Joe Cross
Joe Cross, 69, of Faunsdale, Alabama, was born March 3, 1956, and died February 8, 2026, in Faunsdale, Alabama. A memorial service was held Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Faunsdale Community Center on Alabama Highway 25 in Faunsdale.
Clark named to Ala. Press Association Board of Directors
John Allan Clark of the Watchman Media Group has been appointed to the Alabama Press Association Board of Directors after being elected District 6 representative at the APA Winter Convention in Montgomery on Feb. 13. Clark is publisher of the Greensboro Watchman, the Times-Standard-Herald, and the Western Star, serving readers across Central Alabama and the... Read More
Lincolnite Club Seeks Black Belt Students for Scholarship Program
The Lincolnite Club, Inc. is now accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship awards, offering financial assistance to Black Belt students who show both academic promise and a record of service to their schools and communities. The club’s National Scholarship Committee is seeking high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.50 or higher who... Read More
Annual state severe weather sales tax holiday is Feb. 20-22
Alabama’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and runs through midnight Sunday, Feb. 22. During the three-day holiday, shoppers can purchase qualifying emergency preparedness supplies without paying the state’s 4 percent sales tax. Eligible items priced below $94 include: Batteries Flashlights Lanterns Weather radios Cell phone chargers... Read More
Public input session on G’boro-Marion-Selma rail trail is March 11
A second public input session on a proposed rail-trail connecting Greensboro, Marion, and Selma will be held Wednesday, March 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Harris Technology Hub, 401 Washington Street in Marion. The session is part of the Greensboro-Marion-Selma Regional Rail-Trail Feasibility Study. The project team will present proposed trail alignment, Phase... Read More
New area code will mean ten-digit dialing for 334 area on Feb. 23
A new 483 area code will go into service on Sunday, Feb. 23, as an overlay to Alabama’s existing 334 area code region, according to the Alabama Public Service Commission. State regulators say the additional code is needed because phone numbers in the 334 area are on track to run out by the third quarter... Read More
Carolyn Bailey Payne
Carolyn Bailey Payne was born on February 28, 1936, and died on January 10, 2026, at the age of 89. A longtime Hale County resident and veteran educator, Mrs. Payne served for many years as principal of Skyland Elementary School in Tuscaloosa and later as headmaster of Southern Academy in Greensboro. A Celebration of Life... Read More
Cooking in the Black Belt
We’re early enough in the history of this column that it seems fitting to go ahead and rip off one of many bandaids that need to be addressed. For all my personal distaste for disclaimers, I feel it necessary to start off with a very important one to keep in mind going forward: I’m not... Read More
Deadline is April 15 to apply for Annie Essex Memorial Scholarship
The Annie Essex Memorial Scholarship is now accepting applications from graduating seniors in the Perry County School System. The scholarship was established in 2005 by family and friends of the late Annie Essex to honor her legacy of service and generosity and to support local students in pursuing higher education. Essex enjoyed a distinguished 44-year... Read More
Uniontown man charged with escape and domestic violence
A Uniontown man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Perry County after authorities say he escaped from officers and assaulted his girlfriend last fall. According to a criminal complaint filed in Perry County District Court, Joshua Vantrel Norfleet, 25, is charged with escape in the third degree and third-degree domestic-violence assault in connection with... Read More