New law gives police new tool to combat distracted driving

New hands-free law in Alabama, when it comes to cell phones, is now fully in effect
WINSTON COUNTY - Alabama’s “hands-free” law, which largely prohibits holding a cell phone or other “wireless telecommunications device” or using one without hands-free technology while driving, went into full effect June 15, following a one-year grace period during violations resulted in warnings rather than citations.

Friendship Festival in Bear Creek July 6

Bear Creek Mayor Rob Taylor and Town Clerk Kay Wiginton show T-shirts for the Friendship Festival celebrating Independence Day that are available for purchase.

Bear Creek Mayor Rob Taylor and Town Clerk Kay Wiginton show T-shirts for the Friendship Festival celebrating Independence Day that are available for purchase.

BEAR CREEK - Patriotism will be front and center in Bear Creek on Saturday, July 6, as the town holds its annual Friendship Festival at Twin Forks Park, located off of County Highway 79.
Town officials are preparing for the largest crowd in years to come out for the live music, arts, crafts, food vendors and car show, capped off by at least a 30-minute fireworks show that night, Bear Creek Mayor Rob Taylor said.

First responders get new dispatch system

Shown celebrating the Computer Aided Dispatch System for the City of Haleyville, from left, Travis Pruitt, director of Computer Aided Dispatch operations; Zack Perkins, public safety training officer; Scott Wright, technical marketing manager; Neal Brooks, accounts manager; Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri; Police Chief Rodney Lewis; Haleyville Firefighter Jeff Postell and Dan Barcus, project manager for Southern Software of Southern Pines, N.C.
Shown celebrating the Computer Aided Dispatch System for the City of Haleyville, from left, Travis Pruitt, director of Computer Aided Dispatch operations; Zack Perkins, public safety training officer; Scott Wright, technical marketing manager; Neal Brooks, accounts manager; Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri; Police Chief Rodney Lewis; Haleyville Firefighter Jeff Postell and Dan Barcus, project manager for Southern Software of Southern Pines, N.C.
HALEYVILLE - A Computer Aided Dispatch System will not only provide the latest updates in technology for Haleyville dispatchers, in sending out first responders more quickly, but also ensure better safety for those first responders.

Tucker retiring as DSES principal to become Wild Alabama executive director

Heather Tucker, right, is retiring as Double Springs Elementary School principal and has accepted the position of executive director of Wild Alabama, replacing Maggie Johnston, left, who is retiring.

Heather Tucker, right, is retiring as Double Springs Elementary School principal and has accepted the position of executive director of Wild Alabama, replacing Maggie Johnston, left, who is retiring.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Major personnel changes are taking place for both Double Springs Elementary School and Wild Alabama.

Discrepancies found in Winston County Board of Education audit

Denise H. Olive, auditor with the Examiners of Public Accounts, reported two financial discrepancies in Winston County Schools' 2022-2023 audit.

Denise H. Olive, auditor with the Examiners of Public Accounts, reported two financial discrepancies in Winston County Schools' 2022-2023 audit.

DOUBLE SPRINGS - Over $1 million in financial discrepancies were noted in a report of the Winston County Schools audit for 2022-2023.

Two major findings of the Winston County Schools audit for the period of 2022-2023 showed over $932,000 in financial transactions not recorded, as well as over $301,000 expended for bus fuel without letting bids, according to a summary of the audit findings.

Industrial Development Authority seeking new coordinator

Winston County Industrial Development Authority members, clockwise from bottom left, Ken Sunseri, Melinda Weaver, Ellan Oliver, Roger Hayes, Nicholas Bailes, Bobby Everett, Attorney Jeff Mobley and Chairman Horace Moore.

Winston County Industrial Development Authority members, clockwise from bottom left, Ken Sunseri, Melinda Weaver, Ellan Oliver, Roger Hayes, Nicholas Bailes, Bobby Everett, Attorney Jeff Mobley and Chairman Horace Moore.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - The procedure is underway to hire a new coordinator for the Winston County Industrial Development Authority, after the now-former director’s contract was ended by the IDA several months ago.
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