Alabama newspapers and their publishers and editors are often at the forefront of their communities. Unknown to many of the general public is an organization that represents and binds the state’s 24 daily and 99 non-daily publications -- the Alabama Press Association. Felicia Mason grew up in Pine Hill and has worked at APA for 38 years, the last 25 as its executive director. She had planned to retire this year but an unexpected heart issue and emergency mitral valve replacement a few months ago may have accelerated it. She was honored at the group’s recent summer convention in Orange...

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The A. L. Martin Historical Museum, in coordination with the Thomasville reunion committee, will have a grand opening for a photography exhibition of the Tuskegee Airmen on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. The photographs came from the U.S. Air Force Archives Museum and are on loan from the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University in Montgomery. Also, the original Cornerstone of A. L. Martin High School will be dedicated, then moved from its original location to the Martin Museum. Admission to this event is a school supply item for students in the Thomasville City School System or a donation to...

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Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill reducing the state sales tax on groceries that will go into effect Sept. 1. The bill will cut the state share of the tax from 3% to 2%. The bill also allows local jurisdictions to reduce their own taxes on groceries as they see fit. While the state tax is decreasing, local sales taxes on groceries will still apply, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue. “When we can reduce taxes in Alabama and provide some relief to the hardworking people of this state, I am all for it. I was pleased to sign...

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GROVE HILL —- Clarke County High School recently hosted Leroy High School for a 7-on-7 July 15 at 5 p.m. Both teams took turns on offense and defense. It was very competitive but also a trip down memory lane for Clarke County head coach, Jason Massey, who coached at Leroy previously. Clarke County will play at home against Leroy on Aug. 29. Quarterback Draelyn Pugh threw a touchdown pass to Jayvion “Bob” James, who also plays quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back.

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The notification lit up my phone. A lump formed in my throat as I reached to pick it up. What if it’s bad news? The words blurred: “A follow-up test is needed because your results are abnormal.” As my mind raced ahead, filling in worstcase scenarios, a wave of heat flushed through me, and for a moment I couldn’t move. Then softly — almost without thinking — I started humming an old hymn. “I’ve got peace like a river …” I needed that peace. So I searched the Scriptures and found Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those...

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For as long as he can remember, Finley Van Rittenbury, “Fin,” has heard the clarion call to wet a line! Fin is reminiscent of a Mark Twain character, deriving great joy from being outdoors and fishing. With his ginger hair and mischievous grin, that stretches wider than his beloved Alabama River, Fin radiates the kind of fierce joy and excitement only a child can possess. For Fin, each tug on his line is a thrilling battle to the end. He’s only 9, but he’s already a seasoned pro, who knows what he’s doing. Fin learned to fish from his grandfather,...

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For the last few years after every civic group or chamber banquet I spoke to, I would typically open the floor for questions and invariably the most prominent inquiry was who is going to run for governor in 2026. Alabamians love the governor’s race. Always have and it stays the same. Also, they seemed to know that Governor Kay Ivey was term-limited, and the brass ring of Alabama politics was going to be open. It appeared that we were going to be in for a Donnybrook brawl, like we used to have in bygone days every four years when the...

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Marriage License July 14 – 18 Shadimon Shaniqual Williams to Creshaun Vantrez Mobley Jami Leigh Allen to Steven Bryce Powell Davin Bart Rooks to Mary Elizabeth Gunn Thomas Joseph Mathews to Anna Katherine Jones Deeds July 14 - 18 Roniqua A. Pugh, Dedric E. Dixon, Davonta L. Dixon, Bryanna M. Dixon, Nakayla L. Dixon to Ronnie Pugh (Warranty) Hannah D. Cutshall, Hannah Davis Cutshall KWD Trust to Cutshall Oil Patch LLC (Mineral) Sidney Ronald Cumlander, Elizabeth A. Cumlander, Stephen A. Pierce to David Wayne Cumlander (Statutory) Haveline J. Few to David Vincent Few, Cynthia Gaye Barrett, Melinda Impastato (Quit Claim)...

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Investigators are currently following up on new information regarding the 2017 murder of Shannon Steele. Steele's body was discovered in her apartment at Queensbury Lane in Edgemont Village, Demopolis, on Dec. 28, 2017 by a Demopolis police officer. Steele's body was found with her two youngest children. In 2020, the Demopolis Police Department and the District Attorney’s office increased the reward to ,000. They are still asking for people with information to come forward to help get closure for her family. Anyone with information can contact the Demopolis Police Department at (334) 289- 3073, DPD Tipline (334) 216-4077 or Central...

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Selma – Retired Army First Sergeant and former VA rater, Aaron Roper, will be hosting a VA Benefits Seminar at the Selma VFW Post 3016, 299 Kings Bend Road, on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. This event is open to all veterans in Selma and the surrounding areas who want to understand and access the full benefits they’ve earned through their service. Roper is a decorated Army veteran with more than 20 years of service and has spent years inside the VA system helping process claims as a VA rater. If you are not rated at 100%, or if...

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