Annual state severe weather sales tax holiday is Feb. 20-22
Alabama’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and runs through midnight Sunday, Feb. 22. During the three-day holiday, shoppers can purchase qualifying emergency preparedness supplies without paying the state’s 4 percent sales tax. Eligible items priced below $94 include: Batteries Flashlights Lanterns Weather radios Cell phone chargers... Read More
Public input session on G’boro-Marion-Selma rail trail is March 11
A second public input session on a proposed rail-trail connecting Greensboro, Marion, and Selma will be held Wednesday, March 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Harris Technology Hub, 401 Washington Street in Marion. The session is part of the Greensboro-Marion-Selma Regional Rail-Trail Feasibility Study. The project team will present proposed trail alignment, Phase... Read More
New area code will mean ten-digit dialing for 334 area on Feb. 23
A new 483 area code will go into service on Sunday, Feb. 23, as an overlay to Alabama’s existing 334 area code region, according to the Alabama Public Service Commission. State regulators say the additional code is needed because phone numbers in the 334 area are on track to run out by the third quarter... Read More
Carolyn Bailey Payne
Carolyn Bailey Payne was born on February 28, 1936, and died on January 10, 2026, at the age of 89. A longtime Hale County resident and veteran educator, Mrs. Payne served for many years as principal of Skyland Elementary School in Tuscaloosa and later as headmaster of Southern Academy in Greensboro. A Celebration of Life... Read More
Cooking in the Black Belt
We’re early enough in the history of this column that it seems fitting to go ahead and rip off one of many bandaids that need to be addressed. For all my personal distaste for disclaimers, I feel it necessary to start off with a very important one to keep in mind going forward: I’m not... Read More
Deadline is April 15 to apply for Annie Essex Memorial Scholarship
The Annie Essex Memorial Scholarship is now accepting applications from graduating seniors in the Perry County School System. The scholarship was established in 2005 by family and friends of the late Annie Essex to honor her legacy of service and generosity and to support local students in pursuing higher education. Essex enjoyed a distinguished 44-year... Read More
Uniontown man charged with escape and domestic violence
A Uniontown man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Perry County after authorities say he escaped from officers and assaulted his girlfriend last fall. According to a criminal complaint filed in Perry County District Court, Joshua Vantrel Norfleet, 25, is charged with escape in the third degree and third-degree domestic-violence assault in connection with... Read More
Cleanup day planned March 7 for Perry Lakes Park
Alabama Audubon and the Cahaba River Coalition are hosting a spring cleanup at Perry Lakes Park on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are asked to bring brooms, rakes, clippers, and battery-powered yard tools to help prepare the park for the season. Organizers suggest packing a lunch for a picnic at... Read More
MMI LADY TIGER NAMED ACCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Katie Hopson, a freshman from Chelsea, Alabama, was named the ACCC Division 2 Softball Player of the Week for the second week of February. Hopson, a utility fielder, knocked three home runs and five doubles across 26 at-bats, driving in 16 runs and scoring 7 herself. She drew three walks and had only two strikeouts... Read More
Perry teams power through AHSAA playoffs
Perry County high school basketball teams powered through the competition at the AHSAA 1A Central Regional playoffs. The R.C. Hatch Bobcats beat the South Lamar Stallions 60–51 in a close game. Theotis Dudley scored 28 points and pulled down 9 rebounds, while Desarion Lewis scored 17 points and hit two three-pointers. The R.C. Hatch Lady... Read More