MHS Band state champions; HHS Band runner up in 4A

From left, MHS Band of Champions Director Kevin Dunham, band students Chase Herron, Tori Payne, Suzie Feist, Mallory Taylor and Holli Hyche with the large 1A state champion award plus individual awards the band received at the second annual statewide competition.

From left, MHS Band of Champions Director Kevin Dunham, band students Chase Herron, Tori Payne, Suzie Feist, Mallory Taylor and Holli Hyche with the large 1A state champion award plus individual awards the band received at the second annual statewide competition.
HOOVER - The Meek High School Band has truly lived up to its name - The Band of Champions - by earning top honors in 1A at the second annual Alabama State Marching Band Championship.

Man charged after shooting dog then dragging it by a nylon lumber strap

Lt. Tim Steien and Donald Nix

Donald Gene Nix is escorted into the Haleyville Police Department by Investigator Lt. Tim Steien on Thursday, October 31.
HALEYVILLE  - A Haleyville man has been charged with cruelty to animals after he not only shot his neighbor’s dog but tied a nylon lumber strap around its neck and hung it by the rope out the window of a vehicle as he drove down the road in his neighborhood.

Stoneware jug about 115 years old

This stoneware whiskey jug donated to the Haleyville Historical Society is over 100 years old.

This stoneware whiskey jug donated to the Haleyville Historical Society is over 100 years old.
HALEYVILLE - Walk in the saloon, hear the piano player, miss the spittoon, jingle your spurs and drink some whiskey. No, this was not a saloon somewhere in the Old West but a saloon right here in Haleyville.

$774,000 ARC grant announced to continue high speed internet project

Discussing the new funding are from left, Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes, State Representative Tracy Estes, Paul Housel, representing Congressman Robert Aderholt, Tombigbee President Steve Foshee, Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri and WC Commissioner David Cummings.

Discussing the new funding are, from left, Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes, State Representative Tracy Estes, Paul Housel, representing Congressman Robert Aderholt, Tombigbee President Steve Foshee, Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri and WC Commissioner David Cummings.
HAMILTON - Tombigbee Electric Coop has announced a $774,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant will be applied  to furthering the ongoing regional project connecting both homes and commerce in rural Alabama to high speed internet service.

Extension office partners with HCS on major outreach project

From left, Former Winston County Extension Agent Mike Henshaw, HCT Drafting Instructor Jamie White, Extension Coordinator Zack Brannon, Assistant High School Principals Candy Garner and John McCullar with $2,000 worth of lumber donated by Mill Creek for the project.

From left, Former Winston County Extension Agent Mike Henshaw, HCT Drafting Instructor Jamie White, Extension Coordinator Zack Brannon, Assistant High School Principals Candy Garner and John McCullar with $2,000 worth of lumber donated by Mill Creek for the project.
HALEYVILLE  - Residents in need, who receive assistance each week from Main Street Ministries, have inspired a partnership between the Winston County Extension Office and Haleyville City Schools to work on a project with an unlimited outreach.

Community hears startling messages about social media dangers

rom left, Seth Sullivan, instructor with the National Association of School Resource Officers; Winston County High School Principal Jeff Cole and School Resource Officer Kent Donaldson talk before the community event.

From left, Seth Sullivan, instructor with the National Association of School Resource Officers; Winston County High School Principal Jeff Cole and School Resource Officer Kent Donaldson talk before the community event.
DOUBLE SPRINGS  - School children may not realize it, but they often have strangers in their bedrooms or in their homes.

Memorial dedicated to memory of Mark Forester

Before the ceremony, State Representative Proncey Robertson is introduced to Ray and Pat Forester, parents of Mark Forester. The newly dedicated monument can be seen in the background.

Before the ceremony, State Representative Proncey Robertson is introduced to Ray and Pat Forester, parents of Mark Forester. The newly dedicated monument can be seen in the background.
HALEYVILLE - A ceremony held at the flag pole at Haleyville Middle School on Tuesday, October 22,  set the stage for the dedication of the school's flag pole and a special monument named in honor of Senior Airman Mark Forester, who lost his life defending his country in Afghanistan in 2010.

