FCHS softball begins season with impressive road wins

The Fayette County High School Lady Tigers opened its 2019 softball season with two impressive road victories. On Feb. 26, Fayette traveled to South Lamar to face the Lady Stallions and were victorious by a score of 8-6. Brandy Johnson pitched 6 2/3 innings to record the victory for the Lady Tigers. She allowed 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out four and walking three. The game was tied at six each entering the final inning, when Fayette scored two runs in the top of the seventh to seal the win.

 

Berry has impressive start of softball season

The Berry Lady Wildcats’s softball season is off to a fantastic start, with two more impressive wins during the past week. For the season , Berry’s record is 4-1. The Lady Wildcats traveled to Brilliant on Feb. 25 and defeated the Lady Tigers by a score of 18-2. Blanton pitched six innings to record the win for Berry. She allowed only three hits and one earned run while striking out 13 batters. Lydia Young pitched 1/3 inning in relief and Allie Taylor pitched 2/3 inning, striking out one batter.

 

Cattlemen’s Association install new officers


The Fayette County Cattlemen’s Association held its annual Steak Supper and Banquet on Feb. 23. During the banquet, Robert Moore was presented with the association’s annual “Cattleman of the Year” award. Shown from left are: Outgoing President Thomas Fields, Moore and Board Member Larry Trimm, who presented the plaque to Moore.

The Fayette County Cattlemen’s Association installed its officers for 2019 during its annual Steak Supper and Banquet, held on Feb. 23 at the Boy Scout Building in Fayette. New officers for the year will be Charlie Dale Jones, president;  Jimmy Trice, vice-president; Laura Rainey, treasurer; and Brad Cox, secretary. Ali Cantrell, director of education and outreach for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, spoke briefly during the banquet, urging members to keep up with proposed legislation that might affect cattle producers.

Tornadoes reported in Fayette Co.


Shown is a portion of the tree and timber damage that occurred on Feb. 23 on Crawley Rd. from an EF1 tornado.


Two tornadoes briefly touched down in Fayette County at approximately 6-6:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 23 according to Russ Taylor, Fayette County Emergency Management Director (EMA). The first tornado formed in Lamar County, with reports of damage in the Kingville area near the community of Crossville. Taylor said that was an EF 1 tornado and the tornado also did considerable damage in a predominately wooded area on Crawley Rd. in western Fayette County.

 

Moore named Alabama Press Association President


New officers for the Alabama Press Association are, from left: Horace Moore, president of the Alabama Press Association; Anthony Cook, president of the APA Journalism Foundation; Kenneth Boone, APA chairman of the board; and Caroline Quattlebaum, APA Journalism Foundation chairman of the board.

Horace Moore, owner and publisher of The Times-Record of Fayette and Mid-South Newspapers based in Haleyville, has been elected president of the Alabama Press Association. Moore succeeds Kenneth Boone, who is the new chairman of the board. Moore, a native of Winston County, began his newspaper career in 1964. He worked his way up through the newspaper he now owns, doing most every job in the building. In addition to The Times-Record, Moore’s company also publishes The Northwest Alabamian in Haleyville, The Journal Record in Hamilton, and The Pickens County Herald in Reform.

 

Nolen receives oath as new judge


Steven Nolen (left) is shown taking the oath of office at the Feb. 12 City Council meeting as the new municipal judge for the City of Fayette. Merrell Nolen (right), former municipal judge and current Fayette County District Judge, administered the oath as Steven Nolen’s wife, Susan Nolen, held the Bible for the ceremony.

Steven Nolen received the oath of office as Fayette's new municipal judge during the Feb. 12 meeting of the Fayette City Council.

 

 

 

New area code to affect Fayette County

In 2018, the Alabama Public Service Commission approved a new area code overlay for parts of west and central Alabama, including Fayette County, The area code 659 will soon be used in conjunction with area code 205. AT&T announced the new area code change, according to local telephone service provider CenturyLink.  The addition of the 659 area code does not mean customers will have to change phone numbers, and officials have made plans for a smooth transition.

 

FMC staff enjoys meal


Fayette Medical Center staff members are shown enjoying the many special treats that were provided to them.

The Fayette Medical Center Family Council and Fayette Garden Club members provided food on Feb. 20 for the Fayette Medical Center Long-Term Care and Hospital staff in appreciation for the services they provide to the patients under their care. This is an annual event that is hosted on the first Wednesday after Valentine’s Day by the two organizations.

FCHS holds Coronation


Shown are Campus King & Queen - Blake Wallace and Lindy Hindman and Capebearers - Camden Tucker and Riley May Hindman.

