Absentee voting begins today

Winston County Absentee Election Manager Dallas Baldwin shows the absentee ballots that are going out to affected voters this week. Already over 80 applications for absentee ballots have been received.

Winston County Absentee Election Manager Dallas Baldwin shows the absentee ballots that are going out to affected voters this week. Already over 80 applications for absentee ballots have been received.
WINSTON COUNTY - Although the general election is still two months away, the process for applying to vote absentee has already begun, with absentee voters officially starting the process today, Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Four arrests in car theft, drug trafficking cases

From left, Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Josh Edwards, Sheriff Caleb Snoddy and Chief Deputy Josh Bennett with drugs and items seized during a traffic stop that detailed drug trafficking as well as a recent car theft.

From left, Winston County Sheriff’s Investigator Josh Edwards, Sheriff Caleb Snoddy and Chief Deputy Josh Bennett with drugs and items seized during a traffic stop that detailed drug trafficking as well as a recent car theft.
NATURAL BRIDGE - The high speed pursuit of a suspect vehicle by the Winston County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrests of four persons, including alleged drug traffickers as well as two persons charged in a recent auto theft case in Haleyville.

Smith Lake cleanup

CRANE HILL - The fall Smith Lake Cleanup organized by Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. and Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers program will be Thursday and Friday, Sept. 12-13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help remove trash from the water and shorelines of Rock, White Oak and Crooked creeks.

First-ever 9/11 Never Forget Bash Saturday

From left, C.J. Turner, president of the ARK Motorcycle Association and Jerry Cottongin, vice president, at the state at Twin Forks where the first-ever 9/11 Never Forget Bash will take place Saturday.

From left, C.J. Turner, president of the ARK Motorcycle Association and Jerry Cottongin, vice president, at the state at Twin Forks where the first-ever 9/11 Never Forget Bash will take place Saturday.
BEAR CREEK - First responders from throughout the state, as well as veterans from all branches of service, will literally take center stage at the first-ever 9-11 Never Forget Bash planned for Saturday, Sept. 7, at Twin Forks Park, located off of Highway 79 in Bear Creek.

Pine beetle epidemic hits county

An aerial view of Southern pine beetle infestations scattered through the forest near Rock Creek Baptist Church, about three miles north of Double Springs, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Mike Henshaw, Winston County Natural Resources Council)

An aerial view of Southern pine beetle infestations scattered through the forest near Rock Creek Baptist Church, about three miles north of Double Springs, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Mike Henshaw, Winston County Natural Resources Council)

WINSTON COUNTY - The Alabama Forestry Commission announced last week that Southern pine beetle infestations have reached "epidemic" levels in the state and identified Winston County and the Bankhead National Forest among the worst hit areas.
The August 22, AFC press release said the organization had identified nearly 5,000 SPB spots, "with an average mortality of 191 pine trees per spot," across Alabama as of that date, but on Tuesday, Aug. 27, Acting Bankhead District Ranger Tyler Fish said there are over 1,000 individual spots in the Bankhead alone.

HCS reports perfect audit

The Haleyville Board of Education listens as CPA Greg Guin presents the system’s audit report for 2023. Clockwise from bottom left, board members Brian “Thumper’ Vickery, Beth McAlpine, Donna Jones, Chad Tidwell, Board President Boo Haughton, Chief School Financial Officer Candy Marbutt and Guin. Not shown is Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.

The Haleyville Board of Education listens as CPA Greg Guin presents the system’s audit report for 2023. Clockwise from bottom left, board members Brian “Thumper’ Vickery, Beth McAlpine, Donna Jones, Chad Tidwell, Board President Boo Haughton, Chief School Financial Officer Candy Marbutt and Guin. Not shown is Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.
HALEYVILLE - For the first time in at least 30 years, the audit report for Haleyville City Schools was presented at an open meeting, with the school system’s new auditor giving what he referred to as one of the best and most positive financial findings for the system’s 2023 audit.

Founders Day in Double Springs September 14

Shown at a Founders Day planning meeting are (seated) WCHS Alumni Association officers Kim Prescott, president, Chase Cummins, vice president, Gina Dodd, secretary, Michelle Ward, treasurer, Bailey Kelley, committee chairman and (standing) some of the alumni association’s student ambassadors Lilly Elliott, Reagan Morgan, Macy Parsons and Alyssa Westbrooks. Not shown: Landon Kelley.

Shown at a Founders Day planning meeting are (seated) WCHS Alumni Association officers Kim Prescott, president, Chase Cummins, vice president, Gina Dodd, secretary, Michelle Ward, treasurer, Bailey Kelley, committee chairman and (standing) some of the alumni association’s student ambassadors Lilly Elliott, Reagan Morgan, Macy Parsons and Alyssa Westbrooks. Not shown: Landon Kelley.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - The Winston County High School Alumni Association is hoping to start a new annual tradition this year by holding its first Founders Day on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Bear Creek’s only bank branch closing

The Bear Creek branch of BankFirst will close October 25. All customers will have the option to stay with the bank and transfer their accounts to Haleyville. All employees will also have jobs provided for them in Haleyville.

The Bear Creek branch of BankFirst will close October 25. All customers will have the option to stay with the bank and transfer their accounts to Haleyville. All employees will also have jobs provided for them in Haleyville.
BEAR CREEK - The Bear Creek branch of BankFirst - the town’s only banking location - will be closing its doors on Oct. 25, with bank officials giving customers and employees the option of transferring to the Haleyville branch before the date arrives.

County to pay $100,000 more a year for inmate healthcare

Winston County Commissioner District 2 David Cummings, center, has questions about the agreement the county is about to sign regarding inmate medical services at the county jail. At left is Commissioner District 1 Rutger Hyche and at right is Chairman Roger Hayes.

Winston County Commissioner District 2 David Cummings, center, has questions about the agreement the county is about to sign regarding inmate medical services at the county jail. At left is Commissioner District 1 Rutger Hyche and at right is Chairman Roger Hayes.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Budget concerns will possibly be facing the Winston County Commission, after they reached a new agreement with the company providing healthcare services for county jail inmates, at a cost of over $100,000 more per year than the previous agreement.

Public meeting planned in Florence to discuss deterrent projects for invasive carp

FLORENCE - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will host public meetings in Florence, Nashville and online this month to discuss a pilot project designed to manage and prevent the spread of invasive carp within the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins and the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway.
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