Bevill State Community College announced on Wednesday, April 18 the reduction of 15 faculty and staff members from throughout the college’s five campus locations. These cuts follow a reduction of 19 employees from the system that occurred in August 2017. The previous cuts were instructed by the Alabama Community College System chancellor’s office in an effort to increase Bevill’s reserves. The Alabama Community College System also provided Bevill with guidance concerning the latest cuts.

Recent reports of the unauthorized use of blue police lights on a personal vehicle has prompted the Fayette County Sheriff Department to issue a warning to the public. A female resident was recently driving on County Road 26 when a black Dodge Charger pulled up behind her and turned on blue lights similar to the ones used by law enforcement. The driver did not pull over and soon the person driving the Charger turned off onto another road.

The Glen Allen Town Council met on Tuesday, April 3 at the town hall. The agenda for the regular scheduled monthly meeting was short as most items requiring action had been discussed in detail during the council's water-working meeting held on Tuesday, Feb. 6. All council members were in attendance at the water-working meeting and were also present for the council meeting. Mayor Allen J. Dunavant presented items one-by-one for discussion from the water-working meeting prior to the council electing to take the necessary action.

Alex Henry has signed to play her remaining two years of college with Auburn University of Montgomery. She was a standout volleyball player at Fayette County High School and only played one year at Bevill during the college’s reinstatement of the volleyball team in 2017.

Berry had a rare week of softball, losing the only two games that it played during the week.
Holy Spirit pounced on Berry early and never looked back in a decisive 17-2 win against its area rival. Brooke Blanton was the losing pitcher, allowing seven hits in four innings of work while striking out five. Allie Taylor pitched two innings in relief, allowing five hits and striking out three. Sommer Bullard was one-for-three for the Lady Wildcats, with a double and a RBI. Gracyn Hydrick was one-for-two with a RBI. Tierra Grevins and Kierston Smith scored the only two runs for Berry.

The Hubbertville softball team hosted Brilliant on Wednesday, April 18 and easily defeated the Lady Tigers by a score of 18-2. Emma Nichols pitched a complete game for the Lady Lions, allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out two batters. Gracie Dodd had the big bat for Hubbertville, going three-for-three including a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs. Laikyn Wright also had three hits for Hubbertville, including a double, four runs scored and three RBIs.

A total of 52 people participated in the annual Glen Allen “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” clean-up day on Saturday, April 21. Glen Allen Mayor Allen Dunavant said that the crowd was smaller than usual due to the Hubbertville Park Day being held at the same time, but he said the clean-up campaign was a success.

Bevill traveled to Marion on April 12 and lost both games of a double-header to Marion Military Institute. In the first game, the Bears lost by a score of 5-3. Bevill took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and stretched that lead to 3-1 by the second inning. MMI took the lead in the fourth and never relinquished to preserve the win. Parker Hubbard took the loss for Bevill despite surrendering only two earned runs. He struck out three opposing batters and allowed five hits.

Former Berry Town Council member Clyde Pendley, age 78, passed away at his home on Friday, April 13. Services were held on Monday, April 16 with burial in Memory Hill Garden cemetery. According to Berry Town Clerk Marie McClusky, Pendley served as a Berry councilman from his appointment for the remainder of an unexpired term in April 2007 until his resignation in February of this year due to health reasons.

Dr. Kim Ennis was named as the new president of Bevill State Community College by the Alabama Community College System’s Board of Directors during a meeting held on Tuesday, April 10 at Lawson State Community College.Ennis began her college career as a student at Walker College, which is now part of the Bevill State Community College system. Following her studies at Walker College, Ennis received her Bachelor’s degree in business at Birmingham Southern and later received her Masters’ and PHD in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Sandy Whitson, 46, of Fayette was arrested and charged with first degree burglary, third degree burglary, first degree theft of a vehicle and second degree domestic violence assault in connection with an attack on a Millport woman. The attack occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, according to Millport police chief Charles White. He said Whitson broke into the female victim’s home and assaulted her before she could get away.

The Fayette County Commission voted to purchase the former Shop & Save Supermarket located across from the annex building during its April 9 meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren said that the commission had an opportunity to purchase the supermarket property for the assessed value of $220,000 if they voted now to make the purchase. He said that the property would be put on the market if the county commission chose not to make the purchase.

