Franklin Free Press

08/22/2025

President Donald Trump’s victory last November came as welcome news to the nation’s defense industry, which is poised to see unprecedented growth in Trump’s second term. Last month’s passage of House Resolution 1, known informally as Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill,’ includes $150 bil...

08/21/2025

https://www.franklinfreepress.net/news/northwest-rcampd-council-invests

The Northwest Resource Conservation & Development Council hosted a meeting Thursday to announce the completion of 20 Franklin County projects funded by the organization in fiscal year 2025. Additionally, three Franklin County projects were completed using Community Development funds approve

08/21/2025

When the Russellville Golden Tigers run out onto the football field at Deshler’s Howard Chappell Stadium on Friday night, they will be doing so, for the first time in over 30 years, without longtime assistant coach Tim Townley on the sideline. Townley, who announced his decision to retire at the e...

08/21/2025

After a summer of campaigning, the day of reckoning for Alabama municipal candidates is almost here, as voters across the state will cast ballots Tuesday, August 26th for most city council and mayoral positions. In Franklin County, the Towns of Vina and Hodges will not hold elections as all candida

08/20/2025

LOCAL AWARD WINNER: Caleb Beason of Franklin County was named first runner-up in the Alabama Farmers Federation Excellence in Agriculture contest Aug. 16. He was recognized during the Federation Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Beason is an agriscience teacher at Phil Campbell High School and farmer who lives in Russellville. The Excellence in Agriculture contest is for members who are 18 to 35 years old and receive most of their income off farm. Beason was judged based on an intense application and presentation.
As the first runner-up, he received custom Adirondack chairs courtesy of the Federation.
From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Beason and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.

08/20/2025

HOMECOMING FOR THE BULLDOGS: Belgreen High School will hold Homecoming festivities the week of September 2-5, 2025. Activities include a Bonfire/Community Pep Rally at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, Student Pep Rally on Friday, Sept. 5, at 12 p.m., early dismissal at 1 p.m., a Parade at 2 p.m., and the Homecoming football game Friday at 7 p.m., against Tharptown. Students on the 2025 Homecoming Court include: (from left): Caroline McDonnell, 7th Grade Rep., daughter of Lori and Samuel McDonnell, granddaughter of Lisa and Ronnie Miller and escorted by Samuel McDonnell. Marlie Terry, 8th Grade Rep., daughter of Allison and Josh Terry, granddaughter of Betty and Randy Terry, Joyce Hagood and the late Reginald Hagood. Escorted by Zedaki Wilson.
Evey Fisher, 9th Grade Rep., daughter of Justin and Kara Fisher and Lee and Ashley McGuire, granddaughter of Dean Fisher, Terry Pierce and Chris Bolton, escorted by Easton Mitchell. Mackinley Hogan, 12th Grade Rep., daughter of Stacey and Charles Hogan, granddaughter of Diane and David Hogan, Patsy Hill and the late Charles ‘Ed’ Moore, escorted by Lucas Chambless. Audree West, 12th Grade Rep., daughter of Jennifer and Jason West, granddaughter of Cyndi and Gary Smith, Walter West and the late Linda West, escorted by Carlos Alban.Makenna Fisher, 12th Grade Rep., daughter of Ashley and Lee McGuire, Nathan and Amy Strickland, granddaughter of Terry and Lee Pierce, Randy and Nancy Strickland, escorted by Ben Wilkins. Alayna Tate, 12th Grade Rep., daughter of Bridgett Smith and Danny Tate, granddaughter of the late Joyce and Nolen Smith, the late Kathleen and Eugene Tate and escorted by Braxton Vincent. Isabella Tate, 12th Grade Rep., daughter of Bridgett Smith and Danny Tate, granddaughter of the late Joyce and Nolen Smith, the late Kathleen and Eugene Tate, escorted by Brayden Messer. Bryn Scott, 12th Grade Rep., daughter of Andrea Sherrill and Chris Scott, granddaughter of Betty Lindsey and the late Noland Lindsey, Debbie Mayfield, Vic and Renee Mayfield, escorted by Rush Berryman. Halli Groce, 11th Grade Rep., daughter of Brianne and Blake Groce, granddaughter of Laura and. William Nelson, Jeff Robinson, Sandy Micholes, escorted by Antpone Puckett. Randi Terry, 10th Grade Rep., daughter of Alison and Josh Terry, granddaughter of Betty and Randy Terry, Joyce Hagood and the late Reginald Hagood, escorted by Colton Ashton.

08/20/2025

The Russellville High School varsity boys’ soccer team will be looking for a new head coach to lead the program following the resignation of Trey Stanford. Stanford’s resignation was accepted by the Russellville City Schools Board of Education at its scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 19. Stan...

08/20/2025

The following is a letter to the editor submitted to the Franklin Free Press. As we will not publish a print edition prior to the Tuesday, August 26th election, we are publishing the letter online.
We have confirmed the authenticity of the letter from its sender, as well as his desire to have it published.
We welcome all letters to the editor and will publish the same as long as there is nothing libelous or patently false contained therein.
To submit a letter to the editor, you may send via email to [email protected].

