HAMILTON - Hamilton-based Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) announced the acquisition of the Vernon-based Lamar County Gas District during the company’s annual Christmas Party which was held at the barn at Coleman Farms in Brilliant on Friday, Dec. 6.
The transaction, which was approved unanimously by the NWAGD board of directors, will become effective on Jan. 1, 2020.
The acquisition will allow NWAGD to expand its natural gas service territory further into Lamar County as well as north Pickens County.

HAMILTON – A Hamilton man has been denied immunity for his involvement in the Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2018, shooting that resulted in the death of Lorenzo Garcia.
Christopher Andrew Cochran, 30, Hamilton, allegedly shot and killed Garcia, 48, last Christmas during a child custody exchange at the Hamilton Police Department.
A court order filed Dec. 10 and released by Marion County Circuit Clerk Denise Mixon shows that 25th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Daryl Burt denied an immunity motion filed by Cochran based on self-defense.

HAMILTON - “The question we always get is, ‘When are you coming to my house?,’” said Tombigbee Electric Cooperative President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Foshee. “Well, we’re coming as soon as we can.”

HAMILTON - Local broadband provider freedom FIBER, a subsidiary of Tombigee Electric Cooperative, has been awarded a $29.5 million loan-grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand rural high-speed internet in northwest Alabama.
U.S. and state officials announced the 50% loan-grant during a ceremony held at Tombigbee’s warehouse in Hamilton on Thursday, Dec. 5. Hundreds of officials, stakeholders and students from Marion and surrounding counties attended the event to hear the announcement.

HAMILTON - The Alabama Historical Commission has awarded the City of Hamilton a $7,250 grant for repairs to its 19th-Century historical home of Capt. A.J. Hamilton, the Hamilton-Sullins House, located downtown.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page announced the news to the Journal Record during a phone interview on Monday, Nov. 25, saying he is excited that the city has been awarded the monies as historical grants are competitive.
The city applied for the same grant last year and was turned down.

HAMILTON - Candice Cheyanne Beaty, 29, Winfield, has been convicted of first-degree robbery and felony murder in connection with the death of William Jerome Henry in April 2016.
According to court documents released by Marion County Circuit Clerk Denise Mixon, Beaty pled guilty to the charges in 25th Judicial Circuit Court on Nov. 12 and was ordered by Circuit Judge Lee Carter to serve a 30-year sentence in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and to pay up to $750 in restitution.

HAMILTON - “An Aggie Christmas Bazaar” will be presented by Hamilton Middle and High Schools and Bevill State Community College on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15, in the BSCC-Hamilton Campus Conference Center.
The Saturday, Dec. 14, performance will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
The Sunday, Dec. 15, performance will start at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1 p.m.
“An Aggie Christmas Bazaar” is a Christmas celebration featuring art, singing, dancing, holiday treats and photos with Santa Claus.

HAMILTON - For the two-week-period ending Thursday, Dec. 5, $6,305 MORE has been donated toward this year’s Christmas for Kids campaign.
This brings the total 2019 campaign to $18,985.
Sandy Sandlin, coordinator of the campaign, says this year’s goal is $40,000 to help purchase holiday gifts for more than 400 children.
All of the money will go toward buying clothing and shoes for children.
Among those who have made the most recent donations are:
• $200 - U Need Us (Hamilton United Methodist Church Sunday School class);

(The Journal Record is publishing this story that occurred in June as it was not covered at the time. The Journal Record  attempts to publish information in a timely fashion; However, if we ever overlook stories or events important to our readership, we will gladly set the record straight.)

FAYETTE - Winfield-based Self Express Productions will be presenting the Romulus Linney stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on Dec. 13-14 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Fayette Civic Center in Fayette.
The show is being presented by Self Express Productions, in partnership with the Fayette Arts Council.
Self Express is a nonprofit theater company committed to arts, education and opportunities in northwest Alabama.

Garbage routes rescheduled for Christmas, New Year’s
The following garbage pickup schedules have been announced in connection with the Christmas and New Year’s holidays on Dec. 24 and 25 and Jan. 1, 2020:
• Marion County Solid Waste will collect garbage on Monday, Dec. 23, Thursday, Dec. 26, Monday, Dec. 30, and Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020.
• The Town of Brilliant will be unaffected.

HAMILTON - Sakura Asian Cuisine-Hamilton has been approved to serve liquor at its location at 121 Military Street South.
The Hamilton City Council voted unanimously during a public hearing held on Monday, Nov. 18, to approve the restaurant’s application.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page opened the public hearing during a regularly scheduled meeting that same night, opening the floor to anyone who has comments for or against the restaurant. No comments were made.

GUIN - City employees are receiving additional benefits just in time for the holiday season.
The Guin City Council voted unanimously at its Monday, Dec. 2, meeting to begin covering 100% of individual employee health insurance premiums.
As health insurance premiums for the city are increasing 5%, Guin Mayor Max Maddox and City Clerk Rebeca Markham presented the council with different health insurance options during a work session preceeding the official council meeting.