2025 Holiday Deadlines: MvT will be closed for Good Friday, April 18 and early deadline is Thursday, April 14. MvT will be closed for Memorial Day Mon., May 26. MvT will be closed Fri., July 4th and deadline is Thurs., July 3. MvT will be closed for Labor Day. Deadline is Fri., Nov. 21 for the Thanksgiving edition. We have to submit the paper early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. MvT will be closed Nov. 24-30. Santa Letter deadline is by Fri., Dec. 5th. Deadline for the Christmas/Santa letter special edition for ads is Fri., Dec. 12. Deadline for BOTH the Dec. 24th and 31st editions is Thurs., Dec. 18. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. MvT will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 1 for the holidays.
Hale County Animal Shelter Pets of the week
Beautiful Turkey is filling in today for Libby. Laurie Nevin, Hale County Animal Shelter, 334-624-8120. It’s puppy season! The shelter could really use Purina Puppy Chow or wet puppy food!
Church & Community Events
Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium Launches Black Girls Defense Fund to Combat Dehumanization and Support Protection of Black Girls Mini-grants
Selma, AL (March 20, 2025) — The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (SBGWC) announces the opening of its Black Girls Defense Fund: Resistance and Resilience Grant Application, providing financial support to organizations fighting against dehumanization and protecting the fundamental rights of Black girls and women in the South. With grants of up to $2,000, this funding opportunity is designed to strengthen community-led efforts addressing the unique challenges Black girls face that include adultification, dehumanization, and violence. Black girls are in need of legal support, protection, and advocacy in a world that robs them of their innocence as children. These mini-grants serve as catalysts for change, infusing resources into advocacy efforts where they’re needed most. They honor the powerful work Black women-led organizations are already doing while providing support that helps sustain their essential work during a time of increasing challenges. In an environment where funding for issues impacting Black girls and women is becoming increasingly restricted, even modest investments can make a significant difference. These mini-grants fill important gaps in resources, helping community leaders maintain momentum and address immediate needs while they pursue longer-term support. When we strategically deploy funds to grassroots organizations already deeply embedded in their communities, we help ensure that vital advocacy efforts for Black girls’ safety and wellbeing can continue uninterrupted. The application period runs until April 10, 2025. Eligible organizations must be working to support Black girls, women or femme identifying youth and operate in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, or Texas. Applicants must either hold 501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored by another nonprofit organization. For more information and to apply visit www.southernblackgirls.org/bgdefensefund. Since its founding in 2017, SBGWC’s work has been driven by the urgent need to counter narratives and systems that dehumanize Black girls and deny them protection, care, and opportunity. The Consortium is committed to addressing the significant philanthropic gap affecting Black-led organizations while building protective frameworks for Black girls’ wellbeing and advancement.
West Alabama Regional Commission Board of Directors Meeting
There will be a regularly scheduled meeting of the West Alabama Regional Commission Board of Directors on March 27, at 11:45 a.m. Presiding will be Fayette Mayor and Chair of the Board of Directors of the West Alabama Regional Commission, the Honorable Rod Northam. The meeting is open to the public. If you plan to attend, please call to reserve a seat no later than 10 a.m. on March 24. In-person attendance will be by appointment only due to limited seating availability. Anyone requiring special assistance should contact the West Alabama Regional Commission office at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Should you have any questions, need additional information or special assistance, please call (205) 333-2990, Ext. 202.
West Alabama Senior Citizens Appreciation Day 2025
Since 1987, the Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama has recognized senior citizens for their contributions to society by hosting an annual Senior Citizens Appreciation Day. We are excited to present this event at the Bryant Conference Center this year to celebrate older adults that are active participants who make positive impacts in their communities and the lives of others. This year’s theme is: “Flip the Script on Aging” The celebration will be held in the Bryant Conference Center at 240 Paul W Bryant Dr in Tuscaloosa on Thurs., May 8, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 pm. The day will be filled with games, prizes, exhibits, free lunch and entertainment. All senior adults residing in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa counties are encouraged to join us for a day of fun and fellowhips. Anyone age 60 and older may attend at no charge. Groups are asked to register in advance. For additional information and group registration please call the Area Agency on Aging at 333-2990 or 1-800-AGELINE if outside of Tuscaloosa county.
Annual Women in Ag Conference
Please join us for the 3rd Annual Women in Ag Conference, Fri., April 4 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. We will discuss Land Retention, starting a National Women in Ag Chapter, this year’s honorarium and more at New Generation Church and Fellowship Hall, 119 Louis Barnett, Jr., St., Eutaw. For more information call 205-652-9676. Register on Facebook @ Alabama State association of cooperatives or www.alabamastateassociation.coop.
