Coronavirus 2019

Black Pond VFD donates masks to Double Springs Elementary


Black Pond Fire Chief Terry Tidwell gives Double Springs Elementary Principal Heather Tucker a small portion of the 500 masks they purchased and donated to the school. Shown from left are Hubert Williams, Dawn Carroll, Tammy Williams, Jake Haynes, Tidwell, Heather Tucker, Josh Tucker, Chelsey Riddle and D.J. Riddle.
BLACK POND - Since school has started in a pandemic, and face masks are required for all students to wear, it can be tough for the younger students, as masks get dirty, they break and they are sometimes forgotten at home. The Black Pond Volunteer Fire Department saw the need and recently donated 500 disposable face masks to Double Springs Elementary School.

Mask mandate not a muffled matter during county commission meeting


Winston County Probate Judge Sheila Moore and Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes discuss the mask ordinance after the commission meeting.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Very few people actually enjoy wearing a facial covering to keep down the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and some defy any mandates, but those choices are trivial when it comes to the current state mandate requiring facial coverings be worn.

Safer-at-home order and mask ordinance extended through Aug. 31

Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday, July 29, that the current Safer-at-Home Order, which was set to expire July 31, has been extended through Aug. 31, at 5 p.m.  The statewide mask ordinance has also been extended through Aug. 31.

A new order within the Safer-at-Home order will require all school students from second grade through college to wear masks while in school.

Officials plead with residents to follow health guidelines as COVID numbers surge


Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes, left, and Double Springs Mayor Elmo Robinson show the large banners Dr. Jerry Harrison has had made to place at areas around Winston County where larger crowds are expected to congregate to help remind people of what they can do to help protect themselves from COVID-19.
WINSTON COUNTY - As Governor Kay Ivey extended the state’s Safer-at-Home order last week, medical officials in Winston County confirmed a surge in COVID-19 cases locally, placing the county in an extremely high risk category when it comes to the virus.

Better Business Bureau warns of scam involving COVID-19 contact tracing

WINSTON COUNTY - Public health officials are rolling out COVID-19 contact tracing programs to help slow the spread of the disease by informing people who have had contact with someone who has tested positive. Of course, scammers are finding nefarious ways to use these efforts for their personal gain.