By Scott Johnson | Managing Editor

Two-hour class begins 1:30 p.m. at Tombigbee

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

It’s time to step up your game on your business’ website and social media page.

• Pastor survived by wife, two children

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

• 1,200 doses of Moderna vaccine available

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

HAMILTON -  The Marion County Commission welcomed Fayette-based architect Jim Berry, Technical Assistant Angela Berry, Senior Draftsman Roger Snyder and construction manager Andrew Jackson to discuss their plans for the Marion County Jail in Hamilton during a work session on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Marion County Commission Office in Hamilton.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams was also in attendance during the meeting to discuss his needs for the new jail facility.

HAMILTON - FreedomFiber will get a local boost in its journey to expand high-speed broadband internet service to northwest Alabama.
During a meeting on Monday, Dec. 7, the Hamilton City Council voted unanimously to provide Tombigbee Communications with a five-year abatement on its local three-cent sales-and-use tax in order to assist the company in its large-scale broadband intuitive.

WINFIELD - The Winfield City Schools Board of Education and The City of Winfield discussed plans to fund and build a new auditorium during a regular Board of Education meeting at Winfield Middle School on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Winfield Mayor Randy Price and District 17 State Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, were in attendance to discuss the project with board members.
Price stated that the plan is to build a new auditorium and incorporate new administrative offices for  both the Winfield BOE and the employees for the City of Winfield.

Grant funds through the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) are on their way to assist a local historical project.
State Rep. Tracy Estes said he has received news from the AHC that two of three grants he has assisted within his district have been approved for funding.
This includes a $15,000 grant to the City of Winfield to replace the roof on the former Christian Center of Concern building and another $15,000 grant to reroof an old school in Double Springs.

WINFIELD -  Winfield Mayor Randy Price has called for the City of Winfield to use common sense when dealing with employees who have been exposed to COVID.
The city council discussed employee exposure issues during a regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Winfield Community Shelter.

A Hamilton drive distributed hundreds of meals on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 26.
According to event coordinator Sandy Sandlin, with help from local volunteers, the local Hamilton United Methodist Church helped to distribute 350 meals to first responders, firefighters, policemen, paramedics, hospital and nursing home staff, the Hamilton Aged & Infirmed and the Hamilton- Work Release, a local mental health group home and Marion County Jail inmates.

For 30 years, every Christmas night in Hamilton would be filled with the twangs of bluegrass music.
The holiday tradition formed around the musical legacy of the Jackson family, which has produced a heritage of pickers, songwriters and, yes, buck dancers, too.
From their home near downtown Hamilton, Estes, 95, and Ercelle, 92, Jackson reminisced on Christmases past with their son, David.

The Turkey Trot 5K, formerly Huffin & Puffin for Turkey & Stuffin, was born out of a need to help families in the Winfield area.  
Shane Hughes was instrumental in starting this endeavor.  In its early days, the toy fund relied on toy donations from the community.  Five years ago, donations had become fewer and fewer.  The idea was conceived to host a 5K race on Thanksgiving Day with 100% of the proceeds going to the toy fund.  

Authorities have yet to identify a driver who died in a single-vehicle wreck on Friday, Nov. 20, in Hamilton.
According to Alabama State Trooper Public Affairs Officer Gregory Corble, at approximately 11:50 a.m., the unknown driver left the roadway, struck a guard rail, hit a tree and then overturned.
Corble said the 2008 Cadillac Escalade he or she was driving then engulfed in flames. Identification of the body is pending confirmation from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville and notification of next of kin.

Winfield resident Ken Barnett had Winfield Elementary School Physical Education Coach George Hennicke and Track Coach Steve Reaves to thank for saving his life after collapsing at the school’s track complex on Nov. 19.
Barnett was on a run and crossed the parking lot at the elementary school and onto the track complex before collapsing to the ground.
“I got about a half mile into my run and I started feeling funny and breathing hard. I saw the track team and saw coach Reaves there,” said Barnett

HAMILTON - More than 1,000 people flocked to the Hamilton Hometown Christmas event this year, according to event officials.
The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Fifth Annual Hometown Christmas downtown shopping event on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21.

HAMILTON - The Marion County Board of Education is seeking to fill an upcoming vacancy.
During the board’s meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, members voted unanimously to accept letters of interest from those wishing to be considered for appointment to fill the District 3 seat currently occupied by longtime board member Belinda McRae.

HAMILTON - The Marion County Board of Education thanked Marion County School teachers during its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The board’s meeting took place during what the Alabama State Department of Education has declared “Thank Alabama Teachers Week,” which was observed the week of Nov. 16.
“Our teachers have had to go way above and beyond this year. It has been stressful and they have worked very hard,” West said.

Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) released a statement in regard to his new rural broadband legislation, the Enabling Extra Time to Extend Network Deployment (EXTEND) Act on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has showcased the critical need for efficient and reliable rural broadband. Teleworking, telemedicine, and virtual classrooms have been our reality for the better part of eight months, and it could continue into the new year,” said Aderholt.

HAMILTON - Sitel management has confirmed it will close its second call center in Marion County.
The company, which provides outsourced sales, technical support and customer service, has been among the largest employers in Marion County for nearly two decades.