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.

By Brian Hamilton, Sports Correspondent

A plethora of Pickens County football players were recently tabbed to the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) all-state football team. Pickens County led the way with four selections, while Gordo had three players selected, and two from Aliceville.

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

Aliceville High School has revamped its band program this year. Students in seventh, eighth, and ninth grades have been learning to read music since August. Now, those students can put what they have learned into practice on brand new instruments.

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

The city of Aliceville is extending an invitation of annexation to properties adjoining the city limits. Edgar Pruitt, Director of the Aliceville Chamber of Commerce, has been working diligently to expand the city’s footprint and with it, Aliceville’s population count. According to Pruitt, an increase in the city’s population would increase federal grant funds.

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

Regarding an upcoming project by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for Highway 82, the Gordo City Council heard an annexation ordinance by Mayor Craig Patterson to take the planned new route of the highway and annex it into the city. The council was asked to look over the ordinance and be ready to vote on it at the next city council meeting February 4.

The ordinance was read aloud by Patterson as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Brent Holifield of Gordo are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter Caroline Lee Turner to Harrison Blake Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Halbert Smith of Fort Payne, Ala.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Joyce Hall Dyer and the late William Mack Dyer, Gordo, and Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey Francis Holifield, Guntersville. She is a graduate of Gordo High School and a graduate of the University of Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Human Environmental Science.

The Aliceville Entertainment Complex, 210 Broad Street NE, will host two performances of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It on Thursday, January 10. The show will be performed by actors from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF).

The first show, at 9:30 a.m. is exclusively for all high school juniors and seniors attending school, or being home schooled in Pickens County.  The second, for the general public, will be at 7:00 p.m.  Admission to both performances will be free.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic comedies, “As You Like It,” will be presented by the world renowned Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) at the Aliceville Entertainment Complex, 210 Broad Street NE, on Thursday, January 10. There will be two performances. The first will be at 9:30 am for all high school juniors and seniors attending school, or being home schooled in Pickens County.  Another performance at 7:00pm will be for the general public.  Admission to both performances will be free of charge.

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

The Pickens County YouthBuild program saw 16 young adults move one step closer to a successful future at their graduation ceremony held December 17 at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church Community Life Center in Aliceville. Wayne Davis, Director of YouthBuild welcomed the parents and friends of the graduates. “Our (YouthBuild) main goal is to educate and inspire,” Davis said.

The Aliceville Fire Department was called out to an early-morning house fire on December 19. The house was located on 5th Street NW, behind the Food Fare grocery store. Assistant Fire Chief Derrick Jones said the volunteers responded in a timely fashion and were able to save the house.