By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
DETROIT — While many were wrapped up in their blankets during the intense cold weather on Christmas Eve, the Byrd Fire Department was hard at work responding to a structure fire that took place on Sunday, Dec. 24, on State Highway 19.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, the Byrd Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched by Marion County E-911 to a reported structure fire.
When the department arrived, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department stated the house was fully engulfed in flames.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Marion County got quite the cold Christmas period this past week, and while major damage was avoided for most, some major issues were caused by the cold when it came to water.
Hamilton Water and Sewer Department Manager Rodney Williams stated several residents and business owners suffered from burst pipes, leading to floods and the lack of available water for many, especially on the west end of Hamilton.

By Amy Melson
Courtesy of the
Northwest Alabamian
HALEYVILLE — Hester Bowley, of Haleyville, celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday, Dec. 22.
The vast majority of her first hundred years have been filled by hard work and caring for others.
Hester was born in Marion County in 1922 to Floyd and Carrie Reynolds. Floyd was a native of Marion County, and Carrie, née Hand, was from Georgia. Hester was the second oldest of twelve children, nine girls and three boys.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
GUIN — Mr. Gilbert Butler of Guin, turned 100 years old on Friday, Dec. 2. Friends and family gathered in the gym at Guin First Baptist Church to celebrate his birthday.
Butler was born on Dec. 2, 1922, in the Woodville, Ala. area and grew up on a farm halfway between Scottsboro and Huntsville.
“I don’t remember much about the day I was born, but I know I was there,” Butler joked.
Butler was child number five, and had four sisters and three brothers. His parents were Robert Lee and Almira Bottoms Butler.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD —  The Winfield City Council voted during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, to declare a vacant seat on the council.
Councilman Eddy Posey passed away on Friday, Dec. 9, leaving an open seat on the city council.
Posey was appointed to the city council in late 2021, after Rusty Barnes, who held the seat before him, had to resign after moving outside Winfield city limits. Posey ran against Barnes for the seat in the last election and lost by a slim margin, which made Posey the council’s first choice to fill that seat.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HACKLEBURG — The Town of Hackleburg has a tough decision to make after the death of councilman Ronnie “Doc” Hudson.
With a seat on the council now vacant, Hackleburg has a short window to bring a replacement in for Hudson.
“With Doc passing away, we’re going to have to replace a city council member,” said Mayor Darryl Colburn.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — Winfield City Police are investigating a crash on Highway 129 at the intersection near the new Dollar General and the old Huatulco restaurant that happened on Sunday, Dec. 18. According to Police Chief Brett Burleson, only one person was injured in the crash, the driver of the vehicle. Burleson said the accident is under investigation and that police are waiting on test results to see if the driver will be facing any charges relating to the accident.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton’s new track facility now officially has the green light for construction after the Hamilton City Council unanimously voted to begin putting out bids on the project.
Phase One of the Hamilton Track Facility, located at the old Munsingware property, is estimated to cost approximately $4.7 million.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
COLORADO — Winfield star athlete Trey Cunningham has further etched his name in Marion County and world history books after he was presented with the Bowerman Trophy on Thursday, Dec. 15, in Colorado.
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009 and is named after former University of Oregon Coach Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association to the most outstanding male and female NCAA track and field athletes in the nation.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Marion County Sheriff’s Department has again assisted the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in stopping crime on I-22 involving a high speed chase.
On Friday, Dec. 2, driver Zachary Holmes and passenger Demarco Buck were both arrested after a chase at speeds of over 100 miles per hour on I-22.
Holmes was driving a white Dodge Hellcat during the chase.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Kids for Life organization, along with Marion County Department of Human Resources and several local volunteers were able to bring the magic of Christmas to Marion County’s foster families this past week.
Kids for Life, a non profit organization started by Hamilton resident Melissa Mathieson, held the event to give gifts and food to foster children and their foster parents during the holiday season.
The event was held at First Baptist Church, who also provided the meal for the event in Hamilton on Thursday, Dec. 15.

By P.J. Gossett
General manager

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton High School was one of several schools in Alabama to suffer a bit of a scare after serious threats were called into the school on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Hamilton Police Chief Ronnie Vickery stated the Hamilton Police Department was notified about a possible active shooter at an unspecified Hamilton school campus.
“We were notified about the possibility of an active shooter in Hamilton schools,” said Vickery. “They didn’t specify which school. It came from the state trooper’s office.”

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield Chamber of Commerce rescheduled the city’s annual Christmas parade from last Saturday to this Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m.
The parade was postponed Saturday morning after rain was forecast around the time the parade would start. The forecast was proven accurate as it did begin to rain around 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The tree has already been lit, but all other events will still be happening. There will be inflatables, music, childrens’ games and more beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — After months of evaluating different pay scales for county employees, the Marion County Commission is getting closer to implementing a pay scale after a work session held on Monday, Dec. 5, in Hamilton.
In attendance were Marion County Commissioners and department heads including Revenue Commissioner Barbara Cooper, Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams, Marion County Engineer Chris Wilbanks and Probate Judge Paige Vick.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — Winfield city councilman and longtime deacon of Winfield First Baptist Church Ed (better known as Eddy) Posey passed away on Friday, Dec. 9 at the age of 68.
Posey was a sitting member of the Winfield city council, and was a deacon emeritus at Winfield First Baptist Church after serving as a deacon and faithful member for many years.
Posey was born on Oct. 25, 1954, and graduated from Hubbertville High School in 1973, and then from Northwood University.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HACKLEBURG — Longtime Hackleburg servant and Town Councilman Ronnie “Doc” Hudson died on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in his residence in Hackleburg.
Born October 12, 1949 in Haleyville, he is the son of the late Berry Dee and Mildred McCurley Hudson and the husband of Joan Crowe Hudson. He had lived in Hackleburg most of his life and was a member of the Hackleburg First Baptist Church. He had worked for the Town of Hackleburg and Wrangler. He was also a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
BOSTON —  Don’t get Boston and Brilliant confused! There’s a difference—at least…there used to be.
Before the mines shut down and the two communities were incorporated into Brilliant, there used to be the Town of Boston, Alabama, located where downtown Brilliant is today. Brilliant, back then, was the area closer to where the high school stands today.

WINFIELD —  Donald T. Studdard was born in Howard (Fayette County), Alabama in 1934.  He passed away November 16, 2022.  
Studdard’s early years were spent in Jasper, where he attended elementary, middle and high school, and Walker College.  He began his career at Alabama Power Company, Gorgas Coal Mine.  

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton’s annual Christmas parade was postponed after some chilly and rainy weather blew through Hamilton on Monday, Dec. 5. Hamilton Mayor Bob Page stated he and councilman Scott Tyra were working with the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce, who organizes the event every year, to choose a new date.
The announcement for the new date occurred past press time Monday.