Top Stories

Rural hospitals face challenges: New state tax credit could help
Main, News, Russellville
Rural hospitals face challenges: New state tax credit could help
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County’s two hospitals face the same financial pressures confronting rural health care across Alabama even as they remain esse...
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Phil Campbell gets ‘clean opinion’ on audit
Main, News, Phil Campbell
Phil Campbell gets ‘clean opinion’ on audit
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Certified public accountant Don Wallace told town council members on Jan. 20 there were no problems with this year’s audit.
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MLK’s legacy: Blueprint we must follow
Main, News, Russellville
MLK’s legacy: Blueprint we must follow
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rev. Bennie “B.J.” Bonner stood before an audience gathered Jan. 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration March and described ho...
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Warming stations in the Shoals
News, Z - News Main
Warming stations in the Shoals
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 23, 2026
FLORENCE — Several warming centers and emergency shelters are operating across Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties in preparation for freezing t...
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Main
Grant is sought to resurface Hwy. 23
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The FranklinCountyCommission plans to seek a Rebuild Alabama grant to resurface a section of Highway 23 between Alabama 24 and Alabama ...
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Main
Courthouse annex to get roof repairs
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County Commission has awarded a $21,632 contract to Mid-America Roofing Inc. for roof repairs to the courthouse annex afte...
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Land Transactions
Land Transactions
January 28, 2026
Jan. 14   Steve Merkle to Maxwell Erb and Katyln Phipps, warranty   Sarah Nix to Jason and Jenny Vinson, power of attorney   Margaret Montgomery to Da...
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Birthdays
Birthdays
January 28, 2026
Jan. 28   Hailey Peters   J.D. Robinson   Roy Strickland   Jason Davis    Jan. 29   Amber Timmons Compton   Kristi Daniel   Jeanette Grissom   Cindy H...
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Marriages
Marriages
January 28, 2026
Jan. 16 • Kenneth Robert Riley to Zoe Catherine Kendl Jan. 20 • Zachary Alan Black to Chrystal Dawn Porter • Glenn Adrian Welton to Cynthia Lynn Dolle...
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Elementary students begin Super Citizen program
News
Elementary students begin Super Citizen program
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
Second and third graders from West Elementary and Russellville Elementary began Liberty Learning Foundation’s Super Citizen program during an event ki...
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News
Franklin hospitals can benefit from tax credits
January 28, 2026
Rural hospitals are the backbone of many Alabama communities. They care for families around the clock, support thousands of local jobs, and serve as e...
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Book Lovers Study Club explores tea’s role in history
Columnists
HERE AND NOW
Book Lovers Study Club explores tea’s role in history
January 28, 2026
Our Book Lovers Study Club’s January meeting highlighted both the Boston Tea Party boycott of English tea and the traditions of afternoon tea. One of ...
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Moving from excuses to action in 1 year
Columnists
Moving from excuses to action in 1 year
January 28, 2026
In just 12 months, the Trump administration has delivered real results that Americans can see in their daily lives by restoring law and order at our b...
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Higgins hired as RHS football coach
High School Sports
Higgins hired as RHS football coach
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Darrell Higgins has been hired as the new head football coach at Russellville High School. His hiring was announced Saturday following ...
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Seal retires from CB&S after 31 years
News
Seal retires from CB&S after 31 years
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Following a 31-year career at CB&S Bank, Beverly Seal is now retired and looking forward to what comes next. While she’s still explorin...
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Belgreen Bulldogs
Belgreen secures 2 nail-biting wins
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
Fresh off a Franklin County Tournament championship, the Belgreen Bulldogs girls secured a pair of nail-biting victories recently, showing poise in ti...
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Franklin County
AHSAA releases its 2026-28 classifications
by By Stacy Long and Bart Moss For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
Alabama high school sports will undergo their most-significant changes in a half-century after the Alabama High School Athletic Association announced ...
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Lady Golden Tigers earn area second seed
High School Sports
Lady Golden Tigers earn area second seed
by Brannon King For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
The Russellville Lady Golden Tigers have clinched the second seed in the upcoming Class 5A Area 15 tournament with a 2-2 area record finishing behind ...
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High School Sports
Red Bay takes gritty 59-57 OT win
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
It was an action-packed stretch of local basketball, highlighted by a defensive grind that went to the wire, a dominant secondhalf performance, and a ...
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UNA band director retires
College Sports
UNA band director retires
by Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
FLORENCE–Leadership with the University of North Alabama informed music students and Marching Pride members that Director of Bands Lloyd Jones will re...
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Morgan Chiropractic marks 30 years of service
News
Morgan Chiropractic marks 30 years of service
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Morgan Chiropractic is celebrating three decades of care that began with a goal of bringing chiropractic services to an underserved are...
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News
2 garbage trucks to cost $604,730
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City council members have unanimously approved the purchase of two new garbage trucks. Council members authorized the purchase of two H...
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News
Show gives brides ‘spark’ of inspiration
by Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
FLORENCE — Love is in the air, February is just around the corner, and so is the 2026 Happily Ever After Spring Bridal Show presented by the TimesDail...
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Voter list bill clears committee
News
Voter list bill clears committee
by By Brady Petree For the FCT 
January 28, 2026
MONTGOMERY – A bill aimed at capping the purchase price of electronic voter lists while also prohibiting the release of voters’ confidential informati...
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What to know about hypothermia
News
What to know about hypothermia
by Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 23, 2026
FLORENCE — While Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties are facing a ice storm warning starting at midnight, several homes and residents may lose p...
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Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
Main
Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
by Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the county jail is not immune to the problem jail officials everywhere face: Inmates coming...
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Main
Jobless rate falls to 2.5%
by Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
MONTGOMERY — The unemployment rate in Franklin County fell to 2.5% in November, according to the latest figures available after the October figures we...
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Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
Main
Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
by Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year.
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Main
Transit service comes to Red Bay
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RED BAY — NACOLG Transit, operated by the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments, has begun providing regular public transportation service in...
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New welding shop a plus for students
Franklin County
New welding shop a plus for students
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A new welding shop inside the Russellville High School’s remodeled career tech building offers students more time and space to learn th...
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Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
News
Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
VINA — Vina High School seniors toured the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses of Northwest Shoals Community College as part of career planning a...
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Birthdays
Birthdays
January 21, 2026
Jan. 21   Ashley Webb   Richard Parker   Seth Burns   Sophie Sharp   Charles R. Jackson   Mike Taylor    Jan. 22   Dorothy Robins     Jan. 23   Lindse...
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