HAMILTON – The following are highlights about the major local positions that candidates are now qualifying for in the March 3, 2020, primaries.
Qualifying for the party primary elections ended Nov. 8, 2019. Independent candidates may qualify until March 3 to run in the November 2020 general election.
Marion County
Superintendent of Education

HAMILTON – Wilds Horse and Cattle Company has been designated as an Alabama Century & Heritage Farm.
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Assistant Commissioner Bob Plaster presented farm owner Jason Wilds and his family with a certificate and signage honoring his family’s farm during a Marion County Cattlemen’s Association meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23, in Hamilton.

MONTGOMERY – A bond revocation bill is expected to be filed for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, announced on social media on Wednesday, Jan. 23, that bill sponsor Rep. Chip Brown, R-Mobile, plans to file the bill, which would be an amendment to the state constitution.
Estes said he had the honor of assisting with the bill and that it has been named “Aniah’s Law” in memory of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, who was murdered after allegedly being kidnapped by 29-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed.

HACKLEBURG – The 19th Annual Neighbor Day festival has been set for Friday night and Saturday, April 24 and 25.
The Hackleburg Town Council voted 5-0 to set the town’s Neighbor Day festival for the fourth weekend in April during its Monday, Jan. 27, meeting. Councilwoman Tabby Lolley was absent.
The council had previously discussed the possibility of moving Neighbor Day and combining it with the July 4th Fireworks Celebration during its Dec. 19, 2019, meeting. Holding the festival the first weekend of May was also discussed.

HAMILTON – If you have been into Hamilton City Hall since December, you have had the pleasure of being welcomed by a large collection of artwork on display.
For the last two months, Guin resident Steve Lolley has displayed 10 original Fred Deaver paintings and several prints from his personal collection in the reception era of the Fite House.

GUIN – City officials are looking to crack down on dirty properties and untidy lawns.
Councilman Roger Agnew introduced the topic during the Guin City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, asking how the city can address unkept and trashed property.
Guin City Clerk Rebeca Markham told Agnew that this can be done through the court system.

HAMILTON - “It’s been a good move for us,” said Northwest Alabama Gas District (NWAGD) General Manager Heath Reed about the recent acquisition of the Vernon-based Lamar County Gas District.
NWAGD recently acquired Lamar County Gas District on Jan. 1, adding approximately 1,300 customers to NWAGD throughout Lamar and Pickens counties.
Reed stated that NWAGD will be gaining approximately 40 chicken houses and 45 residential houses as their customers by the spring.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is in close communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concerning reports of the coronavirus.
The CDC is closely monitoring an evolving outbreak caused by the new coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Chinese authorities first identified the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, which has resulted in more than 830 confirmed human infections in China with several deaths reported.

MONTGOMERY – The 2020 Legislative Session will begin Tuesday, Feb. 4, and Marion County’s state representative is expecting the Legislature to tackle some big-issue items.
House District 17 Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, spoke with the Journal Record in a phone interview on Tuesday, Jan. 14, noting that the Legislature will have 105 calendar days to complete 30 legislative workdays. The Legislature will adjourn the session by May 19.