After months of preparation, and thousands of prayers seeking wisdom, direction and guidance, the “Festival of Hope 2023” begins in Fayette next week. The festival, a Christian Crusade that seeks to change lives and see souls saved for Jesus, will be held nightly from Sunday, Oct. 1 through Wednesday, Oct. 4 in John Morgan Brown Stadium (Fayette County High School’s football stadium). Services will begin each night at 7 p.m.

Charles Bianco, a Fayette resident and former University of Alabama bowling coach, won a gold medal in the team bowling event, and a bronze medal in the individual bowling event at the National Senior Games, held July 7-18 in Pittsburgh, Penn.

The Fayette County Board of Education held a brief special-called meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19 to take action on four personnel items. All board members were in attendance except for board member Brenda Webb.

The Berry Town Council voted to appoint Chris Lindsey to fill the Place 4 seat on the Berry Town Council, replacing former Councilman Troyce Townsel, during its Sept. 11 meeting. All council members were present, with the exception of Councilman Russell Madison.

September is “Childhood Cancer Awareness” month. FCHS Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) performed several activities during the month, including designing a t-shirt to be worn every Tuesday in September, created and posted posters and flyers about childhood cancer and had a Pediatric Cancer float in the parade.

The Fayette Community Foundation will soon begin accepting grant applications for 2023.

The Berry Wildcats welcomed the Marion County Red Raiders into Fred Webster Stadium for Homecoming in a Region 5 matchup.

The Lions traveled to Hackleburg on Friday night to faceoff with the Panthers of Region 8. The opening kick was received by Levi Williams, who advanced five yards, setting the Lions up at the 46-yard line.

The special Republican primary election to fill the unexpired Alabama House District 16 seat, formerly held by Kyle South, will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26. There will be no Democratic primary for the open seat, as John Underwood was the only Democratic qualifier. As the only Democratic candidate, Underwood will automatically be in the Jan. 9, 2024 general election.

Fayette County High School crowned its 2023 Homecoming Queen prior to the start of the Fayette - Carbon Hill football game.

Fayette County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Michael Stoker is advising all local residents that there will be a loud test of the nationwide Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The Fayette County Board of Education approved personnel items and contracts during its Sept. 12 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting, with the exception of board member John Aaron.

The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12. All council members were present for the meeting. Fayette resident Rickey Ary opened the meeting with prayer. Councilman Tommy Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance. City Engineering Consultant Luke Porter gave the council an update on recent projects.

The 53rd Fayette Arts Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Fayette Civic Center and Art Museum. Many artists and craftsmen participated in the festival.

Fayette celebrated its second shutout win in a row, defeating Carbon Hill 40-0 in a big regional game and Homecoming win. Prior to the start of the game, O.P. Morgan and his late son Derek Morgan were recognized as honorary captains.

Hubbertville hosted the South Lamar Stallions on Friday night. Winning the coin toss, the Lions elected to receive, sending T.J. Keeton back deep for the opening kick. The Lions’ opening possession was short.

The Berry Wildcats returned to Fred Webster Stadium after a week on the road to face the third ranked Pickens County Tornadoes.  Although the Wildcats kept the penalty-plagued game close for the first half, big plays on offense and special teams gave Pickens County the victory by the score of 44-7. 

Rhonda Jackson Warren of Fayette was injured and transported to a medical center for treatment during an accident that occurred between the 2004 Buick Century that she was driving and a 2010 Toyota Tacoma, driven by Charles Ian Rainey of Fayette.

The Fayette County Commission held its regular meeting at the Fayette County Memorial Library, at the request of the library board. All commissioners were present for the meeting.
Jessica Crowe, the director of the Fayette County Memorial Library for the past eight years, was unable to attend the meeting, but welcomed the commissioners through a taped video message.

Beginning Sept. 1, the procedure for becoming a notary public or renewing your notary privileges became drastically different.