The Fayette County Commission approved purchases and made several changes to its personnel policies during a special called meeting held in the Fayette County Courtroom on Thursday, May 7. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman told the commissioners that the air conditioning/chiller system used at the courthouse annex is completely worn out and could not be repaired.

Governor Kay Ivey’s latest modification of her “Safer-at-Home” plan included a modified re-opening of Alabama’s Senior Citizens Activity Centers. West Alabama Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging administers 22 Senior Activity Centers throughout a seven-county region.
Each center is open to adults aged 60 and older. Participation isn’t based on income or retirement, but is based on being age 60 or older. Beginning the week of May 18, the senior activity centers will begin offering curbside pick-up for hot meals again, Monday-Friday of each week.

The Fayette City Council addressed the unusually high gasoline prices in the City of Fayette at its April 28 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart began the discussion concerning gasoline prices by stating that he is constantly questioned about the relatively high gas prices in Fayette when compared to the surrounding area. Cowart said that the differential in prices appears to have increased over the past few weeks, as gas prices have dropped and the COVID-19 crisis affects citizens in their everyday lives.

An accident that occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1 near the two-mile marker on Highway 107 resulted in a detour around the accident for about three hours. A 2005 GMC C6500 overturned in the highway, completely blocking the road. According to a spokesperson for the Alabama State Trooper’s office, the accident occurred when the truck’s driver, Grover Latham, 63, of Hamilton, was traveling north on Highway 107 and lost control of his vehicle. The driver was uninjured in the accident.

The Fayette County Commission during its April 27 meeting voted to not pay nearly $50,000 in disputed fees that the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Authority (C3) says the commission owes. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren said that he has seen very little actual benefit from the C3 organization during the past few years in the Fayette County area. He made a motion to not pay the amount asked for by C3, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Billy Joe Rogers.

Governor Kay Ivey lifted the “Stay-at-Home” order that had been in place for Alabama until 5 p.m. on April 30, and replaced the order with a “Safer-at-Home” directive. The new order allowed the state’s beaches to open, and also allowed most retail businesses  to open, although certain restrictions are still in place that will limit crowds and require social distancing. Restaurants are still allowed to serve carry-out orders only. Hospitals and long-term care facilities must still restrict visitors and continue policies designed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The Fayette City Council upheld the termination of Jason Nalls as a police officer for the City of Fayette during a closed due process hearing held on April 14. Nalls had been terminated by Mayor Ray Nelson with the consent of the council at the council’s March 24 meeting. Nalls requested the hearing, during which all of the council members were present. The council members upheld the termination by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Governor Kay Ivey held a joint press conference on Tuesday, April 28 with state health officials to announce that a "Safer-at-Home" order will replace the Stay-at-Home order that is set to expire on Thursday, April 30 at 5 p.m. Shown below are the details of the new order issued by the governor.

Fayette County High School was recently ranked as the 23rd top high school in the State of Alabama by U.S. News and World Reports. FCHS had the smallest enrollment (404 students) and the highest student poverty level (51 percent) among the top 25 schools listed in the report. Most of the data used in ranking the schools was obtained from the 2017-18 academic year.

The Fayette County Board of Education approved several personnel changes and contracts at its April 21 meeting. The meeting was held in the Fayette Elementary School lunchroom so that safe distancing and other recommendations that are in place dur to the COVID-19 pandemic could be followed. All board members were in attendance for the meeting, along with Superintendent Jim Burkhalter, Assistant Superintendent Mary Raines and Chief Financial Officer Julie Chaffin.

As Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey faces a decision to possibly lift the “Stay-at-Home” order that currently continues through April 30, the number of cases of the Coronavirus COVID-19 continues to rise in both Alabama and the United States. Ivey was scheduled to hold a joint press conference in Montgomery at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28 with State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and members of the executive committee of the state’s Coronavirus Task Force.

A drive-up COVID-19 testing clinic will be offered at the Fayette County Health Department on Tuesday, May 5, from 10 a.m. - noon while testing supplies are available. Please call (205) 932-5260 for an appointment and to preregister. The address of the Fayette County Health Department is 215 1st Avenue NW, Fayette.

Following the postponement of the March 31 primary runoff election to July 14, Secretary of State John H. Merrill reminds Alabamians of the option to vote by absentee ballot. “Amid coronavirus concerns, it is important to remember that Alabamians who are concerned about contracting or spreading an illness have the opportunity to avoid the polls on Election Day by casting an absentee ballot,” shared Secretary Merrill. “Alabamians can access the application online or by visiting or calling their local Absentee Election Manager’s office.”

Several Fayette County residents recently enjoyed what for many was a “trip of a lifetime” when they ventured overseas to tour the Holy Land. The trip was organized by Fayette County Baptist Association Director John Killian, and consisted of approximately 30 people, with almost all of the travelers being residents of Fayette County and the surrounding area. Some of the local residents making the trip, many for their first time, were: Jerry Robertson, Kathy Carroll, Barbara Wright, Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson, Jody Taylor, Daniel Smith, Stacy Bennett and Emily Bennett.

The Fayette City Council discussed placing two speed bumps in residential areas of town during its April 14 meeting. One of the speed bumps would be located on 9th Street NW and another on the adjoining 2nd Avenue NW. All council members were in attendance for the meeting. Councilman Cedric Wilson said that residents in the area have petitioned for the speed bumps since there are several children residing in the area. Wilson said that two children were almost hit by vehicles a few weeks ago.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase in intensity throughout the state, with Fayette County remaining at four confirmed cases at press time. Although the number of cases have increased to more than 5,000 statewide with more than 100 confirmed deaths, some medical authorities are predicting that the peak is near and a lessening of restrictions might begin to occur within the state as soon as May.

The Glen Allen Town Council met on Tuesday, April 7 for its regular monthly meeting. Councilwoman Bobbie S. McCraw was not in attendance for the meeting. Due to statewide guidelines concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the council meeting was held in the Glen Allen Community Center parking lot with all councilors remaining in their own personal vehicles in an attempt to abide by the recommendations of the COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

Fayette Progress Club II sponsored a the Miss Fayette County Pageant for contestants from birth through 12th grade on March 14 at the Fayette Civic Center.