When I arrived to take photos at Kids for Life for a promotional article, director Melissa Mathieson was holding a tiny baby. There was another lady in the office, so I asked if it was her baby. I had seen Melissa not too long before, and she had not been pregnant.
No, it wasn’t the other lady’s baby. And it was only a few weeks old. Melissa was taking care of it. It was a brand new baby in need of foster care.
At the Aug. 4 Hamilton City Council meeting, and in a followup interview, Hamilton Aggie Schools’ Foundation Chair Melissa Hughey spoke about the importance of arts education and the role community partnerships have played in expanding opportunities for Hamilton students.
"I have 30 years as a visual arts teacher," Hughey said. "My last 25 senior students went to college with $12 million in arts-related scholarships, so I know first-hand the real benefits of arts education."
Phillips High School Jobs for Alabama Graduates program achieved outstanding national success at the 2026 JAG National Career Development Conference held in Salt Lake City earlier this year.
PHS’ JAG received a “Digital Outstanding Chapter Award” during the conference, as well as “Service Project Honors” for community impact.
North Mississippi Health Services recently announced the appointment of Shawn Morrow as chief operating officer, effective Aug. 31. In this role, Morrow will provide executive leadership for system operations across all eight NMHS hospitals and related clinics, service lines and joint ventures, helping advance the organization's mission to continuously improve the health of the people of our region.
The board of directors, staff and residents of Weldy Home for Girls extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many individuals, businesses, civic organizations, foundations, schools, churches and volunteers who have generously supported our ministry throughout the past year.
Because of your kindness and compassion, our girls continue to experience the love, encouragement and stability they deserve. Every donation, every volunteer hour and every act of service reminds our residents their community believes in them and their future.
HAMILTON — High schoolers in Marion County will soon be able to take advantage of a life-changing opportunity.
As previously announced in August 2025, Bevill State Community College and Marion County Schools have embarked on a new partnership — the Marion County Career Academy, which will expand dual-enrollment offerings for students in the county.
HAMILTON — Although it’s been around since the mid-1800s, Mahjong has recently become a bit of a craze in Hamilton.
Teresa Pugh, owner of The Chocolate Dog, and her good friend, Jane Emerson, have formed the Hamilton Mahjong Society and even teach classes. They also host group events downtown at the Creamery + Marketplace.
Pugh recently shared some information on the game, its benefits and how people can get involved.
By Lori Skinner
NWSCC head librarian
July 4, 2026, is an exciting day in America’s history. We are celebrating the Semiquincentennial (try saying that out loud) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation.
If you would like to refresh your understanding of this founding event in American history, check out a book, podcast or film. I’ve listed a few for you below and hope there is something that will catch your interest.
(Editor’s note: Concluding our summer reading recommendations’ series, we are excited to share this guest column penned by Lori and Gabe Skinner of Hamilton and Lee and Marlee Frix of Haleyville. Thank you all!)
When summer arrives, many of us are ready for the pace of our lives to slow down just a bit so we can spend some well-earned downtime relaxing. Two of Northwest-Shoals Community College Library’s librarians – and their kids – offer their picks for perfect summer reads.
Continuing our local library staff recommendations, here are a few from two staff members of the Winfield Public Library in Winfield.
We are so grateful to Hannah and Harley for taking the time to share their recommendations for our readers.
More information on their library’s programs and events are always listed in our Calendar of Events section on page 5 each week.
You can also find more information on their social media sites, which include Facebook - “Winfield Public Library;” Instagram - “Winfield_Public_Library” and their website - winfieldpubliclibrary.com.
The Journal-Record has asked local librarians to share some of their favorite books for the summer. Here’s the first installment, with recommendations by the staff of the Clyde Nix Public Library in Hamilton.
When Kendall Wakefield walked across the stage May 2 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she was the first woman in her family to earn a college degree. The story of how she earned her degree in writing and media shows her grit, creativity and a refusal to wait for opportunities to come to her.
HAMILTON — The Journal-Record was invited to the Hamilton Middle School Career Fair, held on Tuesday, April 28. Advertising Manager Erin Williams and I attended.
How can we show what we do at the newspaper? The idea was to bring our computers, and I would show the students how the newspaper is designed in layouts, while Erin showed how ads are created.
(Editor’s note: Marion County Extension Director Carla Lewis was recently asked to contribute an editorial celebrating Alabama Extension Week, which was held April 12-18. We appreciate her and all of our hardworking Extension agents.)
Alabama Extension Week was a special time set aside to recognize the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the many ways it strengthens communities across the state, including our own.
For the 75th Annual National Day of Prayer, the theme, “Glorify God Among the Nations - Seeking Him In All Generations” has been selected. The theme comes from Chronicles 16:24 NASB, which states, “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.”
Held annually on the first Thursday in May, this year’s National Day of Prayer is set for May 7. Local observances include:
• Brilliant - 10 a.m. - In front of Brilliant Town Hall;
• Guin - noon - behind Guin City Hall;
DOUBLE SPRINGS — The Second Annual Wings of Hope Gala for Addie’s Place was a truly special evening filled with purpose and a shared commitment to protecting children, strengthening families and building a brighter future.
