By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West met with Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams as well as police chiefs from every municipality in the county to discuss safety and security in schools for the future.
In attendance were West, Winfield City Schools Superintendent Randy Thomley, Williams, Bear Creek Police Chief Doug Hallman, Hamilton Police Chief Ronny Vickery, Hackleburg Police Chief Kenny Hallmark, Guin Police Chief Doug Webb and Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
SHOTTSVILLE — Both the Shottsville and Byrd fire departments were called to a major emergency situation during the stormy conditions that occurred on the night of Saturday, July 30.
Shottsville Fire Department was the first to arrive on the scene to respond to the fire located on County Highway 56 at the facility operated by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company of Kinder Morgan.
“We just saw a big ball of fire on top of one of the buildings,” said Shottsville Fire  Chief Jeff Williams.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — After the massive success of the Marion County Stampede just a few months ago, county resident Jamie Gann plans to bring more horse events on a more regular basis to the youth and other residents of Marion County.
During a regular meeting held on Monday, July 18, at the commission office in Hamilton, Gann suggested that the county lease him property located just off of Highway 43 South.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council recognized the 8U boys Dixie Youth state champions and discussed plans to honor World Championships silver medalist Trey Cunningham during its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 19.
Players and coaches of the team stood holding a celebratory banner as the council passed a resolution recognizing them for their achievements.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Hamilton business owners Watha Williams and Darryl Crabtree voiced their concerns about the potential removal of the stop light located on First Avenue Southeast in downtown Hamilton.
In May, Hamilton Mayor Bob Page and the Hamilton City Council voted to take down the stop light on First Avenue Southeast in order to alleviate traffic that builds up on Military Street’s main intersection near the Marion County Courthouse.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON —Hamilton resident James Ray McCracken was arrested on suspected murder in the first degree charges this weekend on Saturday, July 23, in Hamilton.
The Hamilton Police Department, along with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, made the arrest on the day of the incident.
McCracken, 77, born in November of 1944, is currently being held in the Marion County Jail in Hamilton on a $500,000 bond.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Miss Hamilton, Emee Baldwin, and Miss Hamilton’s Outstanding Teen, Harper Howard, attended the Hamilton City Council to speak to the mayor and council about their time in Hamilton and their goals after winning the competitions.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — The heat in Alabama, while not entirely abnormal for a July in the state, may have some farmers and gardeners slightly worried about droughts in the area.
While Marion County has certainly been no dust bowl this year, a recent report by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Marion County is facing abnormally dry to moderate drought this summer.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Police Department’s newly formed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team swept the halls and cleared the classrooms of Winfield City High School on Thursday, July 7, during a training exercise.
Officers engaged in drills using unloaded weapons and trained using Simunition, blank cartridges that fire a paint marker and allow officers to safely train with real firearms without risk of severe injury.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
EUGENE, ORE. — Winfield native Trey Cunningham won second place and a silver medal in the men’s 110-meter hurdle at the World Championships on Sunday night, July 17.
Cunningham crossed the finish line with a time of 13.08, a few hundredths of a second behind teammate and defending world champion Grant Holloway, who finished in 13.03.

MARION COUNTY — Alabama’s 17th annual sales tax holiday for school-related items begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 15, and ends at midnight Sunday, July 17, giving individuals the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, books and clothing free of the state’s four percent sales or use tax.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
BRILLIANT — Brilliant Veteran Leif Dickinson had the honor of participating in carrying the American flag during a major relay called the Old Glory Relay on Tuesday, July 5, in downtown Brilliant.
Dickinson, along with the Salute for Veterans program, ran 2.6 miles straight through the heart of his hometown, with the last half-mile stretching up a steep incline.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — The Ramp in Hamilton kicked off its annual Summer Ramp event on Thursday, June 23, inviting over 1,000 young people from around the world to Hamilton to join the event.
The ministry, led by Hamilton native Karen Wheaton, holds several conferences every year, bringing young people to Hamilton to participate in Christian worship gatherings.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — An Alabama law prohibiting transgender K-12 students from using the bathroom which aligns with their gender identity, while also prohibiting discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation, is now law and will be up for vote as a new rule for schools in the state this week.
While the law came into effect in April of this year, The Alabama Board of Education voted whether or not to implement the new law as a rule for schools in the state.

By Jamie Gianopulos
Courtesy of the
Veterans Care
Coordination
HAMILTON — Hamilton-born James Minor was no stranger to hard work.
As the son of a sharecropper, he grew up in Alabama very poor but learned from his father the value of hard work. The family worked extremely hard year-round, which was necessary for survival. Minor was always very mechanically inclined. He could work on any motor, troubleshoot any issues and quickly fix them, keeping necessary equipment always running.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The City of Winfield will be raising garbage pickup rates later this year from $14 to $16 per month.
The Winfield City Council voted to approve the rate increase during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 21, citing the rising cost of fuel and the increase in rates charged by landfills.