Construction has begun at the new Dollar General location on Bexar Avenue East in Hamilton. The photo is courtesy of Pikeville Drone Services.
By Louis Mellini Staff writer
HAMILTON — A third Dollar General store is making its way to Hamilton as construction has begun on Bexar Avenue East for a new location.
Shown is James G. Minor, who will turn 100 years old on July 4.
By Jamie Gianopulos
Courtesy of the
Veterans Care
Coordination
HAMILTON — Hamilton-born James Minor was no stranger to hard work.
As the son of a sharecropper, he grew up in Alabama very poor but learned from his father the value of hard work. The family worked extremely hard year-round, which was necessary for survival. Minor was always very mechanically inclined. He could work on any motor, troubleshoot any issues and quickly fix them, keeping necessary equipment always running.
Winfield City Council voted to raise monthly trash pick up rates from $14 to $16, starting Aug. 1, and to raise city employee pay.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The City of Winfield will be raising garbage pickup rates later this year from $14 to $16 per month.
The Winfield City Council voted to approve the rate increase during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 21, citing the rising cost of fuel and the increase in rates charged by landfills.
Larry Akers won against Rodney Lucas in the Marion County Commission District Five runoff.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — Two new commissioners and the U.S. Senator were some of the big names on the runoff ballots this week as Marion County residents cast their votes.
Marion County District Three Commissioner Dale Holt will end his time in his spot on the commission this November as Hackleburg’s Greg Gunnin won the race 453 votes to Holt’s 319.
Marion County Commission District Five’s runoff went between Larry Akers and Rodney Lucas.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Marion County Sheriff’s Department found a missing juvenile and made two arrests this weekend in the area commonly known in the community as “Ride Out Falls.”
Sheriff’s deputies received a report of two missing individuals at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.
Storms in Marion County cause scattered tree damage, leaving many throughout the county temporarily without power.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — Severe thunderstorms have been looming over Marion County this summer, and this past Friday featured one that caused some power outages and tree damage in the county.
Marion County Emergency Management Agency Director Eric Terrell stated that the county experienced power outages scattered through all the areas in Marion County.
Trees were falling onto roads during the storm, most notably on State Highway 19 in Hamilton.
Old worn street signs (left photo) are being replaced by new maroon and white street signs in the City of Hamilton.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton residents may have noticed some new additions to the streets in the past couple of weeks, with new street signs being put in place all around the city.
The old blue and white street signage is currently being replaced by new maroon signage with white lettering on every single street in the City of Hamilton.
Crews work to install one of four new water filters at the Guin water treatment plant on Monday, June 6. The new filters will filter out harmful chemicals like PFAS.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
GUIN — New water filters were installed at the Guin water treatment plant on Monday, June 6. The new granulated articular carbon filters are designed to filter out harmful chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl.
Four new filters were installed at the plant, located on Highway 43 just beside the 3M plant.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Marion County Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to sign up for the newly implemented EMA alert system using smartphone technology.
Since the launch of the new alert system at the start of June, Marion County has had 510 residents registered to receive important updates and are now looking for more to register.
The proposed bypass project would widen Highway 171, which could force people out of their homes or off their property.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
FAYETTE AND MARION COUNTIES — Alabama District 16 Representative Kyle South posted a series of images to Facebook on Feb. 25, 2022, showing details of a proposed interstate bypass project that would widen Highways 171 and 129. The bypass would swing from 171 in Fayette County and meet Highway 129 in Winfield at an intersection on Highway 118.
There has been no word from the governor or the Alabama Department of Transportation regarding a date and time for a public meeting to discuss the proposal.
An aerial photo shows the old Munsingwear location where the City of Hamilton plans to construct a new track and field facility. The location is just off Military Street South on County Highway 42 on the right just past Lovers Lane. The photo is courtesy of Pikeville Drone Services.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton is well on its way to having a brand new track and field facility for Hamilton and other schools in the county to enjoy.
