Thomasville Times

I don’t remember why Harold, a deacon, was leading music that day many years ago. I suppose he was filling in during the holiday season. It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving. One hymn he selected was “America The Beautiful.” He introduced the hymn and said, “We thank God for our many blessings, including our country.” I’d not thought of the hymn in this way. Later we sang another familiar hymn of...

Limits imposed by an early 20th century document is an apparent aid for 21st century data centers in Alabama. The Alabama Constitution severely limits what local governments — counties, municipalities and school boards — can do. That was by intent in 1901, when state legislators were determined to keep a tight rein over all aspects of government. Local governments could do virtually nothing withou...

THOMASVILLE — The Arts Council of Thomasville brought a Broadway classic to local audiences July 24-27 as it presented four performances of “Guys and Dolls” at the Bedsole Theatre in the Thomasville Civic Center. Directed by Karen Dean and choreographed by Chloe Drinkard, the production featured a cast of local performers who spent weeks preparing the musical through rehearsals of its music, chore...

Clarke Country Revenue Commissioner Tyler Montana Prescott of Thomasville has been elected first vice president of the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers. Prescott was sworn into the leadership position during the organization’s recent annual conference after serving the past year as its treasurer and second vice president. Prescott also earned certification...

In Clarke County’s Pleasant Grove Baptist Cemetery are two unusual markers, memorials to individuals who died at sea during World War II. One is for Clarence Lowrey, who was from Clarke County. His birthplace isn’t known but his grandfather, father, mother and other relatives are buried in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Cemetery. His dad died when he was a teenager. Lowrey was living with his mother i...

Clarke County Sheriff ’s Department K9 Joker will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is American made, custom fitted and National Institute of Justice certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. has provided 6,513 vests va...

THOMASVILLE — Coastal Alabama Community College’s Thomasville campus recently welcomed a new group of students during its Advise and Thrive orientation. Advise and Thrive serves as the college’s freshman orientation, providing new students with an opportunity to learn about campus resources, meet with academic advisors and register for fall classes. Campus Director Marcus Gordon said the sessions...

JaTerianna Smith of Thomasville has completed IMPACT new student orientation and enrolled at Troy University for the fall 2026 semester, which begins on Aug. 12. Article Link

Thomasville City Schools has announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Thomasville City Schools will continue participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows children to participate in the school meal programs without paying a fee or applying. CEP gives food-servic...

Every Sunday morning while I'm getting ready for church, I watch one of the Sunday news programs. This week they featured a story about "plumbing for worms." Around here, most of us knew it as "fiddling for worms." Before the segment was over, I wasn't thinking about earthworms anymore. I was thinking about mud pies, doodlebugs and a childhood spent outdoors. If you&a...

Many famous successful lawyers in our state have served a stint in politics. Jere Beasley, the legendary Montgomery trial lawyer, served eight years as lieutenant governor. Having been born and raised in Barbour County, he has a good many great political stories. He shared a few with me over the years. Jere tells a great story that illustrates how fleeting political fame and notoriety can be for a...

You never get too old to learn. With that in mind, I went to a Sunday afternoon meeting of the Clarke County Historical Society to hear a presentation on the prisoner of war camp that was in Jackson at the end of World War II. I had always collected stories about the history of our area but had never been able to find out much about this particular subject. So I went with a friend to hear the pres...

July 28 Thomaston Volunteer Fire Department will host an Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative class at 5 p.m. at the station, 154 Main St., Thomaston. The free, four-hour class is open to emergency responders. Register through the Alabama Fire College or call 334-627-3434 for information. Thomasville Baptist Church, 210 Avenue W., Thomasville, will host an American Red Cross blood drive...

MOBILE — Brant Palmer, the 6-year-old standout of the Jackson Swim Club, didn’t need fancy lessons to become the best for his age in the area. Brant was named the Male Swimmer of the Year among all competitors at the Mobile County Aquatic League Championships Saturday at Bishop State Community College. “I’m tearing up” as she thinks about her son, said his mother Carrie Palmer, “but he’s just an e...

The Great Red Snapper Count, utilizing new sampling gear and methods, estimated that far more iconic red snapper are in the Gulf of America than traditional assessment methods had indicated. A team of marine scientists used the same methodology to conduct the recent Greater Amberjack Count that produced similar results. Dr. Sean Powers, director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sci...

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Miles Chapel CME Church in Thomasville will host homecoming Sunday, Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. The guest speaker will be Vicki Moore, pastor of Lifeline Outreach Ministries. The church pastor is Gloria Williams. Pine Chapel No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church of Grove Hill will host annual homecoming service Sunday, Aug. 2 at noon. Revival services will be Monday, Aug. 3 through Thursday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. The e...

Sometimes community residents ask for church recommendations on social media. One person posted, “We’re looking for a church with live preaching.” This inspired me to put a notice on the church sign I thought was witty: “Our pastor does live preaching— usually.” I meant sometimes I may not be as lively as other days. Another member suggested this posting might be misunderstood, so I took it down....

THOMASVILLE — Concerns over a proposed data center dominated the Thomasville City Council meeting on Monday as residents from the Dummy Line Road area urged city leaders to oppose the project and pressed officials for answers about the city’s authority to stop it. While no formal proposal has been presented to the city, Mayor Sheldon Day stressed that the project remains in the early investigative...

A Wilcox County man has been charged with multiple offenses following an investigation into an alleged dogfighting operation in the Lower Peachtree community, according to the Wilcox County Sheriff ’s Office. Antonio Rico Rodgers, 48, was arrested after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence last week. Rodgers is charged with knowingly possessing a dog for use in an an...

GROVE HILL — Waste Management was the low bidder for Clarke County’s solid waste business when bids were opened at Tuesday’s county commission meeting. A bid was not awarded pending review but it appears that county residents will see a significant reduction in their costs. Waste Management bid .82 per month for weekly residential pickups; the current residential charge is .10 monthly. An add-on o...

A Leroy man is being held in the Escambia County Jail after being denied bail under Alabama’s Aniah’s law. Robert Heath Walker, 53, was charged with attempted murder by the Atmore Police Department, which said it believes he is responsible for severely injuring a woman and leaving her in a motel room. Officers responded to the Hampton Inn in Atmore on July 2 after receiving a request to check on t...

The Marengo County Sheriff ’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating Nicole Leigh Langley, who is wanted on multiple charges. Langley is wanted for shooting into an occupied dwelling, third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree domestic violence assault, according to the sheriff ’s office. Anyone with information about Langley’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Marengo County Sh...

Hayden Chafin, right, a recent graduate of Washington County High School, was recognized for his service to the Flying Bricks Community Band. He is pictured with fellow Flying Bricks member Chris Beverly. Article Link

Nicole Horton is joining the Thomasville Elementary School faculty as a teacher. Horton graduated from Thomasville High School in 1994. She has 12 years of experience teaching elementary school and has a bachelor’s degree in K-6 education. Article Link