Remembering a friend

BEAR CREEK – Exactly one week after cancer claimed the 4-year-old life of Wyatt Spann in Winfield, the community of Bear Creek is mourning the loss  while celebrating the life of Madison Chase Hulsey, a Phillips High School senior whose life was also taken by cancer at the tender age of 19.
Hulsey, described by students and faculty of Phillips School as a strong fighter against the disease, lost his life on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, leaving behind a life of love and compassion his classmates plan to emulate.

Board hires Gann as new math teacher

WINFIELD - The Winfield City Board of Education has hired a new math teacher after the resignation of Carrie Jackson, who submitted her resignation after her arrest on Thursday, Jan. 16.
The board has chosen student teacher Lauren Gann, 21, to replace Jackson in the position for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year at Winfield City High School during a special-called meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Winfield Middle School.

Clerk gets pay raise, will be paid for overtime

HACKLEBURG – After a lengthy, heated discussion, town officials have increased Hackleburg Town Clerk Carla Rector’s pay to $630 a week.
The Hackleburg Town Council addressed Rector’s pay during its Monday, Jan. 27, council meeting.
Rector, who has worked for the town for six years, has made $592 a week, or $14.80 an hour, without being compensated for overtime since 2014.

Wilds family farm recognized by state

HAMILTON – Wilds Horse and Cattle Company has been designated as an Alabama Century & Heritage Farm.
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Assistant Commissioner Bob Plaster presented farm owner Jason Wilds and his family with a certificate and signage honoring his family’s farm during a Marion County Cattlemen’s Association meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23, in Hamilton.

Bond revocation bill will bear Aniah Blanchard’s name

MONTGOMERY – A bond revocation bill is expected to be filed for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, announced on social media on Wednesday, Jan. 23, that bill sponsor Rep. Chip Brown, R-Mobile, plans to file the bill, which would be an amendment to the state constitution.
Estes said he had the honor of assisting with the bill and that it has been named “Aniah’s Law” in memory of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, who was murdered after allegedly being kidnapped by 29-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed.

Neighbor Day set for April 24 and 25

HACKLEBURG – The 19th Annual Neighbor Day festival has been set for Friday night and Saturday, April 24 and 25.
The Hackleburg Town Council voted 5-0 to set the town’s Neighbor Day festival for the fourth weekend in April during its Monday, Jan. 27, meeting. Councilwoman Tabby Lolley was absent.
The council had previously discussed the possibility of moving Neighbor Day and combining it with the July 4th Fireworks Celebration during its Dec. 19, 2019, meeting. Holding the festival the first weekend of May was also discussed.

Council will take owners of unkept property to court

GUIN – City officials are looking to crack down on dirty properties and untidy lawns.
Councilman Roger Agnew introduced the topic during the Guin City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, asking how the city can address unkept and trashed property.
Guin City Clerk Rebeca Markham told Agnew that this can be done through the court system.

Lamar County Gas District acquisition a success

HAMILTON - “It’s been a good move for us,” said Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) General Manager Heath Reed about the recent acquisition of the Vernon-based Lamar County Gas District.
NWAGD recently acquired Lamar County Gas District on Jan. 1, adding approximately 1,300 customers to NWAGD throughout Lamar and Pickens counties.
Reed stated that NWAGD will be gaining approximately 40 chicken houses and 45 residential houses as their customers by the spring.