HAMILTON -  The Marion County Jail has consistently held over 300 inmates in every one of the first six months of 2019.
The jail, constructed in 1979, was originally built to hold a maximum of 85 inmates.

HAMILTON -  “I don’t know anything about phone calls,” said Marion County District 2 Commissioner Kenneth Cochran when speaking with the Journal Record about the gas tax reallocation.

TWIN - Some places become known for good things and some places become known for great things. Through the Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Alabama, Marion County is becoming known for kindness and hospitality.
This year, the local Habitat chapter is celebrating it’s 20th home-build and college students from across the nation have been trekking to Twin since February to experience the hospitality and to also make the dream of owning a home a reality for a Winfield family.

According to newly-released data from 2006-2012, Marion County recorded the second-highest opioid prescription rate in Alabama with an average of 108 pills prescribed per resident.
Marion County comes second only to neighboring Walker County, which saw an average of 140 pills prescribed per person.
From 2006-2012, Marion County was supplied 23.1 million prescription pain pills. Walker County was supplied 66.4 million.

MONTGOMERY -  Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $378,605 grant to assist a non-profit organization that helps children in Marion and Walker counties who are victims of abuse or who have witnessed violence.
The Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center will use the grant funds to continue providing forensic interviews, therapy and advocacy to victims of sexual or physical abuse and their families at no cost.
“Victims of these horrible crimes should have access to help specifically tailored to fit their needs,” said Ivey.

HAMILTON - The Marion County Commission unanimously voted to fund the Marion-Winston Community Action Agency (MWCAA) with around $12,000 to pay for rent and mortgage assistance and to supplement its food program during a regular meeting on Monday, July 15, in Hamilton.
According to Jeff Fleming head of the MWCAA, this funding is known as the Phase 36 funding plan.
“I appreciate the commission for the support,” said Fleming.

HAMILTON - The Hamilton City Council voted to begin plans to refinance the city’s 2014 bond issue payments at its Monday, July 1 meeting.
The new payment plan would be adjusted to take advantage lower interest rates compared to when the bond account was opened in 2014.
The 2014 bond issue, which totalled $11,320,547.82, was used for several projects; such as purchasing new fire trucks, building the Hamilton Splash Pad, and purchasing the current city hall building.

HAMILTON - Hamilton residents are organizing a back-to-school cleanup bash to help kick off classes going back in session.
Volunteers will meet at the Hamilton High School football field parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 7 a.m. to organize into groups and begin work.
Marion County Schools held their first day back in school on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Event organizer Tyler Knight requested volunteers bring hedge trimmers, weed eaters, pressure washers, rakes and gloves.

Despite tensions with Iran, Hurricane Barry and the summer travel season, gas prices in Alabama have remained low.
According to Clay Ingram, a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association (AAA) in Birmingham, low global demand for gas— combined with large amounts of domestic production—have insulated prices at the pump.
Ingram told the Journal Record at the time of the interview (Wednesday, July 17) gas prices in Alabama were averaging $2.43 statewide. This is 10 cents more than one month ago ($2.30), but 12 cents less than one year ago ($2.55).

WINFIELD - Two homeowners and two other suspects are accused of intentionally burning a Habitat for Humanity-funded home for an insurance payout.
The Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office announced on social media on Tuesday, July 9, that homeowners Jonathan Casey Morgan, 32, and Sydni Roshele Morgan, 32, both of Winfield, were arrested following indictments handed down by the Marion County Grand Jury on June 11 for the burning of the Morgan’s home in February 2018.

GUIN - One-hundred years ago, a group of people began holding church services in a barn along Purgatory Creek south of Guin.
What they started continues to this day as the Real Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, a church that is now located just up the hill from that same spot.
“This church is full of history and I am proud to be a member of Real Chapel,” said chairman of stewards Michael McCollum during the church’s 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, June 30.

MONTGOMERY - Bevill State Community College’s (BSCC) will receive the largest performance-based funding increase among the state’s 23 community colleges.
The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees approved a $320.6-million operation and maintenance budget at its board meeting on Wednesday, July 10, in Montgomery—a $19.3 million boost from the previous year.

HAMILTON - There were 322 students enrolled at Bevill State Community College (BSCC)-Hamilton Campus during the summer months.
According to a report published  by BSCC on Monday, July 1, on its website, there were 2,471 enrolled  in BSCC systemwide during the 2019 Summer Semester, producing 17,119 credit hours for the college.
This includes 467 dual enrollment  (high school) students who registered.
BSCC enrollment counts students online and on its campuses in Hamilton, Fayette, Jasper, Carrollton and Sumiton.

