VFW presents awards


Shown from left: Julie Nabors, VFW Post 5406 Commander Jerry A. Fulmer, and Isaac Fowler.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5406, held its annual awards program on April 16. Each year, the post sponsors the essay contest: “Patriot Pen, the Voice of Democracy” contest, and the “Teacher of the Year” contest. All middle and high school students are encouraged to enter. This year, the winners in the Patriot Pen contest were: Kylee B. Dunn, Emily Huang and Harry Unger IV. Isaac Fowler won the Voice of Democracy award. He prepared and gave a winning speach on our freedoms. The Teacher of the Year award was given to Julie Nabors from Hubbertville School.

Berry softball defeats Hubbertville 16-0


The Berry softball team is shown posing with its second place trophy from the NAC Tournament.

The Berry Lady Wildcats defeated Hubbertville 16-0 on April 13 in the continued NAC Tournament that was previously postponed. The tournament was played at Guin. Brooke Blanton was the winning pitcher for Berry, allowing only two hits and striking out three to capture the win.

 

Roberts remains strong on ‘The Voice’


Dexter Roberts of Fayette continues to be a strong contender on NBC’s hit TV talent show, “The Voice.” He will compete next week for a spot among the top 13 contestants on the show. (Photo furnished courtesy of Tyler Golden/NBC)

Dexter Roberts of Fayette made it through the live auditions and is still going strong after defeating two opponents in the battle rounds on this year’s “The Voice.” Roberts, a 2010 graduate of Fayette County High School, earned a four-chair turn during the auditions and picked country music star Blake Shelton as his coach. In the first battle round, Roberts performed a duet with his teammate Dalton Dover of Aragon, Georgia.

 

Strong winds hit Fayette County


This enormous tree was completely uprooted by straight-line winds during the thunderstorm that passed through Fayette County on April 18. The tree demolished a 2017 Ford pick-up and caused damage to this house, owned by Ron Hannah and located on 2nd Ave. NW in Fayette.

A severe thunderstorm hit Fayette County in the late afternoon and early evening hours on Thursday, April 18, and the county suffered damage in numerous locations due to straight-line winds. Fayette County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Russ Taylor said that there were trees reported down throughout much of the county, with some structural damage. He said that a church in northeast Fayette County reported damage and several sheds were demolished during the storm.

 

Fayette Community Foundation hosts reception


Fayette Community Foundation Chairman William Oswalt is shown addressing the crowd during the Foundation’s annual reception for recipients.

The Fayette Community Foundation held its annual reception on April 11 at the Fayette Civic Center to recognize the past year’s grant recipients. William Oswalt, chairman of the Fayette Community Foundation board of directors, presented opening remarks at the beginning of the reception.

 

Vehicle accident on Highway 171


The occupants of this vehicle involved in an accident were transported to a medical facility.

A single vehicle accident on Highway 171 approximately four miles south of Fayette resulted in injuries to the occupants of the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and traveled several feet before being stopped by a wooded area. Names of the occupants had not been released at press time. Both occupants were transported by ambulance to a medical facility.

FMC hosts health fair


Shown are a few of the booths at the FMC Health Fair.

Fayette Medical Center held a Community Health Fair on Friday, April 12 to help inform the residents about medical services available in the area and also to offer educational materials and services. In addition to the various agencies and departments located at Fayette Medical Center, other medical providers were on-hand to talk about the services that they offer and to provide information and demonstrations for the public.

Raffle benefits Fayette Co. Animal Shelter


Shown at the drawing from left: Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby, Commissioner Joe Acker, Fayette County Animal Shelter Director Phil Holliman, Barry Friedman and Fayette County Probate Judge Mike Freeman.

Alabama Pawn & Cash recently held a raffle to give away a Henry Alabama Bicentennial Rifle to benefit the Fayette County Animal Shelter. The raffle raised $3,000 for the shelter and the gun was won by Chris House of Millport.

FMS selects new majorettes


Shown from left, front: Lucy Lowe, Savannah Brock, Ava Johnson and Braydin Parker. Back: Jaylee Howton, Laci Whitehead, Katie Johnson (head majorette) and Allie Long.

The Fayette Middle School majorettes were recently selected for the 2019-20 school year.

Color Guards selected at FMS


Shown from left, front: Victoria Wilhite, Anslie Stough and Elsie Smyth. Second row: Abby Berthoud, Deanna Guyton, Larken Reese, Jayla Taylor and Savanna Arzie. Third row: Ella Porter, Brooke Plunkett, Destiny Stough, and Kate Pierce. Back row: Kimberly Cabrera and Alexis Overstreet.

Color Guards for the 2019-20 school year were recently selected at Fayette Middle School.

Berry Heritage Festival is April 26-27



The annual Berry Heritage Festival is April 26-27, and Berry Mayor Jimmy Madison said that he is hoping this will be one of the best festivals ever. Madison said that the festival was started several years ago as a fun way to bring the citizens of the town together for a time of fellowship and fun. He said that other towns were having festivals, so the citizens of Berry decided to start a new tradition of its own.

 

Wright's art work on display in Florence



The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts in Florence presents the works of Fayette folk artist Bernard Wright from Wednesday, April 10 through Friday, May 3. A gallery talk is scheduled for Friday, May 3 at 6 p.m. Wright is a student of acclaimed Alabama artist, Jimmy Lee Sudduth and will be teaching a workshop using Sudduth’s methods in painting with mud on Saturday, May 4 at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts. The workshop lasts from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and includes lunch.

Berry Lady Wildcats 3-1 for the week


Brooke Blanton is shown pitching for Berry during the tournament on Saturday.


The Berry softball team had a very successful week, winning three of the four games that the team played. Berry started off the week on April 15 by defeating Hubbertville 6-1. Brooke Blanton pitched a complete game for the Lady Wildcats, allowing six hits and striking out six batters.

 

Fayette defeats Oneonta to advance in playoffs


Austin McCaleb is shown getting a hit against Winfield.

The Fayette Tigers won a best-of-three series with Oneonta to advance to the second round of the state baseball playoffs. Fayette will host North Jackson on Friday, April 26, beginning at 5 p.m. The Tigers won the deciding third game against Oneonta on Monday by a score of 3-2. No stats for that game were available at press time.