Commissioners ask for patience as they wait for gas tax monies

Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes shows the sign that will be placed on roads to be resurfaced with gas tax proceeds.

Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes shows the sign that will be placed on roads to be resurfaced with gas tax proceeds.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Residents are urged to be patient as the Winston County Commission is beginning the lengthy process of waiting until gas tax proceeds will be received next year so work on deteriorating roads and bridges can begin.

Insurance a big topic in Haleyville City Council meeting

HALEYVILLE - Insurance was a dominant topic during the Haleyville City Council's Oct. 7, meeting.  With all council members present except Jonathan Bennett, council members approved paying for a cancer/disability insurance policy for all active Haleyville firefighters, a grand total of $3,964.80 per year or $198.24 per firefighter per year.

HHS football team, cheerleaders visit ARC for site's first pep rally

High School football player Ty Black visits with ARC client Roger Prescott. Football players and cheerleaders can be seen in the background visiting with other clients.

High School football player Ty Black visits with ARC client Roger Prescott. Football players and cheerleaders can be seen in the background visiting with other clients.
HALEYVILLE - Haleyville High School brought cheer and pep to the clients of the ARC center, serving clients with special needs in the Winston and Marion County area, by having the center's first high school pep rally Thursday, Oct. 3, in celebration of the school's homecoming festivities.

Bear Creek council votes to borrow $30,000

ear Creek Mayor Tammie Batchelor talks to Attorney Cole Christopher and Town Clerk Jamie Green about the need to borrow from the town's lines of credit.

Bear Creek Mayor Tammie Batchelor talks to Attorney Cole Christopher and Town Clerk Jamie Green about the need to borrow from the town's lines of credit.
BEAR CREEK - The Bear Creek Town Council voted to borrow $30,000 from their line of credit in order to pay bills and pay officers in the police department, at the council's regular meeting Monday, October 7.

Power outages reported in Haleyville

HALEYVILLE - Significant power outages are being reported in the Haleyville area Monday evening, Oct. 7.  Most of the outages are in the area around Kelly Hill and Highway 13 North.  As of 6:53 p.m. nearly 600 people were reported to be without power in Winston County, all served by Alabama Power. Power crews are working on the problem and will restore power as soon as possible.

To keep up with local power outages, go to poweroutage.us.

Fire damages Knight residence

Benny Knight, whose step-mother lived in the house that burned, talks with Haleyville firefighters at the scene. Ruby was not home when the fire occurred.

Benny Knight talks to Haleyville firefighters at the scene. Benny's step-mother Ruby was not home when the fire occurred.
HALEYVILLE - A fire Thursday afternoon, Oct. 3, damaged the residence of Ruby Knight, located at 1651 County Road 51, bringing response from the Haleyville Fire Department.

Governor Ivey honors Haleyville City and Winston County schools during visit

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey waves to the crowd as she exits the Winston County Courthouse and approaches the podium for the ceremony. Shown behind her is event emcee State Senator Greg Reed. On each side are students from schools that received the distinct designation of being named a Bicentennial School.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey waves to the crowd as she exits the Winston County Courthouse and approaches the podium for the ceremony. Shown behind her is event emcee State Senator Greg Reed. On each side are students from schools that received the distinct designation of being named a Bicentennial School.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's tour celebrating the state's bicentennial approaching this December, made a stop Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Winston County Courthouse, where she was met with the patriotic fanfare that emphasized pride in the county and of the state.

Dodd is winner in scavenger quest

WCGS President Dianne Miller presents Faye Dodd a gift.

WCGS President Dianne Miller presents Faye Dodd a gift.

DOUBLE SPRINGS - Faye Dodd of Haleyville was the winner in the Free State Scavenger Quest, held through the month of September. The drawing was held at the Winston County Archives on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Dodd is shown holding a gift bag containing “Cooked on Smith Lake” from the Arley Women’s Club, and presenting it is Winston County Genealogical Society President Dianne Miller. Dodd also received three volumes of “Winston Roots” and a historical book on Haleyville, along with a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart, a $25 gift certificate to Gateway, a year’s subscription to the Northwest Alabamian and a year’s subscription to the WCGS.

