Former Fayette and Sulligent police officer, Gary Hugh Farrior, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. The sentence was pronounced by 24th Judicial Circuit Judge Sam Junkin on Oct. 16.
Fayette County High School celebrated the success of its AP scholar students with a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18 at the school. FCHS was recently named an A+ College-Ready School of Excellence. In earning the recognition, Fayette exceeded its school-wide goal for AP qualifying scores during the 2018 - 2019 school year. The school had a total of 34 AP qualifying scores, with two AP scholars who passed three AP exams.
The Fayette Cub Scout Troop enjoyed a “Fishing Rodeo” on Saturday morning, Oct. 12 at the pond near the Fayette Airport. The fishing rodeo was sponsored by Tony Brown and Mike Freeman Ford, who stocked the pond with approximately 400 pounds of full-size catfish prior to the event.
County Administrator John Gordon announced his plans to retire from his position during the Oct. 15 meeting of the Fayette County Commission. In a letter to the commissioners, Gordon expressed his desire to retire, effective April 1, 2020, stating that he has “been blessed to work for the commission 22 years as of Dec. 1, 2019.
Dr. Jeremy Madden, principal of Fayette County High School, has been named District Seven South High School Principal of the Year. Madden is a 19-year educator who became principal of Fayette County High School in 2011. He attended Russellville City Schools and graduated from Russellville High School in 1993.
The Fayette Tigers used a tremendous rushing game to control the tempo in the second half and defeat the Haleyville Lions 27-13. Fayette scored 14 points in the first quarter, but allowed the Lions to score 10 unanswered points in the second period to cut the Tigers’ lead to four points at the half. Fayette closed out the second half by running the ball 28 times and throwing only five passes.
The Hubbertville Lions traveled to Brilliant to faceoff against the Tigers on Friday night. Winning the coin toss, the Tigers elected to receive, with Braden O’Mary and Braden Burleson back deep to receive the opening kick. Gaberiele Arcidiacono’s kick was fielded by Burleson at the 10-yard line and advanced to the Tigers’ 31-yard line, where Xander Morrow made the stop. The Tiger’s first offensive possession came to a halt with the Tigers facing fourth down and 12 from its own 45-yard line. Gage Key fielded a punt at the 14-yard line and advanced to the 16.
It was Senior Night at G.S. Spruill Stadium, as the seventh ranked Pickens County Tornadoes played host to the Berry Wildcats in a Region 6 contest. A win for the Tornadoes would ensure the region championship for Pickens Co., and the team would not disappoint the Tornado fans.
Five people have been indicted and arrested in connection with the May 1, 2018 double homicide that occurred at a residence off of County Road 63 in Fayette County. Michael Council, 25, of New Jersey; Lazaro Moran, 33, of New Jersey; Lindettia Lynette Lowery, 33, of Fairfield; Brandon Lowery, 34, of Gadsden; and Britanny Bell-Spates, 25, of Gadsden have all been arrested at various locations during the past three months. Moran was arrested on Oct. 4 in New Jersey, and was the last of the suspects arrested.
Governor Kay Ivey will be in Fayette on Monday, Oct. 21 to speak to the citizens of the county as part of her tour celebrating Alabama’s Bicentennial. Ivey will deliver a short speech in front of the Fayette County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m, then spend a few minutes visiting with local residents before moving on to her next stop.
The much discussed and debated “Rails-to-Trails” project appears to be back on track after the Fayette City Council reversed its vote from the last meeting and again authorized the purchase of the land from Norfolk-Southern Railroad during its Oct. 8 meeting. At the council’s Sept. 24 meeting, Councilman Jason Cowart made a motion that was seconded by Councilman Jerry Nichols to rescind the authority of the city to purchase the land.
The weather is cooler, the leaves are turning, and the Fayette County Fair is back in town!
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 16, and continuing until Saturday, Oct. 19, the Fayette County Fair returns to provide entertainment for “kids of all ages.” The fair will have plenty of exhibits, livestock shows, food, rides, and entertainment each night, and will also offer special events throughout the week.
DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Northport Medical Center and Fayette Medical Center appear to be returning to near-normal functionality after suffering a ransomware attack on its system last week.
Shown is the Bevill State Community College volleyball team as they posed for a picture prior to their “Pink-Out” match on Oct. 10 against Andrews College. Shown from left, front: Lexie Dishner, Audrey Marlowe, Danielle Knight, Ashley Wellington, Madison Pavlovec and Madison Chastain. Back: Adi Lynn, Amber Markham, Chy'Keria Gardner, Baily Bishop, Amanda Cunningham, Ricki-Jill Burrough, Sidney Keeton, Sarah Ellison and Head Coach Theresa Berry-Franks.
Bevill celebrated a “Pink-Out” tailgate party and volleyball match on Thursday, Oct. 10 in recognition of breast cancer awareness. Students and faculty enjoyed grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and snacks prior to the Lady Bears match against Andrews College. Bevill State completed the afternoon of cancer awareness by defeating Andrew College 25-18, 25-10 and 25-13 in straight sets to win the match.
The FCHS Lady Tigers went undefeated in Vernon on Saturday, Oct. 5 to win the 2019 WAC Tournament. Fayette swept Sulligent (25-13, 25-19) and Lamar County (25-10, 25-9) to advance to the championship and defeated Winfield (26-24, 20-25, 15-11). In a tri-match on Monday, Oct. 7, the Lady Tigers suffered a loss against Northridge (25-20, 13-25, 10-15), but beat Oakman (25-18, 25-15). On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Fayette lost an area game to Curry (25-21, 25-23, 25-11), then defeated Sumiton Christian (25-11, 25-17), leaving Fayette with a 20-3 season record.
The Glen Allen Town Council held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct 1 at the town hall. Council members Gail Bircheat and Willie Rose McClinton were not in attendance for the meeting. The council discussed and reviewed possible options for filling the town’s water department’s water operator position. Water operator John Wakefield had previously notified the council of his desire to resign, but stated that he would continue in the position to allow time for the council to address the situation.
Fayette County High School Principal Dr. Jeremy Madden recently graduated from The University of Alabama Superintendents’ Academy.
Hubbertville held its annual homecoming on Oct. 11, featuring school and field decorations, a dance and a football game against Lynn.
Berry celebrated homecoming on Oct. 11, and capped off the festivities with a 31-20 victory over the Brilliant Tigers.
Celebrating homecoming on Friday night, Hubbertville hosted the Lynn Bears in Wiley Hollingsworth Stadium. Unfortunately, the visiting team spoiled the Lions’ homecoming by defeating Hubbertville 31-20. The Bears took the opening kick down the field, utilizing only two plays to move the ball into the Lions’ red zone. Facing first and goal at the 10-yard line, Micah Cagle took the handoff, advancing three yards with Alex Barnes on the stop for the Lions.
