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When President Donald Trump endorsed Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl for lieutenant governor on January 22, it shook up Alabama politics in a profound way, perhaps more than we realized. Aside from shaking up the lieutenant gubernatorial field by endorsing a previously unannounced candidate, he almost immediately created a vacancy at the top of the Alabama Republican Party. The next day, Wahl qualified with his own party as a candidate for lieutenant governor and resigned the post he had held for nearly five years. By rule, Vice Chairwoman Joan Reynolds assumed the role of interim chairwoman. She, along with...Article Link
When President Donald Trump endorsed Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl for lieutenant governor on January 22, it shook up Alabama politics in a profound way, perhaps more than we realized. Aside from shaking up the lieutenant gubernatorial field by endorsing a previously unannounced candidate, he almost immediately created a vacancy at the top of the Alabama Republican Party. The next day, Wahl qualified with his own party as a candidate for lieutenant governor and resigned the post he had held for nearly five years. By rule, Vice Chairwoman Joan Reynolds assumed the role of interim chairwoman. She, along with...Article Link
I am a bit perplexed because I can't get into my Yahoo account. I recently switched internet providers after the one I had kept going up in price while giving me very poor coverage. My television provider offered a new deal at a greatly reduced price, which I gladly took. Everybody had been raving about Starlink and how good it was. Word of mouth is the best recommendation for me, so I was eager to get started. It turned out to be more complicated than I expected. My Dish Network provider came to install the Starlink equipment free of charge....Article Link
I am a bit perplexed because I can't get into my Yahoo account. I recently switched internet providers after the one I had kept going up in price while giving me very poor coverage. My television provider offered a new deal at a greatly reduced price, which I gladly took. Everybody had been raving about Starlink and how good it was. Word of mouth is the best recommendation for me, so I was eager to get started. It turned out to be more complicated than I expected. My Dish Network provider came to install the Starlink equipment free of charge....Article Link
(This column reflects the personal views of the author.) I want to start by saying I've known Sen. Jack Williams for a long time — long enough to have known his father before I ever knew him. Growing up, my parents always had cows, horses and hogs. Like so many families in our area, we bought our feed from Williams Feed Store. I spent many days there as a child, playing around on the feed sacks while my dad loaded up supplies. Long before politics ever entered the picture, the Williams name was tied to agriculture, hard work and serving...Article Link
(This column reflects the personal views of the author.) I want to start by saying I've known Sen. Jack Williams for a long time — long enough to have known his father before I ever knew him. Growing up, my parents always had cows, horses and hogs. Like so many families in our area, we bought our feed from Williams Feed Store. I spent many days there as a child, playing around on the feed sacks while my dad loaded up supplies. Long before politics ever entered the picture, the Williams name was tied to agriculture, hard work and serving...Article Link
GROVE HILL — Community leaders, educators, students and residents gathered on Feb. 13 at Grove Hill Town Hall to celebrate the completion and unveiling of a tiny home built by Jobs for Alabama's Graduates students at Clarke County High School. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by Rebuilding Together of South Alabama, recognized the months of hands-on work by JAG students, the partnerships that made the project possible and, most importantly, presented the home to its new owner, Jennifer Brooks Argo of Winn. Receiving the Jackson house is Kenneth Pritchett of Jackson. The event marked the culmination of a project that blended...Article Link
GROVE HILL — Community leaders, educators, students and residents gathered on Feb. 13 at Grove Hill Town Hall to celebrate the completion and unveiling of a tiny home built by Jobs for Alabama's Graduates students at Clarke County High School. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by Rebuilding Together of South Alabama, recognized the months of hands-on work by JAG students, the partnerships that made the project possible and, most importantly, presented the home to its new owner, Jennifer Brooks Argo of Winn. Receiving the Jackson house is Kenneth Pritchett of Jackson. The event marked the culmination of a project that blended...Article Link