August 18, 2025

To the Franklin Free Press:

Dear Editor:

I am writing to state my case for re-electing Darren Woodruff as Councilman for the Russellville City Council District 2.

During the past 5 years Councilman Woodruff has been responsible for the following projects for District 2 in particular and the City of Russellville in general:
$5 million on 3 new fire trucks
$4 million for paving for 40 miles of roads.
$4 million for repairs for the Russellville Airport
$3.8 million for the new library, including a multi media center
$1 million for District 2 roads, culverts, bridges and tree removals.
$1 million for new police cars.

Councilman Woodruff has spent the last 5 years answering the call of his constituents and will continue to do so in the future if you honor him with your votes on August 26th.

Even more important that being responsible for the above mentioned projects, Councilman Woodruff had the political courage and character to call out, and stand up to, the corruption of the Russellville Electric Board and its manager.
Councilman Woodruff, and Councilman Woodruff alone, called out the Russellville Electric Board for the approximately $100,000.00 of illegal bonuses they took while he was there and the $50,000.00 of illegal bonuses they took after he left.
Councilman Woodruff led the flight to inform the public about the $25,000 gift card bank account which was set up by the former manager. He also led the fight to stop the exorbitant Christmas dinners which the Electric Board and its manager sponsored at the Marriott Hotel in Florence.
I think it is important to remind voters of this egregious misuse of rate payer funds before the election because they need an elected representative who will remind, and insist that, the Water and Sewer, Gas and Electric Boards have a fiduciary responsibility to treat rate payer funds with the respect that they deserve. The Russellville Electric rate payers are paying the fifth highest rates of TVA supplied companies because of Russellville Electric’s malfeasance. Councilman Woodruff has held these boards accountable in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

I would also suggest that it will be impossible for Councilman Woodruff’s opponent to ethically vote on any issue affecting Russellville Electric because he works for Russellville Electric and he will also be ethically unable to vote on any issue affecting Russellville Water and Sewer Board because his father serves on that board. Consequently, it will be impossible for Councilman Woodruff’s opponent to hold the Electric Board or the Water Board accountable.

I am proud to call Councilman Woodruff my friend and I would respectfully ask you to consider voting for him, in your own interest and in the interest of maintaining good government in Russellville.

Rob Grant,
Russellville

08/20/2025

Belgreen at Shoals Christian Date: Friday, August 22, 2025 Time: 7 p.m. Location: Flame Field (Florence, Ala.) Series history: The last and only meeting between these two teams was August 23, 2024, last season’s opener, when Belgreen captured a 20-6 victory over the Flame. That win was hi

08/20/2025

Horton shares vision for Russellville as candidate for District Three council seat:

Submitted by Donnie Horton

Hello, my name is Donnie Horton and I am a candidate for Russellville City Council District Three.
I am running for office as I think I can make a difference for Russellville and its growth in the years ahead.
I am a 1976 graduate of Russellville High School and have a business degree from Northwest Alabama State Junior College and a BS degree from the University of North Alabama in Management and Marketing.
I have more than 58 years of retail experience which helps in dealing with people. I have worked and run stores for Family Dollar, Dollar General, Big Lots, Eckerd Drugs and Walmart. Also, I have been project manager for Family Dollar and completed 200 stores for them. I also served as regional merchandiser for Dollar General and completed over 500 remodels for them.
I know people and can work with them to get the job done and I know what it takes to get the job done.
As a city council member I would love to help in building a better economic future, a better way of life for our citizens by developing new downtown growth, new high tech jobs for our city along with a way to develop more social activities for our citizens. These could include a new golf course, more upscale sporting events and venues for our city.
Dreams are important and can be done with the right frame of mind. We have the Bear Creek Lakes to use for economic growth with a state park as the western side of our state has none. A pipe dream you might say, but it’s possible.
Let’s think outside the box and with your support and vote on August 26th we can make it happen. I only ask for your consideration and your vote.
Thanks, Donnie Horton

08/19/2025

For Sale: Queen Size mattress. (Smoke/Pet free). Great condition. $175. 2 wood end tables, $40. Television stand/entertainment center, $60. 1 Distressed chest of drawers. $100. One vintage kitchen Hutch, $50. Text or call 256-443-1297.

08/19/2025

Important Meeting re: Animal Advocacy in Franklin County

Second Chance Canine Advocates, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to animal welfare, invites the public to attend its monthly meeting on Saturday, August 23 at 10 AM. The meeting will be held at the Ralph C Bishop Community Center, located at 201 Ash Ave., Russellville. The meeting will provide an opportunity to review the groups significant accomplishments over the past year, including successes in spay/neuter programs,updates on recent dog rescues and highlights from past events and fundraisers. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at upcoming projects and initiatives. The organization will discuss future fundraising efforts and educational topics for upcoming meetings. Members of the community are encouraged to attend and share their ideas, helping to shape the future of SCCA. This is a great chance for anyone interested in supporting animal advocacy to learn more about the group's mission and find out how they can get involved.