Motion filed for Mills’ date of execution

Photo of Jamie Mills

Photo of Jamie Mills

By P.J. Gossett
General manager
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a motion in the Alabama Supreme Court on Monday, Jan. 29, for an execution warrant for Jamie Ray Mills, the convicted murderer of Floyd and Vera Hill of Guin, nearly 20 years ago. The motion was filed to have a date set for Mills’ execution. As of press time Monday, Feb. 5, that date has not been set.

Thirsty times: Hamilton’s water crisis

The water crisis in Hamilton can be linked back to several water line breaks (such as the one shown) and leaks caused by the severe and lengthy low temperatures from the previous week. This particular leak was on Military Street North, not far from downtown. Chemicals and malfunctions also later contributed to the problem.

The water crisis in Hamilton can be linked back to several water line breaks (such as the one shown) and leaks caused by the severe and lengthy low temperatures from the previous week. This particular leak was on Military Street North, not far from downtown. Chemicals and malfunctions also later contributed to the problem.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton is working to refill its water tanks and regain pressure in order to restore water service for city residents and rural residents who are also connected.
The water crisis began during the ice storm two weeks ago, when the drop in temperature began to cause issues with the city’s water lines, including several major breaks.

Winfield boys county champs

Shown are the 2024 Marion County Basketball Tournament champions, the Winfield Pirates. Left to right, Coach Thackary Box, Coach Zach Evans, Coach Billy Stovall, Jacob Barnes, Haiden Channell, Slate Gilbert, Miles Miles, Preston Nelson, Casen Sadberry, Sean Wyers, Kruz Box, Keylan Hughes, Jacob Chism, Head Coach Zac Wakefield, Coach Derek Trimm and Aaron Roa.

Shown are the 2024 Marion County Basketball Tournament champions, the Winfield Pirates. Left to right, Coach Thackary Box, Coach Zach Evans, Coach Billy Stovall, Jacob Barnes, Haiden Channell, Slate Gilbert, Miles Miles, Preston Nelson, Casen Sadberry, Sean Wyers, Kruz Box, Keylan Hughes, Jacob Chism, Head Coach Zac Wakefield, Coach Derek Trimm and Aaron Roa.

Hamilton girls county champs

The Hamilton Lady Aggies won the Marion County Basketball Tournament. Front row from left: Ella Kelley, Meg Wiginton, Aubrey Sorrells and Danidi Weghorst. Back row: Assistant Coach Paisley Sorrells, Ella Cantrell, Kayla King, Jordan Parker, Emily Jones, Brilyn Gilstrap, Jessica Shotts, head coach Candace Shipp and Della Houston.

The Hamilton Lady Aggies won the Marion County Basketball Tournament. Front row from left: Ella Kelley, Meg Wiginton, Aubrey Sorrells and Danidi Weghorst. Back row: Assistant Coach Paisley Sorrells, Ella Cantrell, Kayla King, Jordan Parker, Emily Jones, Brilyn Gilstrap, Jessica Shotts, head coach Candace Shipp and Della Houston.

 

Street conditions and animal control discussed at Bear Creek

Large trucks are violating the sign pictured at right, and traveling down Bear Creek’s side streets causing damage to the roads.

Large trucks are violating the sign pictured at right, and traveling down Bear Creek’s side streets causing damage to the roads.
BEAR CREEK — The Town of Bear Creek is sinking its teeth deeper into an animal control ordinance after a series of threatening situations, as well as planning stiff fines for drivers town officials claim are tearing up city streets.

Hamilton firefighters battle blaze in harsh conditions — resident passes later

This home on Second Street Northwest was the scene of a fire last week.

This home on Second Street Northwest was the scene of a fire last week.
HAMILTON — Although their extreme measures were not enough to save the life of Hamilton resident Lauren Gilchrist, firefighters with the Hamilton Fire Department certainly gave their best efforts in their attempts to do so.

Frozen in place: Weather brings county to standstill

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, a water leak on Military Street South in Hamilton near the Dollar General store created a massive ice sculpture, still visible days later due to extremely low temperatures in the area.

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, a water leak on Military Street South in Hamilton near the Dollar General store created a massive ice sculpture, still visible days later due to extremely low temperatures in the area.
MARION COUNTY — For the majority of the week of Jan. 15-19, most of Marion County was frozen in place and under an “impassable travel advisory” from the Marion County Engineer’s Office.

Fatality occurs Thursday on 49

HAMILTON — A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 9:53 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, has claimed the life of a Hackleburg man. Frankie S. Swinney, 52, was fatally injured when the 2013 Ford Focus he was driving left the roadway, struck a utility pole guy-wire and a tree. Swinney was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton in Hamilton, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The crash, occurring on Marion County Highway 49 near Alabama Highway 253, is currently under investigation by state troopers.

