Guidelines for Submitting your Church/Community Announcements
These are free as long as there are no personal messages and the event is not being charged for (love offerings do not count). Please keep the announcement to one paragraph with who is presenting the event, what the event is, date, time, where it will be held and contact information. Email them to scrjmedia@yahoo.com. We can not take anything over the phone due to company policy.
Holiday deadlines for 2026: Sumter County Record Journal will be closed for Independence Day Friday, July 3. Sumter County Record Journal will be closed for Labor Day, Sept. 8. We will have a late deadline for Tuesday, Sept. 9 for the Sept. 11 edition. Sumter County Record Journal will be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 23-27. We have to submit the paper early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. Deadline for the Thanksgiving edition is Friday morning, Nov. 20. Santa Letters are due first Friday in December, Dec. 4. Ads for the Santa Letter edition are due Dec. 11. Both Christmas and New Year’s deadlines are Friday, Dec. 18. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. Sumter County Record Journal will be closed Dec. 21-Jan. 3 for the holidays.
Spirit Filled Tabernacle
Bishop Essie Sanders of Spirit Filled Tabernacle, 1576 Moore Place Rd., Livingston, cordially invites you to fellowship with us Sun., June 21 when Deacon Charles J. Jackson of Abundant Praise Deliverance Ministries from Hampton, Va., will give the word, and June 28 at 11 a.m. when Bishop designate Robin T. Jackson of Abundant Praise Deliverance Ministries from Hampton, Va. will give the word. All are welcome!
Kinterbish District Women’s Convention
Kinterbish District Women’s Convention will be Fri., June 21 at 9 a.m. at Kinterbish District Headquarters, 5586 Kinterbish 10, Cuba, former Kinterbish Jr. High School. Dr. P. L. Lockett Moderator, Rev. C. Wayne David Vice Moderator. Julene Ruffin Delaine Women President, Min. Joann Scott Vice President.
Garden to Pantry – Tuscaloosa
July 15, at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tomato production from the garden to the pantry. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or free language access services, contact Alice Moore at 3342160738 or amm0167@aces.edu by 6/24/2026. Address: Tuscaloosa County Annex Auditorium, 2513 7th St., park on 8th St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Contact: Alice Moore, amm0167@aces.edu, (334) 216-0738.
Pollinator Partners of Alabama Certification Training
Are you interested in expanding your knowledge about Alabama’s pollinators and learning effective strategies for their conservation? The Alabama Extension Home Horticulture team invites you to participate in the Certified Pollinator Partner training in Tuscaloosa June 23. This program will provide instruction on identifying Alabama’s native bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. Participants will gain insight into their essential contributions to local ecosystems and food systems, as well as learn evidence-based methods for establishing and maintaining pollinator-friendly environments. Topics include minimizing pesticide impact and selecting appropriate native plant species, equipping attendees with practical tools to support pollinators throughout the year. To enroll in this training, please visit www.aces.edu/go/6231
Alabama Extension Master Gardeners
Interested in gardening this fall? Alabama Extension Master Gardener Internship applications open June 1. Enhance your plant knowledge, connect with your community, and volunteer. Fall classes run Aug. 13-Nov. 7. Apply now. Learn more about the program: www.aces.edu/go/3283
Community Garden Volunteers Needed at the Coleman Center For the Arts Garden
Help us grow our garden and expand our garden programs. Our garden is open to the public; we are happy to collaborate with community groups, churches, and schools to provide garden programming. Email us at info@colemanarts.org for more information, or to sign up as a volunteer.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling to cope emotionally this holiday season, reach out. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Visit 988lifeline.org for more.
Community Prayer
Community Prayer for the Sumter County area will be held every 1st Thursday of each month at noon for one hour at the Bored Well, the Courthouse Square, Livingston. We’re asking all residents, businesses, local leaders, pastors, governmental and city officials to join us as we come together as a community to pray. Submitted by Min. Leola Washington, Volunteer Coordinator for NDPTF, Sumter County.
School/Kids Events
Governor Ivey Launches Annual Summer Reading Challenge for Alabama Students Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday
Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced her 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, inviting Alabama students entering kindergarten through eighth grade to celebrate a patriotic summer through reading as America prepares to mark its 250th birthday. The challenge encourages students to read six books between now and August 1, 2026, while exploring stories about America’s history, heroes, values and spirit. Students participating in the challenge are asked to track the books they read using a Summer Reading Challenge log and submit either a written reflection or drawing describing what they learned about the United States of America during their summer reading. Governor Ivey encourages students to choose books they enjoy while especially considering stories focused on America’s history, culture, hardworking people and enduring values. Completed reading logs and reflections must be mailed by August 1, 2026, to:
Governor Kay Ivey
Attn: Summer Reading Challenge
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
Hightower Memorial Library Summer Reading Program June 1–30
Registration is open now until May 1. See you at the library.
