Breaking News
Heat wave prompts time change for kick-offs
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) is changing schedules for upcoming Kickoff Classic football games because of increasing summer heat. Weather experts have issued warnings about high temperatures this week. Games planned to start an hour later are now set to begin at 8 p.m.
Get ready for dove season
With the 2023-2024 dove season starting in little less than two weeks away, it’s a time for hunter’s to get their shotguns cleaned and ready to use. It is also a good time to review some of the basics of the hunting season.
School Board terminates financial officer
Barbour County Board of Education members met in a special called meeting Monday night during which they entered into contracts with a temporary Chief School Financial Officer and a temporary Payroll Clerk. Stacey Howard will assume the position after Sheri A. Mc-Mullen was recently relieved from her position as CSFO. Ms. Howard, who was in attendance at the meeting, is the CSFO for the Bullock County Schools. Paula Thornton, who works with the Opelika School System, was contracted as the temporary Payroll Clerk. Dr. Keith Stewart, superintendent, said both contracted employees came highly recommended by the state Department of Education. He added that the temporary CSFO would develop the budget to get it ready to be submitted to the state.
Williams named new Louisville police chief
Jamey Williams, who has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, has assumed the position as Chief of Police in Louisville. He fills the position held by Gene Hamric who retired from the position on August 11 after serving in law enforcement for 30 years.
Garrett denied parole
Sterling Michael Garrett, assigned to Bullock Correctional Facility in Union Springs, was denied parole when he appeared before the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole last month. Garrett, a 38-year-old, is serving time for one case of Burglary II from Pike County occurring in December of 2016, two cases of Burglary III, one of those cases occurred in Barbour County in July of 2016 and the other case in Pike County in May of 2018.
Two Union Springs women killed in head-on collision
An accident in Bullock County Sunday, August 20, has taken the lives of two women from Union Springs. According to Sgt.
Take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths
With temperatures in the triple digits and high heat indices predicted for this week, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) advises the public to be alert to the warning signs of heat illnesses. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body is exposed to high temperatures and high humidity.
Inmate deaths reported at local prison facilities
Within five days there were three deaths reported at the three local prisons. On Tuesday, August 8, there was a death reported at Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton, on Wednesday, August 9, there was a death at Bullock Correctional Facility in Union Springs and on Sunday, August 13, an inmate died at Easterling Correctional Facility in Clio.
Former sheriff receives sentence
Former Barbour County Sheriff Leroy Upshaw appeared before Circuit Judge Burt Smithart last week for a sentencing hearing. The hearing, held at the Barbour County Courthouse in Clayton, was held after Upshaw was convicted of using his official position for financial gain on June 27, a felony ethics violation.