May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Locally, that includes the Robison-Geer Center, a day habilitation program with Indian Rivers Mental Health Center. The Robison-Geer Center is the only day program in Pickens County. There are currently 12 clients that come to the center daily to learn independent living skills, money management skills, along with community resource and social skills. The staff works together to come up with creative and fun ways to provide training for the individuals attending the center.

Elizabeth Rice is one of the most giving individuals in the Pickens County community. Whether it is volunteering at The Pot Luck Shop through the Mental Health Association, or spending her time working in the gift shop at the Pickens County Medical Center, Mrs. Rice is a humanitarian that we should all aspire to emulate. Pickens County Herald editor Brian Hamilton recently sat down with Mrs. Rice for an interview.

By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

Markevious Forte, 29, of Aliceville, was recently arrested and charged with murder and aggravated child abuse in the death of Taylor Cunningham, 4. Cunningham was taken to the Pickens County Medical Center on September 18, 2018, where he succumbed to multiple injuries. Authorities believe that the 4-year-old was already dead when arriving at the hospital.

By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

By Lindsey Turner, Correspondent

The Carrollton City Council met on Thursday, May 2nd to discuss several items on their agenda. Mayor Mickey Walker opened the meeting in prayer. The first order of business that Walker brought up to the committee was to appoint a member to the Board of Equalization.

Ultimately, the council decided to appoint David Stokes.

By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

Pickens County College and Career Center's Teacher Cadet program, which is headed up by Instructor Haley McGee, includes 10th-12th grade students from Aliceville High School, Gordo High School, Pickens County High School, and Pickens Academy who have a desire to become teachers.

Carlee Jane Criswell, a 14-year-old from Reform, is the winner of the seventh annual Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association Big Gobbler Photo Contest.

The contest, open to hunters who took turkeys in Alabama’s 23-county Black Belt region during the 2018-19 season, drew 27 entries. Carlee Jane wins a prize package worth $175 for attracting the most votes on the ALBBAA website – AlabamaBlackBeltAdventures.org.

By Lindsey Turner, Correspondent

The 3rd annual Carrollton Bunny Hop was held on Saturday, April 20th at the Courthouse Square. The event was sponsored by the Carrollton Beautification Committee and was hosted by the community, along with several local churches and organizations. Myra Shufflebarger, who helped coordinate the Bunny Hop, says that the committee decided to start this event after the Face In The Window Festival, which is also hosted by the Carrollton Beautification Committee, and helps raise money for the beautification of the town.

By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

Pickens Academy will move in a new direction this fall, as Wade Goodman steps aside to give way to new head football coach Scotty Pennington. Goodman will remain on staff as girls basketball and softball coach, while Pennington will assume the football and weightlifting duties. Pennington will also serve as assistant athletic director.

By BRIAN HAMILTON, Editor

On Thursday, April 18th, Pickens and surrounding counties endured massive damage and power outages, causing much of the county to spend Easter weekend without power, while cleaning up trees and debris from the storm. The damage was due in part to 60-70 mph straight line winds that blew apart tin roofs and uprooted trees and power lines. Pickens County Herald Editor Brian Hamilton recently sat down with Pickens County’s Alabama Power Business Office Manager Andrea Ellis to discuss the situation.