City Council says goodbye to Junior Mayor
Junior City Council Mayor Emily Huang is shown surrounded by council and community members during her last Fayette City Council meeting.
The Fayette City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 23, at Fayette City Hall. All council members were present except for Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe. The meeting commenced with a prayer led by Scott Smyth, pastor at Vision Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance recited by Councilman Jerry Nichols.
Berry FCCLA students attend national leadership conference
Berry FCCLA students who attended the National leadership Conference are, pictured above in no particular order, Kryssa Fields, Danni Kate Naramore, Sydney Frost, Anna Raley Palmer and Collin Lowery (Contributed photo)
The 2024 FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) took place in Seattle, WA, from June 29 – July 3, drawing more than 8,000 students, educators, and guests from across the nation. This gathering provided a valuable platform for attendees to expand their leadership skills, sharpen their talents, explore career pathways, and listen to inspiring speakers. The highly anticipated Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events were at the heart of the conference.
Women’s Club receives grant to refurbish “Old Town Well”
The “Old Town Well” pictured here was refurbished with a grant from Tombigbee RC&D.
The Berry Women’s Club received a grant from Tombigbee RC&D to refurbish the “Old Town Well”. The gazebo was reconstructed featuring a blue interior roof and topped with a weather vein on the shingled roof. The bright white exterior brings attention to the beautiful structure. Attached benches are provided for visitors. The grounds were landscaped with plants, a tree, rocks, and signage. The tree was donated by Mickey Lollar in memory of Toni Morgan.
Berry High School receives Sportsmanship Grant
AHSAA incoming Executive Director Heath Harmon (far right) and Associate Executive Director Kim Vickers (left) congratulate the 10 schools receiving a $1,000 Sportsmanship Grant from Friday. Representing the schools were, from left: Danny Raines, Berry HS; Zac Welch, Alexandria HS; Adam Fossett, B.B. Comer HS; Eric Hines, Paul Bryant HS; Edwin Burke, Murphy HS; Luther Riley, Greensboro HS; David Offerle, St. Michael Catholic HS; David Watts, G.W. Long HS; Albert Weeden, Loachapoka HS; and Josh Wallace, Sardis HS. (Contributed photo)
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) recognized 107 high schools that were ejection and sportsmanship fine free for the 2023-24 school year. The $1,000 Sportsmanship grant, which was provided by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), was awarded to 10 of the schools, one from each district and two from districts 4 and 8, in a show of commitment and support for the AHSAA’s sportsmanship initiatives.
Berry Fire Department meets with seniors
(Contributed photo)
The Berry Fire Department interacted with seniors at the Berry Civic Center, discussing fire safety and the smoke alarm program organized by the State Fire Marshal Office. They appreciated the opportunity to engage with these esteemed individuals
Multiple vehicle accidents cause injuries
(Photo courtesy of Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby)
On Tuesday, July 16, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 96, located near M&M Service Center, in Fayette Co. FCSO also received reports of a single vehicle crash on Thursday, July 18. in the 4400 block of Co. Rd. 53 N.
Painting a lifelong passion for Paul Yerby
Oil painting of turkeys in a field at an old homestead by local artist Paul Yerby
For over eight decades, Paul Yerby, a cherished local artist, has been painting the canvas of life through his art. Yerby was born in 1937 in the Salem community north of Boley Springs in Fayette County, and has lived in or near Berry all of his life. His journey began in grammar school, where he was recognized as the class artist by his teachers and peers. “I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember, and I did a lot of drawing in school,” he said. “I reckon the Lord just gave me some talent for it.” This sparked a passion that would last a lifetime.
Superintendent addresses safety concerns at Fayette Middle School
Fayette County School Superintendent Jim Burkhalter, right, is shown with FMS Assistant Principal Ray Trull. (Contributed photo)
Fayette County School Superintendent Jim Burkhalter held an open meeting to address concerns about Fayette Middle School on Thursday, July 18 at the FMS gym. Deputy Superintendent Mary Raines and FMS Assistant Principal Ray Trull were in attendance, along with many concerned parents.
