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.
2025 Holiday Deadlines: Hard deadline for Juneteenth paper (June 19) is Mon., June 16. We have to go to press a day early for the holiday. SCRJ will be closed July 3rd & 4th. SCRJ will be closed for Labor Day and there is a late deadline for Tues., Sept. 2 by noon for the Sept. 4th edition. Deadline is Mon., Nov. 3rd for Veterans Day announcements. Deadline is Fri., Nov. 21 for the Thanksgiving edition. We have to submit the paper early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. SCRJ will be closed Nov. 24-30. Santa Letter deadline is by Fri., Dec. 5th. Deadline for the Christmas/Santa letter special edition for ads is Fri., Dec. 12. Deadline for BOTH the Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st editions is Fri., Dec. 19. We have to submit both papers early due to the printing company being closed for the holidays. SCRJ will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 1 for the holidays.
CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pistachio Cream
A CDC food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/pistachiocream-06-25/index.html Key Points: Four people in two states have gotten sick with the same strain of Salmonella that has been linked to pistachio cream. One person has been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Do not eat, sell, or serve Emek-brand pistachio cream with a use-by date of October 19, 2026. Emek-brand pistachio cream is a shelf-stable nut butter cream sold online for wholesale distributors, restaurants, and food service locations nationwide. FDA is working to determine if this lot is in distribution or if other lots or products are affected. What You Should Do: Call your healthcare provider if you have any severe Salmonella symptoms after eating pistachio cream. What Businesses Should Do: Do not sell, serve, or distribute Emek-brand pistachio cream with the production code and date below: Use-by date of October 19, 2026, Production code (PNO): 241019. Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with the pistachio cream. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning recommendations when cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. About Salmonella: Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness. If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call your state’s health department.
Kinterbish District Association Campus June & July Events
Revival engagement service for three nights on campus June 25-27 at 7 p.m. Kinterbish Engagement Community Day on campus June 28. Networking Skill training thinking outside the box, Leadership and public relations skills, and Youth outreach – public speaking and positive self-worth in July. Rev. P. L. Lockett, moderator and Rev. C. Wayne Davis, vice moderator. For more information call Rev. C. Wayne Davis at 205-246-3182. If you are planning an event, or planning an engagement gathering, photography session, and desire to use the building please contact Rev. C. Wayne Davis.
Livingston Police Back To School Bash
July 26 at 1 p.m. at Jaycee Park join us for face painting, bounce house, food, music, health resources, free school supplies. Donation drop off locations: Livingston Police Dept., 502 Lafayette St., or City Hall, 201 Church St. For more information contact LPD at 205-652-9525.
Harvest Ministries
Harvest Ministries, located in Cromwell, will be open Wed., June 18, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Free clothes, shoes, household items and much more.
Coleman Center for the Arts Presents Dancing for Power & Wellness,” a Self-Defense and Movement Workshop
We are pleased to welcome our Summer Artist In Residence, Nina Haft, joining us from the Bay Area, California! Nina brings a wealth of experience and practice in dance and martial arts. During her residency, she is facilitating a dance workshop and performance at our 2025 summer arts youth program, as well as hosting a community workshop for adults. Join us for “Dancing for Power & Wellness,” a Self-Defense and Movement Workshop on Thurs., June 12, at 6 p.m. at the CCA Elite Dance Studio! Free and open to the public, thanks to a generous grant from National Performance Network.
June’s Grow More, Give More Harvest of the Month is Sweet Corn!
