Bill Smith, a graduate of Russellville High School and former punter for the University of Alabama, has been named the new head football coach and athletic director for Fayette County High School. Smith was approved for the position at the Feb. 26 meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education. Smith said that he decided to apply for the coaching position because he had always admired the sports programs at Fayette County High School.

If NBC’s Monday night telecast of “The Voice” is any indication, Dexter Roberts is ready for another chance at the big time. Roberts, a Fayette County native and 2010 Fayette County High School graduate, literally had the four judges on the talent show begging him to select them as his coach. Roberts’ near-perfect rendition of Randy Houser’s country song, “Like a Cowboy” had judges Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend pressing their buttons simultaneously early during the song, while judge Adam Levine joined the party later.

The highly-anticipated reopening of the Fayette County Public Lake will occur at sunrise on Thursday, March 28. The 60-acre lake closed on April 2, 2015, and has remained closed for almost four years. Matthew Marshall, state lake coordinator for the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, said that prior to the closure of the lake, “The fishing was poor and the catch rate was low. Something had to be done.”

The Fayette County Board of Education honored its selections for Teachers of the Year in the county during its Feb. 26 meeting. Board members Waldon Tucker and John Stowe were absent from the meeting. Winning the honor at their schools were the following people: Kerri Smith, Berry High; Veronica White, Berry Elementary; Laura Lee Cochrane , Fayette Elementary; Jackie Dodd, Fayette Middle; Susan Ingle, Fayette County High School; and Darla Brantley, Hubbertville School.

The Fayette County Commission toured the new jail facility that is under construction prior to its Feb. 25 meeting. All commissioners were present for the tour and the subsequent meeting.
Work on the site preparation for the new jail began on April 2, 2018 and has proceeded at a fairly rapid pace despite a lot of rainy weather. The new jail is scheduled to be completed by mid-August.

The Fayette City Council heard an appeal from the Forestry Commission concerning a proposed three mil property tax increase to benefit the fire departments in the county during its Feb. 26 meeting. Council member Jason Cowart was absent from the meeting with all other council members present.

Bevill State Community College received an Alabama Power “Good Roots” grants totaling $4,900 this year for each of its five locations - Fayette, Jasper, Hamilton, Sumiton, and the Pickens County Educational Center. These funds will be used to plant trees and for various landscaping projects on each of the campuses. The Good Roots Grants were created to encourage projects that improve the quality of the environment in our communities, towns and cities by planting more trees.

During the month of February, designated as Career Technical Education Month, the Fayette County High School FBLA worked hard to raise money to implement its most recent community service project entitled “Messy Masterpieces.” Messy Masterpieces is an outreach project for schools that have after-school programs and is designed to provide a free activity for the children involved in the program.

Bevill hit the road for its first road trip of the season last week, winning two games and losing four. The Bears traveled to Itawamba Community College in Mississippi for a Monday doubleheader, losing the first gane 8-0 before winning a pitchers’ duel in the second game by the score of 2-1.

The West Alabama Juniors’ Club Volleyball team (Purple Storm) took first place in the Eighteens Division at the Cupids Battle Tournament in Moulton on Saturday, Feb. 2.

The Fayette County High School Lady Tigers opened its 2019 softball season with two impressive road victories. On Feb. 26, Fayette traveled to South Lamar to face the Lady Stallions and were victorious by a score of 8-6. Brandy Johnson pitched 6 2/3 innings to record the victory for the Lady Tigers. She allowed 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out four and walking three. The game was tied at six each entering the final inning, when Fayette scored two runs in the top of the seventh to seal the win.

The Berry Lady Wildcats’s softball season is off to a fantastic start, with two more impressive wins during the past week. For the season , Berry’s record is 4-1. The Lady Wildcats traveled to Brilliant on Feb. 25 and defeated the Lady Tigers by a score of 18-2. Blanton pitched six innings to record the win for Berry. She allowed only three hits and one earned run while striking out 13 batters. Lydia Young pitched 1/3 inning in relief and Allie Taylor pitched 2/3 inning, striking out one batter.

