The Franklin County Times

01/07/2026

Check out this week's Franklin County Times! Available in print and online: Jan. 7, 2026. https://www.franklincountytimes.com/eedition/

01/05/2026

When Harper Berryhill began to lose her hair during chemotherapy, she was reminded that she was not facing her diagnosis alone. In a gesture rooted in love, memory, and school spirit, one Sheffield High teacher and three generations of her family turned simple haircuts into an act of solidarity.

When Harper Berryhill began to lose her hair during chemotherapy, she was reminded that she was not facing her diagnosis alone. In a gesture rooted in love, memory, and school spirit, one Sheffield High teacher and three generations of her family turned simple haircuts into an act of solidarity. The...

01/05/2026

OPINION: Imagine going to visit a relative in another country and discovering they had things that your own country did not. Not only were goods available for sale, but varieties of food were offered at fair and reasonable prices. People seemed happier in their jobs, and there was a certain vibrancy throughout all strata of society as they enjoyed more autonomy and freedom of movement. Government was less intrusive and more in the background. Law enforcement was more partner than adversary.

Imagine going to visit a relative in another country and discovering they had things that your own country did not. Not only were goods available for sale, but varieties of food were offered at fair and reasonable prices. People seemed happier in their jobs, and there was a certain vibrancy througho...

01/05/2026

OPINION: It was great to see the city of Russellville commit to installing a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station One, and even more so since the funding came from good Samaritans who anonymously donated the money for the project.

It was great to see the city of Russellville commit to installing a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station One, and even more so since the funding came from good Samaritans who anonymously donated the money for the project. Two families donated a total of $25,000 for the box, while another family will....

01/05/2026

MONTGOMERY — Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc. was awarded nearly $1.6 million by Gov. Kay Ivey for heating and cooling assistance programs. The agency serves citizens of Franklin, Lauderdale and Colbert and counties.

01/05/2026

Shoals-area Emergency Management Agency directors know in the weeks after Christmas, they can generally expect an uptick in calls related to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Shoals-area Emergency Management Agency directors know in the weeks after Christmas, they can generally expect an uptick in calls related to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). “Anytime a holiday season or gift-giving time comes around, gifts like ATVs are something very popular in our area,” said Flor...

01/05/2026

R U S S E L L V I L L E — Franklin County Anglers delivered holiday stockings to residents at Arabella Health and Wellness as part of their first community outreach project.

R U S S E L L V I L L E — Franklin County Anglers delivered holiday stockings to residents at Arabella Health and Wellness as part of their first community outreach project. The students assembled and delivered the stockings during a visit to the Russellville facility. “Because we have so many c...

01/05/2026

PHIL CAMPBELL — For Jam Lee TePoel Saarinen and her husband, Jeff Saarinen, some of the most meaningful Christmas gifts are not found under the tree but hidden inside its branches.

01/05/2026

RED BAY — A climbing ivy “Christmas tree,” decorated with ornaments and carolers from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” runs along the side of Wesley and Donna Thigpen’s house.

RED BAY — A climbing ivy “Christmas tree,” decorated with ornaments and carolers from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” runs along the side of Wesley and Donna Thigpen’s house. A plow that belonged to Donna’s parents, Jimmy and Ruth Clements, sits in the middle of the display. It’s all pa...

01/03/2026

RUSSELLVILLE — Tharptown senior pitcher Alyssa Fischer said Motlow State felt right the moment she stepped onto campus.

RUSSELLVILLE — Tharptown senior pitcher Alyssa Fischer said Motlow State felt right the moment she stepped onto campus. She said the visit reminded her of home with its small setting and familiar sense of community, and she knew she wanted to spend her college years there. “When I first visited ...

01/03/2026

Three Shoals high school football players can’t put the season to rest just yet.

They have another date on their calendar.

Three Shoals high school football players can’t put the season to rest just yet. They have another date on their calendar. Muscle Shoals’ Ka’Mhariyan Johnson and Mars Hill’s Jaxon Penn and Samuel Swinney have been named finalists for the Alabama Sports Writers Associations major awards. John...

01/03/2026

The Russellville boys basketball team took the court last week for the Bracy Invitational held at Deshler High School and the Golden Tigers opened the tournament with a win over Central before falling to Pearl-Cohn of Nashville, Tennessee, in the semifinals.

The Russellville boys basketball team took the court last week for the Bracy Invitational held at Deshler High School and the Golden Tigers opened the tournament with a win over Central before falling to Pearl-Cohn of Nashville, Tennessee, in the semifinals. Russellville got a 70-33 victory over the...