Due to possible inclement weather moving into North West Alabama overnight, all Fayette County Schools and Bevill State Community College campuses will be closed on Friday, Jan. 10.
Governor Kay Ivey has also issued a state of emergency for 37 counties.
Photo of Kahleb Rowan Collins | Photo courtesy of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing toddler. Kahleb Rowan Collins was last seen on Sept. 4, 2024 in Fayette County. He is a one-year-old white male with blonde or strawberry colored hair and blue eyes. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Kahleb Collins, please call the sheriff's office at (205) 932 3205 or call 911.
Authorities searching the property surrounding the home of Steven Collins and Wendy Bailey on Thursday, Jan. 2. | Photo courtesy of Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby
Russell Douglas Beede | Photo courtesy of the Pickens County Jail
On Thursday, Jan. 2, authorities responded to a shooting on Water Mill Road in Pickens Co. According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, when deputies arrived they found a man that was fatally wounded by gunfire. The suspect, Russell Douglas Beede, 23, of Fayette, was taken into custody. Beede has been charged with murder and is currently being held in the Pickens County Jail with a $2 million dollar bond.
A multi-vehicle crash on Sunday, Dec. 22, claimed the life of 84-year-old Phyllis B. Thompson of Fayette.
Theron Nolen recently celebrated his retirement and is pictured here with his nephew, Jack Nolen, III. (left) and brother, Merrell Nolen (right).
On June 29, Michael Wade Tucker was arrested and charged for the murder of 21-year-old Laci Whitson.
Two suspects, Jaylun Dshaun Murray and Keante R. White, were arrested after an attempted robbery at Berry Discount Apothecary on June 29. Both were charged with second-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, and receiving stolen property.
Photo by Devin Dudley
On Thursday, a heavy law enforcement presence was observed at the home of missing one-year-old, Kahleb Collins. The mother, Wendy Pamela Bailey, was arrested on Dec. 30 with the following charges: Aggravated child abuse - class A felony, first-degree domestic violence - class A felony, abuse of a corpse - class C felony, criminally negligent homicide - class A misdemeanor
The mother of missing one-year-old Kahleb Rowen Collins has been arrested and booked into the Fayette County Jail.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:
On Dec. 9, 2024 Fayette County Sheriff's Office was notified of a missing child, Kahleb Rowan Collins. The Sheriff's office initiated an investigation into the whereabouts of Kahleb Collins. The 24 Circuit District Attorney's Office along with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation were contacted for assistance.
As another year has come and gone, The Times Record has compiled a list of our top stories from Fayette County in 2024.
Here are some of our top headlines for the year:
Hudson hired as assistant engineer by commission
Halee Hudson was hired as the new assistant engineer for Fayette County during the Jan. 8 Fayette County Commission meeting. She began her duties on Jan. 16.
Berry man dies in vehicle accident
The 2014 Hubbertville School football team was honored at a recent basketball game against Brilliant. The team went undefeated during the regular season, NAC Champions, Regional Champions, and North Alabama Champions and played for the State Championship.They ended the 2014 season with a 13-1 record. Nathan Young, was the Fox6 Sideline Defensive Player of the year and also played in the North vs South All Star Game. Coach Lamar Harris was the NAC Coach of the year. Members of the team, along with coaches and the principal, are shown above.
The Hubbertville varsity girls’ team fell to Winfield, 47-42, on Dec. 17. Two days later, the Lady Lions lost to Brilliant, 50-46.
The Hubbertville varsity boys’ team lost to Winfield, 67-59, on Dec. 17. The Lions bounced back on Dec. 19 with a 64-38 victory over Brilliant.
The Fayette varsity girls’ team defeated Gordo, 47-15, on Dec. 19. On Dec. 21, the Lady Tigers faced a tough loss, 51-31, to Sulligent in the WAC Semifinal.
The Fayette varsity boys won 51-24 against Gordo on Dec. 19. However, the Tigers lost to South Lamar, 50-43, on Dec. 21.
The Fayette City Council held a meeting on Monday, Dec. 23 at Fayette City Hall, with all members present. The meeting opened with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The investigation into the disappearance of Kahleb Rowan Collins, a one year old from Glen Allen, intensified on Wednesday as officials began searching the residence and surrounding property of the home on Hwy. 129 for any sign of the missing child. Members of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department were observed around 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the residence stretching crime scene tape around the area. A search for Collins began shortly after a crash that killed his father, 2- year-old sister and severely injured his mother.
The Fayette County Commission held a work session on Monday, Dec. 9, at the Courthouse Annex Building. All commissioners were present except for District One’s Brad Cox and District Four’s Wesley Jacobs.
The Fayette County Board of Education met on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Hubbertville School library. All board members were present. The meeting began with a prayer led by District One Board Member John Aaron followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by District Two Board Member Tierre Agnew. Superintendent Jim Burkhalter and board members welcomed newly elected member Portia Stowe.
Contributed photo
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the investigation into the missing 1-year-old, Kahleb Rowan Collins continues at a home on Hwy 129 in Glen Allen.
UPDATE: On Monday, Dec. 9, Steven Bradley Collins succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead while at the hospital, according to ALEA.
On Friday, Dec. 13, a celebration was held at the Fayette Civic Center to honor Attorney Theron Nolen. Friends, family and community members came to celebrate Nolen’s retirement. Visitors greeted Nolen congratulating him on his accomplishment and were served a delicious lunch and dessert.