Agricultural Outlook Meeting
Join Sumter County-Alabama Extension on April 15 at 12-2 p.m. at the Alfa Environmental Training Center for a free Agricultural Outlook Meeting. Presenters will Max Runge, Agricultural Economics Extension Professor and Ken Kelly, Farm & Agribusiness Extension Agent. Please RSVP by April 11 to Court Green-Johnson at 205-659-6796, or [email protected].
March’s Grow More, Give More Harvest of the Month is Asparagus
Find growing instructions as well as yummy recipes that use asparagus at www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/march-grow-more-give-more-harvest-of-the-month
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
This training is for growers interested in accepting Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Cards (senior dollar) at farmers markets or farm stands. The training will be held Tues., March 18, from 2-3 p.m. at the BMC Wellness Center, 285 Hospital Drive, Centreville. Registeration is free, but please register by calling Bibb County Extension at 205-926-4310 or go online to https://tinyurl.com/bd5kkkck
ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Hosts 2025 Spring Boating Basics and License Course at Locations Across the State
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division is gearing up for another season of Boating Basics and License Courses offered at locations across the state. Each year, the Agency offers free hands-on classes that allow interaction with local ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers and important information on issues within the local bodies of waters that citizens in the area may visit frequently. Citizens who complete the Boating Basics course will receive a certificate in the mail after Troopers submit the individual’s information to the Agency’s Driver License Division. The Driver License Division will then add the vessel class to their Alabama Driver License. Please note that it may take up to 10 business days before the customer can go online to alabamadl.alea.gov or visit their nearest county probate office to purchase their updated Alabama Driver License. Children 12 years old or older are eligible for a vessel operator’s license, however, they will not be able to operate alone until the age of 14. Akron: March 27 – 28, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Akron Fire Department, 181 1st Street S., Akron, Contact: Sr. Trooper Jeromy Johnson – [email protected]. Greensboro: April 17 – 18, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Greensboro Fire Dept., 554 Armory St., Greensboro, Sr. Trooper Jeromy Johnson – [email protected]. Carrollton: March 22, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, 188 Cemetary St., Carrollton, Sr. Trooper Ryan Wise – [email protected]. For more information, or to enroll in a class, please contact the Marine Patrol Instructor via the email provided on the schedule. A one-time application fee will be charged. There will be a issuance fee for the license.
Timberland Owners Learn About Minerals Under Their Land at Ala. Forestry Meeting
Dane VanDervoort, a geologist with the Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA), will be speaking about Alabama’s abundant geological resources at the Annual Meeting of the Alabama Forest Owners’ Association in Tuscaloosa on April 23rd. VanDervoort will give an update on the mineral resources of the state, and help landowners understand whether they should be considering minerals as an aspect of ownership of their forestland. Alabama’s rich mineral resources include coal, oil, natural gas as well as limestone and marble. Many Alabama cities owe their origins to minerals located in their region of the state. Moreover, the family histories of countless people in Alabama are intertwined with the production of minerals. Timberland owners work hard to keep up with the latest information about timber management, but few are knowledgeable about mineral resources. This meeting will give Alabama landowners an opportunity to be informed about the possibility of mineral resources under their land. At GSA, VanDervoort serves as the Manager of the Geologic Investigations Program’s Minerals Section where his work primarily focuses on Alabama’s critical and nonfuel mineral resources. A Georgia native, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Science from Auburn University. The Alabama Forest Owners’ Association is a non-profit, self-supporting association, dedicated to providing management and ownership assistance to current and future owners of forest land. Forests cover 71 percent of Alabama. They produce clean water, clean air, diverse wildlife habitat, and raw materials for thousands of jobs. Alabamians are fortunate that most forestland in our state is owned by individuals and families.
Learning from the Ancestors: Historical Influences on Contemporary Native Art
From Feb. 3-May 31, the Jones Archaeological Museum at Moundville Archaeological Park will feature a temporary exhibit focusing on Moundville and Mississippian influences on contemporary Native American artists. Learning from the Ancestors: Historical Influences on Contemporary Native Art emphasizes the re-centering of museums from tribal perspectives by connecting the past to the present. This Collaborative Arts and Museums Project is sponsored by a grant from the Collaborative Arts and Research Initiative. It is organized by Dr. Ted Clay Nelson, Director of Moundville Archaeological Park, Dr. Mairin Odle, Associate Professor of American Studies, and Mr. Brent Greenwood, Director of Fine Arts for Chickasaw Nation. This temporary exhibition is a collaborative effort between Jones Archaeological Museum staff, University of Alabama faculty, students, and Native artists. It will be focusing on Tribal Nations from the Southeastern United States and Artists primarily from Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Artist demonstrations and Meet and Greet opportunities will be scheduled throughout the run of the exhibit.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling to cope emotionally this holiday season, reach out. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Visit 988lifeline.org for more.
