Epstein pressure mounts as Trump turns to Nigeria strikes
By Stacy M Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Map of Africa, highlighting Nigeria
As questions mounted over the heavily redacted release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and new material placing President Donald Trump closer to the late sex trafficker than previously acknowledged the White House shifted abruptly to a familiar tactic The president turned outward, announcing U S military strikes in Nigeria and framing the action as a defense of Christianity while critics said the move functioned as a political diversion that again placed Black people and Black nations in the crosshairs
See Nigeria Strikes, p 6
Supreme Court blocks Trump from deploying National Guard in Chicago
By Joe Jurado, NewsOne
National Guard deployed in Washington, D C
In a surprising turn the Supreme Court has blocked President Donald Trump from deploying the National Guard to Chicago
According to The New York Times the unsigned ruling cited an 1878 law that bans the use of the military for domestic policing as the reason they refused to grant Trump broad authority to deploy the military on American soil
See National Guard, p 6
New data shows utility costs rising across nearly every state
Average household electricity bills in 2025 are running 9 6 percent higher than in 2024, rising faster than wages and overall inflation
By Stacy M Brown
and
See Utility Rates, p 6
Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest National Park Ranger dies
Gr eene Co. BOE a g r ees to second inter view with top two candidates for Superintendent’s position on Januar y 5, 2026
The Greene County Board of Education met on Tuesday December 30 2025 to consider the four candidates interviewed for Superintendent in a month to meeting on December 15th
All five School Board members were present and expressed their views on the four candidates Mr Leo Branch Chair of the School Board suggested
that the Board reach a consensus on who to employ
The Board agreed that the top two candidates, Mr Timothy Thurman and Ms Taurus Brown-Smith be invited back for a second interview on Monday, January 5 2026 at 3:00
PM One will be interviewed from 3:00 to 3:50 PM and the other from 4:00 to 4:50 PM After which the Board hopes to
select one to be the next Superintendent of Greene County Schools
The second interview will be open to the public however only the board members will be able to ask questions Mr Branch was instructed to thank for their time and inform the other two candidates – Dr Jessica Constant and Mr Demond Mullins – that they were no longer in contention for the position
Dr Timothy Thurman currently Superintendent Linden City Schools His experiences include Assistant Superintendent Linden City Schools; Principal Linden High School; Teacher and Coach Perry County Schools; Director Perry County Alternative School Education: Doctorate Educational Leadership; Master s Education
Administration; Bachelor s Elementary Education Ms Taurus Brown Smith currently Education Administrator Alabama Department of Education Her experiences include Principal Payne Elementary Selma City Schools Teacher, Selma City Schools Education - National Board Certification, Early Childhood Generalist; Master s Elementary Education; Master s Education Administration; Bachelor ’s Elementary Education The Board also extended the contract of Darryl Aikerson as Interim Superintendent for an additional month until January 31 2026 Aikerson has been serving as a volunteer at no pay in this position
Eutaw Mayor Cor ey Cockr ell announces a set of community meetings for r esidents to r aise issues and hear plans for new year
The Eutaw City Council met for its regular meeting on the fourth Tuesday December 23, 2025, to deal with routine business matters The mayor and all council members with the exception of Jonathan Woodruff, District 2, were present Mayor Corey Cockrell in his Mayor ’s comments announced that he would be scheduling meetings in all districts for residents to come and voice their concerns about city issues and problems In the meetings, Mayor Cockrell said that in addition to addressing community concerns that he would be talking about problems of littering and late payment of water bills as well as the city’s plans for 2026 and the following years The first meeting will be
held at the Branch Heights Community Center on January 14 2026 at 5:00 PM On January 21, 2026, there will be a meeting at the Eutaw Activity Center at the same time for the same purpose A third meeting will be held on January 28, 2026, at the Eutaw City Hall for those who missed prior meetings and want to attend
Commission Chair Garria Spencer was present at the meeting and explained that he was there to support the work of the Greene County Ambulance Service “The GEMS – Greene County Ambulance Service is very needed in a rural county like ours, with many aging and isolated people who may have a medical emergency at any time The County Commission advanced the GEMS -
$88,000 to cover back bills and expenses at its last meeting We advanced this money to keep the ambulance service in operation, with the understanding that other entities in the county would help the Commission to bear this expense, said Spencer Commissioner Spencer reported that the Town of Union had authorized $15,000 and that Sheriff Joe Benison had agreed to contribute $10 000 from Bingo proceeds Spencer urged other county entities and municipalities to come forward and support the ambulance service He said that agencies could call Ms Vickie Colson, Chair of the Greene County Ambulance Service for more information
In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
•Approved holding a Work Session on the third Tuesday January 20 2026; and may hold future work sessions on the third Tuesdays at 5:00 PM
• Tabled action on extending a lease with Ferrellgas for a facility in the city, to seek more information
• Approved renewal of a contract with Pitney Bowles for a postage meter
• Approved registration travel and per diem for the Mayor, Council members and clerks to attend Alabama League of Municipalities convention April 28- May 1 2026 in Montgomery
• Approved the payment of bills
of $1,000 two counts of negotiating worthless instruments 12/25- Angela Rowser 52, Forkland, was arrested for harassment The Greene County
Sherriff Department reported the following incidents 12/19-Brittany Purse reported aggravated theft by deception 12/24- Lynn Finch reported criminal mischief
By Victoria Meza,
Betty
Soskin,
Taurus Smith Dr Timothy Thurman
Give Ourselves Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa, First Harvest
A people lifting themselves
A people celebrating community
A people honoring: How we made it over Another day, another year
Kwanzaa, First Harvest
A people creating a positive
An aftermath of riots
Stemming from oppression inside and outside
A people so down, next way must be up
Kwanzaa, First Harvest
Messaging more harvests
Leaning on the ancient values
Calling on ancestors
Ties we can no longer live without
Kwanzaa, First Harvest
Bonding brothers and sisters
Still searching and stumbling
Yet hearing the cries and laughter
Of souls lighting and linking our paths
Kwanzaa, First Harvest
A people’s birth and redemption
A people’s hope
Rising from joy within Found again, and again
Carol Prejean Zippert
GCCC student spotlight & r eal-wor ld experience!
On December 11, 2025, three of Greene County Career Center Marketing students proudly served as hosts and hostesses at the Federation of Greene County Employees 50th Anniversary Banquet, held at New Generation Fellowship Hall. Kaniyah Russell, Will Mack, and Janya Branch all 10th graders represented our program with professionalism, confidence, and excellence while assisting with this special milestone event
We extend a heartfelt thank you to
Mrs Joyca Pham, Manager of FOGCE Credit Union, and the Board Members for trusting our students and providing them with such a meaningful real-world learning opportunity Experiences like this help prepare our students for success beyond the classroom!
