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 [email protected]. We can not take anything over the phone due to company policy.
2025 Holiday Deadlines: SCRJ will be closed for Memorial Day Mon., May 26 and has a late deadline of Tues., May 27 by noon for the May 29th edition. Deadline for Juneteenth events is Mon., June 16. SCRJ will be closed Fri., July 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.
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!
York Public Library Grand Opening
Please attend the York Public Library Grand Opening which will be held Sat., June 7, at 1 p.m.
Harvest Ministries
Harvest Ministries, 6815 Co. Road 32, Lisman, will be open Wed., May 21, 8 a.m.-1p.m. Free clothes, shoes, household items and much more.
Small Ruminant Production Webinar Series
Join us in person for a watch party from our recorded monthly Small Ruminant Production Webinar Series session Thurs., May 29 at 2 p.m., Hale County Extension Office, 701 Hall Street, Greensboro. Register for free: https://www.aces.edu/go/5000 These watch parties aim to give rural producers the opportunity to view the webinars and to ask questions in real time. The webinars will cover challenges and opportunities in raising goats and sheep. Learn the best ways to manage your farm to make it successful. Got Questions? Call Lauren Shortnacy 205-809-2297, or email: [email protected].
WIC Income Guidelines increase
Alabama’s income guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (better known as WIC) have increased, and additional people may qualify. If you are a woman who is pregnant, has had a baby within the past six months, or is currently breastfeeding, or if you are the parent or guardian of a child up to age 5, you are encouraged to contact your local county health department or WIC agency to apply. WIC participants may receive food benefits for each qualifying family member. Cash value benefits are available to purchase fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, with each child receiving $26 a month, pregnant and postpartum women receiving $47 a month, and breastfeeding women receiving $52 a month. In addition to nutritious food benefits, WIC participants receive free nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals. Alabama’s WIC program provides electronic food benefits, making the shopping experience easy. Under the 2025 federal poverty guidelines, more families may be eligible for the program. WIC is open to participants with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Check the table below to see if your family may qualify: Family Size* Annual Income Weekly Income-2 $39,128 $753; 3 $49,303 $949; 4 $59,478 $1,144; 5 $69,653 $1,340; 6 $78,828 $1,536. *Each unborn infant counts as one in the family size. *For additional family sizes, please visit www.alabamapublichealth.gov/wic. WIC participants must have both a limited income and a nutritional need. Families who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) already meet the income qualifications for WIC. Even families who do not qualify for these programs may be eligible for WIC because of WIC’s higher income limits. For more information, please go to www.alabamapublichealth.gov/wicor call the statewide toll-free line at 1-888-942-4673 (1-888-WIC-HOPE).
CDC announces Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry
CDC investigation notice regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections has been posted: www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/mbandaka-05-01/index.html
Seven people in six states have gotten sick from Salmonella after contact with backyard poultry. Backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. You can get sick from touching your backyard poultry, or anything in their environment, and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.
What You Should Do: Always wash your hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, their supplies, or collecting eggs. Use a pair of dedicated shoes or boots for your coop and do not wear them inside your house. Keep birds and supplies outside the house to prevent spreading germs into your house. Protect young children, who are more likely to put items in their mouths or not wash hands fully, from getting sick as their immune systems are still developing. Do not let children younger than 5 years old touch the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam.
Hatcheries should use best management practices to help prevent Salmonella in poultry and stores should source poultry from hatcheries that take steps to reduce Salmonella contamination. Clean and sanitize poultry display areas between shipments of new poultry.
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 that state’s health department.
Scam alert: beware of text messages collecting tolls
The Alabama Department of Revenue has received reports of fraudulent text messages looking to collect unpaid tolls. These messages may ask users to click a link that begins as “https://mydmv.alabama…”, although there may be several different variations of this link depending on the text message received. DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK.
ALDOR does not collect tolls, and the actual link to ALDOR’s MyDMV service is https://mydmv.revenue.alabama.gov/TAP/_/.
ALDOR does not contact taxpayers through text messages, so if you receive any sort of message that looks like this one, do not click any included links, do not respond to the message, and delete the message immediately. If you do happen to click the link, you may be taken to a site that looks very much like ALDOR’s legitimate MyDMV site. If you navigate through the fraudulent site, you may even notice that many of the buttons and links will take you to legitimate pages.
HOWEVER, buttons marked as “pay” buttons WILL NOT take you to ALDOR’s legitimate pay functions, but rather to the wrongdoers’ fake pay options, where they will gather your personal and financial information to steal your money or commit other illegal and harmful acts. Remember – ALDOR does NOT collect tolls. Protect your information. NEVER give personal details and financial information away if you don’t know for sure who you are giving it to.
May’s Grow More, Give More Harvest of the Month is Onions!
Find growing instructions and delicious recipes at https://www.aces.edu/go/4994Í
Dugg Hill P. B. Church Memorial Day Program
The pastor and members of the Dugg Hill P. B. Church, 3700 Mundy Rd., Coatopa, cordially invite one and all to our annual Memorial Day Program, Sunday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m. Our pastor, Rev. John Wright and pastor of the Star Bethel P. B. Church, Sweet Water, has consented to deliver the message. Your participation and support are always appreciated.
Pastor Dewayne Charleston, Sr.and First Lady Sister Lablinka Charleston, Pastor’s Appreciation Day
The Pastor and members of the Old Mt. Olive P. B. Church, Boyd, cordially invite you to come and share with us as we celebrate Pastor Dewayne Charleston, Sr.and First Lady Sister Lablinka Charleston, Pastor’s Appreciation Day in honor of his thirteenth year as our pastor, Sun., May 18, at 2 p.m. Rev. Obediah Clemons, pastor of the Greater Outreach Missionary Baptist Church, Meridian, Miss., will bring the word of God.
West Alabama Nuisance Wildlife Workshop
Do you assistance in or want to learn more about managing nuisance and invasive wildlife? If so, feel free to attend this Nuisance Wildlife Workshop at the Marengo County Extension Office on May 30, 9 a.m. -2:25 p.m. covering hog management, livestock depredation, and wildlife around the home. For more information contact Marengo County Extension Office 334-295-5959, [email protected], or Dylan taylor [email protected]. There is a small feel for registration.
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
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
| May 12, 2025 📰 BEST BETS Summer Construction and Road Closures Several road closures and lane adjustments will affect travel around The University of Alabama campus this summer. For the most up-to-date information, check the campus map. UA Set to Host Summer Camps UA is offering a variety of youth camps that will provide enriching learning opportunities throughout the summer. For a list of summer camps and registration information, visit the UA Youth Programs website. Professor, Foster Youth Advocate Honored Dr. Sebrena Jackson, associate professor in the School of Social Work, has been named the recipient of the Lahoma Adams Buford Endowed Peace Award for 2025. Why This Matters: The Buford Peace Award is a prestigious universitywide honor presented annually by the School of Social Work during its award ceremony at the end of each academic year. This honor is bestowed on a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional levels of involvement in mediating human disputes, helping overcome prejudice, promoting justice and establishing peace through their teaching, research, professional practice and personal life. 📅 EVENTS The Moods of Dotts Johnson in Song May 17; Rowand-Johnson Hall |