Holiday deadlines for 2026: Moundville Times will be closed for Labor Day Sept. 8.1Moundville Times will be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 23-27. We have to submit the paper early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. Deadline is Friday morning, Nov. 20. Santa Letters are due first Friday in December, Dec. 4. Ads for the Santa Letter edition are due Dec. 11. Both Christmas and New Year’s deadlines are Friday, Dec. 18. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. Moundville Times will be closed Dec. 21-Jan. 3 for the holidays.
Hale County Animal Shelter Pets of the week
Looking for a rescue in hopes to find these pups a home. The foster has had them since Dec 2025 and won’t be able to foster much longer and we are full at the shelter. we dont want them to end up on the euthanasia list! Please Help! Meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Wendy, and Yoshi! These 5-month-old lab/ terrier mix pups are bursting with personality, tail wags, and love.
Autumn Harrison, Hale County Animal Shelter, 334-624-8120.
EMPTY THE SHELTER – ADOPTION FEES SPONSORED!
Our kennels are full, and we need your help NOW. Several of our dogs have been waiting for a family for over 365 days. That’s more than a year of watching people walk by, hoping today will be their day.
All adoption fees have been sponsored: Spayed/Neutered, Vaccinated, Ready to go home today!
Every kennel occupied means another animal in our community may have nowhere to go. We cannot continue helping lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals if we don’t have space available. These dogs aren’t broken. They aren’t bad. They have simply been overlooked.
Please consider: adopting, fosterin, sharing the Hale County Animal Shelter Facebook post, telling friends and family.
One share could be the difference between another night in a kennel and a warm bed in a loving home. Hale County Animal Shelter is open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 8 a.m.-–12 p.m. Message our page for additional appointment times.
Help us clear the shelter, save lives, and make room for the animals that still need us.
Autumn Harrison, Hale County Animal Shelter, 334-624-8120.
Church & Community Events
Antioch Baptist Church Revival
Come join us for our Revival at Antioch Baptist Church, 929 Co. Rod. 3, Greensboro, on Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Aug. 3, 4, and 5 each evening at 7 p.m. We begin on Sun., Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. Lunch will be provided after the service in the fellowship hall! Be sure to come back that evening at 6 p.m. for a special message! We are excited to announce that Jimmy Garner, former pastor of Skyland Boulevard Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa will be our revival preacher! There will be special singing and music at each service!
Free Snake ID and Safety Workshop
Join Alabama Cooperative Extension to learn about Alabama’s snakes. The Sumter County Extension Office will host a Snake ID and Safety Workshop on Tues., July 21, led by Extension Agent Dylan Taylor at the Alfa Environmental Building, 316 Bartram Street, Livingston, at 5-6:30 p.m. The workshop will cover snake identification, conservation, and practical safety tips for home and work. Participants will learn to recognize common venomous and nonvenomous species, reduce bite risks, and respond appropriately if a bite occurs. To register, call the Sumter County Extension Office at (205) 652-9501. For more information, contact Dylan Taylor at (205) 394-3615 or djt0014@auburn.edu.
Container Gardening
Learn the fundamentals of creating and maintaining container gardens that thrive in small spaces July 24, 1-3 p.m. at Alfa Enviromental Hall, UWA, 316 Bartram St., Livingston. Call the Sumter County Extension office at 205-652-6100 to register or scan the QR code on their Facebook page. For questions contact Wade Hummer at 334-740-3837 pr wsh0003@aces.edu.
West Alabama RPO Meetings
The West Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) will hold the following meetings: 1. Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Greene County Wed., July 29, 11 a.m. James C. Poole Library, 219 Prairie Avenue, Eutaw; Hale County Tues., July 21, 5:30 p.m. 2. Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC), Aug. 13, 10 a.m. West Alabama Regional Commission, 4200 Highway 69 North, Northport. Also available virtually. 3. RPO Policy Committee, Aug. 14, 10:30 a.m. West Alabama Regional Commission, 4200 Highway 69 North, Northport. Also available virtually. If you would like to participate, please email zane.davis@westal.org at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The meeting documents are posted on the WARC website (https://www.warc.info/rpo-meetings/ and https://www.warc.info/rpo-documents). The RPO serves as a transportation planning process for the rural areas of west Alabama and provides a formal link between the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the local governments. The counties served by the RPO include Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, and Pickens. The RPO provides government officials and citizens in these counties an opportunity to advise the ALDOT on road, bridge, and transit projects. All of the meetings are open to the public. Anyone requiring special assistance should contact the WARC at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. For special assistance, call the WARC at (205) 333-2990.
Mars Hill Missionary Baptist Church Homecoming and 158th Church Anniversary
Welcome to the annual Homecoming and 158th Church Anniversary of the Mars Hill Missionary Baptist Church on July 12, during the 11 a.m. Morning Worship Services. Our guests will be Pastor Quentin Urban Jones and the Faith Believing Church of God Family of Huntingtown, Maryland. We’re looking forward to seeing our former members and friends coming home to join us in celebrating this occasion. Welcome home!
