Got an e-mail from my buddy John.In it was a piece from the Wall Street Journal.Headline read: “Mariah Carey Surpasses Elvis For No. 1 Billboard Singles.”“Further evidence,” John wrote, “of the decline of Western civilization.”Far be it for me to take issue with my friend, mainly because he is right. However, I could not help…

(HEFLIN) Sam Houston Hudgins, 60, died Monday, May 26, 2008, at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham. Mr. Hudgins was born Jan. 18, 1948, in Bowdon, Ga., to Mattie Inez Hanvey Gill and “Buck” Houston Hudgins, who preceded him in death. He was an employee of Super Valu for 20 years and a self-employed truck driver…

(ROANOKE) Barbara Sue Goode, 43, of Roanoke died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at Randolph Medical Center. Services will be Saturday, May 31, at 1 p.m. at Wehadkee Missionary Baptist Church, with the Revs. Elijah Jackson Jr., Jeffery D. Rosser and Lonnie B. Houston officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include two sons,…

(WEDOWEE) Margaret Claire Brown, 64, of Wedowee, formerly of Smyrna, Ga., died Saturday, May 24, 2008. Her body was cremated and a memorial will be planned for a later date. Sosebee Funeral Home, Canton, Ga.

(RIVERDALE, Ga.) Isabel Harrington, 89, of Riverdale, Ga., died Friday, May 23, 2008. Mrs. Harrington was born March 26, 1919. Services were Monday, May 26, at 1 p.m. CDT at Bear Creek United Methodist Church of Woodland with the Rev. Randy Woods officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. She is survived by sons, Jerry…

(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Services for James Walter “Jack” Bolling, 81, of LaGrange, Ga., will be Monday, May 26, 2008, at 2 p.m. (CDST) at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Willis Bailes, Gerald Sheppard, Don Howard and Sonny Weldon officiating. Burial will follow at Big Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the…

(OPELIKA) Virginia O’Hara Lane died Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Virginia was born Oct. 19 in Birmingham. She was an outstanding student at Sacred Heart Catholic School and a talented dancer. After attending Auburn University as a co-op student and working for the L&N Railroad in Birmingham, Virginia settled in Opelika to raise her family. She…

(RANBURNE) Ezell Ward of Ranburne died Wednesday, May 21, 2008. She was 87. Mrs. Ward was born Nov. 2, 1920, in Cleburne County to the late Samuel and Cora Baggett Estes. She was a retired seamstress from Lamar Manufacturing and was a member of Freedom Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded…

(DADEVILLE) Graveside services for Maggie Sue Buckner, 85, of Dadeville will be Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. from Lakeview Memory Garden in Phenix City, with the Rev. Jack Mount officiating. Miss Buckner died Friday, May 22, at Dadeville Health Care. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Miss Buckner was born Nov. 21, 1922,…

(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Services for James Walter “Jack” Bolling, 81, of LaGrange, Ga., will be Monday, May 26, 2008, at 2 p.m. (CDST) at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Willis Bailes, Gerald Sheppard, Don Howard and Sonny Weldon officiating. Burial will follow at Big Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the…

Alfred Allen, 30, of 808 Strong St., Roanoke, pleaded guilty to second degree assault of a fellow inmate Monday, May 12, in Randolph County Circuit Court, according to Assistant District Attorney Amy Newsome. Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Tom Young sentenced Allen to six years in prison. Allen was an inmate in the county jail when…

During the raging debate over removing the four percent state sales tax from groceries it has been astounding to see how many people are so distanced from how poor people actually live. One letter writer was saying removing the tax is nonsensical because poor people get food stamps and do not pay it anyway. How…

(CARROLL COUNTY, Ga.) A homegoing celebration service for Edna Mae Thomas, 62, of Carroll County, Ga., will be Wednesday, May 21, at 3 p.m. CDT at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Newell with the Rev. D. Staples officiating. Mrs. Thomas died Friday, May 16. She was born Nov. 24, 1945, to the late Robert Lee…

RANDOLPH COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: JUDITH ADELL ROBINSON, DECEASED NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters Testamentary on the estate of Judith Adell Robinson, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of May, 2008, by the Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said…

Arrests Wesley Waldrop, 48, of County Road 82, Hawk – third-degree assault – May 16 Mayvis Waldrop, 31, of 21323 County Rd. 82, Woodland – third-degree assault – May 16 Joey Wesley Waldrop, 25, of 7295 Old Hwy. 431, Wedowee – third-degree assault – May 16 Incidents Edward Herren of Woodland reported a theft from…

WEDOWEE – Randolph County Commission accepted the low bid on a water line extension that will provide water to about 32 households. During a recent meeting, the commission, which has to make the resolution on behalf of Randolph County Water, Sewer & Fire Protection Authority, approved Gidden Inc. as the low bidder at a cost…

The spring season is a season of growth. Flowers start to bloom. Leaves reappear on the barren trees. Afternoon rains replenish emptying streams and lakes. The spring season is a time for growth in more than nature too. The football teams in this county had growth as well—growth spurts for some and growing pains for…

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and law enforcement will be out in force to try to make it a safe holiday. The price of gas may mean there are less drivers on the road, but those who are driving should be aware that their chances of being stopped are greater than ever. The Memorial Day Click…

The citizens of Clay and Randolph counties have always been blessed with the privilege of allowing their children to run free without having to worry about anyone harming them. But as is the case with many other issues, times are quickly changing and residents are becoming more aware that the safety of their children is…

Default having been made in the terms of that certain mortgage from JAMES T. MOREHEAD to CITIZENS BANK & TRUST OF WEST GEORGIA, dated May 8, 2007, recorded June 22, 2007, in Mortgage Book 517, Page 363, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Randolph County, Alabama, said default continuing and by virtue…