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Hill addresses challenges before congressional panel
Main, News, Russellville
SMALL WATER SYSTEM
Hill addresses challenges before congressional panel
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Eric Hill, general manager of the Russellville Water and Sewer Board, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to speak before Congress ...
Phil Campbell adopts buildings ordinance
Main, News, Phil Campbell
Phil Campbell adopts buildings ordinance
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Town councilmembers have approved a buildings ordinance which establishes requirements for inspections, notices, hearings and enforcem...
Bendall takes regional role at UNA
Main, News, Russellville
Bendall takes regional role at UNA
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Dr. Natalie Bendall has accepted a regional in-service center director’s role at the University of North Alabama.
Text message signaled return to state
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers
AHSAA NW REGIONAL FINAL RED BAY 64, COLD SPRINGS 52
Text message signaled return to state
by David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — It was a simple text message, one sent by a mom of a former player. It was a six-year-old picture of Red Bay huddled together outside Leg...
Main
Delays by contractor frustrate Shewbart
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
RED BAY — Mayor Mike Shewbart is frustrated after a contractor missed its deadline on a paving project, threatening future partnerships with the compa...
Main
Hospitals asks for $24,500 match
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Red Bay Hospital has asked the Franklin County Commission to help cover a required 10% local contribution under the state’s Rural Hospi...
News
Police warn of pine straw scandal
by Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
RED BAY — Police Chief Janna Jackson warns if someone offers to spread pine straw for you who has an out-of-state license plate on their vehicle, call...
News
County agrees to spend $638,750 for breathalyzers
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners have agreed to spend $638,750 to purchase 1,750 alcohol breath testing devices.
Columnists
Good intentions put privacy at risk
March 4, 2026
For years — if not decades — law enforcement, privacy experts and politicians have warned people about sharing too much personal information online. S...
Tax season brings relief for workers
Columnists
Tax season brings relief for workers
March 4, 2026
Americans across the country are preparing for tax season as W-2s make their way to everyone’s mailboxes. People often compare filling out their tax f...
GFWC clubs support parks system
Columnists
HERE AND NOW
GFWC clubs support parks system
March 4, 2026
When our GFWC Book Lovers Study Club met recently, we focused on something that belongs to all Americans -- the National Park Service. Patricia Cox, c...
Bishop, McCulloch lead RHS softball to 4-1 start
High School Sports
Bishop, McCulloch lead RHS softball to 4-1 start
by Brannon King For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Russellville varsity softball team successfully opened the 2026 season with a 4-0 start before falling in the fifth game of the week. The Lady Gol...
Belgreen wins 4 of 5
Belgreen Bulldogs
Belgreen wins 4 of 5
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Belgreen Bulldogs are off to a hot start under new veteran coach Jonathan Raper. After dropping their opener to Dora, the Bulldogs won four straig...
RHS loses 4 in Showdown
High School Sports
RHS loses 4 in Showdown
by Brannon King For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Russellville High baseball team defeated the Hatton Hornets in the home opener, then lost four games in the PB South Alabama Showdown. RHS hosted ...
High School Sports
Tharptown goes 4-2 for the week
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Tharptown Wildcat softball got off to a strong 4-2 start to their season in their opening week. The Wildcats beat Cherokee 10-0, Fayette County 5-...
High School Sports
Red Bay softball off to hot start
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Red Bay softball team is off to a hot start improving their record to 4-1 after two weeks. This week the Tigers beat Covenant Christian 11-4 and T...
High School Sports
Red Bay wins 2 of 3 games
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Red Bay baseball beat Covenant Christian 10-0, Belmont 10-3 and lost to Hackleburg 9-8. Against Covenant, Red Bay’s scored 10 runs on six hits fou...
High School Sports
PC softball splits 4 games
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Phil Campbell Bobcats picked up two wins this week over the Covenant Christian Eagles and dropped two games late in the week to Mississippi school...
News
Landfill’s financial success tied to volume
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
MUSCLE SHOALS — Leaders of the Tri-Cities Solid Waste Disposal Authority (SWDA) say the landfill is operating well again, but its long-term financial ...
Records
Health Scores
March 4, 2026
New Freedom Daycare –  508 St. Clair Street, Russellville – Score 99, 11-18-2025   Oliver Creamery Mobile Unit  –   1121 Highway 46, Russellville – Sc...
News
Wanted suspect found in Indiana
by Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A Haleyville man who had been on the lamb for 18 months, will get a chance to stand trial after being accused in 2022 of firstdegree so...
Civil rights veteran recalls bus boycott
News
Civil rights veteran recalls bus boycott
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE—Pearl Jackson Green believes it was determination that carried her through the civil rights movement of the 1950s, and the moments of fea...
Birthdays
Birthdays
March 4, 2026
March 4   Jimmy Hill   Chase Bullington   Randy Fretwell   Beverly Fuller   Chase Gilmer   Kinsley Palmer   March 5   Tressa Bragwell   William Nale  ...
Goggans crowned Miss NWSCC
News
Goggans crowned Miss NWSCC
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
PHILCAMPBELL—Ella Goggans of Russellville was crowned the 2026 Miss Northwest Shoals during the college’s annual pageant. She also won the talent comp...
Miss RHS Pageant takes stage Friday
News
Miss RHS Pageant takes stage Friday
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The 44th annual Miss RHS Pageant will be held Friday at 7 p.m. in the Russellville City Schools Auditorium. The pageant is the main fun...
Main
Work begins May 11 on dangerous crossing
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RED BAY — Construction is expected to begin in May to reconfigure a dangerous intersection located 4.7 miles southwest of Red Bay in Mississippi.
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
Belgreen Bulldogs
COLD SPRINGS 45, BELGREEN 42
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
by David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — Their hands found their faces quickly — something, anything, to absorb the tears. It only worked so well.
Court asked to halt lot sales
Franklin County
Court asked to halt lot sales
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners are seeking a court order to halt future sales of lots for the Lightning Ridge subdivision.
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
Main
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Middle school teacher Carley Andrews Tellish has been named the 2026 Spezzini Rural Teacher of the Year, an honor that recognizes one K...
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
News
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- The annual Franklin County Cattlemen’s beef cookoff took place recently at Triple H Barn with students from Russellville, Red Bay, Bel...
Birthdays
Birthdays
February 25, 2026
Feb. 25   Roxann Pounders   Lisa Washington   McKinley Smith   Corey Jackson   Feb. 26   Michelle Cole   Dianne Holland   Ashley Dunstan   Betty Griff...
Land Transactions
Land Transactions
February 25, 2026
Feb.11   Charles Christopher Payne to Barry Hargett, power of attorney   Carlton and Lorena Lofton to Carlton Lofton Jr, Lorena Lofton and Rebecca Lyn...
Marriages
Marriages
February 25, 2026
Feb. 17 • Moran Alan Rodolfo Escobar to Noemi Estela Paniagua
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
Columnists
HERE AND NOW
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
by By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist 
February 25, 2026
As the 250th celebration of the United States approaches, members of the Cultura Garden club have been revisiting American history through a series of...

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