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Black bear struck and killed on I-22
WINFIELD — A black bear was struck and killed by a motor vehicle on I-22 near Exit 30 in Winfield on Thursday morning, May 21.
The male bear weighed in at around 200 pounds. Photos of the bear were shared widely across social media on Thursday due to the rare nature of bear sightings in the area.
According to Alabama Forestry Commission Forestry Specialist Supervisor Joel Bartlett, bear sightings are exciting, but not unheard of in the State of Alabama and Marion County.
Brilliant Farmers Market opens June 6
BRILLIANT — Brilliant Town Councilor Sondra Kinsey is helping to head up a farmers market in Brilliant. She recently provided more information on plans for the market during an interview.
Hamilton mayor explains proposed zoning and ordinance changes
HAMILTON — At the Hamilton City Council’s Monday, May 18, meeting, separate discussions were held on possible changes to zoning ordinances, as well as changes to Ordinance 409, which deals with livestock enclosure regulations within corporate limits.
Alabama residents in hot water in Hot Springs Haleyville man, Hamilton woman face felony drug and gun related charges in Arkansas
Lauren Brittany Nicole Detwiler
HOT SPRINGS, ARK. — A Hamilton woman and a Haleyville man have been arrested in Arkansas on numerous drug-related charges on Sunday, May 10.
Marion County - Rankin Fite Airport hosting plethora of planes
Rankin Fite Airport
HAMILTON — The Marion County - Rankin Fite Airport is the temporary home of several planes as Sanders Flight Training out of Jasper uses the facility for the next few months.
Sanders’ usual home runway in Jasper is being resurfaced, which has brought them to Hamilton in the meantime.
Gift shop reopens at North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton
Right, North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton Administrator Cathy Mitchell, center, celebrates the reopening of the hospital gift shop with Marion Regional Auxiliary volunteers, from left, Belinda McRae, Linda Potts, Pamela Perkerson, Shelia Wiginton and Belva Wiginton. The gift shop is currently open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
HAMILTON — The Gift Shop at North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton is once again welcoming visitors and staff to browse for gifts and necessities.
New chiropractic clinic opens in Hamilton
Dr Mel Bishop and Chelsea Caldwell
The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Hamilton Family Chiropractic Clinic on Friday, May 1, at their location at 1897 Military Street South in Hamilton. Owner and chiropractor Dr. Mel Bishop (right), shown with clinic massage therapist Chelsea Caldwell, says she is excited about helping the community feel better and live better. The friendly, faith-based staff also includes “Ollie,” the clinic’s four-legged companion. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
HPD investigator resigns after recent arrest
Cody McCullar
HAMILTON —A Hamilton Police Department investigator with a great record recently resigned after being arrested in Tuscaloosa by the Northport Police Department.
Dyson McLemore of Brilliant takes third place in state drawing contest
Dyson McLemore is shown with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and his “2026 Governor’s Mansion Art Contest” winning entry, while Ivey holds his official certificate.
BRILLIANT — Dyson McLemore, age 9, a fourth-grader at Brilliant Elementary School, recently won third-place in a statewide drawing contest for fourth graders.
Graduation dates set
Marion County Schools:
All on Thursday, May 21
• Brilliant High School, 7 p.m., Brilliant High school Gym;
• Hackleburg High School, 6 p.m., Hackleburg High School Gym;
• Hamilton High School, 8 p.m., Sargent Stadium;
• Marion County High School, 7:30 p.m., Rayburn Stadium;
• Phillips High School, 7 p.m., Phillips High School Gym.
*Rain locations in the past have been the high school gyms.
Winfield City:
Sunday, May 17
• Winfield City High School, 3 p.m., Winfield City High School Gym.
Annual George Tucker reunion set for May 16
George Tucker’s grave at Hopewell Cemetery is shown. Descendants will gather on Saturday, May 16, at the Glen Allen Community Center for the annual reunion.
