The body of Vicky Denise Liverett Howton, 53, was discovered Friday afternoon, August 31, in an unoccupied house at 1630 9th Avenue. Reportedly she had previously lived in the house and it was used to store household items. Her body was removed by members of the Haleyville Fire Department and sent to the Alabama Forensics Lab in Huntsville. On Tuesday afternoon, the preliminary report was returned to the Haleyville Police Department which stated she did not die of natural causes. Haleyville Police Investigator Tim Steien went back to the house to recover items to take to the lab as part of the investigation to determine what and who caused the death. Vicky had three children, two girls, and a son, who had placed missing posters around town earlier in the week.

A man from Mississippi, Randall Walker, who Vicky had met online had been living with her at another house on 9th Avenue is presently being sought in regards to her death. Reportedly, family members had tried to contact her since Sunday, August 28. At first, Walker gave excuses as to why she could not be contacted. Communication with Walker ended on Wednesday. The body was found on Friday. He was last seen driving a gold or beige 1999 Ford F-150 long base, single cab pickup with a Mississippi handicap tag B4198.

Tuesday, September 4 – A late afternoon crash in front of Walmart on Highway 195 resulted in the rider of a motorcycle, William McCullar being transported to Lakeland ER with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup stated he was turning left into Walmart on what he thought was a green left turn signal. The bike and truck met head-on with the McCullar ending up on the hood of the pickup. Haleyville Police investigated.

Tuesday, September 4 – 11 a.m.-The Haleyville City Council met Tuesday (instead of Monday, a holiday) with Drew Thrasher absent. The Council met early, 11 a.m. in order to meet the deadline for certifying the city school board election by noon. Three resolutions were also approved. The first states the City of Haleyville will enter into a partnership with the Coach Safely Foundation to provide mandatory training required by the Coach Safely Act and to promote awareness of youth athletic safety and enhance the youth athletic experience in the City of Haleyville. The second approves a revolving loan for $150,000 through the Northwest Alabama Council of Local governments, (NACOG), for resurfacing roads in the Haleyville Industrial area. Specifically, the Old Hamilton Road from SR129 to 5th Street, used by Ridge Pointe Manufacturing, Alabama Avenue from SR129 to Dolphin Road, used by Mar-Jac Poultry and Winston furniture, and a section of Boar Tush Road from the railroad crossing to Sam Letson Industrial Road, used by all industry in the South Industrial Park.

The third approved the results of the election on September 4 for the two seats of the School Board. Barry Burleson and Chad Tidwell both received a majority of the votes for seats 2 and 3 respectfully and will assume their seats at the meeting of the Board in March 2019.

The next scheduled meeting of the Haleyville City Council will be on Monday, September 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Haleyville City Hall.

With his permission, the following is a statement from Facebook by Shane Whitten:

First I want to say I love Bear Creek and I hate to see all the crap going on that is destroying our town. With that being said I have decided to hang up my badge and try something new in life that will be a better fit for me and my family. I loved being the Chief of Bear Creek and serving the great citizens of Bear Creek. I’m sad to leave but I’m excited the start of this new chapter in my life. It’s been a very long and thought out process. Lots of prayers and talking to god about what was best for me and my family and I feel this is where he is leading me. Thanks to everyone that supported me for the last 5 years it means the world to me. Thanks to Mayor Connie Bishop Morrison for the great opportunity of being police chief and always having my back. Also thanks to the city council for always having my back and getting us the equipment we needed to do the job especially Chris Gillum. And before it gets started I shouldn’t even have to do this but I’m not leaving bc I’m going to jail or I’m afraid I’m going to jail. It’s not because I don’t want to do my job. This has been in the works way before this stuff came out. I love bear creek and I wish everyone the best. I’m going to be a Millwright and learn some new trades.

Members of the 107th and the 117th Guard units from Haleyville and family members met at a local restaurant Saturday to renew their special bond and to honor the members who have passed. 

Earlier this week this vehicle was involved in the theft of a lawnmower from Cox Farms in Haleyville. If you have any information regarding this vehicle please contact the Winston County Sheriff’s office at 205-489-2115.

Wednesday, 5:15 p.m. – A fire, apparently caused by lightning, destroyed a 150-year-old house on Alabama Avenue. According to Sue and Gurvis Sutherland, who lives next door, the house, known as the Autin House, has been unoccupied for years. It was damaged by the 2001 tornado, the roof was replaced and has been used for storage of old furniture. Sue stated there was nothing of great value in the house which was completely destroyed by the fire. Haleyville fireman, Craig Thomas, was reportedly injured when hit by bricks from a wall at the rear of the building. He was taken to the Lakeland Emergency Room, X-rayed, given medication and released. He stated he suffered a cervical sprain and some bruises, sore but OK.

he Haleyville City Schools Board of Education met Tuesday, August 28 and approved the board expenditures for July in the amount of $1,255,855.54. The Board also approved amendments to the school policies and procedures to include the Youth Suicide and Prevention Policy. School sponsor supplements were approved. The school instructional policy, a revision to the salary schedule, supplemental salary schedule and High School coaching assignments were also approved. Schedules for the fall fishing team and the cross country team were approved along with an amendment to the schools Code of Conduct.

The Board approved six requests for use of facilities, three field trips, and thirteen fundraisers. Three lists for the substitute teacher, lunchroom workers, and bus drivers were approved. Under personnel, the Board approved the resignation of Casey Fox as PE teacher at the HMS and varsity football assistant and head Junior Varsity boys basketball coach. A part-time grounds and maintenance student worker, as well as six breakfast workers for this school year, was also approved.

Recognized at the beginning of the meeting were the custodial and maintenance workers who keep the campus looking and working great. Pictured above with the School Board are (not in order) Jerry Corsbie, Barry Butler, Brenda Scogin, Chris Webb, Randy Jones, David Albright, Rita Butler, Steve Berry and Adam Knight.

With all five ballot boxes and one absentee box totaled, the winners for the two seats on the Haleyville Board of Education were Incumbent Barry Burleson for Place 2 defeating challenger Beth Moore and Chad Tidwell defeating incumbent Steve Stott for Place 3. Burleson had 529 votes (52.4%) to Moore 480 (47.6%). Tidwell had a total of 542 votes (53.2%) to Stott’s 477 votes (46.8%).

Saturday, August 25-Twi young children died as a result of an ATV crash in the Russellville area around 3 p.m. The children were 8 and 4 years old. Their names were not released.