The Fayette City Council approved the purchase of a security system for city hall during its April 10 meeting. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent from the meeting, with the remaining council members in attendance along with Mayor Ray Nelson.
Prior to beginning the discussion concerning security, Nelson said that he had a copy of a video from Kirkwood, Missouri that showed an active shooter killing two police officers, three city councilmen and the mayor during a council meeting. He said the video reinforces the need for security at governmental buildings.

The Berry Town Council held a special called meeting on March 19 to award the bid for the water line relocation in Bankston. Councilman Calvin Madison made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing Mayor Jimmy Madison to contract on behalf of the Town of Berry with Robinson and Sons Construction to relocate the water line. The amount of the successful bid was $255,450 and the cost of the relocation will be reimbursed by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Hubbertville defeated Pickens County 20-2 on April 10 in a three inning game.
Emma Nichols pitched a complete game for Hubbertville, allowing four hits and two unearned runs with three strikeouts and no walks. Gracie Dodd had two hits for Hubbertville, including a home run, with two runs scored and two RBIs. Chelsea Porter had three runs scored and two RBIs, Savannah McCraw scored a run and had two RBIs, and Cayla Tidwell had a double, RBI and scored two runs.

Fayette lost to Winfield on April 10 by a score of 7-6 as the Pirates Jack Williamson hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the eighth inning for Winfield’s come-from-behind win. Walt Tucker had a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at five, and Fayette had a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth before the triple by Williamson. Austin McCaleb had a three hit night for Fayette and Tucker also had multiple hits in the game.

Berry started off the week on Monday, April 9 with a shutout softball win against Pickens County by a score of 15-0. Brooke Blanton started the game as pitcher for Berry and dominated the Lady Tornado batters, striking out eight of the nine batters she faced and allowing no hits. Blanton also contributed at the plate, going two-for-two with two RBIs and walked twice during the game.

Tatarian Williams, 28, of Fayette, accepted a plea deal in Fayette County Circuit Court on April 4 and was sentenced to spend the next 20 years in an Alabama Department of Corrections facility. Williams was arrested on June 10, 2016 and charged with drug trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia following a raid on his residence, located on 3rd St. SE in Fayette. According to reports of the arrest, Antonious Charblye Delaney and Dionne Cherell Dixon were also arrested during the raid.

The Fayette Community Foundation held its annual reception on April 5 at the Fayette Civic Center to recognize the past year’s grant recipients. William Oswalt, chairman of the Fayette Community Foundation board of directors, presented opening remarks at the beginning of the reception.

The Fayette Garden Club presented its Community Service Award and scholarship during the Fayette Chamber of Commerce’s “First Tuesday” luncheon, held at the Fayette Civic Center on April 3. Mason Aldridge, a senior at Fayette County High School, was presented the Community Service Award and also received a $250 cash scholarship from the Fayette Garden Club.

Lucas Kimbrell was awarded the "High School Attending Two-Year College" scholarship at the 75th annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show Awards Banquet Saturday, March 10.

The Fayette Tigers baseball team faced South Lamar on March 23 and recorded a resounding 11-1 victory over the Stallions. Carter Sanford drove in a run on a groundout in the first inning, and Fayette notched four runs in the fifth to seal the victory. Sanford, Chance Stevenson, Luke Avery and Brett Linton all had RBIs in the crucial fifth inning for the Tigers. Avery had two-hits in two at-bats for Fayette.

Hubbertville traveled to its cross-county rival Berry on April 3, losing a heartbreaker to the 10th ranked team in Class 1A by a score of 9-8. Emma Nichols pitched a complete six-inning game for Hubbertville, allowing all nine runs of which only two were earned. She gave up 13 hits to the Lady Wildcats, while walking one and striking out an opposing batter.

The Berry girls’ softball team, ranked 10th in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 1A poll, won three-of-four games during the past week. The Lady Wildcats’ only loss of the week was to the third-ranked team in Class 2A, the Lamar County Lady Bulldogs. On Monday, April 2, Berry defeated Holy Spirit 9-2. Brooke Blanton pitched a complete seven-inning game, allowing one hit and striking out six opposing batters. Blanton also went two-for-four at the plate with a walk.

