Winston County

Winston Fraternal Order of Police begins Toys for Kids drive


Winston County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Josh Bennett, left, and Sheriff Caleb Snoddy with toys being collected for this year's giveaway.
WINSTON COUNTY - The countdown has begun for parents and/or guardians of children needing toys this upcoming holiday season to take part in the annual Toys for Kids giveaway, sponsored by Winston County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 51.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library launches in Winston County


A large crowd of local, county and state officials gathers with children from Seymour-Bevill Daycare at the courtroom of the Winston County Judicial Building to celebrate the launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the county.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - The ultimate goal of inspiring small children to love reading was reached with much fanfare Wednesday, Sept. 25, when the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program was kicked off for the first time for all of Winston County.

County revenue commissioner’s office gets new software


Winston County Revenue Commissioner Sandra Wright, pictured above right, and Chief Clerk Fredieth Marcum go over the new system for the office, which goes online Oct. 1.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Winston County residents are being advised that beginning Oct. 1, a new software program will be online for the revenue commissioner’s office, meaning more accessible ways to find out information on properties and for paying property taxes.

Tremayne wins again


Front man of the regional country/rock/blues band Tremayne, Mike Mayhall, shows the bands four trophies from their four wins as the Alabama Music Awards. Their latest win came this past summer.

WINSTON COUNTY - Trips to Bessemer just keep getting sweeter for Tremayne.
The local band won its fourth Alabama Music Award recently during the 10th annual award ceremony, held at the Bessemer Civic Center.  Tremayne was named the top country band in Alabama once again during the ceremony, their second time to win this honor.  They won that award initially in 2022.  Prior to 2022, Tremayne was also named best male country artist twice.
For Mike Mayhall, of Haleyville, who founded the band, the thrill of hearing the band’s name called never gets old.

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 - 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.

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)

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.

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.
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.