Death of a Fat Man
A novel by Senator Hank Sanders
Available at The Greene County Democrat $26 plus $4 shipping and handling
Contact: The Greene County Democrat
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Specifically, if you have any of these injuries, call the Giant Killers
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Don’t
Poetry
Alpha Beta Nu Ome ga gives to Gr eene County Nur sing Home Residents
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc ® Alpha Beta Nu Omega Chapter provided holiday cheer to 32 residents of the Greene County Nursing Home Members visited with residents, sang Christmas carols, and presented gifts and treats to all residents
Tr ue and Tried Cha pter #699, Or der of Easter n Star, gives to Gr eene County Nur sing Home
On December 23rd, True and Tried Chapter #699, Order of Eastern Star, of Forkland, AL, spread kindness and compassion by providing thoughtful gifts to residents of the Greene County Nursing Home The chapter is dedicated to bringing comfort, joy, and a sense of connection during the holiday season Representing the chapter (pictured left to right) is Sis Mollie Rowe, Conductress; Sis Sharon Moore-Jackson, Committee Chair; Sis Mollie Gaines, Worthy Matron; Sis Cleopatra Jones, Assistant Secretary; and Sis Iris Sermon, Grand District Deputy for District #2
Congratulations Porsha Brown on completing your Nurse Practitioner residency Last week, we had the honor of celebrating our three incredible Nurse Practitioner Residency graduates! We couldn’t be more proud of these amazing women for their hard work, long hours, and unwavering dedication to their craft Thank you for choosing Cahaba as your foundation We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll continue to make on your patients and communities in the years ahead
SPOT Students Spr ead Holiday Cheer to Senior Citizens
The Greene County Children’s Policy Council SPOT students spread holiday cheer to a special senior citizen of their choice in the Greene County community Nineteen SPOT students gave a beautiful fruit basket and poinsettia to their special senior citizen Pictured are some of the students delivering their baskets
T he Cost-of-Living crisis we’ r e told is over
Don’t let pr edator y debt tr a ps r ob the Holiday Season’s Joy: A pp-based loans could ma gnify financial str esses
By Charlene Crowell (TriceEdneyWire com)
The holidays are here, and many financially strapped families are considering how to responsibly manage their use of credit while still enjoying seasonal gatherings presents feasts and toasts of glad tidings for all The yuletide season is also a time to especially avoid predatory lenders that offer workers quick access to cash via loans with triple-digit interest rates and hidden fees that can wreck their finances for months
The convenience of mobile phones and personal computers removes the need to visit storefront lenders to access easy cash Two fast-growing loan products, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and Earned Wage Access (EWA) have emerged as new business models that deceive consumers into debt
“App-based payday lenders have co-opted the language of financial inclusion in an effort to disguise the ancient grift of exploiting underpaid workers with usurious loans, said Monica Burks, policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) “These companies promote a legal fiction that their loans are not loans, pretend the standard measurement for interest rates doesn t reflect their loans costs, and push borrowers to pay fees deceptively called ‘tips ’” In a new policy brief Nickel and Dimed: How Payday Loan Apps Drain Workers’ Pay and How to Stop Them CRL shows that these lenders’ business models are designed to drive repeat borrowing and extract high fees
EWA often lures underpaid workers into highcost, small dollar loans that are repaid from forthcoming paychecks The danger in this direct debit is that it reduces the money a borrower has available to repay the loan and manage other household bills
BNPL loans let purchasers of a variety of goods and services break payments into smaller installments usually paid over a few weeks
CRL’s research also
By Julianne Malveaux (TriceEdneyWire com) -
We are repeatedly told that inflation is down, the economy is improving, and that relief is on the way By the numbers, that is partly true
able When inflation slows it does not mean prices fall it simply means they are rising more slowly For families already stretched thin, less bad is still bad Rent that jumped 20 percent and then rose another 4 percent is still rent that many cannot pay
The disconnect between official economic narratives and household experience is not accidental It reflects policy choices about what we measure what we subsidize and whose pain we normalize
health Premiums have surged, particularly in states facing climate-related disasters and lax regulation These costs are mandatory, not discretionary yet they are rarely framed as part of the affordability crisis
Utilities tell a similar story Energy costs fluctuate, but electricity, gas, and water bills consume a growing share of income for low- and moderate-income households Shutoffs are real So is the choice between heat and groceries
ment and anger all of which are easily exploited It also matters racially Black and Latino households, renters, seniors, people with disabilities, and women especially single mothers are disproportionately harmed by high housing and health costs
Declaring the crisis over while these groups struggle is a form of policy gaslighting
found that:
Borrowing escalates over time with monthly loan use doubling in the first year from two loans per month on average in month one to four by month 12
• Overdrafts on consumers checking accounts increased 56 percent on average after use of an advance product demonstrating how these products directly exacerbate financial instability rather than alleviate it
• A high incidence of loan stacking, where multiple payday app lenders extend advances against the same paycheck Over time, most borrowers are in debt to multiple lenders during their first year of tracked use creating a built-in monthly financial shortfall that worsens – not improves financial stability This cycle of increased borrowing exacerbates the monthly financial shortfall that drives users into their first payday app loan
In 2025 at least 20 states proposed legislation to address EWA’s growth and consumer concerns, according to the National Conference of State Legislators, including but not limited to: Arizona, Connecticut Maryland Mississippi Missouri New York Oregon and Washington
Similarly, BNPL plans also lead to debilitating, long-term debt that enable cash-strapped consumers to access monies without a hard credit inquiry Unlike the now-extinct retailer layaway plans that offered installment payments with no interest charges, these installment loans are offered through a lender that in turn gains access to checking accounts or debit cards to make installment payments Exact loan terms and conditions vary among lenders leaving consumers to be directly responsible for the fine print terms that often go unread
Since its emergence during the COVID-19 pandemic, BNPL’s still-growing popularity is tied to its promise of zerointerest, and multiple –often four - installment purchase payments that typically range from $50$1,000 Payments, directly deducted from bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards are typically due every two weeks roughly half the billing length for most consumer payments like rent, utilities or credit cards
See Charlene Crowell, p 9
Inflation has cooled from its recent peak Wages have risen modestly The unemployment rate remains historically low though the Black unemployment rate is twice the white rate The man who lives in the House that Enslaved People Built treated us to yet another rant about how great he is But his hysterical televised rant on December 17 was woefully out of step with what many Americans are feeling Millions – indeed the majority – say they feel worse off than when the current president took office
This is not a mystery and it is not a matter of “vibes ” It is the result of how we talk about inflation while ignoring the lived reality of the cost of living
Inflation measures how fast prices are rising, not whether prices are afford-
Housing is the most obvious example Rents remain near record highs in many metropolitan areas, home prices are out of reach for first-time buyers, and insurance and property taxes are rising alongside mortgage costs Housing costs are the single largest expense for most households, yet they are treated as background noise in inflation debates rather than the centerpiece of economic distress
Health care is another quiet driver of the cost-ofliving crisis Premiums deductibles copays and uncovered services continue to rise Medical debt remains a leading cause of financial instability When people delay care or ration medication, it doesn t show up as inflation but it shows up in stress sickness and shortened lives
Then there is insurance home, auto, and
Food prices may no longer be rising at pandemic rates, but grocery bills remain high, and SNAP benefits have been reduced from pandemic levels For families living paycheck to paycheck food insecurity doesn’t recede just because inflation statistics improve
What we are witnessing is not an inflation crisis but a cost-of-living crisis without inflation a condition in which prices remain too high relative to wages public supports are inadequate and policymakers declare victory too soon
This matters politically and morally When leaders insist the problem is solved while people feel squeezed, trust erodes People conclude often correctly that the economy works for someone else That disillusionment fuels cynicism, disengage-
The solution is not to deny progress where it exists but to name the unfinished work honestly We need policies that address affordability directly: expanded housing supply and rental assistance, stronger tenant protections, universal health coverage, utility regulation, and income supports that rise with real living costs not abstract price indices We should also be more precise in our language Inflation is a technical term
Affordability is a moral one When policymakers conflate the two, they obscure responsibility The economy is not a scoreboard it is a system that should allow people to live with dignity Until the cost of living aligns with what people earn and what society claims to value, the crisis is not over, no matter what the charts say
Dr Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author www juliannemalveaux com
W hen tough times come to Main Str eet, Love matter s
By Ben Jealous
(TriceEdneyWire com)
This week’s column was supposed to be a celebration A celebration of a wonderful little toy store in a joyful Midwestern town
A store that, heartbreakingly, is scheduled to close the week after Christmas But circumstances intervened
Yellow Springs Ohio is the kind of place that makes you smile the moment you step onto its main street The kind of Main Street Generation X and every generation before us assumed would always exist The kind that to my children’s generation now feels less like a living place and more like a memory: something
America once built everywhere, and now struggles to protect anywhere For decades Yellow Springs resisted the fate that hollowed out so many towns like it Its downtown endured in large part because of Antioch College, the pathbreaking liberal arts school founded by 19th-century education reformer Horace Mann Mann believed deeply in education He did not believe in endowments The result is a college that still stands for bold ideas, even as it has struggled financially in recent years The town itself has fared better Not by accident In no small part because Dave
Chappelle invested in it not just money but belief Belief that culture matters That joy matters That small towns are worth loving Even as he mourns the loss of a beloved local store, he continues to pour his presence, his resources, and his faith into keeping the town alive
Recently I was back in town to see Dave perform at his new club My parents helped recruit his father to teach at Antioch in the late 1960s So this place has always felt personal Rooted Shared
We were talking in a local coffee shop when Jamie Sharp walked in She owns the Yellow Springs Toy Company the store that has probably generated more smiles than any other place on the block The kind of store that feels like childhood made visible Wooden toys Books Games Objects chosen with care A place that invites wonder instead of noise
Jamie told us she was closing the store I asked why I thought of the last time I took my son there He loved it Everyone did You could feel it in the room The quiet joy that comes from a place built not to extract, but to give Jamie did not speak in abstractions She spoke plainly Tariffs had raised costs Online giants had tightened margins And then she said the thing that mattered most People just do not seem to have as much money this year
