I have been doing some more studying on data centers. The more I read, the more stupid the politicians who are extolling data centers are looking. A friend sent me a piece on Facebook that really shed some more light on the subject for me. A man named John Valentine had posted it. It was from a July 29 hearing of the Texas Senate Committee on Business & Commerce examining the state's electric grid and large power demands, including those associated with data centers. Valentine, a Salado, Texas, resident with a background in software and fraud-detection technology, described himself as “an...

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Willie often tells friends that we always know what time we are leaving for work each morning, but we rarely know what time we will be home. That is a very true statement. There is always news, and with five newspapers, there are always deadlines. Last Friday, I had a late doctor's appointment, so I found myself actually getting off work before dark. I had already planned in my head all the things I wanted to accomplish with those unexpected daylight hours. One of the most important was cleaning off my front porch and putting out my fall decorations. Now, understand,...

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Love bugs have a romantic name but for drivers, homeowners and anyone spending time outdoors, the small black insects are anything but beloved. Love bugs typically appear in large numbers twice a year — around April and May and again in September. They are most active during the hottest parts of the day, generally from mid-morning through early afternoon. Adult love bugs have a short lifespan of four to five days and their primary purpose as adults is to mate and lay eggs before dying. The larvae remain underground until the following year, when the next generation emerges. For motorists,...

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Love bugs have a romantic name but for drivers, homeowners and anyone spending time outdoors, the small black insects are anything but beloved. Love bugs typically appear in large numbers twice a year — around April and May and again in September. They are most active during the hottest parts of the day, generally from mid-morning through early afternoon. Adult love bugs have a short lifespan of four to five days and their primary purpose as adults is to mate and lay eggs before dying. The larvae remain underground until the following year, when the next generation emerges. For motorists,...

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Wilson Hall Middle School honored local first responders on Sept. 11 with treats as a small token of appreciation for their dedication, service and support of the Grove Hill community. The school expressed appreciation to all Grove Hill firefighters and police officers, the Clarke County Sheriff ’s Department, the Grove Hill Ambulance Service and the Clarke County Emergency Management Agency.

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A big limb fell on a vehicle at the Perry Pickard residence in Hebron on Sept. 15 and barely missed the home. Several trees fell across the southern part of the county, some during the day when the weather wasn’t bad and more during the afternoon and evening as a storm system pushed through. Downed trees in the Jackson city limits kept local firefighters busy clearing streets.

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A Coffeeville woman remembered for her dedication to education and community service is being honored through a new University of Alabama scholarship established in memory of her and her husband. The University of Alabama National Alumni Association recently celebrated the endowment of the James L. Kornegay Jr. and Sara P. Kornegay Memorial NAA Endowed Scholarship, established by the Clarke County Chapter of the NAA to support future UA students. For Coffeeville, the scholarship carries a special connection to Sara Kornegay, who was instrumental in establishing the community’s first public library. Kornegay devoted considerable time to schools and civic organizations and...

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GROVE HILL — The Clarke County Commission on Tuesday approved tax abatements for new equipment at Westervelt Lumber’s Thomasville sawmill, part of a million investment to add decking materials to its list of products. The Thomasville mill employs 181 people and the expansion is expected to add 36- plus jobs. “We are so proud to have Westervelt in this county,” Commissioner Rhondel Rhone said. “You are good partners and good neighbors.” Commission Chairman Jackie Ray Rush remembered the work that went into securing the mill and its opening. “They are a fine bunch of people to work with,” he...

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Ben Stimpson Jr., a former forestry industry leader with ties to Clarke County and southwest Alabama has been appointed commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by Gov. Kay Ivey. Ivey also appointed John “Bo” Cross of Grove Hill as chairman of the Conservation Advisory Board. The position had been held by Stimpson. Stimpson, of Mobile, is a former director of corporate operations for Scotch Gulf Lumber and Canfor Southern Pine. He will succeed Commissioner Chris Blankenship, who will retire at the end of September. Stimpson said he was grateful to Ivey for her confidence she placed...

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A house on Deer Trail suffered extensive damage in a fire the morning of Sept. 22. The Helwestern and Grove Hill volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze in which a dog died. See the story on page 3A.

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