Find growing instructions and delicious recipes at https: https://www.aces.edu/go/4272
Ala. Extension Homesteading Workshop
Interested in farming with limited available land and resources? Back yard poultry, small scale economics and homestead animal husbandry workshop June 12 at 5 p.m. at Choctaw County Extension office, 218 Hamburg St., Butler. To ensure an accurate headcount, please RSVP through our registration link https://www.aces.edu/event/homesteading-workshop-butler-6-12/
Tuscaloosa’s One Place Moble Food Pantry at UCS June 11
Tuscaloosa’s One Place Moble Food Pantry, supplied by West Alabama Food Bank, will be at University Charter School Smith Campus, 134 University Dr., Livingston, on Wed., June 11 at 10 a.m. This mobile food pantry offers essential groceries such as meats, vegetables, fresh fruits, and canned goods for low-income households. Sumter County families can drive up to the food pantry location and have bags of groceries placed in their vehicle. The groceries are expected to last an average household about 2 weeks. Arrive early! Food is available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Black Belt Road Trip Photo Contest
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) wants to celebrate the summer vacation season and all of the region’s amazing activities with the second annual Black Belt Road Trip Photo Contest. The contest runs through Aug. 15. All photos entered in the 2025 Black Belt Road Trip Photo Contest must be taken in the Black Belt’s 23-county footprint and must include people. Selfies or family photos taken in front of an attraction’s sign are welcome. ALBBAA wants to see photos showcasing the variety of activities and attractions available throughout the region – everything from outdoor recreation like fishing, hiking and bird watching to enjoying the Black Belt’s lively food and arts scene, and visiting the many historic and cultural sites. The contest will have a first-, second-, and third-place winner. First prize is a $100 gift card, while the second-place finisher will receive a $50 gift card. The third-place winner will receive a gift basket filled with ALBBAA-themed merchandise. The contest guidelines are similar to other ALBBAA photo contests, including: To enter the contest, photos must be uploaded through the ALBBAA website. The winners of the contest are selected exclusively through online voting. Participants must fully complete the online form with the necessary information, including person (or persons) in the photo and the county where the photo was taken. Participants may submit multiple photos, but only one photo per activity or attraction (i.e. camping, hiking, canoeing, birding, dining, art class, festival, Rosa Parks Museum, etc.). All photos become the property of ALBBAA and may be used for promotional purposes. Visitors to the contest webpage are restricted to voting once per day, per e-mail, per IP address. In the case of any dispute, the decision of ALBBAA officials is final. Entries can be submitted and votes cast online on the ALBBAA website – https://alabamablackbeltadventures.org/news-more/shoot-the-black-belt/roadtrip-photo-contest/ The ALBBAA reserves the right to approve or disapprove of a submitted photo. Cause for disqualification of a photo can include, but is not limited to, the following: The photo content presents the subject in an unethical or disrespectful manner. The photo content is perceived to cast a negative perception of the Black Belt, especially if it reflects unfavorably on management of wildlife. A voting violation which imposes an unfair advantage to others. The Black Belt includes the following 23 counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.
Our apologies! We mixed up the Sumter County, Alabama, Soil and Water with the Sumter County, S. C., clean up for this weekend. Sumter County, Alabama, Soil and Water does NOT have a clean up this weekend. Sorry about that and thanks to everyone who called who was interested. We will post when the Alabama Soil and Water does their clean up this year.
Black Belt Community Foundation presents the Sumter County Listening Session
Join us for a Listening Session on Thurs., June 12, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Pop Start Community Center/Coleman Center for the Arts, 211 Broad Street, York. Let’s connect and talk about what matters to you -education, opportunity, health, housing, and more. Your voice helps shape the future of the Black Belt. Attendance is free and open to the public but we ask that you please register using the link below so we can accommodate all interested in attending! blackbeltfound.org/2025-listening-sessions/
4th Annual Sumter County Day
Bring your lawn chairs and join us in a day of fun with music, vendors and games for the 4th Annual Sumter County Day on the Sumter County Court Yard Square Sat., June 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.. For more information contact Cornelia Crockett 205-499-6772, Com. Armistead 205-499-0397, or Com. Campbell 205-499-6015. Presented by the Sumter County Chapter Alabama New South Coalition.
The City of Livingston Remember and Honor
In honor of Memorial Day and Independence Day, we want to see businesses and citizens fly their flags and decorate from May 19-July 6.
York Day June 21
Sat., June 21st at Cherokee Park bring your lawn chair and party at York Day. Free admission. There’s no fee to enter the York Day Basketball Tournament. Games start at 5 p.m. and winner gets $300 in cash. For more information on York Day contact York Com. Jazmin “Jazz” Mitchell or York City Hall at 205-392-5231. For more information on the basketball tournament contact Coach Jazz or Coach Reynaldo James.
Experience the Healing Room
The healing room is a movement of God, in which he has commissioned three of his daughters, Shabkeim Simmons, Melicia Owens, and Yolanda Graham, to carry out. This assignment is a strategic and weighty task, that requires them to set their boots back on the grounds of Livingston, the very city and community they have grew up in to reach the people and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The healing room is opened to both men and women alike. The objective of this gathering is “to bring good news to those poor in spirit, comfort the brokenhearted, proclaim that captives will be released, and prisoners (bound in spirit) will be freed,” Isaiah 61:1. This room is a safe place to worship, receive healing, deliverance, and divine activation. Sumter County and all surrounding areas are encouraged to meet up in the healing room to experience the glory of God! The Healing Room will commence on June 14, at 11 a.m., 100 Country Club Rd., Livingston. Register at Eventbrite.
Tombigbee RC&D Council Grants
Tombigbee RC&D Council’s 2026 grant cycle will begin on April 1st-June 30th 2025! To submit applications, please access the grant application and information section under our Grants tab at www.tombigbeercd.org/grant-guidelines/. We will be using Foundant for our application forms and reimbursement forms again and this software requires our applicants to create an account with Foundant before you can complete an application. Organizations eligible for consideration must be registered as 501C3 not-for-profit entities, units, or sub-units of government. Projects must take place in one or more of the eight counties served by the Tombigbee RC&D Council: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter, or Tuscaloosa. Detailed grant guidelines from the Tombigbee RC&D Council can also be found on our website. It is important to note that all grants awarded operate on a reimbursement-only basis; funds are disbursed upon project completion. We look forward to working with our grantees this FY26 grant season!
