HAMILTON - Keith Jones, executive director of the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG), met with local leaders to discuss planning for the upcoming 2020 Census at Hamilton City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
In attendance were Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, Ramp School of Ministry (RSM) Director Samuel Bentley, NACOLG Regional Planner Robert Cooper, NACOLG Transportation Planner Ryan Hayse and Hamilton Attorney Scott Hunt.

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $386,250 to support a network of 20 Community Action Agencies across the state that assist Alabamians by providing programs to reduce and eliminate poverty.     
The Community Action Association of Alabama is using the funding to support programs offered by the local agencies to help low-income families improve their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
This funding will also assist in the functions of the Marion-Winston Community Action Agency (MWCAA).

HAMILTON - ‘Tis the season for Christmas for Kids to partner once again with the Marion County Department of Human Resources and Christ Community Fellowship to help distribute Christmas gifts to children in need.
Officially launching in 1985, the charity is celebrating 35 years of generosity this year.
Prior to 2014, Christmas for Kids was helping provide Christmas gifts to children throughout Marion County courtesy of donations received from county and area residents.

HAMILTON - North AlabamaWorks, in partnership with Bevill State Community College-Hamilton, will host the Worlds of Work Career Expo for Marion and Winston County students on Friday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bevill State Community College Hamilton Campus.
This event will help students learn about high-demand, high-wage career opportunities available to them in Northwest Alabama.
Companies and organizations will provide hands-on activities in which they can participate, allowing students to explore potential careers.

WINFIELD - “I’m lucky to be alive and that’s what I convey in this book,” Lt. Larry Hunter (Ret.) said holding his newly published book, Fire Mission, Fire Mission!, while sitting in the den of his Winfield home.
Two large boxes filled with copies of the book sit nearby.
The book is about Hunter’s experiences during his tour of duty in Vietnam, “Where I almost lost my life,” Hunter said.
This weekend and the following Tuesday, Hunter will be speaking and signing copies of his book at various Veterans Day events around Marion and Winston counties.

HAMILTON - Marion County commissioners Bobby Burleson, Dale Holt and Keith Nichols approved Marion County Engineer Mike Shaw’s request to change job classification and adjust the pay of six of his employees during a regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, at the commission office in Hamilton.
Commission chairman Tim “Ears” Estes did not vote and commissioner Kenneth Cochran abstained from voting as his brother, Kent Cochran, was among the names involved in the pay adjustments.

As qualifying comes to an end, Marion County’s last remaining elected Democrat has switched parties.
According the Marion County Republican Party Chairman David Hall, Marion County Precinct 15 Constable Joe Vasquez, has qualified as a Republican for the 2020 elections.
“The Marion County Republican Executive Committee met Tuesday, Oct. 29, and voted unanimously to allow Joe Vasquez to switch parties,” Hall said.
Commenting on the switch, Marion County Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Cobb said, “I’m very disappointed this happened.

HAMILTON - Marion County administrative ­assistant Kalyn Moore has been appointed as the new county administrator as longtime administrator Brooke Nichols-Slatton handed in her resignation during a regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, at the commission office in Hamilton.
Slatton will officially resign on Jan. 21, 2020, after 15 years as the Marion County administrator. Slatton has accepted a job as the Fayette County administrator.