Winfield

Winfield prepares 2023 city budget

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council will be voting on the city’s fiscal year 2023 budget in an upcoming meeting during the month of October.
The council discussed the budget during its last meeting for September on the Sept. 20. The council discussed aspects of the budget, but a few items were still being planned and subject to change within the next few weeks.
The council planned to have a work session yesterday, Sept. 27, but it was canceled when a quorum could not be reached on that date.

Bill West remembered as mayor, inspirational teacher

Bill West

Bill West, a former mayor of Winfield, passed away last week.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — Former Winfield Mayor William “Bill” West passed away Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. West was mayor for two terms from 2000-2008.
West was instrumental in helping the city build the storm shelter next to city hall through grant money and other projects, according to former city clerk Candy Reed.
Before being elected mayor, West was a history teacher at Winfield City High School, a role in which many former students say he inspired them.

Winfield 8U boys leave for Dothan

The Dixie Youth 8U Winfield boys pose for a picture before leaving for Dothan on Wednesday, July 27, for competition in the Dixie Youth World Series. Back row from left are Avery Tucker, Kolbe Windham, Brooks Riley, Ridge Stocks, Blaine McNeal and Lee Roland. Front row from left are Ames Poole, Chason Bonds, Case Miles, Erik Butsykin and Brock Corkren.

By P.J. Gossett
General Manager
WINFIELD — The Dixie Youth 8U boys team at Winfield left last Wednesday, July 27, headed for the James Oates Park in Dothan for the Dixie Youth World Series, where they will compete against 12 other states. The team won the 2022 state championship against Fayette on July 11, giving them a record of 18-1.

SWAT trains for shooter response

Justin Cottingham

Justin Cottingham eases around the corner just out of a classroom in the hallway of Winfield City High School during a SWAT training exercise.

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.

Cunningham wins silver for Team USA

Cunningham

Trey Cunningham

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.

Seals signs with Jacksonville State

Seals Signing

Winfield’s Lydia Seals is signing with Jacksonville State University, where she will run track. Back row, from left, are Assistant Coach Alex Rodriguez, Head Track Coach Steve Reaves and Winfield High School Principal Adam Aldridge. Front row, from left are Jeanette Seals (mother), Lydia Seals and Jake Seals (father).

Winfield approves pay raise and sells storm scraps

Storm Scraps

The remains of a fallen city Christmas tree decoration are beside roof debris left behind by the tornado that struck downtown Winfield on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The city accepted bids to purchase all of the debris by multiple individuals.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council voted to move forward with plans to give a one-time pay raise to all full-time and part-time city employees using American Rescue Plan funds during its regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20.
The raise had been a subject of discussion for several weeks after mayor Randy Price asked the council to make sure they were keeping track of the numerous projects the city was undertaking which were eligible for the same funds.

Mary Dale’s Birthday parade

Mary Dale

Top photo: Mary Dale Barker (Center) celebrating her 100th birthday with her family: her son, Gary Barker (back), his son Todd Barker (right) and his wife Stacey (left).
Bottom photo: Dozens of people stopped by with signs and balloons to wish Barker a happy birthday. [Luke brantley/staff]

By Luke Brantley
Staff Writer

WINFIELD — Family and friends put together a  birthday parade celebration for Mary Dale Barker’s 100th birthday on Friday, Sept. 10 at Country Place Senior Living in Winfield.

Winfield City police and firefighters led the parade, made up of friends from the community who stopped by to wish Barker a happy birthday from their car windows.
“I feel good,” Barker said about turning 100. “Today was so nice!”
Barker was born in 1921 and grew up in Sulligent, before moving to Winfield where she has lived most of her life.

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