Fayette County success story in a nationwide crisis
By Amber Sitton | Guest editorial
Missing persons cases cast a long shadow across the United States. It’s a problem that plagues communities nationwide, leaving families in anguish and uncertainty. Alabama, like many states, grapples with this issue, but a beacon of hope shines from Fayette County in the state’s northwest corner. Remarkably, Fayette County currently has no missing persons reported.
Vote ALEA for the 2024 America’s Best-Looking Cruiser Contest
ALEA Dodge Challenger in front of the iconic USS Alabama located in Mobile (Photo courtesy of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency)
Each year, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) joins fellow highway patrol and state police agencies across the nation vying for the top spot in the American Association of State Troopers’ (AAST) “Best-Looking Cruiser” Contest. Photos are chosen through popular vote and placed in the AAST’s calendar.
Bungalow’s RealtySouth ribbon cutting - Thursday, July 11
(Contributed photo)
Bungalow’s RealtySouth held a ribbon cutting for their new real estate office, located inside Bungalow’s Venue, on Thursday, July 11. Several were in attendance. Pictured above, front row, left to right: Belinda Watts, Anita Morris, Jennifer Roberts, Emily Montague, Jamie Mansfield Farris (Broker w/scissors), Peyton Mansfield, Rebecca Green, Sherry Terry, Melanie Warren and Marla Kizzire. Back Row, left to right: Ron Morris, Floyd Rogers, Dolan Lyle (Agent), Jeff Farris, Mayor Rod Northam, Daxston Farris and Willy Ivey.
Gov. Ivey awards state grant funds to local volunteer fire departments
(Contributed photo)
Departments in Fayette County were recognized and shown appreciation for their service of commitment and training to keep Alabama safe. Shown above, bottom row, left to right: Chris Roos (Alabama Forestry Department), Paul Madison (Boley), Terrell Stripling (Belk), Eddie “Bunky” Hayes (Lawrence Mill), David Dozier (Hubbertville) and Logan Fisher (Alabama Forestry Department).
Sports Hall of Fame inductees named
The 2024 Class of inductees into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame have been named. The Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, July 27, at the Earl McDonald Building of Bevill State Community College Fayette Campus at 6:30 p.m. The complete list of inductees and a brief biography will be published in The Times-Record.
Sales Tax Holiday this weekend
Governor Kay Ivey on Monday encouraged Alabamians to begin preparing for the upcoming academic year by participating in Alabama’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, held Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21. Items available for purchase and exempt from sales tax during the weekend include pencils, paper, binders, calculators, rulers and even computers, as well as school uniforms, gym suits and other types of clothing.
City council discusses water rate hike
The Glen Allen Town Council met in regular session at the Town Community Center on Tuesday, July 2. All council members were in attendance for the monthly meeting. Following standard opening procedures for the meeting, Mayor Allen J. Dunavant informed the council that he had received a bid proposal for purchasing the old water meters which were recently replaced with the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) water meters.
Commission holds work session to plan for 2025
The Fayette County Commission convened for a work session at the Fayette Courthouse Annex Building on Monday, July 8. All commissioners were present, except for District Five Commissioner Robert Townley. Fayette County Commission Chairman Mike Freeman stated the meeting was primarily about discussing and putting together plans for 2025 that are due by the end of August. He mentioned that this is not the only meeting, and there will be more discussions in the future.
Small business grants discussed at Fayette City Council meeting
The Fayette City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 9, at Fayette City Hall. All council members were present, except for Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe
Fire damages downtown businesses
(Photo by Devin Dudley)
On Friday, July 5, at approximately 9:08 p.m., the Fayette Fire Department responded to a building fire in the 100 block of 2nd St. NE. Three downtown businesses were damaged during the incident.
FMS traffic patterns cause safety concerns for city
The Fayette City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 25, at Fayette City Hall. All council members were in attendance, with the exception of Councilwoman Virettia Whiteside. The meeting commenced with a prayer led by Rick McCabe, an elder at Central Church, and the Pledge of Allegiance recited by Councilman Tommy Williams.