MARION COUNTY -  Today marks the official 2020 Census Day in which individuals are officially counted in their homes.
The Census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories.
In mid-March, homes across the country began receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census in the mail. Once the invitation arrives, individuals should respond for their homes in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.

HACKLEBURG - PeoplesTrust Bank has agreed to cover any outstanding legal fees it incurred on behalf of the Town of Hackleburg when it was attempting to save its local grocery store.
Former Hackleburg Market owner Wally Kemp announced in July 2019 that he was shutting down his store after five years of operations.
When news emerged that the town’s grocer would be closing last summer, the town sought to purchase the $2-million facility and its equipment.

GUIN -  The Guin City Council unanimously approved a proclamation made by Guin Mayor Max Maddox regarding the COVID-19 response plan for the city during a regular meeting on Monday, March 16, at Guin City Hall.
Councilman Bobby Bellew read aloud the proclamation in which the city has ordered for the closing of all City of Guin-owned facility or property, including Guin city hall, Guin public safety, Guin public library, Guin recreation center, Guin senior center, and the city’s public parks.

HAMILTON -  Marion County District 2 Commissioner Kenneth Cochran called a prayer meeting with the Marion County Commissioners, Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, Marion County Courthouse staff and other members of the community on Friday, March 20, in front of the courthouse in Hamilton.
Cochran called the prayer meeting to pray for the county and the entire nation concerning the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

HAMILTON - Rumors and hear-say are just more issues to handle for officials in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marion County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Eric Terrell urged numerous county and industry officials on Wednesday, March 25, to stomp out misinformation the best they can.

HAMILTON - The collapse of the lunchroom kitchen floor in Guin may have been due to missing vents in the design of the building, according to state inspectors.
Lathan Associates Architects Vice President Shawn Calma met with the Marion County Board of Education on a video call during a meeting on Wednesday, March 18.
The kitchen floor partially collapsed on Friday afternoon, Feb. 21, while lunchroom staff were working. No one was injured.

WINFIELD -  Former Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Medical Center-Winfield Robert Henger and his wife, Jan, received keys to the City of Winfield for their service to the community during a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, at Winfield City Hall.
Mayor Randy Price presented the keys to the Hengers and thanked them for their contribution to the Winfield community through the hospital.
“Bob has stepped in several times to lead us in the right way and make sure the hospital operates in the way that it should,” said Price.

HAMILTON - A state health officer has commended Marion County’s local hospitals for measures taken to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
“I have to commend you for what you’re doing,” Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Northern District Administrator Judy Smith told hospital administrators from North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC)-Hamilton and Northwest Medical Center in Winfield.

HAMILTON - A new Marion County Jail is beginning to become more of a reality.
The Hamilton City Council voted unanimously during its Monday, March 16, meeting to pledge $200,000 a year to the Marion County Commission to help cover payments for up to a $10 million bond for a new jail.
The pledge was passed with a provision that the commission not raise lock-up fees for the Hamilton Police Department.

MARION COUNTY -  The Marion County Commission urges citizens to be diligent in their efforts to stay informed and to participate in mitigation activities to help reduce the exposure and spread of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus.

HAMILTON - Adhering to state-ordered health policies could reduce the local impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by 80%, said state Sen. Garlan Gudger, during a meeting with 19 Marion County industry leaders and officials.
The senator and state Rep. Tracy Estes met with a cross-section of officials in law enforcement, health care and education on Wednesday morning, March 25, to discuss the local response and needs associated with the coronavirus outbreak.

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation giving governmental bodies in the state the ability to hold meetings via telephone conference, video conference or other similar communications equipment.
The proclamation affects bodies such as the Marion County Commission, city and town councils and boards of education within the county that are unable to hold open public meetings with 25 or more individuals.
This is due to new guidelines under the current state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

MONTGOMERY -  Gov. Kay Ivey rescheduled the runoff election originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, for Tuesday, July 14.
This occurred following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the State of Alabama and the declaration of a National Emergency by President Donald Trump and the declaration of a State of Emergency by Ivey.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill requested an emergency opinion from Alabama Attorney General  Steve Marshall’s Office related to the possible postponement of the March 31 Runoff Election.

HAMILTON - The Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) is continuing to grow in profitability.
Gas district accountant Greg Guin presented the Fiscal Year 2019 audit during a NWAGD board meeting on Monday, March 2, telling the board there is $1.6 million available to be declared as ANDI monies, which stands for “annual net distributable income.”

HAMILTON - NTN-Bower Hamilton was recently involved in creating a sensory board for the Hamilton middle and elementary schools.
The sensory board will allow students to take a break from classwork and recharge. The board gives them an opportunity to use their fine and gross motor skills.
The idea for sensory boards at the schools was brought to NTN-Bower Hamilton by NTN Vice President and Treasurer Steve Hensley, whose daughter is a special education teacher who focuses on students with autism.