The Marengo County Leader

10/24/2024

Attention Sweet Water Bulldog fans: If you can't make it to the game against Southern Choctaw High School tonight, you can view it live on our sister publication's (The Choctaw Sun-Advocate) internet television channel. To view, log onto www.choctawsun.org and click on the SunTV Broadcast link at the top of the page. (NOTE: Two games will be broadcast tonight on SunTV, including the SW vs SCHS game and South Choctaw Academy vs. Morgan Academy. Be sure to choose the game you want to view.) There is no charge to view the game, and you do not have to subscribe to access the channel.

10/02/2024

08/22/2024

TWO ARRESTED AFTER DEMOPOLIS MAN
SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES ON TUESDAY

DEMOPOLIS -- A Demopolis man who was shot multiple times on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, remains hospitalized as of late Wednesday afternoon and two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Chief of Police Rex Flowers said that officers responded to an address in the 800 block of East Pettus Street to investigate calls that a person had been shot. There, they found the victim -- who was not identified by name -- and began to administer first aid until paramedics arrived and transported the victim to Whitfield Regional Hospital.
After processing the scene of the shooting, a person of interest was soon identified, located and brought to the Police Station where Joseph Anthony Robertson, 20, of Demopolis, was charged with Attempted Murder. Investigators also arrested and charged Keonna Lacey, 31, of Linden, with Hindering Prosecution (first degree) and Tampering with Evidence.
Both Robertson and Lacey were transported to the Marengo Co. Jail.
The victim was initially treated at WRH and later transferred to another hospital, Chief Flowers said.
The chief commended officers and investigators from his department who were involved in the investigation, and especially the off-duty officers who heard the call and rushed to assist. He also thanked members of the Marengo Co. Sheriff's Department and the 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force for their assistance.
The case remains under investigation.

07/04/2024

Hey, Marengo County residents, got family events planned for the 4th? Send us your photos!

05/16/2024

BREAKING NEWS

DEMOPOLIS LOCK WILL REOPEN THURSDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 16



DEMOPOLIS -- The Leader has learned that the Demopolis Lock (mile 213.2) will reopen to traffic in the afternoon of Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Commercial traffic will have priority lockage, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The lock operator can be contacted on VHF Channel 16 or at 334-289-0645.
The lock has been closed for repairs since a chunk of the upper miter sill collapsed into the lock chamber in mid-January.

05/08/2024

Here's a look at the front of this week's LEADER! Get your copy today!

04/26/2024

MARENGO BOE VOTES TO APPROVE DR. KALVIN EATON
AS NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION

LINDEN -- Come May 23, 2024, the Marengo Co. School System will have its first new Superintendent of Education in almost 24 years.
Luke Hallmark, who has served in that role since 2000, announced his retirement earlier this year. His last day will be April 30.
At the April 25 meeting of the Board of Education, members voted to unanimously accept the recommendation of the Superintendent Search Committee and hire Dr. Kalvin Eaton, whose first day on the job will be Thursday, May 23.
Dr. Eaton comes to Marengo County from Minor High School, in Adamsville -- a suburb of Birmingham -- where he has served as principal since June of 2015.
In the meantime, the BOE voted to name Terry Norton, Career and Technical Education Director, as Interim Superintendent from May 1 until Dr. Eaton assumes his duties here later in the month.
Dr. Eaton received a BS degree in Health and Physical Science from Stillman College in 2008; an MA degree in Teaching/Physical Education from the University of West Alabama in 2008; an MA degree in Instructional Leadership from UWA in 2009; a degree as an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in Instructional Leadership from UWA in 2011; and his Doctorate from Samford University where his dissertation was on Parental Involvement in Schools.
He is also a graduate of the Alabama Superintendents Academy.
Prior to his tenure at Minor, Dr. Eaton was Principal of Erwin Middle School, in Center Point, from 2014-15; Assistant Principal, Hueytown High School, 2011-2014; Health and Physical Education teacher, University Place Middle, Tuscaloosa, 2008-2011; Health and Physical Education teacher at Tuscaloosa Middle School, 2006- 2008.
He was a student athlete in college, has served as a coach, and was twice nominated for Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Mark S. Boardman, an attorney with the Birmingham law firm of Boardman, Carr, Petelos, Watkins & Ogle, PC, said the search committee -- which included local attorney Alex Braswell -- received “a lot of high quality” applications.
“That makes sense because your school system is financially sound and you are very stable,” Boardman said.
Without revealing names, he added that there were some local applicants who also had “outstanding resumes”.
“This board has done a fantastic job,” Eaton said in addressing the group. “It’s an honor to be here.”
Eaton said that Marengo County seems like “home” to him because his grandfather was born and raised here.
“We have family here as well,” he added.
Eaton said that he is coming to the job “to work”.
“My leadership style is more collaborative,” he said. “I want to work with you. I don’t have all the answers. This is my first job as superintendent but I have high confidence in myself. I have high expectations of the people in the community I serve, and I love kids. My goal is to inspire, educate and motivate kids to create educational opportunities.”
Eaton said he is excited about the opportunity and “very, very happy” to be in Marengo County.
Because the responsibility for hiring a superintendent is with the BOE, the recommendation to hire Dr. Eaton was made by Boardman and presented to the board by Chairman Freddie Charleston where Dr. Eaton received a unanimous vote.
“Welcome aboard!” Chairman Charleston said following the vote.
He also thanked all of the members of the interview and selection committee for their tireless work during the process.

Pictured following the Thursday afternoon meeting are, left-right: Marengo Co. Board of Education Members Freddie Charleston, John McAlpine, Rayvell Smith, Lynda Joiner, and Chester Moore, incoming Superintendent of Education Dr. Kalvin Eaton, Board Member-Elect Mark Bedsole (who will be succeeding McAlpine in Jan., 2025), and retiring Superintendent of Education Luke Hallmark. -- photo by Tommy Campbell

04/10/2024

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ALABAMA:
4 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL ALABAMA -- DALLAS, LOWNDES, MARENGO, and SUMTER. THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF DEMOPOLIS, FORT DEPOSIT, LINDEN, LIVINGSTON, LOWNDESBORO, SELMA, AND YORK.