GROVE HILL — Clarke County and the rest of Alabama is growing timber faster than it is being cut, thanks to the state’s investment in forestry, retired foresters told the Clarke County Historical Society Sunday. However, the oversupply of timber has triggered a serious market collapse in Alabama, according to a recent Wall Street Journal story. In March, the major Domtar mill in Talladega County closed after 75 years with the loss of 285 jobs. It produced newsprint in recent years and had an estimated economic impact of 9 million, according to media reports. Steve Crowley, formerly with Scotch Land...

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The Clarke County School District’s new transportation staff recently attended specialized orientation and training. From left are bookkeeper Alison Furrow, director Craig White and assistant superintendent Jackie Daffin, all of whom attended the Alabama State Department of Education’s transportation orientation in Prattville.

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Former Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association have expressed strong opposition to a Trump administration proposal aimed at lowering beef prices by allowing duty free imports of Argentinian ground beef. Under the administration’s proposal, up to 300,000 metric tons of Argentinian ground beef would be imported tariff-free to reduce prices to 25% below current market values. Sparks and cattle industry representatives warned that bringing foreign beef into the U.S. market threatens the economic stability of local cattle producers while introducing potential health risks for consumers. The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association...

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Dolly Parton is being remembered for her many charitable activities following her death on Aug. 25 at age 80, including her Imagination Library, a program that has provided millions of free books to young children. The program began in Parton’s home county in Tennessee with the goal of fostering a love of reading among preschool children and their families. It later expanded internationally and now provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth through age 5. In Clarke County, the United Way of Southwest Alabama serves as the local program partner for the Imagination Library. The books are selected based...

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A collision involving a loaded 18-wheeler and a Chevrolet Traverse occurred Aug. 27 at the Fulton intersection of Alabama Highway 178 and U.S. Highway 43. According to preliminary information, the 18-wheeler was traveling from Alabama Highway 178 and attempting to turn south onto U.S. Highway 43 when it pulled into the path of the northbound SUV. The Chevrolet Traverse was unable to stop and collided with the side of the truck. No injuries were reported at the time of the accident. Ambulance services were called to the scene to evaluate the conditions of those involved.

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Clarke County Commissioner Tyrone Moye has been elected 2026-2027 Vice President of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA), the statewide association representing Alabama’s 67 county governments. Moye was elected to the position at the ACCA 98th Annual Convention hosted August 18-20. “I am honored to step into the role of Vice President and am committed to advancing our mission of representing Alabama’s 67 counties,” Moye said. “ The ACCA’s dedication to serving all counties with a unified voice has always inspired me, and I am excited to collaborate with our new President, Collin Daly of Limestone County, and...

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A high-speed pursuit involving multiple Clarke County law enforcement agencies ended in a crash Monday evening after authorities attempted to stop a person in a stolen vehicle traveling on U.S. Highway 43, according to authorities. Decorius Cook of Prichard was arrested and charged with felony attempting to elude, reckless endangerment, first-degree receiving stolen property and second-degree possession of marijuana. Cook also had a warrant out of Mobile County for certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm and authorities said Cook was known to law enforcement and has gang affiliations. Cook’s bond was set at ,500 with a ,000 cash component...

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The conversion of U.S. Highway 43 and Alabama Highway 69 to four lanes between Thomasville and Tuscaloosa is progressing, with work on the lower end of the project requiring a two- to three-month closure of the north end of Old Highway 43 at the intersection with U.S. 43 north of Thomasville, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation. The closure will affect residents who live on Old 43 between Bashi Road and U.S. 43 and motorists who use the road to access U.S. 43 north of the Alabama Highway 5 intersection at O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home. Once the work begins,...

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GROVE HILL — The Clarke County Board of Education received updates on efforts to boost student attendance and Jackson High School’s plans to improve ACT scores at its Aug. 25 meeting. The school system’s Anna Traweek discussed the district’s efforts to address chronic absenteeism and truancy, emphasizing the connection between regular attendance and academic achievement. “ When students miss school, they miss instruction,” Traweek said. “They also miss interventions that we provide for our students who may be struggling and they miss opportunities to succeed.” Under the state’s accountability measures, 18 or more missed school days constitutes chronic absenteeism, regardless...

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Thomasville finished 2-2 to win the bronze bracket of the Battle of Tombigbee volleyball tournament at Jackson High on Aug. 22. The Tigers lost to Excel 15-25, 15- 25 and to Southern Choctaw 16-25, 22-25. They beat Clarke County 25- 14, 25-18 and Citronelle 25-16, 26-24. Thomasville will visit Washington County in Chatom on Aug. 27, Demopolis in the Bobby Davis Invitational on Aug. 29 and will host Clarke County on Sept. 1 and Demopolis on Sept. 3.

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