By the time you read this there will hopefully be good news about Nancy Guthrie. Our nation has prayed for her, her famous daughter, Savannah, and her family. The abduction of this beautiful, charming 84-year-old woman is alarming and very concerning to us all. Nancy Guthrie is known as a sweet, beautiful church going lady. Millions of us have been introduced to her via national television. We feel like we know her and Savannah as they have been welcomed into our homes via television for many years. We have asked the question, “Why would someone do this to such a...Article Link
This is the week for Valentine's Day. I have a message for any of you out there who don't have a prospect of a Valentine this year — be your own Valentine! Haven't we all heard it said that you have to love yourself first? A lot of people would say that's just being selfish but I don't believe it. I think you can only give from an overflowing cup. You can't just sit around feeling sorry for yourself on the love holiday. Just spend a minute thinking about what would make you happy if somebody gave you a token...Article Link
We've all heard the phrases — through the eyes of a child, the words of a child, the faith of a child. There is a lot of meaning behind those sayings, but I didn't fully understand it until one day when my daughter said something that felt like a gut punch. She was about 10 years old. We were riding in the car on our way to my mom's house, talking like we always did — just general conversation. Out of the blue, she said, “Mom, you know how we can lose five pounds?” I said, “No, how?” In my...Article Link
You remember hearing and seeing the popular phrase, WWJD? “What Would Jesus Do.” If you do, very likely you also remember often seeing the mocking curl of the lip of someone in the vicinity. That sentence showed up everywhere and soon became trite and overused, and almost guaranteed to irritate anyone nearby. I can even remember hearing certain people as they would laugh and say, “WWJD … oh yeah, sure, me too. And I can give you a few ideas for your WWJD. But you probably ain't gonna appreciate 'em.” Remember the wrist bands? The T-shirts, license plates, coffee cups,...Article Link
Mother Nature has played quite a trick on us, hasn't she? It is colder here than it has been in quite some time. I am wearing a lot of clothes today. I am just thankful that I have cold-weather clothes to put on. I am wearing a pair of heavy jeans, a turtleneck shirt, a heavy cotton sweater and a Sherpa-lined jacket. I also have on thick socks and high-top tennis shoes. I always wear my Ugg boots and a fleecy zip-up robe when I get out of bed in the morning, so I keep them handy. I have mini-split heating...Article Link
Have you ever had something hit you completely out of the blue — something so unexpected it knocks you flat off your feet and turns your world upside down? That is exactly what happened to me on Jan. 21, around 3 a.m. I woke up with stomach pains. I thought it was maybe a virus. Within minutes, those pains escalated into something far more severe — something terrifying. I was on the floor unable to get up screaming for help. Thank God for a quick-thinking husband. Willie wanted to call an ambulance immediately. I did not. I was being stubborn...Article Link
From left are participants in the 2026 Jerry Chastain Sr. Memorial Hunt. On the back row are Scott Phillips, Brady Baird, Will O'Gwynn, Champ Bowling, Steven Horn, Stick Outlaw, Steven Feather and Bailey Rohkol; on the second row are William Johnson, Jerry Chastain Jr., Roxanne Chastain, Reed Johnson, Ashley O'Gwynn, Heather Horn, Kathy McMillan, Ross Messinger, Matt Spencer, Audrey Spencer, Adrianna Spencer, Luke Spencer and Scott Estes; and on front row are Lindsay Johnson, Emma Clare Johnson, Grayson Phillips, Seth Horn, Caleb Feather and Mac Stewart.Article Link
JACKSON— For Jerry Chastain Jr., the annual hunt named for his father isn't just about harvesting deer and hogs, it's about honoring his legacy and bringing joy to children with disabilities and their families. The Jerry Chastain Sr. Memorial Hunt, hosted by the Salt Creek Outdoor Foundation on Jan. 16-17, gave disabled children and their families a weekend of hunting in Clarke County. The event, which provides lodging and family-style meals at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, has grown into a tradition that draws hunters from Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi and Virginia. “My dad started this hunt around 30...Article Link
FULTON — Fulton Fire- Rescue recently recognized several members for their service and achievements. Brandon Martin was named Firefighter of the Year and Domontae Perkins received the Most Improved award. A special plaque was presented to Karen Allday in honor of Morris Allday, whose longtime call number, 505, was permanently retired. Allday served the department for 47 years. Department officials thanked the Allday family for sharing him with Fulton Fire-Rescue for nearly five decades, noting the department would not be where it is today without his vision and dedication.Article Link
Clarke County High School's Tamia Turner will represent Clarke- Washington EMC at Montgomery Youth Tour in March and receive a 0 scholarship.Article Link
