A multi-year FCHS reunion, for the years of 1960-82, was held on Sept. 21 on the Fayette County Courthouse lawn. The local "C-Plus Band" provided music for the three-hour event.

Beginning on Oct. 12, area code dialing will become mandatory for all calls made within the traditional “205” area code region of the state. Earlier this year, it was announced that an “overlay” area code would be implemented within the 205 area code region. The new area code is “659” and will serve the same region as the 205 area code currently serves.

The Fayette County Tigers scored 35 first half points and coasted to a 48-23 victory over Curry.
Carter Sanford had a career day passing for Fayette while playing only the first half. He completed 14-of-18 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns, and he also ran twice for 18 yards.

The Berry High School Alumni Association held its 19th annual reunion on Aug. 17. Attendees ranged from the Class of 1943 to the Class of 2019. VictorBonner opened the meeting in prayer. Tracy Fields directed those assembled in singing the Alma Mater with Linda Clark playing the piano.

50 years ago in November of 1968, Herb Lowe placed an ad in the local newspaper seeking people interested in forming a new Episcopal church. Four people responded: Toni Robertson, Hugh and Edna Avant and Dot Crutcher. From these humble beginnings, the worshiping community of St. Michael’s was born. In the years that followed, the fledgling congregation gathered in a store front before building the current church up the hill west of Five Points on 10th Street in the early 80’s.

The Meek High Tigers had been preparing all week to face the Berry Wildcats Friday, Sept. 20, for homecoming. Even though it was a close game, Berry handed Meek the defeat 36-30.
Meek kicked off to Berry to start the game. The Wildcats immediately started to move the ball and after 41 yards, got the first touchdown with Johnathan Locke running the ball over the goal line. The PAT was no good, but Berry was up 6-0.

Hubbertville traveled to Millport Friday night to face the South Lamar Stallions. The Lions won the coin toss and received the opening kickoff. The opening possession was shortlived, with Gage Key punting the ball away to the Stallions’ offense at the Lions’ 45-yard line. South Lamar wasted little time taking the ball downfield, with Herachio Washington and Christopher Sides swapping runs on the drive. Facing second and three at the 14-yard line, Sides took the ball across the goal for the score with 8:10 remaining in the opening quarter. The PAT kick was no good.

The Fayette Community Foundation will soon begin accepting grant applications for 2019.



 

During the Fayette City Council’s Sept. 10 meeting, a motion was approved to remove a proposed ordinance from consideration concerning Sunday alcohol sales in the city. All council members were present for the meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart made a motion to remove the ordinance from consideration, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Eddy Campbell. The motion was approved unanimously.

The 50th annual Fayette Arts Festival was held in Fayette at Guthrie Smith Park on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The Fayette County Board of Education adopted its fiscal year 2020 budget and approved personnel changes during its Sept. 12 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting.

Proposed revenues included in the FY2020 budget are as follows: State, $15,657,751; Local, $4,747,377; Federal, $2,907,956; and other revenues, $110,873 for a total of $23,423,957.

The John Clifford Grimsley House, built in 1916, is one of the most iconic and recognizable houses in Fayette County. The house was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a ceremony was held on Sept. 13 recognizing its designation. The John Clifford Grimsley House is currently owned by two of John Clifford Grimsley’s granddaughters, Becky Matkov and Liz Venable.

The Fayette County HOSA - Future Health Professionals, enjoyed its second visit to the International Leadership Conference (ILC) with over 11,520 in attendance. The 42nd International Leadership Conference was held in Orlando, Fla,. on June 19-22. HOSA was represented by 54 chartered associations including Canada, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and China.

The Fayette County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 9. All commissioners with the exception of Commissioner Shane Hughes, were present for the meeting. Also present were Commission Chairman Mike Freeman and County Administrator John Gordon. At the beginning of the meeting, Randy Slay, chairman of the Fayette County Conservation District, presented the commission with a new, full-color wall map of the county. The map is very detailed and Slay said that, “It is the best map that has ever been made of the county.”

The Berry Town Council approved its fiscal year 2020 budget during its Sept. 9 meeting. Councilman Chris Rice was absent, with all other council members present for the meeting.
Berry Town Clerk Marie McClusky said that sales tax and business license fees have increased during the past year. Court revenue was projected to be approximately the same as last year, with interest for the general fund slightly higher due to an interest rate increase on the town’s certificate of deposit. Other revenues for the town were projected to be similar to the revenues from the previous year.

The Cordova Blue Devils visited Fayette on a hot, overcast, full-moon, Friday-the-thirteenth night, seeking to make the Tigers its first victim of the 2019 football season. Cordova scored three unanswered touchdowns in the first half to take an early 21-14 lead, but the Tigers were able to fight off the Blue Devils to earn a hard-fought 34-27 victory.

Berry traveled to South Lamar last Friday night and was completely dominated by the South Lamar Stallions 59-0. The South Lamar quarterback, Horachio Washington, had a field day against the overmatched Wildcats, completing six-of-eight passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns.

Hubbertville welcomed the Meek Tigers to Wiley Hollingsworth Stadium on Friday night with hopes of bouncing back from last week’s loss. The Tigers won the coin toss, electing to receive the opening kick with Trinton Ory advancing the ball to the 27-yard line. Matt Sanders made the stop on the return for the Lions. The Tigers’ offense elected to attack with the passing game on its opening possession, but the Lions’ defense held its ground and forced a punt.

After years of discussions, debates, quarrels, and arguments, the long-awaited and badly-needed new Fayette County Jail is now a reality. The Fayette County Commission and Fayette County Sheriff’s Department held an open house and allowed citizens to tour the new jail on Sept. 8. According to Sheriff Byron Yerby, approximately 150 people toured the jail during the two-hour event. “The comments from the citizens were very positive,” Yerby said. “They thought the new jail was very secure and would serve the needs of the county for many, many years.”

The 50th edition of the annual Fayette Arts Festival will be held this Saturday, Sept. 14, at Guthrie Smith Park. One of the local artists/craftsmen exhibiting at the arts festival this year will be Angela Tingle of Fayette. Tingle said that she has always had an interest in arts and crafts, even as a young child. She said that she first began her serious interest in art a few years ago by making “Fairy houses.” These seemed to be popular with her friends and family, so she said that she decided to take the next step and begin making “flower dolls.”