Rickman defies odds to play football

Jake Rickman (17) | Contributed photo

Jake Rickman believes that his story isn’t being written by his diagnosis — it’s being written by faith. The 17-year-old Fayette County High School athlete was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) last November, midway through his sophomore football season. Since then, he’s faced challenges few his age ever imagined.

Three injured in multi-vehicle crash

Photo by Meshell Tingle

A multi-vehicle crash involving an ambulance injured three people around 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14. The incident occurred on Hwy. 171/43 near Walmart. According to the crash report, a 2007 Honda Accord failed to yield at a stop sign while pulling out of the Walmart parking lot. A 2017 North Star EMS ambulance struck the Honda on the drivers side. The ambulance was transporting a patient at the time and had an EMS worker on board.

Jamboree game brings wins for FCHS

Fayette County’s Dezmon Harris (1) rushes the ball for a touchdown.

The Fayette Tigers kicked off their football season Friday night with a preseason jamboree, hosting American Christian Academy (Class 4A) Winfield (Class 3A) and South Lamar (Class 1A) in abbreviated matchups at John Morgan Brown Stadium. Each game consisted of two 12- minute quarters, giving both starters and reserves a chance to take the field.

Lions preseason play ends in victories

Lane Barnes (16) and Hunter Rochester (20) take down a Tuscaloosa Academy player. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

The Hubbertville Lion’s football team traveled to Double Springs on Friday night to participate in a fall jamboree on the campus of Winston County High School. The Lions entered into Malcolm Blake Stadium along with six additional teams to kick-off the season. Each team played two games which consisted of two 12 minute quarters without opening kick-offs or utilizing the punting game.

Rape suspect arrested

Photo taken of Jody Smith at time of arrest in Mississippi | Photo courtesy of the Union County Sheriff's Office

On Monday, July 21, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported home invasion and sexual assault in the Glen Allen community.

Truck lands upside down in creek

Photo by Jimmy Black

On Friday, July 25, the Berry Fire Department and North River Rescue Squad responded to an overturned vehicle located on Co. Rd. 30 W. near Jim Moore Bottoms in Berry. Fire Chief Randall Kelley said no injuries were reported and the incident is under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Candidates introduced at meet and greet

Candidates running for Fayette City Council are pictured above, from left to right: Floyd Rodgers Jr. (Ward 5), Charles Walker (Ward 4), Micky Joe Morgan (Ward 2), Felix Caine (Ward 4) Priscilla Gray (Ward 2), Michael Deane (Ward 2), Amanda Henry (Ward 2), Dwan Williams (representing Ron Hannah Ward 2), Jacey Moore (representing Alex Moore Ward 5) and Steve Herring ( Ward 1 - uncontested).

Tucker sentenced to life in prison

Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby, pictured at right, escorts Michael Wade Tucker to a hearing at the Fayette County Courthouse on Friday, July 18.

A Fayette County man will serve the rest of his life in prison for the murder of Laci Cheyenne Whitson in 2024, 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin announced Friday.

Michael Wade Tucker, 37, pled guilty to murder at a hearing in Fayette County Circuit Court Friday morning. Following the plea, Judge Sam Junkin ordered him to serve life in prison, the maximum possible sentence for murder.