The guests were welcomed into an elegant atmosphere, where the smooth sounds of the Wallace State Jazz Band set the tone for an engaging night.
The keynote speaker, Kelly Williams, shared her personal testimony, which highlighted the importance of child advocacy centers in all communities.
When the Journal-Record staff learned of the recent “prank wars” being conducted by the Hamilton Fire Department and the Hamilton Police Department, we first off—found them very funny, followed by feeling proud, thrilled, entertained and encouraged by their skills and ingenuity. We felt this type of good-natured kidding around was good for not only staff morale and stress relief for both departments, but also for lifting community spirit.
(Editor’s note: Responding to the theme of “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?” Melodie Triplett replied with the following essay.)
Are you truly patriotic when you claim to love your country? People today think that patriotism is just waving flags around, yelling, “I love America!” However, I believe showing patriotism and support for our country is much deeper than that.
During the first week of the Fulton Bridge Baptist Church in Hamilton’s new sanctuary build, the Journal-Record visited each day to document the progress. Several of those photos can be found on page 3.
With the first Easter approaching since the completion of the new sanctuary, we recently sat down with pastor Shane Stidham, and his wife, Kimbo, to reflect on the build, which began with a week-long framing push as the 50th church build by the Baptist Church Builders of Texas.
The Stidhams noted Patrick Staley was one of the men who headed up the project.
Edd Pearce, a son to Edward and Stella, a brother to Sally, a husband to sweet Rosemary, a father to Eddie and Shawn, a friend to anyone he met, but most of all, a follower of Jesus! And he deserves to be remembered.
If you’re not visiting the elderly, you’re missin’ out! They are full of knowledge and just want someone to talk to and listen. And yes, I know I am a terrible listener. I’m a talker! And I know I am always in a hurry. But just a few minutes can make their day and yours.
You went to sleep near midnight after calls to two wrecks and one heart attack. You’d been asleep for about an hour when the alarm sounded. You jumped into your turnout gear and climbed on the back of the fire truck.
You could see the flames a block away. You jumped off the truck and pulled a hose and connected it to the hydrant. When the signal came, you turned on the water and then ran down the street to join your crew in attacking the blaze.
To accompany an article about the Marion County Board of Education’s meeting in February, Dr. Patrick Sutton, superintendent of the county school system, was asked to share more about the Marion County Career Academy, which was also referenced during that meeting.
“The opening of the Marion County Career Academy marks a transformational moment for our school system,” Sutton said.
We have a story about entertainment tour bus driver Reggie Hall in this edition of our newspaper. A friend of Reggie’s, J.R. Robinson of Tupelo, Miss., recently posted on Instagram about the life of a tour bus driver.
“This is a long-time friend,” Reggie said. “And this article sums up our job perfectly.”
J.R. said for years, people were always asking him how it was being on tour with country and rock stars. Since he was snowed in and bored, he decided to explain it, sharing different aspects of the role and widely-held beliefs, and then stating the truth of the matter.
Marion County Schools are receiving national attention as part of a broader recognition of Alabama’s recent progress in public education.
A recent New York Times opinion column highlighted improvements in student attendance and academic recovery across Alabama, citing the state as part of a growing “Southern surge” in education.
Speaking during a press conference regarding the Marion County Public Water Authority’s announcement of $5.7 million in funding for current projects, $8.9 in pending projects and future congressional earmark-requested funds, Alabama State Senator Garlan Gudger repeatedly thanked all those involved in initiating the projects.
He noted “today is a celebration day” for those who had worked hard for years, and are now seeing all their efforts coming to fruition.
In the photo below on the right, we can see the back of two T-shirts. One T-shirt says, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt.” The other T-shirt says “Stronger Together” and promotes Safeplace and the Purple Mile Walk (where this photo was taken). Safeplace sold their shirts to raise awareness and funds, while the Hamilton High School Junior Civitan Club sold the other T-shirts to also raise awareness and funds for local domestic violence survivors.
Marion County was as fortunate as anyone could realistically ask for regarding the recent threat of severe winter weather.
The forecast for Marion County was especially difficult to predict and the National Weather Service Office in Birmingham did the best they could trying to nail down the type and amount of precipitation we were going to receive.
The only thing we knew for sure was that a storm front was headed our way with drastically frigid temperatures following close behind.
My wife, Carlinda Ray, and I were honored to be a part of the Alabama Men and Women of Action mission team to Ecuador last Aug. 5-13.
AMWA, under the leadership of Donnie and Carol McWaters of Oneonta, directed four pastors and three of their wives, along with two additional volunteers, to assist in the installation of water filtration units for facilities in local communities near the capital of Ecuador, Quito.
(Editor’s note: The Journal-Record reached out recently to all the police departments in the county, as well as the sheriff’s department, to obtain end-of-the-year reports for 2025. We are grateful to all the police chiefs and sheriff Kevin Williams for allowing us to print this information, as well as each law enforcement official sharing a few words on their departments to go with the statistics.
This project is ongoing, and we will continue to print each city’s report as it becomes available.