No ATRIP II money has cities and county scrambling to save projects

Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri was counting on the $1.6 million of which the city had applied in ATRIP II funds for a major resurfacing project connecting two major highways-from 195 down 30th Street, to Kelly Hill down to Highway 13. Sunseri is pictured at Kelly Hill.

Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri was counting on the $1.6 million of which the city had applied in ATRIP II funds for a major resurfacing project connecting two major highways-from 195 down 30th Street, to Kelly Hill down to Highway 13. Sunseri is pictured at Kelly Hill.
WINSTON COUNTY - Winston County did not get a piece of the ATRIP II funding pie this year.

Arley Police adopts policy on body cameras

Jerry Cummings, Arley Chief of Police, shows the body worn camera he wears at chest level to capture audio and video evidence.

Jerry Cummings, Arley Chief of Police, shows the body worn camera he wears at chest level to capture audio and video evidence.
ARLEY - ‘Smile for the camera’ is a phrase which pertains to the Arley Police Department in today’s time, since they have been wearing body cameras the past several years. The APD adopted a standard operating procedure for using them at the Arley town meeting Monday, Oct. 7.

Commissioners ask for patience as they wait for gas tax monies

Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes shows the sign that will be placed on roads to be resurfaced with gas tax proceeds.

Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes shows the sign that will be placed on roads to be resurfaced with gas tax proceeds.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Residents are urged to be patient as the Winston County Commission is beginning the lengthy process of waiting until gas tax proceeds will be received next year so work on deteriorating roads and bridges can begin.

Insurance a big topic in Haleyville City Council meeting

HALEYVILLE - Insurance was a dominant topic during the Haleyville City Council's Oct. 7, meeting.  With all council members present except Jonathan Bennett, council members approved paying for a cancer/disability insurance policy for all active Haleyville firefighters, a grand total of $3,964.80 per year or $198.24 per firefighter per year.

HHS football team, cheerleaders visit ARC for site's first pep rally

High School football player Ty Black visits with ARC client Roger Prescott. Football players and cheerleaders can be seen in the background visiting with other clients.

High School football player Ty Black visits with ARC client Roger Prescott. Football players and cheerleaders can be seen in the background visiting with other clients.
HALEYVILLE - Haleyville High School brought cheer and pep to the clients of the ARC center, serving clients with special needs in the Winston and Marion County area, by having the center's first high school pep rally Thursday, Oct. 3, in celebration of the school's homecoming festivities.

Bear Creek council votes to borrow $30,000

ear Creek Mayor Tammie Batchelor talks to Attorney Cole Christopher and Town Clerk Jamie Green about the need to borrow from the town's lines of credit.

Bear Creek Mayor Tammie Batchelor talks to Attorney Cole Christopher and Town Clerk Jamie Green about the need to borrow from the town's lines of credit.
BEAR CREEK - The Bear Creek Town Council voted to borrow $30,000 from their line of credit in order to pay bills and pay officers in the police department, at the council's regular meeting Monday, October 7.

Power outages reported in Haleyville

HALEYVILLE - Significant power outages are being reported in the Haleyville area Monday evening, Oct. 7.  Most of the outages are in the area around Kelly Hill and Highway 13 North.  As of 6:53 p.m. nearly 600 people were reported to be without power in Winston County, all served by Alabama Power. Power crews are working on the problem and will restore power as soon as possible.

To keep up with local power outages, go to poweroutage.us.

Fire damages Knight residence

Benny Knight, whose step-mother lived in the house that burned, talks with Haleyville firefighters at the scene. Ruby was not home when the fire occurred.

