Clio.

By Matt Clark
ACLL Executive Director

By Scott Johnson Managing Editor With May as National Foster Care Month, there has been a local push to promote the need for additional foster families. According to Marion County Department of Human Resources (DHR) Director Kier Vickery there are currently five foster families with 18 children in care. According to Vickery, it is normal for the county to maintain care for between 15 and 20 children. Vickery said that the lack of foster homes for at-risk children is a significant problem--one that is being experienced locally.