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Charles Emmanuel Cochran, 41, was booked into the Fayette County Jail on July 9 on six counts of attempted murder and one count of parole violation. No additional information about the case had been released at press time as the investigation is ongoing. 

A Winfield woman charged in connection with the abuse of one-year-old Kahleb Collins was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life terms after pleading guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court. Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, 24, pleaded guilty to first-degree domestic violence and aggravated child abuse of a child under the age of six. According to the 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, life imprisonment is the maximum sentence authorized for each offense under Alabama law.

Justin Calloway, 24, of Cordova, died Wednesday evening following an accident at Warrior Met Coal’s Blue Creek Mine near Berry. According to authorities, Calloway was working underground at the active mine on Highway 69 North when he was found unresponsive around 6 p.m. on July 1. He was brought to the surface, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators with the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene. A preliminary investigation indicated the death resulted from a machinery-related accident underground. Officials said there is no indication of foul play.

The Berry Town Council approved several appointments, selected a name for the town’s new museum and postponed action on a proposed police technology purchase during its regular meeting on July 6. Mayor Mary Lollar called the meeting to order with Council Members Calvin Madison, Russell Madison and Nancy Shepherd present. Council Members Charles Tidwell and Chris Lindsey were absent. The council approved minutes from its June 8 and June 22 meetings.

The Fayette County Commission approved the purchase of two replacement tractors and authorized the sale of surplus equipment during a brief special called meeting on Monday,  July 6. All commission members were present except Commissioner David Hubbert. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman said the meeting was called following discussion at the commission’s previous meeting regarding the need to replace equipment used by the county’s road department.

City officials and members of the Fayette Fire Department met June 24 to discuss proposed policy changes that prompted an extended discussion during the previous night’s City Council meeting. Present for the meeting were Fire Chief Shannon Taylor, City Clerk Sherry Fowler, Councilmen Floyd Rodgers, Steve Herring and Cedric Wilson, along with six members of the fire department. The meeting was held after the City Council voted to table proposed fire department policy changes and appoint a committee to meet with firefighters before the matter returns to the council.

The Fayette County Commission approved several routine items and heard updates on emergency management, road projects and equipment needs during its regular meeting on June 22. All commissioners were present. Commissioners approved minutes from the previous meeting and authorized payment of claims totaling $1,269,831 for the current period. The largest portion of those claims was related to the county’s Rebuild Alabama road program. The commission also approved the annual Insolvents, Errors and Taxes in Litigation report submitted by the Fayette County Revenue Commissioner’s Office.

The Fayette City Council discussed proposed fire department policy changes, received updates on paving projects and the city’s America 250 celebration, and addressed several other matters during its June 23 meeting. All council members were present. Southside Baptist Church pastor Kent Shepherd led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the meeting was called to order. The council approved minutes from the previous meeting.

Community members gathered June 24 to help imagine the future of downtown Fayette’s Flag Park during a public design workshop led by consultants with Your Town Alabama. The “charrette”—an interactive planning session—was hosted by the City of Fayette as officials continue exploring improvements to the small downtown park dedicated to veterans. The project grew out of an ACE Leadership class proposal, and city officials hope the redesigned space will become both a tribute to Fayette’s history and veterans while serving as a gathering place for community events.

Children and families packed the Fayette Civic Center on Monday for an educational animal presentation hosted by the Fayette County Memorial Library as part of its Summer Reading Program. The Snake Show, presented by Brittney Johnson and her daughter, Auburn, introduced audience members to a variety of reptiles and other exotic animals while teaching about wildlife, habitats and conservation.