Bradley Cox was named by Governor Kay Ivey as the new Fayette County District 1 Commissioner, effective Sept. 17. Cox replaces Joe Acker as the District one Commissioner. Acker announced his resignation at the July 26 Fayette County Commission meeting, and made his resignation official the next day by turning in the appropriate paperwork. Cox received the endorsement of the Fayette County Republican Party as Acker’s replacement during a special meeting on Aug. 17, and also met with Governor Ivey’s staff concerning the appointment on Sept. 7.

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Transportation announced on Monday, Sept. 20 that $2.08 million in special “Rebuild Alabama” grants have been awarded throughout the state. The City of Fayette. and Fayette County received $250,000 during this special grant allocation for the paving of 25th St. NE and McConnell Loop, beginning at Hwy. 171 near Bevill and concluding back at Hwy 171 north of Walmart.

The Fayette City Council held a public hearing concerning property abatements and later voted to charge the owners for the city’s costs for cleanup at six of the abated properties. Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe was absent from the meeting with all other council members present. Brad Cox, pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, led the council in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the beginning of the meeting.

The Fayette County Commission approved the county’s dumpster locations for non-household garbage during its Sept. 13 meeting. All commissioners were present for the meeting, with the Commission District 1 seat presently vacant. Commissioner Barry Corkren expressed his concern that one of the days for his district’s dumpster location fell on a paid holiday and would be missed. County Engineer Josh Knight assured Corkren that the holidays were considered when scheduling the dumpster locations, and that no districts were shorted any dates.

During its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 7, the Glen Allen Town Council voted to pass Resolution 2 - 21, adopting the town’s annual transportation plan. The transportation plan is a requirement of the Rebuild Alabama Act (House Bill 2019 - 2), which was passed by the Alabama Legislature. The bill requires each municipality to show accountability for the expected revenue levied from excise tax received from the state on gasoline and diesel fuel in 2022.

Fayette quarterback Blake Johnson completed three touchdown passes and Dylan Schloerb ran for an additional touchdown within the first 15 minutes of playing time as Fayette cruised to a 28-0 victory over Oak Grove.

Homecoming is always a special time of year and this year was no different. The alumni that returned to Berry High School were treated to a game of two very different halves. A last minute touchdown by the Red Raiders in regulation would send the game to overtime, and despite a valiant effort from the Wildcats, Marion County won 20-14.  

The Lions returned to Wiley Hollingsworth Stadium to face-off with the Meek Tigers in a region game. Meek won the coin toss, electing to defer. Austin Berryhill made the reception on the opening kick, setting the Lions’ offensive front up at the 39-yard line.

Rashad Johnson, a former University of Alabama and NFL football player, spoke to several youths in Fayette on Thursday, Sept. 9 at Mayfair Manor in Fayette. Mayfair Manor Resident Manager Virettia Whiteside arranged for Johnson’s appearance, and local resident Floyd Rogers introduced Johnson to the crowd. Johnson said that he was a walk-on when he first arrived as a student-athlete at the University of Alabama. He played his high school football at Sulligent High School, and only had scholarship offers from The Citadel and the University of North Alabama.

A former Fayette County resident recently wrote and published his second book - as he was approaching his 100th birthday. (He is now 101). Clayton O’Mary was born on Aug. 10, 1920, grew up in the Hubbertville Community, and finished high school at Hubbertville in 1939. He attended Berry College in Rome, Ga. following high school, before joining the Army and later transferring to the Air Force during World War II.

After 100 years, the congregation at the Fayette First United Methodist Church decided it might be time to replace the church roof. The church was built in 1921 and with the exception of a few tiles that had to be replaced because of damage, the roof on the church was still the original roof from the year the structure was built.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, Lucy Spear, a freshman at Bevill State, became the first female in Fayette County Scouting history to earn the Eagle Scout designation. In Oct. 2019, the local former Boy Scouts of America began accepting girls into the once all-male organization and formed Troop 45 G (Girls) of Scouts BSA. Spear joined the group and two years later, joined her three brothers - Kia, Sawyer and Conrad - as Eagle Scouts.

In March 1921, a group of very forward thinking ladies met for the first time for the sole purpose of helping to establish a permanent library in the City of Fayette. Toni Robertson, during a presentation at the Fayette Memorial Library on Sept. 9, said that someone suggested they call their newly established club the “Progress Club.” The name stuck, and so did the ladies’ determination to establish a library.

The Fayette Tigers traveled to Curry last Friday night and defeated the Yellow Jackets 48-0 to record its 700th all-time football win. The Tigers are the second team to reach the 700th win milestone, with T.R. Miller recording its 700th victory last week.