When I was growing up in Haleyville, I can remember people in July and August saying, “It’s hotter’n blue blazes outside.”
Well, you could certainly describe America and Alabama’s current economic boom as being “hotter’n blue blazes.” Alabama’s economy is scorching hot, with the lowest unemployment numbers in our state’s history. One county economic development director told me that “if you want a job, you can find one right now.”

HAMILTON - With a lineup that includes approximately 55 artists from five states, the 18th Annual Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF) promises to be as good as its long-time fans of original art are most accustomed to.
The festival, presented by “The First Lady of Alabama Pottery,” Sandra Brown, and the Northwest Alabama Arts Council, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, and hosted by the Tombigbee Electric Cooperative.

HAMILTON - Marion County Schools has set its 2020-2021 School Year Calendar.
During a Marion County Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, the board voted unanimously to accept a calendar recommended by Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West.
West said she sent an example calendars out to everyone in the school’s communication system and used the feedback to determine her recommendation.

WINFIELD - The Pastime Theatre in Winfield is pleased to announce that talented jazz musician Eric Essix will take the stage on Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m.

MONTGOMERY – An addiction committee formed through Marion County leadership will not recommend a ban on cash payments for buprenorphine, a drug used in addiction therapy.
District 6 Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, who is one of two Marion County senators, sponsored the legislation that created the committee during last year’s legislative session.
Stutts, who is a physician himself, drafted the bill with the help of Hamilton addiction medicine specialist Dr. Brent Boyett. State Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, carried the bill in the House.

Clocks will change once more to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 8.
Residents going to bed on Saturday, March 7, will need to set their clocks ahead one hour before going to bed, remembering the phrase, “Spring forward, fall back.’’
While the time officially changes at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, most residents choose to make the transition prior to bedtime on Saturday.

HAMILTON - Wearing green paper crowns and waving tiny American flags, Marion County second-grade students showed their enthusiasm during a school assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to launch the system-wide Super Citizen and Hands On Learning Program, which is an immersive 10-week civics & character program.
During the launch event, more than 325 second graders from Marion County Schools cheered and counted down to the grand entrance of “Libby Liberty,” a Statue of Liberty character who brings American history to life with a live interactive performance.

HAMILTON - Political parties will head to the polls next Tuesday, March 3, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. to elect their candidates for the 2020 general election in November.

HAMILTON - Concluding a two-year debate on how to balance the Hamilton Water Department budget, the Hamilton City Council has passed a significant rate increase.
During a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the council voted 4-1 to level out its volume billing scale on water and raise sewer rates to equal 100% of a customer’s water bill.
Customers billed at the minimum rate will continue to pay $20.38. Minimum billing is issued for accounts using less than 2,000 gallons of water.

HAMILTON - School officials and local police were on high alert on Thursday, Feb. 13, after a student allegedly posted threats against Hamilton High School on social media.
Preliminary information from an on-going investigation by the Hamilton Police Department suggests the threat was made on a female student’s account as a result of someone out-of-state gaining access to her Snapchat account.
Snapchat is a multimedia messaging smart phone app used to send video and picture messages.

Hamilton - Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Lee Carter is asking prosecutors and defense attorneys to be ready for Jimmy Cooper, 61, Hamilton, to be tried this summer.
The 25th Judicial Circuit Court held a trial status conference for Cooper on Wednesday morning, Feb. 19, to hear motions by defense attorneys Brian White of Decatur and Jack Stanton Glasscox of Tuscaloosa.

WINFIELD - Tim Miller, director and founder of Texas Equusearch, announced the foundation’s first Alabama chapter during a press conference on Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Winfield Elementary School auditorium.
Miller was joined by Texas Equusearch-Winfield Chapter President Hilda Smith, Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson, Winfield Mayor Randy Price, Winfield Fire and Rescue Chief Alan Stovall, Beth Holloway, Angela Harris and District 17 State Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield.

HAMILTON - For a dozen years, one of the most frequently spotted sights at the Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF) has been smiling shoppers carrying around colorful and decorative birdhouses made by artist Ray Dutton of Moulton.
Dutton is being honored in 2020 as the featured artist for the 18th Annual JBAF, which is set for Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, at Tombigbee Electric Cooperative’s warehouse in Hamilton.

HAMILTON - Winfield Mayor Randy Price and Police Chief Brett Burleson expressed their support of Tim Miller and the new Texas Equusearch Winfield chapter during the press conference held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Winfield Elementary School.
“When a man can stand up and say that Christ has led him to do something and you see it’s for a good reason and you see the results of what he’s doing, I’m always wanting to be a part of it,” said Price.