The family of Henry Slaughter Jr. acknowledges those who provided care, prayers and other acts of kindness. May God bless you for being a blessing to us. The family of Henry Slaughter Jr.

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On March 22, we gathered at Nichols- ville Baptist Church in memory and honor of Billy Thomas Black Sr. Bill went to be with Jesus on March 4. The service was led by the Rev. Ralph Smith of Grand Bay, a family member. Fittingly, the memorial message was brought by the Rev. Terry Robinson of Syracuse, N.Y., a former pastor of Nicholsville Baptist Church and the only living witness to Bill’s salvation experience which took place at night in 1976 in the muddy waters of the Tombigbee River. Here is an abbreviated account of what happened 49 years ago. Terry...

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The Clarke County Historical Society will meet at the historic Barefield Moore House in Gosport on Sunday, March 30, at 2:30 p.m. for their monthly meeting. Guests will hear a history of the house from the current owner and be able to tour through the home. The Barefield-Moore House was built in the Greek Revival style in 1870. It also features embellishments from the Italianate style which swept through the South during the time it was constructed. The land upon which the house was built was first owned by Joseph W. Nicholson in January, 1820. Its ownership passed through various...

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James Deshler has always been a curious person. He enjoys experimenting and fixing machines, taking them apart, fiddling with their parts and then putting them back together to create something new. “I’ve always been a tinkerer ,” Deshler admitted. “I learned it from my dad, Jim Deshler.” Deshler grew up working on classic cars. One of the first things he learned was to keep all the parts. He fondly remembered working past midnight many nights, because the duo was so engrossed in what they were doing. “When I was young, I just handed dad things and held the light,” he...

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Pine Hill Police Chief Nikisha Gailes advised on March 12, an anonymous tip from Ohio led to the arrest of Gary Kendall Brown in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. A tipster learned that Brown was wanted in Alabama from a CrimeStoppers’ media release and notified Pine Hill Police Department. Pine Hill PD notified the U.S. Marshals, who contacted authorities in Ohio. On Tuesday, March 18, at approximately 6: 30 a. m., Brown was located and arrested during a traffic stop in Cleveland, Ohio, where he is awaiting extradition to Alabama. Brown was a suspect in the shooting of 51-year-old Carrie Simon in...

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Arrests booked in the Clarke County March 17 - 23 include the following: Michael Washington, 62, domestic violence second degree – assault Ledeldrick Tawann Spralling, 41, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession or receipt of controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree Angela Stapleton, 43, unlawful possession or receipt of controlled substance Michael David Dilts, 38, paraphernalia, unlawful possession or receipt of controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree Quennisha Lashae Martin, 27, organized retail theft Justin Devyon Ely, 25, failure to appear contempt of court – failing to appear traffic, reckless driving Daron Maurice Gilmore,...

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Local musician James “Winky” Hicks of Clarke County; recently won second place in the Banjo and Fiddle Competition playing with his 1930’s Gibson pre-war flat head Granada. The Banjo and Fiddle Competition at the Ballyhoo Festival is hosted annually in March. It is a juried fine art show that includes highlights such as The Poarch Creek Indians, a Banjo and Fiddle competition, food trucks, live music, and more. Winky has played all over the country for about 30-35 years, with singer Rodney Turner. Hicks is well known throughout the local area and beyond for his bluegrass music, the instruments he...

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Due to recent storm activity, high winds spun light poles on highway 43 in Thomasville. UTEC Construction inc., contracted by Alabama Power and lights, came out to straighten the lights and repair all those that were not working due to storms. The Tucker, GA crew repaired 27 poles on March 12. The repairs required a through bolt be placed through the tennon adapter to keep lights secure in future weather.

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The Clarke County grand Jury recently issued 103 true bills, or criminal indictments, out of 151 cases presented. Of those, 115 are felonies and 46 are misdemeanors. Twenty-four cases were continued for further investigation or because witnesses were not available. Drug-related charges appeared to make up most of the indictments, ranging from possession and use to trafficking. other indictments included thefts, burglaries, assaults, firearms violations and more. Recommendations Several recommendations related to the Clarke County Jail were made by the grand jury. Grand jurors said a jail nurse should be provided on a daily basis. Also recommended were that malfunctioning...

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A series of four tax-cut bills introduced by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, aim to provide further financial relief for Alabama families. These proposals, designed to lower the cost of living for residents, would significantly reduce taxes on food, retirement income and state income taxes with the potential to save Alabama families an estimated 4.6 million annually. one of the proposals, House Bill 386, seeks to accelerate the state’s grocery tax reduction by an additional 1%, bringing the total reduction to 2% by 2025. Under current law, Alabama taxes food at a reduced rate of 3%. HB 386 would lower the...

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