Tornado watch issued for Winston County

WINSTON COUNTY- A tornado watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Winston County at 9:11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, effective until 4:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. The  Tornado Watch means there is the possibility of tornadoes in the incoming storm system approaching the state from Mississippi. Winston County Commission Chairman David Cummings reported that all storm shelters throughout Winston County are open and available if needed. Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri noted all city shelters are also open. Any updates will be provided as they become available.

Congested Addison intersection to be corrected through grant


From left, Addison Police Chief Mitchell Woodard, Winston County Commissioner District 1 Rutger Hyche and Road Engineer James Glasgow at the busy intersection of Highway 278, County Road 41 and Old Cullman Road.
ADDISON - The congested intersection of Highway 278, County Road 41 and Old Cullman Road has become such a safety concern through the years, that nearly $1 million in Rebuild Alabama funds will go toward improvements.

Public hearing on proposed lodging tax brings out concerned residents


Benjamin Grizzell. standing, owner of Smith Lake Rentals and Sales, addresses the Winston County Commission with concerns about the proposed lodging tax. At left is Commission Attorney Jeff Mobley. At right is George Gibson, Karen and Charlie White, who also spoke out with concerns.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - A week before a special-called Winston County Commission meeting to discuss and vote on the proposed lodging tax, residents spoke out Monday, Feb. 10, voicing concerns over the tax and urging commissioners to rethink the issue.

Underpass project at Natural Bridge to start soon


At the site of the project, from left, Natural Bridge Mayor Pete Parrish, Winston County Commission Chairman David Cummings, Road Engineer James Glasgow, David A. Kemp, Fayette Area Operations Engineer for ALDOT, Lynn Town Clerk Marcia Manasco, Lynn Police Chief Bryan Kirkpatrick, Natural Bridge council members Paul Garrison and Jeremy McCarter.

NATURAL BRIDGE - A project that local officials say is long overdue is finally becoming reality.
E.O. Byars Construction, Inc. was awarded the contract $1,821,277, to construct a vertical realignment of the westbound lanes of Highway 278  traveling under the Norfolk Southern railroad underpass from the junction of Highway 13 to Highway 5 in Natural Bridge, noted John McWilliams, communications and public relations coordinator for the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Haleyville Airport to house equipment, host employees, for federal project

HALEYVILLE - The agreement reached between the City of Haleyville and Arctic Shark-- which will soon conduct a drone data collection program through the U.S. Department of Energy--for the use of the Posey Field airport, will hopefully draw some much-needed publicity to the airport, officials said.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library party Friday


From left, Katie Brown, chairperson of Women United, which helps raise funds for United Way; Johnna Bailey, member of the Arley Women’s Club; Stephanie Childers, executive director of United Way of Cullman County, with the picture of Dolly Parton whose imagination library has kicked off across Winston County.
WINSTON COUNTY - Five months after the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program kicked off the first time across all of Winston County, another first will take place this Friday, Feb. 7, with the first Dolly Party fundraiser for the program.

Multiple Addison town employees and city council member resign for various reasons


Shown after the appointment of Mitchell Woodard as part-time Addison Police chief, from left, Town Council member Scott Flynn, Clerk Cindy Luker, Mayor Marsha Pigg, council members Jordan Lee, Randy Powell, George Palmer, Assistant Police Chief Greg Rooks, and Woodard.
ADDISON - The town of Addison is dealing with multiple resignations from various departments, all within the past week, including the police chief, police officer/school resource officer, a town council member and the water department employee.

Addison football coach defends his record, refutes allegations


Addison Head Football Coach David Smothers expresses concerns to the Winston County Board of Education. Also shown are Winston County Schools Superintendent Jeff Scott and School Board Members Greg Densmore and Mark Finley.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - The future of long-time Addison High School football coach David Smothers is uncertain, with Smothers defending his strong coaching record and refuting ongoing allegations at the January 28, Winston County Board of Education meeting.

Local students make MSU president’s list

HALEYVILLE -Mississippi State University congratulates 4,569 students who were named to the fall 2024 president's list.
These students achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.
Locally, Drake Robertson and Roby Ellis, both of Haleyville, were named to the president’s list.

Proposed lodging tax has commissioners unsettled


Winston County Commission Chairman David Cummings, right, states he is going to not second a motion to vote on a lodging tax proposed by District 1 Commissioner Rutger Hyche, far left. In the middle is District 2 Commissioner Roger Hayes.
WINSTON COUNTY - A proposed lodging tax for Winston County did not get off the ground at the Winston County Commission’s Tuesday, Jan. 21, meeting, when action on the tax failed due to a disagreement among commissioners over how the tax proceeds will be divided.