Karli Rushing, senior at Fayette County High School, signed a scholarship offer on Feb. 19 to continue her academic and volleyball career the next two seasons at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Miss. This fall will be the first-ever season of volleyball at the school, and she is anxious to be a part of this historic team for Itawamba.

The Fayette Medical Center Family Council and Fayette Garden Club members provided food on Feb. 19 for the Fayette Medical Center Long-Term Care and Hospital staff in appreciation for the services they provide to the patients under their care. This is an annual event that is hosted on the first Wednesday after Valentine’s Day by the two organizations, and the food is always enjoyed by the employees.

The Fayette County Board of Education approved its 2020-21 school year calendar during its Feb. 18 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, the Fayette County Teachers of the Year at their respective schools were announced. The teachers honored were: Wendy Canterbury (Fayette County High School), Ashley Herring (Fayette Elementary School), Cristy Thompson (Fayette Middle School), Allyson Afshar (Hubbertville), Jon Marlowe (Berry High School), and Kim Ward (Berry Elementary School).

The Berry Town Council approved appointments to the Berry Park and Recreation Board, and also approved a proposed sale of water to the Oakman Water Board during its Feb. 3 meeting. Councilman Troyce Townsel was not present at the meeting. The Council approved a motion by Councilman Calvin Madison to accept the resignation of Jonathan Smith from the Berry Park and Recreation Board. After the council unanimously approved the resignation, Councilman Russell Madison made a motion to appoint Diane Dedeaux to fill the remainder of the term on the board.

Fayette opened its 2020 softball season with an extra-inning win over Berry by the score of 9-8.
Berry rallied from four runs back in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game and send it to extra innings. The winning run scored when Zaylin Driver hit into a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the eighth to score a run.

Despite rain forcing the postponement of some games, the Berry Lady Wildcats softball team is off to a good start for the 2020 season. Berry traveled to Fayette for its opening game on Monday, Feb. 17 and lost an overtime thriller to the Lady Tigers by the score of  9-8.

After opening the 2020 season with two wins at home, the Bevill State Community College baseball team has continued to be impressive so far during the season. Bevill travelled to Southwest Tennessee Community College and won by a score of 8-1. Tray Lacy of Winfield was the winning pitcher for Bevill, pitching seven innings and scattering four hits. Andrew Feola was the losing pitcher for Southwest Tennessee.

The Fayette City Council distributed $5,000 to each of the three public school within the city during its Feb. 11 meeting. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent with all other council members present. Representatives from Fayette Elementary School, Fayette Middle School and Fayette County High School each accepted a check from the council, totaling $15,000 to the three schools. The money was appropriated to the schools in this year’s budget, contingent on funds being available.

LaTasha Windham of Aliceville was the featured speaker at this year’s “Celebrating Black History Month” program, held on Feb. 13 at Bevill State Community College in Fayette. Windham is a native of Pickens County, and a graduate of Bevill State and Mississippi University for Women. She is currently employed with the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Prisons, working as a contract specialist.

David White addressed the Fayette County Commission at the beginning of its Feb. 10 meeting concerning the condition of county roads, especially roads in the Mt. Lebanon Community. All commissioners, with the exception of Commissioner John Underwood, were present at the meeting.

Christine Fink, a resident at Fayette Medical Center Long-Term Care, celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 12, surrounded by family and friends. A lifelong resident of Fayette, she said that she still enjoys visiting with people and reminiscing about the way things used to be.

The ninth annual Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will be observed Feb. 21 - 23. The tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday Feb. 21 and continue until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23.

The Bevill State Bears hosted Bishop State for an opening day double-header on Saturday, Feb. 8 and swept the games by the scores of 12-11 and 1-0.The first game was a matchup of offensive power, with Bishop State scoring a single run in each of the first five innings. Bishop State took an early 2-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning before Bevill managed to break through with three runs to take the lead.

Both the Fayette and Berry girls’ basketball teams wrapped up successful season despite losses in their sub-regional games. Fayette traveled to the number three ranked Class 4A girls basketball program in the state and lost to Priceville by a score of 54-23.

Several local officials and community leaders delivered the “State of the Community” during the Feb. 4 Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce’s “First Tuesday” Luncheon. Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson said that the state of the City of Fayette is very strong, with the city experiencing significant growth in 2019. He said the unemployment rate in the city is currently 2.7 percent. “If you’re looking for a job, you should be able to find one,” he said.