A fire that occurred at Whitten’s Lions Den on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 2 destroyed this vehicle and severely damaged the gasoline pumps and pump canopy. David Dozier, fire chief for the Hubbertville VFD, said that the Glen Allen VFD also responded to the fire. Dodd said the car was owned by Preston White, who was pumping gas at the time the fire started.
A large group of local veterans attended the Bevill State Community College and Fayette Co. High School’s annual Veterans Day program, held on Monday, Nov. 6. Navy Veteran and 1992 FCHS graduate James A. Henry was the guest speaker for the event. Henry began his military career in April 1993, and has earned numerous awards and commendations throughout his career.
Fayette Medical Center has again been recognized in this year’s Newsweek’s “Best In-State Hospitals.” Fayette Medical Center is one of 11 hospitals in Alabama, and more than 600 nationwide, to make the list this year. This is the fifth year in a row the hospital has ranked in one of Newsweek’s “Best Hospitals” lists.
The employees of a local business in Fayette greeted its customers on Halloween dressed as Princesses. Shown from left: Gabby Chambless (Elsa), Nancy Holliman (Princess Peach), Teresa Taylor (Elsa), Daphne Wilson (Queen Daphne), Angie Gillispie (Belle) and Shavonne Eatmon (Cinderella).
In a game where each team finished with 20 first downs and 356 yards in total offense, Fayette won the battle on the scoreboard and defeated the Hamilton Aggies 51-33. Dezmon Harris of Fayette received the opening kickoff and returned the ball 64 yards to give the Tigers excellent starting field position at the Aggies’ 19-yard line.
The Berry Wildcats finished off its 2023 season by traveling to Walker County to face the Sumiton Christian Eagles. The Wildcats scored to take an early lead and never trailed as they finished the season with a two-game winning streak following the 34-14 victory.
On Friday night, the Lions hosted the Lynn Bears, the top team in Region Five. The Lions received the kickoff and started its opening possession at its 35-yard line. Utilizing runs by T.J. Keeton, Ronnie Minor and Cole Brand, the Lions’ moved the ball out to the 42-yard line.
An inmate who escaped from the Alabama Department of Corrections was sentenced in March 2020 in Fayette County Circuit Court. Ricky Lavon Lay, 39, left his assigned work location in Bayou La Batre in Mobile County at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Bryan Brinyark defeated Brad Cox in the Oct. 24 Republican Primary runoff to be the party’s nominee for the Alabama House District 16 seat. Although Cox collected the most votes in his home county of Fayette, and also in the portion of Jefferson County that is within the district, Brinyark won his home county of Tuscaloosa by a wide margin to capture the overall victory.
The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 24. All council members were present for the meeting, with the exception of Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe. Prior to the start of the meeting, Corey Baker, Children and Youth Pastor at Fayette First Baptist Church led the council in prayer. Fayette Mayor Rod Northam led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Fayette County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 23 at the Fayette Courthouse Annex building. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, a public hearing was held concerning vacating Logan Road. No one spoke either for or against the road closure during the hearing.
The annual Fayette Area Churches “Trunk or Treat,” held at the Fayette County Multipurpose Complex, was a big hit with children and also the adults.
During the Fayette - Midfield pre-game activities, several future Fayette County High School cheerleaders took the field to lead cheers alongside the current FCHS varsity cheerleaders. The young cheerleaders got the crowd and the team motivated, as they helped to cheer the Tigers to a crucial regional victory. Shown above are a few of the many youngsters who participated in the pre-game activities.
The Fayette County High School varsity volleyball team finished a successful 2023 season, winning the regular season area title and hosting the area tournament. The Lady Tigers received a first-round bye in the Class 3A, Area 9 Tournament, then defeated Winfield three sets to one to advance to the championship match. Fayette faced a tough Carbon Hill squad for the title, and won the championship match three sets to one.
Fayette used a massive rushing attack to control the game’s tempo and defeat Midfield in a crucial regional game by the score of 36-18. The win clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the region, and secured a first-round road playoff game against Lauderdale County following the conclusion of the Tigers’ regular season finale against Hamilton this week.
The Berry Wildcats continued region play by traveling to Brilliant to face the Tigers. The Wildcats scored on offense, defense, and special teams to take control of the game early and cruise to a 44-8 victory over the Tigers.
Hubbertville traveled to Guin last week to face the Marion County Red Raiders. Landon Dodd advanced the opening kickoff 20 yards, setting up the Lions at the Hubbertville 46-yard line.
On Oct. 18, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 200 block of Jim Taylor Rd. Berry. A stolen four wheeler, guns, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia were confiscated during the search of the premises.
Qualifying is now underway for the 2024 federal, state and local primary elections. The local Republican Party started its qualifying on Oct. 10, and the state Republican Party started qualifying candidates on Oct. 16. The local Democratic Party and the state Democratic Party are also busy qualifying candidates, with all party qualifying scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10.
The Fayette Farmers market will be open on the next two Saturdays in its downtown location, on the north side of the Fayette Depot Museum. Lann Stewart, manager of the Fayette Farmers Market, said that there will be fall and winter greens for sale (turnip greens, mustard greens, collards, etc.), and a wide variety of locally grown baked and canned good items. There will also be a few craft items for sale.
