The Berry Wildcats began its 2018 football campaign by hosting the Class 2A Sulligent Blue Devils for the first time since 2007. The Wildcats and Blue Devils played a close game, with both teams bitten by the turnover bug. In the end, Sulligent escaped with an eight-point victory.
Coach Caleb Hynds said before last season that he had always wanted to be a head football coach. He admits that last year was a learning process, but said his determination and the determination of his players is stronger than ever. “Last season was tough at times, but I learned a lot and it was a big adjustment for both me and the players,” he said. “I’m very hopeful that the results will be somewhat different this season.”
The 2018 Berry High School Alumni Association reunion was highlighted by recognizing former Miss Berry winners. Special groups were a part of those present. The first Miss Berry, Ettie Grey Bozeman Clark, and the current Miss Berry, Tyner Beth Bowling, were present. A mother/daughter duo also attended, Charlotte Cannon Kilgore and Crystal Kilgore Elliers. Barbara Logan Clark and Rachel Moore Lawler, a grandmother - granddaughter were recognized. Tracy Clark Fields and Mandie Clark Mauldin are sisters who were crowned Miss Berry.
The Berry City Council held a brief regular monthly meeting on Aug. 6 at Berry Town Hall.
All town councilmen were present for the meeting, in addition to Mayor Jimmy Madison and Town Clerk Marie McCluskey. Berry Police Chief Gerald DeDeaux was not present at the meeting to present the monthly police department report to the council. The only item of business on the agenda for the meeting was an appointment to the Berry Park Board to replace Shane Westbrook. Westbrook is now an employee for the Town of Berry, and as an employee, is unable to remain on the board.
The Municipalities of Fayette and Berry, in conjunction with Fayette County and the State of Alabama, will participate in the annual school sales tax holiday on July 20-22. This is the 13th year that Alabama has held the tax holiday, and the second time that the event has been held in July. The sales tax holiday will begin on Friday, July 20 at 12:01 a.m. and end on Sunday, July 22 at 11:59 p.m.
The Berry Council held its regular monthly meeting on July 2 with all of the councilmen present except for Councilman Calvin Madison. Mayor Jimmy Madison said that the councilmen inspected the former armory building on June 21 that is currently leased to Ronnie Magouirk. The councilmen found several items that needed attention, some of the items were the leasee’s responsibility and some things needed to be repaired by the council.
The Berry Town Council held its monthly meeting on June 4 at the Berry Town Hall. Mayor Jimmy Madison was present and all councilmen were present with the exception of Councilman Wesley Jacobs. Councilman Troyce Townsel made a motion to table discussion concerning the former armory building lease until after the council tours the building on June 22. Councilman Russell Madison seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously by the councilmen in attendance.
Berry High School had two softball players named to the Class 1A all-state team as selected by the Alanama Sportswriters Association. Bailey Thomas (near left), a junior, was selected as a first-team utility player. She led Berry in most offensive categories for the year. Sommer Bullard (far left), a senior, was a team captain and defensive Most Valuable Player for the Lady Wildcats.
The Berry Town Council unanimously agreed to join a growing number of city and county governments throughout the country in seeking damages concerning the opioid crisis during its May 7 meeting. Mayor Jimmy Madison said that three law firms had approached the council concerning the litigation, which seeks to recover monetary damages against the manufacturers and distributors of opioids.
The Berry Lady Wildcats’ softball team traveled to South Lamar last week for the area tournament, winning one game and losing two to finish 19-15-1 for the season. Berry opened its play in the tournament by facing Holy Spirit, winning a thrilling eight-inning game over the Lady Saints by a score of 8-7. Brooke Blanton pitched the complete eight innings for Berry, striking out four opposing batters. She also had a terrific game at the plate for the Lady Wildcats with three hits in four at-bats, including a triple.