Aliceville Public Library 2026 Summer Reading Program
The Aliceville Public Library is excited to host our 2026 Summer Reading Program! Join us for a fun-filled week of reading adventures, games, crafts, activities, and prizes June 8-12, at 9:30-11 a.m. Ages 6–13 are welcome. Please register with the circulation desk staff. Must have a valid library card with no fines or fees. Parents are welcome to stay and join the fun. Let’s make this summer unforgettable one story at a time! Questions? Call 205-373-6691, Email: avillelibrary416@gmail.com.
$100,000 in Scholarships Available for Those Seeking Careers in Construction and Aviation
The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) and the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation, & Development Councils (RCD) are jointly offering $100,000 in scholarships for Alabama residents interested in pursuing high-demand careers in the aviation and construction industry at an ACCS institution. Applications for the ‘Building Futures: Enhancing Lives with Scholarships’ will officially be accepted starting May 4. This initiative will award $2,000 scholarships to only 50 students enrolled in an eligible program at an Alabama community college. The scholarships cover tuition, books, and fees to help traditional, non-traditional, and Veteran students gain job-ready skills. Eligible programs include the following: Aviation Mechanics, Avionics, Construction Management, Welders and Pipefitters, HVAC/R Technicians, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers.To qualify for Building Futures, students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and must be an Alabama resident. Students must be enrolled in one of the listed short-term certificates, non-credit, or associate degree programs. Dually enrolled high school seniors planning to pursue aviation or construction at an Alabama community college are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is June 12, 2026. Applications can be submitted online right now through the website: https://www.accs.edu/buildingfutures/
UA Preview: This Week at The University of Alabama
| June 1, 2026 📰 BEST BETS Reid Named Next Provost Dr. Lesley Reid has been selected as The University of Alabama’s next provost after serving as interim provost since November 2025. Why This Matters: Reid will continue to provide innovative academic and administrative leadership that will propel the University to develop leaders, drive research, strengthen communities and steward resources. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. UA Hosts Alabama Girls State UA will host hundreds of the state’s top rising high school seniors for experiential learning of a model state government through American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State May 31-June 5. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. UA Students Seek Miss Alabama Crown UA will be strongly represented as 17 students compete in a field of 45 for the title of Miss Alabama. The program takes place June 3-6 at Samford University in Birmingham. The winner will represent Alabama at the Miss America pageant later this year. For more information, contact Jennifer Brady at jennifer.brady@ua.edu. Blackburn Institute Students Support Selma Business Owners A group of five Blackburn Institute students partnered with the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute, the EDGE and Selma Resilience Initiative to develop and deliver a one-day certificate program for small business owners last month. The event was the first AEI certificate program for entrepreneurship, growth and innovation. Why This Matters: The students developed relationships with small business owners prior to the event by visiting small businesses around Selma to advertise and recruit. Students also helped with the second annual Selma River Pitch event, like economics and legal history major Micah Adams, who served as a timekeeper. For more information, contact David Bedsole at david.bedsole@ua.edu. UA Junior Earns Udall Scholarship Lilly Roehrig, a junior at The University of Alabama, was among 65 college students nationally to earn a Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, which identifies future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy and healthcare fields. Why This Matters: The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship Program honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, healthcare, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. UA Alumni Named Knight-Hennessy Scholars UA alumni Nick Hayes, of Collierville, Tennessee, and John Richardson, of Birmingham, are part of the ninth cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and will continue their postgraduate education at Stanford University through the fully-endowed, multidisciplinary leadership development program. Why This Matters: Knight-Hennessy Scholars develop deep domain expertise in their Stanford graduate program and enhance their expertise through exposure to a wide range of disciplines and cultures within the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community. Through the King Global Leadership Program, scholars collaborate and prepare to address important challenges and opportunities facing the world, such as climate change, healthcare, government and policy, and education. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. 💬 CURRENT COMMENT The highly invasive Asian longhorn tick was recently discovered on a dog in Dekalb County, Alabama. While mostly a serious threat to livestock, they will also bite humans. UA’s resident entomology expert, Dr. John Abbott, is available to discuss what Alabamians should know about this pest. Contact John at jabbott1@ua.edu. We’ve seen recent reports of snake bites in Alabama. While most snakes want to be left alone, sometimes humans and snakes come face to face. UA herpetology specialist, Dr. Scott Jones, is available to discuss which snakes Alabamians should look out for and why. Contact Scott at spjones9@ua.edu. 📅 EVENTS “Made in America” Exhibit Open through Aug. 29; Gorgas House Museum |