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Coleman Pilkington was 3 for 3, Hunter Norwood had two hits and four RBIs and Christian Draper threw a two-hitter to lead Thomasville to an 11-1, five-inning romp over visiting Dallas County on April 7. Pilkington tripled in the fifth inning and singled in the second and fourth. The Tigers scored twice in the first and added five runs in the second, including RBI singles from Pilkington and Draper. Thomasville stole 11 bases in the game and played errorless defense. The Tigers (12-8) claimed the 3A Area 4 title and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs after... Article Link
TUSCALOOSA — In its first formal appearance before the public since being emasculated by Indiana in the Rose Bowl, Alabama gave no clues that it could be a great football team based on what transpired in Saturday's A-Day game. The running game still needs a lot of work. With a completely new offensive line, it was still alarming that the Tide couldn't hammer the ball into the end zone inside the 5-yard line several times Saturday. “Maybe we've still got some work to do on the offensive line,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer conceded afterward. “Their communication, technique and execution is... Article Link
NOW-MAY 1 The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for upcoming First Friday events. Vendors may offer homemade and baked goods, fresh lemonade and drinks, retail and boutique items, handmade crafts, artisan goods, specialty products and other unique finds. Those interested may register at www.jacksonalabama.org. The first event will be May 1 and feature the Cruise-In. APRIL 17-18 Thomasville High School Class of 1976 will hold its 50th reunion April 17-18. Contact Mary Frances Slade at 334-830- 0195 for information. Thomasville Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting ambassador applications for the 2026-2027 school year through April 17. Applicants... Article Link
This will be a strong political year, with several interesting and competitive races. However, there is only one truly hotly contested open congressional seat in Alabama. The state's other six incumbent congressmen are expected to cruise to reelection, either unopposed or with only token opposition. That is not unusual in modern politics. Defeating an incumbent member of Congress is extremely difficult. The reelection rate for sitting congressmen is around 95%. Even the Russian Communist Politburo did not enjoy that kind of job security. The newly configured 1st Congressional District is the one open seat that offers a competitive race. It... Article Link
My bruises have not yet disappeared from my fall last week. One thing it has taught me is not to be vain about my appearance. The bruises were not all gone by Easter. I sing in the choir, and we had a big anthem prepared for the holiday, so I knew I needed to be there. I did what I had done for the theater in New Orleans. I put on a pair of sunglasses and went. I looked like a cross between Ray Charles and the Bride of Frankenstein. The sunglasses hid most of the bruises, leaving only Ray Charles... Article Link
Have you ever been driving down the highway minding your own business when the vehicle in front of you suddenly whips into a driveway with no blinker at all? No warning. No signal. No clue. Just a sharp turn that makes you hit the brakes and wonder if they learned to drive from a cereal box. Then there is the driver with the blinker on for 10 miles. Click. Click. Click. At that point you are not expecting a turn. You are wondering if they know it is on or if they just enjoy the sound effects. Then there is... Article Link
APRIL 11 Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Alabama will host the Hole Lotta Fun Scramble April 11 at Thomasville Golf Course. To register call 334-636-5402. Thomasville will host Youth Day Saturday, April 11. Details will be announced. Demopolis will host Rooster Day April 11. Vendors may reserve booth space while available, with a early registration rate through March 3. Grove Hill Arts Council will host a cherry blossom painting class April 11 at 11 a.m. at the Grove Hill Cultural Arts Center. Cost is and includes supplies. CCARC Foundation in Jackson will host its 26th annual Spring... Article Link
A man, who had already lost his beloved wife to an illness that had taken her life a few months earlier, had only one child. An adorable blonde-haired, dark-eyed baby girl they had named Leslie Raynelle. Leslie was understandably the light of her dad's life. Everything he did, everything he worked for, was focused on what was best for his little daughter. But then a catastrophic day came. It was a day when the man's entire beloved hometown, where he had lived his entire life, was put in the laser focus of certain unavoidable disaster. At the last possible moment,... Article Link
he late Alvin Holmes left an indelible T mark on Alabama politics. Some of it was good, some of it not so much. In 2005, the Democratic-led Alabama Legislature passed the state's Open Meetings Act, a long-sought law by the media and then-Attorney General Troy King that was intended to break up the backroom dealings of the state's government agencies, from city hall to Montgomery. Of course, it being Alabama, the Legislature at the time exempted so-called coalitions or legislative caucuses from the law that required meetings to be "open." Holmes was an early critic of the law. "I think... Article Link
ack when my son was aboutB10 years old, he and one of his little buddies, Greg, decided the house was apparently the perfect place to play with a baseball bat. Let me be clear — we did not allow that. We did not allow ball playing in the house. We did not allow roughhousing in the house. We certainly did not allow anything involving a baseball bat in the house. They knew better. Of course, knowing better and doing better are sometimes two very different things when boys are involved. Somewhere between playing and roughhousing and doing whatever it is... Article Link
