Jonathan K. Smith, who has practiced general surgery in Fayette for a decade, will be leaving this summer to train as a surgical specialist. Dr. Smith will begin a fellowship in oncology breast surgery at Rutgers University in New Jersey in August. Dr. Smith said he will announce his plans in more detail soon. Until then, he said, he will continue to see patients.
Two long-time public servants of Fayette County will have receptions in January, honoring them for their service to the citizens of the county. Probate Judge William Oswalt and District Judge Jerry Clary were each elected to their respective offices in 1988. They have each served the county for the past 30 years in their official capacities, and each of the men will retire in January after choosing to not seek another term in office.
Sarah Stovall, a senior student and softball player at Carbon Hill High School, recently signed an athletic scholarship to play for Judson College. Although Stovall attends Carbon Hill High School in Walker County, she is a resident of Fayette County in the Huvbbertville community. Stovall posted a 9-9 record last season as a pitcher with a 4.91 ERA. In 94 innings pitched, she struck out 75 batters and walked 37 for Carbon Hill. Her team ended the season with a 34-24 record and advanced to the North Central Regional Tournament.
As we approach a new year, we pause to take a look back at some of the top stories from the first six months of 2018. January - Tyner Bowling, a cheerleader at Berry High School, participated in the London, England New Year’s Day parade.
The Fayette City Council voted during its Dec. 21 meeting to hire Jesse Finch, a current policeman in Gordo, to fill a vacancy on the police staff. According to Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins, Finch is a recent graduate of the law enforcement academy. Jenkins said that Finch is a native of Fayette County and also stated that he still lives in Fayette County.
Employees and staff at Amedisys Home Health of Fayette decided this year to sponsor three children through the Department of Human Resources to buy Christmas gifts instead of exchanging gifts among themselves. Shown are the toys and presents that they purchased for the children.
Tre’Darion Walker, a senior at Fayette County High School, was named first-team Class 4A all-state receiver by the Alabama Sports Writers Association for the 2018 season. Walker had 43 receptions for 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season. Cannon Alexander , senior offensive lineman at Hubbertville, was named Class 1A honorable mention.
The Winfield Pirates traveled south to Fayette to participate in the West Alabama Conference (WAC) Basketball Tournament on Dec. 20-22 and swept all three conference championships.
Winfield built comfortable leads in all three championship games to cruise to easy victories.
Joey Day President Charles A. Langley received $3,005 from the Kirkland/Bluff/Wayside communities on Thursday, Dec. 13. Over 35 families, Wayside Church, The Animal Clinic, Nix Flying Service, The Kirkley Foundation, and Wayside Community Club made generous donations to the Joey Day Project with the hope that over 300 needy children referred by the Department of Human Resources will have a Merry Christmas as they receive clothing, shoes and toys.
The Berry boys basketball team defeated Waterloo 63-58 in a game played at Berry on Dec. 21. The games against Waterloo and Holy Spirit were added to the schedule to provide additional competition prior to the Christmas break. Isaac Darty had an outstanding game, scoring 29 points for the Wildcats. Levi Cannon and Tyler Lollar also scored in double figures for the Wildcats with 11 points each. Johnathan Locke scored five points, Sam Franklin had four points and Isaiah Kizzire notched three points for Berry.
Hubert Norris, a former long-time sheriff of Fayette County, passed away on December 12 at the age of 84. His funeral was held on Dec. 16 at Nelson Funeral Home with burial in the Bethabara Cemetery in Berry. Norris had a long and legendary career in law enforcement, beginning as police chief with the Berry Police Department in 1967, and continuing with the Fayette Police Department from before being elected sheriff in 1974.
The Fayette County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 11 at the Hubbertville School Library. Board member Tim Fields was absent from the meeting, with all other board members and Superintendent Jim Burkhalter present. A motion to accept the low bid of $32,336 to build a privacy safety fence around the campus of Fayette Middle School was made by board member John Stowe and seconded by board member Keith Madison. The funds for the fence would be provided by the Fayette Community Foundation and from local school funds.
The Fayette County Commission continued its discussion concerning the aging program at its Dec. 10 meeting. Commission Chairman Joe Acker said that there appeared to be a general consensus after the commission’s last meeting to discontinue the Medicaid Waiver program that the aging program has been particpating in. He said that Pam McDaniel of the regional aging program stated that the county is already in violation of the guidelines because follow-up inspections were not being completed.
The Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce held an "After-Hours" event and ribbon cutting at the recently opened Ron's Pottery in Fayette on Dec. 13.
The combined Calvary and Macedonia Churches presented a Christmas Cantata entitled “Peace Has Come” at Calvary Church on Dec. 8 and Macedonia Church on Dec. 9.
The Fayette Civic Center will host a Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21 featuring Fayette native Mart Avant and “The Night Flight Big Band.” The concert will also feature Annie McClendon on vocals. Avant said that the band will combine traditional Christmas music with standard big band tunes for the concert.
Berry’s girls coach Caleb Hynds recorded the 100th win of his coaching career as Berry defeated Pickens County 69-44. The Lady Wildcats easily overcame the Lady Tornadoes, aided by a 75 percent team performance from the free throw line. Brooke Hill led Berry with 17 points and 10 rebounds, followed closely by Tyner Beth Bowling with 16 points and Allie Taylor with 10 points.Zoe Mauldin added nine points for the Lady Wildcats and Bailey Thomas had five assists for Berry.
Hubbertville boys and girls teams each won two games during the week and lost one.
The boys team defeated Vina on Dec. 10 by the score of 46-30. The Lions were led by Brady Tucker with 20 points, followed by Tanner Upton, Aaron Cribb and Lawson Harkness with six points each. Zack Hubbert scored four points for Hubbertville, followed by Ethan Nichols and Cannon Alexander with two points each.
The Fayette County High School varsity basketball teams played two games each last week with mixed results. The girls team won at South Lamar before falling to Brookwood at home, while the boys team lost a heartbreaker at South Lamar before beating Brookwood on its home floor.
The girls team traveled to South Lamar on Dec. 11 and defeated the Lady Stallions 67-41.
The Fayette County Board of Education held a brief meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4, followed by a work session. Prior to the start of the meeting, Fayette County Probate Judge William Oswalt issued the oath of office to Superintendent Jim Burkhalter, Board member John Stowe and Board Member Waldon Tucker. All three were incumbents who were re-elected to their offices during the November general election.
