MCBOE’s Dr. Sutton notes of retirees: ‘Immeasurable value to our schools; blessed multitudes of students’

Shown with the MCBOE are, from left, Brilliant School representatives Crystal Nelson (teacher), Levi Norris (student), Richard Ross (student) and Dr. Kim Davis (principal), who showed appreciation to the BOE on April 25 for approving their recent trip to Italy, and presented a trip summary with photos. Photo by Marion County Schools Parent Community Liaison Angela Wilds.

Shown with the MCBOE are, from left, Brilliant School representatives Crystal Nelson (teacher), Levi Norris (student), Richard Ross (student) and Dr. Kim Davis (principal), who showed appreciation to the BOE on April 25 for approving their recent trip to Italy, and presented a trip summary with photos. Photo by Marion County Schools Parent Community Liaison Angela Wilds.

HAMILTON — During the Marion County Board of Education’s Friday, April 25, meeting, MCBOE Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sutton noted the school system is losing “some outstanding, experienced people” due to retirements.

The Band Loula to headline CoalFest this Saturday: festival kicks off Friday night

CoalFest

CoalFest

BRILLIANT — Brilliant Mayor Perry Franks has invited everyone out to CoalFest’s 25th Anniversary Festival on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24. With lots of family-friendly attractions and entertainment, CoalFest is a great Memorial Day Weekend activity for one and all.

Elder’s suffers heat, smoke, water damage

Courtesy of the Hamilton Fire Department, this photo shows first responders on First Street Southwest looking toward Elder’s as smoke fills the air.

Courtesy of the Hamilton Fire Department, this photo shows first responders on First Street Southwest looking toward Elder’s as smoke fills the air.

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Fire Department responded to a fire at Elder’s Tacos & Steaks on Saturday, May 17, at approximately 11:15 p.m., and promptly extinguished the fire, which was located in a storage room.

Brilliant celebrats 25th anniversary of CoalFest on May 23, 24

Special CoalFest 25th Anniversary T-shirts are now on sale. Shown displaying a couple are town clerk Jessica Lee, right, and water clerk Candie Linley. Extra small kids’ sizes to adult XL sizes are $10. Sizes 2XL and 3XL are $12. Shirts are available in light purple, light pink, lime green, royal blue, charcoal gray and black colors.

Special CoalFest 25th Anniversary T-shirts are now on sale. Shown displaying a couple are town clerk Jessica Lee, right, and water clerk Candie Linley. Extra small kids’ sizes to adult XL sizes are $10. Sizes 2XL and 3XL are $12. Shirts are available in light purple, light pink, lime green, royal blue, charcoal gray and black colors.

BRILLIANT — For 25 years, the Town of Brilliant has held one of the very best festivals in the area. Organizers note 2025’s edition is gearing up to be no less than possibly the best ever. Held annually on the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, this year’s CoalFest is set for Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.

High school graduation schedules announced

Marion County Schools: (All on Thursday, May 22)
Brilliant High School, 7 p.m., Dickinson & Walker Memorial Stadium (Rain location - high school gym);
Hackleburg High School, 6 p.m., Hackleburg high school gym;
Hamilton High School, 8 p.m., Sargeant Stadium (Rain location - HHS gym);
Marion County High School, 7:30 p.m., Rayburn Stadium (Rain location - J. Shelton Akers Gymnasium); and
Phillips High School, 7 p.m., Phillips High School gym.

Winfield City: Friday, May 23
Winfield City High School, 7 p.m., Estes Hudson Stadium.

Hackleburg begins paperwork on allowing alcohol sales

The pool at Hackleburg is scheduled to open May 30 with a Summer Bash.

The pool at Hackleburg is scheduled to open May 30 with a Summer Bash.

HACKLEBURG — Citizens spoke at the wet/dry election held on April 22, and now businesses in Hackleburg will be able to sell alcohol. However, ordinances must be in place first. The town council met Monday, April 28, in regular session, with attorney Tony Glenn to begin this process.

Alabama 4-H ambasssador president receives Barbara D. Thorne 4-H Scholarship

Ana Kathrine Whisnant

Ana Kathrine Whisnant

AUBURN UNIVERSITY — Alabama 4-H goes beyond extracurricular clubs and trips to summer camp. It equips students with skills and resources to take the next step in life. This year, the Alabama 4-H Foundation awarded more than $38,000 in scholarships to high school seniors seeking higher education. Ana Kathrine Whisnant, of Marion County 4-H, is the recipient of this year’s Barbara D. Thorne 4-H Scholarship.

Vote to sell alcohol passes 186 vote yes, 134 vote no in Hackleburg election last week

Shelia Whitfield, clerk, and Hackleburg Mayor Daryl Colburn look over election results for the wet/dry vote. Hackleburg voted to sell alcohol in the city limits with 186 yes votes and 134 no votes.

Shelia Whitfield, clerk, and Hackleburg Mayor Daryl Colburn look over election results for the wet/dry vote. Hackleburg voted to sell alcohol in the city limits with 186 yes votes and 134 no votes.

HACKLEBURG — Hackleburg has become the fourth municipality in Marion County to sell alcohol within their respective city limits. The special called election was held Tuesday, April 22, where 310 voters turned out to the polls, along with 10 absentee votes sent in. The results favored for the town to go wet with 186 yes votes and 134 no votes in the election.

Hackleburg FCCLA Team brings home gold, silver medals; 3 perfect scores

Shown from left are the winning FCCLA students, their categories and their medals and places: Lane Harper-Entrepreneurship Level 3, Gold, first place (perfect score); Braelyn Ingram- Community Service Display Level 3, silver medal; Brianna Fleming-Chapter and Review Display Level 3-Silver, 4th place; Ana Kathrine Whisnant-Job interview Level 1-Gold, 5th place; Caroline Whisnant-Job Interview Level 1-Gold, 1st place; Addie Hill- Entrepreneurship Level 1-Gold, 1st place; River Hargett-Interior Design Level 1-

Shown from left are the winning FCCLA students, their categories and their medals and places: Lane Harper-Entrepreneurship Level 3, Gold, first place (perfect score); Braelyn Ingram- Community Service Display Level 3, silver medal; Brianna Fleming-Chapter and Review Display Level 3-Silver, 4th place; Ana Kathrine Whisnant-Job interview Level 1-Gold, 5th place; Caroline Whisnant-Job Interview Level 1-Gold, 1st place; Addie Hill- Entrepreneurship Level 1-Gold, 1st place; River Hargett-Interior Design Level 1-Gold, 1st place (perfect score); Violet Chambers- Interior Design Level 1-Gold, 1st place (perfect score); Emma Robnett-Chapter Service Portfolio Level 3-Silver, 4th place; Dacey Mcduffa-Teach and Train Level 1- Gold, 1st place; and Adrian Ingram-Chapter Service Display Level 3, Silver. Not pictured are Ally Robnett and Sadie Fincher-Interior Design Level 3, Silver; and Kyndall Cleveland-Interior Design Level 1-Gold, 1st place (perfect score).
HACKLEBURG — Congratulations go out to the Hackleburg High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Team!
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