APRIL 3 Jackson Rotary Club and Interact Club will host Easter in the Park April 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. The free event will include an Easter Bunny visit, egg hunt, games and activities. Egg hunt for Grove Hill April 4 at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Grove Hill. There will be over 1,000 candy filled eggs. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be available. APRIL 4 Jackson Rotary and Interact club will present Easter in the park April 3 from 3-5 p.m. at City Hall Park in Jackson. There will be candy filled eggs, prize given for...Article Link
While making the media rounds during an apparent image-repair tour in response to his leaked comments about the Alabama Republican Party, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter repeatedly highlighted the House's conservative record. He did it in his apology letter to the Republican Party and in at least three separate media appearances. "I think our record speaks for itself. I mean, you know, since I've been speaker, Alabama has become the most conservative legislative body in the country," he declared on Alabama Public Television. "And so, we're proud of that. We're proud of the accomplishments we've had this quadrennium alone. We've already cut...Article Link
Whenever I go to New Orleans, somebody invariably says, “Be careful.” A lot of people think it's a dangerous place. I think they may have put a curse on me. It certainly was dangerous for me, but not for the reason you may be thinking. Nobody drove into the crowd I was with while I was cavorting on Bourbon Street or shot at us with a fatal pistol. Nope, I just stepped up on a curb and missed, falling flat on my face, busting my temple and spraining my wrist when I attempted to break my fall. Nothing glamorous ever...Article Link
I have had this column on my mind for quite some time. I started to write it more than once, then stopped. Finally, I decided I had toyed with it long enough. It was time to say it. Several weeks ago, I wrote a couple of political endorsements based on my personal opinions. They were my views, my words and my decision. After they were shared online, the comments started rolling in. Most were what you would expect. Some agreed. Some did not. Only two were truly ugly, but both carried the same implication — that as a woman, my...Article Link
The cardiologist at my annual appointment asked if I'd ever had a sleep study. I said no. He suggested I do and see what we learn. What I learned is that you sleep very little during a sleep study. The kindly attendant wired me from head to toe and put a large control monitor around my neck like I was about to board the space shuttle. He promised to get me tucked in by 10 p.m. but it was closer to 11. Then he woke me around 3 a.m. to do part two—the mask. I'd dreaded this part of the...Article Link
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Gary Wendell Pruitt, who left us peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 75. Born on Nov. 6, 1950, Gary lived a life filled with purpose, adventure and compassion. He resided in Jackson, where he made an indelible mark on his community as a dedicated real estate broker and the owner of Pruitt Appraisal Services and Pruitt Realty. Gary was born in Selma and grew up in Grove Hill, where he graduated from Clarke County High School in 1969. He went on to earn his Master Degree in Biology/Environmental Science...Article Link
James Lamar Reid passed away peacefully March 17, 2026, at the age of 82. He was born Dec. 4, 1943, in Grove Hill to the late William Vernon Reid and Essie Coats Reid. Reid is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn Ann Brown Reid; his son, James Lamar Reid Jr. (Debbie); and his grandchildren, Anna Challacombe (Ryan), Ethan Reid and Dalton Reid (Melissa). He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Darren Reid, and his brother, Herman Floyd Reid. He graduated from Clarke County High School in 1961, where he played basketball and baseball. He often shared...Article Link
James O. Griffin, 85, passed away on March 21, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones at his home. He was born in Walker Springs on Jan. 3, 1941, to his parents W.J. Griffin and Gladys Few Griffin. James always put God first, family second, followed by friends, hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of Tompkins Baptist Church, where he served many years as a deacon. He served on the board of directors of Washington County State Bank for several years, a position he truly loved. James is survived by his wife of 65 years, Linda Griffin; daughter, Cay...Article Link
MARCH 29 Frisco City will host its Spring Sale Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jones Park at the caboose. Tomatoes, peppers, vegetables, irises, daylilies and assorted flowers will be available. MARCH 30 White Smith Memorial Library in Jackson will offer computer classes with Rhonda beginning March 30. Contact Rhonda for details. Thomasville will host its annual Hop-NShop event March 30 through April 2. Businesses may contact the Thomasville For more info., call 334-636-1542 or email director@thomasvilleal.com Basic computer class registration is March 30 through April 2. Classes will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-10:30 a.m....Article Link
A ban on “divisive concepts” isn't enough. For a hot minute, America's biggest problem was DEI. That is, if you were a consumer of conservative media. In 2024, Alabama's Legislature set out to show the state was doing its part to combat the so-called “diversity, equity and inclusion” movement by passing a ban on divisive concepts. The measure, brought by State Sen. Will Barfoot and State Rep. Ed Oliver, prohibits eight “divisive concepts,” including topics related to race, ethnicity, sex, religion and national origin. The law took effect in October 2024. State agencies and Alabama's two flagship universities, the University...Article Link
Well, Mother Nature sure played a trick on us, didn't she? Last week, I swapped out all my summer and winter clothes, thinking winter had passed. I was proud to get that chore done. Turns out, I was too quick. We are now in what our Susie always called the Easter Snap — that last freezing spell just before Easter. At the gym, people said they saw snow flurries earlier that morning. It certainly was cold enough. Farmers are up in arms, worrying about fruit trees that may not bear this spring. Anyone who has already planted tomatoes will likely...Article Link
