A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 2:35 a.m. Sunday, May 2, has claimed the life of a Double Springs man. Gregory Cleghorn, 46, was killed when the 1996 Ford Explorer he was driving failed to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign and pulled out in front of a 2011 Kia Sportage. After impact, the Explorer left the roadway and overturned. Cleghorn was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Fall City Road, approximately eight miles north of Jasper. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

Meredith Robertson, Leo’s Loveliest Senior Division, 2021Carlee Lewis, 4th, left end

Averie Elkins, 2nd, 2nd from left end

Meredith Robertson, Leo’s Loveliest, center

Anna Belcher, 1st, 4th from left

Allie Bishop, 3rd, right end

Hadley Smith, Leo’s Loveliest Junior DivisionLeo’s Lovelist, Junior Division, Hadley Smith, Center

Rylee Blake Edwards, 4th, left end

Brookleigh Cockrell, 3rd, right end

Kaylee Webb, 2nd, 2nd from left

Nevaeh Henderson, 1st, 4th from left

After a one week delay because of the ice storm, he Haleyville City Council met Monday night and approved a resolution for a loan negotiated with BankFirst for $3,ooo,ooo.oo for the purchase of the Professional Building adjacent to Lakeland Community Hospital. The resolution states:

WHEREAS, the City of Haleyville has negotiated a loan with BankFirst for a one year commercial draw/ non-revolving line of credit, with interest being paid monthly. At maturity, the bank will extend a 10-year fixed rate loan to include principal and interest payments at a rate of 2.20%. As well as closing cost fees of $15,000.00.

In other business, the Council approved the operation bills and purchase orders for January in the amount of $360,116.50. Also approved was a resolution calling for the city’s participation in the NW Alabama Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Action Plan. The purpose of the plan is to develop and implement a hazard mitigation action plan which can result in actions that reduce the long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. This plan has been approved by State and Federal Emergency agencies.

A work order change to an project the City of Haleyville is currently working on 2020 Fall Street Paving 12^th Avenue between 29^th Place and 11^th Avenue, Briarwood Drive, and Hill Top Subdivision, requiring an additional 23.60 tons of asphalt at the unit price bid of $98.00/ton was used to complete the paving at the intersection of 11^Th Avenue and 28^th Street, resulting in an increased project cost of $2,312.80.

Mayor Ken Sunseri praised the city workers, especially the street and sanitation workers for their work during and after the ice storm last week. With all the downed trees and limbs, Sunseri pointed out Haleyville was fortunate to have Alabama Power restoring power as quickly as it did.

The next scheduled Haleyville City Council meeting will be Monday, March 1, 5:30 p.m. at the Haleyville City Hall.

Double Springs, AL–A Haleyville man has pled guilty to two counts of Theft of Property 1st Degree. As a part of the negotiated plea agreement Jarrod Tyler Hallman admitted to the theft of over $45,000 in funds belonging to the Haleyville Alumni Association and the Haleyville Alumni Scholarship Foundation Fund. Hallman admitted that he used is fiduciary position within the Alumni Association to take funds belonging to the two entities and converting them to personal use. District Attorney Investigator Rusty Hulsey found that on at least 15 separate occasions Hallman accessed the Alumni Association or Scholarship Foundation account and used the money for personal business. Judge Lee Carter accepted Hallman’s guilty plea and sentenced him to ten years in the state penitentiary on each theft count, but split the sentences for Hallman to serve 18 months on Community Corrections followed by 5 years of supervised state probation as was agreed between Hallman’s attorney and the District Attorney. Hallman will also be required to pay a $10,000 fine and $45,071.62 in restitution to the two entities. District Attorney Slatton prosecuted the case for the State of Alabama stated “While I am saddened by the actions that were taken by one individual that was entrusted to care for scholarship funds, I am glad that a quick resolution has been obtained in this case that will provide for a full return of the restitution owed to the Alumni Association and Scholarship Fund.” Slatton also stated “…I hope this case is a warning to others that theft by any individual will not be tolerated and harsh consequences will follow when the truth catches up.”

Scott A. Slatton, District Attorney, 25th Judicial Circuit

The Haleyville City Council met Monday with all members present with 5 items on the agenda.

Haleyville Police Officer Rodney Lewis was hired as the Haleyville Police Chief. He will be the interim Chief until Chief Kyle Reogas retires on February 28. Five people were interviewed for the job.

The Council voted to buy the Professional Building, located next to the Lakeland Hospital. The building was owned by an investment company and did not belong to Lakeland.

Approval was made for the purchase of firetruck and emergency equipment in the amount of $23,521.08.

A CDBG grant was approved for a project in the Mineral Springs Housing area which will include replacing a sewer line, adding a new water line and resurfacing a street.

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

A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, has claimed the life of a Winfield man. George W. Watkins, 71, was killed when the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado he was driving left the roadway, went down an embankment and struck a tree. Watkins was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 233 at the 8.8 mile marker,  approximately five miles east of Brilliant. Watkins has been identified as a missing person from the area since Dec. 13. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.