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.

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.

HAMILTON – The Jerry Brown Arts Festival is gearing up for another year.
During the Hamilton City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, officials authorized the Northwest Alabama Arts Council     to host its 18th Jerry Brown Arts Festival event, which will take place March 7 and 8 at Tombigbee’s facility off of County Road 55.
At the request of arts council president Dr. Dan Dunkin, the council also waived business license requirements for participating artists and vendors. Durkin noted that each vendor is still required to record and collect sales taxes.

HAMILTON – City officials are weighing whether or not to consider bumping the pay for elected city officials.
With municipal elections quickly approaching in the summer, Hamilton Mayor Bob Page told the Hamilton City Council at a work session on Wednesday, Jan. 15, that if it wished to authorize a pay increase, now would be the time to do so.
An administration pay increase would bump compensation for city council members and the mayor’s office, and it would not go into effect until a newly elected council and mayor are seated.