Hyundai of Jasper
Hamilton water manager requesting grease ordinance
Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams (left) discusses sewage issues with the Hamilton City Council. Williams believes facilities are not properly emptying their grease traps. Also shown are (clockwise, from left) Tami Lewis Williams and Gene Sanderson, mayor Bob Page and councilors Wade Sullins and Herb Winsett. [Scott johnson/staff]
By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor
HAMILTON - Officials want to tighten up accountability for how Hamilton businesses and facilities are disposing of grease.
Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams appeared before the Hamilton City Council during a work session on Wednesday, May 13, explaining the need for a local ordinance that would empower the city to obtain documented proof of how local facilities are disposing of their grease.
Systems provide 61,500 meals to children during shutdown
Winfield City Schools Special Education Aide Camille Sce hands out school-prepared meals on March 30 outside of Winfield Middle School. [Winfield City Schools]
By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor
Marion County’s public school systems have distributed thousands of meals during the COVID-19 shutdown.
According to information provided by the Marion County School System and the Winfield City School System, nearly 61,534 meals were provided for children out of school during March and April.
Steele saluted upon retirement
Master Sgt. La’Tanja Steele
By Kadena Air Base - Airfield Management
Okinawa, Japan - Today, we pay tribute to Master Sgt. La’Tanja Steele for her tremendous leadership and her absolute commitment to the Airmen and Families of the United States Air Force (USAF)--a commitment that she has delivered on for over 22 years, where she served solely in airfield management.
Steele is the Deputy Airfield Manager for the 18th Operations Support Squadron Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
Taylor sits in on final meeting
Winfield Superintendent of Education Chris Cook (standing) presents a gift to retiring Winfield Board of Education member Brenda Taylor during her final meeting as a board member on Tuesday, May 12, at the Winfield Middle School Library. [LOUIS MELLINI/STAFF]
By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer
WINFIELD - Long-serving Winfield Board of Education (BOE) member Brenda Taylor sat in on her final Winfield BOE meeting on Tuesday, May 12, at the Winfield Middle School library.
Members of the board such as Winfield Schools Superintendent of Education Chris Cook took the time to thank Taylor for her service on the board.
Smith named elite tourism professional
By LOUIS MELLINI Staff Writer WINFIELD - Winfield native Hilda Smith has been named a North Alabama Elite Tourism Professional, a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA). In Marion County, Smith, of Hampton Inn by Hilton Winfield, has been named a North Alabama Elite Tourism Professional for her contributions to the tourism industry. She was presented with a Walmart gift card.
Lancaster legacy lives on through scholarship
Since 2003, the Jerry Lynn Smith Lancaster Scholarship is granted annually to a female Marion County High School (MCHS) graduate in her name. Rachael P. Foster has been named the 2020 recipient of the scholarship.
Price concerned about pan-handling
By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer
WINFIELD - Winfield Mayor Randy Price expressed his concern about individuals pan-handling in downtown Winfield during a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, on the telecommunication app Zoom.
Price stated that he observed a family, who was traveling across the country, holding a sign and asking for financial assistance at the intersection in front of city hall and the Winfield Pastime Theatre.
United Way Regional office now serving Marion County
FLORENCE - As many smaller United Way’s across the nation have been forced to do recently, United Way of Guin has closed their doors.
To ensure that those in need are still served, United Way of Northwest Alabama has stepped up to cover responsibilities in the Marion County service area.
2020 Summer competition canceled
By CASEY MILLS
Sportswriter
MONTGOMERY - On Thursday, May 14, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) announced the cancelation of all 2020 summer competitions, as well as released updated guidelines on sports-related activities.
Human remains found near North Fork Bridge
Marion County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jeff Davis (left) and Marion County Sheriff’s Investigator Sgt. Daryl Spencer search for evidence near where Zach Pike’s remains are believed to have been found.
NORTH FORK - Authorities say the remains of a Marion County man have been found two years after he was last seen.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams told the Journal Record that local investigators have discovered substantial evidence that human remains found in the North Fork area belong to Zach Pike, who was last seen in May 2018.
ADOC confirms COVID-19 at Hamilton A&I
HAMILTON - The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) confirmed an inmate incarcerated at Hamilton Aged & Infirmed (Hamilton A&I) in Hamilton, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Hamilton A&I is a medium custody facility that opened in May 1981, for aged and infirmed inmates.
The facility is located just across the road from Marion Regional Nursing Home, one of the hot-spots for the COVID-19 outbreak in Marion County.
State health officer eases restrictions
MONTGOMERY - Restaurants, gyms, salons and churches are now open again.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Friday, May 8, that State health Officer Scott Harris has eased more regulations on the state’s economy, which took effect on Monday, May 11.
Any gatherings where attendees cannot maintain six-foot distances from one another are still prohibited. The previous 10-person limit has been removed.