HAMILTON - Rape and sodomy charges have been dismissed for a Hamilton man.
On Thursday, June 3, 25th Judicial Circuit Judge Lee Carter dismissed charges  against 21-year-old Denzel Mitchell, who had been accused of rape and sodomy.
 Those charges were dismissed following a hand- written letter filed in court in March by the alleged victim, who wrote on a piece of notebook paper, “I do not want to pursue the case.”
The girl who pressed charges against Mitchell will remain unnamed as she was under the age of 18 when the incident occurred.

GUIN - The discount merchandise store Fred’s announced that it will be closing the Guin store along with 129 other stores across the nation, including 11 other stores across Alabama.
Liquidation sales have already begun at the stores to be closed.
"While it is never easy to make decisions that impact our valued employees and customers, this initiative represents another necessary step in our continued efforts to stabilize our business by simplifying our store portfolio and product assortment," Fred's Chief Executive Officer Joseph Anto said in a statement.

MARION COUNTY - Alabama’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is coming up on Friday through Sunday, July 19 through the 21.
Shoppers will be able to purchase clothing, school supplies, books and computers without having to pay state and local sales tax on items under a certain cost.
Items exempt from sales tax include:
•    Clothing items that cost no more than $100 each (this excludes items like sports gear and jewelry)

HACKLEBURG -  The Hackleburg Town Council approved and signed a local ordinance that will allow the town to punish those who illegally dump into the Hackleburg sewage system during a regular meeting on Monday, July 8, in Hackleburg.
During a regular meeting in May, Tyler McKeller with the sewer treatment plant told the council that there was suspected illegal tapping and dumping into the sewage system in the town.

HAMILTON -  Marion County Commissioners Kenneth Cochran, Tim Estes and Bobby Burleson, along with 25th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Daryl Burt met with Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams and PH&J Principal Architects Patrick T. Addison and Renis Jones to discuss the ongoing Marion County Jail project on Thursday, June 27, at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Jones began the meeting by expressing his belief that Marion County is in great need of a new jail building, as the current jail does not meet the needs of the county.

HAMILTON - The Hamilton City Council discussed the possibility of a new jail facility for the county during its Wednesday, July 10 work session.
The county commission is ready to move forward with plans for a new jail facility, which would likely include a court complex.
“What judicial system?” asked councilwoman Tammy Lewis Williams. “Are we talking about moving the court from the courthouse?”
“That’s what’s in discussion,” said city attorney Scott Hunt. “That’s not a firm decision, so it’s not ironclad.”

HAMILTON -  The Marion County Commission unanimously approved  two grant applications for the 25th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office and the Drug Task Force during the regular meeting on Monday, July 8, in Hamilton.
The grant for the District Attorney’s office will go toward the salary and operating expenses for the assistant D.A. who handles domestic violence cases.
The grant for the drug task force will be used for payroll and various equipment and administrative costs.

HAMILTON -  Brad Whisnant, Bevill State Community College-Hamilton HVAC instructor, is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award.
Whisnant has been at the college since 2007, where he began as a maintenance worker.
He received an Assossicate’s degree from BSCC in Dec. 1998, and a Bachelor’s of education from Athens State in 2016.

HAYLEYVILLE - Two newspapers owned by Haleyville-based Mid-South Newspapers— the Northwest Alabamian and the  Journal Record—were recognized as being the most improved publications statewide.­
(Mid-South Newspapers also owns the Fayette County newspaper, the Times-Record, and the Pickens County Herald in Carrollton.)
The Alabama Press Association (APA) held its summer convention on Saturday, June 29, at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, where the winners of the 2019 APA Media Awards (AMA) contest were announced.

HAMILTON - The Hamilton City Council discussed options for the old city hall building during its work session on Wednesday, June 26.
The old city hall currently serves as the police station and will soon house a West Alabama TV Cable office on July 25.
The building, located at 422 2nd St. SW, across from Hamilton High School, has seen better days, according to the city council.

GUIN - The Guin City Council voted unanimously to remain in the C3 Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of Northwest Alabama during its Monday, July 1, meeting.
The C3 is a marketing alliance of three counties—Marion, Fayette and Lamar counties—and certain towns within those counties, that markets the region to businesses and industries looking to locate or relocate.
Guin Mayor Max Maddox opened the discussion by noting that the council voted to pay the $10,000 membership dues in 2017 and 2018.
Councilman Bobby Bellew made a motion to pay the dues.

