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Area News

Camp Hill man dies in crash near Dadeville

Special to the News   A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday, June 20, has claimed the life of a Camp Hill man. Justin L. Willbanks, 33, was fatally injured when the 2003 Ford Explorer he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. Willbanks was pronounced deceased at the scene.…

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June 15-21, 2026

Jail population as of June 21: 32 inmates Males: 24 Females: 8   ARRESTS On June 15, Sgt. Ward arrested Julius Torode Floyd, a citizen of Rockford, on the charges of Unlawful Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance 2nd Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance x6, Possession of Marijuana 2nd, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 1st.…

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Trespasser at Ventress leads to two contraband arrests

Special to the News   Last Friday, June 19, a trespasser was reported at Ventress Correctional Facility. ADOC K-9 was notified and responded to the area, and the suspect was discovered with a black backpack. He was taken into custody without incident and identified as Horace Henry Ellis Jr. The investigation led to the traffic…

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Primary runoff sees low turnout statewide

Polling Location # Ballots Cast Voter Turnout Cottage Grove 29 9.67% Equality 141 23.82% Goodwater 116 9.01% Hanover 57 17.22% Kellyton 129 11.45% Marble Valley 44 15.02% Mt. Olive 36 10.11% Ray 58 8.92% Richville 77 16.92% Rockford 136 15.63% Stewartville 147 11.41% Weogufka 84 14.00% Total 1071 13.14%   By Christa Jennings Senior Staff…

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Central Elementary recognizes student excellence in Awards Program

  Special to the News   Central Elementary invited families to their annual End of Year Awards Program to celebrate their student’s achievements. Central Elementary School counselor, Aniyah Thomas, presented medals to students for all year, all A Honor Roll and certificates for all year, A/B Honor Roll students, and medals for students with perfect attendance for the year. Teachers presented Accelerated Reader (AR) awards, as…

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Digging up fun at Goodwater’s Summer Reading Program

  Special to the News Area youth are having a grand time enjoying Goodwater Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. On Tuesday Samantha Godsy, Horseshoe Bend Regional Library director, came to the local library and presented the Summer Reading Program. She read to participating youth about dinosaurs. Children then also joined in dancing like dinosaurs and…

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Coosa County ranks first in Alabama for wage increases, study finds

  Coosa County recorded Alabama’s largest wage increase, with average weekly wages rising by $203 from Q4 2024 to Q4 2025   Special to the News   A new study by DPHK Consulting has identified Coosa County as the Alabama county with the largest wage increase, after its average weekly wage rose by $203 from fourth quarter 2024 to fourth quarter 2025. The business services firm reviewed “County Employment…

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Happy 105th birthday, Irene Beasley!

  By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer   A rare milestone will be reached on Tuesday as Coosa County’s own Irene Beasley will celebrate her 105th birthday. Born on June 23, 1921, Ms. Beasley will be celebrating 10-and-a-half decades of life in Coosa County. One of nine children, Beasley was born on June 23, 1921,…

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Chlora K. May 5K Challenge winners

Special to the News   The winners of the Chlora K. May 5K Challenge held recently are first place Isaiah Stamps, second place Micah Stamps and third place Shamaria Borden, posed near the Sponsors Banner. The J. D. Thompson Alumni members would like to thank all the Fun Run Walk-A-Thon participants, sponsors and volunteers for supporting…

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Green thumb pays off

Mr. Levi Leonard of Coosa County is enjoying the fruits of his labor this gardening season. At 94 years old, Leonard continues to plant and looks forward to reaping what he sows with a bountiful garden. He is pictured here with a head of cabbage that his garden produced this year. Leonard has spent decades…

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