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Reminiscing with former fire chief Tim Rye: The best, the worst and the unforgettable
Former Hamilton Fire Chief Tim Rye sits at his desk on Feb. 24 during his last week on the job before his retirement after 36 years in the fire service.
HAMILTON — After 36 years in the fire service, beginning as a volunteer in 1990, going full-time in 1996 and acting as fire chief since 2013, Tim Rye of Hamilton retired on March 1.
$471,235 in SEEDS Development Grant monies awarded to Brilliant for industrial site prep
Brilliant Mayor Perry Franks (left) is shown with C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance President and CEO Tom Wisemiller in front of the Gateway I-22 Industrial Park West, where more than $470,000 in SEEDS monies will soon fund clearing and grading, followed by the construction of a 50,000-square-foot building pad. Photo courtesy of Brilliant Police Department Chief Skylar Handley.
BRILLIANT — Declaring a “Major win for the Town of Brilliant and Marion County,” C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance President and CEO Tim Wisemiller recently shared more information about a SEEDS Development Grant recently awarded to the town.
Hamilton pays its share for new communications tower
HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton approved its portion of the costs associated with the new communications tower used by firefighters in Marion County at its Monday, March 2, city council meeting.
Highway 129 development awaits turn lane completion in September
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council held a short regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3. Councilmen Miles Miles and Tim Garrison were absent.
KJS Forest Products named C3’s Industry of the Year
GUIN — The Northwest Economic Development Alliance, known as C3, held its 15th annual State of the Region meeting on Friday, Jan. 16, at the Holiday Inn.
Bevill State to host Dual Enrollment Parent Meetings
Bevill State Community College invites high school students and their guardians to attend its upcoming Dual Enrollment Parent Meetings. These sessions are open to all high school students — including homeschooled students — and will provide valuable information on eligibility requirements and the academic and career advantages of dual enrollment.
Winfield’s mayor responds to Leathers’ contention over new judge appointment
WINFIELD — On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Journal-Record received a memo from former Winfield Municipal Judge Lionel Leathers containing a copy of an affidavit and his analysis, claiming his term as judge was technically still ongoing.
Hackleburg Town Hall meeting set concerning raising sales tax
Hackleburg Mayor Darryl Colburn discusses the benefits of raising the city sales tax one percent. Shown from left are Town Clerk Carla Rector, Councilman Zach Isom, Colburn, and Councilmembers Don Barnwell, James Allen Weeks and Morgan Hudson.
HACKLEBURG — Local residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed sales tax increase for the Town of Hackleburg. The issue of raising sales tax by one percent was presented at the last council meeting on Monday, Feb. 16. A town hall meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m. at the town hall.
Hamilton ordinance amended to cover home bakers; licenses, fees will cost $35
HAMILTON — During its Tuesday, Feb. 17, meeting, the Hamilton City Council voted to add several items to its agenda, including a recommendation to amend Ordinance 2012-14 to add an addition to cover Home Bakers under the Cottage Law License.
“We will amend two sections of the ordinance,” Hamilton Mayor Tami Lewis Williams said. “To Section 22, entitled, ‘License Classification,’ we will add 311811 Retail Bakeries. And to Section 23, entitled, ‘License Fee Schedules,’ we will add 311811 Retail Bakeries with a license fee of $25.”
Tiffin Motorhomes announces closure of one Winfield plant
WINFIELD — Tiffin Motor Homes announced that one of its facilities in Winfield will be closing as the company moves its manufacturing to Red Bay.
Architect approved for new Phillips Elementary School gym; other BOE news
HAMILTON — Among the items handled by the Marion County Board of Education at its Friday, Jan. 16, meeting was a unanimous vote for permission to enter into a professional services contract with Lambert Ezell Durham Architecture, LLC of the Shoals to provide architectural services for the new gym at Phillips Elementary School.
Fire Chief Tim Rye to retire March 1; Matt McCracken named interim chief
HAMILTON — Hamilton Mayor Tami Lewis Williams announced the retirement of Hamilton Fire Chief Tim Rye during the city council’s Tuesday, Feb. 17, meeting.
Marion County Future Farmers of America celebrate National FFA Week
MARION COUNTY — Through Saturday, Feb. 28, Marion County is joining chapters across the country in celebrating the National Future Farmers of America Organization during National FFA Week, a time set aside to recognize the powerful impact of agricultural education, student leadership and community service.
Heroic efforts, daylong battle end in loss of apartment complex
Firefighters battling the blaze at Diamond Hollow Apartments in Hamilton
HAMILTON —Although firefighters gave it their ultimate effort, fighting fire for more than six hours on Friday, Feb. 13, the Diamond Hollow Apartment complex in Hamilton was a total loss by the end of the day.
$5.7 million in funding will improve Marion County’s water supply system
Shown at the Marion County Public Water Authority’s grand announcement on Feb. 9, seated from left, are water board member Elic Reid, county commissioner Keith Nichols, water board member Barney Shackleford and Water Authority General Manager Eric Terrell. Standing, from left, are Marion County Commission Chairman Larry Akers, commissioner Tim Estes, commissioner Kenneth Cochran, commissioner Greg Gunnin, Sen. Garlan Gudger and water board members Jeremy Prestage and Steve Cox.
HAMILTON — Marion County Public Water Authority General Manager Eric Terrell opened a meeting with local, county and state officials on Monday, Feb. 9, by noting “this is the good stuff” and “today is a good day.”
Severe weather tax holiday is this weekend, Feb. 20-22
HAMILTON — To help those living in the State of Alabama prepare for severe weather, the state has been holding an Annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for 15 years.
Sales tax exempt items can be purchased beginning Friday, Feb. 20, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, Feb. 22, at midnight.
Free tree giveaways in honor of Arbor Day tentatively set for Feb. 25 & 26
HAMILTON & WINFIELD — Weather permitting, the Marion County Office of the Alabama Forestry Commission will hold their annual tree giveaways next week in honor of Arbor Day, which is observed on different dates depending on the state and city. Alabama’s Arbor Week is Feb. 22-28.
Council reconsiders changes to Ordinance 409 dealing with livestock
HAMILTON — After voting to add an item to their agenda on Monday, Feb. 2, the Hamilton City Council unanimously voted to table changes to Ordinance 409, which they had initially approved at their last meeting on Jan. 20.
Funding is denied for Bear Creek roads
BEAR CREEK — Optimism among Bear Creek town officials and residents that they would finally receive grant funding to repair or resurface deteriorating roads has turned into major disappointment, with the funding being denied.