Bond issue to be refinanced

Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland and Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri, discuss the terms of the bond issue refinancing.

Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland and Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri, discuss the terms of the bond issue refinancing.
HALEYVILLE - A historically low interest rate - combined with a new option of flexibility for school systems in handling their own bond issues - have resulted in Haleyville City Schools handling the refinancing of the bond issue for the middle school, which will free up finances for both the school system and the City of Haleyville.

Grant will help Arley Police Department

Police Chief Jerry Cummings speaks to the town council about a grant the Arley Police Department could use to purchase equipment needed. The amount of the grant, if the department qualifies, will be $24,000.

Police Chief Jerry Cummings speaks to the town council about a grant the Arley Police Department could use to purchase equipment needed. The amount of the grant, if the department qualifies, will be $24,000.
ARLEY - An upcoming grant opportunity is not passing by the Arley Police Department, with Chief Jerry Cummings looking forward to obtaining a grant to purchase much-needed equipment for the department.

HCS Superintendent addresses threat, rumors

Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland issued the following statement Thursday evening, Sept. 26:

"This week, we have been investigating an alleged threat made against Haleyville High School. Thus far, we have found no facts to support this threat.

"The HHS Administration and the Haleyville Police Department will continue to investigate if any new information is brought forward. We have taken this seriously and have worked hard to do a thorough investigation.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels presents grant to support pediatric cancer research

BIRMINGHAM - Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers, announced A $300,000 Hyundai Scholar Hope grant to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer.

BCDA raises rates

Rates for camping and other activities on waters administered by the Bear Creek Development Authority have increased.

Rates for camping and other activities on waters administered by the Bear Creek Development Authority have increased.
HODGES - Taking action based on a recommendation by the Alabama Sunset Committee, the Bear Creek Development Authority voted unanimously across the board to raise their rates and fees based on an audit conducted of the board’s expenses.

New Cullman County history book uses Wallace State collection for research

Tanya Shearer, left, and Iman Humaideh, right of Wallace State’s genealogy collection hold new Cullman County history books by author Robin Sterling, center.

Tanya Shearer, left, and Iman Humaideh, right - of Wallace State’s genealogy collection - hold new Cullman County history books by author Robin Sterling, center.
HANCEVILLE - Wallace State Community College's family and regional history collection helps people across the country, and some people in foreign lands, in researching their genealogy and local legacy.

Mobile home fire in Pebble

Mobile home fire in Pebble Community

PEBBLE - A mobile home was consumed by fire Friday, Sept. 13, on County Road 3437 in the Pebble community.  Haleyville, Pebble and Ashridge Fire Departments responded to the scene, along with the Winston County Sheriff's Office.  More details as they become available.

Renowned photographer's work coming to Wallace State for exhibition

This famous photo is just one of 40 that will be on display at the Evelyn Burrow Museum at Wallace State, beginning in October.

This famous photo is just one of 40 that will be on display at the Evelyn Burrow Museum at Wallace State, beginning in October.
HANCEVILLE - Forty notable photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen, photographs which the renowned photographer himself refers to as his legacy photographs, have been personally selected by Thomas Mangelsen for a retrospective traveling museum exhibition coming to the Evelyn Burrow Museum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville in October.

9/11 commemorated by Veterans of Foreign Wars

Veterans of Foreign Wars members and Auxiliary present cases of water to representatives from area fire departments in memory of Sept. 11.

Veterans of Foreign Wars members and Auxiliary present cases of water to representatives from area fire departments in memory of Sept. 11.
DELMAR - Veterans of Foreign War post members and Auxiliary remembered the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the nation by giving back to local fire responders during their meeting Monday, Sept. 9.

Prayer services planned to lift up City of Haleyville, Schools and residents

Event organizer Ricky White addresses the Haleyville Board of Education about plans for two days of prayer for the city and schools. Also shown, from left, are Haleyville BOE President Donna Jones and Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.