Tombigbee RC&D Supplies for Success
Are you a elementary school teacher in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter, or Tuscaloosa County? If so, Tombigbee RC&D is starting our Supplies for Success program aiming at aiding stocking teachers classrooms. We will be accepting applications until June 15. The application is a simple online form that will assess the needs of your classroom. Recipients will be notified via email by July 15. See the Faceboook page at Tombigbee RC&D for the QR code and application link.
ASF Foundation to Honor Dads at 42nd Alabama State Games
With registration for the 42nd Alabama State Games underway, the ASF Foundation is proud to announce that Dads will be recognized as part of the Honoring Our Heroes program during this year’s Opening Ceremony, which will take place June 13 at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham. Athletes registering at ALAGAMES.com can register their Dads for recognition through the Honoring Our Heroes Program. Admission to all the June 13 events is free and open to friends, families and the public.
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 Events
Livingston Police Back To School Bash
July 26 at 1 p.m. at Jaycee Park join us for face painting, bounce house, food, music, health resources, free school supplies. Donation drop off locations: Livingston Police Dept., 502 Lafayette St., or City Hall, 201 Church St. For more information contact LPD at 205-652-9525.
Ruby Pickens Tartt Summer Reading Program
It’s time to chill and thrill as we get ready for our annual Summer Reading Program at Ruby Pickens Tartt Library in Livingston with programs and presentations for every age group, so parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, get ready for a month of fun and creativity. The theme for this year is “Color Our World,” and we’ve gathered some of the most colorful presenters in Sumter County to make this the most exciting event of the summer. Let’s make reading the hottest item on your to-do list. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Hightower Memorial Library Summer Reading Program
Hightower Memorial Library is happy to announce our Summer Reading Program Theme: “Color Our World!” For 2025, we invite you to embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the countless ways in which art enriches our lives. Our program is designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages through a diverse array of artistic and reading expressions. All are invited to join us June 1-30. It’s free and fun for all ages! All programs and activities for children, teens, and adults are free and include performers, magicians, authors, presenters, book clubs, and more! Earn a prize for reading a minimum of 8 books and completing one activity this summer! Registration forms are available at the library. Please come and sign up! Space is limited. Your humble librarians: Edna Williams, Glenda James and Glenda Evans.
Koach Jazz Free Basketball Camp
Parents are welcome to bring their kids ages 5-18 to our free camp on July 26-27, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Sumter Central high School. Our aim is to provide assistance to kids, regardless of their accommodations. The Koach Jazz Basketball Camp will include appearances by local heroes playing at the Next Level, who will help and speak with the children.
UA Preview: This Week at The University of Alabama
| BEST BETS UA System Board of Trustees to Consider Next UA President The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees will meet to consider the appointment of the 30th president of The University of Alabama today at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on the UA System’s YouTube channel. The University of Alabama will follow up after the meeting with more information. Capital Campaign Exceeds Goal Ahead of Schedule The University of Alabama’s surge of philanthropic giving under President Stuart R. Bell has propelled the Rising Tide 2.0 capital campaign past its $1.8 billion goal. Why This Matters: The Rising Tide 2.0 has reached its fundraising goal with more than a year remaining in the original campaign timeline. The University will continue raising funds toward scholarships, faculty support funds and campus facilities through September 2026, when the 10-year campaign draws to a close. For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu. Summer Commencement Date Announced UA will hold summer commencement Saturday, Aug. 2, at 9 a.m. at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus. Why This Matters: Over 1,200 are expected to graduate, with about 750 of those participating in these ceremonies. Each year, UA awards around 9,000 degrees, with graduates infusing the state and nation’s workforce with highly educated talent. Pre-Medical Students Learn Rural Primary Care The UA College of Community Health Sciences recently welcomed the 2025 class of the Tuscaloosa Rural Pre-Medical Internship, a summer program for college students in pre-medical studies who are interested in rural primary care. Why This Matters: The seven-week program allows students to learn about the health needs of rural Alabama residents, particularly in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. The students also gain a better understanding of the day-to-day life of family medicine doctors. In addition, the program seeks to enhance their understanding of medical school and increase their competitiveness for medical school admission. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu. Transformational Gift Names College of Arts and Sciences Alumnus J. Frank Barefield Jr. has made a $35 million gift commitment to The University of Alabama to name the College of Arts and Sciences. Why This Matters: The J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences enrolls over 9,000 students across 80 majors, minors, concentrations and graduate programs. It is now one of only two colleges at the University to be named. For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu. 15 UA Students Selected for Fulbright Awards The Fulbright Program selected 15 UA students for various awards for the 2025-2026 academic year. Why This Matters: The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in various academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad. |