BOE makes personnel changes


Pictured is the Fayette County Board of Education at its July 27 meeting. Shown from left: Board President Tom Hubbert and board members: Tierre Agnew, Brenda Webb, Julie Stough, John Stowe and John Aaron.

The Fayette County Board of Education approved personnel items and contracts during its July 27 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting.

 

Strong winds cause damage in county


This tree toppled power and phone lines along Columbus Street West - Highway 18 West, and also blocked the roadway before workers and volunteers cleared the street.

Strong winds and thunderstorms hit Fayette County just after dark on Tuesday, July 18, causing considerable tree damage and knocking out power to some areas for several hours. According to Fayette County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Michael Stoker, high winds and heavy rains from the thunderstorm began at approximately 8:15 - 8:30 that night. He said that the winds generated by the thunderstorms contained gusts of approximately 50-60 MPH, as reported by the National Weather Service.

 

Hubbertville’s FCCLA places first in nation


Zoe Whitson (left) and Maci McCaleb pose with the first place plaque they received for Hubbertville’s FCCLA.

Hubbertville School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA),     represented the school and its community well at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC), held at the Colorado Convention Center on July 2 - 6. Maci McCaleb and Zoe Whitson of Hubbertville’s FCCLA placed first in the nation in the FCCLA Chapter Website, Level Two, STAR Event, and also achieved well-deserved gold medals in recognition of their outstanding performances.

 

Commission approves ‘Rebuild Alabama’ plan



The Fayette County Commission held its July 24 meeting at the courthouse annex building. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Mount Joy Pastor Kelcey Hale led the commission in prayer. Fayette County Engineer Jarrod Milligan presented the commission with a FY 2024 “Rebuild Alabama” transportation plan that had been discussed by the commissioners in a previous work session. The transportation plan is funded through the county’s share of Rebuild Alabama funds and is required by law. The plan must be submitted by the commission by Sept. 1.

Sites to host ‘Small Business Workstations’



Entrepreneurs and small business owners are encouraged to take advantage of the new “HUB” – Small Business Plan Workstation locations that were recently launched at the following three locations in Northwest Alabama: Vernon City Hall Library, Bevill State Community College - Hamilton Campus, Bevill State Community College – Fayette Campus.

 

Sales tax holiday this week



The municipalities of Fayette and Berry, in conjunction with the State of Alabama, will participate in the annual school sales tax holiday on July 21-23. This is the 18th year that Alabama has held the tax holiday, and the seventh time that the event has been held in July. The sales tax holiday will begin on Friday, July 21 at 12:01 a.m. and end on Sunday, July 23 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Commission approves tractor purchase


Pictured at the July 10 Fayette County Commissioner’s meeting, from left: Commissioners John Underwood, Wesley Jacobs, Robert Townley, David Hubbert, Shane Hughes, Brad Cox and Commission Chairman Mike Freeman.

The Fayette County Commission held its July 10 meeting at the courthouse annex building. All commissioners were present for the meeting. The commissioners approved the agenda, minutes of the last meeting and the financial claims for the past two weeks at the beginning of the meeting.

 

Council approves loader repair


Fayette EMA Director Michael Stoker and Stephanie Holcomb of Red Cross are shown speaking to the council.

The Fayette City Council held its regular meeting on July 11. Aliska Hughes-Monroe was absent, with the remainder of the council members present. Prior to the start of the meeting, Andrew Self, pastor of Davis Chapel Freewill Baptist Church opened the meeting in prayer, and his son, Eli Self, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

BOE approves personnel, contract items



The Fayette County Board of Education approved personnel items and contracts during its July 11 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting, with the exception of board member Tierre Agnew. Board President Tom Hubbert read the Personnel Action Report prior to voting on the items listed on the report. The items listed on the report were as follows:
Resignations: Tori Grace, Berry Elementary teacher; Angela Davis, Berry Elementary teacher; Carolyn Jungels, Hubbertville School teacher; and Kevin Bass, bus driver.

 

Glasgow arrested on multiple charges


Dustin Glasgow

Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins said that a response by officers to a call concerning an “unwanted guest” at a residence led to an arrest of a suspect on multiple charges. Dustin Glasgow was arrested at a residence on County Road 21, and charged with first degree burglary, second degree assault, third degree criminal mischief and attempted murder.

 

Fayette to host ‘Festival of Hope’


Evangelist Ronnie Hill will lead the 'Festival of Hope 2023' crusade.

In the year 2020, a COVID pandemic encircled the world that caused people to drastically change their normal patterns of lives, including attending regular church services. Although the pandemic is now over, many people have not fully returned to doing many of the things that are important to them, including attending church. In October, there will be a countywide crusade in Fayette, entitled the “Fayette Festival of Hope 2023” that will seek to draw churches and Christians of all dominations together in a great revival.

 

Family fun at the Tractor Pull


This family from Russellville, shown enjoying the festivities, are Lauren Murray (left), with her mother-in-law Shannon Murray, and Lauren’s nine-month old daughter Annie Murray.

The annual Fayette County Tractor and Truck Pull, held Saturday, July 8 at the Fayette County Multipurpose Complex, was a big success.

 

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.