West Alabama Transit Committee Meeting
The West Alabama Transit Committee will hold a meeting on Wed., July 15, at 10 a.m. at the West Alabama Regional Commission, 4200 Hwy. 69 N., Northport. This meeting is the second of two that will be used to produce a status report for the West Alabama Coordinated Public Transit Plan 2024. Federal regulations require a coordinated transit plan be in place prior to the use of certain federal transit funds. Any agency that intends to pursue a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 – Elderly and Disabled Program must participate in the plan development. The plan, report, and transit committee are cooperative efforts between the Tuscaloosa Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the West Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO). The MPO and RPO staff will develop the report with the assistance of the West Alabama Transit Committee. The meeting is open to the public. Anyone requiring special assistance should contact the WARC at least 48 hours prior to the day of the meeting. For special assistance, call the WARC at 205-333-2990.
ALBBAA Big Catfish Photo Contest
From the legendary waters of Lake Eufaula along the Georgia line to the catfish-rich currents of Miller’s Ferry and the mighty Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers, Alabama’s Black Belt is home to some of the finest catfishing in America. Now it’s your turn to show off your catch. The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is excited to launch the inaugural Big Catfish Photo Contest, a fresh twist on its popular annual Best Fish Contest designed to celebrate the fun, tradition and excitement of catfishing across the Black Belt. The contest runs through July 12. Whether you reel in a catfish with a rod and reel, haul them up from jugs, or wrestle them in by hand while noodling, anglers of all ages are invited to enter their best catfish photos for a chance to win an unforgettable outdoor adventure. The contest winner, chosen exclusively through online voting, will receive a two-person, half-day guided trip with Bama Noodling in 2027, where they’ll experience the thrill of catching catfish by hand while taking part in a truly unique Southern outdoor tradition. Submit your favorite catfish photo and cast your votes online: https://alabamablackbeltadventures.org/news-more/shoot-the-black-belt/best-fish-photo-contest/
Voting rules: Visitors to the ALBBAA website may vote once per day, per entry, per IP address. All entries are subject to approval by ALBBAA. In the event of a dispute, ALBBAA decisions are final.
Photos may be disqualified for reasons including: Content that depicts unethical or disrespectful treatment of wildlife, images that create a negative perception of anglers or conservation efforts, voting violations that create an unfair advantage, previous Best Fish Photo Contest winners from the past three years are not eligible to win the grand prize. Anglers are also reminded to comply with all fishing laws, including purchasing a valid Alabama fishing license.
Snap your best big catfish photo, rally your friends and family to vote, and celebrate the incredible fishing traditions of Alabama’s Black Belt! The Black Belt includes the following 23 counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.
Red Cross
Help is needed right now ─ and a simple act of donating blood or platelets can be the lifesaving gift people are counting on. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Tuscaloosa:
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.
Black Belt Community Foundation 2026 Levitt Amp Selma Music Series
SELMA: The countdown to an unforgettable season of free, live music under summer sunsets and into autumn evenings in historic Selma is officially underway. The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) announces the themes and calendar for 2026’s return of the Levitt AMP Selma Music Series. Beginning Sat., July 25, the series will bring seven unique cultural experiences to Selma’s Riverfront Amphitheater. Families, friends, and neighbors from across the region are invited to bring their blankets, sunbrellas and lawn chairs to the amphitheater lawn to experience the transformational power of free, live music in bringing community together. Supported in large part by the Levitt Family Foundation, a social impact funder at the intersection of music, public space, and community building, the Levitt AMP Music Series program injects new life into public spaces through free, outdoor concerts across the country. The 2026 season marks an exciting new chapter for Selma, building on the success of past seasons to present professionally produced, immersive themed festival dates running through late October. “This season is about so much more than just the music on stage,” says Lydia Chatmon, TRHT Selma Director. “It’s about bringing people together, supporting our local business ecosystem, celebrating our rich cultural heritage, and showcasing the very best of downtown Selma.” Season of Immersive Themes: Instead of focusing purely on individual performers, the 2026 series is designed around seven planned experiences that offer something for every member of the family.
- July 25-The Inaugural Bridge City Jazz Festival: The season sets sail with an elegant, smooth-jazz atmosphere. Concertgoers are encouraged to come dressed in all-white attire for this premier opening night event.
- Aug. 8-Joy Jamboree: A dedicated day of play, music, and smiles designed specifically for children and families, featuring bounce houses, face painting, games, and youth-oriented fun.
- Aug. 22-Smoke in the City: BBQ & Blues Festival: Fire up the grill and claim your bragging rights! This date blends a competitive community barbecue atmosphere with a soulful soundtrack of regional blues.
