A package mailed from California to a Haleyville address was intercepted by law enforcement agencies on Tuesday, March 5. A total of 5 pounds of marijuana was found in a five-gallon bucket packed in a Home Depot box. This discovery followed the previous find during a traffic stop in February of an individual who had been under suspicion. Her vehicle had a box with 3 one-pound bags of marijuana. Another package had over $3,000 in cash.

Postal authorities had previously reported suspicious packages had been arriving at the Haleyville Post Office from California. Investigators waited for a package to be picked up and made a traffic stop in the Rabbittown area and found the metal box in the possession of Shavonna Lynn Zoetewey, 29, formerly of Sheffield and a current resident of 3686 County road 23, Haleyville. Zoetewey was placed in the Winston County Jail and after making the $51,000 bond on her Winston county charges, she was transferred to the Lauderdale County Jail where she faced additional charges.

Warrants for Brandon Charles Benge, of Haleyville have been made in connection with this case. He faces two counts of trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking in a controlled substance.

A search warrant was obtained and the controlled substance found at the residence was fentanyl. No one was home at the time, but authorities also found a 40 caliber handgun and an AK-47 with a loaded magazine. Reports stated children had been living at the residence.

In addition to the U.S. Postal Inspector John Bailey who opened one of the packages in the presence of law enforcement officers, other regional law enforcement agencies were also involved in this case. They were from the Region E Drug Task force which includes Winston, Marion, Walker, Fayette, Franklin, Lawrence and Colbert counties.

Lakeland Community Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report that can be used for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR, founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science, and professions of radiological care. The College serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday with all members present. At the invitation of Mayor Sunseri, Alabama State Representative Tracy Estes was present to inform the Mayor and Council on his knowledge of the proposed state gas tax. He stated it was not in its final form and most likely would have amendments added both in the House and the Senate before it was ready to be passed. He stated he was not for or against the proposed tax bill and would not make a decision until he sees the final version.

Haleyville Police Chief Kyle Reogas and Investigator Tim Steine gave reports on the activity of the Police Department for the month of February. Chief Reogas stated the department had 28 incidents of offenses filed,  investigated 9 traffic accidents, 3 courtesy reports of accidents on private property, 116 citations were issued, 27% of which were for no insurance, 23% were for drivers license violations (either expired or revoked). Seventeen percent of the 116 were for speeding. Thirty-eight individuals were arrested for criminal charges. Of the 38 arrested, Reogas pointed out 45% were not from the Haleyville area. Forty-eight percent of the arrests were drug-related. Chief Reogas stated there is a drug problem in our city and he did not know what to do about it. “No one knows,” he said.

Lieutenant Steine stated the District Attorney has changed the requirements to make a felony arrest which now requires more paperwork and time to put together a report. Steine reported that 16 indictments were handed down in last week’s Grand Jury on cases he has been working on which was more than any other agency in Winston County. These included several assaults and several thefts, receiving stolen property, and fraudulent use of credit cards. He stated part of Haleyville is in Marion County, so he has to work cases in Marion County as well. Other cases he said he is presently working on is a missing person case, two forges, and one embezzlement case.

The Council did not pass a resolution in support of the proposed state gasoline tax.

The Council approved a contract with the Prema Corporation for city revenue collections. This company will replace RDS whose contract with the city was terminated at the last council meeting.

Mayor Sunseri announced the hiring of 7 people as lifeguards for the summer at the Haleyville Pool.

The next Council meeting will be on Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Haleyville City Hall.

Leo’s Loveliest 2019 Emma Elkins

3rd Alternate, Allison Watkins, 1st Alternate, Maddie Palmer, Leo’s Loveliest Emma Elkins, 2nd Alternate, Molly Gilbert (Miss Photogenic), 4th Alternate, Kara Thrasher

The results of the Leo’s Loveliest Pageant Junior Division Friday night at the HMS.

Evelyn Kate Carroll

3rd Alternate Lily Tinch, 1st Alternate, Brookleigh Cockrell, Evelyn Kate Carroll, 2nd Alternate, Karlie Lasker, 4th Alternate, Hadley Smith.

The Ronald Reagan Dinner will be held March 8, at the Municipal Bldg on Hwy 195 just south of Double Springs.  Dinner will start at 6 p.m. and the program will start at 7 p.m.

Keynote speaker is former Sheriff Joe Arpaio from Arizona. Joseph Michael Arpaio is an American former law enforcement officer and politician. He served as the 36th Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona for 24 years, from 1993 to 2017, losing reelection to Democrat Paul Penzone in 2016. Several Federal, State, and local elected officials will be present.  Donation of $25.00 required for dinner and program. Tickets available at the door

Thursday, February 28-The Phillips She-Bears defeated the Skyline Vikings 71-63 today for the 1A State Basketball State Championship. Alli McCollum and Gracie Hallman were named to the All-State Team. Lexie Dishner was named the All-State Tournament Most Valuable Player. Congratulations to the players, coaches, and parents. Interesting footnote, two of these young ladies had mothers who played on for the Phillipps She-Bears Championship teams in 1985 and 1986.  – Photo by Al Temple

The HHS Varsity Boys soccer team defeated Mars Hill Tuesday night 2 -1. The first home games are Thursday night against Russellville and Friday night against West Point. Come out and watch a game. You may be surprised as to how good it really is.

Tuesday, February 26 – The Haleyville City Schools Board of Education met and accepted the resignation of Dr. Erika McCoy as Principal of HHS. She will become the principal of Orange Beach High School this fall.

In other business, the financial statements and board expenditures for January were approved in the amount of $1,284,999.66. Five use of facilities, two field trips, and thirteen fundraisers were also approved.

The Board also approved the retirement of Sheynon Baggett as 4th Grade Teacher and approved Max Sadler as a volunteer Varsity and Junior Varsity Baseball Coach for the 2019 season. Photos and more. Continue reading

The 42^nd Annual Haleyville High School Leo’s Loveliest Pageant will be this Friday, March 1 for Junior Division and Saturday, March 2 for Senior Division.  The pageant will begin at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Center of Technology office through Friday at lunch. Limited seating is available.