The Fayette County Cattlemen’s Association installed its officers for 2019 during its annual Steak Supper and Banquet, held on Feb. 23 at the Boy Scout Building in Fayette. New officers for the year will be Charlie Dale Jones, president;  Jimmy Trice, vice-president; Laura Rainey, treasurer; and Brad Cox, secretary. Ali Cantrell, director of education and outreach for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, spoke briefly during the banquet, urging members to keep up with proposed legislation that might affect cattle producers.

Two tornadoes briefly touched down in Fayette County at approximately 6-6:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 23 according to Russ Taylor, Fayette County Emergency Management Director (EMA). The first tornado formed in Lamar County, with reports of damage in the Kingville area near the community of Crossville. Taylor said that was an EF 1 tornado and the tornado also did considerable damage in a predominately wooded area on Crawley Rd. in western Fayette County.

Horace Moore, owner and publisher of The Times-Record of Fayette and Mid-South Newspapers based in Haleyville, has been elected president of the Alabama Press Association. Moore succeeds Kenneth Boone, who is the new chairman of the board. Moore, a native of Winston County, began his newspaper career in 1964. He worked his way up through the newspaper he now owns, doing most every job in the building. In addition to The Times-Record, Moore’s company also publishes The Northwest Alabamian in Haleyville, The Journal Record in Hamilton, and The Pickens County Herald in Reform.

Rick McCabe of McCabe and Associates addressed the Glen Allen town council at its Feb. 5 council meeting. Council member Dustin Youngblood was not in attendance for the meeting.

Steven Nolen received the oath of office as Fayette's new municipal judge during the Feb. 12 meeting of the Fayette City Council.

In 2018, the Alabama Public Service Commission approved a new area code overlay for parts of west and central Alabama, including Fayette County, The area code 659 will soon be used in conjunction with area code 205. AT&T announced the new area code change, according to local telephone service provider CenturyLink.  The addition of the 659 area code does not mean customers will have to change phone numbers, and officials have made plans for a smooth transition.

The Fayette Medical Center Family Council and Fayette Garden Club members provided food on Feb. 20 for the Fayette Medical Center Long-Term Care and Hospital staff in appreciation for the services they provide to the patients under their care. This is an annual event that is hosted on the first Wednesday after Valentine’s Day by the two organizations.

Fayette County High School held its annual Coronation on Saturday, Feb. 23. Campus King is Blake Wallace, son of Rick and Stella Wallace, and Campus Queen is Lindy Hindman, daughter of Dale and Jeanie Hindman. Capebearers for the King and Queen were Camden Tucker, son of Luke and Lori Tucker, and Riley May Hindman, daughter of Dustin and Donita Hindman. The Royal Court was introduced, and 24 ladies and 24 men competed for the titles of Most Beautiful and Most Handsome.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. History. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans. Since 1976, each U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Fayette Middle School annually celebrates Black History month by hosting an assembly.

The Ms. Bevill State Pageant 2019 will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 12 in the Rowland Auditorium  on the Jasper Campus of Bevill State Community College. The following Bevill State Scholarships will be awarded: Winner: - $500 Scholarship, First Runner-up - $350 Scholarship, Second Runner-up - $150 Scholarship.

February is National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.  Fayette County has nine CTE programs countywide and two of those nine programs are located at Fayette Middle School: Business Management Administration and Family and Consumer Sciences.  CTE prepares both youths and adults for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities. These careers may require varying levels of education—including industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary certificates, and two or four-year degrees.  

A “BEAR Tracks - The Path to Your Future” event will be held from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 at Bevill State Community College, Hamilton Campus. It is never too late to get on track for your Education and Career! Come to the Hamilton Campus during the event (you choose when you want to attend) and get on track.

The Berry Lady Wildcats opened the 2019 softball season by playing a three-game series in a “Umpires Tournament" in Vernon on Feb. 16. The games were limited to a strict one-hour time limit. Berry defeated Sulligent in its first game by a score of 9-5. Brooke Blanton pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Lady Wildcats in securing the victory.

The Fayette County High School Baseball Boosters held its annual Banquet and Steak Supper on Friday, Feb. 15 at Bevill State Community College in the Earl McDonald Auditorium. The keynote speaker for the event was Rick Karle, former sports director at WBRC/Fox 6 in Birmingham. Karle worked 30 years as the sports director for WBRC/ FOX 6 in Birmingham. During those years, he won numerous state and regional awards for sportscasting, including 23 Emmy Awards from the Atlanta Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science. Additionally, Karle won six prestigious Edward R.