Guest speaker state Rep. Anthony Daniels encouraged community members to remain engaged and active regardless of political outcomes during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Clarke County Chapter of the Alabama Democratic Conference on Jan. 17. “You don't have to be an elected servant to be a voice for your community,” he told the gathering at the H.W. Pearce Memorial Park Assembly House in Jackson. The theme of the breakfast was “Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365,” honoring the enduring legacy of King and his commitment to peaceful activism and...Article Link
As of 5 p.m. last Friday, qualifying ended for Alabama's May 19 Republican and Democratic Party primary election, meaning that, except for possible disqualifications, the fields are set. Apart from the gubernatorial election at the top of the GOP ballot, there is heightened uncertainty about who will represent their respective ballots in the November 3 statewide general election. While it may seem early in the campaign cycle, polling shows that in political races nearing the 100-day milestone, there are still many undecided voters up for grabs. Even with the holidays in the rear-view mirror, likely Alabama primary voters have yet to...Article Link
A mirror has a tough job: To show you how fit, skinny or fat your body is. Your clothes have a tougher job, to make your body look good. Your body that is fit, skinny or … well, no need, you already have yourself categorized. A washing machine's job is to clean those dirty clothes you've had on your fit, skinny or fat body. The water in your shower or bath is to remove the dirt from your fat, skinny or fit body. A mirror reflects the truth of our usually pretty sad situation. Clothes help us cover up that…...Article Link
Have you ever laid outside on a blanket or the hood of your car and watched the clouds drift by? I remember doing that as a child, staring up at the sky and letting my imagination run wild. Later, I found myself doing the same thing with my own children and grandchildren, turning it into a game of “What do you see?” I loved how one cloud could look like a poodle, another like a man rolling a bowling ball, or even an angel stretching across the sky. Of course, I knew they weren't really those things. But if you...Article Link
Donald Moore Sr., left, asked the Clarke County Commission Tuesday to name a highway in memory of his brother, former Sheriff Bobby Moore. Emma Perryman, right, of the Drug Education Council thanked commissioners for their support and gave each one a box of Narcan, a nasal spray used to immediately reverse opioid overdoses or exposure.Article Link
The Thomasville Public Library has announced events. A Share the Love craft swap event is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 5 p.m., a seminar with James Spann on hurricane season preparedness is planned for Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. and St. Patrick's Day adult bingo will be March 17 at 5 p.m. Space is limited. To preregister, call (334) 636-5343.Article Link
More than 2,000 in state and federal grant funding has been awarded to child advocacy organizations serving Mobile, Washington and Clarke counties. The funding is part of a .26 million package announced by Gov. Kay Ivey to support services for child abuse victims statewide The Family Counseling Center of Mobile Inc. will receive 5,479 for its programs in Mobile County and the Regional Child Advocacy Center will receive ,020 for a program serving Choctaw, Clarke and Washington counties.Article Link
GROVE HILL - Since the law requires two employees of the Clarke County License Commissioner's office who have announced their candidacy for the position to take a leave of absence, the county commission on Tuesday decided to hire one person to fill in until after the Nov. 3 election. Democrat Valencia “Val” Coats and Republican Sheramie Larrimore will face off in November. County personnel manager Angie Lewis said whoever loses the race could go back to the clerk's position and added hiring two people now could overstaff the office. The commission will hire one person and review the situation later...Article Link
Jackson High School senior Zymiria Powell finished in the top eight of the Alabama Distinguished Young Women State Program last weekend in Montgomery. Powell, 18, has received 0,850 in scholarship money and is the first Clarke County DYW to place in the top eight at the state level since 2010. In Montgomery, Powell earned approximately ,900 in cash scholarships along with more than 0,000 in school-specific scholarships. Among her college offers are a ,000 Founder's Merit Scholarship from the University of Mobile; a Leadership and West Alabama Region Scholarship from the University of West Alabama worth ,500 per year for...Article Link
Mrs. Rhonda, As a longtime subscriber to the Call News, after reading your article of Jan. 7, l just had to respond. You spoke words that so many times l've asked the same question. When I was a girl of 13 or so, my precious Mom always went with my sister and me clothes shopping. Being raised as l was, it was unthinkable that l ever considered buying anything that wouldn't “cut the mustard” and pass my dear Daddy's approval. Once a friend and l went with my Mom to work in Chickasaw and at the age of 15, I...Article Link
The Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise has been voted a dubious honor: “America's Ugliest Public Art Piece.” Rivers Art, which is described in a press release as “a premium fine-art printing provider,” asked 2,000 Americans their opinion on the subject and Alabama's unusual monument topped the list. “Topping the list is the Boll Weevil Monument, a piece that confuses more than it inspires,” the release said. “At first glance, this looks like a graceful neoclassical statue of a woman in flowing robes. Then you notice what she's holding above her head — a massive insect. The combination of an elegant...Article Link
It is apparent the Alabama Legislature's regular session will be short and sweet. That is par for the course in an election year, when all 105 House seats and all 35 Senate seats are up for election. Therefore, it is an inherent historical reality that nothing consequential or controversial is addressed in a quadrennium ending election year. However, the Legislature is constitutionally required to enact two budgets — the Special Education Trust Fund Budget, which encompasses two-thirds of Alabama's tax revenues, and the General Fund Budget, which has one-third of all revenues. Even though crafting the state's budgets is difficult...Article Link
Have you ever cooked something so bad that you couldn't even eat it yourself but your spouse ate it anyway and never said a word? That happened to me once and I'll never forget it. Willie and I hadn't been married very long and I was feeling pretty confident in the kitchen. One night, I decided to try something different from my usual peas and cornbread. I mixed together a concoction of tomatoes, macaroni, cheese and pork chops. Yes, all together. Completely wrong idea. When Willie came in for supper, I said, “I've got good news. I've come up with...Article Link
Rosalyn Sales, the director of economic development for the Clarke-Mobile Gas District, died suddenly on Jan. 6 at a conference promoting the local area to the timber industry. Sales, 61, a prominent economic developer for Clarke and Washington counties, was found dead in her room at Gulf State Park Lodge in Gulf Shores during the Alabama Forestry Association seminar. A welfare check was made when she didn't come to breakfast or programs the morning of Jan. 6. No foul play is suspected. Sales had been the economic developer for the natural gas utility since 2020. The utility is owned by...Article Link
MONTGOMERY (Jan. 2, 2026) The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) continues to accept entries for the 14th annual Big Buck Photo Contest. The contest began in November and runs through the end of Alabama's deer season. The winner will be determined by online voting, which concludes on Feb. 13, at 11:59 p.m. “We love having the photos shared with us every year in the Big Buck Photo Contest,” said ALBBAA Director Pam Swanner said. “The contest showcases what we all know to be true, that Alabama's Black Belt remains one of the best places in America to bag a...Article Link
GROVE HILL - Clarke County High School will honor the legacy of one of its most influential educators and coaches with a gym dedication ceremony recognizing Coach Earl Horn Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. in the CCHS basketball gymnasium. Coach Horn dedicated decades of service to Clarke County High School, where he made a lasting impact as a coach, mentor and role model to countless student-athletes. Known for his leadership, discipline and commitment to excellence, Horn's influence extended far beyond the basketball court and into the lives of many students he guided throughout his career. The dedication ceremony will...Article Link
Rebuilding Together of South Alabama, The Daniel Foundation, and The People's Justice Foundation are joining forces to offer free home renovation training to homeowners and volunteers at White Smith Memorial Library on Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This training is part of the WERISE (weatherize every residence in the south east) initiative and works to teach homeowners easy and affordable energy efficiency updates that can be completed on their home to reduce energy costs. The training will be classroom style with a working lunch and an afternoon hands-on opportunity. Techniques shared will cover using caulk, spray...Article Link
In recognition of a life dedicated to serving others especially the children of Clarke, Washington and Choctaw counties, the Regional Child Advocacy Center, Inc. Board of Directors has established the “Eddie Slayton Memorial Award.” The award is named for the late Eddie Slayton, a longtime member of the agency's board of directors and a dedicated advocate for children. This annual award is given to an individual who has benefitted children in this three-county region above and beyond their job duties or has been exemplary in their volunteer service for children. The award is bestowed upon the nominee at the organization's...Article Link
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