Wilds family farm recognized by state
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.
Bond revocation bill will bear Aniah Blanchard’s name
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.
Neighbor Day set for April 24 and 25
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.
Deaver art collection on display in city hall
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.
Council will take owners of unkept property to court
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.
Lamar County Gas District acquisition a success
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.
ADPH joins coronavirus prevention effort
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.
Estes working on terrorist registry bill
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.
Officials say police dept. needs two more officers
GUIN – Councilors say the City of Guin needs additional help in its police department.
During a Guin City Council meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, councilman Roger Agnew asked Guin Police Chief Doug Webb why the police department couldn’t schedule two officers during night shifts.
Webb said the police force currently has an open position it needs to fill. According to Webb, various agencies and sheriff’s deputies are assisting the department during night-time calls.