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
HCSD reports arrests for controlled substance, assault, disorderly conduct
Hale County Sheriff’s Dept. has released the follow report of the department’s recent activity: Arrests February 16, 2026 Phillip Andrew Johnson, 46, of Akron, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Angela Lee Collins, 37, of Akron, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. February 17, 2026 Pierre Xavier Griffin, 39, of Demopolis,... Read More
Holmes Named to Alabama Agricultural Hall of Honor
Perry County farmer Charles Holmes has been recognized with one of Alabama agriculture’s top honors. Holmes, owner of Holmestead Farms near Marion, was named the Production Industry honoree in this year’s Alabama Agricultural Hall of Honor class at a banquet hosted last week by the Auburn University Agricultural Alumni Association. Holmestead Farms is a six-generation... Read More
Pettaway steps down after 13 years as circuit judge, Bryan Jones appointed
Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway Jr., who serves the 4th Judicial Circuit and Dallas County, has stepped down from the bench. Pettaway Jr. had served for thirteen years and was one year into his third 6-year term. The 4th Judicial Circuit includes Perry County, Hale County, Dallas County, Wilcox County, and Bibb County. Pettaway cites health... Read More
Council hears reports on new magistrate, repairs to GRC roof
Greensboro City Council heard in detail from former Magistrate Marjorie Davis, a 19-year public service veteran, about the training she has been providing for the new Magistrate Makaila Howard over the last month. Davis was matter-of-fact about the responsibilities of the position and effusive in her praise of her trainee Howard. “I am all about... Read More
Classifieds Week of Feb 26, 2026
Classified Ad Rates — MINIMUM RATE (In Hale or Perry County) — $20.00 per insertion, 20 words or less. All words in excess of 20, 75¢ per word. Payable in advance of publication. — MINIMUM RATE (Outside Hale or Perry County) — $20.00 per insertion, 20 words or less. All words in excess of 20,... Read More
Legal Notices Week of Feb 26, 2026
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURTOF HALE COUNTY, ALABAMACASE NO.: 36-CV-2026-000003 NOTICE OF PETITION FOR GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP TO: Noah Whoolbright, whose whereabouts are unknown, the adult child of Mr. Jonas Whoolbright Sr. Notice is hereby given that a petition for guardianship and conservatorship has been filed by the Hale County Department of Human Resources... Read More
Joe Cross
Joe Cross, 69, of Faunsdale, Alabama, was born March 3, 1956, and died February 8, 2026, in Faunsdale, Alabama. A memorial service was held Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Faunsdale Community Center on Alabama Highway 25 in Faunsdale.