The Fayette City Council awarded checks in the amount of $20,000 during its Feb. 12 meeting.
Councilmen Jason Cowart and Jerry Nichols were absent from the meeting with all other council members present. Fayette Elementary, Fayette Middle and Fayette County High School each received a check for $5,000 from the council. The Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce was also awarded a $5,000 appropriations check during the meeting.

The Fayette County Commission made additional board appointments during its Feb. 11 meeting. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman opened the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Edwin “Punk” Turner, who died on Feb. 10. Fayette County EMA Director Russ Taylor told the commissioners that FEMA has given its final approval for the Fayette County storm shelters, and has also closed the grant application for the shelters. Paperwork concerning the shelters has to be kept on file for an additional three years.

Alabama Pawn and Cash in Fayette has donated a limited edition, commemorative Alabama Bicentennial Henry 22 Rifle to be given away on April 19. Tickets are $10 each and all proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Fayette County Animal Shelter. Only 300 tickets for the rifle will be sold. Tickets are available at Alabama Pawn and Cash.

The Alabama Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit had its grand opening at Hubbertville School on Saturday, Feb. 16. Many historical exhibits pertaining to the state’s history, in addition to displays of a local nature were on display. Herb Hollingsworth was the keynote speaker for the event. The exhibit will remain on display at Hubbertville School until Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.

The Fayette Exchange Club honors the “Student of the Month” at Fayette County High School throughout the school year by presenting them with plaques at an Exchange Club meeting. These awards are presented to students who achieve academic success in the classroom, and are also very involved in extracurricular activities both at school and in their communities. The club presented the awards for December, January and February at its meeting on Feb. 4.

The Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (EDA) honored Congressman Robert Aderholt, John Riley of Bolzoni Auramo and current and former board chairmen as the EDA held its eighth annual “State of the Region” meeting at the Vernon City Complex on Thursday, Jan. 31.

The eighth annual Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will be observed Feb. 22-24. The tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday Feb. 22 and continue until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24. The towns of Berry and Fayette are participating in the tax holiday, and Fayette County is also participating, which means that no sales tax will be charged on covered items in those areas during the holiday. Glen Allen has chosen not to participate in the sales tax holiday this year.

The Bevill State Bears split a doubleheader with Motlow State of Tennessee, losing the early game 11-2 and winning the second game by a score of 11-1. Jared Barnes led Bevill in hitting with two hits, including a solo home run. Parker Hubbard suffered the loss for Bevill, allowing four hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings.

The Berry Lady Wildcats finished its basketball season on Feb. 11 by losing in the sub-regional tournament to Falkville by a score of 72-39. Brooke Hill led Berry with 15 points, five steals and five rebounds. Bailey Thomas added seven points for the Lady Wildcats, while Tyner Bowling and Zoe Mauldin each scored six points.

Corey Savage, youth pastor and associate minister at Plum Grove Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, gave the keynote speech at Bevill State Community College on Feb. 6 during the college’s Black History Month program. Savage, a Fayette native and graduate of Fayette County High School, Bevill State Community College and Auburn University, told the audience that many people equate Black History with the freeing of slaves in this country and the subsequent civil rights battles. He said there is a much deeper, richer history of achievement among blacks that he wanted to emphasize.

The Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual “State of the Community” luncheon on Feb. 5 at the Fayette Civic Center. Josh Musgrove, pastor of Pisgah Baptist Church in Fayette, led the opening prayer to begin the meeting. Several community leaders addressed the state of their departments at the luncheon, with the general consensus being that Fayette County is a good place to live with a viable economic and business base.

The Fayette City Council held a special called meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6 to address the fees due from the dumping of industrial wastewater into the Fayette Wastewater System. All council members were present at the meeting. Councilman Eddy Campbell said at the beginning of last week’s meeting, it appeared that Georgia Pacific was supposed to be paying $75 per load to dump its industrial wastewater in the Fayette Wastewater System.

