Willie D. Wiggins
Willie D. Wiggins, 70, a longtime Hale County educator and a veteran Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) basketball official, died on January 5, 2026, after an extended illness. The AHSAA said Wiggins had been a “mentor and inspiration to many officials during his outstanding career” and was serving as Director for Basketball Officials in... Read More
Jessie Armon Rogers
Jessie Armon Rogers, 94, of Moundville, passed away on January 14, 2026, at Hospice of West Alabama. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Moundville Baptist Church, with Magnolia Chapel South directing. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held... Read More
William Holland Williams III
Spottswood William Holland Williams III, known to family and friends as Skip, was born on December 24, 1946, in Greensboro, Alabama, to Spottswood Williams II and Sue Williams, and passed away on December 5, 2025, peacefully in his home. Spottswood was raised in Greensboro and graduated from Greensboro High School in 1965 before continuing his... Read More
Carolyn Bailey Payne
Carolyn Bailey Payne, 89, of Moundville, went to be with her Heavenly Father on January 10, 2026. As per Carolyn’s instructions, the immediate family will hold a graveside service at Five Mile Primitive Baptist Church this week. A Celebration of Life Service will be held later for all friends and relatives to attend. Reverend Michael Cobb of Stewart Methodist will officiate the service with Magnolia Chapel... Read More
100 Black Men of West Ala. to hold heart health event in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 31
The 100 Black Men of West Alabama, Inc. will host a community event titled “Our Hearts and Health Matter” on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on the campus of Stillman College in the Wynn Center. The event is designed to raise awareness about heart health and address disparities in healthcare access affecting underserved communities The event will feature HeartSense, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing heart... Read More
Tom Barnette
Tom Barnette was born on August 16, 1962, and passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the age of 63. He graduated from Greensboro Public High School West in 1982 and was a resident of Brookwood, AL, at the time of his passing. He owned and was employed at Acro Electric in Tuscaloosa, AL. He is survived by his mother, Carol; sister, Melanie (Barnette) Presnall; nephew, Ray Barnette; niece, Mandi... Read More
Utility assistance available for residents of Hale, Perry
Community Service Programs of West Alabama is now scheduling appointments for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) help with power bills, using an automated phone system because of high demand. Appointments are first-come, first-served. Residents age 60 and older may begin scheduling LIHEAP appointments starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, by calling 1-833-836-7820. Seniors may apply online or come into the office... Read More
Rosemari Claibon-Hopson
Assistant District Attorney Rosemari Claibon-Hopson, who served in Alabama’s 4th Judicial Circuit, died Jan. 10 after what colleagues described as a private health battle. Claibon-Hopson worked in the circuit that covers Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox counties. She was most recently assigned to Dallas County Juvenile Court, the district criminal division and the child support unit, where she handled a wide range of... Read More
Cooking in the Black Belt
This past weekend, we had family from North Carolina down to visit; which called for the Jefferson County bunch to come and visit. Naturally, this meant a family lunch was in order. Aunt Wendy brought the salad, I brought the chocolate marble cake, and mother-in-law Carol made chicken spaghetti. A weeknight staple when I was... Read More
Two from Hale named to Dean’s List at Jacksonville State
More than 1,400 students have been named to the Dean’s List for their outstanding academic performance at Jacksonville State University in Fall 2025. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.5–3.99 GPA for the semester while completing at least 12 GPA hours of course credit. The following Hale County students were... Read More