The Fayette Tigers dropped the first of three games to Haleyville last week, before winning a doubleheader on Thursday to capture a huge area series win. On April 6, Fayette lost to the Lions by a score of 8-4. Colton McCaleb suffered the loss for the Tigers on the mound, allowing eight runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, McCaleb struck out eight batters. Kaleb Garrett picked up the win for Haleyville, surrendering seven hits and four runs with five strikeouts. Blake Johnson and Cooper Sanford led Fayette at the plate with two hits each.

Berry’s softball team played only one game last week, recording a big victory over one of the best Class 1A teams in the state. On April 8, Berry defeated Holy Spirit by a score of 4-1. The game also marked a milestone for Berry’s Head Coach Darrell Thomas. The victory was his 250th win in 12 full seasons as a head softball coach. Kyla Edmonson started the game on the mound for the Lady Wildcats and pitched the complete seven inning game. She allowed only one run on three hits while striking out 15 batters.

Hubbertville played two games in softball last week, winning the first game before losing the second. On April 6, the Lady Lions traveled to Brilliant and defeated the Lady Tigers 13-1. Emma Nichols captured the complete game victory from the mound, allowing only one hit and one unearned run in five innings while striking out five.

The Fayette Lady Tigers suffered a loss to Marion County on April 5 by a score of 6-1. The game was tied at one until the top of the fifth inning when the Lady Red Raiders took the lead. Lauren Seale suffered the loss for Fayette on the mound. Harley Johnson and Searley Nichols each had two hits for Fayette.

Jerry Martin Honeycutt, 78, of 10737 Hwy. 18 E., Bankston, was arrested on March 29 by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. He was arrested on a warrant stemming from  a March 26 incident. Honeycutt was charged with four counts of  reckless endangerment, attempted murder, first degree burglary, person forbidden to possess pistol,  two counts of menacing aggravated assault, first degree criminal trespass, two counts of first degree burglary and probation violation.

In a ruling issued on Wednesday, March 31 by 24th Judicial Circuit Judge Sam Junkin, a building permit issued by Fayette Fire Chief and Building Inspector Shannon Taylor was overturned. The case in question involved the placement of a manufactured home on a lot that was not zoned for manufactured homes. A variance is usually sought by the party seeking the permit, and in some cases, if the neighbors agree, the variance is allowed. In this instance, the permit was issued before a variance was sought.

Several roads in Fayette County suffered major damage last week due to flooding. While the county managed to avoid damage from high winds or tornadoes, such as those storms that affected areas south of the county, a tremendous amount of rainfall has been recorded for the past three weeks. Much of the rain fell in a short period of time, allowing water to pool up in low-lying areas.

Local builder Jerry O’Dell is a visionary in regards to preserving old historic buildings. He has renovated several businesses in downtown Fayette, and has always managed to maintain the historic integrity of the properties while upgrading and modernizing the facilities. A few years ago, O’Dell began to think about turning one of the former businesses in the downtown Fayette area into his personal residence.

The Fayette Farmers’ Market provides a means for local citizens to obtain quality, fresh produce from local farmers at a reasonable cost. One of the farmers that has participated in growing produce for sale at the Farmers’ Market is Gathon Moore. He said that once he retired 20 years ago, he and his wife Odessa started growing fresh produce to sell to the public.

Senator Greg Reed (R-Jasper) announced last week that legislation he sponsored with Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette) to extend the coal severance tax, which will generate millions of dollars for his district, was signed into law by the governor. Greg Reed, along with Representative South, Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes, Fayette County Probate Judge Mike Freeman and Walker County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Bob Reed released the following statements on this important community support.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the approval of a grant in the amount of $355,858 to the The University of Alabama for the Recovery Ecosystem For Substance Use Prevention And Treatment Through Community Reintegration And Employment Support For Alabamians (RESTORE Alabama). At least 36 workers/trainees will obtain employment and at least four of the businesses contacted will hire program participants.

Hubbertville played two games to open the week against the Brilliant Tigers, losing the first game and winning the second game. On March 30, Brilliant defeated Hubbertville 5-3.

On April 1, Berry defeated Hubbertville 11-1. Kyla Edmonson pitched the complete six inning game for Berry to earn the win. She allowed only one hit and one run while striking out 10 batters. Edmonson and Gracyn Hydrick each hit home runs for Berry. Ashlyn Smith led the Lady Wildcats in hits with four. Brooke Hill, Allie Taylor, Edmonson, Lynsie Abernathy and Anna Kate VanDee each collected two hits during the game for Berry.

The Fayette Tigers used a big sixth inning to defeat the Lamar County Bulldogs 18-2. During the sixth inning, Blake Johnson, Drake Johnson, Cooper Sanford, Cole Holliman and Langston Strawbridge each had RBIs for the Tigers. Fayette scored 10 runs in the inning to put the game away for the Tigers. Colton McCaleb started the game on the mound for Fayette and allowed two runs on two hits in two innings of work.

The Berry Wildcats opened last week with a loss to Oakman before recovering for two wins later in the week. Oakman defeated Berry 7-2 on Monday, March 29. Trace Nelson suffered the loss on the mound for Berry, allowing nine hits and seven runs. Tyler Lollar led Berry at the plate, collecting two hits in three at-bats.

The Fayette Lady Tigers suffered two losses last week on the softball diamond. On March 30, Lamar County scored big in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie and earn a 10-0 victory over Fayette.

Huntsville Hospital Health System has announced that Tracy Doughty will lead its flagship hospital as President and Chief Operating Officer beginning July 1. Doughty has served as Senior Vice President of Hospital Operations since 2017. He will move into his new role as Jeff Samz assumes the CEO position of the multi-hospital health system this summer. Tracy Doughty, the son of the late Fondee and Mary Doughty, is a 1993 graduate of Fayette County High School. Upon graduation, he attended University of North Alabama, earning a bachelor’s of science degree in Nursing in 1997.

Several Fayette churches sponsored an Easter egg hunt in the downtown Fayette area on Sunday, March 28.

The Fayette County Commission agreed to apply for two grants during its March 22 meeting. All commission members were present for the meeting. Charles Brandon, chairman of the Fayette Medical Center Board, attended the meeting, along with Owen Sweatt and Sandy Nolen, who also represented the board.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) bid one project in Fayette County during the March 26 bid opening. The project is expected to improve mobility and safety in the area. ALDOT will review the contractor’s bid to ensure its accuracy before granting final approval. Construction typically begins within two months after the contract is awarded.