Former three-term tax assessor and revenue commissioner for Fayette County, Edwin “Punk” Turner, died Sunday at the age of 81. Turner served as tax assessor and revenue commissioner from Oct. 1984 until his retirement in Nov. 2002.

The Berry Town Council approved the financing for its three new police cars during its Feb. 4 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Berry Police Chief Gerald DeDeaux said that the new police cars are in and have been shipped to a facility in Georgia to be equipped. He said that the cars should be ready for use by the department in approximately in month.

Three high school football players in Fayette County signed scholarship offers last week to continue their football and academic careers in college. Cannon Alexander of Hubbertville signed to play for Faulkner College, while Tre’Darion Walker of Fayette County High School signed to play at the University of West Alabama and Zack Ingle of Fayette County High School will be playing for Huntington College.

The Miss Fayette Middle School Pageant was held Jan. 26 at Bevill State Community College. Winners of the Fayette Middle School Pageant, Senior Division, were: Abby Berthoud, Most Photogenic; Claire Holliman, Miss Congeniality and First Alternate; Emma Claire Kummer, Miss Fayette Middle School; and Allie Long, Second Alternate. Winners of the Fayette Middle School Pageant, Junior Division, were: Haven Magouirk, First Alternate; Bailey Unger, Most Photogenic and Miss Junior Fayette Middle School; Caylen Williams, Second Alternate; and Victoria Allison, Miss Congeniality.

The Bevill State Bears opened its 2019 baseball season by hosting Mineral Area Community College of Park Hills, Mo. on Friday Feb. 8 for a single game and for a double-header on Saturday, Feb. 9. Unfortunately for the Bears, the 2019 baseball campaign did not get off to a good start as the Cardinals of Mineral Area swept the three-game series.

The Berry Lady Wildcats advanced to sub regional play by finishing second in the area tournament played last week at Guin. On Feb. 6, Berry faced its cross-county rival Hubbertville and was victorious by a score of 50-22. Leading the scoring for Berry was Zoe Mauldin with 13 points and six rebounds. Iannah Fields scored 12 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Bailey Thomas added 10 points and six rebounds. Brooke Hill scored eight points, followed by Tyner Bowling with five points.

The “Making Alabama: A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit,” will be in Fayette County at Hubbertville School from Feb. 15-22. The schedule for the exhibit at Hubbertville School is: Friday, Feb. 15 from 3:30-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16 (Grand Opening) noon-5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17 from noon-5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. - 5 pm., Tuesday, Feb. 19 - Friday, Feb. 22 from 3:30-7 p.m.

The AARP Tax Aide volunteers are again offering free tax return assistance this year in Fayette County. This is a service that the volunteers have offered to citizens in the area for the past 15 years. The service is free to the public and there are no income or age restrictions. You do not have to be a member of AARP to take advantage of this service.

The Fayette County High School Baseball Boosters will host its annual Banquet and Steak Supper on Friday, Feb. 15 at Bevill State Community College in the Earl McDonald Auditorium. The keynote speaker for the event will be Rick Karle, former sports director at WBRC/ Fox 6 in Birmingham. Tickets for the banquet are $25 each. The banquet starts at 6 p.m., but people purchasing plates to go may begin picking up the plates at 4:30 p.m. and continue until the start of the banquet.

The Fayette City Council met in a special called meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 30 to address the pumping issue at the Fayette Wastewater Treatment Plant. All council members were present for the meeting. Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager John Dill told the council that the new pump that was installed at the facility in June 2018 had burned out in December 2018.

The Fayette County Commission voted on Jan. 28 to “move forward” with plans to hire a part-time aging director for Fayette County. Commissioner Joe Acker, Commissioner Billy Rodgers and Commissioner Barry Corkren had been on a committee to explore options concerning the direction that the aging program needs to take following the retirement of former director Faye Meharg in Oct. 2018.

Making Alabama: A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit presented by Alabama Humanities Foundation, will include an exhibition in Fayette County at Hubbertville School from Feb. 15-22. The schedule for the exhibit in Fayette County is: Friday, Feb. 15 from 3:30-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16 (Grand Opening) noon-5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17 from noon-5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. - 5 pm., Tuesday, Feb. 19 - Friday, Feb. 22 from 3:30-7 p.m.