Benny Knight talks to Haleyville firefighters at the scene. Benny's step-mother Ruby was not home when the fire occurred.
HALEYVILLE - A fire Thursday afternoon, Oct. 3, damaged the residence of Ruby Knight, located at 1651 County Road 51, bringing response from the Haleyville Fire Department.

Governor Ivey honors Haleyville City and Winston County schools during visit

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey waves to the crowd as she exits the Winston County Courthouse and approaches the podium for the ceremony. Shown behind her is event emcee State Senator Greg Reed. On each side are students from schools that received the distinct designation of being named a Bicentennial School.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey waves to the crowd as she exits the Winston County Courthouse and approaches the podium for the ceremony. Shown behind her is event emcee State Senator Greg Reed. On each side are students from schools that received the distinct designation of being named a Bicentennial School.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's tour celebrating the state's bicentennial approaching this December, made a stop Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Winston County Courthouse, where she was met with the patriotic fanfare that emphasized pride in the county and of the state.

Dodd is winner in scavenger quest

WCGS President Dianne Miller presents Faye Dodd a gift.

WCGS President Dianne Miller presents Faye Dodd a gift.

DOUBLE SPRINGS - Faye Dodd of Haleyville was the winner in the Free State Scavenger Quest, held through the month of September. The drawing was held at the Winston County Archives on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Dodd is shown holding a gift bag containing “Cooked on Smith Lake” from the Arley Women’s Club, and presenting it is Winston County Genealogical Society President Dianne Miller. Dodd also received three volumes of “Winston Roots” and a historical book on Haleyville, along with a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart, a $25 gift certificate to Gateway, a year’s subscription to the Northwest Alabamian and a year’s subscription to the WCGS.

Bond issue to be refinanced

Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland and Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri, discuss the terms of the bond issue refinancing.

Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland and Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri, discuss the terms of the bond issue refinancing.
HALEYVILLE - A historically low interest rate - combined with a new option of flexibility for school systems in handling their own bond issues - have resulted in Haleyville City Schools handling the refinancing of the bond issue for the middle school, which will free up finances for both the school system and the City of Haleyville.

Grant will help Arley Police Department

Police Chief Jerry Cummings speaks to the town council about a grant the Arley Police Department could use to purchase equipment needed. The amount of the grant, if the department qualifies, will be $24,000.

Police Chief Jerry Cummings speaks to the town council about a grant the Arley Police Department could use to purchase equipment needed. The amount of the grant, if the department qualifies, will be $24,000.
ARLEY - An upcoming grant opportunity is not passing by the Arley Police Department, with Chief Jerry Cummings looking forward to obtaining a grant to purchase much-needed equipment for the department.

HCS Superintendent addresses threat, rumors

Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland issued the following statement Thursday evening, Sept. 26:

"This week, we have been investigating an alleged threat made against Haleyville High School. Thus far, we have found no facts to support this threat.

"The HHS Administration and the Haleyville Police Department will continue to investigate if any new information is brought forward. We have taken this seriously and have worked hard to do a thorough investigation.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels presents grant to support pediatric cancer research

BIRMINGHAM - Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers, announced A $300,000 Hyundai Scholar Hope grant to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer.

BCDA raises rates

Rates for camping and other activities on waters administered by the Bear Creek Development Authority have increased.

Rates for camping and other activities on waters administered by the Bear Creek Development Authority have increased.
HODGES - Taking action based on a recommendation by the Alabama Sunset Committee, the Bear Creek Development Authority voted unanimously across the board to raise their rates and fees based on an audit conducted of the board’s expenses.

New Cullman County history book uses Wallace State collection for research

Tanya Shearer, left, and Iman Humaideh, right of Wallace State’s genealogy collection hold new Cullman County history books by author Robin Sterling, center.

Tanya Shearer, left, and Iman Humaideh, right - of Wallace State’s genealogy collection - hold new Cullman County history books by author Robin Sterling, center.
HANCEVILLE - Wallace State Community College's family and regional history collection helps people across the country, and some people in foreign lands, in researching their genealogy and local legacy.
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