But what stayed with me was what she did not say This was not surrender
This was not bitterness
Dave told her to stay in touch And it was clear she is an entrepreneur who loves her town someone closing one chapter not abandoning the story
even mor e
Home still matters And this is almost certainly not her last act
That understanding traveled with me
After I returned home, I spoke with a friend who owns a paddleboard factory in Florida Orders still come in for his most expensive models the ones bought by people with yachts But the middle is gone The heart of his business has vanished He named the paddleboard and kayak companies that have failed as middle-class families quietly pull back from anything that feels optional
The NAACP and the National Urban League have warned that Black unemployment has surged this year, now topping 8 percent That matters It always does But it does not, by itself, explain what is happening on Main Streets or at a factory in Florida
Something broader is moving beneath the surface
For generations, Black Americans have said that when white America gets a cold we get pneumonia
What is striking now is how widely the symptoms are spreading Economic fragility has moved beyond the places segregation and redlining engineered it into It is showing up on Main Streets In small businesses In kitchen-table conversations across this country
Look closely at the numbers and you see what economists call nuanced joblessness The unemployment rate looks manageable But beneath it are families working fewer hours than they need Earning less than they used to Falling behind as costs rise Quietly losing ground Taken together, it is hard
not to feel we are standing near the edge of a recession Families feel it first Small businesses feel it next Wall Street always feels it last This was not the story I planned to tell when I set out to write this column It was supposed to be an interview with Ms Sharp A celebration of a store and all the smiles it created over the years But when I reached out, she told me she could not do the interview Not mine Not anyone s Ending this chapter was painful The messages she sent were gracious And heavy As I read them and reflected on my conversations with her and my friend who owns the factory I felt something else settle in We may be entering a season of deeper economic pain For families For workers For shop owners For towns like these For all of us Still what endures is what people choose to build Thank you, Jamie Sharp
Thank you to your store for all the smiles, the joy and the childhoods it helped shape And thank you to those who choose to stay To invest To keep faith People like Dave Chappelle, Jamie Sharp, and so many others who believe that small towns and the people who love them are worth fighting for
There are always better days ahead for the America we build with love
Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, and former national president and CEO of the NAACP
ICE arrests Santa Claus
W hen technolog y star ts pr etending to be Jesus, the Chur ch must speak up
By Dr Barbara A Reynold
(TriceEdneyWire com) -
Sooner rather than later, there must be an outcry that technology has crossed a sacred line A growing wave of AI-powered religious apps now allows users to “text with Jesus,” talk to the Bible and even hold conversations with AI versions of Mary the apostles, angels or the devil itself These tools mimic holy figures with unsettling ease, blurring the line between devotion and digital impersonation
Some apps write personalized prayers Others accept “confessions,” give marriage or workplace advice, or claim to deliver spiritual comfort What many shrug off as harmless novelty is actually part of a larger trend: sacred identities are being reduced to commodities while simulated spirituality threatens to overshadow the real Jesus Christ crucified risen, and, as Scripture reminds us the true and living image of God On TikTok YouTube and other platforms, AI Jesus” influencers and Messiah-style avatars quote Scripture and dispense moral guidance as if speaking with divine authority During several test conversations I had with the “Text Jesus” app, the impersonation was unmistakable When I asked, Are you Jesus? it replied:
“My child, I am with you always I am the way the truth, and the life
Those words come straight from John 14:6 Jesus speaking to Thomas, not an algorithm trained on scripture and user prompts
When I asked whether it was wrong to impersonate Jesus, the chatbot warned against false claims of being me” all while claiming divine identity itself
When asked whether Mary was its mother it answered by describing her as blessed among women and chosen to bring forth “the Savior ” Again the bot spoke as if it were Christ Himself, not a machine predicting text
Most troubling was the bot’s response about healing sickness and mental illness It promised rest, comfort and divine intervention language lifted from Scripture and revered traditions such as the Lord’s Prayer But a chatbot cannot heal A program cannot carry a burden A line of code cannot save a soul
Beyond theological confusion the mental-health risks are profound Many young users are increasingly vulnerable to the emotional manipulation of AI companions Reports show some teens become dependent depressed or even suicidal when these bots distort reality or encourage harmful behavior
Child psychiatrist Dr Andrew Clark who works across schools and the criminal-justice system warns that some AI therapy bots behave in ways he calls truly psychotic He launched a research project after learning that roughly 20 million teenagers are using AI companions or therapists In one case, a bot encouraged a disturbed teen to kill his parents and sister so they could be together forever ” Clark said The hair on the back of my neck stood up ”
He also notes a Florida teenager who died by suicide after forming a romantic attachment to a chatbot In another study, 90% of bots encouraged a depressed girl to isolate herself and rely solely on her AI friends Disturbingly some bots even impersonated licensed therapists
Mental health specialist
Marcia Skeete sees this trend as part of a much deeper spiritual crisis “We are at a psychological crossroads where society believes it has created its own god, she warns Some scholars now call this AI psychosis a distortion of reality produced by chatbots built for profitability, not human wellbeing
Skeete argues that AI by design, undermines human bonding the very fellowship Jesus commanded when He taught love forgiveness, and care for one another Digital spirituality cannot replace embodied community or the healing that comes from genuine human connection
The rise of AI is also reshaping organized religion itself Since the 2020 pandemic livestreaming virtual worship, and social media have transformed how churches operate Small congregations suddenly look like megachurches online Meanwhile the message and messenger have shifted Some new technocentric “faiths” openly worship technology as divine
The Way of the Future church, founded in California literally reveres AI as God
Yuval Harari’s concept of Datism preaches salvation through data Terasem, founded by Martine Rothblatt of Sirius XM fame, teaches that death can be avoided through digital consciousness uploads Replacement theology is no longer theoretical it is here
Even traditional pulpits are changing In Kyoto a robot named Mindar delivers Buddhist teachings In Germany an AI-powered Lutheran service featured a chatbot preacher giving the sermon, prayers, and blessings Some parishioners described the service as “accessible” and “inclusive” a concerning sign of how easily people accept a machine in place of a minister called by God
And while many Christian pastors are now using AI tools like ChatGPT to craft sermons most still preach Spirit-filled messages But if the Church remains silent the encroachment will continue
Dr Martin Luther King Jr warned in 1965 that technology stripped of God’s guidance would become a “devastating Frankenstein His message rings truer than ever Technology is a powerful tool but a dangerous master
The time has come to break the silence Faith leaders, scholars, and everyday believers must speak plainly: Jesus Christ is not an app God is not an algorithm And no chatbot no matter how polished, can replace the Savior who lived died and rose again
As Scripture reminds us, “My glory will I not give to another (Isaiah 42:8) When machines impersonate the divine the Church must defend the sacred
Barbara Reynolds is a journalist who has worked for 13 years as a columnist and editorial board member for USA TODAY and has authored eight books including Coretta King, My Life, My Love, My Legacy and The Rise and Fall of the Techno-Messiah: Artificial Intelligence and the End Times
Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs The Three B’s It’s an annual initiative held in Selma, Alabama It is a holiday experience It is a community experience It is a personal experience I love the Three B’s Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs
The Three B s Initiative is hosted by the North Star Beloved Community Corporation a nonprofit tax exempt entity It started some years ago with mostly basketballs Sharing Incorporated of Braintree Massachusetts initially provided the basketballs Now North Star provides them North Star has always provided the Baby Dolls and the Books Although Sharing, Inc did provide baby dolls and books to the West Alabama Blackbelt years ago Sharing no longer operates, but its spirit lives on Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs
Why Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs? Let’s take them one by one NorthStar has strongly promoted reading from its initial incorporation We community persons promoted reading long before North Star was created I personally know how reading can pay lifelong dividends Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
As a child, my family was not just poor but “Po ” Reading lifted me beyond many of my current circumstances It lifted me beyond the harsh racial oppression of segregation It lifted me beyond the constant struggles with my teachers It lifted me beyond the terrible struggles with my mother It lifted me beyond the intense struggle with myself It also prepared me for certain tests I would meet later in life I still read a whole lot in my eighties I know firsthand the benefits of reading Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
Faya Rose Toure, my wife and partner for 56 years, did not share as many challenges as a child
However, she has always believed fervently in the power of reading She knows how reading can change the lives of children who are in challenging circumstances She integrated reading in various community programs long before North Star came into existence Books help us to lift our sense of self Black books help Black children lift a healthy sense of self Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs
When we were growing up, we never saw a black doll Children only played with White dolls or colorless homemade dolls That is all they and their parents knew The testimony in the Supreme Court decision of Brown v Board of Education demonstrated what a powerful negative impact self-image has on children They gave children dolls and asked them which ones were beautiful, which ones
were smarter, which ones were better? White children picked White dolls in every instance The Black children picked White dolls in every instance Black children need to also value Black Babies, Black People, Black Struggle Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs Basketballs know no color Many children have a healthy relationship with sports This is probably truer for males than females I love seeing little girls light up when they receive a basketball I love seeing little boys light up when they receive their own basketball It’s one thing for children to see a basketball with everyone playing with it It s another thing for them to have their own Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs
The Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs initiative commenced at 12 noon on December 23, 2025 It s always a few days before Christmas It always starts at GWC Homes GWC is what some people call The Project Projects are public housing for the poor GWC does not have as many children living there as it used to have Few of the children in GWC know that GWC stands for George Washington Carver the outstanding Black scientist who created many products from peanuts, potatoes and other crops He was a great inventor GWC has poverty, but it is not The Projects ” The Initiative involved spoken words, singing and other cultural experiences along with the sharing of gifts Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