Join Us for the At Home Beekeeping Series!
Calling all beekeepers! Our online series is back, offering educational information and updates on timely beekeeping topics. Attend meetings from the comfort of your home using your computer or mobile device. Each session includes a Q&A segment for all your beekeeping questions. For more information, visit: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/bees-pollinators/at-home-beekeeping-series/ Dates and Topics: 2025 Dates and Topics: March 25 Colony Losses in the United States of America, Geoff Williams, Auburn University; April 29 Honeybee Nest Architecture, Michael Smith, Auburn University. Recordings from this series are available for only two weeks after each session on the Lawrence County Alabama Extension Office Facebook page. For more information on the “At Home Beekeeping Series,” contact Allyson Shabel at [email protected].
School Events
SSCC Workforce Development to Offer Free Summer Camps
Shelton State Community College (SSCC) Workforce Development will offer free summer camps through its Skills for Success Program. With various options available throughout the summer, the camps are available to individuals ages 16 and up unless otherwise noted. Interested students must have a driver’s license or form of ID to verify date of birth. Class sizes are limited, and early registration is encouraged. The available camps are listed below. June 9 – 13: Healthcare; June 9-10: Community Health Worker (Ages 18+); June 11-12: Mental Health Worker (Ages 18+); June 13: Customer Service; June 23 – 27: Building Trades 1; June 23-24: Fiber Optics Technician & Installer; June 25-26: Carpentry Helper; June 27: Customer Service; July 7 – 11: Hospitality; July 7: Food and Beverage; July 8: Hotel Operations; July 9: Customer Service; July 10: Food and Beverage; July 11: Hotel Operations; July 21 – 25: Building Trades 2; uly 21-22: Electrical Helper; July 23: Asphalt Roller Operator; July 24: Land Survey Technician; July 25: Customer Service. Students may register by emailing Emily Wyatt at [email protected].
UA Spring Commencement Dates Announced
UA will hold spring commencement with eight ceremonies May 2-4 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.
SSCC Terrific Tuesday Concert Series
Shelton State Community College’s 2024-2025 Terrific Tuesday Concert Series continues this spring with a performance on the Martin Campus. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. All performances will be at 1 p.m. in the Alabama Power Hall unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Upcoming performances and artists include the following: April 1 Faculty from the Mississippi University for Women; April 8 Jameson Moore | Saxophone | SSCC Student Recital; April 15 SSCC Jazz Combo | *Martin Atrium; April 22 Honors Musicale. For more information, contact Lillian Wesley at 205.391.2399 or [email protected].
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Success By 6 of United Way of West Alabama is proud to provide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books FREE to children ages birth to 5 years old in Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa counties. Once a month, your child will receive a new book by mail. You only need to do two things: register your child and pledge to read the books to him/her. Please, climb on board Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Since UWWA launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library: 13,467 children have participated in the program in Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa Counties. 10,427 children have “graduated” from the program. 443,856 books have been delivered to children in West Alabama. Sign up at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
UA Preview: This Week at The University of Alabama
| March 17, 2025 📰 BEST BETS Addressing State’s Need for Psychiatrists The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences is launching the newly accredited UA Tuscaloosa Psychiatry Residency Program to address the critical need for psychiatrists in the state. Why This Matters: Alabama has the lowest ratio of all states of mental health providers per capita, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The state has a higher suicide rate than the national average and high rates of depression and substance abuse. For more information, contact Leslie Zganjar at [email protected]. SEC Honors Distinguished Professor Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar, Distinguished University Research Professor with the UA College of Community Health Sciences, has been selected as UA’s recipient of the 2025 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. Why This Matters: The annual SEC Faculty Achievement Awards highlight the vital role educators play in advancing the mission of the SEC and its institutions, as well as their dedication to fostering academic excellence through teaching, innovation and service. Spring Commencement Dates Announced UA will hold spring commencement with eight ceremonies May 2-4 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus. Why This Matters: About 6,700 are expected to graduate, with about 6,000 of those participating in these ceremonies. Each year, UA awards around 9,500 degrees, with graduates infusing the state and nation’s workforce with highly educated talent. 💬 CURRENT COMMENT Dr. Alain Plattner, assistant professor with the department of geological sciences, is available to talk about Earth’s magnetic north pole shifting. An afternoon power nap can give a bigger boost than a cup of coffee? Dr. Adam Knowlden, associate professor of health science, is available to discuss the mental effects of an afternoon nap. 📅 EVENTS RISE Tournament of Champions Tennis Tournament March 20; Tuscaloosa Tennis Center Holi – Festival of Colors March 22; The Quad on the UA campus Sakura Festival and Haiku Contest March 22; Snow Hinton Park Pavilion Movement in the Museum: Grow and Flow Yoga March 25; Alabama Museum of Natural History |