Event organizer Ricky White addresses the Haleyville Board of Education about plans for two days of prayer for the city and schools. Also shown, from left, are Haleyville BOE President Donna Jones and Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.
HALEYVILLE - The door of opportunity has opened wide for the City of Haleyville to come together and “reconnect” through a community-wide prayer service...

Vacant structure fires keep area firefighters busy

A firefighter climbs the ladder of the Haleyville ladder truck preparing to spray water downward on the flaming building.

A firefighter climbs the ladder of the Haleyville ladder truck preparing to spray water downward on the flaming building.
HALEYVILLE - The largest fire in Haleyville in recent history - bringing the most response since the 2011 Bama Textile fire nine years ago this month - resulted in 10 fire departments facing the long, grueling task of battling a blaze Sept. 8...

2nd vacant structure burns within 24 hours

Firefighters brave intense daytime temperatures to fight the second fire at a vacant structure within 24 hours.

Firefighters brave intense daytime temperatures to fight the second fire at a vacant structure within 24 hours.
HALEYVILLE - Less than 24 hours after at least 10 fire department responded to a massive blaze consuming the vacant building once used as Boshell Chiropractic Clinic and Reece Realty on Highway 13, firemen were dispatched to another vacant structure, finding it engulfed in flames Monday, Sept. 9.

Wreck knocks out telephone pole

Driver Beth Prater is assisted at the scene of the accident Friday morning, Sept. 6.

HALEYVILLE - A one vehicle wreck, occurring around 8:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, caused only minor injuries to the driver of the vehicle, but took down a telephone pole, causing road blockage while authorities worked to restore the pole.

Beth Prater of Double Springs, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado on Macedonia Road towards Double Springs after getting off the early morning shift at Walmart, she said. “I was coming home. I just dozed off. It's my fault,” Prater said. “I woke up and realized I was hitting (the pole).”

Commerce secretary visits Winston

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, center, visits Haleyville City Hall during a tour of Winston County to discuss economic development needs. Pictured with Canfield, from left, are State Representatives Proncey Robertson and Tracy Estes, State Senator Greg Reed and State Representative Tim Wadsworth.

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, center, visits Haleyville City Hall during a tour of Winston County to discuss economic development needs. Pictured with Canfield, from left, are State Representatives Proncey Robertson and Tracy Estes, State Senator Greg Reed and State Representative Tim Wadsworth.

HALEYVILLE - Rural areas such as Winston County are finally getting on the road map for future economic development prospects, as was shown during a recent economic development meeting that brought personnel from the Alabama Department of Commerce to see and hear first hand about the area’s biggest needs.

Hayes recognized for 24 years of public service

2019-2020 ACCA President David Money (left) presents Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes (right) with a Tenure in Office Award for Hayes's 24 years of county government service.

2019-2020 ACCA President David Money (left) presents Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes (right) with a Tenure in Office Award for Hayes's 24 years of county government service.
MONTGOMERY - Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes has been presented with the Tenure in Office Award by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama...

“Significant findings” send BCDA to Sunset Committee

Bear Creek Development Authority attorney Jeff Bowling, left, Administrator Shannon McKinney and board chairman Jeff Mobley discuss strategy during a BCDA board meeting.

Bear Creek Development Authority attorney Jeff Bowling, left, Administrator Shannon McKinney and board chairman Jeff Mobley discuss strategy during a BCDA board meeting.
MONTGOMERY - Auditors from the Alabama State Department of Examiners of Public Accounts - operating under the Alabama Legislature’s Sunset Committee - had “significant findings” against certain aspects of the Bear Creek Development Authority, specifically regarding mishandling of funds, which led to the board meeting Thursday, Aug. 22, before the Sunset Committee .

Marijuana distribution near Addison disrupted

Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Caleb Snoddy, left, and Addison Police Officer Brett Rodgers with the large find of growing marijuana plants and other related items confiscated.

Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Caleb Snoddy, left, and Addison Police Officer Brett Rodgers with the large find of growing marijuana plants and other related items confiscated.
ADDISON - Complaints of illegal narcotics activity at an Addison residence led to the finding of 14 growing marijuana plants as well as methamphetamine, in what law enforcement have termed a drug distribution operation.
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