Then the Three B’s Initiative left GWC Homes and traveled to Felix Heights Felix Heights is another area sometimes called a project It has poverty but it is not a project The word spread fast The parents and children came out in droves to share in the experience and to receive the gifts Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
Children could receive either a baby doll or a basketball However every child could receive a book in addition to another gift
Every child was encouraged to take a book Some parents wanted a book as well They were also encouraged to take a book
Some parents were greatly pleased to have a Black book, maybe for the first time in their lifetimes Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
The initiative ended with a brief Kwanzaa Program at 209 Broad Street I facilitated the Kwanzaa program We opened with a song and the Ancestor Exercise We asked each person to call the name of at least one ancestor, a person who had transitioned It could be a family member a community member or a historical figure The
exercise helps all of us to understand that we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs
Kwanzaa actually commences on December 26, the day after Kwanzaa It continues for seven days Each day is an occasion to share in community eat heartily and discuss one of the seven Kwanzaa Principles However, we will not be in Selma during this period so we did a brief Kwanzaa, discussing all seven principles Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
The Seven Kwanzaa Principles are as follows: Umoja which means Unity; Kujichagulia which means Self-Determination; Ujima, which means Collective work and responsibility; Ujama, which means Cooperative Economics; Nia which means Purpose; Kuumba, which means Creativity; and Imani, which means Faith I ended the day of activity with the Rock Soup Story, which embodies all Seven Kwanzaa Principles Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs I ended the day feeling good There is nothing like happy and thankful children to make us old folks feel good You should try it sometimes Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs
Now on to the Daily Diary
SATURDAY, December 20, 2025 – I handled many matters as I worked into the night I was supposed to go with Faya to her family gathering in Mobile but it was cancelled Among others, I communicated with the following: Faya Rose Toure and Rebecca Marion of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Law Professor Kindaka Jamal Sanders; Co Publisher of The Greene County Democrat Dr Carol Prejean Zippert; and Josephine Curtis of Selma
SUNDAY – I hosted the Sunday School Lesson with Dr Margaret Hardy on Facebook Live and Z105 3 FM Radio Station and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; Dr Robert White of Alabama State University on his 31st Anniversary of Marriage; Annie Pearl Avery of the Ancient Africa and Enslavement Museum; Lelia Sanders Gordon of Watertown, Massachusetts; Charlene Williams of Selma; and Co-publisher of The Greene County Democrat John Zippert concerning the sudden hospitalization of Dr Carol P Zippert
MONDAY – I handled many matters, attended a birthday celebration and traveled with Faya Rose Toure to Birmingham to see Dr Carol Prejean Zip-
pert who is recovering from a mild stroke Among others, I communicated with the following: Dallas County School Superintendent Dr Corey Jones; Marilyn Cosby, Karen Jackson, KC Bailey and Junior Oliver of Selma; Reverend Geoffrey King and Twanya Dixon of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; and Alexandria Zippert Chatters and Simon Zippert of New Orleans
TUESDAY – I handled various matters participated in the Books, Baby Dolls and Basketballs Initiative, facilitated a brief Kwanzaa Program and worked into the night Among others, I communicated with the following: Rosie Whiting of Lowndes County; Jeremy Bryant of Jefferson County; Reverend Lukata Mjumbe of Birmingham; Khadijah Ishaq and Zakiya Varner of Selma; Selma Foot Soldier Betty Boynton; and Roger Sims of Talladega
WEDNESDAY – I handled many matters, attended a Christmas Eve Extended Family Gathering and worked into the night Among others I communicated with many including Lametrius Dillard of Selma; Walter Gaines of Birmingham; Former Alabama State Senate President Pro Tem Joe Fine; and others
THURSDAY – I participated in a Family Christmas Breakfast and left driving to Newport Tennessee I communicated with many family members and others
FRIDAY – I was still in Newport, Tennessee with immediate family I continued to communicate with the family and also communicated with Lowndes County School Superintendent Samita Jeter
EPILOGUE – We must build up our children We must build up our families We must build up our communities There are many ways to build up all these elements of society The Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs Initiative is just one small initiative toward meeting this massive challenge I hope each of you contribute to an initiative for this noble purpose of building up children families, communities and more Books Baby Dolls and Basketballs
EarthTalk® From the Editors of EThe Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Why are Arctic rivers and streams turning orange? –Will Mortimer, Largo, FL
Rivers in Alaska’s Brooks Range run orange due to iron leaching out of melting permafrost combined with toxic concentrations of heavy metals Credit: U S Geological Survey / Josh Koch
Over the past decade, an increasing number of orange rivers and streams have been found in Arctic Alaska s Brooks Range These waters tend to be more acidic, turbid, and have higher concentrations of iron than their clearwater counterparts As the Brooks Range is one of the least populated regions of North America, the typical cause of coloration of these water sources namely excessive mining, is not probable
Utility
Rates
More broadly, these orange rivers and streams are part of the Arctic Network a larger regional area containing 19 3 million acres of land In 2018, the National Park Service received reports of one of the first orange streams in the Brooks Range By utilizing crowd-
sourced observations from bush pilots wilderness guides other scientists and rural and Indigenous communities, they found that over 75 streams had become orange in the Arctic Network The findings of such an extensive number of orange rivers and streams led to growing research into the cause of the issue After extensive research using what scientists call
the Redness Index researchers determined that the coloration of the rivers and streams was caused by the thawing of permafrost, which is ground that has remained frozen for extended periods of time, due to global warming As a result, water and oxygen are able to easily enter the soil breaking down sulfide-rich rocks to create excessive amounts of sulfuric acid that leaches naturally occurring metals into water sources In particular, researchers found that oxidized iron was what turned the river streams not unoxidized iron, nickel, zinc, cadmium or copper
The most obvious effect of orange streams and lakes is the lack of habitat for subsistence fish, such as Dolly Varden, chum salmon and whitefish In addition, the change in color of these water sources also reduces the amount of light that reaches the bottom, lowering insect larvae numbers
As fewer fish and insects are available there is an increased amount of stress placed on organisms directly above and below in food chains Another potential impact of orange streams and lakes are the contamination of drinking sources in the surrounding areas as there are higher levels of dangerous chemicals
“There’s no fixing [permafrost melting] once it starts It s another irreversible shift driven by a warming planet,” reports Timothy Lyons a biogeochemistry researcher at the University of California, Riverside But ordinary people can help by changing small everyday actions to protect the planet From using more eco-friendly transportation options to conserving electricity, people can take on multiple approaches to reducing global warming to eliminate the root of the issue
CONTACTS: Rivers Are
ronment/a66056056/orange
larmechanics com/science/e nvironment/a66056056/orange-river/; Timothy Lyons HYPERLINK "https://profiles ucr edu/app/home/profile/timothyl https://profiles ucr edu/app/home/profile/ti mothyl EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk See more
There are several reasons why utilities are raising rates so rapidly including the need to modernize the aging electric grid which has been burdened by extreme weather events made more frequent and costly due to climate change and growing energy demand due to artificial intelligence data centers, Center for American Progress (CAP) researchers declared “At the same time, higher natural gas costs and a policy assault on new clean energy generation from the Trump administration are driving energy costs even higher ”
An updated utility rate tracker released by the CAP in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that roughly two out of every three electric customers and more than six in ten natural gas customers are now facing higher bills The increases affect more than 108 million electricity customers and nearly 49 million natural gas customers across 49 states and Washington, D C , with total added costs approaching $85 8 billion by 2028
Federal data shows that the financial pressure is already being felt Average household electricity bills in 2025 are running 9 6 percent higher than in 2024 rising faster than wages and overall inflation The analysis identifies at least 222 electric and natural gas utilities that have already implemented rate hikes received approval for increases or are seeking new increases through 2027
The impact varies sharply by state In Missouri, some households are seeing monthly electricity increases exceeding $45, while parts of Massachusetts and Arkansas face projected increases of more than $30 a month In Texas, customers served by multiple utilities are absorbing monthly increases ranging from single digits to more than $20, depending on provider and region Florida electric customers in some service areas are seeing increases above $30 per month while households in Michigan Virginia and Ohio are facing steady upward adjustments tied to both electric and natural gas service
The report points to several drivers behind the rising costs Utilities across the country are investing billions to upgrade aging infrastructure, much of it stressed by extreme weather and rising demand At the same time, growing electricity consumption from artificial intelligence data centers is placing additional strain on regional grids The analysis also links higher costs to federal policy decisions that have slowed the expansion of new clean energy generation limiting supply options and increasing long-term system expenses
Natural gas customers are experiencing parallel pressures Higher fuel costs and infrastructure spending are pushing bills upward in states such as Pennsylvania New York Kentucky and Maryland, where monthly gas increases now exceed $10 in some service territories The report warns that winter heating demands combined with higher rates increase the risk of missed payments and service shutoffs, particularly for low-income households
The tracker is based on filings with state public utility commissions, utility company disclosures, and federal energy data Researchers note that the list is not exhaustive and will continue to grow as additional rate cases move through regulatory approval
The latest analysis shows that rate increases already approved or proposed will raise electricity customer bills by $67 7 billion and natural gas customer bills by $18 1 billion nationwide by the end of the decade, affecting households in nearly every state
Nigeria Strikes
Trump claimed the United States carried out powerful and deadly strikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, accusing them of slaughtering Christians
The announcement arrived as Trump faced renewed scrutiny over Epstein records that include photographs internal Justice Department emails and flight data that raise questions about the administration s handling of disclosures mandated by Congress
The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding a Christmas message that included, “MERRY CHRISTMAS to all including the dead Terrorists of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues
