Commission seat will be empty temporarily after general election

From left, Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri; present Winston County Commissioner District 2 David Cummings, who will take over as chairman in November; present chairman Roger Hayes and Mike Evans, president of the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce.

From left, Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri; present Winston County Commissioner District 2 David Cummings, who will take over as chairman in November; present chairman Roger Hayes and Mike Evans, president of the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce.
HALEYVILLE - Current Winston County Commissioner for District 2 David Cummings will take over as commission chairman November 13, meaning the resulting vacancy in the district 2 seat will need to be addressed.

Black bear’s evening visit scary

Footage from P.J. Gossett’s security cameras on his property near Double Springs captured a black bear strolling across his property September 2, just before it decided to cross County Road 25 and pay his aunt a visit, coming up on her front porch and rattling her doorknob. (Courtesy photo)

Footage from P.J. Gossett’s security cameras on his property near Double Springs captured a black bear strolling across his property September 2, just before it decided to cross County Road 25 and pay his aunt a visit, coming up on her front porch and rattling her doorknob. (Courtesy photo)

DOUBLE SPRINGS - When P.J. Gossett, of Double Springs, received a frantic call from his aunt late in the evening September 2,  he never dreamed that object frightening her would turn out to be a bear.
Gossett’s aunt, who lives across from him on County Road 25, between Double Springs and Lynn, told him that a bear was on her porch and that she had already called 9-1-1.
“I got there within two minutes, and the bear had already left.

Tremayne wins again

Front man of the regional country/rock/blues band Tremayne, Mike Mayhall, shows the bands four trophies from their four wins as the Alabama Music Awards. Their latest win came this past summer.

Front man of the regional country/rock/blues band Tremayne, Mike Mayhall, shows the bands four trophies from their four wins as the Alabama Music Awards. Their latest win came this past summer.

WINSTON COUNTY - Trips to Bessemer just keep getting sweeter for Tremayne.
The local band won its fourth Alabama Music Award recently during the 10th annual award ceremony, held at the Bessemer Civic Center.  Tremayne was named the top country band in Alabama once again during the ceremony, their second time to win this honor.  They won that award initially in 2022.  Prior to 2022, Tremayne was also named best male country artist twice.
For Mike Mayhall, of Haleyville, who founded the band, the thrill of hearing the band’s name called never gets old.

Turning lane project delays explained

Contractors for ALDOT for the Highway 195 turning lane project in Haleyville are visible some days and some days they are not, leading to frustration among city officials and the public.

Contractors for ALDOT for the Highway 195 turning lane project in Haleyville are visible some days and some days they are not, leading to frustration among city officials and the public.
HALEYVILLE - The wheels are turning once again on the turning lane project at the intersection of Highway 195 and 20th Avenue in Haleyville after numerous red lights both before and during the project.

Absentee voting begins today

Winston County Absentee Election Manager Dallas Baldwin shows the absentee ballots that are going out to affected voters this week. Already over 80 applications for absentee ballots have been received.

Winston County Absentee Election Manager Dallas Baldwin shows the absentee ballots that are going out to affected voters this week. Already over 80 applications for absentee ballots have been received.
WINSTON COUNTY - Although the general election is still two months away, the process for applying to vote absentee has already begun, with absentee voters officially starting the process today, Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Four arrests in car theft, drug trafficking cases

From left, Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Josh Edwards, Sheriff Caleb Snoddy and Chief Deputy Josh Bennett with drugs and items seized during a traffic stop that detailed drug trafficking as well as a recent car theft.

From left, Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Josh Edwards, Sheriff Caleb Snoddy and Chief Deputy Josh Bennett with drugs and items seized during a traffic stop that detailed drug trafficking as well as a recent car theft.
NATURAL BRIDGE - The high speed pursuit of a suspect vehicle by the Winston County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrests of four persons, including alleged drug traffickers as well as two persons charged in a recent auto theft case in Haleyville.

Smith Lake cleanup

CRANE HILL - The fall Smith Lake Cleanup organized by Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. and Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers program will be Thursday and Friday, Sept. 12-13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help remove trash from the water and shorelines of Rock, White Oak and Crooked creeks.

First-ever 9/11 Never Forget Bash Saturday

From left, C.J. Turner, president of the ARK Motorcycle Association and Jerry Cottongin, vice president, at the state at Twin Forks where the first-ever 9/11 Never Forget Bash will take place Saturday.

From left, C.J. Turner, president of the ARK Motorcycle Association and Jerry Cottongin, vice president, at the state at Twin Forks where the first-ever 9/11 Never Forget Bash will take place Saturday.
BEAR CREEK - First responders from throughout the state, as well as veterans from all branches of service, will literally take center stage at the first-ever 9-11 Never Forget Bash planned for Saturday, Sept. 7, at Twin Forks Park, located off of Highway 79 in Bear Creek.

Pine beetle epidemic hits county

An aerial view of Southern pine beetle infestations scattered through the forest near Rock Creek Baptist Church, about three miles north of Double Springs, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Mike Henshaw, Winston County Natural Resources Council)

An aerial view of Southern pine beetle infestations scattered through the forest near Rock Creek Baptist Church, about three miles north of Double Springs, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Mike Henshaw, Winston County Natural Resources Council)

WINSTON COUNTY - The Alabama Forestry Commission announced last week that Southern pine beetle infestations have reached "epidemic" levels in the state and identified Winston County and the Bankhead National Forest among the worst hit areas.
The August 22, AFC press release said the organization had identified nearly 5,000 SPB spots, "with an average mortality of 191 pine trees per spot," across Alabama as of that date, but on Tuesday, Aug. 27, Acting Bankhead District Ranger Tyler Fish said there are over 1,000 individual spots in the Bankhead alone.

HCS reports perfect audit

The Haleyville Board of Education listens as CPA Greg Guin presents the system’s audit report for 2023. Clockwise from bottom left, board members Brian “Thumper’ Vickery, Beth McAlpine, Donna Jones, Chad Tidwell, Board President Boo Haughton, Chief School Financial Officer Candy Marbutt and Guin. Not shown is Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.

The Haleyville Board of Education listens as CPA Greg Guin presents the system’s audit report for 2023. Clockwise from bottom left, board members Brian “Thumper’ Vickery, Beth McAlpine, Donna Jones, Chad Tidwell, Board President Boo Haughton, Chief School Financial Officer Candy Marbutt and Guin. Not shown is Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.
HALEYVILLE - For the first time in at least 30 years, the audit report for Haleyville City Schools was presented at an open meeting, with the school system’s new auditor giving what he referred to as one of the best and most positive financial findings for the system’s 2023 audit.
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