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.

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.

ALEA_QUAD CITIES POST – A one-vehicle crash at 7:49 p.m. March 29, 2020, has claimed the life of a 2019 graduate of Phillips High School.  Andrew Wayne York, a 19-year-old male, was killed when he lost control of the 2005 Ford Mustang he was driving northbound on AL 237, a few miles south of Phil Campbell.  York was not wearing a seatbelt and died on the scene while being attended by medical personnel.  York was pronounced deceased by Franklin County Coroner, Charlie Adcox.  York’s juvenile passenger was not injured in the crash.  Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

MONTGOMERY – Because schools, businesses, and churches have closed indefinitely in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), more people are spending their free time on Alabama waterways.

Activity on Alabama’s lakes, rivers and other bodies of water typically increases during spring break season, but ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Troopers have seen numbers spike during the past few days with COVID-19 closures. These Troopers are patrolling waterways daily, and they want everyone to have an enjoyable but safe time by adhering to Governor Kay Ivey’s order as it relates to combating the spread of the virus.

Alabama beaches were closed Thursday, March 19, but effective at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28, all non-work related gatherings with 10 persons or more, or non-work related gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent 6-foot distance between individuals, are prohibited.

Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol remind boaters of social distancing, as well as water safety:

• The designated driver practice works just as well on the water as it does on the road. If boaters insist on having alcohol on board, make sure there is a designated driver.
• Be courteous and cautious.
• Follow boating rules. Know what to do in a head-to-head meeting and know the right-of-way rules and regulations.
• Make sure life jackets are accessible, in good condition, sized for the intended individual and U.S. Coast Guard-approved. There must be one personal flotation device (PFD) on board for each person on the boat that is sized and intended for that individual. Children younger than the age of 8 must wear PFDs.
• When boating at night, make sure the required navigation lights are on and in good working order. Operate at slower speeds and don’t venture into unfamiliar territory.
• Give other boaters plenty of room. Don’t operate too closely to private docks or the shoreline, and give skiers and swimmers a wide berth.
• Never overload a vessel. Follow the capacity plate guidelines.
• Make it a habit to check the vessel’s safety equipment before using the vessel — every time.

Sgt. Chad Pate, ALEA-Marine Patrol Division, Northern District Assistant Commander

As we are beginning to see positive COVID-19 people in our community, it is IMPERATIVE that we continue with social distancing. I realize this is an inconvenience, but it is the ONLY proven way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC and the Alabama Department of Public Health are continuing to provide updates daily. We are continually revising our protocols as we receive those updates. I know we are a small community hospital, but I can tell you, we are prepared and equipped to care for our patients, you and your neighbors. The 6 ventilators, our Director of Respiratory secured is more than some larger hospitals and I’m sure you are watching the news and seeing what a valuable piece of equipment is in the treatment of COVID-19. I’d like to publicly thank Jennifer Spurgeon for the extra work and persistence to secure those ventilators. Our staff have all participated in additional infection control training and have been willing to learn and provide for the needs of our community. Our Facebook page is being updated daily, so if you have questions, please message us. In closing, if you see a health care worker out, please say a simple thank you. It means more than you know. We love our community. Stay in, stay calm, and Wash Your Hands.

Sincerely, Ashley

Winston County now has 2 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Walker County has 24, Marion 7, Franklin 3. Three deaths statewide.