Local News

The Fayette County Commission approved annual bids, amended its 2026 transportation plan and reviewed plans for future road and bridge projects during its meeting on Aug. 24. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman was absent from the meeting, with Commissioner David Hubbert presiding in his place. All other commissioners were present. County Engineer Ben Snipes presented commissioners with the county’s annual bids for materials and services, which will take effect Oct. 1.

As automated license plate-reading cameras draw increased scrutiny across the country and in Alabama, Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins says the Fayette Police Department has safeguards in place designed to prevent the technology from being misused. Fayette currently has two Flock Safety cameras. One has been located at the entrance to Guthrie Smith Park for approximately five years, while a second was recently installed near the Fayette Fire Department’s north station, across from the airport.

Two Fayette County families lost their homes to fires on Friday, Aug. 21. The home of Jeremy and Dwan Madden was destroyed by fire while the family was away. Jeremy Madden, principal of Northside High School and former principal of Fayette County High School, learned of the fire while attending the school’s football game. No family members were home at the time, and the family’s dog was also found safe. Fire also destroyed the Columbus Street home of Jennifer Peterson, a single mother of four boys, near downtown Fayette. All family members are reported safe.

A 20-year-old Winfield man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Fayette County. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alexander M. Greene was fatally injured when the 2004 Nissan Sentra he was driving left the roadway, struck a ditch and a gate, and then struck multiple trees.

Fayette County residents could benefit from several projects included in more than $144 million in grants announced Monday as part of Alabama’s new Rural Health Transformation Program. Gov. Kay Ivey announced 138 grants to healthcare providers and institutions across the state, with projects covering rural areas in every Alabama county. The funding is intended to improve healthcare access, quality and outcomes in rural communities.

Capstone Health will expand its services into Fayette after receiving a federal grant to establish a new community health center in the city. The organization announced Aug. 18 that it has been awarded a New Access Point grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA. The funding will allow Capstone Health to establish a Fayette facility offering a range of health care services to residents of Fayette and surrounding communities.

One person was killed in a single-vehicle crash on County Road 35 in Fayette on Saturday, Aug. 15. The crash occurred around 11 a.m. near the second bridge on County Road 35, in the area of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The Fayette Police Department confirmed that the crash involved one vehicle and resulted in one fatality. The identity of the driver had not been released as of press time.

Downtown business owners and community leaders gathered at Fayette City Hall on Aug. 13 to discuss ways to strengthen downtown Fayette and learn more about the city’s participation in Main Street Alabama. Fayette is currently a Network Community through Main Street Alabama, a nonprofit organization focused on revitalizing historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts through economic development, community involvement and preservation. The Aug.

The Fayette City Council discussed more than $680,000 in proposed paving work, appointed a new city attorney and prosecutor and reviewed upcoming sewer rate increases during its Aug. 11 meeting. All council members were present. The first speakers, representatives of the Fayette Garden Club and Brother 2 Brother, thanked the city and community for supporting their recent basketball tournament and back-to-school event. Kathy Bordelon and Brother 2 Brother President Felix Caine said the groups organized the event to raise money for backpacks and school supplies for local children.

The Fayette County Board of Education heard a proposal for a Bible literature course, discussed classroom overcrowding and future facility needs and approved its five-year capital plan during its Monday, Aug. 11 meeting. Jared Wilson returned to the board to discuss plans for establishing a Bible as literature course, an idea he first presented to board members in January. Wilson said organizers have continued working on the proposal and have received encouragement from members of the community.