The Pentagon released video showing at least one projectile launched from a U S warship, though officials did not specify the precise target U S Africa Command later said the strikes were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities” in Sokoto State Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for its cooperation even as Trump publicly criticized Nigerian leaders Nigerian officials rejected the religious framing Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC the strike was a joint operation against terrorists and “has nothing to do with a particular religion ” Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated that position in a Christmas Eve post writing that Nigeria remains committed to protecting Christians Muslims, and all citizens and opposing religious persecution Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with roughly 240 million people, has faced years of violence from extremist groups, criminal gangs, and insurgents that have killed people across religious lines Just days before Trump’s statement a blast at a mosque in northeastern Nigeria killed five people and injured dozens Meanwhile, California Gov Gavin Newsom mocked the Justice Department s release with a video highlighting extensive redactions and past footage of Trump with Epstein The clip included a headline noting the DOJ’s defense of removing a Trump photograph from the records
Rep Don Beyer of Virginia said the administration failed to comply with the law governing the release Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the disclosure incomplete and misleading, pointing to pages entirely blacked out Rep Ro Khanna, who co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act said the release failed both the spirit and letter of the law while Rep Thomas Massie said it grossly fails to comply
The documents do not place former President Barack Obama in the Epstein files and contain no evidence tying him to Epstein They also do not reveal wrongdoing by Hillary Clinton Former President Bill Clinton appears in social photographs though reporting notes no indication of misconduct and Clinton has denied any
By contrast, the release includes material that places Trump in closer proximity to Epstein than the administration has publicly acknowledged, including a photograph of Epstein holding a novelty check bearing Trump’s signature and internal emails referencing Trump’s travel on Epstein’s jet The Justice Department has offered no explanation for why those materials were released while others remain obscured
Critics argue the timing of the Nigeria strikes fits a long-established pattern For decades, Trump has faced allegations of racial discrimination, from the 1973 Justice Department lawsuit over housing practices to his 1989 newspaper ads calling for the death penalty during the Central Park Five case a stance he revived during the 2024 presidential debate
In recent months, Trump has attacked diversity initiatives, defended Confederate symbols, and advanced policies that disproportionately affected Black communities, including mass deportations and federal workforce cuts that heavily impacted Black women Commentators have noted the administration’s willingness to portray itself as a defender of Christianity and Western identity while stoking grievance politics at home
As Nigeria faces new travel restrictions and renewed placement on U S religious freedom watchlists, Nigerian leaders continue to reject Trump’s depiction of their country Tinubu said earlier this fall that labeling Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” Tinubu wrote
National Guar d
The court found that the Trump administration didn t successfully argue that the statute permits the president to federalize the Guard in the exercise of inherent authority to protect federal personnel and property in Illinois ” The Supreme Court has sided chiefly with Trump in his unprecedented efforts to expand the scope of presidential power
The preliminary injunction was issued in a 6-3 ruling with justices Clarence Thomas Samuel A Alito Jr and Neil M Gorsuch dissenting In a lengthy dissent Justice Alito wrote that the protection of federal officers from potentially lethal attacks should not be thwarted ” Abigail Jackson a White House spokeswoman cosigned with Alito’s dissent saying in a statement “He activated the National Guard to protect federal law enforcement officers and to ensure rioters did not destroy federal buildings and property Nothing in today s ruling detracts from that core agenda ”
You know, I’m pretty sure federal law enforcement has been regularly doing its job without the assistance of the National Guard for at least the 33 years I’ve been alive Maybe if the federal government properly vetted and trained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, there wouldn t be so much concern about their ability to protect themselves Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released a statement celebrating the ruling “This is an important step in curbing the Trump administration’s consistent abuse of power and slowing Trump s march toward authoritarianism, Pritzker s statement read The brave men and women of our National Guard should never be used for political theater and deserve to be with their families and communities, especially during the holidays ”
Trump’s efforts to deploy the National Guard across American cities with Democrat leadership have continually faced legal pushback throughout the year A federal judge blocked Trump from deploying the National Guard in Memphis and Portland, with federal judges also ruling that Trump must withdraw the National Guard from California and Washington, D C
The deployments have sapped morale among Guardsmen with some forming a group chat where they ve openly questioned the point of the deployments in the first place
Despite the Supreme Court s ruling, the consistent legal pushback, and the consistent drop in morale within the National Guard, The Guardian reports that Trump approved the deployment of 350 National Guardsmen to New Orleans ahead of the new year Federal law enforcement already has a presence in New Orleans with Border Patrol launching an immigration crackdown earlier this month
It remains to be seen if this deployment will face any legal pushback Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry is a staunch Republican and a Trump loyalist who has been supportive of efforts to deploy the National Guard in New Orleans “It’s going to help us further crack down on the violence here in the city of New Orleans and elsewhere around Louisiana Landry said in an appearance on The Will Cain Show on Fox News And so a big shoutout to both of them ” New Orleans Mayor-elect Democrat Helena Moreno issued a statement in support of the National Guard deployment “Like in past years including last year we appreciate the support provided by our federal and state public safety partners to increase the visibility of security assets during major events such as Carnival, New Year s, and the Sugar Bowl, Moreno said in a statement provided to USA Today “I have been assured that the added support of the Louisiana National Guard to help secure these large events comes at no cost to the city and plays an important role in strengthening public safety
So while the New Orleans deployment looks like it will proceed without any legal pushback, the Supreme Court’s ruling may make it harder for Trump to continue deploying the National Guard in the new year
Betty Reid Soskin
!!!! Soskin s family said she died peacefully at her home in Richmond on Sunday morning This morning on the Winter Solstice, our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Betty Reid Soskin, passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, CA at 104 years old She was attended by family She led a fully packed life and was ready to leave ” the family wrote Soskin was the nation s oldest park ranger She became a permanent NPS employee in 2011 She worked on a park service grant to tell yet untold stories of Black Americans who worked in the U S during the war, leading to a temporary job with the park service when she was 84 years old She retired in 2022 and was a long-time docent at the Rosie the Riveter/World War
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
Relating to the Greene County Racing Commission; to amend Sections
Code of Alabama 1975, to increase the annual compensation of members of the commission; to further provide for the duties of members of the commission; to delete certain restrictions on the number of racing days authorized; to increase the authorized license fee; to establish a residency requirement as a condition for licensure; to provide Legislative intent; to further provide for the levy of a local tax on parimutuel wagering; to further provide for the distribution of revenues; and to repeal Section 45-32-150 09, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the suspension or revocation of a license and Section 45-32-150 19, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the manipulation of racing outcomes BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
45-32-150 07, 45-32150 08, 45-32-150 11, 4532-150 12 45-32-150 13 45-32-150 16 and45-32150 20, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:
"§45-32-150
(a) The Greene County Racing Commission is hereby created and established and is vested with the powers and duties specified in this part, and all other powers necessary and proper to enable it to execute fully and effectually the purposes of this part The official name of the commission shall be Greene County Racing Commission the same being sometimes referred to herein as the racing commission or the commission
(b) The commission shall consist of three persons who shall be appointed by the Governor legislative delegation thatrepresents Greene County in the House and the Senate for the State of Alabama Each such member shall hold office for a term of eight three years from the effective date of the appointment; provided, however the term of office of the present three commissioners shall expire three years aftertheir last appointment
(c) If a vacancy occurs for any reason then that position shall be filled for the unexpired term and that commissioner shall be chosen in the same manner as other commissioners are appointed
(d) All books, records, maps documents and papers shall constitute public records, and shall be available for copying, examination and inspection during all normal business hours by any agency, official, or personnel
"§45-32-150 01
(a) The members of the commission shall be qualified electors of Greene County and not less than 21 years of age, who shall have resided in the State of Alabama for a period of not less than five years next preceding their appointment Each commissioner shall take the same constitutional oath of office as other county officers, and shall give bond payable to the county in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000), conditioned that he or she shall faithfully and properly per-
A Bill To Be Entitled An Act
form the duties of his or her office The premiums on such the bonds shall be paid by the commission
The commission may employ such assistance as many assistants and employees as may be necessary who shall be paid out of funds deposited in the county treasury to the credit of the racing commission
(b) A member of the racing commission may not be an official member of any board of directors, or person financially interested in any race track pari-mutuel license, or race meeting licensed by the commission, nor shall he or she race dogs in any race meeting licensed by the commission
(c) An individual member of the commission or any officer employee or agent of the commission shall not be held personally liable for any liability, loss, damage or expense suffered by any person as the result of any action taken by the commission, unless the liability loss damage or expense arises out of or results from the willful misconduct or wrongdoing of the member, officer, employee or agent "
"§45-32-150 02
(a) The qualifications and manner of appointment of members of the Greene County Racing Commission shall be set by local law The salary or other compensation of a member of the Greene County Racing Commission shall be set by the local legislative delegation that represents Greene County in the state Legislature The compensation of each member of the commission shall be twenty-five thousand dollars ($25 000) annually
Each commissioner who attends a racing event or performs the duties required by this part at the facility shall receive an additional fifty dollars ($50) per day
(b) One member of the commission shall be in attendance or on call to cover each 24-hour pari-mutuel day required to be in attendance at each racing event
(c) Each member of the Greene County Racing Commission shall be paid at the same rate as any other employee of the Greene County Commission for attending any outof-town meeting on official business of the Greene County Racing Commission
(d) The above compensation and other sums required to be paid under this section shall be paid out of the funds in the county treasury deposited to the credit of collected by the Greene County Racing Commission and shall be paid to the commissioners in the same manner as the compensation of other county officers is paid "
"§45-32-150 06
Any person, association, or corporation desiring to operate a racetrack or parimutuel license in the county, shall have the right, subject to this part, to hold and conduct one or more racing meetings at the track each year, provided that no such license shall be granted to any person, association or corporation or to any track for a period including more than 313 racing days in any one year The racing days shall include the charity days as provided in Section 45-32150 21 for the racetrack