HAMILTON — The Journal-Record conducted a brief “Question and Answer” survey with most of the new officers of the Hamilton Ronnie Gene Avery VFW Post 12245 to learn more about them, their military service and their top goals for the new post.
Shown below are their responses. We greatly appreciate their time, assistance and service in this endeavour, as well as their service to their country and their efforts on behalf of the new post in Hamilton.
It usually takes me quite a few weeks to come up with “My 3 Words” for the new year. This time, it only took me a few moments. Perhaps that’s because I’ve been doing this a few years now. Or maybe I just have more of a sense of the direction I want my journey to go in next year.
That’s what the three words are mostly for. Something to guide you.
Your Journal-Record staff members took a few moments out of their busy holiday print schedule to share a few of their favorite holiday traditions, both new and old, for readers to enjoy. We hope you have time to slow down for a few moments amidst your own holiday bustle and sip a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and savor these shares, and possibly recall a few of your own favorite childhood traditions or find some inspiration for new ones.
We attend many, many meetings. We attend far fewer Christmas parties. Yet... we couldn’t resist supporting Kids for Life and their recent fundraiser, “The Great Christmas Sweater Gala.” Promoted was “Dress Tacky, Give Generously, Celebrate Kids for Life.” What’s not to love about a chance to dress tacky and support a good cause?
Kids for Life IS the support organization for all things related to foster care in Marion County. Currently, there are 48 children in foster care here, although there are only 12 licensed homes in the county.
In a press released issued by the U.S. Mint on Wednesday, Nov. 12, a ceremonial strike event was held that day at the Mint’s Philadelphia facility where U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final, circulating one-cent coin (penny). The event marked the official end of the penny’s 232-year production run as a circulating coin.
A couple of weeks ago, I reached my 10-year milestone in journalism. I am truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work here at the Journal-Record for a stint of eight years, followed by another run of two years.
The people in Marion County are one of the best parts about this job. There are so many amazing, gifted, sharing and caring individuals who work here, live here, operate businesses here and are the backbones of the organizations that help support the communities.
We are extremely excited to share the news that the movement to form a new Hamilton VFW Post has been successful!
Just a few days before Veterans Day, local officials were notified the post had been approved at the state and national levels, with the designated number of 12245 and the dedicated name of Ronnie (Gene) Avery.
Many things have been written about the wars which Americans have faced since our country first arose. Freedom has been proclaimed from every valley to mountain top across the United States. Most people, though they have heard this, take to understanding this profound freedom should be the basic rights of all people. As I say all people, I’m talking about every shoe-wearing or barefooted human who walks the earth.
As we grow older, we tend to think about when we were younger, even when we gathered as men or women around the food table or tea table. Our past events are sure to be served there also.
This is where many of my thoughts grow from. Today, I want to elaborate on something that is embedded within my mind that probably will never go away.
As I take you, for those readers who personally know, back to the days of Vietnam, I want to give thought to something familiar--war. That conflict began from mid-1950 and ended with the U.S. withdrawal of troops in 1975.
It started with a whisper from God… and a wiffle ball field.
Brad “Bob” Burroughs was at the height of a respected law enforcement career, serving as a lieutenant and chief investigator for the Winfield Police Department. He and his wife, Whitley, were just two weeks away from welcoming their third child, Phoenix, when he shared something that had been weighing on his heart: a call to work full-time with the youth at their church.
With a grand re-opening held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Journal-Record was glad to see Elder’s Tacos & Steaks back in business in downtown Hamilton. Damage from a May 17 storage room fire had kept the restaurant closed for a few months during the restoration and repainting process.
The family-focused and God-first owners, Eldher Maeda, his wife, Nancy, and their 3-year-old son, Nayel (named from a combination of Elder and Nancy; “y” is “and” in Spanish), seem so very happy and excited to be back in business and able to serve their customers.
Around 2015, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative was researching and doing feasibility studies on the idea of bringing fiber internet to its electric co-op customers.
In 2017, the board committed to the project with the mission of “providing internet access to everyone, not leaving anyone behind,” no matter if the customer lived in a more rural area.
Their goal mirrored the original cooperative push of bringing electrical services to outlying, rural areas, but this time, with fiber optic cables and internet service.
Many times, in life, I have asked myself this question, on the quest of life, why would you be willing to die for what you believe in? With tens of thousands of people who purpose themselves to serve others, in their life, with thousands giving their lives up in a chosen pursuit, “Why would they do it?”
Well, let me say this--most of their intentions are not to die for others. They do not intentionally walk into dangerous situations with the idea of, “Here I am, kill me. I want to be a martyr.” However, most do enter those places knowing it could happen.
The Buttahatchee River Sportsplex in Hamilton was dedicated on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony also held at 8:45 a.m. at the new facility on County Road 42.
We are proud for Hamilton, Marion County and the region to be able to have this magnificent sportsplex available to the Marion County School System and perhaps even more partnerships in the future on a college level.
There are many organizations I cover as a writer at this newspaper. They are all worthy, and filled with amazing people I admire. Yet, there is one special organization which has stood out to me over the years, not just because of its great cause, but because of those who work behind the scenes and spend time they don’t have to help others at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.
