An unusual ice storm, with temperatures in the single digits and teens and with wind chill factors at times near zero, brought Fayette County and the surrounding area to a near-standstill last week. The ice storm was unusual due to the fact that most of the ice was confined to pavement and the roadways. Fortunately, the ice did not lay heavily on tree limbs and power lines, and most people had electricity during the extremely cold weather.

The Boley, Flatwoods and Alta communities are suffering through a water shortage as part of an on-going problem with the Oakman Water Works. The problem began on Sunday, Jan. 14, and is well into its second week of water drought for the area’s residents. Cecil Canida, manager of the Oakman Water Works, said that a “perfect storm” of incidents has led to the current situation.

The Fayette County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Jan. 22. All commissioners, with the exception of Commissioner Brad Cox, were in attendance at the meeting. Commissioner John Underwood opened the meeting in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. At the beginning of the meeting, Commission Chairman Mike Freeman thanked the commissioners and county workers, including County EMA Director Michael Stoker, for helping to keep the citizens of Fayette safe during the ice storm last week.

Hubbertville boys’ basketball team traveled to Lynn on Jan. 9 and was defeated by the Bears 57-35. Cole Brand led the Lions in scoring with 10 points, followed by Kane Rushing with eight points. Cam Pendley had six points, Blaize Wakefield added five points, while Kade Watkins and Sebashton Harris had three points each. On Jan. 12, Hubbertville hosted Berry and won by the score of 52-48.

Republican Bryan Brinyark defeated Democratic candidate John Underwood 2,370 - 469 in the Jan. 9 special general election to win the vacant Alabama House of Representative District 16 seat. The seat became vacant when former representative, Kyle South, resigned to take the President and CEO position with the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

The Fayette Community Foundation held its annual grant award presentation on Jan. 11 at the Fayette Civic Center. In attendance were many of the Foundation’s board members and grant recipients. The Fayette Community Foundation was started through the generosity and benevolence of the Tillotson family with a $1 million contribution in 2005.  Throughout the years, the family continued to contribute to the fund, reaching a total contribution of $10 million.

The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All council members were present for the meeting. Local citizen Kelcey Hale opened the meeting with prayer, and also led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Fayette County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 8 at the Fayette Courthouse Annex building. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Commissioner Brad Cox opened the meeting with prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Three former Fayette County High School students were able to experience a thrill that they will remember for the rest of their lives during The University of Alabama’s recent trip to Pasadena, Calif. – the thrill of participating in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Halee Hudson, a 2022 graduate of The University of Alabama, was hired during the Fayette County Commission’s Jan. 8 meeting as the new assistant engineer for the county. (Note: Other items transacted during the Jan. 8 meeting will be covered in the Jan. 17 issue of The Times-Record.)

A single-vehicle accident that occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, claimed the life of a Berry man. Terrill L. Wrenn, 50, was fatally injured when the 2009 Pontiac G6 he was driving left the roadway, struck a tree and overturned. Wrenn was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Richard Friedman, with the Jewish Federation, will be speaking at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the Fayette Civic Center, giving an overview on the recent attacks on Israel.
Friedman has visited Israel 55 times, and has spoken and written extensively concerning Israel and Jewish themes. His articles have appeared in numerous state and national publications.

The Hubbertville basketball teams competed in the Winfield Holiday Tournament on Dec. 28 – 30, 2023, with the boys’ team winning one of three games and the girls’ team suffering three losses. The Hubbertville boys started the tournament with a 70-31 loss to Sulligent.

The Glen Allen Town Council met on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at the town’s community center. All council members were present for the monthly meeting. Mayor Allen J. Dunavant informed the council that there were several items of old business that remain open,  but he said that he was not prepared to address any of those issues at the present time.

The Berry Town Council held a brief regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2. All council members with the exception of Councilman Charles Tidwell were present for the meeting. The council voted to approve a quote from Langley Lawn and Fence of Bankston to install a “walk gate” for the Berry Water Department at a cost of $850.

Republican Bryan Brinyark and Democrat John Underwood will meet in a Jan. 9 general election to determine who will serve in the Alabama House of Representative, District 16 seat, for the next three years. The winner of the general election will fill the remainder of the unexpired term left when former representative Kyle South resigned effective June 30 to become the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

Editor’s Note: Last week we brought you news stories for January through June 2023. We conclude our Year-in-Review with stories that made the headlines during July through December 2023.

Although it seems to have almost gotten lost during all of the activities surrounding the holiday season, there is a pretty significant event occurring early in the New Year - the general election for the Alabama House of Representative from District 16. This is the representative that will serve Fayette County, and also a portion of Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties,  for the remainder of the unexpired term (three years).

Highlights from the first six months of 2023 are presented in this issue of The Times-Record.