Federal officials have designated several counties in southwest Alabama as natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions, opening the door for emergency assistance to local farmers. Clarke and Washington counties are among 30 counties statewide classified as primary natural disaster areas due to prolonged dry conditions during the growing season. Mobile County is one of 12 contiguous counties, making producers there eligible for the same relief programs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “These drought conditions are placing significant stress on Alabama farmers and ranchers,” Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate said. “We strongly encourage producers to...

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NOW-MAY 1 The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for upcoming First Friday events. Vendors may offer homemade and baked goods, fresh lemonade and drinks, retail and boutique items, handmade crafts, artisan goods, specialty products and other unique finds. Those interested may register at www.jacksonalabama.org. The first event will be May 1 and feature the Cruise-In. APRIL 25 Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Alabama will host the Hole Lotta Fun Scramble April 25 at Thomasville Golf Course. Entry is per player and includes lunch and cart. Fulton will host the annual Pig Squeal show and auction...

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I have been thinking a good bit about death this week. Our church pianist died in her sleep Sunday night after playing for church Sunday morning. It was a real shock to those of us who took for granted she would always be here. Her death appeared to be from natural causes. That is the way I want to go — just go to sleep and not wake up. Still, she was only 61. That is a mighty young age in this day and time, especially when there are now so many ways to fix what goes wrong in the human...

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This is a big election year in Alabama politics. All constitutional state offices and all legislative seats are on the ballot. All 35 State Senate seats and all 105 House seats will be decided. Alabama is one of the most Republican states in America and that is reflected in the State Senate and State House. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers. In the Senate, there are 27 Republicans and eight Democrats. That balance is expected to change little, if at all, in this election cycle. The membership is not likely to change much either. More than 80% of the Legislature...

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ave you ever known someoneHwho thinks they know everything and refuses to believe they need to be taught anything? I have known a few people like that over the years. Truthfully, every time I start thinking about folks like that, I get reminded of myself. One of my earliest lessons came when I was about 5 years old. My dad was building our first new home. Because my dad was a contractor and his father was a contractor, I naturally thought that qualified me to be some kind of tiny construction expert. I remember one day my grandfather was laying...

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Former Alabama House District 65 Rep. Elaine Beech announced she will seek the seat this year as an independent candidate. Beech said her decision came after the Alabama Republican Party removed Jessica Ross from the May 19 primary ballot. Ross was disqualified after a challenge tied to her participation in the 2020 Democratic primary. In a public statement, Beech said she was upset by Ross’ removal and moved by prayer and encouragement from supporters and colleagues in Montgomery. “I would be affiliated with no party, just the party of the HD 65 people,” Beech said in a statement. “I would...

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At just 22 years old, Harley Newton thought she was dealing with routine stomach issues. Instead, she found herself facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Newton, who lives in Thomasville but is originally from Jackson, began experiencing persistent stomach problems. Initially, she assumed the symptoms were related to irritable bowel syndrome. After her younger sister was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Newton and her husband, Tyler, decided she should undergo a colonoscopy due to the similarities in symptoms. The procedure revealed she had colon cancer. “Right then our world stopped,” she said. Newton’s doctor quickly connected her with specialists at Mobile Infirmary,...

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This will be a strong political year, with several interesting and competitive races. However, there is only one truly hotly contested open congressional seat in Alabama. The state’s other six incumbent congressmen are expected to cruise to reelection, either unopposed or with only token opposition. That is not unusual in modern politics. Defeating an incumbent member of Congress is extremely difficult. The reelection rate for sitting congressmen is around 95%. Even the Russian Communist Politburo did not enjoy that kind of job security. The newly configured 1st Congressional District is the one open seat that offers a competitive race. It...

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The annual Earth Day celebration and market season kickoff at the Pine City Farmers Market is scheduled for Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will feature local growers and vendors, as well as family-friendly activities throughout the morning. The community cleanup organized by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce begins at 8 a.m. Garden and nutrition activities hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System start at 9 a.m., alongside vendors opening for the season. Representatives from the Alabama Master Gardeners will also be available to answer questions and share gardening tips. Wood-fired pizza prepared by Jackson Middle School...

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Former Millry head football coach Billy Gardner will not have to serve the remainder of his split sentence for sending inappropriate material to a Leroy High School student, according to a court order from Circuit Judge Perry Newton. Gardner, who got a 10-year prison sentence in 2023 but was given a reverse split sentence with three years of supervised probation, appeared in court April 7 for a status hearing. Attorney Joseph Damrich said Gardner has fully complied with the conditions of his probation and Newton agreed to suspend the remainder of his sentence. Gardner was sentenced to three years of...

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