County-wide alert system coming soon

Marion County EMA Director Russ Taylor is raving in a good way about the new Rave Alert Mass Notification System.

Marion County EMA Director Russ Taylor is raving in a good way about the new Rave Alert Mass Notification System.
MARION COUNTY — The Rave Alert Mass Notification System is coming to Marion County soon, and will give officials the ability to send urgent emergency and non-emergency messages simultaneously to everyone in the county.

A peek at Marion County Career Academy

Marion County Board of Education Career Tech Director Josh Weatherly (left) is shown with MCBOE Assistant Career Tech Director Benja Jackson right after their interview with the newspaper regarding the new Marion County Career Academy.

Marion County Board of Education Career Tech Director Josh Weatherly (left) is shown with MCBOE Assistant Career Tech Director Benja Jackson right after their interview with the newspaper regarding the new Marion County Career Academy.

MARION COUNTY — When the Marion County Career Academy kicks off this fall, students will have a huge opportunity to further their education and prepare for their futures, while also saving their parents (and themselves) a lot of money on career tech and college courses.

End of an era: UPS closes Winfield facility

A photo of some of the employees who have worked at the Winfield UPS facility. The building was closed on Monday, June 22, after more than five decades of providing delivery service for Marion County and the surrounding area.

A photo of some of the employees who have worked at the Winfield UPS facility. The building was closed on Monday, June 22, after more than five decades of providing delivery service for Marion County and the surrounding area.
WINFIELD — The United Parcel Service facility in Winfield closed on Monday, June 22. According to a statement from UPS, the company has offered to move employees to other positions at other locations.

Fire-related death in Shiloh community; home a total loss

Not much is left standing after a structure fire at a residence in the Shiloh community on June 9.

Not much is left standing after a structure fire at a residence in the Shiloh community on June 9.

SHILOH — The death of Shiloh community resident Linda J. Collins, age 76, remains under investigation by the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office after she was found deceased on her front porch by firefighters during a structure fire at her residence on Tuesday, June 9. Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Kyle Silas said his department was notified by E-911 at 12:57 a.m., and arrived at the location of 28620 U.S. Highway 43 at 1:07 a.m.

Friendship Festival in Bear Creek set for Saturday, June 27

An overhead view from last year’s event shows Twin Forks Park on Upper Bear Creek and vehicles and vendors set up for the Friendship Festival.

An overhead view from last year’s event shows Twin Forks Park on Upper Bear Creek and vehicles and vendors set up for the Friendship Festival.

BEAR CREEK — Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, the Town of Bear Creek will hold it’s annual Friendship Festival on Saturday, June 27, at Twin Forks Park, located on Upper Bear Creek. Organizers noted, “Red, white and blue - food, music and community! Bring your family. Bring your lawn chair. Come celebrate community, freedom and friendship.”
Event highlights include live music all day, food and craft vendors, a truck and car show and the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and last till 10 p.m.

Freedom Fiber crews quickly restore fiber lines after over-height equipment encounter

.
HAMILTON — In less than 12 hours on Wednesday, June 3, Freedom Fiber crews from Tombigbee Communications restored internet service to all of their customers after a truck hauling a trackhoe snagged into mainline fiber lines, dragging down a pole and impacting several service areas.
Subscribe to