By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

An organization called ‘Ghost Girls’ held a paranormal investigation at the Historic Pickens County Courthouse on Saturday, February 9th and many folks came from near and far for the opportunity to go on a live ghost hunt. Ghost Girls was founded by friends Lesley Hyde and Heather Lawrence because of their interest in the paranormal.

Six months to the day Coker woman Janet Hamner went missing, a search was conducted by her family members on Tuesday, Feb. 11 — also her 60th birthday.

Family members and other volunteers searched along side Highway 82 and wooded areas between the former Dunn’s store back to the Pickens County line. A candlelight vigil was held afterwards.

BY DOUG SANDERS JR., Correspondent

The Pickens County Commission held an uneventful and brief meeting last Tuesday night, including a delay on a decision about a real property appraiser, no change in property taxes, and a name change for the Sapps Communit Center.

Meeting for about 15 minutes on Feb. 12, the session began with the Commission agreeing to keeping the 2019 property tax rates the same as last year.

Real Property

Appraiser

By Brian Hamilton, Editor

The Carrollton City Council on Thursday, February 7th began with Pam Acker and Jane Quarles being appointed to the library board. Also, it was announced that bids for the Carrollton City Hall remodeling would be opened on February 14, at 8am.

Dumping and Loitering on West Highland Street

By Brian Hamilton, Editor

The Aliceville City Council met on Wednesday, February 12, at the Aliceville City Hall. Mayor Marva Gipson began the meeting by appointing District Attorney Andy Hamlin and Demetrius Miller to the park and recreation committee and said that she would appoint at least two others at the next meeting. Aliceville librarian Francis Lewis asked that the city council re-appoint Susan Jones and John Paluzzi. The motion to re-appoint Jones and Paluzzi carried.

Warming Station

By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

Pickens County Medical Center is entering into an agreement to partner with Boa Vida Healthcare, which will allow the hospital to maintain current operations and provide additional services to the community. Last February, PCMC brought in John O’Neil, the former CEO of St. Vincent’s Hospital, to be the hospital’s CEO and help identify a strategic partner to lead the hospital in the future.

BY DOUG SANDERS JR., Correspondent

Eli Dawkins, a fifth grader from Gordo Elementary School, correctly spelled the words “hundredth” and “mathematics” last Thursday morning to win the 2019 Pickens County Spelling Bee.

Six students from Pickens County gathered at the Central Office of the Pickens County Board of Education on Feb. 7 for the event.

BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

The Gordo town council meeting on Monday, February, 4th began with Gordo Fire Chief Sam Powell giving a monthly report. Powell said the fire department had received 17 or 18 calls during the month of January and gave report on a recent automobile accident in Gordo.

BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

The Reform City Council is looking to replace the sign at the Reform City Park. Councilman Charles Hagan said the sign will be 4x8 feet and cost roughly $1,200. The city will then be responsible for having the sign mounted and painted.

“I think that it may cost a little more to get something like this, but that’s going to be there,” Councilwoman Pat Wheat said. “The sign that is there now has been there at least 20 years. I’d just rather pay a little more up front and be through with it.”

BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

Ritu Linhart moved to Aliceville in December 2018 to take over as general manager of the Westervelt Renewable Energy Plant in Aliceville. She is originally from Miami, Fla. and lived in Waycross, Ga. before coming to Aliceville.

Mr. & Mrs. Roy Finch are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Hollie Finch to Robert Frederick Jr. on February 23, 2019 at 5pm at Reform Church of God.

Hollie is a 2010 graduate of Pickens County High School. She graduated Cum Laude from Lawson State in 2013 and is currently employed as Director of Human Resources for Cahaba Valley Home Health.

Southern Ghost Girl Tours and Paranormal Investigations, along with Gordo Mayor Craig Patterson, will be hosting three tours and investigations of the Pickens County Courthouse on Saturday, February 9th. The first tour begins at 6pm, followed 7:30 and 9pm tours.

Patterson will tell the history of the courthouse and events. Tickets are $30 per person and a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Pickens County Preservation Association for the Courthouse. Tickets include a tour of the courthouse and all guests will be provided with paranormal investigation equipment.

BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

Pam Fleming retired from her position as a soil conservation technician at the Natural Resources Conservation Service after 28 years of service. She began working as the district clerk for the Pickens County Soil and Water Conservation District in 1990, and the rest is history.

Horace Moore, Publisher of the Pickens County Herald, anounced this week that Brian Hamilton has been named the new editor of the Pickens County Herald.

BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

On Wednesday, BankFirst and First National Bank (who will soon merge with BankFirst) were at the Pickens County College and Career Center (PCCCC) to present a $10,000 check, which will be used to provide students with scholarships.

BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

First National Bank is in the process of merging with BankFirst, which is headquartered out of Columbus, Miss. According to FNB President Heyward Gould, the entire process of the merger will not be complete until near the end of 2019.

“The deal was scheduled to close in the first part of the second quarter, so hopefully April 2019,” Gould said. “It takes a while to integrate the system and computers, so that won’t take place until November. Signage changes and things like that won’t happen until then.”

By Brian Hamilton, Correspondent

The Pickens County Community Action Committee held its second annual banquet at the Aliceville City Hall last Saturday night, celebrating the 54th anniversary of the PCCAC. The highlight of the banquet was the honoring of six individuals--Edgar Pruitt, Joan Boothe, Rev. Dr. Tim Alexander, Rev. James Wright, Dr. Brittney Anderson and Gordo Mayor Craig Patterson--for their service in Pickens County.

BY GENA HUFF, Correspondent

The Aliceville City Council met Jan. 23 for their second session of 2019. The meeting was led by Mayor Pro-Tem Warren Lavender II in Mayor Marva Gipson’s absence.

Beginning as most other council meetings, with old business, speed breakers in certain high-speed risk areas were discussed and tabled again as precise quotes and locations were still under debate. Two areas mentioned for the breakers were the 4th Avenue hill that connects Highway 14 to Franconia Road and later, 5th Avenue near the Food Fare grocery store.

To celebrate Black History Month, the Aliceville Museum is hosting a program by Dr. Derryn E. Moten, Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science at Alabama State University, on Thursday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Events Room at 104 Broad Street NE in Aliceville.

The Urology Health Foundation will hold a free prostate cancer screening for men 40 years of age and older on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Pickens County Health Department on 80 William E. Hill Drive in Carrollton. No appointments are needed.

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) touring troupe made an appearance in Pickens County January 10 for a presentation of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Eight actors filled 17 roles, doing quick changes and characterizations while delving into the language that is Shakespeare.