HAMILTON - Officials with Alabama Power have announced that the Hamilton business office’s closing date has been set for Wednesday, July 31.
Initially, information released by the power company only said the Hamilton office would be closed by Aug. 30.
Tuscaloosa-based Alabama Power Western Division Public Relations officer Danielle Kimbrough confirmed with the Journal Record on Monday, July 1, that the July 31 closing date had been decided upon.

HAMILTON - The Marion County-Rankin Fite Airport in Hamilton will receive $474,166 as a part of the state-wide $9.7 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants awarded by the Department of Transportation.
The grant will go towards construction of the taxiway at the airport which is located on Airport Rd off of Military St South in Hamilton.
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby made the announcement on Tuesday, July 2, stating that the grants will significantly aid development projects in local airports across the state.

HAMILTON - The “Alabama Then & Now 1819-2019” art exhibit by the Alabama Plein Air Artist will be stationed in Hamilton beginning next month in celebration of Alabama’s Bicentennial year.
The artists will be displaying their “Alabama Then & Now” collection which is a commemorative and educational art exhibition of 30 original paintings.
The exhibit will be hosted in the Hamilton City Hall lobby area from Aug. 1 - Sept. 23.

HAMILTON -  Alabama Medicaid will likely increase recovery claims against estates.
A new law will require estate  claim notices be mailed directly to Medicaid in a measure which Alabama lawmakers hope will better enable the state agency to recover healthcare funds spent on individuals.
Marion County Probate Judge Paige Vick told the Journal Record that under the new law passed during the 2019 Legislative Session, estate claims opened after Sept. 1 of this year will be required to mail notices to the state Medicaid agency.

HAMILTON - The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its final “First Fridays” downtown shopping event on Friday, Aug. 2.
The chamber’s final First Friday’s event was originally scheduled for Friday, June 7. However, it was cancelled due to rainy weather.
The final summer event will take place from 7-9 p.m. with local and satellite vendors setting up booths lining the city square and downtown businesses extending their usual hours to host shoppers.

HAMILTON -  The Marion County Commission voted 3-2 in favor of reallocating funds received from gas taxes after a heated debate during its regular session meeting on Monday, June 24, at the commission office in Hamilton.
Before the reallocation was approved, each of the five districts were receiving an even 20% each, a motion approved in 1971. The new reallocation changes that — Districts 1, 2 and 3 will receive 22% and Districts 4 and 5 will receive 17%.

HAMILTON - America is in the middle of an epidemic. The disease? Opioid addiction.
And Alabama is in the hotzone.
The Statistics

WINFIELD - Two people remain in critical condition at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss., after a two-vehicle wreck at 2 p.m. on Highway 129 at Marion County Road 38 in Winfield on Monday, June 17. 
According to information released by the Winfield Police Department, Gregory Monroe Bourland, Brilliant, driving a green 2007 Chevrolet Uplander van, was pulling out of the Cedar Landing Restaurant parking lot when the vehicle was struck by a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer driven by Denita Monique McCollum, Fayette County. 

GUIN - Former Guin Police Chief G.B. Blaylock was remembered fondly by those who worked for him and with him in the Guin City Hall. Blaylock, 76, who served as Guin police chief from 2005 to 2015, passed away on Thursday, June 13.

HAMILTON - When most outdoorsmen think of the fall hunting season, they think of pleasant days spent in the woods hunting with friends and family. But for a few local deer farmers, the upcoming hunting season brings fear and trepidation and thoughts of the destruction of their livelihood.
“It’s scary, it really is scary,” said deer farmer Kevin Armstrong.  

HACKLEBURG -  The project to make the journey to and from Hackleburg safer and easier is now coming to an end.
After a slight delay, W.S. Neal of Montgomery, who was awarded the building contract in April 2018, has completed the bridge running over North Fork Creek.

HAMILTON - Marion County’s sales tax for education has now tracked its second month in lower collections.
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West told the Marion County Board of Education during its meeting on Tuesday, June 11, that the county collected $129,983 in May—$4,0734 less than the previous year.
“For some reason, we were down again,” West said.
The collection was $18,000 lower than the April tax collection, when $148,082 was recorded. April also recorded lagging sales tax figures.

HACKLEBURG -  The Hackleburg Town Council announced that it will be hosting the town’s annual  Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, during a regular session meeting on Monday, June 24, at the Hackleburg Town Hall.
The event will begin at noon and will feature live music, arts, crafts, free swimming, inflatables for children, vendors, karaoke, a parade and a fireworks display.
The Hackleburg pool will be open from noon- 8 p.m. and will be free to use for those attending the event.