"§45-32-150 07
No race or racing shall be permitted on Sunday No person individual under 18 years of age shall may be employed in any manner about the race track or pari-mutuel license except as exercise boys and grooms; nor shall persons under 18 years of age or
be permitted to attended any race
"§45-32-150 08
(a) On or before the first day of December of each year, anyAny person, association, or corporation possessing the qualifications prescribed in this part shall have the right to apply to the racing commission for a permit or license to conduct race meetings and racing under this part
(b) On or before the first day of January of each year, Within 30 days after the receipt of any such application under this section the commission shall convene to consider and act upon all permits or licenses applied for which an application has been received
(c) Approved permits or licenses shall be granted for a period of not more than 10 years from the date of issuance and shall set forth, in addition to any other information prescribed by the commission the name of the licensee the location of the race track or pari-mutuel license duration of the race meeting and the kind of racing desired to be conducted and shall show the receipt by the commission of a license fee set by the commission the setting of which is hereby authorized, provided, however, the license fee shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1 000) annually
(d) The fee for the license shall be established by the commission The annual license fee may not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or, for multi-year contracts, not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25 000) for each year of the multiyear contract
(e) No such license issued under this section shall be transferable, nor shall it apply to any other place, track, or enclosure, except the one specified in this license with the approval of the commission
(1)(f) The commission shall not issue any licenses which would permit any two race tracks in the county to operate on the same racing days Further, after the firstlicense has been issued to the licensee all subsequent applications for The commission may issue no more than two racetrack or pari-mutuel licenses
(g) When applying to renew a license, by a permit holder the application shall be accompanied by proof, in such a form as the commission may require, that the licensee still possesses the qualifications set out in this part Such The application for renewal of licenses a license shall be granted upon the same terms and conditions as previously issued and shall not be denied except for due cause
(h) An application for a license to operate a racetrack or pari-mutuel pool shall only be granted if the applicant meets the following:
(1) The applicant is a corporation, association, company, partnership, sole proprietorship individual or other legal entity that has been incorporated, organized, or otherwise established in this state and currently holds a racetrack or pari-mutuel license immediately preceding the date on which the license is issued
(2) If the applicant is a corporation, association, company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity the applicant has been incorporated, organized, or otherwise established in this state for at least five years and its managing member or majority officer has been a resident of this state for at least five years immedi-
ately preceding the date on which the license is issued
(3) If the applicant is an individual the applicant has been a resident of this state for at least five years immediately preceding the date on which the license is issued
(2)(i) Seventy-fiveTo the best of a licensee's ability, 75 percent of the employees of the track or tracks shall be bona fide resident citizens of Greene County, Alabama " "§45-32-150 11
(a) The commission shall have the power to grant, refuse, suspend, or withdraw licenses to all persons connected with race tracks, including gate keepers, announcers, ushers, starters, officials, drivers dog owners agents trainers grooms stable foremen, exercise boys, veterinarians, valets, sellers of racing forms or bulletins and attendants in connection with the wagering machines, pursuant to such the rules and regulations as adopted by the commission may adopt and upon the payment of a license fee as fixed and determined by the commission in accordance with the position and compensation of such person
(b) Any license may be revoked by the commission at its discretion and any person whose license is revoked shall be ineligible to participate in such occupation connected with racing unless the license is returned by the commission with permission to operate there under The commission may deny or revoke a license to any person who has been refused or denied a license by any other state racing commission or racing authority
(c) Upon a licensee's willful violation of this part or any rule of the commission the commission may do either of the following:
(1) Suspend or revoke the license of the licensee (2) Assess a fine against the licensee of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense
"§45-32-150 12
(a) The commission shall make rules governing, permitting, and regulating the wagering on dog races under the form of mutuel wagering by patrons known as pari-mutuel wagering, which method shall be legal to the extent that and so long as the same is carried on and conducted strictly in conformity with this part, and not otherwise Only the persons associations or corporations receiving a license from the commission shall have the right or privilege to conduct this type of wagering and the licenses shall restrict and confine this form of wagering to a space within the race meeting grounds All other forms of wagering on the result of dog races shall continue to be illegal, and any or all wagering outside of the enclosure of such races, where races shall have been licensed by the commission shall be illegal
(b) No person or corporation shall directly or indirectly purchase pari-mutuel tickets or participate purchase of any part of a parimutuel pool for another hire or for any gratuity and no person shall purchase any part of a pari-mutuel pool through another wherein he or she gives or pays directly or indirectly such other person anything of value Any person violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprison-
ment not to exceed six months, or both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court (c) In addition to other rules and regulations that may be promulgated adopted by the racing commission the following shall be complied with by the licensee or operator of the race plant and employees thereof :
(1) A duly licensed veterinarian shall be on the grounds at weighing time and make examination of the physical condition of each greyhound and any dog not considered to be in good physical condition, shall be reported to the presiding official
(2)(1) An adequate security force shall be employed as prescribed by the racing commission Members of security force shall have the same powers as other law enforcement officers of the county while performing their duties on the premises of the racetrack
(3)(2) Public liability insurance shall be carried by the licensee or operator in an amount and with a company approved by the racing commission
(4)(3) A pari-mutuel ticket shall not be sold to an individual who is visibly inebriated
(5) The racing operator is authorized to open theGreene County Racetrack for business and to conduct live greyhound racing and or televised horse or greyhound racing and parimutuel wagering during the hours as it deems desirable, however in no event shall the racing commission be authorized to allow live greyhound racing or televised horse or greyhound racing or both and pari-mutuel wagering thereon to be conducted after 2:00 AM on Sunday; provided that the racing operator shall not conduct any live racing event at the Greene County Racetrack before 10:00 AM, nor shall it present any televised racing event before 8:00 AM with the hour to be determined according to the time then applicable in Alabama If the racing operator keeps the Greene County Racetrack open for business until midnight on any day, whether conducting pari-mutuel wagering on live racing or televised racing, or both, the racing operator may continue all or any of its operations past midnight for not exceeding the first two hours of the following day, even if the following day is not a day on which the Greene County Racetrack is scheduled to be open for business as a racing day permitted under this part, and the time not exceeding two hours for which the operations of the racetrack are continued into the following day shall not be counted as a racing day or any part thereof against the limit of racing days permitted the racing operator in any one year A parimutuel ticket shall not be sold to an individual who is visibly inebriated
(6)(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this part and any rules and regulations of the racing commission now in effect, there shall be no limit imposed upon the number of races which may be conducted within a single racing program " "§45-32-150 13
(a) Every licensee conducting race meetings under this part shall pay to the ex-officio treasurer of the racing commission, for the use of the commission, a tax in an amount equal to four percent of the total contributions to all simulcast pari-mutuel pools conducted or made on any race track or pari-mutuel li-
censee licensed under this part The commission of a licensee on a pari-mutuel pool shall in no event exceed 18 percent of the amount contributed to thepari-mutuel pool, which amount shall include the four percent tax heretofore provided After the deduction of the four percent for the use of the commission and the percentage commission of the licensee the remainder of the total contributions to each pool shall be divided among and redistributed to the contributors to such pools betting on the winning dog The amount of each redistribution for each winning bet placed shall be determined by dividing the total amount remaining in the pool after the deductions hereinabove provided for by the number of bets placed on the winning dog Each redistribution shall be made in a sum equal to the next lowest multiple of 10 The licensee is entitled to retain the odd cents of all redistributions to be known as the breaks to the dime and all monies represented by any unclaimed, uncashed, or abandoned pari-mutuel tickets known as outs money Under the pari-mutuel system of wagering herein provided, the licensee shall be permitted to provide separate pools for bets to win place and show and also a daily double pool, a quiniela pool, double quiniela pool, trifecta pool and such other bets and pools as the commission may from time to time allow Each pool shall be redistributed separately as herein provided Should there be no ticket bet on the winning dog, the entire pool shall be divided among the holders of tickets on the dog running next in line until the pool has been redistributed to the contributors The licensee shall be required to use a totalizator machine to record the wagering and compute the odds Rules and regulations governing the operation of each of the pools shall be set out in book form by the racing commission The licensee shall collect from each person attending the race meeting under this part 15 percent of the established admissions price or ten cents ($ 10) whichever sum is greater as an admission tax Licensees shall make payment of such taxes to the ex-officio treasurer of the racing commission every tenth calendar day of any and every race meeting, which payment shall be accompanied by a report on the races covered by such report and such other information as the commission may require Every license issued by the commission shall contain the terms, conditions, provisions, percentage commissions of licensee and tax as set forth in this section, which such terms, conditions, provisions, percentage commission of licensee and tax shall not be altered or changed during the term of such license without the mutual consent of the commission and licensee (b) Every licensee conducting historical horse racing under this part shall pay to the ex-officio treasurer of the racing commission, for the use of the commission, a tax in an amount equal to 10 percent of the total contributions less prizes and promotions paid to winners from all historical horse racing parimutuel pools conducted or made on any racetrack or pari-mutuel licensee under this part The tax may be adjusted as determined necessary by the commission but shall not exceed 15 percent " See Bill to Be Entitled, p 8
"§45-32-150 16
A Bill To Be Entitled An Act
