BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

Once again, during the week of Thanksgiving and the week following, Mayor Mickey Walker of Carrollton hid Smiley the Elf and sent out clues on Facebook to help people search for it. Finding the tricky elf was worth $1500.00 in prize money this year. The elf hunt was sponsored by Bankfirst. The elf hunt concluded on Thursday, December 5, 2024, with Michele White finding the coveted prize. Over 30 clues were given out before White figured out where the key was.

BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

Pickens County is no longer using Northstar to run its ambulance service. As of December 1, 2024, Lamar County’s ambulance service is running the 24-hour ambulance in Pickens County from the county seat of Carrollton.

“Northstar has been wonderful to us,” said

Commissioner Patti Presley-Fuller. “Because of financial situations, we could not continue to afford them. We have another ambulance that is covering for us in an emergency

BY Doug Sanders Jr.

News Correspondent

The Dec. 2 Gordo Town Council meeting was a brief one, with only a couple of motions taking place, including approving the schedule for council meetings in 2025.

The Gordo Council normally meets the first Monday of each month at 5:30 but because of several Monday holidays (such as Labor Day) and conflicts with other events (like New Year’s Day), the town has had to change its meeting date several times in 2024.

BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

The Carrollton City Council held their December meeting on December 5, 2024. All council members were in attendance. After the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes were approved with a motion from Councilman Freddie Lowe and a second from Councilman Sherman Mayhew. The council approved to pay the city’s bills with a motion from Councilman Chuck McDaniel and a second from Councilman Lowe.

BY GREG REAVES

Correspondent

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) announced the addition of women’s flag football to its athletics offerings on Tuesday. “This is up there with one of the most exciting program additions we’ve had over the past decade. It's a good day when we create more opportunities for our female student-athletes,” said ACCC Commissioner Dean Myrick. “Flag football has exploded across the state at the high school level, and we want to capitalize on that.

BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $2.3 million to ensure support for children and adult victims of abuse, sexual assault and other types of cruelty in multiple counties in Alabama. The governor awarded the grants to six agencies throughout Alabama that provide critical services for assault and abuse victims. The offenses range from human trafficking, domestic violence and child abuse.

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday issued the following statement:

“It is with profound sadness I share the news that former State Finance Director Kelly Butler has passed away after his valiant fight against ALS. Kelly was the epitome of a public servant and a good man. For those who knew Kelly, you know this about him. For those Alabamians who did not have a chance to personally know Kelly, you can be assured he likely touched your life in some way.