Missing persons update

Jaqleen Amber Grimes and Joshua Chester Flanagin have been missing since early June.

Jaqleen Amber Grimes and Joshua Chester Flanagin have been missing since early June.

WINSTON COUNTY - Law enforcement wants to assure family members of both Joshua Chester Flanagin and Jaqleen Amber Grimes, who both went missing about five days apart in early June, that investigation into both disappearances remains active and all leads are being checked.

Searches have been ongoing, and all leads  on the disappearances of Flanagin, 36, and Grimes, 33, both of Double Springs, are being investigated according to the Winston County Sheriff’s Office.

Natural Bridge park saved

A natural stone bridge located in Natural Bridge, Ala.

This natural rock formation, described as the longest rock bridge east of the Rockies, brings in visitors from all over the world.

NATURAL BRIDGE - Local, county and state officials who have been fighting to save Natural Bridge park as a local tourist attraction can breathe a sigh of relief now the park has been sold to a couple who are planning to not only keep the park open but eventually expand the trail system.

This announcement was made official by Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes, who is also chairman of the Winston County Resource Conservation and Development Council, at the council’s quarterly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 17.

Candidates for county offices

The candidates.

Pictured here are those who made announcements of their planned candidacy for the March 5, 2024, Republican primary elections as well as State Representative Tim Wadsworth (back right), who was special speaker at the meeting. Back row, from left, J.D. Snoddy, circuit clerk; Heather Tucker, county school superintendent; Greg Densmore, school board, Double Springs district; Jeff Scott, county school superintendent; David Cummings, commission chairman; and Wadsworth. Front row, from left, Winston?County Republican Party Chairman Jerry Mobley; Sheila Moore, probate judge; Randy Lee, school board, Addison district; and Joey Boteler, school board, Lynn district.

DOUBLE SPRINGS - Although the Republican primary election is not until March 5, excitement is already stirring in Winston County after candidates announced their intentions to run in such such key county races as school superintendent, board of education seats and commission chairman at the county Republican Party meeting, Monday night, Aug. 14.

Rodgers resigns

Brett Rodgers

Brett Rodgers
ADDISON - Addison’s chief of police, Brett Rodgers, turned in his resignation to Mayor Marsha Pigg and the Addison Town Council Monday, Aug. 7.

Principals review test scores

Haleyville Middle School teacher Kelly Rushing stresses to students the importance of being in school, as Principal Bo Wilcoxson and Assistant Principal Emily Faulkner look on in support. Students, from left, Brant Vickery, Shawn McKinney, Blake Arnett, Bradford Hollimon, Will Sutherland, Het Patel, Heet Patel, Sage Morga and Kiah Bell.

Haleyville Middle School teacher Kelly Rushing stresses to students the importance of being in school, as Principal Bo Wilcoxson and Assistant Principal Emily Faulkner look on in support. Students, from left, Brant Vickery, Shawn McKinney, Blake Arnett, Bradford Hollimon, Will Sutherland, Het Patel, Heet Patel, Sage Morga and Kiah Bell.
HALEYVILLE - One of the biggest goals educators at Haleyville City Schools want to tackle this school year is reducing student chronic absences, a factor affecting test scores.

RPS donates ambulance to rescue squad

An ambulance donated by RPS (at right) has now joined the Winston County Rescue Squad’s first ambulance (at left), purchased in June, at the squad’s base at Arley Fire Department, giving the WCRS the two ambulances it needs to be certified to operate. Shown here are, front row, RPS Director of Operations Robin Earley, WCRS’ Cody Wakefield, WCRS Board of Directors President Pat Hanna, RPS’ Brittany Alexander, WCRS BoD Member James Rickett of Arley Fire Department, and back row, Helicon Fire Department’s Greg

An ambulance donated by RPS (at right) has now joined the Winston County Rescue Squad’s first ambulance (at left), purchased in June, at the squad’s base at Arley Fire Department, giving the WCRS the two ambulances it needs to be certified to operate. Shown here are, front row, RPS Director of Operations Robin Earley, WCRS’ Cody Wakefield, WCRS Board of Directors President Pat Hanna, RPS’ Brittany Alexander, WCRS BoD Member James Rickett of Arley Fire Department, and back row, Helicon Fire Department’s Greg
ARLEY - The Winston County Rescue Squad (WCRS) is a big step closer to being able to provide ambulance service to east Winston County now that it has the second of two ambulances it requires to operate, this one donated by Regional Paramedical Services (RPS).

Potential hazmat situation on Highway 13 in Haleyville Tuesday morning

Members of the Haleyville Fire Department, suited up in protective gear, wash off a transport truck that was hauling animal by-products on Highway 13 when it lost a portion of its load Tuesday morning.

Members of the Haleyville Fire Department, suited up in protective gear, wash off a transport truck that was hauling animal by-products on Highway 13 when it lost a portion of its load Tuesday morning.
HALEYVILLE - A trip through Haleyville during the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 8, turned into a potentially hazardous situation for a Pilgrim's Pride transport service driver, but the quick action and training of first responders kept the situation from becoming too serious.

Juvenile fabricates shooting

DOUBLE SPRINGS  -  Law enforcement are deciding on either charges or a plan of action to take against a 14-year-old juvenile who falsified information of a shooting and two male subjects at large when the juvenile was actually the one who pulled the trigger.

County's entire school bus fleet now air conditioned

These empty bus seats will soon be filled, as buses will be on the road next week picking up and dropping off students for a new school year.

These empty bus seats will soon be filled, as buses will be on the road next week picking up and dropping off students for a new school year.
WINSTON COUNTY - As a new school literally rolls around the corner, the Winston County Schools system assures their fleet of buses is ready to roll, but that the public and students show follow important safety tips before the roadways become more crowded with the large yellow student carriers.

Bethel No. 1 Baptist celebrating 150 years of serving the Lord

Bethel No. 1 Baptist Church, located in the Wilson Bend community, will begin its month-long 150th anniversary celebration this Sunday, Aug. 6.

Bethel No. 1 Baptist Church, located in the Wilson Bend community, will begin its month-long 150th anniversary celebration this Sunday, Aug. 6.
WILSON BEND - In the southeast corner of Winston County, a powerful beacon of God’s love has been spreading the Gospel for 150 years, and there are no plans to stop answering that call to serve.
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