TUPELO, MISS. - Mayor Jason Shelton has issued a shelter-in-place order for Tupelo, Miss., in an attempt to stifle the spread of COVID-19.

The order restricts travel only to and from essential businesses and self and family care.

Essential businesses include:

MONTGOMERY—Attorney General Steve Marshall warns those who would seek to illegally profit from the current public health emergency that Alabama’s price gouging law has been activated.
On March 13, 2020, Gov. Kay Ivey declared a State Public Health Emergency in Alabama relating to the appearance of the 2019 novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.  Alabama’s price gouging law comes into effect when the governor declares a State of Emergency and it prohibits the “unconscionable pricing” of items for sale or rent.

Alabama Power is sharing information on a scam targeting customers over the phone claiming to be a representative from Alabama Power and requesting immediate payment on accounts.
In some instances, scammers have altered a customer’s caller ID to falsely read Alabama Power Company.

Walker County, which borders the southeast corner of Marion County, has confirmed its first case of coronavirus.

For information on where to get tested, residents may call the Alabama COVID-19 24/7 hotline at 1-888-264-2256 for testing sites and hours of operation.

The following counties have confirmed COVID-19 cases by the Alabama Department of Public Health:

MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Thursday, March 19, issued a statewide health order to aid in Alabama’s efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has been notified that an administrative employee tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first confirmed case within the ADOC. Due to HIPAA restrictions and security concerns, the ADOC will not release the name of the individual or the facility at which they work. As of this release, there are no positive COVID-19 cases reported within the inmate population.

(Updated: Tuesday, March 17, 3:00 p.m.) - This article has been published in its entirety courtesy of the Journal Record. Updates will be made as soon as they become available.

(Editor’s note: The coronavirus outbreak is developing every day, and at the time of this publication, many details are likely to have changed. To stay up-to-date, please visit the Journal Record’s website, myjrpaper.org. SBJ)

The Journal Record office in Winfield is closing.
Marion County’s newspaper office in Hamilton will remain open, but simply due to the costs involved with staying in business, according to Journal Record Publisher Horace Moore and General Manager Jesse Lamar, the closing of the Winfield office is something they regretfully must do.

HAMILTON - Personal information and data are believed to be secure following a cyber attack that hit the Marion County Courthouse in Hamilton on Monday, March 2.
On the day before the Tuesday, March 3, primary election, a server housing data for Marion County’s probate and revenue commission offices was infected by ransomware, shutting down operations at both offices for the rest of the week.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

HAMILTON - A local bill being filed with the Alabama Legislature would consolidate eight voter boxes into three.
The bill was discussed during the Marion County Commission’s meeting on Monday, March 9, when Marion County Probate Judge Paige Vick gave notice to the commission on behalf of the Secretary of State’s Office that there is push to assure handicap accessible polling places.
She explained that the issue is a primary concern for the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020.

HAMILTON - Hot, freezing, rain or shine—all in the same week, or for that matter, all on the same day. Yup, Alabama weather has a way of keeping you guessing.
Living through this reality during the first few months of 2020 were enough to inspire Hamilton’s Anna Kate Warner, 18, to pen an original song, “Alabama Weather,” that is quickly getting attention.
The lyrics to Anna Kate’s song can be found on page 3B.
Anna Kate, a senior at Hamilton High School and the daughter of Chris and Deana Warner, was born and raised in music.

Hamilton - During late February and early March pre-trial hearings in 25th Judicial Circuit Court, Marion County District Attorney Scott Slatton’s office accepted 75 guilty pleas.
During the hearings, which took place Feb. 25-27 and March 9 in Hamilton, The DA’s office also recommended 16 cases be dismissed and reached agreements on 10 additional cases for them to be placed on the inactive docket in order for defendants to complete certain requirements before official dismissal.

MARION COUNTY - Gov. Kay Ivey has formally signaled the open of Census 2020 participation statewide.
For the first time in history, the Census is now available online at my2020Census.gov.
Additionally, invitation letters have been mailed and will continue to arrive in mailboxes across the state through Friday, March 20.
Individuals can participate in the 10-question Census online, by phone or through traditional paper form.

HAMILTON -  Approximately 3,750 people from across the country and the globe packed out the Tombigbee Electric Cooperative’s warehouse in Hamilton for the 18th Annual Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF) on March 6 and 7.
According to JBAF Public Relations Chairman Marla Minter, the event hosted attendees from Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. This year, there were even visitors from across the globe from Australia and Wales.

WINFIELD - Winfield Middle School will honor former superintendent of education Dale Brasher and the late Ray McGaha for their years of service  to the Winfield City School System.
During a meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, the Winfield Board of Education unanimously approved superintendent Chris Cook’s proposal to rename the Winfield Middle School gymnasium as the Dale Brasher Gymnasium and will place gold placards on seats in the football, baseball and softball fields to honor the memory of McGaha.

WINFIELD - Northwest Medical Center-Winfield Chief Executive Officer Robert Henger has stepped down from the position after returning to the hospital in July 2019.
Former CEO Michael Windham has returned to the hospital to replace the resigning Henger.
According to Henger, Windham worked for the hospital as CEO for approximately four years before leaving due to conflicts with the hospital’s previous owner.