After a promising start to its newly-revived program, the Bevill Bears have hit a rough stretch of games, losing seven-of-eight during the past two weeks. The Bears hosted Southern Union on March 29, losing 13-1 in the first game of a double-header. The Bison used an eight-run fifth inning to seal the victory against the Bears. Parker Hubbard pitched 4 2/3 innings for Bevill, allowing 13 runs on just nine hits while striking out four.

Although some people thought it would never happen, the long-debated jail took a big step toward reality on April 2 as the official ground-breaking for the new jail occurred. The company handling the site prep is Price Civil Services of Tuscaloosa. The site preparation is expected to last approximately three months, followed by the beginning of the construction of the jail.

The Fayette City Council approved the purchase of a used dump truck for the street and sanitation department at a cost of $23,300 during its March 27 meeting Marty Weeks, supervisor of the Street and Sanitation Department, spoke to the council during a work session that was held prior to the meeting. He said that the motor in one of the department’s trucks was worn out, and said that the department needed another truck.

The Fayette County Commission voted to hire Mike Tomlin as the county’s road supervisor/superintendent during its March 26 meeting. County engineer Luke Porter said that several applicants for the superintendent job had been interviewed and following the completion of the interviews, his recommendation was to hire Tomlin for the position. Tomlin is already an employee of the county’s road crew and is familiar with the duties and functions of the department.

Ella Wilson celebrated her 99th birthday on March 25 at the Fayette Long-term Care Facility. She was surprised with a special birthday party by her family. Ms. Ella, as she is affectionally known by the staff and her many friends, wore her crown and sash to celebrate the special occasion. She was escorted around the facility on her birthday and was congratulated by the other residents and staff. Ms. Ella plays the harmonica and sings at many of the activities at the Long-Term Care facility.

McDonald’s of Fayette celebrated its “grand re-opening “ with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27. The interior of the store was closed for a few weeks for a major renovation. The newly remodeled McDonald's will seat 70, and the outside seats will accomidate an additional 25.

The 10th ranked Berry Wildcats opened a busy week of softball by defeating Sulligent in both games of a double-header on March 26. Brooke Blanton was the winning pitcher in the opening game, striking out 10 batters and allowing only four hits as Berry defeated the Lady Blue Devils 5-0.

Hubbertville hosted its Hubbertville Invitational Round-Robin Tournament on Saturday, March 31, consisting of high school teams from Hubbertville, Berry, Brilliant, Marion County and Winston County. The Lady Lions started the tournament against Winston County, losing by a score of 9-1. Emma Nichols pitched for Hubbertville, striking out three batters, allowing no walks and two earned runs. Chelsea Porter, Cayla Tidwell and Haylee Pollard all had hits for Hubbertville, with Porter scoring a run and Tidwell getting the RBI.

Following a report from a victim and leads from citizens of the county, the Fayette County Sheriff Office arrested seven people for alleged burglaries and two other arrests for chemical endangerment of a child. According to the arresting officer, Corporal Roger Morrison of the sheriff department, the first notification of the burglaries was reported on March 18 for a residence located on Highway 13 North. Tips led to the arrest of a suspect in that case and the continuing investigation led to other suspects being arrested.

A Fayette County man was arrested and charged with the March 6 burglary of the Mayfield Fire Department in Tuscaloosa County. According to Officer Josh Hastings of the Tuscaloosa Sheriff Department, Randall Colby Glasgow, 32, of Hwy. 107 Fayette, was arrested on March 7 and charged with three counts of breaking and entering a vehicle, three counts of first degree theft of property, and one count of third degree burglary. Glasgow is charged with taking two fire trucks from the Mayfield fire station and abandoning them after he wrecked the vehicles shortly after leaving the station.

Although the weather might still be a little cool, the vibrant colors of spring remind you of the warmth just around the corner. Dogwoods, azaleas, tulips and other flowering plants are awakening with the splendor and beauty of the season.

The Hubbertville Lions faced Belgreen High School in a baseball game played at Hubbertville last week.