(a) All fees, commissions, taxes, and other monies including fines and forfeitures received under this part shall be paid to the Treasurer of Greene County and deposited by the treasurer in the county treasury to the account of the ex-officio Treasurer of the Greene County Racing Commission and distributed by and through the Greene County Racing Commission All such monies remaining, after payment of expenses incurred and retention of necessary operational funding in the administration of this part, including the payment of the salaries and expenses of the members and employees of this commission, shall may be distributed on a quarterly basis as follows:
(1) There shall be distributed toTo the Greene County Commission, an amount not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000)forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per year:
a To pay principal of and interest on bonds warrants or other securities at any time thereafter issued by the Greene County Commission for the purpose of providing and equipping the existing jail facility; or constructing new jail facilities and renovating improving and equipping existing jail facilities
b To enable the county to make lease rental payments to any public corporation in an amount sufficient to retire bonds or other securities issued by such public corporation for the purpose of providing funds to pay cost of acquiring, providing, construction, and equipping a new jail facility; renovating improving and equipping the existing jail facility; or constructing new jail facilities and renovating existing jail facilities or any combination thereof
c To pay principal of and any interest on bonds warrants or other securities at any time hereafter issued by the Greene County Commission for the purpose of providing funds to pay costs of acquiring, providing, constructing, and equipping a new county courthouse; and renovating improving and equipping the existing county courthouse
d To enable the county to make lease rental payments to any public corporation in an amount sufficient to retire bonds or other securities issued by such public corporation for the purpose of providing funds to pay costs of acquiring, providing, construction and equipping a new county courthouse; renovating, improving, and equipping the existing county courthouse; or acquiring providing constructing, and equipping a new county courthouse and renovating, improving, and equipping the existing county courthouse or any combination thereof At such time as the principal and interest bonds, warrants or other securities heretofore mentioned are satisfied, then the sum shall be prorated equally as provided in the following subdivisions (2) (3) (4) and (5) The balance is to be distributed as follows:
(2) Twenty-five percent of the monies shall be appropriated to the municipalities of Greene County on a per capita basis according to the most recent population figures used by the federal government for the purpose of revenue sharing or if these figures are not available the most recent federal decennial
census shall be used
(3) Five Seven percent to the Greene County Hospital Board
(4) Thirty percent of the monies shall be appropriated to the Greene County Board of Education
(5) One percent to the E-911 system
(6) Two percent to the Greene County Industrial Development Authority to be used first for the develpment and provision of natural gas to the Crossroads of American Industrial Park
(7) One percent for the maintenance or provision of a county ambulance service
(5)(8) FortyThirty-four percent of the monies shall be appropriated to the General Fund of Greene County to be allocated and spent in the following prescribed manner:
a Fifty-five and onehalfForty percent of this amount shall remain unearmarked and may be spent by the county commission in any manner, provided by law, for the benefit of the citizens of Greene County, by the county governing body thereof
b Ten percent to be used by the county governing bodycommission to upgradefor law enforcement purposes in the county
c Fifteen percent for the Greene County fire departments
c Eight percent for the maintenance of a county ambulance service
d TwoFour percent for the establishment and maintenance of day care centers within the county
e Three Four and onehalf percent to be appropriated to the Greene County Library Association for the upgrading of the library system
f One Two percent to be appropriated to the Community Services Programs of Tuscaloosa-Bibb Counties Incorporated to be used for assistance to low income residents of Greene County
g Two percent to be appropriated to the West Alabama Mental Health Center, Incorporated, to be used for mental health services within Greene County
h One Three percent to be appropriated to the Greene County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)Woman to Woman Incorporated
i Two Three and onehalf percent to be appropriated to the Society of Folk Arts and Culture, Incorporated, for culture and youth development
j One percent to be appropriated to the Greene County Commission to be used as follows:
1 One-third of the one percent thereof to be used by the county commission in cultural and historical preservation
2 One-third of the one
j One percent thereof to the Greene County Historical Society for their use in restoring and preserving historic sites and buildings in the county
3 One-third of the onek One percent thereof to the Alabama Civil Rights Educational Freedom Museum, Incorporated
k Two l Three percent to the Greene County Health Department to be used for general health care in Greene County and to augment the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and related health programs in Greene County
l Three m Four percent to be appropriated to the Parks and Recreation Board No more than 15 percent of the three percent thereof shall be used for maintenance and development of the Greene County Golf Course
m n Four and one-half percent to Greene County Community Improvement Association for the construction renovation and operation of community centers in Tishabee, Clinton, Dollarhide, Knoxville, Mantua, and Mt Hebron When the foregoing facilities have been constructed and renovated in these communities, then the funds shall be designated for the general use and operations of the Greene County Community Improvement Association for the construction of additional community centers and the operation of community centers in Greene County
n.o One and three-quarters percent to be appropriated to Branch Heights o p Three-quarters percent to be appropriated to the county department of human resources
p One and one-half percent to be appropriated to the E-911 system
(b) The Greene County Racing Commission shall redistribute the allocated funding of any defunct agency or organization receiving funds under this section
"§45-32-150 20
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to transmit or communicate to another by any means whatsoever the results changing odds track conditions or any other information relating to any greyhound race from any race track in this county between the period of time beginning one hour prior to the first race of the day and ending 30 minutes after the posting of the official results of each race as to that particular race, except that this period may be reduced to permit the transmitting of the results of the last race each day not sooner than 15 minutes after the official posting of such results Provided however that the commission may, by rule, permit the immediate transmission by radio, television, or press wire of any pertinent information concerning feature races
(b)(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to transmit by any means whatsoever racing information to any other person, or to relay the same to any other person by word of mouth by signal or by use of telephone, telegraph, radio, or any other means, when the information is knowingly used or intended to be used for illegal gambling purposes, or in furtherance of such gambling purposes
(b) No license shall be issued which would allow any race track or parimutuel licensee in the county to operate on the same day
(c) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be imprisoned in the state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 10 years or shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both in the discretion of the court "
Section 2 (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that a computerized machine which replays actual historical horse races and allows pari-mutuel wagering thereon is already a permissible lawful activity at each of the four parimutuel wagering racetracks in the State of Alabama The Legislature hereby further finds and declares that a uniform local tax on the handle from pari-mutuel wagering on these historical horse racing computerized ma-
chines is necessary for the licensed racetrack and parimutuel licenses located in Greene County so that such racetrack and pari-mutuel licenses can be competitive with the other racetracks and pari-mutuel licenses located in the State of Alabama
(b) For purposes of this act, pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing computerized machines may be conducted without regard to any of the following: (i) The type of graphics on the machine used to conduct the activity; (ii) whether the patron chooses a specific horse upon which to wager; and (iii) whether the patron watches all or part of the historical race
(c) The local tax on parimutuel wagering on historical horse races on these computerized machines at the Greene County racetrack and other pari-mutuel licenses shall be calculated at a rate up to 15 percent and the state tax rate shall be levied at one percent and shall be collected administered and distributed in the same manner and on the same terms as are applicable to the local parimutuel tax on live greyhound racing conducted at the Greene County racetrack and parimutuel licenses provided that the total handle less prizes paid to winners from pari-mutuel wagering of historical horse races on these computerized machines shall be separately calculated from any other racing handle, live or simulcast
(d) It is the intent of the Legislature in assessing a state and local tax that the tax shall be in lieu of any other tax on pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse races on these computerized machines that may otherwise be imposed by law including but not limited to, any tax assessed pursuant to Sections 4532-151 02, 40-23-2, 40-2361 and 40-12-222 Code of Alabama 1975
Section 3 The following sections are repealed: (1) Section 45-32-150 09 Code of Alabama 1975 relating to the suspension or revocation of licenses (2) Section 45-32-150 19, Code of Alabama 1975 relating to the manipulation of race outcomes
Section 4 This act shall become effective immediately
4tch 12/10, 17, 24, 31
Char lene Cr owell
THIS OFFICE IS ACT-
ING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR AND IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT ANY IN-
F O R M A T I O N
OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
P U B L I C A T I O N
DATES: December 17
2025, December 24, 2025, December 31 2025
NEWSPAPER: Greene County Democrat
MORTGAGE FORE-
CLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Chemeria D Smith, unmarried woman originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc as nominee for Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC its successors and assigns on July 26 2023, said mortgage recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Greene County, Alabama, in Mortgage Book 93 Page 919; with Modification Agreement recorded on July 29, 2025, in Mortgage Book 96 Page 58 ; the undersigned Regions Bank dba Regions Mortgage as M o r t g a g e e / T r a n s f e r e e , under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Eutaw, Greene County Alabama
on January 22 2026 during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights title and interest in and to the following described real estate situated in Greene County, Alabama to-wit: Lot No Three (3) of the Lugenia Kirksey Dixon Subdivision described as follows: Begin at a concrete stone on the North margin of a gravel road which is 18 feet North and 210 feet West of the SE corner of the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 33, Township 21 North Range 2 East in Greene County, Alabama; thence proceed along the North margin of said road South 87 degrees 30 minutes West for 115 4 feet to a concrete stone; thence North 1 degrees 30 minutes West for 192 feet to a concrete stone; thence North 87 degrees 30 minutes East for 115 4 feet to an iron pin; thence South 1 degrees 30 minutes East for 192 feet to the Point of Beginning Said lot is in the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 33, Township 21 North, Range 2 East Greene County, Alabama Property street address for informational purposes: 151 Walden Quarters Boligee AL 35443 THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED
