Six people have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms following an investigation into contraband smuggled into the Fayette County Jail. The defendants each played a role in smuggling illegal drugs and paraphernalia, including methamphetamine, heroin, Suboxone and syringes, to inmates in the facility.

Fayette County Superintendent of Education Jim Burkhalter defeated Berry High School Principal Steve Sawyer in the June 21 Republican Primary runoff election. The win virtually assures Burkhalter of a third term as superintendent, since he will not have a Democratic challenger for the office during the November general election.

Two fire trucks from the Fayette Police Department responded to a vehicle and shed fire that occurred on Friday, June 24 at approximately 10:11 a.m. on Highway 159, approximately eight miles south of Fayette. According to the fire report, the fire started as a camper fire and quickly spread to a nearby shed and boat. The firemen were able to contain the fire, and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire was ruled unintentional and of an undetermined origin.

College Instructor David Wages is the 2022 recipient of the Bevill State “Outstanding Faculty Award” on the Fayette  Campus. Wages’ education roots run deep at Bevill State Community College. As a student at Fayette County High School, he took four dual enrollment courses beginning in the 11th grade.  

Summer is starting out hot this year. On June 22, the official temperature for the day was 101. With the heat index added in, the temperature felt like 108.

Alabama District 16 Representative Kyle South posted a series of images on Facebook on Feb. 25, showing details of a proposed interstate bypass project that would widen Highways 171 and 129. The bypass would start from 171 in Fayette County and meet Highway 129 in Winfield at an intersection on Highway 118. There has been no word from the governor or the Alabama Department of Transportation regarding a date and time for a public meeting to discuss the proposal.

Berry High School senior pitcher Kyla Edmonson finished the season for the second consecutive year as an Alabama High School second-team All-State softball player, as selected by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

In a special-called meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education on Monday, June 20, the board unanimously voted to hire Jared Porter as the next football coach at Fayette County High School. All board members were in attendance for the special meeting. The head football coach and athletic director’s position became available following the June 7 board meeting, when the board failed to approve the coaching supplement for Coach Waldon Tucker. The coaching position was posted on June 13 as an internal system transfer only.

The Fayette City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 14. All council members, with the exception of Councilwoman Virettia Whiteside and Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe, were present for the meeting. Councilman Tommy Williams opened the meeting with prayer and also led the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Wisemiller, president and CEO of the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (C3), spoke to the council concerning sales, usage and property tax abatements for a possible new industry.

The Fayette County Commission held a very brief meeting on June 13 at the Fayette County Courthouse. Commissioner Brad Cox and Commissioner John Underwood were absent from the meeting, with all other commissioners present. Commissioner Barry Corkren made a motion to allow the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department to be added to the “Brinks supports first responders donation program wait list.”

The Berry Town Council voted at its June 6 meeting to seek bids for three new raw water pumps for the Berry Water System. All council members were in attendance for the meeting with the exception of Councilwoman Mary Sue Lollar. Berry Water Plant Chief Operator Walter Taylor appeared before the council during the meeting to explain to the council the urgent need for the new pumps. He also explained that there is at least a six-month wait to receive new pumps once they are ordered.

An accident, occurring on Friday, June 10 at approximately 9:05 a.m., looked really bad but fortunately, the occupants of the vehicles were uninjured. The accident happened on Highway 43 North, between the intersections of 19th St. NW and 20th St. NW. According to the police report, a 2007 GMC Envoy van, driven by Clara A. Gilliam of Bankston, was entering the roadway from the parking lot of a nearby business and struck a 2017 Honda Accord, driven by Cheryl Denise Terrell of Guin, causing the Accord to flip upside down.

The Fayette County Board of Education failed to approve the coaching and athletic director’s supplement for Waldon Tucker, Fayette County High School head football coach, during its June 7 meeting. Board Member Keith Madison was not in attendance at the beginning of the meeting due to a conflict with his work schedule.