Clarke County News

Federal agents say they're searching for a Clarke County, Ala., preacher who's facing arson charges in connection with a fire at his church.

Federal agents this afternoon asked for the public's help in finding a preacher who has been charged with setting fire to his church in Clarke County, filing false tax returns and using another person's Social Security number.

Voters in the county seat of dry Clarke County voted to allow alcohol sales today by a vote of 346 to 214, according to Grove Hill town clerk Cheryl Hicks.

Other nominees for the honor from Marengo County included Mary Gaddy and last yeara s winner, Tommy Vice.

State Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, says he won't endorse a candidate in the special election to fill his former House seat.

A merger between Gulf Lumber Co. of Mobile and Scotch Lumber Co. of Fulton could put 100 people back to work at a Fulton sawmill early next year.

The Carl-T, owned by Dixie Pellets, makes its inaugural trip downstream through the Claiborne Lock in Monroe County in 2008, towing 1,500 tons of wood pellets made at the company's new Selma plant.

Boosted by Alabama Education Association money, Elaine Beech has decisively outraised and outspent Ozelle Hubert, her Democratic primary opponent in the upcoming special state House District 65 election, according to campaign finance reports.

Until he drew his last breath, daddy thought the United States was going to Hell.

A proposed wood pellet plant in Jackson, Ala., has been indefinitely delayed, as owners have yet to raise the $118 million needed to build the 100-job project, said Debra Bolen, executive director of the Clarke County Economic Development Partnership.

Authorities say a state prisoner being held at the Clarke County Jail while undergoing a mental evaluation has escaped by overpowering a deputy and driving off with his patrol car and service revolver.

A Grove Hill, Ala., woman accused of hiding money from creditors of the bankrupt church where she worked, and filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of herself and others, pleaded not guilty today in federal court.