Marion County

First year anniversary for historic photos

By P.J. Gossett
This edition marks the first year anniversary of including historic photos on this page of the newspaper. All previous 52 issues of the Journal Record included a photo here.
We have had several positive feedback responses regarding the photos, and we are happy this was a successful endeavor. Several individuals have been gracious with letting us scan and use their photos. We thank each and every one of you.

2023 Football Season Scores

This page will update with Marion County schools' football scores throughout the 2023 football season.

Brilliant High School:
8/25/2023, vs. Waterloo, 64-0, W
9/1/2023, vs. Pickens County, 6 -34, L
9/8/2023, at Marion County, 12-44, L
9/22/2023, vs. Sumiton Christian (Homecoming), 45-6, W
9/29/2023, at Phillips
10/6/2023, vs. Hubbertville
10/13/2023, at Lynn
10/20/2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic
10/27/2023, vs. Berry
11/3/2023, at South Lamar

Weekend storms strike Marion County

Pictured is a fallen tree in Hackleburg.

MARION COUNTY — Marion County was hit with storms this weekend on Saturday and Sunday in another string of summer storms that don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
According to Marion County Emergency Management Agency Director Eric Terrell, storms caused damage throughout the county with downed tree limbs and power lines affecting all areas.
“This is basically the same pattern we’ve had all summer. It’s been a pretty stormy summer,” said Terrell.
Terrell stated Marion County 9-1-1 was flooded with calls from all over reporting damage.

County residents eligible for 3M settlement

Pictured is the 3M facility located in Guin.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
Residents of Guin, Twin, Hamilton, Winfield, or any other residents of Marion County who have been affected by harmful chemicals such as PFAS may be entitled to compensation as part of the multi-billion-dollar settlement between 3M and numerous lawsuits from across the country involving the harmful effects of these forever chemicals.
Over the last few years, 3M has faced two lawsuits from within Marion County, and a multitude from without.

Department of transportation bids projects

TUSCALOOSA – The Alabama Department of Transportation bid two projects on state-maintained routes in Marion County during the April 28 bid opening.
Rogers Group, Inc. will resurface, install guardrail and place new traffic striping on Highway 129 from the junction of U.S. Highway 278 northeast of Brilliant to a point approximately half a mile south of the junction of County Road 48. The 4.9 mile project was bid at $1.79 million and is expected to last approximately three months.

Foster children are resilient but need our help

Dear Editor:
It is time to come together on behalf of over 400,000 American children and youth who are in foster care because their families are in crisis, and they cannot currently provide safe, nurturing home environments. Approximately 5,800 of these children are in Alabama’s foster care system, and 45 of them are right here in Marion County. These children need safe, stable and loving homes where they can stay until they can safely reunite with their biological parents or establish other lifelong family relationships.

What’s happening to senior centers?

MARION COUNTY — Marion County’s Senior Centers have been facing quite the problem with funding in the last several months.
With federal COVID funding now coming to an end, many centers are reporting that Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments have been unable to support centers with much needed funds to pay for meals and taking on new clients.

Marion County hosts weather radio giveaway

Pictured is one of the radios that will be supplied to those who attend the Marion County EMA weather radio giveaway.

MARION COUNTY — The Marion County Emergency Management Agency will  host a weather radio giveaway and HyperReach sign up event  on Saturday, April 22, in Hamilton and Winfield.
Marion County EMA Director Eric Terrell stated the event will be held in Hamilton at the Hamilton City Hall and at Winfield City Hall from 8 to 11 a.m.
Interested individuals may attend the event to sign up for Marion County’s free HyperReach weather notification system and receive one weather radio per household.

Early morning tornado leaves behind destruction

An early morning tornado batters the northeastern part of Marion County, between Hackleburg and Bear Creek, Saturday. What is left of the residence of Eugene and Tracy Marbutt on Chalk Mine Road is shown above.

After early Saturday’s major storm, north Marion County has now suffered two tornadoes in just a week.
Just as the county was catching its collective breath from last week’s tornado weather, Marion County was hit by yet another storm system that brought with it another tornado, this one making it to an EF-1.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado began at 2:32 a.m. on Saturday morning just east of County Highway 348, three miles south southwest of Hackleburg.