Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – MONTGOMERY – Ahead of the July 14 Primary Runoff Election, Secretary Merrill reminds Alabama voters that there are 79 days left to apply for an absentee ballot.

In order to protect the safety and well-being of our voters, Secretary Merrill encourages those who are concerned about contracting or spreading the coronavirus to apply for and cast an absentee ballot.

Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded online or requested by visiting or calling the local Absentee Election Manager’s office.

Voters may also contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (334) 242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application.

Due to the declared states of emergency, any qualified voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at their polling place shall be eligible to check the box on the absentee ballot application that is most applicable to that individual. In the case none of the boxes are appropriate, voters can check the box which reads as follows:

“I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”

For the July 14 Primary Runoff Election, the deadline to register to vote is Monday, June 29, the deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is Thursday, July 9, the deadline to return an absentee ballot to the Absentee Election Manager is the close of business Monday, July 13, and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot is Monday, July 13.

Voters who are eligible to vote pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act will have until Tuesday, July 14 to postmark an absentee ballot.

To learn more about testing locations and options related to the coronavirus, please call 1-888-264-2256 or visit CDC.gov.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday, not in person, but by video phones and computers. This is the second time in the history of the Haleyville City Council the meeting was done with the Mayor and Councilmen all at different locations. The first of these unique meetings was two weeks ago all in an effort to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Software called Zoom was utilized successfully to connect Mayor Sunseri, all the Councilmen, City attorney Jeff Mobley and the media.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of the March general operation bills in the amount of $402,211.52.  The Council also approved hazard duty pay to all city employees. Full-time employees will receive an extra $150/mo and part-time employees, including volunteer firemen, will receive an extra $75/mo during the Covid-19 active threat. This was recommended by Mayor Sunseri who likened this hazardous duty pay to the extra pay received by military personnel when they are in a war zone or working in a dangerous and hazardous situation.

Approval was made for a 75/25 matching grant for the purchase of food for the local food banks run by the churches.

The next scheduled Council meeting will be on Monday, May 4, 5:30 p.m. It may or may not be at City Hall, or by phone as the last two meetings have been.

Alabama State Health Officer, Dr. Scott Harris, shared Alabama’s most recent numbers and updates…

Approximately 4,946 COVID-19 positive tests
45,712 total Alabamians tested
641 people have been hospitalized
113 deaths confirmed to be from COVID-19
165 reported deaths
Hospital capacity is positive and thankfully it seems that no alternative care sites are needed at this time
57 counties across the state are testing

ALEA-HAMILTON POST – A single-vehicle crash on Saturday, April 18, 2020, has claimed the life of an Arley teen, Trinton Blake Ory.  The 16-year-old was killed when the 2015 Ford Mustang he was operating, left the roadway and struck a tree.  The crash occurred at 10:35 p.m. on Co Rd 12, approximately 5 miles Southeast of Arley.  Nothing further is available as ALEA State Troopers continue to investigate. 

As of April 17, 2020
WINSTON – 211 Tests 9 confirmed cases
WALKER – 464 Tests 84 confirmed cases
MARION – 461 Tests 60 confirmed cases 4 notification of deaths 3 confirmed COVID-19 deaths
LAMAR – 123 Tests 7 Confirmed Cases
FAYETTE – 153 Tests 4 Confirmed Cases
CULLMAN – 417 Tests 42 confirmed cases 1 Death

Today we must announce the cancellation of our annual 9-1-1 Festival that was scheduled for June 5 & 6, 2020. Our fundraising efforts were suspended a month ago out of respect for our local businesses and industries who were facing uncertain times all the while we all were in hopes this crisis would soon pass. Although we would like to think that the end of this pandemic is closer than when it began, we believe it would be irresponsible to continue under these circumstances.

Our Festival began about 25 years ago to celebrate the heritage of our town, remind and educate everyone that Haleyville is where the first 9-1-1 call was made, and honor the dedicated service of our local First Responders. A highlight of this annual celebration has been to honor our First Responders during an awards banquet on Thursday evening prior the festival. This was an opportunity for the 9-1-1 Committee to recognize and thank our First Responders from Haleyville, Winston County Sheriff, Double Springs and Bear Creek Departments. We ask that you continue to keep these Officers, Firemen, Deputies, Dispatchers, and Troopers in your prayers as they continue responding to our emergencies.

We also want to acknowledge another group of First Responders that also need our thoughts and prayers, as well. The Doctors, Nurses, and all the support personal at Lakeland Community Hospital, the dedicated staff at USA Healthcare, the Azalea and Rose Manor facilities, and all the medical professionals in our community and around our country who are on the front-line of the battle we are fighting.

On a personal note, I would like to thank our Festival Sponsors and our Mayor and City Council for the support they provide to make this event happen each and every year. I would also like to publicly thank our 9-1-1 Festival Committee members, Mandy Little, Natalie Boykin, Melinda Weaver, Kris Burleson, Brandon Norris, Aubrey Haynes and Michael Humphries, who work 9-10 months each year planning this event.

Jade Bice

The Haleyville City Council met through teleconferencing for the first time as a caution against spreading or contracting the Covid-19 virus. The Council approved the bid and purchase of a tractor and rotary cutter from Scott Equipment of Russellville, Alabama for the quoted amount of $24,153.61 and $2,079.36, respectively; a total of $26,232.97.

A contractor is currently working on the construction of the 2020 Winter Street Paving Project (26th Street and 30th Street). A request was made to the Contractor to add areas to be resurfaced as part of that project. These areas include the continuation of 30^th Street from Elizabeth Street to Littleville Road (approximately 510’ x 22’), 16^th Avenue at 27^th Street (94’ x 30’), and 27^th Street and 15^th Avenue (270’ x 30’).  These areas were chosen because of the amount of traffic daily and for the fact that the roadbed was exposed and eroding.  The work added in Change Order No. 1 amounts to an increase of $12,317.20. Mayor Sunseri approved the additional paving on 27th Street under the Local Emergency Order. 

The Council voted to allocate $9,536.62 for the repair of the City limb truck.

The next scheduled regular City Council meeting will be on Monday, April 20 which may be another teleconference meeting.

According to State Representative Tim Wadsworth, in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon, with no reference as to the source of this information, these are the latest numbers.

QUAD CITIES POST – A two-vehicle crash at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2020, claimed the life of a Russellville senior adult. Milton W. Alexander, 82-year-old male, was killed when the 2013 Dodge Ram pickup he was driving was struck by a 2012 Ford Taurus, driven by 25-year-old Christian Garcia of Phil Campbell.  The crash occurred at the intersection of AL 243 and County Road 79 in Franklin County.  Alexander was unrestrained and died at the scene of the crash. The Franklin County Coroner, Charlie Adcox, pronounced Alexander deceased. Garcia was transported to the Russellville Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.