Two arrested after police pursuit

HAMILTON — Two people have been arrested, with one being charged with a felony, after a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 22 Monday, Jan. 8.

Sheldon Poole, 29, of Memphis, Tenn., and Tylisha Holst, 25, also of Memphis, were arrested after a tire deflation device was deployed by the Hamilton Police Department, stopping the vehicle just west of Exit 7 on the interstate, which is near Weston.

Foster parent classes begin Jan. 23

HAMILTON — The Marion County Department of Human Resources will hold free foster parent classes beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the DHR offices in Bedford Industrial Park in Hamilton.

According to local child advocate, foster parent and founder of Kids for Life, Melissa Mathieson, there is a greater need for local foster parents than ever before, with a record number of children needing foster care.

Walkers visit Brilliant on trek through U.S.

The Walking America Couple, Torin and Paige Rouse, visit Brilliant on their way through Alabama. Their plan is to walk to all 48 states.

The Walking America Couple, Torin and Paige Rouse, visit Brilliant on their way through Alabama. Their plan is to walk to all 48 states.
BRILLIANT — Some like walking for fun. Some like to walk on a track or to take a hike through the forest. Some like to walk to every state. That is what one couple is doing. Calling themselves Walking America Couple, and using this phrase for different social media accounts, their mission is to walk to every state in the continental United States. Their trek brought them to Marion County and Brilliant on Nov. 10, where they were welcomed at the fire department during the veterans and Thanksgiving meal.

Sheriff confirms jail fees, open to solutions to keep people out of jail

Sheriff Kevin Williams would rather persons avoid jail time by showing up for court and working out payment plans for their fees and fines, instead of facing arrest and even more costly fines.

Sheriff Kevin Williams would rather persons avoid jail time by showing up for court and working out payment plans for their fees and fines, instead of facing arrest and even more costly fines.
HAMILTON — The Journal Record reached out to Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams concerning the recent ordinance passed in Bear Creek related to increased fines for persons with misdemeanor charges failing to show up for municipal court.

Bear Creek to fine court no-shows

Bear Creek Police Chief Eddie Collins discusses the new ordinance. By Chad Fell

Bear Creek Police Chief Eddie Collins discusses the new ordinance. By Chad Fell
BEAR CREEK — One of the many negative, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is people failing to show up for court, bringing financial hardships on municipalities, which wind up paying for jail accommodations when the people are arrested for missing their court dates.

Hamilton approves $146,327

Shown standing on the track and surveying the work on Jan. 2 (center) is construction superintendent Wendell Edgill of Avery Landscaping

Shown standing on the track and surveying the work on Jan. 2 (center) is construction superintendent Wendell Edgill of Avery Landscaping
HAMILTON — The Hamilton City Council’s Monday, Dec. 18, meeting was brief, with only two items of city business discussed.

Kids enjoy ‘shop with a cop’ event at Walmart

Joshua smiles at Hamilton Police Officer Heath Jackson as he selects a giant motorized monster truck as one of his special gift selections at ‘Shop with a Cop’ at the Hamilton Walmart Supercenter on Dec. 16.

Joshua smiles at Hamilton Police Officer Heath Jackson as he selects a giant motorized monster truck as one of his special gift selections at ‘Shop with a Cop’ at the Hamilton Walmart Supercenter on Dec. 16.
HAMILTON — On Saturday, Dec. 16, the Hamilton Walmart Supercenter held its first “Shop with a Cop” event, where several children were able to shop for Christmas presents with members of the Hamilton Police Department.

Bear Creek launches Project Be Prepared

Showing the close proximity of the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks to Phillips schools in Bear Creek, are, from left, Bear Creek Police Chief Eddie Collins, Mayor Rob Taylor and High School Principal Dr. Al Temple. They are standing on the railroad tracks.

Showing the close proximity of the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks to Phillips schools in Bear Creek, are, from left, Bear Creek Police Chief Eddie Collins, Mayor Rob Taylor and High School Principal Dr. Al Temple. They are standing on the railroad tracks.
BEAR CREEK — The time to think about catastrophic events-- such as train derailments-- is before they occur.

Sheltering and detecting: Commission seeks bids on storm shelters and metal detectors

HAMILTON — The Marion County Commission met on Monday, Dec. 18, and voted on changes to the new jail, storm shelters and new metal detectors.
The commission voted to approve change orders for the Marion County Jail totaling $47,480.
“These items are necessary changes to certify the security features of electrical enhancements,” said commission chairman Keith Nichols.
The board also voted to approve another measure that would save the county about $45,000 through another change order involving the purchase of communications equipment.

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