A program by Microsoft called Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS), which is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects classroom teachers with tech-industry volunteers, through remote and in-classroom learning, to create sustainable computer science and technology education programs, is looking to expand into the Black Belt region of Alabama.
Amber Pope was one of the first instructors to bring the TEALS program to Alabama and has been with the organization for over three years.

CARROLLTON - The Pickens County Board of Education met at 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the central office in Carrollton.

REFORM - On January 19, 2021, the Reform council meeting was called to order by Mayor Melody Davis with all council members present. Following the order of the agenda, the minutes from the last meeting of January 5, 2021 were approved, as well as the payables. Under Old Business, the council discussed issues with the water tank. “We are still working on the tank,” Davis said. “I tried to be more proactive on Facebook and let everybody know each step we took. I think I posted like maybe four or five different steps.

GORDO - The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday that an elderly Gordo man. who had been reported missing, was located off a dirt road in the Gordo area Thursday night by Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies, City of Gordo police officers and Pickens County Coroner Chad Harless. The elderly gentleman had been missing for several hours and with the weather deteriorating, family members contacted the Sheriff’s Office and a search began immediately.

COLUMBUS, MS – The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority has elected Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama to serve as chair for 2021. Governor Ivey has been involved and supported the Tenn-Tom Waterway and the inland waterway system during her time in office and has worked with new and existing industry along the inland waterway system such as Pinnacle Renewable Energy in Demopolis, Alabama and Enviva Biomass in Epes Alabama. Gov. Ivey has also led the effort for channel and harbor improvements at the Port of Mobile.

CARROLLTON - The January 12, 2021 Pickens County Commission was called to order by Commission Chairman Bobby Ingram with all commissioners present. The December 22, 2020 meeting did not meet quorum due to several of the commissioners being under COVID-19 quarantine, so several items from the agenda of the December 17th administrative meeting were also discussed under new business.

Emergency Management Services Director Lakitha Bell recently announced that Pickens County citizens can register for the COVID-19 vaccine by calling the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) at (855)566-5333. The toll-free number is the statewide call center and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Pickens County Health Department has begun scheduling appointments for upcoming clinics and individuals can call (205)367-8157 to schedule an appointment.

ALICEVILLE - The January 13, 2021 Aliceville City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Terrence Windham with all council members present. PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT Under unfinished business, Windham spoke regarding the purchase of equipment for the Street Department. "We've had multiple talks and it has been on the agenda for a little while, but we think we have a beat on some equipment, coming up at the end of the month," Windham said. "We think we can do something favorable on a number of items that the street department can use and needs.

BY KANDIS SNYDER
Correspondent

CARROLLTON - On Friday, January 1st and Saturday, January 2nd, 2021, the Sheriff’s Department and Alabama Conservation Enforcement Association, with the help of many other donors, came together to host a Handicapped Hunt, the first to ever be held in Pickens County.