Two hundred and eighty years ago in Amelia County, Va., a child was born to Thomas and Margaret Tucker. They named him George. He moved with his family to North Carolina and later to Wilkes County, Ga. George became a patriot and joined the Continental Army fighting in several battles in the south during the War of Independence, including the important battle of Cowpens, S.C. He was promoted to rank of lieutenant during his military career. George married Rebecca Leverett of whom all of his descendants come through. After Rebecca’s death, George and his father relocated to Jasper County, Ga, where he married Martha Nichols. Thomas Tucker died in Jasper County at the age of 105. George then migrated to Marion County, now Fayette County, Ala., in the community of Bazemore. George lived to be 106 and is buried at Hopewell Cemetery near Glen Allen, in Fayette County.
205 Boxing Club members fight this Saturday
A poster is advertising Felipe Alay’s first ever fight this Saturday.
HACKLEBURG — 205 Boxing Club has three fighters competing at Hollywood Casino in Tunica, Miss., this Saturday, May 16.
Big money for Brilliant! SEEDS grant check presented by state official
Representing Governor Kay Ivey’s office in her role as deputy secretary and general counsel, Erika McKay (second from left) visited the Town of Brilliant on Wednesday, April 15, for the official SEEDS grant award presentation of $471,236 to be used by the town for upgrades to its Gateway I-22 Industrial Park West. Also shown, from left, are C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance President and CEO Tom Wisemiller, Brilliant Mayor Perry Franks and Brilliant Town Council members Mary Ann Hardin and Sondra Kinsey.
BRILLIANT — Governor Kay Ivey sent a representative from her office to officially present the Town of Brilliant with a giant check in the amount of $471,236 for their recent SEEDS grant award.
Winfield Fire Department secures $525k in state funding for new station
The Winfield Fire Department will soon be adding another fire station thanks to state grant funding.
WINFIELD — The City of Winfield Fire Department has announced it has secured $525,000 in state grant funding for a new fire station to be constructed near I-22.
‘Veteran Honor Banners’ approved for display in Hackleburg
HACKLEBURG “Veteran Honor Banners” may soon be displayed in Hackleburg after a measure was approved during the Hackleburg Town Council meeting on Monday, April 20.
Marion County Historical Society awarded $6,000 RC&D grant
Marion County Historical Society President Mike Williams thanked officials with RC&D for their recent $6,000 grant award.
HAMILTON — Marion County Historical Society President Mike Williams stopped by the Journal-Record lately wanting to acknowledge a $6,000 Northwest Alabama Resource and Conservation Development grant awarded for 2026.
Community mourns brothers lost in crash
Brothers Braden, 17 (left), and Braxton Canterberry died last Wednesday in a vehicle crash.
BRILLIANT — The Brilliant community is mourning the loss of two young men after a vehicle accident that left a third in critical condition last Wednesday morning.
Former Hamilton PD officer arrested on a felony charge
Mardrea Massey
HAMILTON — A former Hamilton Police Department officer has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor child exploitation charges. Mardrea Dashawn Massey, also known as Drea Massey, 31, of Sulligent, was arrested on Tuesday, April 21, on a felony charge of a school employee engaging in a sex act with a student who is under the age of 19 years, along with a misdemeanor charge of, being a school employee, distributing or transmitting obscene matter that depicts sexual matters. Massey was placed in the Marion County Jail.
15th Annual Pine Hills & Oak Hollars Child’s Classic is blessed; provides bountiful blessings
Several hunters and volunteers gathered for a group photo on Saturday, Jan. 10, after the last hunt of the special weekend. Shown from left are David Cochran, Trenton Palmer, Joseph Aycock, Kenneth Cooper, Justin Kerr, Zane Kerr, Jake Robinson, Huckleberry Cooper-Booth, Brian Gentry, Easton Carter, Dale Raper, Roy Galbraith, Karston Cook, Jordan Humphres, Zach Taylor, Ayden Ortiz, Hunter Carter, Dalton Davis, Bobby Joe Childers and Noah Carter.
HAMILTON — The weather forecast for the 15th Annual Pine Hills & Oak Hollars Child’s Classic on Jan. 8-11 wasn’t very hopeful, but hunt originator Jeff Carter noted the Good Lord had other plans.