Despite ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer’s pronouncement that Alabama had “no warning” of Monday’s tornadoes in Alabama, the storms were predicted and weather reporters pre-empted regular programming on nearly all of the state’s television stations. Among those was ABC 33/40’s James Spann, who took offense at Sawyer’s characterization.For some in parts of Randolph County who…

Every year, about this time, I clean out stuff I have accumulated over the past 12 months, stuff that I was sure would make a great column. Only other stuff came up and what I filed stayed filed, until now. Some of these things I found in my extensive research and others were sent to…

Last month the District of Columbia Court of Appeals upheld a judge’s contempt order against two Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers who participated in the failed prosecution of the late Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska in 2009. William Welch II and Brenda Morris, the lead prosecutors in the case, were held in contempt along with…

If you folks around Whistler, Ala., should happen by a coffin-shaped hole in the side of a hill, tell old Professor Enoch Caverhill to come out for a spell; I’d like to talk to him. Enoch would be around 175 years old now, which means his time is about up. His biblical namesake, in the…

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Owner: Randolph County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority 538 Main Street (PO Box 954) Roanoke, AL 36274 334-863-8949 Separate sealed BIDS for the construction of PROJECT NO. 111-33 Randolph County 2011 CDBG Funded Water Facilities Program Water Main Extension on County Roads 7 & 82 Randolph County, AL CDBG Project No.…

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Greg Alsabrook and wife, Wendy Alsabrook, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as nominee for Wilmington Finance, Inc., on the 14th day of March, 2006, said mortgage recorded in the Office of the Judge…

NOTICE OF SALE The following vehicle has been abandoned at 4099 Country Club Rd., Roanoke, AL and will be sold on Feb. 27, 2012, at 12:00 p.m. for parts and labor costs at the same address. 1994 Ford F150 truck VIN# 1FTDF15Y8RNA59592 Shirley Ussery 334-338-1098 (4-7p)

NOTICE The Randolph County Commission is seeking proposals from contractors to replace the existing roof on the old Health Department Building located at 468 Price Street in Roanoke with a metal roof system. Interested parties should contact Burrel Jones County Engineer at (256)357-2311. Proposals will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 9, 2012.…

The Randolph County Tigers improved to 15-1 overall and solidified their place at the top of the area with wins over Lineville and Woodland last week. Randolph County had its hands full with the Lineville Aggies, but the Tigers fought back after being down through three quarters to take a 51-49 area victory. “We struggled…

The Woodland Bobcats scored a pair of important area wins over Ranburne and Lineville that will improve their standing in the upcoming area tournament. With Woodland’s lone area losses coming to Randolph County, the Bobcats are still in contention for a number-two seed in the tournament. The Bobcats took care of business against Ranburne, downing…

The Woodland Lady Bobcats kept their stellar record and their number-one ranking in Class 2A intact with four wins over the last week. Last Tuesday, the Lady Bobcats scored another area win with a 76-57 victory over Ranburne. Woodland started strong, outscoring Ranburne 31-15 in the first quarter and setting the tone for the next…

Last week the Alabama Sports Writers Association recognized one of Roanoke’s own as the Class 3A lineman of the year. If you don’t know who I’m talking about, get out from that rock you’re living under. If you need help moving that rock, I’m sure this young man would have no trouble lifting it. Of…

The Southeastern Conference is sitting on the brink of winning another football national championship. Oh, sure it is a little too early to be thinking about a seventh consecutive BCS National Championship, but the SEC is cutting a path through the current recruiting scene and that’s how you get to BCS national championship games. To…

(WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Robert Fred Stewart, 86, of Wedowee will be Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Ava United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Stewart died Sunday, Jan. 22, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center. A Coosa county native, Mr. Stewart…

(WOODLAND) Tina Angelia “Angie” Morgan of Woodland died Jan. 19, 2012. She was 37. Funeral services will be Monday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church. Bro. Ken Bowman will officiate. Interment will follow at Camp Creek Baptist Cemetery. Prior to the services, her body will lie-in-state at the church from 1 p.m.…

(WOODLAND) Jim W. Brown, 71, of Woodland died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at Wedowee Hospital. Services will be Sunday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church of LaFayette with the Revs. Mike Samuels and Michael Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Haywood Cemetery, Woodland. Mr. Brown was born March 8, 1940, in Randolph…

Memorial services for Avis Smith Robinson were held Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. in Wetumpka. Avis was born May 12, 1927, in Randolph County. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Robinson; her parents, Mark Oral and Dovie Beck Smith; one sister, Ressie Lee Henderson; and two brothers Nathan Jackson Smith…

(NEWELL) Funeral services for Ronald Lee Cloud, 68, of Newell, will be at 3:30 p.m. EST Jan. 22, 2012, at Corinth Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Ga. Mr. Cloud died Thursday, Jan. 19, at his home. Mr. Cloud was born July 10, 1943,…