Never say ‘Never’
I’ve only lived in Hamilton, Alabama, for around a year and a half now, so I guess I’m still relatively new to small-town living.
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We cover meetings, events, games played by our children and yes, even courtroom proceedings.
We don’t make up the stories you read. To the very best of our ability, we cover any of these events--great or small, of the utmost importance to many or only important to a select few.
Long-time officials take oaths once again
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams was sworn into office for a record sixth time on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Marion County Jail in Hamilton. With Williams’ wife, Renee, and their granddaughter, Cara, 4, the daughter of Carl and Lacy Williams, holding the Bible, the sheriff was sworn into office by the official who has performed the ceremony every time since his first swearing-in ceremony in 2003 on his behalf, retired Marion County Judge of Probate Annette Bozeman Haney.
HAMILTON- Two long-time county officials have taken their oaths once again to serve the people.
Marion County Commissioner District 5 (D-5) Bob Burleson and Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams are now the longest serving individuals for their respective capacities.
Marion County commissioners Keith Nichols (D-1) Kenneth Cochran (D-2), Dale Holt (D-3), Tim “Ears” Estes (D-4) and Burleson were all seated after taking oaths at a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.
Board denounces Accountability Act
HAMILTON - Members of the Marion County Board of Education are voicing their concerns over state laws which “divert” education funding to private schools.
Some of the officials are hoping that lawmakers consider toppling Alabama’s Accountability Act (AAA), which passed in 2013.
Cook has plan to increase scores
WINFILED - Winfield City Schools Superintendent Chris Cook has a plan in place to improve his system’s school report card, he said at the WCS Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
Jones emphasizes Census 2020 participation
Scott johnson/staff
Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) Planning and Transportation Director Jesse Turner told the Marion County Commission that the regional agency has found than $10 million in additional funding for Northwest Alabama while confirming addresses for the Census Bureau in preparations for the 2020 Census. Turner said that every counted individual equates to about $1,600 in grant money an area can claim.
HAMILTON - Marion County residents should be readying themselves to participate in the upcoming Census.
Local officials are already being briefed on the vital and rapidly approaching decennial Census in 2020, which will determine the amount of funding and congressional representation Alabama can lay claim to for the next 10 years.
BSCC-Hamilton partners with northwest Alabama homebuilders
An agreement was signed on Jan. 28 between homebuilders from northwest Alabama and Bevill State Community College-Hamilton Campus to partner in an effort to reduce employee turnover and implement the Ready-to-Work (RtW) program to enhance the pre-screening process to develop a strong workforce. Shown posing following the agreement signing are (from left) BSCC President Dr. Kim Ennis, BSCC Dean of Workforce Solutions and Economic Development Al Moore, Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, BSCC Adult Ed Instructor (Ready-to-Work) Randall Muck and BSCC Director of Adult Education Patrick Bolack.
HAMILTON - Bevill State Community College (BSCC) signed an agreement with homebuilders from northwest Alabama on Monday, Jan. 28, to partner in an effort to reduce employee turnover and implement the Ready-to-Work (RtW) program to enhance the pre-screening process to develop a strong workforce. The area homebuilders included in the partnership include Buccaneer Homes, Hamilton; Deer Valley Homebuilders, Inc., Guin; Platinum Homes, Lynn; Southern Homes-Russellville; Sunshine Homes, Inc., Red Bay; and Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., Red Bay and Winfield.
Marbutt sworn in as police chief
New Hackleburg Police Chief Jeremy Marbutt (right) is lead in the oath of office by Hackleburg Town Attorney Tony Glenn (left). Marbutt’s mother, Jerry, held the Bible during the ceremony.
HAMILTON - The Town of Hackleburg has welcomed a new police chief.
Hackleburg Mayor Darryl Colburn announced the hiring of new Hackleburg Police Chief Jeremy Marbutt at a Hackleburg Town Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 14.
During the meeting, Marbutt was sworn-in by Hackleburg Town Attorney Tony Glenn. Marbutt’s mother, Jerry, held the Bible during the ceremony.
Morgan arrested in connection with Sims’ death
•Alleged text directed law enforcement to wrong
residence
Officials discuss water, sewer rates
HAMILTON - On-table proposals to help offset large losses at Hamilton’s sewer and water operations could increase minimum bills by $2.04 for sewer customers and 22 cents for water customers.
During a work session on Wednesday, Jan. 16, Hamilton Water Superintendent Rodney Williams told the Hamilton City Council that increasing residential sewer rates by 10 percent and commercial rates by 30 percent could help soften the costly blow of providing sewer to residents.
Loden Honored
Son Mark Loden (left), daughter LuAnn Harden (center) and wife, Joyce Loden, are shown receiving a memorial plaque honoring their father and husband, the late Billy Loden.
HAMILTON - The late Billy Houston Loden dedicated 42 years of his life as a firefighter in Marion County.
The Marion County Firefighters Association presented a special memorial plaque to Loden’s family during its first meeting of 2019, held on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Bear Creek Community Center.
There to receive the large plaque were Joyce, Loden’s wife of 61 years, and two of their children, Mark Loden and LuAnn (Donny) Harden. Daughter-in-law Sandy Loden and granddaughter Candace Ingram were also present.
40-year reunion of Aggie basketball team brings back many memories for Burleson
I got to Hamilton about five hours before the basketball reunion.
I met teammate Phil Norris for lunch. The lunch was good, but the reminiscing was better.
Organizational session, legislative leadership, potential new legislative stars
The Alabama Legislature has met for its organizational session and elected its leadership for the next four years.
Both the House and Senate leadership remain essentially the same as the last quadrennium.
APCO provides grant to BSCC, challenges community
Bevill State Community College President Dr. Kim Ennis and Alabama Power Company western Division Vice President Mark Crews speak on Jan. 22 after the two announced that APCO is awarding the BSCC-Hamilton Campus a $50,000 Challenge Grant that will go towards building a Student Success Center on the campus.
HAMILTON - Alabama Power Company and the Bevill State Community College-Hamilton Campus are partnering to expand opportunities for workforce development and provide resources to bridge the gap between students and employers.
Officials from Alabama Power (APCO) and BSCC met in the campus’ library on Tuesday, Jan. 22, to announce a $50,000 Challenge Grant from the Alabama Power Foundation that will kick-start the endeavor.
WCHS drama department to host play in Tidwell’s memory
WINFIELD - The theater students at Winfield City High School and the family of the late Scarlett Tidwell are partnering to present a dinner theater to benefit the Scarlett Tidwell Memorial Scholarship fund.
Wrestling event to feature ‘Action’ Mike Jackson in Hackleburg
HACKLEBURG - Central Championship wrestling will present Star Wars-2019, a professional wrestling spectacle at the Hackleburg Recreation Center on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Four matches will take place that will feature such stars as Johnny Swinger, “Action” Mike Jackson, “Hotshot” Bubba Cagle, Mexican Superstar Antonio Garza, Ultimate Dragon, “The King” Cody Windham, and The America Brawlers.