Berry High School student Alex Wilson recently represented the school at the Alabama Governor’s School, a two-week summer program that brings together some of the state’s highest-achieving high school students for advanced academic study and leadership development. Designed for rising juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and achievement, the Alabama Governor’s School provides participants with opportunities to engage in challenging coursework, creative activities and leadership experiences alongside students from across Alabama.

The Glen Allen Town Council met Tuesday, July 7, at the Town Community Center with all council members in attendance. Mayor Allen J. Dunavant called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Councilman Robert Aldridge opened the meeting with prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the mayor. Mayor Dunavant announced that the town’s America 250 celebration, held earlier that day, was a success.

The investigation that ended Friday with Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey receiving two consecutive life sentences began with what initially appeared to be a tragic traffic accident. On Dec. 8, 2024, emergency responders were called to a single-vehicle crash on County Road 73 near the Glen Allen community. The crash claimed the lives of Steven Collins and the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Ryleigh Collins. Wendy Bailey survived after suffering serious injuries and being airlifted to UAB Hospital.

A mobile grocery store designed to make food more affordable for Alabama families is making regular stops in Fayette County, offering residents access to discounted groceries and household essentials. EJI’s Mobile Grocery visited Fayette this week, where shoppers browsed a fully stocked tractor-trailer filled with fresh produce, meats, dairy products, frozen foods, bread, cereals, baking supplies and other grocery items. According to information provided by EJI, the nonprofit organization serves eight Alabama counties each month through its mobile grocery program.

Charles Emmanuel Cochran, 41, was booked into the Fayette County Jail on July 9 on six counts of attempted murder and one count of parole violation. No additional information about the case had been released at press time as the investigation is ongoing. 

A Winfield woman charged in connection with the abuse of one-year-old Kahleb Collins was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life terms after pleading guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court. Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, 24, pleaded guilty to first-degree domestic violence and aggravated child abuse of a child under the age of six. According to the 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, life imprisonment is the maximum sentence authorized for each offense under Alabama law.

C3 of Northwest Alabama has been awarded a second $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help assess and prepare potentially contaminated properties for future redevelopment in Fayette, Lamar and Marion counties. The Brownfields Assessment Grant will fund environmental site assessments, cleanup planning, redevelopment planning and community engagement activities aimed at returning vacant or underused properties to productive use.

Justin Calloway, 24, of Cordova, died Wednesday evening following an accident at Warrior Met Coal’s Blue Creek Mine near Berry. According to authorities, Calloway was working underground at the active mine on Highway 69 North when he was found unresponsive around 6 p.m. on July 1. He was brought to the surface, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators with the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene. A preliminary investigation indicated the death resulted from a machinery-related accident underground. Officials said there is no indication of foul play.

The Town of Berry kicked off Independence Day festivities early with its America 250 celebration on Thursday, July 2, bringing residents together at Berry Heritage Park to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The evening honored America’s past, present and future while providing an opportunity for neighbors to gather in celebration. The event began with free hot dogs, chips and drinks for the first 250 attendees as families spread blankets and lawn chairs across the park in anticipation of an evening filled with patriotic music, fellowship and fireworks.

The Berry Town Council approved several appointments, selected a name for the town’s new museum and postponed action on a proposed police technology purchase during its regular meeting on July 6. Mayor Mary Lollar called the meeting to order with Council Members Calvin Madison, Russell Madison and Nancy Shepherd present. Council Members Charles Tidwell and Chris Lindsey were absent. The council approved minutes from its June 8 and June 22 meetings.

The Fayette County Commission approved the purchase of two replacement tractors and authorized the sale of surplus equipment during a brief special called meeting on Monday,  July 6. All commission members were present except Commissioner David Hubbert. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman said the meeting was called following discussion at the commission’s previous meeting regarding the need to replace equipment used by the county’s road department.

City officials and members of the Fayette Fire Department met June 24 to discuss proposed policy changes that prompted an extended discussion during the previous night’s City Council meeting. Present for the meeting were Fire Chief Shannon Taylor, City Clerk Sherry Fowler, Councilmen Floyd Rodgers, Steve Herring and Cedric Wilson, along with six members of the fire department. The meeting was held after the City Council voted to table proposed fire department policy changes and appoint a committee to meet with firefighters before the matter returns to the council.

The Fayette County Commission approved several routine items and heard updates on emergency management, road projects and equipment needs during its regular meeting on June 22. All commissioners were present. Commissioners approved minutes from the previous meeting and authorized payment of claims totaling $1,269,831 for the current period. The largest portion of those claims was related to the county’s Rebuild Alabama road program. The commission also approved the annual Insolvents, Errors and Taxes in Litigation report submitted by the Fayette County Revenue Commissioner’s Office.

The Fayette City Council discussed proposed fire department policy changes, received updates on paving projects and the city’s America 250 celebration, and addressed several other matters during its June 23 meeting. All council members were present. Southside Baptist Church pastor Kent Shepherd led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the meeting was called to order. The council approved minutes from the previous meeting.

Community members gathered June 24 to help imagine the future of downtown Fayette’s Flag Park during a public design workshop led by consultants with Your Town Alabama. The “charrette”—an interactive planning session—was hosted by the City of Fayette as officials continue exploring improvements to the small downtown park dedicated to veterans. The project grew out of an ACE Leadership class proposal, and city officials hope the redesigned space will become both a tribute to Fayette’s history and veterans while serving as a gathering place for community events.

The 56th Fayette Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fayette Civic Center and Art Museum, 530 Temple Ave. N. One of Alabama’s longest-running arts festivals, the event attracts artists, craftsmen and visitors from across the Southeast. The festival is a juried arts and crafts show featuring fine art, folk art and craft categories, with cash awards presented to selected participants. Organizers said many returning artists and vendors are expected to participate in this year’s festival.

Fayette County third graders posted some of the strongest reading scores in Alabama this year, with nearly all students meeting the state’s literacy benchmark. According to results released June 11 by the Alabama State Department of Education, 96.48 percent of Fayette County’s 142 third-grade students scored at or above the benchmark on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) reading assessment. The county’s performance significantly exceeded the statewide average of 88.18 percent  and placed Fayette County among the highest-performing school systems in Alabama.

On Thursday, June 18, in honor of Father’s Day, the Brother 2 Brother organization visited with male residents at Fayette Long Term Care. They spent time with the residents, talking and bonding. They brought along goodie bags for the men present for this event.  Members of Brother 2 Brother who attended were Sean White, Joseph Brock, Gilbert Gay, Milborne Savage, Felix Caine, Mil Savage and Rev. Floyd Rodgers, Jr. On Friday, June 19, local pastors and community leaders served lunch to male residents, and sat down to eat and fellowship with them.