Men with ties to Clarke County fought for young nation Every Fourth of July is important as the nation celebrates its beginnings. This year is more important than others because it marks the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The armed conflict known as the American Revolution was fought from 1775 to 1783, long before this area began to be settled and long before Alabama became a state. However, once settlement started in the early 1800s, many Revolutionary War veterans were among the earliest pioneers to move to the region. A large number settled in or passed through...

Article Link

A very special lady, Mrs. Mary Davis, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on June 23, 2026, with her beloved niece lovingly by her side. Mary was truly one of a kind—a woman blessed with a beautiful personality, a generous heart, and a spirit that brought warmth and joy to everyone around her. She found great happiness in the simple pleasures of life, especially dining out, shopping, and spending precious time with her family and friends. Mary had a giving heart and would gladly share anything she had, even if it meant doing without herself. Her compassion...

Article Link

The U.S. Highway 43 bypass in Linden — part of a larger project to provide four-lane travel from Mobile to Tuscaloosa — is complete and open to traffic. The new route, dubbed the West Alabama Highway, follows U.S. 43 from Thomasville to just north of Linden, where it connects with Alabama Highway 69. The new road follows Alabama 69 through Greenville to Moundville, where it will connect with the existing four-lane highway and continue to Tuscaloosa. “This is a major step toward completion of the Linden bypass and an important investment in the future of west Alabama,” Alabama Department of...

Article Link

Olin Corp. and Huntsman Corp., which operate major adjacent chemical plants in McIntosh, announced a definitive all-stock merger agreement to combine the two businesses, creating a North American chemical manufacturing giant with an enterprise value exceeding billion. The transaction, announced June 10, will combine complementary product lines to establish one of the continent's largest integrated chemical manufacturers. The expanded operations will span chlor-alkali, vinyls, epoxy, polyurethane and performance products. Company officials said the combined organization will feature differentiated portfolios, balanced end markets, increased scale and a strong financial foundation. Olin CEO Ken Lane called the transaction a transformative step....

Article Link

Sherry Gail Burns Gaddis, 84, of Jackson, passed away peacefully at her home on June 25, 2026, surrounded by the people she loved. She was born on June 13, 1942, and lived a life defined by kindness, hard work, and a genuine love for caring for others. Raised as a farm girl, Gail learned the values of dedication and perseverance at an early age. She grew up helping on her family's farm, where her father raised cattle and chickens. Those early years fostered a lifelong love of the outdoors. As a young woman, she enjoyed hunting, and throughout her life...

Article Link

THOMASVILLE — Andalusia, Opp and Lineville won titles in the Cal Ripken 10-under state tournament at Gates Park June 26-27. No. 2 seed Grove Hill fell to No. 1 Lineville in the Pool C finals. Grove Hill beat No. 5 seed Westside B to make the championship game. Lineville earned its spot in the finals by beating No. 4 Fairhope B. In Pool A, No. 2 seed Andalusia defeated top-seeded Semmes 13-2 in the finals. Westside A beat Monrovia to advance before losing to Semmes. On the opposite side of the bracket, Andalusia defeated fifth-seeded Thomasville before defeating Semmes. In...

Article Link

Longtime Chatom pharmacist and community leader Elaine Hill Beech has been recognized with one of the pharmacy profession's highest honors for her decades of community service and civic leadership. Beech received the 2026 Bowl of Hygeia Award on June 8 during the Alabama Pharmacy Association's 145th annual Convention and Trade Show in Gulf Shores. The Bowl of Hygeia Award is presented annually by participating pharmacy associations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Recipients are selected for outstanding records of community service and contributions beyond their professional responsibilities. “ This award is more about being an...

Article Link

As we mark America’s 250th birthday, I began to wonder how I could write about it. Of course, I was not here 250 years ago. I also do not know a lot about my ancestors or their history. But there are some things through the years that do stick out in my mind. Most of them have to do with the way we have honored America. I remember the bicentennial in 1976. Although I was young, I can still remember the excitement. I even remember car lots getting in on the excitement with patriotic advertising, decorations, limited-edition vehicles and red,...

Article Link

Former Baker High School and University of Alabama star Labaron Philon was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the No. 22 overall pick in the NBA Draft on June 23. The 6-foot-3 guard, who was a 2025-26 consensus third-team All-American and first-team All- SEC player as a sophomore, was thought to be a possible lottery pick but fell farther than expected. His four-year deal is expected to be worth .8 million, according to Spotrac. Philon said he is ready to prove himself. “That competitive juice is everything to me,” Philon told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I feel like you have to...

Article Link

Every year around this time, I always hear there is nothing to do in Clarke County. We may not have giant amusement parks or beaches in our backyard but one of the best things about living in Clarke County is that entertainment often comes in simpler forms. Sometimes all it takes is a sunny afternoon, a few friends and a willingness to get outside. If you're a golfer — or even if you've never picked up a club — we're fortunate to have two courses in the county. Jackson Links in Jackson and the Thomasville Golf Course offer great places...

Article Link