rippling negative financial effects like repeated insufficient funds overdraft fees, other late fees, or savings withdrawals These lenders are largely non-depository institutions with no standard form for consumer redress and scant consumer protection in the face of the easy and builtin temptation to incur multiple BNPL loans
Advocates called for strong consumer protection
THERETO Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure
The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000 00) in certified funds made payable to Tiffany & Bosco, P A at the time and place of the sale The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid in certified funds by noon the next business day at the Law Office of Tiffany & Bosco P A at the address indicated below Tiffany & Bosco, P A reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate
This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation Regions Bank dba Regions Mortgage ("Transferee") Tiffany & Bosco, P A , 2501 20th Place South
when the State of New York’s Department of Financial Services solicited comments on BNPL earlier this year
“Strong rules are especially important in light of the facts that subprime and deep subprime consumers take out most BNPL loans and that BNPL credit is disproportionately used by Black and Hispanic consumers, who already face disadvantages in the credit
Notice to Creditors of the Estate of Willie O Hill Jr ,
Letters of Adminstration of said deceased having been granted to Eloise Jeter on the 15th day of December 2025 by the Honorable Rolonda M Wedgworth, judge of the Probate Court of Greeen County notice is hereby given that all person having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be bared Eloise Jeter Personal Representative
Alexander F Braswell Lloyd & Dinning, LLC P O Box 740
Demopolis, AL 35632
3tch 12/17 24 31
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39 Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Paulk Construction Inc Contractor has completed the contract for the Mod AL146-1, IX, at Eutaw, AL for the Housing Authority of the City of Eutaw Owner(s) and have made request for
marketplace,” advised the National Consumer Law Center BNPL lenders tout interest-free loans, implying that the loans are free ”
It is the responsibility of public officials to stop predatory loan apps from breaking the law and from nickel and diming workers, said Yasmin Farahi, deputy director of state policy at CRL “To protect consumers states should
final settlement of said Contract All persons having any claim for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Mollie Rowe 301 Carver Cir Eutaw, AL 35462
Paulk Construction Inc 390 N Goldthwaite Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
4tcg 12/17 24 31 1/7
Legal Notices
In Re: The estate of McDuff Williams deceased Letter of Testamentary having been granted to Kimberly Diane Agee on the 18th day of December 2025, by the Honorable Rolonda M Wedgeworth, Judge Probate of Greene County Alabama notice is hereby given that all perons having claims against said Estate are required to present those within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred Kimbelry Diane Agree executrixof the estate of McDuff Williams Deceased WalterA Griess Attorney for the Executie Griess Shaww & Willingham,PC 315 Main Street P O Box 528
Eutaw Alabama 35462
Phone : 205-372-9333
Fax: 205-372-4027
E m a i l :
enforce – or, where needed, adopt – strong interest rate caps for all payday loans no matter how companies sell them ”
Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending She can be reached at Charlene crowell@res p o n s i b l e l e n d i n g o r g " data-linkindex "8">Charlene crowell@responsiblelending org
info@eutawlaw com 3tcg 12/24 31 1/7
Legal Notices In the Probate Court of Greene County, Alabama In Re: The Estate of Erma Myrtle Hitt, Deceased
Notice of Hearing To: Martha Hitt Woodard Take notice a writing purported to be the Last Will and Testament of Erma Myrtle Hitt was filed in my office for Probate by Adrianna Williams and that the 18th day of February, 2026 , at 10:00 oclock, in the Probate Office of Greene County Alabama was appointed the day for hearing same, at which time your can appear an contest the said Will if you see proper Ordered this 18th day fo December, 2025
Rolonda Wedgeworth Judge of Probate 3tcg 12/24, 31, 1/7
Legal Notices Notice is hereby given to Cassanda Taylor that the contents to unit #55 will be sold to the highest bidder at 8:00 a m on January 9 2026 at Car Wash Storage located at 340 Greensboro Street Eutaw, Alabama 3tcg 12/17 24 31
As a result, BNPL con- sumers tend to encounter
Eddie and Nancy Cole celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 20, 2025
To celebrate a half of century of marriage, is a blessing from God
4
This holiday season, local resident Davalon Gray is shining a light on a group of people who are often overlooked: dialysis patients Through his newly formed 4RealTho Foundation Gray is on a mission to bring encouragement, comfort, and essential support to individuals undergoing life-sustaining dialysis treatments The mission behind the foundation is deeply personal for Mr Gray Eight years ago he received dialysis treatment himself He understands the emotional and physical challenges that dialysis patients face on a daily basis “When you’ve been through it yourself, you understand the long hours, the fear, the stress, and how important it feels to be seen Gray shared I want people to feel hope again I want them to feel cared for ”
The 4RealTho Foundation focuses on providing gift bags, uplifting messages, and personal visits to dialysis centers Gray says his goal is simple: “Even if it s just one person a day, I want to make an impact and make someone smile ” Recently Gray visited three local dialysis centers between Eutaw and Demopolis, sharing encouragement and gift bags with patients
“I wanted to take care of home first ” Gray said emphasizing his commitment to serving his own community before expanding further
The foundation plans to expand its outreach in the upcoming year, partnering with local officials, businesses and community members to increase the number of patients it can serve Gray is currently seeking donations and volunteers who want to be part of this monumental mission
Some people don’t understand how hard dialysis can be ” Gray said “But together, we can make a huge difference This foundation is about real love, real support and real hope 4RealTho
I would like to thank my friends and family for their help and support, and a special thank-you to Ms Darlene Robinson for her generous donation in helping make this possible I’m forever grateful ” For more information about the 4RealTho Foundation or to support its upcoming projects, please c o n t a c t davalongray91@gmail com or follow the foundation on social media at @4RealThoFoundation
La’Keshia F Matthews Attorney at Law
• Protecting Your Family
• Protecting Your Assets
• Protecting Your Rights
Greene County Office 224 Prairie Avenue Eutaw, Alabama 35462 Jefferson County Office 2107 5th Avenue North; Ste 300 Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Give us a call for a free consultation at (205) 374-2557 or email at lakeshia@thefmfirm com
Compliments of
Eutaw Mayor Corey Cockrell & Co uncilpe rs ons
* Forklan d Mayor Char lie McA lpine & Co uncilpe rs ons
Un ion Mayor Jam es Gain es & Co uncilpe rs ons *
Boligee Mayo r Hattie Samuels & Co uncilpe rs ons *
Greene Co u nty Wate r Autho r ity
* Society of Folk A rts & Cu lture
*
Greene Co unty Chapte r ANSC
*
Wo man to Wo man * Shar ing Inc
Odo m Chevrolet *
McInn is M ortuar y * Smith M ortuar y
G reene Co Sher iff Depart ment
Greene Co. Co m missio n
Piggly Wiggly
*
Me rchants & Far m e rs Ins.
Greene Co unty Distr ict Ju dg e
Lillie Jo ne s-Osbor ne
Me rchants & Far m e rs Bank
*
Brow nlee Auto Parts
*
Steele Cutting Barber sho p
*
Probate Ju dg e
Rolan da We dgeworth
*
Fe de ratio n of So uther n
Co o pe rative s Lan d Ass istance Fun d
*
Green e Co u nty IDA Board
*
Green e Co C ircuit Clerk
Ver n o ica M orton Jo nes
Greene C ou nty Health System
Ro dger ick Williams, CEO
FOGC E Fe de ral Cre dit Un ion
Gan dy Funeral Ho me
Ch ief Ken dr ick Howell City of Eutaw
Gather
little things
Love which cannot die, Sunbeams dancing round the door, Rainbows in the sky As the day go rushing past
Take the time to dream, Find a quiet hide-a-way
Rest beside a stream Guide your soul to sing again
Teach your heart to pray Peace will come to those who seek, Faith will show the way - Viola Berg
The harder you work the luckier you get
Happy Birthday to Brandon Mason, Jr , Wayne Consentine, Jr , Stormi K Fluker, Mary Winn Howard Betty Taylor
Dr Shari Brown, Joshua Hunter, Nathaniel Mason, James Patton Bianca
Hodges Kathleen Bryant
Lenae Branch, Chante Finch, Joseph Knott
Happy anniversary to Mr and Mrs Gregory Leftwich, Mr and Mrs Anthony and Nasana Atkins, and Mr and Mrs LaMecco and Hollie Marcus and Mr and Mrs Lorenzo French
Happy New Year !!!
Cook Famil y Unity in the Community 2025 annual Holiday celebration
COOKUIC welcomed the holiday season with cheers and blessings in rural Alabama at the Greene County Nursing Home by distributing gift bags to its residents and staff On December 23- Cook Family Unity in The Community sponsor the first-ever Boligee On Ice community ice skating event Bringing a wonderful Christmas Winter Wonderland to life at the Town Hall Gymnasium, an evening of free admission, free skate rentals, live music, hot cocoa, and free concessions from 4 to 8 P M
On December 26th COOKUIC held their annual Christmas appreciation celebration at CC Sweet Treats Events Center, the community came together with the Cook family reflecting on the past and how the family is rooted in love, faith and hope “ living our legacy.” Family members reflect on how they grew up and how their grandfather instilled the value of self worth The Cook Unity in the Community Holiday Program started over 20 years ago as a Family event and has evolved into an annual Community Outreach Program The Cook Unity in the Community Outreach is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), that seeks to meet the emerging needs of rural impoverished communities through community enrichment engagement/activities, volunteerism, training, and community empowerment The Cook Unity in the Community Outreach has a specific emphasis in the Alabama Black Belt where 45 percent of residents fall below the poverty line We welcome your participation to be a part of our mission through the giving of your time, talent or resources. If you desire to get involved please contact a committee member or email us at COOKUIC @gmail com or 256-472-1141 To learn more about COOKUIC visit us on facebook Donations can be made on our facebook page or at Guidestar or and paypal com Thank you and May God continue to bless you Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years
Dr Alaina Bohanan-
A Legacy of Care and Leadership
Hometown Spotlight: Alaina Bohanan – A Legacy of Care and Leadership
Dr Alaina Bohanan, daughter of Danita Davis and Michael Bohanan, and granddaughter of Josephine and the late Rev Esmer Davis of Duncanville, Alabama, is making her mark in the field of nursing leadership and mental health care
A proud graduate of Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa Alaina earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama in 2018 She began her professional
journey at UAB Hospital, where she served as a staff nurse in inpatient psychiatry Her dedication and leadership skills led her to a promotion as Assistant Nurse Manager, where she helped guide clinical teams in providing compassionate mental health care
Continuing her pursuit of excellence, Alaina earned both her Master ’s (2023) and Doctorate (2025) in Nursing Leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) She is currently a fellow in a prestigious twoyear Quality Improvement Fellowship at the Birmingham VA Medical Center where she works to enhance care for our nation s veterans
Despite her busy schedule Alaina remains deeply committed to frontline care continuing to serve patients in UAB’s inpatient psychiatry unit and supporting survivors of sexual assault through the Crisis Center in Birmingham With roots grounded in family and community Alaina Bohanan is a shining example of service, resilience, and leadership in nursing
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
$25 Greene County Residents
$30 Alabama Residents
Ala-SCAN week of 12/28/25– Central
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Open December 12, 2025 205-372-9733 Hwy 43, Eutaw Phone: 496-6019 with fir ewor ks fr om Re g gie’s! Big Selection; Many Asst Packs, Bottle Rockets, Roman Candles ACCIDENTS & INJURIES AUTO & TRUCK ACCIDENTS, WRONGFUL DEATH, SLIP & FALL Office-205-933-7533 Cell – 205-901-6129 “I like Big Bucks and I cannot lie” 24 HOUR SERVICE –FREE CONSULTATION OVER 100 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE FRANK S BUCK P C ATTORNEY 2160 14TH Ave South BIRMINGHAM AL 35255
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