Marion County

Marion County basketball season is underway

Kel Battle

Hamilton's Kel Battle dribbles past his defender

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY - The second week of county-wide basketball has come to an end with some teams entering tournaments and even starting their season.
The Winfield Pirates took part in the Phil Campbell Thanksgiving Tournament this past week. Winfield won their first game against Rogers 60-56, but fell to Shoals Christian in the semi-finals 53-46, sending them into one final game in the loser’s bracket. They won their final game against Addison 61-49, ending the tournament on a high with a hard fought win.

Marion County foster families needed

Dear Editor:
It is time to come together on behalf of over 400,000 American children and youth who are in foster care because their families are in crisis, and they cannot currently provide safe, nurturing home environments. Approximately 5,700 of these children are in Alabama’s foster care system, and 34 of them are right here in Marion County. These children need safe, stable and loving homes where they can stay until they can safely reunite with their biological parents or establish other lifelong family relationships.

Mathieson steps up for foster families

Melissa Mathieson

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — With the growing need of foster families in Marion County rising every year, Marion County has had its need of foster families growing as well.
Luckily for the county, Hamilton resident Melissa Mathieson has been one of a few to step up to the plate.
Mathieson began her journey in foster care after a storm damaged her home in 2017.
“When we were in the process of rebuilding our house, I always felt like we were building our house for something bigger than us or for somebody other than us,” said Mathieson.

Marion County and Hamilton back animal organizations to help stray issue

Commission

Commissioners Dale Holt (left) and Tim “Ears” Estes view photos of stray animals taken in by Hoof or Paw.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — With the stray animal issue in Marion County continuing to be a problem, organizations such as Hoof or Paw have been left struggling to keep up with the demand of caring for stray animals due to the financial restraints.
This past week, both the Marion County Commission and the City of Hamilton have approved appropriations for Hoof or Paw and other organizations in the county.

Multiple cities and hospitals receive grants

Winfield Hospital

Left to right, Tracy Estes, case manager Crystal Barton, director of case management Amanda Taylor and CEO Michael Windham stand with floor plans for the proposed renovations made possible by the USDA grant.

By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY —  Multiple cities and hospitals in Marion County have received grants for different projects each city is undergoing.
The largest grant went to the City of Winfield for the hospital, Northwest Regional Care, which received a $1 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant.
According to Hospital CEO Michael Windham, the grant investment will be used to renovate rooms and purchase equipment and supplies for the care and treatment of long-term COVID-19 patients.

Fentanyl rise affects Halloween

Marion County First Responders

A trick-or-treater enjoys the Marion County first responders’ Trunk-or-Treat during last year’s Buttahatchee River Fall Festival.

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON —Leaves turning and falling, the air turning cool and pumpkins being seen at almost every doorstep in the county can only mean one thing: fall is officially here.
With the new season, there usually comes the host of knocks at the door from costumed children asking for candy during Halloween. But, with times being as they are, has  a classical Halloween become too dangerous for kids in Marion County?

Political leaders speak out about loan forgiveness

David Hall

David Hall

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the U.S. Department of Education have announced a three-part plan that aims to help working and middle-class federal student loan borrowers transition back to regular payment as pandemic-related support expires. This plan includes loan forgiveness of up to $20,000.
The Journal Record reached out to local political leaders to ask their input on the new plans by the Biden-Harris Administration.

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