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LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY
Franklin County, Main, News
LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY
Retirement brings an end to one chapter of school
by By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
THARPTOWN – Over the past 21 years, Tharptown schools have seen a plethora of changes as students and teachers alike come and go and the education lan...
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Investigator details charges in child porn case
Main, News, Russellville
Investigator details charges in child porn case
by By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Details from an interview between Abigail Roberts and an investigator regarding the child pornography and sodomy charges against the 22...
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Drone contraband is becoming a problem
Main, News, Russellville
Drone contraband is becoming a problem
by Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Area law enforcement officials say they support the idea of more authority to stop drones from delivering contraband into jails. Alabam...
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Oliver: Too many children are being abused
Main, News, Russellville
Oliver: Too many children are being abused
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County deputies investigated 85 cases involving child and sexual abuse in 2025. “For a county the size of Franklin County, tha...
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Sentencing delayed again in manslaughter trial
Main, News, Russellville
Sentencing delayed again in manslaughter trial
by By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Brandy Dowdy will have to wait even longer to learn how long she will serve in prison after her sentencing was delayed for the second t...
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Land Transactions
Land Transactions
by Griffin Traylor 
April 22, 2026
March 30   Fred Olive Pilgrim to Austin Dale Pilgrim, quit claim   March 31   Pedro Miguel Francisco and Ramona Miguel Francisco to Ramona Miguel Fran...
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Main
Parents plead guilty in death of child, 3
by Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The parents of 3-year-old Bentley Fowler, who died in 2020 after being left in a hot car for more than 15 hours, have both pled guilty ...
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Main
Lawsuit’s dismissal is tied to written promise
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Schools is waiting on a written commitment from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources before dro...
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News
Hwy. 36 access project approved
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners have agreed to move forward with a a Highway 36 industrial access project. Assistant County Engineer Cale...
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Generational investment has regional impact
Columnists
Generational investment has regional impact
April 22, 2026
On March 20 we marked the beginning of something truly significant, not just for one community, but for all of north Alabama. The announcement of a $2...
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Opinion
Her’s is a legacy few can claim
April 22, 2026
Most school officials have an impact on the lives of the students they encounter over the years. Long after their professional careers have begun, stu...
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Broadway salute takes stage April 23-26
Columnists
HERE AND NOW
Broadway salute takes stage April 23-26
April 22, 2026
“The Roxy’s Salute to Broadway” will be held April 23-26 at the historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville. The production features music from fiv...
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RHS softball goes 3-1 in NW Alabama Bash
High School Sports
RHS softball goes 3-1 in NW Alabama Bash
by Brannon King For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
The Russellville High softball team went 4-2 during a week of games that included participation in the Northwest Alabama Bash at the Sportsplex in Flo...
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Red Bay wins 3 of 4; Tharptown wins 2
Belgreen Bulldogs
Red Bay wins 3 of 4; Tharptown wins 2
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
RedBayandTharptown led the way last week in softball with Red Bay winning 3 of 4 games and Tharptown earning a couple of big wins, downing Phil Campbe...
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Competitive eater completes challenge
News
Competitive eater completes challenge
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A local restaurant is getting attention after a competitive eater finished a massive meal with just seconds to spare, turning a simple ...
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News
BTCPA closes season with ‘The Red Velvet Cake War’
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 22, 2026
RED BAY — The Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts will close its season with a production of “The Red Velvet Cake War,” a comedy by Jessie Jones,...
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News
Internet crimes unit wants Romanian predator
by Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Romanian police are searching for a man who is believed to have contacted a special needs 16-year-old female in Franklin County via the...
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$4.2M paving project nears end
News
$4.2M paving project nears end
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The final phase of a $4.2 million paving project funded through a Rebuild Alabama grant is nearing completion, marking the end of a lar...
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Rambo wins state Farm-City essay contest
News
Rambo wins state Farm-City essay contest
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 22, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Phil Campbell High School senior Emma Rambo has been named the state winner of the Alabama Farm-City Essay Contest, earning first plac...
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Franklin County
County settles land sale violations for $60K
by By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County Commission is moving forward with a settlement tied to a controversial land development after officials said the co...
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Franks wins Bryant-Jordan Achievement Award
News
Franks wins Bryant-Jordan Achievement Award
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Natalee Franks, a senior at Tharptown High School, received the Bryant-Jordan Achievement Award as a regional winner and received a $3,...
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Birthdays
Birthdays
April 22, 2026
April 22   Jill Masterson   Molly Gaston   Linda Holcomb   Dana Copeland   Bruce Daily     April 23   Mickie McNutt   Austin Balding   Carl Blackburn ...
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Marriages
Marriages
April 22, 2026
March 31   Zarek Mark Barnett to Mackenzie Morgan Hanford   Thomas Mathew Jones to Tabitha Cheyenne Kelley   April 1   Austin Lee Bridges to Briana Al...
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Kids were hopping to be healthy
News
Kids were hopping to be healthy
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Chalk prompts and hopscotch squares lined the sidewalk outside the Russellville Public Library recently, forming a short course of move...
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High School Sports
RHS wins Area 14; hosts playoffs Friday
by Brannon King For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
Russellville High took 2 of 3 games from rival West Point last week to clinch first place in the AHSAA Class 5A Area 14 baseball standings. The Golden...
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Belgreen punches way into playoffs
Belgreen Bulldogs
Belgreen punches way into playoffs
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
The Belgreen Bulldogs pummeled the Tharptown Wildcats in two straight games to sweep their way into the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. Belgreen...
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High School Sports
Shot clock arrives For AHSAA games
by By Stacy Long For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
The shot clock, part of college basketball for the last four decades, is migrating to Alabama high schools. The Alabama High School Athletic Associati...
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High School Sports
Red Bay sweeps Sulligent; wins Area 10 title
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
The Red Bay Tigers swept the Sulligent Blue Devils last week to go undefeated and win the Class 2A Area 10 championship. Red Bay easily beat Sulligent...
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Bobcats win area title
High School Sports
Bobcats win area title
9 titles in 10 years for Phil Campbell
by Bart Moss For the FCT 
April 22, 2026
The Phil Campbell Bobcats captured the Class 3A Area 14 championship with a decisive win over the Colbert Heights Wildcats Friday night. The Bobcats (...
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Main
Property rezoning clears way for retail building
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville City Council approved the rezoning of a Lawrence Street property during its April 6 meeting. The council voted to rezo...
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Main
Disruption of water service is expected Thursday
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Water service for customers in areas along College Road is expected to be disrupted Thursday as crews install a new meter and vault fo...
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Garden club hosts plant, bake sale
Columnists
In the Community
Garden club hosts plant, bake sale
by María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RED BAY — The Red Bay Garden Club held its annual plant and bake sale Saturday at the high school greenhouse to raise funds for projects across the ci...
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Birthdays
Birthdays
April 15, 2026
April 15   Josh Ryan Prewitt   Jordan Prewitt   Jeff Robertson   Howard Barnett   Hayden James   Billy Witt   Angela Witt Dunstan   Nora Madilyn Baker...
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Marriages
Marriages
April 15, 2026
March 31 • Zarek Mark Barnett to Mackenzie Morgan Hanford • Thomas Mathew Jones to Tabitha Cheyenne Kelley April 1 • Austin Lee Bridges to Briana Alex...
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Has the city on a hill lost its shine?
Columnists
Has the city on a hill lost its shine?
April 15, 2026
Ronald Reagan used the “Shining City on a Hill” as a metaphor for the United States as a beacon for freedom and democracy in the world. Joe Biden ofte...
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