Statewide health order to close non-essential businesses
The State of Alabama Department of Public Health in conjunction with Governor Kay Ivey issued the following Statewide Health Order on March 27:
Ivey closes schools for remainder of academic year
Governor Kay Ivey, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Education, announced on Thursday, March 26 that the K-12 public schools in Alabama would stay closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic school year. Ivey added, “Beginning at the start of school on April 6, 2020, all public K-12 schools shall implement a plan to complete the 2019-2020 school year using alternate methods of instruction as established by the State Superintendent of Education."
Coronavirus hits 500 cases in Alabama
The Coronavirus (COVID -19) topped 500 cases in Alabama as reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) at 3:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. The ADPH reported its first fatality from the Coronavirus on March 25, with the death toll from COVID - 19 remaining at one in Alabama at present time. For up-to-date information concerning the Coronavirus in Alabama, visit the ADPH website and check the latest figures via the site's dashboard. For U.S. totals, visit the Center for Disease Control.
COVID - 19 tightens grip on state, nation
The Coronavirus COVID - 19 continues to paralyse the state and nation, threatening to close all but the most essential services and businesses throughout the country. The stock market continues its free-fall. The Dow Jones Industrial average was approaching a new milestone mark of 30,000 approximately one month ago. On Monday, March 23, the average had slipped to just above 18,000, a 52-week low. Stores shelves are still bare in many places of essential basic food and household items.
Storms cause significant damage in county
Shown is a portion of the damage that occurred at the Fayette Country Club. Pictured is the damage caused by a tree falling into the main building. The roof on the bathrooms at the Country Club’s pool was also blown off and into the main building.
A fast-moving and somewhat unexpected severe thunderstorm caused considerable damage in Fayette County during the early morning hours of Monday, March 23. One of the hardest hit areas by the storm appeared to be the Covin - Belk area. There were numerous trees blown down or uprooted during the storm, and several buildings suffered structural damage. A portion of the roof on the Covin voting precinct was blown off of the building. An awning at M&M in Covin was also blown off and destroyed in the storm.
BOE accepts retirements of several employees at meeting
Pictured at the March 17 meeting of the Fayette Co. Board of Education, from left: Superintendent Jim Burkhalter, Board President Tom Hubbert, and Board Members Sam Sullivan, Keith Madison, Tim Fields and John Stowe. Board Member Waldon Tucker was absent from the meeting.
The Fayette County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on March 17 at the courthouse annex building. Board Member Waldon Tucker was absent from the meeting, with all other board members present. At the beginning of the meeting, Board President Tom Hubbert made a motion to start the meeting with an executive session to discuss a legal matter. Board Member Sam Sullivan seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Following an executive session of approximately 30 minutes, the board reconvened in open session.
Fayette Garden Club exhibits community service
Shown at right are members of the Fayette Garden Club as they perform a labor of love by planting fresh flowers at the Fayette Depot Museum. Shown from left are: Frances Butler, Stephanie Butler, John Brasher, Doris Brasher and Sheena Peterson.
The Fayette Garden Club exhibits its pride in the community by planting and caring for flowers and plants in the downtown Fayette area. The service organization is dedicated to helping beautify the area through its use of plants and flowers, and the Fayette Garden Club also encourages others to help make the area more beautiful.
County honors employee for public service
Shown is Fayette County Probate Judge Mike Freeman as he presented Ann Barnes with roses to commemorate her 25th anniversary at the tag office.
Ann Barnes, an employee of the Fayette County Tag Office, was recognized for 25 years of public service to the county on her anniversary date, March 20.
Fayette splits four baseball games
Samuel Kizzire is shown pitching for Fayette against Sulligent.
Note: These games were played prior to the closure of the schools for the Coronavirus outbreak. No games were played last week. The Fayette Tigers baseball team hosted the Carbon Hill Bulldogs on March 9 and lost a low-scoring pitcher’s duel by the score of 2-1. Colton McCaleb pitched seven innings for the Tigers and suffered the loss. He pitched a superb game, striking out 11 batters while walking only one.
Governor Ivey Issues Statement on Statewide Public Health Order
Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Thursday, March 19 issued the following statewide health order to aid in Alabama’s efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Statewide through April 5:
All gatherings of 25 persons or more, or gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between persons, are prohibited. This Order shall apply to all gatherings, events or activities that bring 25 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time.