HAMILTON - Avoiding that emergency trip to bring a student lunch money is looking easier. 
The Marion County Board of Education voted during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, to enter into a contract with Pams Lunchroom of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., a company that supports credit and debit card payments for school-related expenses.
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West said the service will enable parents and guardians to fund students’ lunchroom accounts remotely.

HAMILTON - Closing a six-year process, the bridge on Grandview Drive has finally been completed.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page received a letter from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on Monday, June 17, approving the bridge for use. 
Page opened the letter during the Hamilton City Council meeting that night. The bridge was officially opened the next day, Tuesday, June 18.
“We can use this bridge!” Page rejoiced.

HAMILTON -  The Hamilton Career Center will be hosting a Training Information Seminar on Tuesday, July 9, at the center on the Hamilton Campus of Bevill State Community College.
The seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 10 a.m. Presentations will include information on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Individual Training Accounts (WIOA/ITA) information, career exploration, the college admissions process, Labor Market information and Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/Financial Aid information.

HAMILTON - The Marion County Firefighters Association voted to approve a measure to relocate its Hackleburg repeater during its regular meeting on Thursday, June 27 at Bama-Q Pit & Grill in Hamilton. 
A repeater is a radio tower that allows firefighters’ handheld radios and the radios in their trucks to communicate at a longer range. 

Hamilton - The Marion County School System will reach its strategic goal of one-to-one technology during the 2019-2020 school year.
The Marion County Board of Education agreed to purchase 686 Chromebook laptops and 28 charging carts during its Tuesday, June 11, meeting.
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West said that the new purchases will complete the system’s strategic plan of providing each county student with a Chromebook.
The county school system has been incrementally purchasing Chromebooks for the last three years

WINFIELD - Fifteen years after retiring, well-known health care executive Robert Henger is returning as chief executive officer of Northwest Medical Center in Winfield.

Marion County Schools and Winfield City Schools have announced their policies for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. 
Local school officials have adopted household size and income criteria for determining eligibility. (The price information is found on the accompanying chart on this page.)
If your total current household income is within the limits listed above, your children may be eligible for either free or reduced-price meals.

HAMILTON - Ashlyn Winkler has been crowned as the new Miss Hamilton 2020 during the annual pageant. 
Winkler is from Dora and attends the University of Montevallo. She majors in speech-language pathology, which correlates to her platform statement, “Shining a Light on Autism Acceptance.”
Samantha Hennings became the newly-crowned Miss Outstanding Teen 2020. Hennings is from Springville and is a junior at Victory Chrisitan School. Her platform is “Just Breathe,” which helps to bring a light to mental illness, but more specifically, anxiety and depression.

HAMILTON - A rising Hamilton High School senior was one of 180 students nationwide invited to the National Student Leadership Congress (NSLC) in June. 
Brennon Ballard, 17, son of Jessica Parker and Christopher Ballard, traveled to Washington, D.C., during June 8-14 to attend the conference on an all-expense paid trip.
Ballard was selected to attend the trip through the Bevill State Community College-Hamilton Campus Upward Bound program after submitting an application and a written essay.

Hamilton - Fun and sun traditionally fill the 100 summer days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but new statistics prove that, for teenagers, they are also days of death.  
The number of teens killed in car crashes increases 26% compared with the other months of the year, according to data released by Safe Kids Worldwide, a global non-profit organization working to prevent childhood injury through research, community outreach, legislative advocacy and media awareness campaigns. 

HAMILTON - Before the rain that fell on June 5, weather recorder Eddy Pearce’s rain gauge in Hamilton went 22 days without seeing any measurable rain. But that was no reason to be alarmed, Pearce said. Rainfall is above normal this year.
“You better believe it,” Pearce said on June 4, “if it don’t rain anymore for the month of June and July, we’d still be above normal.”
Pearce said average rainfall totals are 26.91 inches for the first five months of a year.

HAMILTON -  Hamilton native Jamie Christian has accepted the position of marketing and membership director for the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (Northwest Alabama EDA). 

HAMILTON - The Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc. has been awarded $198,391 as part of a $2.6 million grant from Gov. Kay Ivey to assist low-income and elderly Alabama residents with weatherizing their homes to lower energy costs.
The $198,391 grant will serve the areas of Marion, Cullman, Lawrence, Morgan, Walker and Winston counties.