U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) joined Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing legislation to increase wildlife managers’ ability to keep wildlife healthy. The bill authorizes a special resource study to determine how chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreads and could be prevented in deer and elk. CWD can affect both wild and domestic herds of deer and elk in 25 states. However, state recommendations for preventing the spread of the disease vary.

Our nation’s service academies are elite institutions that train students to excel in academics and military affairs. These institutions seek well-rounded individuals with a high level of academic achievement, as well as a commitment to athletics, student activities, and civic organizations. Famous graduates of these institutions include Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Jimmy Carter, as well as legendary Generals George Patton, Douglas MacArthur, and Norman Schwarzkopf. The academies have also produced numerous astronauts.

The Republican candidates Mike Freeman and Byron Yerby won the two biggest contested offices in the county during the Nov. 6 general election. Yerby defeated current sheriff Rodney Ingle and current state trooper Tierre Agnew to win the sheriff race in Fayette County. Yerby received 3,893 votes and captured almost 52 percent of the votes cast in the sheriff’s race, easily outpolling Agnew (1,845 votes) and Ingle (1,777) votes. Agnew was the Democratic nominee and Ingle sought his fourth term as sheriff running as an Independent candidate.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell R. Spillers, Jr. delivered the keynote address at the joint Fayette County High School and Bevill State Community College Veterans Day Program, Held at Bevill State on Nov. 8. Veterans Day is a day celebrated annually to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served their country honorably during times of war and peace. It originated as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the first anniversary of the end of World War I.

Several Veterans' Day programs were held throughout the county last week to honor those who have honorably served this country in times of war and peace. This year also marks then 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

The Berry City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 5 at the Berry Town Hall. Councilman Troyce Townsel, Councilman Russell Madison and Councilman Calvin Madison were present for the meeting, and Councilman Chris Rice and Councilman Wesley Jacobs were absent. Berry Mayor Jimmy Madison declared that a legal quorum was present that would allow business to be conducted at the meeting.

The Fayette Tigers scored on its first offensive play and dominated the Randolph Raiders to take a first round playoff victory by the score of 26-8. The domination was so complete that Randolph accumulated only 40 yards in total offense prior to its last scoring drive of 97 yards. That drive by the Raiders was against the Fayette second and third team players after the outcome of the game had already been decided.

Hubbertville traveled north on Friday night to face the Waterloo Cougars. Advancing to the first round of the playoffs, the Lions season came to an end on the same field where its regular season began. The two teams met on Aug. 31, with the Lions exiting Waterloo with the win 49-18. This time, Waterloo got its revenge against the Lions, winning 20-15 and advancing in the state playoffs.

Matthew Austin Bolling, age 23 of Reform, was sentenced to 20 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to a lesser offense of possession with the intent to distribute. The plea deal was agreed to in Fayette County Circuit Clerk on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

For the first time in the storied history of the Fayette County Marching Band, the band has a true drum major to direct the music on the field. According to current FCHS band director Brent Traylor, the marching band at Fayette had never had a drum major to direct its on-the-field music. Traylor, in his third year at the school, added a color guard last year and he said this was just the next step in the progression to complete the band ensemble.

Jimmy Campbell of Fayette said that he always loved planes. His dad had been a pilot and Campbell said the concept and adventure of flying always fascinated him. As a young man, Campbell joined the Air Force in Feb. 1965, driven by two things - his love of planes and a desire to serve his country in the Arned Forces.

The 2018-2019 Fayette Middle School WIRED robotics team competed in the Bevill BEST Hub Robotics Competition, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27. There were 14 teams registered for the event. This year's challenge included some very difficult tasks, such as driving a robot on a two x four suspended off the ground and creating an expandable arm to locate and move objects. On the day of competition, FMS WIRED competed against nine other schools for the top spot.

The Fayette County Forestry, Agriculture, Wildlife and Natural Resources (FAWN) program was presented by the Forestry Service on Oct. 23 at Guthrie Smith Park in Fayette.The program was for sixth-grade students in the county and taught the students about preventing forest fires, types of forest products, how to use a compass, wildlife management, soil and water conservation, and other things relating to nature.

Residents at the Fayette Medical Center - Long-Term Care facility treated pre-school children in the area to treats on Halloween during the facility’s annual event. Children politely walked through the hallways in their colorful costumes, greeting the residents and receiving candy on their journey. Several of the residents and many of the staff members also dressed in colorful outfits as they waited to greet the children.

The Fayette County High School varsity volleyball team completed a successful 2018 season, winning the regular season area title and finishing as the area runner-up to the Haleyville Lions in the tournament. The Lady Tigers also were the West Alabama Conference (WAC) champions during the season. Fayette finished with an outstanding 29-10 overall record.

Bevill State finished its volleyball season with a 7-16 record and with Brooke Self being named Second Team All-Region. Head Coach Theresa Berry-Franks said she is proud of the team and their accomplishments during the second season of the renewal of Bevill Volleyball. Berry-Franks is also excited to have freshman players Ricki-Jill Burrough, Amanda Cunningham and Madison Pavlovec.She thanked the crowd for their support this season and said that she is hitting the recruiting trail to find new talent for next year’s squad.

The Fayette Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at 406 9th St. NE at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. According to Fayette Fire Chief Shannon Taylor, there was a “heavy” fire inside the apartment upon arrival. The fire was quickly brought under control by the firemen, but the apartment sufferred heavy damage throughout the building’s interior. No injuries were sustained as a result of the fire.

Fayette scored quickly, then used a solid defensive effort to defeat Dora and secure the number one seed in Class 4A, Region 5 for the Alabama high school football playoffs. The win broke a tie-breaker between Fayette, Good Hope and Northside to decide the first place seed in the region. Northside received the number two seed in the region, with Good Hope seeded third and Curry fourth.

Hubbertville closed out regular season play by hosting the Phillips High Bears on Friday night. Winning the coin toss, the Lions elected to receive the opening kick. Gage Key received the ball at the 20-yard line advancing to the 41-yard line and four plays later, he rambled his way down the right side line into end zone for the opening drive score. The PAT kick by Zach Hubbert was good and the Lions were on the scoreboard with 9:42 remaining in the first quarter.

Many people remember Mike Sexton: a native of Fayette, Fayette County High School graduate, husband, father, musician. Yet many people did not know the artistic side of Sexton, a sode that will be unveiled to the public during a showing of his artwork from 2-4 p.m. at The Venue in Fayette on Sunday, Nov. 4.