What started as a simple trip to Montgomery turned into four hours of brake lights, shortbread cookies and an unexpected lesson in patience. Last Thursday, my husband and I had made several work-related stops before finally making our way to Montgomery. By the time we pointed the truck toward Interstate 65, we were more than ready to get there. We were headed to the SLE Rodeo and I was doing what I usually do when we travel — riding along with my head buried in my laptop, working as we traveled. We stopped in Greenville for a late lunch, enjoyed...Article Link
Perhaps they thought no one would notice. Last week, the Alabama Senate fulfilled its constitutional obligations for the 2026 legislative session by passing a series of bills related to the state's general fund budget. The grand total when it was all said and done came to .72 billion. As of late, this is an unremarkable feat given Republicans' consolidation of power, which includes a hold on the governor's office and supermajorities in both chambers of the Alabama State House. Throughout Kay Ivey's tenure, the governor has presented her proposed budgets with no expectation of significant changes. At some point in the...Article Link
Where I grew up, the term “hijacking” usually referred to the disappearance of a fresh load of moonshine on its way to market. Hijacking occurs when something, or even some process, is taken over without the consent and, at times, even the knowledge of the rightful owner. Hijacking, like classic high-seas piracy, is one of the most direct and forceful means of stealing something from someone. Well, folks, I've recently come to realize you can hijack a whole lot more than moonshine in the South. A bunch of hijackers from California, and even China, have come to recognize our home,...Article Link
Spring has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I love seeing the flowers bloom, the leaves turn green and even the grass begin to come back to life after a long winter. There is just something about this time of year that makes everything feel fresh again. The days get a little warmer. The sunlight stays a little longer. The world that looked gray and tired a few weeks ago suddenly begins to show signs of life. As I was driving to Grove Hill Wednesday, I began to notice the dogwoods and azaleas blooming along the roads...Article Link
A full sit-down dining experience awaits those who visit the new Jay G's restaurant in Grove Hill. The eatery, co-owned by Probate Judge Valerie Davis and her husband Tommy, officially opened on March 10. Mayor Ross Wood called the restaurant “one of the most anticipated additions to town.” “People are looking for a place that they can go on a weekend day, sit down with their family, look at a menu, order and have the server take care of them,” Wood said. “We're excited to have Jay G's coming in as a sit-down eatery.” The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch...Article Link
The 2026 state races have officially begun. Qualifying ended Jan. 23, and it will now be less than a three-month sprint to the finish line. The May 19 Republican primary will essentially be election day, because winning the GOP primary is often tantamount to election in the Heart of Dixie. The governor's race will likely not be one of the more competitive contests. Coach Tommy Tuberville appears headed for a relatively easy path to the governor's office. He has been running for more than a year and has about million in the bank. Tuberville is recognized as one of the...Article Link
This is my first post of the season from the table on my upstairs front porch. I hear the birds singing. I walked around the yard this morning and saw some of my favorite plants starting to bud out. I was afraid some of them might have become victims of the deep freezing cold we had this winter, but they survived. Spring is really arriving. I wore shorts and a T-shirt a couple of days last week. I decided to begin changing out my summer and winter clothes. I store whichever ones are out of season in my upstairs bathroom closet....Article Link
Back when I was a kid, most children spent their time outside playing. That was just how childhood worked in those days. There were no computers, and sitting inside watching television was rarely allowed — especially on days when my mom had just mopped and waxed the floors. One afternoon when I was about 10 or 11 years old, that reality led to an adventure I have never forgotten. A neighbor near our house had about 40 to 50 acres of land. Back in the woods was a trail we proudly called the bicycle trail. It stretched about a quarter...Article Link
For the last 40 years, Alabama's power structure has grappled with accusations that party crashers are interfering with the state's primary elections. For most of its history, Alabama has been a one-party state, first under the Democratic Party banner and for the last decade and a half under the GOP banner. The 1980s marked a transition. Republicans were gaining ground. In 1986, then-Attorney General Charles Graddick won a heated Democratic runoff against then-Lt. Gov. Bill Baxley by nearly 10,000 votes. The Alabama Democratic Party invalidated the outcome, claiming Graddick had violated party rules by encouraging Republicans to vote in the...Article Link
I am just starting a new book. It's called The Gentle Swedish Art of Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson. A friend recommended it to me. Well, actually, she recommended another book by the same author — one on aging gracefully. It was a humorous book, which I enjoyed very much. She was too tactful to mention how much stuff I have and that I probably would disregard the death cleaning book anyway. When I said how much I enjoyed the book on aging, she mentioned that the death cleaning book was much funnier. That made me sign up for it...Article Link
Have you ever stopped to think about just how important your tax dollars are to your local community? Have you considered how far those dollars stretch and what they actually provide? Without your tax dollars, there would be no fire department to respond if your home caught fire. Without your tax dollars, there would be no police department to answer a call for help. Roads would not be paved. Potholes would not be repaired. Public services we often take for granted would simply not exist. It is easy to sit behind a desk and order clothes, groceries and just about...Article Link
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