MONTGOMERY -  Gov. Kay Ivey stressed the ongoing importance of the 2020 Census, which is currently underway and available for immediate online, phone or mail response.
“It is an unprecedented time in Alabama, however, we must remain committed to Census participation,” said Gov. Ivey.
“The COVID-19 pandemic shows the importance of state representation on a national level. If we lose a representative due to a low Census count, that would mean one less voice advocating for Alabama’s needs during critical times in the future.”

Marion County has reported its first death due to COVID-19.

See our Wednesday, April 8, edition for in-depth coverage

• According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Brandon Keith Powell, 38, escaped from the Hamilton Community Based Facility/Community Work Center on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:23 p.m.

• Powell was in jail for third-degree burglary in Cherokee County. He was sentenced in August 2019.

In an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19, Marion County's commission and probate judge's offices have issued a 24-hour public safety curfew and countywide at-home quarantine.
The order comes in the wake of Gov. Kay Ivey ordering non-essential businesses to close to the public and schools to finish the 2019-2020 school year from home.
The curfew and quarantine went into effect Monday, March 30, at 5 p.m. and is scheduled through Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m.

HAMILTON - Elizabeth Foster, Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) emergency preparedness coordinator, informed Marion County officials that testing for COVID-19 is now being limited to those who fall under a specific criteria.
This information was given during a meeting involving Emergency Management Agency Director Eric Terrell, several mayors, police officers and the Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams on Tuesday, March 24, at the ADPH building in Hamilton.

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.