The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for March 26, 2024

U.S.S. Monterey

THREE YEARS AGO
MARCH 25, 2021

Drive-thru clinics to resume: On April 7, the Alabama National Guard will conduct a drive-thru vaccination clinic at Monroe County High School from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ALNG will be giving the Pfizer vaccine, which is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently approved for teens who are at least age 16.
The clinic will be open for all eligible Alabamians, free of charge.

Excel girls improve to 13-7: Excel’s softball team improved to 13-7 with an 8-4 victory over J.U. Blacksher (JUB) and a 19-10 victory over T.R. Miller (TRM) last week.
Against JUB, Kameron Duke went 2-for-2 with a single, a triple and two RBI. Duke picked up the win on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing four earned runs on 15 hits. She struck out four batters and did not allow a walk.
(Other top Excel players that season included Brooklyn Barlow, Mabry Black, Tiara Black, Devin Brooks, Kiley Dees, Avery Duke, Haylee Hopkins, Hannah Newsome and Alexis Watson.)

McDonald named POY: Corey McDonald, M. Photo., CPP, of Corey McDonald Photography & Portrait Design, has won the 2021 Senior and Youth National Conference Photographer of the Year Award.
McDonald’s images were in competition with 521 other images from senior portrait photographers across the U.S. This is the most elite trophy and award of the event.
In all, McDonald received 20 Awards of Excellence for images that scored at least 80 points or above, first and third places in Theme, Sport or Hobby, third place in Composite, second place in Portrait Open and two Judge’s Choice Awards.

28 YEARS AGO
MARCH 28, 1996

Helicopter landing: American Legion Post No. 61 has acquired a UH-1H “Huey” Army helicopter for permanent display in Monroeville near the Army tank on Veterans Avenue. The helicopter, a mainstay of the Vietnam War, was transported Friday from Fort Rucker. The 110-mile return trip took over six hours with frequent stops to lift overhead cables. In Evergreen, the helicopter clipped a telephone cable near U.S. Highway 31 North at Old Greenville Road. The helicopter display should be finished by July 4.

Three generations: Mitchell Bayles became a third-generation player for the Monroe County High School Tigers this season when he earned a spot on the varsity roster. Bayles is a junior left-hander. His father, Mitch Bayles, played center field at MCHS from 1967-69 under coach Ronnie Dees, and his grandfather, Glen Bayles, was a Tiger second baseman under coach E.H. Penny from 1946-48.

Navy Petty Officer 3^rd Class Christopher E. Salter, son of Brenda F. Wiggins of Monroeville, has returned to Mayport, Fla. after completing a six-month overseas deployment to the Adriatic Sea near Bosnia aboard the guided missile cruiser U.S.S. Monterey.
Salter is one of 380 sailors aboard the cruiser who completed the 38,000-mile voyage. Salter’s ship was part of the 11-ship U.S.S. America Battle Group, which included more than 80 tactical aircraft, and ships and submarines armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles. He joined the Navy in September 1992.

53 YEARS AGO
MARCH 25, 1971

Mark site of oldest building: County Commissioner Walter Agee was on hand for the installation of this historic marker in front of the Masonic Lodge at Perdue Hill recently. Shown installing the marker are Monroe County Historical Association member Sgt. George Buster Singleton and J.F. Carter, president of the organization. The marker is located in Agee’s commission district.

Tigers set for Jamboree Friday in Jackson: Monroe County High School’s Tigers will play in a spring football jamboree this Friday night, March 26, in Jackson.
Enthusiasm has been high among the 41 members of the squad, said Coach Wayland Elliott.
The quarterback position has turned into a three-way race between Mike Cobb, a sophomore letterman; Buddy Black, a freshman up from the junior team; and Larry Snowden, a junior who has excellent quickness and a strong passing arm.

Deactivated church undergoes facelift: Two Burnt Corn community families are financing a major renovation of the Burnt Corn Methodist Church.
The $4,500 family project is expected to put the church in “excellent condition,” said Sam Lowrey. The families of J.F.B. Lowrey and W.O. Green are having the work done.
Built around the turn of the century, the old church has been inactive since 1960 for “lack of sufficient membership.” Lowrey said it is not known whether the church can be reactivated, but that the families are putting it in good repair so it will be ready in the event it is returned to full-time use. In the meantime, the church will be used as a sanctuary, he said.

78 YEARS AGO
MARCH 28, 1946

SQUARE DANCE: There will be a square dance at the Frisco City gymnasium Friday night, March 19. An admission fee of 50 cents will be charged and proceeds will go to the PTA. Good music.

Folsom To Speak Here March 30: A list of speaking engagements announced by J.E. Folsom, candidate for Governor, includes a speech to the voters of Monroe County in Monroeville on Sat., March 30, at 3:30 p.m.

Dr. McDonald To Speak Here At School: Dr. Herbert McDonald of Mobile will speak at the high school auditorium April 10 at 7 p.m. on understanding Russia and the Russian people. Dr. McDonald represents the American-Soviet Friendship Union. Everybody is cordially invited to hear him.

Local Golfers Plan Spring Tournament: Plans for improving the course and a local tournament were discussed at a meeting of Monroeville golfers held Monday night at the Williams Café with 29 golfers present.
Lucian Jones was elected president of the Club for the ensuing year; R.A. Wibel, secretary, and Moses Katz, treasurer.
The president appointed committees to put the tees and greens in condition for the tournament scheduled to begin the first Thursday in April. Harry Hostetter is chairman of the tournament committee.

Spring Term Circuit Court In Session: The Spring term of the Circuit Court convened Monday for a two-week session with Judge F.W. Hare presiding and A.H. Elliott, circuit solicitor, in charge of the prosecution. Shall Dunning is foreman of the grand jury. The first week will be given to the trial of civil cases and criminal cases have been set for the second week.

128 YEARS AGO
MARCH 26, 1896

Miss Hortense Deer, who has been attending school at Pensacola, returned home Monday. The presence of small pox in Pensacola alarmed her parents, who advised her return.

Deputy Sheriff Harrengton returned Wednesday from Hillsboro, Texas with his prisoner, James Nettles, charged with murder. Mr. Harrengton is out again among “the dear people” making up for the time spent in the discharge of his official duty.

Jones Mill: We have a flourishing literary school at New Hope a few miles from the mill.

Kempville: We heard two excellent sermons during our pastor’s last appointment. Mr. Riffe is a truly consecrated Christian, therefore a good worker, and we are always benefited by his true, helpful sermons. We were glad to see several visitors among our congregation.

Pineville: Mr. B.F. Wiggins, representing Christian Craft Grocery Co. of Mobile, was in the city Wednesday.

Manistee News: A certain gentleman near this place ploughed up two acres of land last week and killed 69 rattlesnakes and hit at the 70^th one.

News reached here Saturday of a terrible tragedy enacted at Bells Landing on the 19^th. Jno. McLeod, who lived just over the line in Wilcox, while intoxicated, committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol. The deceased was a near relative of Hon. E.R. Morrissette.