Montreze Watkins

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Brilliant man arrested for threatening students
BRILLIANT — A Brilliant man was arrested for threatening two Brilliant High School students through social media on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24.
“There (were students who were) threatened by someone who was not a student,” said Brilliant Police Chief Robert Snow. “Due to the timing and nature of the threats, they put the school on lockdown. We responded, and the sheriff’s department came with us. We found the guy who was making the threats away from the school, and he was arrested.”

Members of the school board and city council join coaches and others to break ground on the new stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Left to right: Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Simmons, Chief Financial Officer Sonia Chism, City Councilman James Odom, Track a

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Winfield schools break ground on new stadium
WINFIELD — Winfield City Schools broke ground on its new football and track stadium facility, which will also include a new softball concession stand, on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Members of the school board and city council joined with football coach David McKinney, track and field coach Steve Reaves and long-time supporter of Winfield athletics Parker Spann at the site as ground work begins for the new complex.

Dawson Philanthropy Chief Executive Director Seth Dawson spoke to the Hamilton City Council on Oct. 7 regarding his organization’s relief efforts in hurricane-devastated areas. Hamilton council hears from Dawson Philanthropy

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HAMILTON — Before the Oct. 7 Hamilton City Council meeting, those present heard from Seth Dawson of Dawson Philanthropy, concerning his organization’s ongoing efforts to help with relief efforts in hurricane-devastated areas in Florida and North Carolina.
He said his organization would be taking supplies to the areas in full knowledge that boats would possibly be needed to get them delivered to those in need. He also stressed his team members would be keeping safety in mind as they went to help “our brothers and sisters in the south.”

Ongoing water related projects discussed at Sept. council meeting

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HAMILTON — During its Monday, Sept. 16, meeting, members of the Hamilton City Council heard from Water Department Manager Rodney Williams regarding several updates of ongoing projects.
• Regarding the County Road 49 project, where the city is working to obtain a backup water supply, Williams said he had received confirmation from ADEM that a grant would be awarded for $162,175 to tie in with the Marion County Water Authority system.

Hamilton purchases land across from Hamilton Track Complex

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HAMILTON — The Hamilton City Council recently authorized the purchase of 6.03 acres of land located across from the Hamilton Track Complex to be used for additional parking.
Known as the Lawhon property, funds totalling $126,630 were paid for the land on County Highway 42.
Approximately $66,630 of the monies came from the city’s general fund, with the remainder of $60,000 coming out of the city’s capital improvement fund account.
Other council business on Sept. 16 included the following:

Christmas for Kids charity should surpass $1 million

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HAMILTON — Christmas for Kids has returned for another year in Hamilton and will aim to help kids in the community this holiday season. The organization is ready to take applications beginning in November.
The charity, started in 1985, will begin its 39th year this November. Individuals donate money to the charity, and they in turn help children in Hamilton and Marion County by purchasing clothes and other items for families.
To date, the organization has raised $970,066.96 for kids. Gifts have been donated to 12,965 children since the program began.

Northwest RC&D holds FY 2024 completion project


Shown from left are grant recipients and Northwest RC&D officials. They are Ginger Eatman, SNAP-Ed regional Extension agent; Ann West, Marion County Schools superintendent; Don Barnwell, RC&D board member and Hackleburg councilor; Kenneth Cochran, Marion County Commission; Ray Cantrell, with Craft Volunteer Fire Department; Carla Lewis with Marion County Extension; Vanessa King, operation manager at NWRC&D; Gina Bryant with Winfield Park and Recreation; Anna Morrison, NWRC&D outreach coordinator; Lauranne James, NWRC&D executive director; Greg Gunnin, with the Marion County Commission; Trey George, Hackleburg High School principal; Josh Weatherly, Guin Elementary School principal; Senator Garlan Gudger; Gary McCarley, Hamilton Elementary School principal; and Joan Canterberry, with Brilliant Chamber of Commerce.
HACKLEBURG — The Northwest Resource and Conservation Development Council, in partnership with the Alabama Legislature, met with officials on Monday, Sept. 30, at Hackleburg High School to announce the completion of projects in fiscal year 2024.

Elks Lodge members donate $2,000, feel blessed to assist with food drive


Fulton Bridge Baptist Church Pastor Shane Stidham (far left) was presented with a $2,000 donation from Marion County Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Jack McDaniel and treasurer Vickie Hayes on Aug. 22 at the church immediately before one of its community food drives.
Among the volunteers assisting with the food drive at Fulton Bridge Baptist Church on Aug. 22 were a number of members from the Marion County Elks Lodge.

Fire at Northwest Alabamian delays printing


Dark smoke billows out of the side door to the press room at the Northwest Alabamian Monday, Sept. 23, as Haleyville firefighters suit up to go in and battle the fire.
HALEYVILLE — An electrical fire contained to the press room area of the Northwest Alabamian newspaper office on Monday, Sept. 23, did not result in any injuries to employees, but did cause an evacuation of the building and a temporary shutdown of the business, affecting deadline schedules last week.

Speed limit change on Lewis Hill; other Hamilton council updates


This speed limit sign on Highway 43 going down Lewis Hill toward Interstate 22 was recently changed from 45 mph to 50 mph as a safety measure.
HAMILTON — Before the start of two city meetings on Aug. 19, Hamilton Mayor Bob Page said he was notified earlier that day by Wes Spiller of the local Alabama Department of Transportation that they were changing the speed limit on Highway 43 South as you go down Lewis Hill, past where the trooper station is toward I-22.