According to a report from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, James Clayton Nelson died on March 27 while serving a life sentence in the Donaldson Correctional Facility.

The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on March 28. Councilwoman Virettia Whiteside was absent from the meeting, with all other council members present. Tom Wisemiller, President and CEO of the Northwest Alabama Economic Alliance, better known as C3, gave the council an update on projects that his organization has been working on.

The Berry Town Council voted to reappoint Councilman Troyce Townsel to his council position during its April 3 meeting. All council members were present, with the exception of Townsel.

Ron and Anita Morris held a St. Patrick’s day fundraiser to benefit “The Loft” and all of the many community projects that The Loft supports. The fundraiser, called “Soup for the Soul” included homemade soup, cornbread and pound cake made by Anita Morris along with a handcrafted bowl from Ron’s Pottery.

The Fayette Tigers played a three-game series last week against its rival Gordo, dropping the series two games to one. On Tuesday, March 28, Gordo defended its home diamond with a 6-3 victory over the Tigers.

The Hubbertville Lions’ softball team defeated Berry 11-9 in a game played at Berry last week.
Nevaeh Hoobler started the game on the mound for Hubbertville and captured the win for the Lady Lions.

The Hubbertville Lions’ baseball team no-hit Berry on March 31 to claim a 15-0 victory. Greyson Key pitched the entire five-inning game for Hubbertville, allowing no hits and no runs with five walks and five strikeouts.

From Jan. 16 - 25, a group of Fayette County citizens joined with others on a trip to the Holy Land. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For the trip’s host, Fayette County Baptist Director John Killian, this was his seventh trip, and his wife, Jeanie’s, fourth pilgrimage.

The Fayette County Commission held its March 27 meeting at the Wayside Community Voting Precinct, at the request of District 2 Commissioner Shane Hughes. All commissioners were present for the meeting. The meeting began with Commission Chairman Mike Freeman allowing citizens at the meeting to ask Waste Management Representative Kerry Howell questions concerning the recent Waste Management quarterly bills that were received by residents.

Governor Kay Ivey recently announced a $350,000 grant to improve sewer service and eliminate a public health concern in the City of Fayette. Funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to replace a major component of the town’s sewer system. The affected area serves 107 households and two major industries.

The Hubbertville Lions’ baseball team had a huge 15-5 win over Holy Spirit last Friday. Hayden Brown started the game on the mound for Hubbertville, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs (four total runs) on four hits.

The Fayette baseball team took a Gulf Coast swing during spring break and finished the week 2-2 against tough competition. On Monday, the Tigers defeated Covington, Tenn. by the score of 10-5.

The Fayette County Board of Education voted during its March 16 meeting to non-renew Steve Sawyer’s contract as principal of Berry High School. All board members were present for the meeting. The meeting was attended by numerous concerned parents and citizens of the county, and the board also had its attorney present for the meeting. Sawyer was given three minutes at the beginning of the meeting to address the board, and read a prepared statement to the board members, superintendent and others who were in attendance for the meeting.

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole voted on March 15 to deny the  parole of convicted murderer Betty Louise Woods. Woods pled guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court in Nov. 1995 to the June 1994 murder of three-year old Ashley White.

The Fayette County Commission honored four law enforcement officers for their courage and bravery, and acknowledged the long-term commitment, trust and loyalty of another officer during its March 13 meeting. Commissioner Wesley Jacobs and Commissioner Brad Cox were absent from the meeting, with all other commissioners present.

The Fayette City Council presented a check for $6,000 to the Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce during its March 14 meeting. Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe was absent from the meeting, with all other council members present. Fayette Chamber Director Emily Montague accepted the $6,000 appropriations check from the mayor and council. She said that the money would be used to help defray expenses for the many worthwhile projects that the Chamber sponsors or participates in each year.

The Fayette Civic Center and Art Museum is celebrating its 40th anniversary this Saturday, March 25, and the whole town is invited. The Civic Center was constructed in 1930 as the Fayette Elementary School, and was used as a school until the current elementary school was  fully opened.

Fayette continued its hot streak this season, defeating American Christian Academy on Thursday by the score of 4-1. Landon Lowe was the winning pitcher for the Tigers, allowing two hits and one run with eight strikeouts in seven innings of work. Cooper Sanford was the leading hitter for Fayette, with two hits during the game.

The Lady Lions finished first in the Hubbertville Round-Robin Softball Tournament, held on Saturday, March 18. Prior to the tournament, Hubbertville lost to Winston County by the score of 19-9. Nevaeh Hoobler started the game at pitcher for the Lady Lions and suffered the loss. No other stats were available for the game.

The Berry Lady Wildcats’ softball team finished second in the Hubbertville Round-Robin Tournament on Saturday. In Berry’s first game, Hubbertville defeated the Lady Wildcats 4-3.