Festival of Hope sparks revival, unity


Shown are just a few of the many people who made decisions for Christ during the Fayette Festival of Hope last week.

The 2023 Fayette “Festival of Hope” Crusade was held last week and according to the organizers of the event, it was a tremendous success. “We really didn’t know what to expect,” said Robert Parrish, pastor of Southside Baptist Church and one of the organizers of the crusade. “We were hoping that souls would be saved and the crusade would be a beacon of light for the glory of Christ, and we are thrilled and overwhelmed with the results.

 

State Superintendent visits Hubbertville School


State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey (back, center) is shown visiting Ashley Cannon’s classroom.

Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey, along with state staff officials, visited Hubbertville School on Sept. 27. Mackey, as well as Chief of Staff Chuck Marcum, Executive Director of the School Superintendents of Alabama Ryan Hollingsworth, and Alabama State Board of Education District 7 member Belinda McRae were in attendance.

 

Volunteer Fire Department has accident


This 1977 International 1600 Loadstar of the Kirkland-Bluff-Wayside Volunteer Fire Department is shown overturned after the shoulder of Cook Road collapsed on Monday, Oct. 2.

The driver of a fire truck tanker was fortunate to receive no injuries during a partial road collapse and subsequent tanker turnover on Monday, Oct. 2. The Kirkland-Bluff-Wayside Volunteer Fire Department had been using a 1977 International 1600 Loadstar tanker to wet an area of Cook Road, a dirt and gravel road, to help residents with dust conditions, due to the road being part of a current detour.

 

Frog Level Festival, Fly-In are successful


The Bama Dancers were back this year to entertain the crowd at the Frog Level Festival.

The two-day annual Fayette Frog Level Festival and the second annual Fayette Airport Fly-In were both huge success, with hundreds of people attending the events. The Frog Level Festival had to compete with high school football games on Friday night, but numerous people attended the event, shopping the arts and crafts, and the merchandise booths while partaking of a wide variety of food that was available at the festival.

 

Tigers lose regional game to Oakman


Jake Rickman (17) is shown throwing a pass as Parker Lindsay (54) blocks.

Fayette traveled to Oakman to face the Wildcats in a crucial regional game, losing by the score of 24-6. Fayette received the opening kickoff and advanced across midfield before having to punt. The punt went into the endzone, forcing Oakman to start its first possession on its 20-yard line.

 

Berry wins big against Holy Spirit


Lake Norris (0) runs the ball for Berry as Luke McCoy (53), Will Krider (57) and Mason Parr (55) block.

The Berry Wildcats returned to region play by traveling to face the Holy Spirit Saints in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2017. The Wildcats were looking for their first regional win of the season and to play spoiler on the Saints’ Homecoming. The Wildcats took control of the game early and cruised to a 44-13 victory.

 

Hubbertville defeats Brilliant


Miles Dozier (17) is shown running for a huge gain against Brilliant.

Hubbertville returned to region play on Friday night, traveling to Brilliant to face the Tigers. Following Tucker Bowen’s opening kick, Brilliant’s offense, led by quarterback Brooks McLemore, began its opening possession at its 32-yard line. Back to back penalties left the Tigers facing fourth down and 15, sending Bruin Hulsey back to punt the ball away.

 

Bryant sentenced for child solicitation


De’Airo DeShawn Bryant

A man who traveled from Texas to engage in sexual activity with a teenager has been sentenced to serve 25 years in prison. De’Airo DeShawn Bryant, 30, pled guilty on Tuesday, Sept. 26 to Electronic Solicitation of a Child. The victim was 15 at the time and had met Bryant on a social media instant messaging app. Bryant was 27 at the time of the offense.

 

Fayette’s Festival of Hope


Evangelist Ronnie Hill (second from left) is shown speaking to the "Festival of Hope" attendees.

A crowd of approximately 1,250 - 1,400 people were in attendance on Sunday night at John Morgan Brown Stadium during the opening night of Fayette’s “Festival of Hope.” The crusade concludes tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 4), with the hope that the event has made a positive difference in the lives of many throughout the area. For additional pictures and details of the Fayette Festival of Hope, see next week’s edition of The Times-Record newspaper.

Fayette City Council passes FY 2024 budget


Pictured at the Sept. 26 Fayette City Council meeting, from left: Council members Jerry Nichols, Aliska Hughes-Monroe and Tommy Williams, Mayor Rod Northam, Council members Eddy Campbell and Virettia Whiteside, Fayette Junior Mayor Emily Huang and City Clerk Dawn Clapp.

The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26. All council members were present for the meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, former mayor, Ray Nelson, addressed the council members about the importance of the “Festival of Hope,” and extended an invitation to the mayor and council to attend the event as much as possible.

Fayette County Commission approves budget


Pictured at the Sept. 25 Fayette County Commission meeting, from left: Commissioners John Underwood, Wesley Jacobs, Robert Townley, David Hubbert, Shane Hughes, Brad Cox and Commission Chairman Mike Freeman.

The Fayette County Commission approved its fiscal year 2024 budget during its Sept. 25 commission meeting. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Local resident Milborn Savage spoke to the commission concerning the Festival of Hope Crusade. He said that people everywhere need to come together in peace, fellowship and unity, and he said that is impossible without God leading the way.

Lamar County defeats the Wildcats


Max Westbrook (57) is shown running for yardage after he intercepted a pass.

The Berry Wildcats were trying to get back on the winning track and play spoiler on Homecoming as they traveled to Vernon to face the ninth ranked team in Class 2A, the Lamar County Bulldogs. The Wildcats fought hard in the second half, but could not overcome the deficit in the 42-6 loss.

 

Festival of Hope seeks to strengthen community


Evangelist Ronnie Hill will lead the 'Festival of Hope 2023' crusade.

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.

 

Local resident wins medals at National Senior Games


Charles Bianco is shown wearing the medals that he won at the National Senior Games, and is also holding the proclamation he received from Governor Kay Ivey.

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.