Garlan Gudger

RC&D grant recipients are shown with RC&D officials, area, state and local officials, county commissioners and others who attended the 2025 grant announcements presentation held at the Hamilton Fire Department. From left, back row, are Josh Weatherly (formerly Guin Elementary School) Matt McCracken (Hamilton Fire Department), Bartlett Kimbrough (Phillips High School), Ray Cantrell (Craft Volunteer Fire Department), Kevin Rye (Marion County Cattleman’s Association), Ryan Sanderson (Brilliant High School), Will Riley (Winfield Fire & Rescue), Blake Farley (Winfield Fire & Rescue), Tracy Estes (state representative), Garland Gudger (state senator), Larry Akers (county commission), Bob Page (former mayor of Hamilton), Keith Nichols (county commission), Kenneth Cochran (county commission), Stefanie Weeks (CTE-Winfield), Dr. Patrick Sutton (Marion County Schools), Norman Ballard (Hamilton Middle School) and Dustin Silas (Guin Elementary School). And front row, from left, are Autumn Sizemore (Northwest Regional Library), Starr Montgomery (Clyde Nix Public Library), Tina Coan (Phillips Elementary School), Brittany Bailes (Sen. Gudger’s office) Ginger Eatman (formerly of Extension), Lauranne James (RC&D), Don Barnwell (RC&D board, Hackleburg council), Katherine Parham (Brilliant Elementary School) and Randall Shedd (Sen. Gudger’s office).

Grant funding secured by Senator Garlan Gudger’s office provides $5,000 for each public school in his district for their band programs, which can use the funds for much-needed equipment, travel expenses or any other needs they have. Gudger presented checks to each school’s band directors and other staff and students on Monday, Sept. 8