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.

JP and Mozelle Dixon of Reform celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 27, 2018 at the Belk Activity center in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Rejoicing and celebrating with them were their children; Russell (Ruby), Lisa (Maurice Sr.) and Victoria (Damaine Sr.) and grandchildren; Anthony, Maurice Jr., Mya, Malayiah, Katelynn, and Damine Jr. Also, many family members and friends shared in this celebration of love. Congratulations!

Jerry and Terisa Robbins of Carrollton, Alabama would like to announce the upcoming marriage of Terisa’s daughter, Breanna Stone to Cody Walker, son of David and Julie Walker of Lebanon, Tennessee.

Breanna is a 2013 graduate of Pickens Academy in Carrollton, Alabama and received her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in Digital Photography from The Art Institute of Nashville in 2017. She is currently employed by Tucker Photography of Donaldson, Tennessee.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on December 10 a $6.23 million state grant which will allow Alabama District Attorneys to hire 88 Certified Victim Service Officers to assist victims of crimes.

“The criminal justice system can seem intimidating to people who have been victims of crime,” the Governor said. “I am pleased to support this program, which will provide knowledgeable professionals to help crime victims understand the court process and ensure that they know of other community resources that may further assist them.”

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

The Pickens County District Court succeeded in keeping repeat offenders off the streets of the county in at least two sentencing hearings held November 26.

Kevin and Tonya Robertson announce the engagement of their daughter, Carley Marie Robertson, to Austin Elkins.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Winston and Mavis Robertson and Johnny and Patricia Smith. She is employed by Little Blessings daycare.

The groom-elect is the son of Buck and Charolette Elkins and Dewayne and Nicole Nance. He is the grandson of Gene and Sue Mcateer; and Debob and Julie McDaniel. He is employed at Envirro-Vac.

The wedding will be Dec. 16, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Sardis Freewill Baptist Church in Echola, Ala. 

BY GENA HUFF, Editor

Every fire department in Pickens County is volunteer based. “There is not a paid fire fighter in Pickens County,” said District 1 Commissioner Bobby Bain. Amazing considering the amount of time, not to mention the danger involved, in being a fire fighter/first responder.

Aliceville Fire Chief Willie Dixon had a few things to say about that at Aliceville’s city council meeting on November 28. Every meeting the council hears a report from the fire, street, and police department heads.