Fayette County High School held its annual Coronation on Saturday, Feb. 23. Campus King is Blake Wallace, son of Rick and Stella Wallace, and Campus Queen is Lindy Hindman, daughter of Dale and Jeanie Hindman. Capebearers for the King and Queen were Camden Tucker, son of Luke and Lori Tucker, and Riley May Hindman, daughter of Dustin and Donita Hindman. The Royal Court was introduced, and 24 ladies and 24 men competed for the titles of Most Beautiful and Most Handsome.

FMS hosts annual Black History Month Program


FMS hosted its annual Black History Month event. Shown from left: Ron Hannah, FMS Principal, Mary Kensley Lister, Isaiah Stowe, Rose Hale, Chelsea Hollingsworth, Emma Claire Kummer and Jenn Bolling.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. History. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans. Since 1976, each U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Fayette Middle School annually celebrates Black History month by hosting an assembly.

 

FMS Celebrates National CTE Month


Pictured are members of Fayette Middle School’s FCCLA and FBLA.

February is National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.  Fayette County has nine CTE programs countywide and two of those nine programs are located at Fayette Middle School: Business Management Administration and Family and Consumer Sciences.  CTE prepares both youths and adults for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities. These careers may require varying levels of education—including industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary certificates, and two or four-year degrees.  

 

Bevill State hosts event


Bevill State to host 'Bear Tracks' event.

A “BEAR Tracks - The Path to Your Future” event will be held from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 at Bevill State Community College, Hamilton Campus. It is never too late to get on track for your Education and Career! Come to the Hamilton Campus during the event (you choose when you want to attend) and get on track.

 

Berry Lady Wildcats open softball season


Bailey Thomas watches the ball sail over the fence as she hit the first home run of the season.

The Berry Lady Wildcats opened the 2019 softball season by playing a three-game series in a “Umpires Tournament" in Vernon on Feb. 16. The games were limited to a strict one-hour time limit. Berry defeated Sulligent in its first game by a score of 9-5. Brooke Blanton pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Lady Wildcats in securing the victory.

 

Karle speaks at baseball booster banquet


Rick Karle is shown speaking at the FCHS Baseball Booster Banquet on Feb. 15.

The Fayette County High School Baseball Boosters held its annual Banquet and Steak Supper on Friday, Feb. 15 at Bevill State Community College in the Earl McDonald Auditorium. The keynote speaker for the event was Rick Karle, former sports director at WBRC/Fox 6 in Birmingham. Karle worked 30 years as the sports director for WBRC/ FOX 6 in Birmingham. During those years, he won numerous state and regional awards for sportscasting, including 23 Emmy Awards from the Atlanta Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science. Additionally, Karle won six prestigious Edward R.

Fayette City Council awards funds to organizations


The Fayette City Council presented $5,000 checks to each of the local schools within the city. Shown front, from left: Fayette County Superintendent Jim Burkhalter, Councilwoman Linda McCraw, FES Principal Dr. Alicia Nalls, FMS Guidance Counselor Tonya Freeman, FCHS Principal Dr. Jeremy Madden and Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson. Back: Councilmen Eddy Campbell and Cedric Wilson.

The Fayette City Council awarded checks in the amount of $20,000 during its Feb. 12 meeting.
Councilmen Jason Cowart and Jerry Nichols were absent from the meeting with all other council members present. Fayette Elementary, Fayette Middle and Fayette County High School each received a check for $5,000 from the council. The Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce was also awarded a $5,000 appropriations check during the meeting.

 

Fayette County Commission makes board appointments


Shown at the Feb. 11 commission meeting, from left: Commissioners John Underwood, Billy Rodgers, James Knight and Shane Hughes.

The Fayette County Commission made additional board appointments during its Feb. 11 meeting. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman opened the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Edwin “Punk” Turner, who died on Feb. 10. Fayette County EMA Director Russ Taylor told the commissioners that FEMA has given its final approval for the Fayette County storm shelters, and has also closed the grant application for the shelters. Paperwork concerning the shelters has to be kept on file for an additional three years.

 

Gun raffle for animal shelter


Shown are Fayette County Animal Shelter manager Phil Holliman (left), Barry Friedman of Alabama Pawn and Cash, and one of the many lovable pets that are available for adoption from the shelter.

Alabama Pawn and Cash in Fayette has donated a limited edition, commemorative Alabama Bicentennial Henry 22 Rifle to be given away on April 19. Tickets are $10 each and all proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Fayette County Animal Shelter. Only 300 tickets for the rifle will be sold. Tickets are available at Alabama Pawn and Cash.

Bicentennial exhibit comes to Hubbertville


Shown is one of the many bicentennial exhibits on display at Hubbertville School until Feb. 22.

The Alabama Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit had its grand opening at Hubbertville School on Saturday, Feb. 16. Many historical exhibits pertaining to the state’s history, in addition to displays of a local nature were on display. Herb Hollingsworth was the keynote speaker for the event. The exhibit will remain on display at Hubbertville School until Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.