- Sept. 12-Classic Cars & Chrome: Cruise in for this celebration of sleek vintage automobiles and deep musical grooves, featuring a car show paired with the absolute best in classic R&B, Soul, and Funk.
- Sept. 26-Gospel Fest: An uplifting community favorite that elevates local and regional voices, celebrating the profound spiritual and musical heritage of the Black Belt.
- Oct. 10-Fiesta on the River!: A vibrant cultural celebration packed with high-energy Latin music, salsa beats, and a community taco-eating contest, so don’t forget the hot sauce.
- Oct. 24-Southern Soul: The Grand Finale: The ultimate season closer, bringing the community together one last night to celebrate some funky soul, great food, and collective joy.
School/ Kids Events
Hale County Middle School Open House
Sun., Aug. 2 students pick up your class schedules, and 2025-26 report cards. 6th grade at 2 p.m., 7th grade at 3 p.m., 8th grade at 4 p.m.
Moundville Elementary School Open House
Sun., Aug. 2 Kindergarten – 5th grade at 2:30-4:30 p.m., and Pre-K Boys 1:30-2:30, mandatory for all Pre-k parents orientation 2:30-3:30 p.m., and girls 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Greensboro Elementary School Open House
Wed., Aug. 5 Pre-K orientation 4-5 p.m., kindergarten-5th meet the teachers 5-7 p.m.
Shelton State Community College Summer Commencement
The College will welcome Dr. Mike Daria as its keynote speaker for commencement ceremonies. Dr. Daria has dedicated his career to serving the students, families, and educators of Tuscaloosa City Schools. Over the years, he has served in a variety of roles, including English teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director of personnel, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent. All ceremonies are open to the public and will be held in the Martin Campus Gymnasium unless otherwise noted. Each event will also be live-streamed by the College on SSCC Live. Additional information about each event is below. Nursing Pinning Ceremony Thurs., July 30, 6 p.m.;Commencement Ceremonies Fri., July 31, 9 a.m. – Technical Programs,11 a.m. – Academic and Health Services Programs; Workforce Development Women’s Foundation CDL Graduation Ceremony Mon., Aug. 24, 6 p.m. Martin Campus Atrium. In the event of inclement or severe weather, the College will assess conditions and share any delays, relocations, or changes through official communication channels. Ceremonies will proceed as scheduled unless otherwise communicated by the College. Please monitor the College website and social media platforms for updates. For more information about other upcoming events at Shelton State, visit sheltonstate.edu.
Governor Ivey Launches Annual Summer Reading Challenge for Alabama Students Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday
Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced her 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, inviting Alabama students entering kindergarten through eighth grade to celebrate a patriotic summer through reading as America prepares to mark its 250th birthday. The challenge encourages students to read six books between now and August 1, 2026, while exploring stories about America’s history, heroes, values and spirit. Students participating in the challenge are asked to track the books they read using a Summer Reading Challenge log and submit either a written reflection or drawing describing what they learned about the United States of America during their summer reading. Governor Ivey encourages students to choose books they enjoy while especially considering stories focused on America’s history, culture, hardworking people and enduring values. Completed reading logs and reflections must be mailed by August 1, 2026, to: Governor Kay Ivey, Attn: Summer Reading Challenge, 600 Dexter Ave., Montgomery, AL 36130.
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/
Hale County High School
Hale County Middle School Back to School Lists
Moundville Elementary Back to School Lists
Greensboro Elementary Back to School Supply Lists
Greensboro Middle School Back to School List
UA Preview: This Week at The University of Alabama
| July 6, 2026 📰 BEST BETS Summer program prepares future rural physicians The College of Community Health Sciences’ Tuscaloosa Rural Pre-Medical Internship is celebrating its fifth year of preparing future rural physicians through clinical experiences, skills training and mentorship. Why This Matters: Established in 2021 as part of the CCHS Rural Health Leaders Pipeline, TRPI was created to encourage university students from rural Alabama to pursue careers in medicine and return to practice in their communities. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. Expanded academic advising to give students more personalized support The University of Alabama is launching a new, three-year initiative to transform and expand academic advising across campus, representing UA’s commitment to ensuring every student graduates with clear direction and prepared to begin their career. Why This Matters: This strategic investment focuses on strengthening the student advising infrastructure by investing directly in advisers, who serve as mentors, problem-solvers, advocates and guides through academic pathways. The University is freeing advisers for more meaningful one-on-one mentorship and proactive outreach by lowering adviser caseloads through a phased, college-by-college approach. For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu. 5 faculty named Fulbright Scholars Five UA faculty members have been selected for Fulbright awards for educators to teach and research around the globe. Why This Matters: The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers more than 380 awards in over 120 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and complete professional projects abroad. Open to faculty, researchers, artists and other professionals, the program has connected nearly 450,000 Fulbrighters through new skills, global networks and deeper mutual understanding. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. 📅 EVENTS Saturday in the Park: Copper work demonstration July 11; Moundville Archaeological Park |
