Gov. Ivey signs “FOCUS Act” preventing use of cell phones in Alabama public schools
Special to the News Gov. Kay Ivey has signed the FOCUS Act, prohibiting students’ use of smart phones and other wireless devices inside Alabama’s public schools. Flanked by middle school students, Ivey signed the FOCUS Act into law Wednesday morning in her office. “In my state of the state address, I repeated the requests of Alabama…
Read MoreRockford approves ordinances, other matters
By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer The Town of Rockford is continuing its efforts to clean up and update town ordinances, having recently considered and approved multiple ordinances. During its March meeting, two ordinances were introduced for consideration only. Those were ordinances R-MISC-2025-04-01 and R-ELE-2025-04-01. After being introduced at the March meeting, the…
Read MoreCentral students enjoy visit to Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Special to the News The Central High School English and Theatre departments collaborated to provide more than 40 students with the opportunity to attend a live performance of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival last week. “Hamlet” is part of the senior curriculum, but various Shakespeare works are read at all grade levels. The performance provided a rare opportunity for…
Read MoreAnniston woman, man arrested on drug charges
Connie Hargrove Adrian Geeting By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer Two individuals from Anniston were arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop. On May 5, deputies Moeser and Payton were on route patrol on U.S. Highway 231 when they observed a vehicle swerving continuously. After following the vehicle for a…
Read MoreWestwater Resources receives letter of interest from US EXIM Bank for Kellyton Graphite Plant
Special to the News On Wednesday Westwater Resources Inc., an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company, announced that it has received a letter of interest from US EXIM Bank for its Kellyton Graphite Plant, under the “Make More in America Initiative” and the “China and Transformational Export Program.” The letter of interest…
Read MoreGoodwater man arrested following pursuit
Dequan Oneal Patterson By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer A pursuit ended with the arrest of a Goodwater man Sunday. On May 4, the Goodwater Police Department was responding to a call on County Road 122. Deputy Dawson heard the call and responded to back up the Goodwater police officer. Just before arriving…
Read MoreRockford man arrested for resisting arrest, more
Justin Cole Powell By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer A Rockford man was arrested on four charges last month, including resisting arrest, following a response to an emergency call. Chief Deputy Scott Hammond reported that on April 11, Deputy Payton responded to a call of shots fired on County Road 59 in Rockford.…
Read MoreRockford Council audio – March and April, 2025
Audio of the Rockford Town Council’s March 18 meeting: Audio of the Rockford Town Council’s April 15 meeting: To read the article covering these meetings, click here.
Read MoreRockford man arrested for making false 911 calls
John Presley By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer A Rockford man was arrested last month on charges related to placing unfounded 911 calls. Chief Deputy Scott Hammond reported that on April 3 the Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a 911 call from Rockwood Apartments. Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Payton met with John…
Read MoreSheriff’s Office makes warrant, probation arrests
By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer The Sheriff’s Office has made another round of arrests for probation violations and warrants. On May 2, 27-year-old Courtney Rachelle Cook of Dothan was picked up from the Dothan Police Department and arrested for two counts of probation violation and failure to appear for first-degree theft…
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