HAMILTON - Rumors and hear-say are just more issues to handle for officials in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marion County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Eric Terrell urged numerous county and industry officials on Wednesday, March 25, to stomp out misinformation the best they can.

HAMILTON - The collapse of the lunchroom kitchen floor in Guin may have been due to missing vents in the design of the building, according to state inspectors.
Lathan Associates Architects Vice President Shawn Calma met with the Marion County Board of Education on a video call during a meeting on Wednesday, March 18.
The kitchen floor partially collapsed on Friday afternoon, Feb. 21, while lunchroom staff were working. No one was injured.

WINFIELD -  Former Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Medical Center-Winfield Robert Henger and his wife, Jan, received keys to the City of Winfield for their service to the community during a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, at Winfield City Hall.
Mayor Randy Price presented the keys to the Hengers and thanked them for their contribution to the Winfield community through the hospital.
“Bob has stepped in several times to lead us in the right way and make sure the hospital operates in the way that it should,” said Price.

HAMILTON - A state health officer has commended Marion County’s local hospitals for measures taken to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
“I have to commend you for what you’re doing,” Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Northern District Administrator Judy Smith told hospital administrators from North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC)-Hamilton and Northwest Medical Center in Winfield.

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.

MARION COUNTY -  The Marion County Commission urges citizens to be diligent in their efforts to stay informed and to participate in mitigation activities to help reduce the exposure and spread of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus.

HAMILTON - Adhering to state-ordered health policies could reduce the local impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by 80%, said state Sen. Garlan Gudger, during a meeting with 19 Marion County industry leaders and officials.
The senator and state Rep. Tracy Estes met with a cross-section of officials in law enforcement, health care and education on Wednesday morning, March 25, to discuss the local response and needs associated with the coronavirus outbreak.

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.