The Berry girls’ softball team, ranked 10th in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 1A poll, won three-of-four games during the past week. The Lady Wildcats’ only loss of the week was to the third-ranked team in Class 2A, the Lamar County Lady Bulldogs. On Monday, April 2, Berry defeated Holy Spirit 9-2. Brooke Blanton pitched a complete seven-inning game, allowing one hit and striking out six opposing batters. Blanton also went two-for-four at the plate with a walk.

After a promising start to its newly-revived program, the Bevill Bears have hit a rough stretch of games, losing seven-of-eight during the past two weeks. The Bears hosted Southern Union on March 29, losing 13-1 in the first game of a double-header. The Bison used an eight-run fifth inning to seal the victory against the Bears. Parker Hubbard pitched 4 2/3 innings for Bevill, allowing 13 runs on just nine hits while striking out four.

Although some people thought it would never happen, the long-debated jail took a big step toward reality on April 2 as the official ground-breaking for the new jail occurred. The company handling the site prep is Price Civil Services of Tuscaloosa. The site preparation is expected to last approximately three months, followed by the beginning of the construction of the jail.

The Fayette City Council approved the purchase of a used dump truck for the street and sanitation department at a cost of $23,300 during its March 27 meeting Marty Weeks, supervisor of the Street and Sanitation Department, spoke to the council during a work session that was held prior to the meeting. He said that the motor in one of the department’s trucks was worn out, and said that the department needed another truck.

The Fayette County Commission voted to hire Mike Tomlin as the county’s road supervisor/superintendent during its March 26 meeting. County engineer Luke Porter said that several applicants for the superintendent job had been interviewed and following the completion of the interviews, his recommendation was to hire Tomlin for the position. Tomlin is already an employee of the county’s road crew and is familiar with the duties and functions of the department.

Ella Wilson celebrated her 99th birthday on March 25 at the Fayette Long-term Care Facility. She was surprised with a special birthday party by her family. Ms. Ella, as she is affectionally known by the staff and her many friends, wore her crown and sash to celebrate the special occasion. She was escorted around the facility on her birthday and was congratulated by the other residents and staff. Ms. Ella plays the harmonica and sings at many of the activities at the Long-Term Care facility.

McDonald’s of Fayette celebrated its “grand re-opening “ with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27. The interior of the store was closed for a few weeks for a major renovation. The newly remodeled McDonald's will seat 70, and the outside seats will accomidate an additional 25.

The 10th ranked Berry Wildcats opened a busy week of softball by defeating Sulligent in both games of a double-header on March 26. Brooke Blanton was the winning pitcher in the opening game, striking out 10 batters and allowing only four hits as Berry defeated the Lady Blue Devils 5-0.

Hubbertville hosted its Hubbertville Invitational Round-Robin Tournament on Saturday, March 31, consisting of high school teams from Hubbertville, Berry, Brilliant, Marion County and Winston County. The Lady Lions started the tournament against Winston County, losing by a score of 9-1. Emma Nichols pitched for Hubbertville, striking out three batters, allowing no walks and two earned runs. Chelsea Porter, Cayla Tidwell and Haylee Pollard all had hits for Hubbertville, with Porter scoring a run and Tidwell getting the RBI.

Following a report from a victim and leads from citizens of the county, the Fayette County Sheriff Office arrested seven people for alleged burglaries and two other arrests for chemical endangerment of a child. According to the arresting officer, Corporal Roger Morrison of the sheriff department, the first notification of the burglaries was reported on March 18 for a residence located on Highway 13 North. Tips led to the arrest of a suspect in that case and the continuing investigation led to other suspects being arrested.

A Fayette County man was arrested and charged with the March 6 burglary of the Mayfield Fire Department in Tuscaloosa County. According to Officer Josh Hastings of the Tuscaloosa Sheriff Department, Randall Colby Glasgow, 32, of Hwy. 107 Fayette, was arrested on March 7 and charged with three counts of breaking and entering a vehicle, three counts of first degree theft of property, and one count of third degree burglary. Glasgow is charged with taking two fire trucks from the Mayfield fire station and abandoning them after he wrecked the vehicles shortly after leaving the station.

Although the weather might still be a little cool, the vibrant colors of spring remind you of the warmth just around the corner. Dogwoods, azaleas, tulips and other flowering plants are awakening with the splendor and beauty of the season.

The Hubbertville Lions faced Belgreen High School in a baseball game played at Hubbertville last week.

Fayette County’s 21st March for Jesus celebration and prayer rally will be held Saturday, May 19. The event has been held in Fayette each year since 1997, with the exception of 2003. Organizers for the annual March for Jesus rally are selling t-shirts for this year’s event. Orders will be taken through April 22 and are priced as follows: Youth Small through Adult XL will be $7 each and 2XL through 4XL will be $9 each.

The Fayette County Board of Education approved a contract for law enforcement security during a brief meeting held on March 13. Prior to the start of the meeting, a group of Fayette Middle School students, led by Natalyn Burkhalter, gave a presentation to the board. The board voted to contract with the Fayette Police Department and the Fayette County Sheriff Department to provide the security at the recommendation of FCHS principal Jeremy Madden. The security will be paid for with money provided by the Fayette County High School general fund.

The Bevill Bears traveled to Alexander City to face Central Alabama Community College (CACC) for two games with mixed results, splitting the two-game set. The Bears rallied late to defeat Central Alabama Community College 6-5 on Thursday March 22. Brewer opened the scoring in the first when Brandon Rickman reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a CACC error for a 1-0 lead. After CACC scored two in the second inning, BSCC tied it up in the third when Brady Milligan scored on Walker Nolen’s double.

The Fayette Tigers baseball team defeated the South Lamar Stallions 11-1 in a game played Friday, March 23. Fayette scored one run in the first inning on a RBI groundout by Carter Sanford, before increasing its lead in the fifth inning with four additional runs. Sanford, Luke Avery, Chance Stevenson and Brett Linton each had RBIs in the inning for the Tigers. Linton was the winning pitcher for Fayette, allowing one run on only four hits in seven innings of work. Linton also struck out six South Lamar batters and did not allow a walk in the game.

James Gregory Garrett, 43, of Hoover was arrested on March 9 and charged with murder in connection with the March 28, 2017 vehicular deaths of Billy Ray Massey and Carolyn Massey of Double Springs.

The Fayette City Council heard a report from Chris Champion, Fayette Aquatic Center director, during its March 13 meeting. All council members were in attendance, with Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson absent. President Pro Tem Cedric Wilson presided over the meeting during the absence of Nelson.

The Fayette County Commission approved the low bids submitted for the construction of the new Fayette County jail at its March 12 meeting.