Although Fayette County continues to have one of the lowest totals of COVID-19 cases within the state, the county has seen a dramatic rise in new cases during the past two weeks. At press time, Fayette County had 19 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with eight new cases occurring within the past 14 days.
The Berry Town Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on June 1. Councilman Christopher Rice was absent, with all other council members present. A motion was made by Councilman Calvin Madison to table a resolution to declare two Chevrolet Silverado pickups as surplus items, pending a determination concerning the value of the pickups. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mary Sue Lollar and approved unanimously.
Governor Kay Ivey has awarded more than $17 million to provide relief for Alabamians who faced unemployment and economic difficulties as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Community Services Block Grants will be distributed to 20 community action agencies to provide services to qualified persons in Alabama. Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Choctaw, Dallas, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Perry, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties) will receive $1.65 million in grant money.
Kristopher Gardner of Fayette is an amateur photographer and nature lover. He recently combined the two talents to photograph his friend “Peanut.” Gardner said that Peanut is a “tufted titmouse” that he befriended and coaxed into landing on his hand. He said that it took weeks of patiently waiting under a tree limb with his outstretched hand before Peanut finally decided he could be trusted.
The Fayette City Council failed to have enough members for a quorum to hold its May 26 meeting. Councilman Cedric Wilson and Councilman Eddy Campbell were in attendance for the meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart was on a military reserve assignment, Councilwoman Linda McCraw was on vacation and Councilman Jerry Nichols was absent from the meeting.
The Fayette County Commission hired a new director for the Senior Citizens Center in Berry during its May 26 meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren was absent from the meeting, with all other commissioners present. The meeting opened with Commission Chairman Mike Freeman stating the commission needed to hold an executive session to discuss a legal matter. Commissioner Joe Acker made a motion to enter executive session, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Billy Joe Rodgers. The commissioners present unanimously voted to enter executive session.
High schools in Fayette County have set their graduation dates for this school year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, special guidelines and regulations will be followed at each school.
Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville visited Fayette on Thursday, May 28 as he continued his campaign tour for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Tuberville is in a runoff in the July 14 Republican primary with former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions.
On Saturday, June 13, Alabamians and out-of-state visitors alike will have the opportunity to fish for free in most public waters, including both freshwater and saltwater. Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 6-14. The event allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing Alabama has to offer without purchasing a fishing license.
As businesses and activities continue to normalize during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cases of the virus in Fayette County has increased sharply within the past two weeks. Although Fayette County still is one of the counties with the fewest number of cases within the state, the counties numbers have seen a dramatic rise of seven new cases within the past 14 days. The total number of cases in Fayette County at press time was 16, with only Cleburne County posting a lower number of 15 cases.
Drive-up COVID-19 testing clinics will be offered at the Fayette County Health Department, located at 215 1st Avenue NW, Fayette, on Wednesdays beginning at 8:30 a.m. while testing supplies are available. Call (205) 932-5260 for an appointment and to pre-register. A physician referral is preferred.
This article is reprinted with permission from the “Starkville Daily News.” Ryan Phillips was at the scene of the accident, and gave a first-hand account concerning the ensuing rescue attempt. It’s a situation many emergency officials train for, but one that those who have experienced firsthand hope to never encounter again.
A Haleyville man was arrested and charged with an ethics violation in relation to his work as a probation officer. Michael Steven Painter, 49, of 5898 Newburg Road, Haleyville, was taken into custody Friday, May 15, and charged with an ethics violation of using a public office for personal gain and custodial sexual misconduct, according to Andy Hamlin, District Attorney for the 24th Judical Circuit in Alabama, which encompasses Fayette, Lamar and Pickens counties. He was booked into the Fayette County jail.
Patriotic banners are displayed for the first time this Memorial Day, thanks to an effort by the local VFW lodge and a grant supplied by the Fayette Community Foundation. The banners honor the memories of 110 Fayette County veterans who gave their lives during wartime service to their country.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Marketing Service, is announcing assistance to help 16 communities boost economic opportunities for their local farmers while promoting clean air, safe water, open space, and healthy food choices.
Despite a warning from state health officials that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, lives and businesses are continuing to resume a degree of normalcy. Governor Kay Ivey issued a new order on May 21, allowing more businesses to reopen with restrictions.
Sydney Farris, a 2020 high school graduate of Hubbertville School, signed a four-year athletic scholarship for powerlifting on Friday, May 15 with Missouri Valley College (MVC), located in Marshall, Mo. Farris competed as a junior elite in USPA powerlifting, and is a former national and world record holder for 52 kg. juniors. She was trained by Jessie Lindsey at West Alabama Barbell Club for four years, and currently self-trains at American Gym in Winfield.
Although their senior seasons did not finish as planned, the students at Berry, Fayette and Hubbertville survived the COVID-19 pandemic and have made it to graduation. Help celebrate this momentous accomplishment with them by purchasing a copy of our May 20 edition with our annual commemorative graduation section.
The residents and staff at Fayette Medical Center’s Long-Term Care facility enjoyed a drive-through parade in their honor on Friday, May 15. After most residents had been secluded from friends and family members for almost two months during the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the community turned out to thank the long-term care workers and greet the residents. Seventy-eight vehicles paraded through the parking lot, with most of the vehicles adorned with balloons and signs telling their family members how much they have missed seeing them during the pandemic.
