William Joseph Taylor of Jackson High School has been awarded a ,500 scholarship from the Alabama Power Foundation through its Community Scholars Program. Taylor is attending Coastal Alabama Community College and plans to pursue a degree in biology. The Alabama Power Foundation partnered with Scholarship America, the nation’s largest scholarship administrator, to manage the program. Scholarship America reviewed more than 1,000 applications and selected recipients based on criteria including academic performance, leadership, participation in school and community activities, work experience and personal circumstances. Taylor, who graduated from Jackson High School last May, represents Clarke County as the scholarship recipient. “Thank...

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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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SEPT 19 Second Chances Cancer support group will host a benefit to bring awareness to cancers of all types Saturday, Sept. 19 at S.P. Hudson Park. There will be a benefit ride with line up at 9:15 a.m. at Clarke County High School and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. down N. Jackson Street. A concert in the park will follow at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served but those attending are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. For additional information contact Annye Owens at 334-830-6518. SEPT 21 September 22nd is the first day of fall in 2026....

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We lost an icon last week. Dolly Parton is dead. I heard about it in Faneuil Hall in Boston. A clerk in a shop remarked on it, and at first I thought I had misheard. But when we got back to the hotel, it was all over the news. It was as if the whole world mourned together. Dolly was the American success story. She was raised in a one-room cabin with 11 siblings, the fourth of 12 children. Her father could neither read nor write. She grew up with very little, a childhood she memorialized in her hit song...

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It seems like every news channel I have watched this past week has featured interviews, stories and memories about Dolly Parton. I heard one interview that really made me stop and think about all the good Dolly did during her lifetime. The commentator said he believed Dolly might have been the one American who was actually loved by everyone. Wow. What a legacy. One common thread in nearly every interview has been Dolly’s big heart. People have talked about her generosity, the money she gave to charities and the causes she supported throughout her life. Her generosity says a lot...

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Former Leroy High, Auburn and NFL wide receiver Sammie Coates coached Columbia High School to its first football win in more than a decade on Aug. 22. The 41-14 victory over Greensboro was the first win for the program since October 2015, when it beat Ardmore 34-16. The Eagles are now 2-0 after a 42-26 win over East Limestone last week The 101 straight losses were the most in national high school football history. Coates took over the Eagles in 2025 and is in his second season as head coach. Greensboro led 14-0 before 41 unanswered points from Columbia gave...

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Dr. Jaclyn Stringer has been named the new principal of Jackson Middle School by the Clarke County Board of Education. Stringer has extensive experience in education and leadership after 24 years serving in various roles as teacher, counselor, career technical administrator, assistant principal and principal. “I look forward to partnering with our teachers, students, parents and community as we work together to build a culture of excellence, growth and opportunity for every child,” Stringer said.   Jackson Intermediate School started the school year with a new yet familiar face as its principal. Joanie Younge was JIS’s assistant principal from 2021...

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The City of Jackson Mayor Audra Raybon presented Jackson High School with a check to Jackson High School Principal Dr. Charles Alford. Funds from the city will be used to financially assist with academics, arts and athletics at Jackson High School.

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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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Clarke County Commissioner Tyrone Moye was elected the 2026-27 vice president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama at its 98th annual convention in August. “I 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.” Prior to becoming ACCA's vice president, Moye served as the association's minority director. Under the ACCA’s traditional rotation of officers, Moye is expected to become president in 2028. “Commissioner Moye brings valuable experience to this new role and we look forward to his continued service...

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