Fayette County’s 21st March for Jesus celebration and prayer rally will be held Saturday, May 19. The event has been held in Fayette each year since 1997, with the exception of 2003. Organizers for the annual March for Jesus rally are selling t-shirts for this year’s event. Orders will be taken through April 22 and are priced as follows: Youth Small through Adult XL will be $7 each and 2XL through 4XL will be $9 each.

The Fayette County Board of Education approved a contract for law enforcement security during a brief meeting held on March 13. Prior to the start of the meeting, a group of Fayette Middle School students, led by Natalyn Burkhalter, gave a presentation to the board. The board voted to contract with the Fayette Police Department and the Fayette County Sheriff Department to provide the security at the recommendation of FCHS principal Jeremy Madden. The security will be paid for with money provided by the Fayette County High School general fund.

The Bevill Bears traveled to Alexander City to face Central Alabama Community College (CACC) for two games with mixed results, splitting the two-game set. The Bears rallied late to defeat Central Alabama Community College 6-5 on Thursday March 22. Brewer opened the scoring in the first when Brandon Rickman reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a CACC error for a 1-0 lead. After CACC scored two in the second inning, BSCC tied it up in the third when Brady Milligan scored on Walker Nolen’s double.

The Fayette Tigers baseball team defeated the South Lamar Stallions 11-1 in a game played Friday, March 23. Fayette scored one run in the first inning on a RBI groundout by Carter Sanford, before increasing its lead in the fifth inning with four additional runs. Sanford, Luke Avery, Chance Stevenson and Brett Linton each had RBIs in the inning for the Tigers. Linton was the winning pitcher for Fayette, allowing one run on only four hits in seven innings of work. Linton also struck out six South Lamar batters and did not allow a walk in the game.

James Gregory Garrett, 43, of Hoover was arrested on March 9 and charged with murder in connection with the March 28, 2017 vehicular deaths of Billy Ray Massey and Carolyn Massey of Double Springs.

The Fayette City Council heard a report from Chris Champion, Fayette Aquatic Center director, during its March 13 meeting. All council members were in attendance, with Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson absent. President Pro Tem Cedric Wilson presided over the meeting during the absence of Nelson.

The Fayette County Commission approved the low bids submitted for the construction of the new Fayette County jail at its March 12 meeting.

The Fayette Medical Center presented its third annual 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, March 10. The event was started to highlight March as National Nutrition Month. The theme of this year’s run was “Shape a Happier You” to emphasize the importance of nutrition and fitness. Each year the funds raised from the run help fund scholarships to local students and also help the local hospital volunteer auxiliary. 

The Fayette County Bar Association donated duffle bags to the Fayette County Department of Human Resources (DHR) to be given to children beginning foster care.

The Glen Allen Town Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 6 at the town’s community center. Mayor Allen Dunavant welcomed political candidates whom had requested an opportunity to address the council during the meeting. Each candidate was allotted a five-minute time period to present their platforms and following their presentations, the council presented questions and discussed concerns with each candidate.

The Bevill Bears hosted Coastal Alabama of Bay Minette and swept a double-header by the scores of 5-3 and 4-3. In the first game, Bevill State took an early 3-0 lead over Coastal AL and held on for a 5-3 victory. The Bears scored three in the first inning on a groundout by Turner Shankles, a single by Austin Spann, and a fielders’ choice by Brandon Rickman to take a 3-0 lead. Bevill added the other two runs in the second inning on another single by Spann and a sacrifice fly from Jakob Box.

The Hubbertville Lady Lions won its only two games of the week, defeating Hackleburg 13-0 and beating Pickens County 11-1. Emma Nichols pitched a complete game shutout on March 12 against Hackleburg allowing no runs and only one hit while striking out seven batters and walking none. Chelsea Porter was three-for-four for Hubbertville, with two runs scored and an RBI. Kayla Tidwell also had three hits in four at-bats and drove in two runs. Laikyn Wright had two hits for the Lady Lions, scoring three runs and driving in a run.

The Fayette Tigers took a three game series against Hamilton last week before later falling to Bibb County On March 13, Blake Wallace had a four-RBI game to lead Fayette to a 13-2 victory.
The big inning for the Tigers was the third inning, when Fayette scored seven runs thanks to RBIs by Wallace, Reid Bryan, Luke Avery, Carter Sanford and Chance Stevenson. Sanford was the winning pitcher for Fayette, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out six in five innings of work.