Special to the
Journal Record
HAMILTON — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updated star ratings, and North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton received five stars, the highest quality rating.
Of 4,586 hospitals, only 13.5%, or 455 hospitals, received five stars. North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton is one of only six hospitals in Alabama to receive five stars.
Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams discusses possible wholesale rate increases during a May 11 meeting. [Scott Johnson/staff]
By Scott Johnson
General Manager
HAMILTON - City officials will be considering a possible wholesale water rate increase as a recent production audit has shown the city to be selling water to other local water systems at a loss.
The Hamilton City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, May 11, with Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams, who discussed his department’s finances and pricing.
Marion County Schools Virtual Learning Specialist Lyndsay McCollum speaks to the Marion County Board of Education on May 21.[Scott Johnson/staff]
By Scott Johnson
General Manager
Marion County’s newspaper will be led by a new general manager.
Effective Monday, May 24, Scott Johnson has been named the general manager of the Journal Record, filling in the position of Jesse Lamar, who has accepted a position as a design engineer at Kith Kitchens in Bear Creek.
Marion County Historical Society members are shown reenacting life in the 1800s. Mary Beth Hall (left) was a school teacher, Sharon Dickinson (center) was on the front porch peeling apples and preparing vegetables and Ryan Knight was cooking cracklins.
By Scott Johnson
General Manager
Ty Weeks fields a ground ball and throws to first base for the Winfield Pirates varsity baseball team. [Contributed]
Special to the
Journal Record
Abigail Webb (center) is shown signing a full cheerleading scholarship with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Thursday, May 28. Shown are (from left) LaDawn Lawrence, Abigail, Adam Lawrence and (back) Sam Webb. [Contributed]
By Scott Johnson
General Manager
Hamilton’s Jamie Colburn will enter his debut boxing match on Saturday, June 12, in Tupelo, Miss. [Scott Johnson/staff]
By Scott Johnson
General Manager
By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer
Winfield restaurant Pirate’s Den caught fire early Friday morning on May 21 and the restaurant has now closed its doors until further notice.
Winfield Fire Chief Allan Stovall stated that the Winfield Fire Department responded to a call about the fire at 12 a.m. and were at the scene within five minutes of the call.
Stovall stated that they arrived with three fire engines, a ladder truck and two support vehicles.
I sat down at the table early in the morning with a cup of coffee ready to write. In my mind I already had a plan to write about the month of June and why I think it’s the best month of the year.
I glanced down at my phone to see how much time I had to write and instead of seeing the time, my eyes fell to the date stamped on the home screen of my phone. Immediately, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. May 28. I’m pretty sure my heart skipped a beat or two.
State Representative
Before discussing the numerous achievements in the most recent session of the Alabama Legislature, I am certain many in House District 17 would prefer to speak of what some might consider the failures.
In the minds of many across the three-county area, the two most visible and controversial issues yet to be addressed in the state would be the failure of any legislation involving gambling and the funding of construction of new prisons.
The 2021 Legislative Session is in the books. I would rate it a success. When you pass budgets that are balanced, any session is a success. In fact, the only constitutional mandate given to the legislature is that they pass the two budgets.
The amazing revelation that is almost difficult to comprehend is the fact that both the General Fund and the Educational Fund budgets were not only status quo but were flush with growth coming out of a year of the COVID pandemic. State employees and teachers both received raises in the budgets.
By Scott Johnson
General Manager
HAMILTON - Females ages 17-34 are statistically the largest demographic to litter, according to a non-profit litter prevention director.
“They want to keep their car clean,” said Denise Taylor, Keep Alabama Beautiful Executive Director, during a recent meeting with a group of Hamilton community volunteers.
Taylor said this information comes from studies on litter and it matches up with what she hears from students during educational events around the state.
Jimmy Cooper
By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor
Double Springs - Jimmy Dale Cooper has pleaded guilty to the murder of Donnie Miller and Linda Cole and has been sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity of parole.
The development abruptly closes the five-year-old case that only lasted three hours in its jury setting, held at the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs.
Gathering less than 24 hours prior to the official announcement of federal funding to renovate the entire Northwest Medical Center emergency department are (from left) Rep. Tracy Estes, Winfield Mayor Randy Price, hospital board attorney Bill Atkinson, hospital chief executive officer Michael Windham. RN Misty Pierce, who serves as emergency department director, and Dr. Martin Hajjar, who serves as department medical director. [State Rep. Tracy Estes]
WINFIELD – Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, and state Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, have announced the procurement of a $2.5 million federal grant to assist in the renovation of the emergency department at Northwest Medical Center in Winfield.
The announcement was made through the congressman’s office on Friday, May 21, with several news outlets across the state carrying the story regarding the deal. The federal grant will be partnered with a $1.5 million investment by Northwest Medical Center to complete the $4 million project.
[Louis Mellini/Staff]
By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer
HAMILTON - Many individuals in both academics and athletics play a part in shaping the hearts and minds of young people throughout their early lives from teachers to coaches.
But, perhaps an overlooked profession that could have a positive and lasting impact on youth development is that of a sports official.
Norm Tilberg, 78, of the Byrd community, has been working side by side with kids in athletics for a large portion of his life, hoping to make a positive and lasting impact for their futures.
A good many of you enjoyed the George Wallace story I shared with you a few weeks ago. Allow me to reminisce and share two more funny Wallace era stories.
I became acquainted with Governor Wallace when I was a young Page in the legislature.
I was elected to the legislature in 1982. Ironically, my district was comprised of my home county of Pike and also the portion of Barbour County that was Wallace’s home, including Clayton and Clio.
By Matt Clark
ACLL Executive Director