The city is currently planning on building this new facility located just off of Military Street South on the city owned old Munsingwear property.
Left to right are Tim Lacey (holding David Butsykin), Debbie Lacey, Natalie Dolhopolova, Erik Butsykin (front), Sasha Butsykina, Artyom Butsykin and Meri Butsykina (front).
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — In February, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in full force, sending in troops and tanks while blasting cities with rockets, artillery, missiles and bombs.
Since the beginning of the invasion, millions of Ukrainians have left the country as refugees seeking safe shelter in neighboring countries, like Poland, Germany and Turkey. One Ukrainian woman ended up all the way in the United States, in a small town called Winfield.
John Berry performs at Springfest in Guin. Berry is in the middle with the guitar. His wife Robin is on the right. Berry’s bass player is on the left.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
GUIN — The City of Guin held its first Springfest, formerly known as Mayfest, on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21.
Vendors selling food, crafts and other goods set up downtown while live music played and prizes were won at the carnival.
From left, Hamilton Principal David Cantrell, Hubert Carter and his daughter Robin are pictured together after Carter received his high school diploma over 70 years after he would have graduated.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton High School graduates had the pleasure of sharing a quite beautiful moment with a very special guest during their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 26, at Hamilton High School.
U.S. Army Veteran Hubert Carter, 89, received his high school diploma after over 70 years.
Cars are lined up at the E.T. Sims Recreation Facility in Hamilton, where residents cast their votes Tuesday.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — Marion County residents voted in the primary elections that took place last week on Tuesday, May 24.
County residents went to the polls to vote their candadites for several poisitions that will be up for grabs in November as well as Marion County Sheriff, Marion County Coroner and two Districts of the Marion County Comission.
To the right, Sheriff’s Deputies Jordan Carter, left, and Garrett Weeks, right, stand in front of the 129 pounds of marijuana seized during a traffic stop on I-22.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — The Marion County Sheriff’s Department’s plans to sweep up crime on Interstate 22 has already become a fruitful venture, with major events happening in the past week for the department’s joint efforts along with adjoining counties.
Left to right, incoming Beta Club state vice president Austin Berry, outgoing vice president Riley Pyron and Marion County High School Beta Club sponsor Amber Beckon being recognized by the Marion County Board of Education.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Marion County Board of Education recognized several students during its meeting on Thursday, May 19. Among the students recognized were Riley Pyron and Austin Berry, the outgoing and incoming state Beta Club vice-president.
Pryon and Berry are both students at Marion County High School. Pyron ran for state vice president last year, and this year Berry was elected as his successor to the position.
The traffic lights located at the intersection of Military Street South and First Avenue will soon be taken down in order to alleviate traffic in downtown Hamilton.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton residents may have noticed some increased road work this past week in Hamilton’s downtown area, leading to some increased traffic on Military Street South.
Residents should expect some more road work as the Alabama Department of Transportation aims to solve Hamilton’s “bottle neck” issue at its main intersection.
Marion County Department of Human Resources Director Kier Vickery speaks to those in attendance during the foster parent recruitment session held at the House of Plenty in downtown Hamilton.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Marion County Department of Public Health invited residents of Marion County to a foster parent recruitment session on Thursday, May 19, at the House of Plenty in downtown Hamilton.
DHR director Kier Vickery, Judge Mark Hammitte, foster parent licensing worker Melanie Norris and foster parent Melissa Mathieson spoke to those interested in fostering or helping foster parents in Marion County.
Formula shortages have affected the entirety of Marion County, causing many store formula shelves to look just like this one, located at Wal-Mart in Hamilton.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Marion County families relying on formula have had a rough time as of late, with the previous stocked shelves being left completely bare in some cases at local stores throughout the county, state and nation.
Back in February, formula manufacturer Abbot Laboratories, whose product Similac is among the most popular formula brands, shut down a major plant in Sturgis, Mich., after it recalled infant formula products following a federal investigation where four babies taking the formula developed bacterial infections.
