Hyer denied parole in 1971 murder of six year old girl


John Henley Hyer | Photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Corrections

Fayette was forever changed by a heartbreaking tragedy that occurred one summer night in 1971. On Wednesday, July 21, six-year-old Mary Ann Johnson was found dead. According to the Broadcaster newspaper, her unclothed body was discovered in a wooded area near the Spring Street Housing Project after a frantic search by local law enforcement. The incident cast a long shadow over the community, a sorrow that lingers even today.

Crash leaves one dead


Photo by Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby

A single-vehicle crash that occurred around 5:45 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, has claimed the life of a Florence woman. Madalyn G. Powell, 28, was fatally injured when the 2009 Kia Rio she was driving left the roadway and struck a culvert. Powell was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Hwy 13 near mile marker 237, approximately seven miles north of Berry. The crash is under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

Crash causes extensive damage


Contributed photo

On Sunday, Oct. 27, at approximately 6 p.m., Fayette Police responded to a single vehicle accident in the 1300 block of Temple Ave. Reports show that the driver of the Ford 150 was traveling North on Temple Ave, when a vehicle pulled out of Dollar General in front of the driver of the Ford. The truck then swerved to the left to avoid colliding with another vehicle. Once the Ford swerved left, the truck left the roadway into the parking lot of the Exxon gas station and hit a pole just before hitting a concrete barrier.

Wildcats thump Tigers 51-8


Berry’s Noah Morrison (57) tackles a Tigers’ offensive player. | Photo by Kelly Bonner

The Berry Wildcats traveled to Brilliant to face the Tigers in their fourth road game of the year. The Wildcats came away with a victory that closed out region play and solidified Berry as the two-seed in the upcoming playoffs.

City leases multi-purpose complex from county


Jaxon Watkins shown here leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the Fayette City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Fayette City Hall. | Contributed Photo

The Fayette City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Fayette City Hall, with all members present. The meeting began with a prayer led by Pastor of LifePoint Ministry and Worship Center, Darryl Ballew, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance recited by Arrow of Life Cub Scout Jaxon Watkins.

Thieves target local churches

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance for any information regarding break-ins at three local churches. The burglaries have occurred over the past month. The churches that were targeted are all within the same geographical area on County Road 35. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is urged to call the sheriff’s office at (205) 932-3205.

Williams sentenced in murder case


Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby escorts Travis Terrell Williams from the Fayette County Court House after a hearing. | Photo by Devin Dudley

A defendant responsible for the murder of his former wife has been sentenced to serve two life sentences in prison, 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin announced.

Driver injured in accident

Contributed photo

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Fayette Police Department responded to a two-vehicle collision in the 1400 block of Temple Ave N. Reports indicate that the driver of a red Toyota Yaris rear-ended another vehicle in the McDonald’s drivethru and began spinning his tires. As the driver of the other vehicle moved out of the way, the Toyota continued forward, crossing the four-lane roadway and colliding with a pole at Jack’s. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

Fayette loses to Good Hope 34-12


Fayette County's Maurice Harris (2) high steps past the Raiders defensive players for a first down. | Photo by Devin Dudley

The Tigers hosted the Good Hope Raiders at John Morgan Brown Stadium, Waldon Tucker Field, on Friday night. Before the game, Fayette’s senior football players, cheerleaders and band members were escorted by their parents and honored during Senior Night.

FCHS multi year reunion a success


A large crowd attended the FCHS 2024 multi year class reunion on Saturday, Oct. 12, in downtown Fayette. | Photo by Debbie Roberts

On Saturday, Oct. 12, over 400 alumni and teachers from Fayette County High School, spanning classes from 1960 to 1979, gathered on the Fayette County Courthouse lawn for a memorable multi-year class reunion. The event featured live music from the band C-Plus, which entertained guests with dance tunes and singalongs of beloved songs from their high school days. Attendees also honored their classmates who had passed away, with each class displaying a memory board to commemorate those lost.