Press Release – Southeast Gas recently awarded Community Betterment Funds in the amount of $11,000 to Ozark Dale County Economic Development Corporation (ODEC). Ozark Mayor and Southeast Gas Board member Mark Blankenship requested funds to enhance existing industry and recruit new businesses to the City of Ozark on behalf of ODEC. This year Southeast Gas will provide $164,000 to agencies like ODEC for commercial and industrial investments in Southeast Alabama.

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Commission moved forward with a unanimous vote to increase the per-call rate of pay for deputy coroners at the commission meeting held Tuesday, February 28.

In a letter addressed to the commission, Dale County Coroner John Cawley stated, “The current rate of pay is $75 per call…[it] is just not enough for the amount of time and conditions per call.”

By J.D. Devine

Montgomery-Governor Kay Ivey delivered her assessment of the current health, successes, and failures of Alabama as a whole. She also discussed her ideas on many areas and topics during her State of the State Address on Tuesday, March 7. She was officially invited to give the address by the Alabama House of Representatives, which is typically a formality. Her address was notable for her enthusiasm, sports metaphors, and the folksy, laidback way she speaks.  

Editor’s note: Reprinted from RollTide.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 1 seed and top-ranked Alabama men's basketball team outscored No. 8 seed Maryland by 17 points in the second half to cruise to a 73-51 victory Saturday night in the NCAA Tournament second round. With the win, the Crimson Tide advances to its second Sweet 16 appearance in the last three years and ninth showing in program history.

Staff Reports

ELBA, Alabama – Sunbelt Solomon Services (“Sunbelt Solomon” or “SSS”), a leading provider of customized and sustainable electrical power solutions and services, today announced plans to open a service center in Elba, Alabama, that will offer electrical transformer repair and recycling, field services and equipment rental operations. Sunbelt Solomon will invest over $5 million to launch the facility, which will generate new employment opportunities, providing an economic boost to the Southeast Alabama community.

Pentagon spending $130K a day to block border states from accessing unused border wall panels

by Maggie Edwards

Agricultural advocacy took center stage on Capitol Hill during the Washington Legislative Conference (WLC) March 7-10, as passion and patriotism sent 140 Alabama Farmers Federation members to Washington, D.C. 

It was Chambers County farmer Jason McKay’s first WLC. He’s a partner in RL&M Cattle and RL&M Ag Services in Cusseta. 

By Christina Faulkner

A Dale County Judge set a pretrial hearing date on April 13 to hear final motions in the McCraney trial that will begin just days later on April 17. Dale County Presiding Circuit Court Judge William Filmore heard several motions from defense attorneys Thursday, March 16. Five additional motions will be heard at the April 13 pretrial hearing.