Fayette Co. Sports Hall of Fame



After a four-year absence, the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will have an induction ceremony this August for its Class of 2023 inductees. The ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 in the Earl McDonald Auditorium on the Fayette Campus of Bevill State Community College. Fayette County High School graduate and University of Alabama broadcasting legend Tom Roberts will once again emcee the event.

 

Brief storm causes some damage in county


This tree fell across Highway 18 East, temporarily blocking traffic until it was cleared away by workers.

A brief, isolated thunderstorm produced large hail and caused some tree damage in the Bankston – Berry area of the county on Thursday, June 29, according to Fayette County Emergency Management Area Director Michael Stoker. Stoker said that due to temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees in Northwest Alabama last week, the heat caused isolated thunderstorms to occur in certain areas. The official high temperature for Fayette last Thursday was 97 degrees, with a heat index of approximately 110 degrees.

 

Hot summer temperatures are here


Although this thermometer in Fayette said the temperature last Saturday was 104 degrees, the official temperature “only” registered 97 degrees.

The summer heat and high temperatures are here, with temperatures approaching the 100 degree mark. However, the heat index last Thursday - Sunday was approximately 110 degrees, causing many to seek cool shelter in an effort to avoid the dangerously high heat.

City Council approves alcohol license transfer


Pictured is the Fayette City Council at its June 27 meeting. From left: Councilman Jerry Nichols, Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe, Councilman Tommy Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Eddy Campbell, Councilwoman Virettia Whiteside, Junior Mayor Benjamin Olive and City Clerk Dawn Clapp.

The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on Tuesday, June 27. All council members were present for the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Eddy Campbell led the meeting during the absence of Fayette Mayor Rod Northam, who missed the meeting due to attending a conference. Fayette County High School student Sean White opened the meeting with prayer and also led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

BHS wins ‘Battle of the Diamond’


Members of the Berry softball team are, from left, front: Ashlyn Smith and Brylee Kelly. Back: Head Coach Darrell Thomas, Danni Kate Naramore, Shayla Mayfield, Kinsly Aaron, Kryssa Fields, Karley Bonner, Sydney Rice, Ava Morrison, Kerra Aaron, Carrie Odom and Maggie Mauldin.

The Berry High School Lady Wildcats got next year’s season off to a good start, as they participated in the “Battle on the Diamond” softball tournament in Aliceville on June 16 and brought home the first place trophy.

 

New Pre-K programs in Fayette County



Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) announced the expansion of the Alabama First Class Pre-K program. The department will initially add 69 classrooms in 30 counties this fall, providing seats for more than 1,200 children. The classrooms included in this first round are part of Governor Ivey’s specific education initiatives that include addressing turnaround schools and high needs areas, as well as reducing wait lists for Pre-K programs.

Nursing students can earn Bachelor Degrees



Bevill State Community College has partnered with The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing as part of the “UAB School of Nursing/Community College Joint Enrollment Pathway” to offer Bevill State students a seamless path from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The UAB School of Nursing/Community College Joint Enrollment Pathway is for students who are interested in earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree while still enrolled in their associate degree program.

Matt Belk selected as Mayor of Belk


Matt Belk (right) is shown taking the oath of office as the new mayor of Belk from Fayette Co. Probate Judge Mike Freeman on Friday, June 23, as Deana Belk holds the Bible for her husband.

Matt Belk was selected as mayor by the Belk City Council during the council’s regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 22.

Williams selected as BHS principal


Dr. Kim Williams was selected as the new principal at Berry High School.

The Fayette County Board of Education voted unanimously during its June 22 meeting to name Dr. Kim Williams as the new principal of Berry High School. All board members were in attendance for the meeting. Dr. Williams is a 1989 graduate of Berry High School, where she was valedictorian of her senior class.

Commission holds meeting in Canaan Community


Pictured at the June 26 Fayette County Commission meeting, from left: Commissioners John Underwood, Robert Townley, Wesley Jacobs, David Hubbert, Shane Hughes and Brad Cox. The meeting was held at the Canaan Community Center.

The Fayette County Commission held its June 26 meeting at the Canaan Community Center at the request of Commissioner John Underwood. All commissioners were present for the meeting.
During the absence of Commission Chairman Mike Freeman, who was attending a conference meeting, Commissioner Wesley Jacobs stepped in as vice-chairman to conduct the meeting. Underwood led the commission in prayer to open the meeting.

 

Mayor of Belk loses battle with cancer


Belk Mayor Karen Strickland

Belk Mayor Karen Strickland lost her ongoing battle with cancer and passed away at her residence on June 17 at the age of 68. Strickland was a lifelong resident of Fayette County, and lived most of her adult life in the community of Belk. She loved Belk deeply, and devoted her life to helping make life in the small community a better place for the residents.

 

Ride honors McCafferty’s memory


Pictured are the officers of the Fayette County “Iron Angels.” From left: Timothy “Mayhem” Benefield (Treasurer), Art “Leprechaun” Frazier, Jr. (Secretary), Art “Blue” Frazier, Sr. (Vice-President) and Brandon “B Dawg” Smith (President).

This past Saturday, approximately 38 motorcycle riders participated in a memorial ride to honor the memory of longtime Fayette County Sheriff Deputy Frankie McCafferty. McCafferty died in March of cancer.

 

Fayette Chamber presents awards


The Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its June 6 luncheon. Shown from left: Mark Montague (accepting the “Citizen of the Year” award for Larry Humber), Fayette Chamber President Russ Taylor, Kathy Bordelon (“Volunteer of the Year”) and Fayette Chamber Director Emily Montague.

The Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce held a “Volunteers Appreciation Luncheon” on June 6 to recognize and honor volunteers throughout the community.