The Randolph County Commission is cracking down on the presence of non-employees in the courthouse during non-business hours. The commission voted unanimously Monday to prohibit individuals from being inside the courthouse either before or after open business hours. The move came after someone had been let in one day last week prior to the courthouse…
120 years ago Ed Chapel, the negro who killed Marshal W E Satterwhite in December, was found guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to be hanged. The jury was out only a few minutes. The execution will take place Wednesday, March 28. The hanging will be private, and a new gallows will…
This report on the current session of the Alabama State Legislature is provided by the Economic Development Association of Alabama. You can find more at EDAA.com. The Alabama Legislature convened for three legislative days this week, passing the halfway point and completing 17 days of the 2026 Regular Session. Lawmakers will return on Tuesday to…
An opinion piece by Brandon Fincher “Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false.” – Gollum from the film “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” adapted from the J.R.R. Tolkein book, “The Two Towers” Y’all been noticing all these Democrats sneaking around, posing as Republicans, and getting elected to statewide offices? You know who I…
With the first hints of spring just arriving, thoughts of summer may still be far off. But Roanoke mayor Adam Melton already has his eyes on a special summer event. Roanoke residents who have annually traveled elsewhere to watch professional fireworks shows on July 4 may have an option more close to home this year.…
Roanoke’s first permanent Black chief of police was officially sworn into his position Monday night. Tino Brooks took the oath of office at the start of Monday’s city council meeting at a packed city hall in Roanoke. Family members and city officials alike gathered after the meeting to commemorate the occasion with photographs, and Roanoke…
The image on this front page is a framed copy of the very first edition of the Randolph Leader that hangs in the entryway to our offices on Main Street. I have walked past that first edition of the Leader countless times in the 15 years that the Leader has been my place of employment,…
By Erica Thomas – 1819News.com State Rep. Bob Fincher (R-Woodland) is in the middle of his last session as an Alabama lawmaker. For three terms, Fincher has represented the people of Alabama’s 37th House District, and as he approaches his 77th birthday, he says it is time to go home and enjoy his family. Over…
The Roanoke Police Department is asking for help from witnesses after gunshots were fired outside the Roanoke Recreation Center Saturday night. No injuries were reported from the incident. According to Roanoke mayor Adam Melton several young people were playing on the outdoor basketball courts next to the recreation center when the incident occurred around 7…
The old Randolph County Jail building is still easily identifiable by the exterior wording that indicates what once was inside. But the building has been out of use and empty for over five years, and county officials believe that it’s time for the building to go. The county commission agreed Monday to ask the state…