Vinson addresses Hamilton council, thanks those involved with finding her lost mother

HAMILTON — During their Jan. 21 Hamilton City Council meeting, mayor Bob Page noted Kimmy (Burleson) Vinson spoke to those present and the media and thanked everyone involved with helping to locate her mother, Brenda Tice Burleson, 74, who had been reported missing on Jan. 14 and was found later that same day.

Bear Creek to have 24-hour police service

New Bear Creek Police officer Matt Morrison is sworn into office by Town Attorney Jeff Mobley at the town council's December meeting. Shown holding the Holy Bible is Town Clerk Kay Wiginton.

New Bear Creek Police officer Matt Morrison is sworn into office by Town Attorney Jeff Mobley at the town council's December meeting. Shown holding the Holy Bible is Town Clerk Kay Wiginton.
BEAR CREEK — For the first time in over two decades, Bear Creek is being patrolled by the town’s police department 24 hours a day, thanks to the latest officer hired with a $103,800 COPS Hire grant through the U.S. Department of Justice.

Escaped inmate recaptured in Texas

Pierson Mckinnley Anthony escaped from the Alabama Department of Corrections in Hamilton over the weekend and was recaptured in Texas. Photo courtesy of Collins County Jail.

Pierson Mckinnley Anthony escaped from the Alabama Department of Corrections in Hamilton over the weekend and was recaptured in Texas. Photo courtesy of Collins County Jail.
HAMILTON — Pierson Mckinnley Anthony, an inmate with the Alabama Department of Corrections in the Hamilton Community Based Facility and Community Work Center, escaped on Saturday, Jan. 25, at approximately 11:20 p.m. An escape report was issued by the ADOC at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 26.

Search continues for missing Hamilton woman

Hamilton police and Alabama state troopers blocked County Highway 45 on Monday, Jan. 13, to search the area for Chastity Ann Terry, who they think may have been walking along the road.

Hamilton police and Alabama state troopers blocked County Highway 45 on Monday, Jan. 13, to search the area for Chastity Ann Terry, who they think may have been walking along the road.

*The following story is based on the most up-to-date information as of the Journal-Record’s press deadline on Monday evening, Jan. 20.
The search for Chastity Ann Terry continues, as of Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, after she was declared missing just over a week before.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams said on Jan. 16, first responders of various departments and agencies were coming together to begin a grid search of the wooded areas near the site where they believe she might have gone missing.

Police search for missing woman

Chastity Terry

Chastity Terry
HAMILTON — State, county and local law enforcement agencies are continuing the search for Chastity Ann Terry, 39, and who is considered a missing person. She was last seen on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, according to a release from the Hamilton Police Department that was posted late Sunday night.

Charges against Estes dismissed

Misdemeanor domestic violence charges against State Representative Tracy Estes, who was arrested in September, 2024, based on an alleged incident that took place a month prior, have been dismissed, in return for conditions outlined in a plea agreement reached Thursday, Jan. 9, in Marion County District Court.

Hamilton renews C3 partnership

HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton renewed its membership with the C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance on Nov. 18 for $25,000 for fiscal year 2025 for its continued efforts to recruit businesses, jobs and economic development within the 3-county region of Marion, Fayette and Lamar.

County sustains light storm damage Dec. 28

Tina Poston shares a photo of damage at her home in Brilliant. A camper was heavily damaged when a tree fell on it during the storm on Dec. 28.

Tina Poston shares a photo of damage at her home in Brilliant. A camper was heavily damaged when a tree fell on it during the storm on Dec. 28.
MARION COUNTY — A fast-moving storm passed through Marion County on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, dealing some damage to a few homes and knocking out power in parts of the county. Marion County was placed under a tornado warning that night, which was issued by the National Weather Service at 9:48 p.m. after radar detected rotation.

Ainsworth to be featured speaker at C3 event

Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth will be the featured speaker at the 14th Annual State of the Region C3 meeting on Jan. 16.

Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth will be the featured speaker at the 14th Annual State of the Region C3 meeting on Jan. 16.
GUIN — The 14th Annual “State of the Region” Meeting of C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance, Inc. will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. This event will be at the Vernon City Hall at 44425 State Highway 17 in Vernon.

Hamilton Elementary named Distinguished School

Hamilton Elementary School has been selected as a Distinguished School by the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act pro- gram. Shown above are Marion County Superintendent Ann West rec- ognizing HES Principal Gary McCarley with a plaque. Shown in the back are Sandra Loden, left, and Lisa Wiginton.

Hamilton Elementary School has been selected as a Distinguished School by the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act pro- gram. Shown above are Marion County Superintendent Ann West rec- ognizing HES Principal Gary McCarley with a plaque. Shown in the back are Sandra Loden, left, and Lisa Wiginton.

HAMILTON — The Alabama State Board of Education has named Hamilton Elementary School to the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s Distinguished School’s program. The state board passed a resolution congratulating the school on Thursday, Dec. 12, and the Marion County Board of Education awarded a plaque to the school at their last board meeting on Dec. 17.
The resolution states the school was
selected for Category 1 of the program, which is awarded for excellence in student performance and academic growth.

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