Juvenile dies in one vehicle crash near Tuscaloosa
A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, has claimed the life of a juvenile. The 15- year-old passenger was fatally injured when the 2000 Ford Taurus driven by Kevonta O. Hayward-Jackson, 19, of Tuscaloosa, left the roadway and struck several trees. The juvenile was pronounced deceased at the scene. Hayward-... Read More
Ivey awards $745k to help child abuse victims in West Alabama
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $745,342 to assist in providing services to child victims of abuse, neglect and sexual assault. The grants will help six nonprofit organizations assist young victims in 19 counties. The organizations provide services including mental health assistance, advocacy and assisting in filing victims’ compensation claims. “Young victims should have... Read More
ALEA releases holiday & end of year stats for 2022
Over the course of 2022, Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division investigated crashes that resulted in 19 fewer lives lost on Alabama’s roadways. This past year, ALEA Troopers investigated a total of 31,990 traffic crashes, which resulted in 10,914 injuries and 586 fatalities reported. Crashes declined by 2,185 and injuries... Read More
After the deep freeze, tornadoes and storms blow
Several rounds of strong thunderstorms passed over the Black Belt Tuesday into early Wednesday morning this week, causing damage and possible brief tornadoes in the area. Beginning early Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service’s Birmingham office issued the first of several tornado warnings affecting both Hale and Perry Counties that day. Tornado warnings affecting Newbern,... Read More
2023 Federal budget includes $500k to build six storm shelters in Hale County
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) recently announced that she secured $42,820,760 for 15 community projects in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District in the final Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package. The package passed the House by a vote of 225 to 201. Having previously passed the Senate, President Biden signed it into law last week.... Read More
Sewell announces Black Belt Heritage Area signed into law
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) celebrated last week as her bill, H.R. 3222, the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act, passed the House and Senate. The legislation will designate the 14 counties of Alabama’s Black Belt as a National Heritage Area, preserving the rich history of the region while creating new funding and tourism... Read More
Investors say proposed 60k head/year beef processing facility in Marion Junction could benefit Black Belt, some residents have questions about impact
Investors are hoping to develop a beef slaughterhouse in the Marion Junction area starting early this year. Brad Smith of Dothan, one of the three initial investors in the proposed facility, met with farmers and with members of the community on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Black Belt Experiment Station in Marion Junction to answer... Read More
Legal Notices Week of December 29, 2022
Legal NoticeLEGAL NOTICE WHITAKER CONTRACTING CORP. HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT NO STPAA-0183(505) & STPAA-0300(500) PERRY & TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES. THIS NOTICE WILL APPEAR FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS BEGINNING ON December 8TH, 2022 AND ENDING ON December 29TH, 2022. ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED AT... Read More
Extension service sponsoring pesticide applicator certification course January 18
Agricultural producers needing a private applicator license are invited to a pesticide meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, starting at 8:00 a.m., at the Black Belt Research and Extension Center (BBREC). The BBREC is located at 60 County Road 944 in Marion Junction, AL 36759. Registration is required by January 17. Contact the Perry County... Read More
John Allen Barnes, Jr.
John Allen Barnes, Jr., 70 of Newbern, AL went to his eternal home on December 24, 2022. He was born on August 22, 1952 in Williston, ND to John Allen Barnes, Sr. and Betty Lane Barnes. He was a veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sue Ellen Barnes (Davis).... Read More