Tuesday, August 18, 2020 – MONTGOMERY – Ahead of the November 3 General Election, Secretary of State John H. Merrill reminds Alabama voters that there are 72 days left to apply for an absentee ballot.

In order to protect the safety and well-being of 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 November 3 General Election, the deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 19, the deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is Thursday, October 29 the deadline to return an absentee ballot to the Absentee Election Manager is the close of business Monday, November 2, and the last day to postmark an absentee ballot is Monday, November 2.

Voters who are eligible to vote pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act will have until Tuesday, November 3 to postmark an absentee ballot.

Due to recently witnessed delays with the United States Postal Services, Secretary Merrill encourages voters interested in returning their ballot by mail to go ahead and make application for their absentee ballot. As a reminder, Merrill worked with the Legislature last year to pass Act 2019-507, allowing voters the opportunity to return their absentee ballot by commercial carrier in addition to U.S. mail.

A two vehicle collision just after 9 a.m. Tuesday morning injured both drivers. The crash was between a Hyundai driven by Sybil Hill, 73, of Haleyville and a pickup driven by Bryan Crumpton. According to Crumpton, he was driving north on 12th Avenue thru the Highway 195 intersection when he was struck by the Hyundai which was headed south on 195. The impact on the drivers side of Crumpton’s pickup knocked it into a power pole, bringing down two traffic lights. Crumpton, who was covered with blood, left the scene in another pickup. Hill was transported by ambulance to a Shoals hospital. Neither driver was critically injured. There were no passengers in either vehicle.

The crash is being investigated by the Haleyville Police Department.

Winston County – At approximately 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers responded to a single-vessel accident on Smith Lake in Winston County.  Jamey Dewayne Morgan, 39, of Arley was the only person aboard the vessel.  He fell overboard while operating the vessel.  His body was recovered a few hours after the initial report of the accident.  The water depth was approximately 7 feet.

No other information is available.  The accident is still under investigation.

Lt. Chad Pate

Northern District Commander

ALEA/DPS-Marine Patrol Division

QUAD CITIES POST – A two-vehicle crash at 10:00 a.m. today, August 2, 2020, has claimed the life of a Tuscumbia man. Michael Howard Hubka, a 68-year-old male, was killed when the 2007 Honda motorcycle he was driving was struck by a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck, driven by 26-year-old Forrest Jared Church, of Haleyville, Alabama. Hubka was pronounced dead at the scene by Colbert County Coroner Justin Gasque. The crash occurred on US 43 at the intersection of Blue Road, approximately 2 miles north of Littleville, Alabama. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

Winston County – Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division responded to a tubing accident in the Winston County area of Smith Lake.  The accident occurred on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at approximately 4:45pm.  The accident resulted in the death of a 14 year old female who was riding on the tube.  The investigation is ongoing.  No other information is available at this time.

HAMILTON POST — A single-vehicle crash at 12:05 a.m. last night, July 26, has claimed the life of a Nauvoo, AL teen.  The teen was killed when the 2012 Ford truck he was driving left the roadway and collided with a tree. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on AL 5 one mile south of Lynn, AL.  Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

Monday, July 20, 2020 – MONTGOMERY – Secretary of State John H. Merrill has officially extended the opportunity for anyone concerned about COVID-19 to apply for and cast an absentee ballot for the upcoming municipal elections.

At the request of the Alabama League of Municipalities on behalf of all Alabama municipalities scheduled to hold an election in 2020, Secretary Merrill has authorized anyone concerned about contracting or spreading COVID-19 to cast an absentee ballot in order to avoid the polls on Election Day.

“We have worked to provide safe, secure, and free elections for the people of Alabama through offering an extended absentee voting period during the recent Primary Runoff Election, and we will continue to see that Alabamians have the opportunity to safely participate in the electoral process during these challenging times,” stated Merrill.

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. State law allows the Secretary of State to issue absentee voting guidance during declared states of emergency, allowing Secretary Merrill to encourage voters to check the box which reads as follows (in the case none of the boxes are appropriate):

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

“We appreciate the Secretary of State’s Office collaborating with ALM to address these extraordinary circumstances as we head into municipal elections,” said Greg Cochran, League of Municipalities Executive Director. “Ensuring all Alabamians have a voice through their vote is imperative to the success of our state.”

For the August 25 municipal elections, the deadline to register to vote is Monday, August 10, the deadline to submit an absentee ballot application is Thursday, August 20, and the deadline to hand-deliver an absentee ballot is the close of business Monday, August 24. If an absentee ballot is returned by mail, it must be postmarked by August 24 and received by noon on August 25.

If necessary, runoff elections will be held on Tuesday, October 6.

1. Help Child Find locate Children with Disabilities

What is Child Find? Child Find is a statewide effort by the Alabama State Department of Education and the Department of Rehabilitation Services to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities from birth to age 21

How does Child Find work? Early Intervention and Special Education Services work closely with community service agencies, parents, and local school systems to locate children with disabilities. A toll -free number is provided for parents or other persons interested in information about referring a child from birth to age 21. 

Why is Child Find Important? It helps the child, the family, and the provider to plan appropriate services and link families to services for students meeting eligibility requirements in the following disability areas: hearing impairment, deaf-blindness, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, speech language impairment, visual impairment, specific learning disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, developmental delay, and emotional disability.

For more information about Child Find, contact your local school system, local coordinating council, or call Susan Riggs at 205-486-9231 for ages 3-21 or for Birth through 2 years old, call 1-800-543-3098.

2. SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS TO BE DESTROYED:

Haleyville City Schools will be destroying special education records for students that have been exited from our system for at least 5 years. Anyone wishing to claim these files must do so by calling Susan Riggs at 205-486-9231, extension 5,  between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm, Monday – Thursday.  Tentative date of destruction set for August 31, 2020. 

HAMILTON POST — A single-vehicle crash at 10:40 a.m., Satureday, June 27, 2020, has claimed the life of a Haleyville, Al man. Hayden D. Tucker, 28, was killed when the 1993 Dodge Dakota he was driving exited the roadway and overturned. Tucker was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on CO RD 60, eight miles east of Haleyville, Al. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate. ALEA