Black History Month: Local business owner reflects on long career here
Fred Shaw, owner and operator of F & D Shaw Motors, has spent the last 22 years selling vehicles in and around Greensboro. He says his business is part of a much longer story of Black entrepreneurship in his family. “Entrepreneurship runs deep in my family,” Shaw said. “I am proud to follow in the... Read More
Geri Colburn
Geri Colburn, a beloved 74-year-old resident of Centreville, Alabama, passed away on February 16, 2026, at Bibb County Nursing Home. Graveside services was held at Salem Church in Marion, Alabama, on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Geri’s legacy is carried on by her loving family. She is survived by her children Misty (Kevin)... Read More
Henry Banks
Henry Banks was born on September 5, 1938, to the late Mary Banks and Henry Banks. He confessed his faith at an early age as a member of Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Sawyerville, Alabama. He wedded his wife, Lucy Banks, in 1959, and to this union six children were born. He was called home... Read More
Shelia Phillips James
Shelia Phillips James was born March 9, 1962, and died February 15, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a native of Uniontown, Alabama. Funeral services for Shelia Phillips James, 63, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 12024 U.S. Highway 80,... Read More
Lincolnite Club seeks Black Belt students for scholarship program
The Lincolnite Club, Inc. is now accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship awards, offering financial assistance to Black Belt students who show both academic promise and a record of service to their schools and communities. The club’s National Scholarship Committee is seeking high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.50 or higher who... Read More
ADSS Seeks Nominations for 2026 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
The Alabama Department of Senior Services seeks nominations for outstanding individuals to be considered for induction into the 2026 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Married couples who have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary or more and individuals who are 100 years old or older are also honored by the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of... Read More
CAP program offers youth and adult opportunities in Alabama
The Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer organization established on Dec. 1, 1941, is inviting young people and adults in Alabama to get involved in its search-and-rescue, disaster relief and aerospace education missions. Lt. Col. Michael McEntyre, Alabama Wing recruiter for Civil Air Patrol, said the organization has more than 60,000 volunteers nationwide and operates “the... Read More
Cooking in the Black Belt
Admittedly, I haven’t always been a salad person. Well, unless it’s one of the mayonnaise-dressed cold salads that live in our fridge when the temperature goes up. Those salads are more of a coping mechanism, when I can’t be bothered to heat up the kitchen. Sure, you can make them healthy, but is that really... Read More
Perry to receive $6.05 million in disaster recovery funds
Perry County will receive more than $6 million in federal disaster recovery funding as part of a $28 million grant package announced Feb. 11 by Gov. Kay Ivey. The grants, funded through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, will support two projects in the county: $1.05 million for drainage improvements along County Road... Read More
Hale tops list of counties with highest rates of foster care
Recent studies show that Alabama’s Black Belt region has some of the highest per capita rates of children in foster care in the state. Close to 6,000 children in Alabama are in foster care as of this month, according to data from the state’s Department of Human Resources. Counties with the Highest Foster Care Rates... Read More