Michael Stoker, a lifelong resident of Fayette County, began his new job as Fayette County’s Emergency Management Director on Monday, April 10. Stoker is a 1991 graduate of Fayette Academy, and has served the county for the past 31 years as an Emergency Medical Technician.
The annual reception was held for recipients of grants from the Fayette Community Foundation on Tuesday, April 4 at the Fayette Civic Center. Fayette Community Foundation Chairman William Oswalt told the recipients that the foundation has awarded approximately $8 million in grants to organizations during the 18 years since the start of the foundation in 2005, including approximately $700,000 in grants for the current year
The Glen Allen Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 4 at the town’s community center. All council members were present for the monthly meeting. The council elected to conduct the annual spring cleanup on Saturday, April 29. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the People Against a Littered State (PALS) “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Statewide Spring Cleanup.
Fayette faced rival Winfield last week in a crucial three-game area series that could determine if either team would make the playoffs. Fayette began the series at home on Tuesday, losing to the Pirates by the score of 5-1.
The Berry Lady Wildcats defeated Hubbertville by the score of 2-0 on April 4 in the only game that either school played last week. Maggie Mauldin pitched the complete game shutout, allowing only five hits and striking out nine batters to record the victory.
Editor’s Note: The following is a press release from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department asking for the community’s help in solving a murder investigation.
Over six months ago, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, Kenneth Spinato was found deceased in his Fayette County home. Investigators quickly determined that Spinato was the victim of a homicide.
According to a report from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, James Clayton Nelson died on March 27 while serving a life sentence in the Donaldson Correctional Facility.
The Fayette City Council held its regular council meeting on March 28. Councilwoman Virettia Whiteside was absent from the meeting, with all other council members present. Tom Wisemiller, President and CEO of the Northwest Alabama Economic Alliance, better known as C3, gave the council an update on projects that his organization has been working on.
The Berry Town Council voted to reappoint Councilman Troyce Townsel to his council position during its April 3 meeting. All council members were present, with the exception of Townsel.
Ron and Anita Morris held a St. Patrick’s day fundraiser to benefit “The Loft” and all of the many community projects that The Loft supports. The fundraiser, called “Soup for the Soul” included homemade soup, cornbread and pound cake made by Anita Morris along with a handcrafted bowl from Ron’s Pottery.
The Fayette Tigers played a three-game series last week against its rival Gordo, dropping the series two games to one. On Tuesday, March 28, Gordo defended its home diamond with a 6-3 victory over the Tigers.
The Hubbertville Lions’ softball team defeated Berry 11-9 in a game played at Berry last week.
Nevaeh Hoobler started the game on the mound for Hubbertville and captured the win for the Lady Lions.
The Hubbertville Lions’ baseball team no-hit Berry on March 31 to claim a 15-0 victory. Greyson Key pitched the entire five-inning game for Hubbertville, allowing no hits and no runs with five walks and five strikeouts.
From Jan. 16 - 25, a group of Fayette County citizens joined with others on a trip to the Holy Land. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For the trip’s host, Fayette County Baptist Director John Killian, this was his seventh trip, and his wife, Jeanie’s, fourth pilgrimage.
The Fayette County Commission held its March 27 meeting at the Wayside Community Voting Precinct, at the request of District 2 Commissioner Shane Hughes. All commissioners were present for the meeting. The meeting began with Commission Chairman Mike Freeman allowing citizens at the meeting to ask Waste Management Representative Kerry Howell questions concerning the recent Waste Management quarterly bills that were received by residents.
Governor Kay Ivey recently announced a $350,000 grant to improve sewer service and eliminate a public health concern in the City of Fayette. Funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to replace a major component of the town’s sewer system. The affected area serves 107 households and two major industries.
The Hubbertville Lions’ baseball team had a huge 15-5 win over Holy Spirit last Friday. Hayden Brown started the game on the mound for Hubbertville, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs (four total runs) on four hits.
The Fayette baseball team took a Gulf Coast swing during spring break and finished the week 2-2 against tough competition. On Monday, the Tigers defeated Covington, Tenn. by the score of 10-5.
The Fayette County Board of Education voted during its March 16 meeting to non-renew Steve Sawyer’s contract as principal of Berry High School. All board members were present for the meeting. The meeting was attended by numerous concerned parents and citizens of the county, and the board also had its attorney present for the meeting. Sawyer was given three minutes at the beginning of the meeting to address the board, and read a prepared statement to the board members, superintendent and others who were in attendance for the meeting.
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole voted on March 15 to deny the parole of convicted murderer Betty Louise Woods. Woods pled guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court in Nov. 1995 to the June 1994 murder of three-year old Ashley White.
