Greene County Democrat - February 11, 2026

Court ruling forces Trump Administration to restore CFPB funding - consumers lost more than $15 billion because of weakened oversight

By Charlene Crowell

California Congresswoman Maxine Waters speaks at a CFPB rally Also attending are Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo ) and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio)

(TriceEdneyWire com) - Over the past year the Trump administration took a series of steps to weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Despite broad and bipartisan legislative and consumer support for the agency’s efforts that delivered transparency in financial transactions for consumers these reversals also ended the kind of data collection, research, and investigations of consumer complaints that together held violators accountable, while making defrauded consumers financially whole

See CFPB Funding, p 6

Fulton County files lawsuit seeking return of seized election materials

By Joe Jurado NewsOne

FBI agents enter Fulton County Georgia voting offices

President Donald Trump has spent the last seven years obsessed with Georgia following his loss in the 2020 election The FBI turned heads last week when it seized voting information related to the 2020 election from a warehouse in Fulton County On Wednesday, attorneys for Fulton County filed a motion in federal court demanding that the federal government return the seized election materials

See Election Materials, p 6

Meet Roxanne Brown, the first African American and the first woman President of the United Steelworkers

By Black Press USA

In a significant moment for the labor movement, Roxanne Brown set to become the first African American woman elected as President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union, joins Make It Plain with Rev Mark Thompson With the official transition happening in March Brown’s ascent is more than just a personal achievement; it represents a shift in the labor movement s leadership reflecting the demographics of today’s workforce

See Roxanne Brown, p. 6

Bad Bunny dances his way through Super Bowl halftime show with vibes, symbolism and unity

Bad Bunny turned the Super Bowl halftime show into a Puerto Rican–inspired cultural spectacle and a deeper message that social media loved

By William Goodwin II, NewsOne

Gr eene County Commission r eceives new equipment to patch potholes; holds meeting to a ppr ove g r ant pr oposals and other matter s

The Greene County Commission met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026 at the William M Branch Courthouse in Eutaw All Commissioners were present Before the meeting began, the Commissioners looked at a new pothole patching machine that they acquired for the Highway Department at a cost of $325,500 This machine can be operated by one person instead of a crew of people and will save money in patching potholes The machine will allow for the Department to reach many roads on a more timely basis to deal with potholes At the meeting the Commissioners agreed to submit the 2026 CDBG grant proposal for $500,000 to the State of Alabama for approval and implementation According to Assistant Engineer, John Isley,

Greene County

the CDBG proposal included road repair to the following roads - Barren Road, Cook Road, County Road 74, County Road 67 and Emerald Lane The exact amount of road work that can be done will be based on actual cost, availability of 10% matching funds and other factors

The Commission approved a contract for $2 800 to Standard Roofing to repair holes in the roof of the Eutaw Activity Center The Commission approved a request

p 2

Jonathan “Joe” Benison seeks r e-election as Sherif f of Gr eene

County

Dear Greene County Citizens, I have been fortunate to have an extensive career in law enforcement: nearly 16 years as your sheriff and 24 years as an Alabama State Trooper But before any of that, I was a Greene County Deputy Sheriff The foundation for my passion for law enforcement was laid in Greene County I do not take for granted that you have entrusted me with the honor of being your sheriff, and I thank you for your support do not second-guess yourselves Rest assured that you have always made the right choice We have been here before; do not allow seeds of doubt to bear fruit

District 5

Mr Wesley Hodges, of Boligee, AL has announced his candidacy for the Greene County Commission seat for District 5

Let s be clear, Greene County is my home, too I am a sheriff by trade but the heart of who I am who I was before I entered this role, is a Greene County citizen I am just like you I am you: I was born here I was educated here, my family is here, my home is here, my heart is here My heart for this community and its people is what guides me If Greene County does not thrive, if Greene County is not safe, if our county’s resources go under WE all lose For these very reasons, this neighbor, classmate, friend and citizen is asking for your support Allow me the honor to continue advocating for Greene County fighting for Greene County, most importantly, protecting and serving Greene County, OUR community OUR home A vote for me is a vote for WE because we are in this together On May 19th vote for a Proven Past Proactive Present and a Fearless Future Vote for your Sheriff, Jonathan “Joe” Benison Sincerely Jonathan Joe Benison

Article Authorized by Candidate Wesley J Hodges Wesley Hodges a candidate for Gr eene County Commission,

Mr Hodges has a longstanding demonstrated interest in public service He received his Bachelor of

Arts degree in History from Stillman College and in Audio Production from Full Sail University He received his Masters in Public Administration from The University of Alabama

Mr Hodges has worked for the U S Department of State (Executive Branch) and U- Haul International Inc He has become a business owner in the residential and commercial moving industry founding Moving U a company that served the Southeast U S He has since transitioned into the role of CEO of Moving U Inc Being an ongoing volunteer, Mr

W illie Esther Davis announces candidacy for Gr eene Co. School Boar d, District 4

’s Degree in Business Administration from Stillman College While attending Stillman College, I received the United States Achievement Academy All-American Scholar Award I humbly ask for your support and your vote to serve as your School Board Member for District 4 A vote for me is a vote for change Thank you

Hodges has worked within his service fraternity (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc ) and political arenas, he has strengthened his passion and interest in learning about how the government brings about prospective partnerships for organizations and ventures for those who own small businesses He is passionate about community service whether local, state, or national and about advocating for the citizens of Greene County Wesley is particularly interested in public service because of his goal of improving the quality of life with community infrastructure like roads and bridges, public safety financial institutions and healthcare Mr Hodges ensures that he will continue to keep his 24/7 open phone line policy available for the citizens of District 5 and Greene County as well as match the “open door” policy of the current Commissioners who do so Mr Hodges is looking for your District 5 vote for Greene County Commission on May 19th

Gr eene County Sherif f Depar tment r epor ts one ar r est

The Greene County Sheriff Department reported the following arrest 2/4- Christopher Harris of Eutaw AL was arrested for Conspiracy-Theft of Property 1st Degree

11, 2026

Carol’s Notes

New Giants Rising

We tell our youth they stand on shoulders of giants who suffered and died for them

We tell them those giants stayed in the struggle with the armor of faith, courage, songs and marching feet.

We tell our youth the time is theirs to come forth as the new giants

We tell our youth they must decide how to embrace the struggle for justice and for peace

We tell our youth they have new armor to accompany faith, courage, songs and marching feet

We pray our youth will heed our stories, rise to lead as new giants through old struggles made new

Carol Prejean Zippert

County Wide Black History Program

Sunday, February 22, 2026 , 2:00 p m

New Generation Church Eutaw, Alabama Rev Joe Webb, Pastor Join us and Meet and Greet West Alabama Civil Rights and Political Leaders Everyone is welcome and urged to attend Sponsored by Councilmen Lorenzo French and Greene County Elected Officials Eutaw, Alabama 35463

Commission

The Commission approved travel expenses for the Board of Registrars to attend AABOR meeting in Orange Beach on February 26-28, 2026; they also approved travel for two Assistant Engineers to attend training in Tuscaloosa at the AVMS Annual Conference on February 24-25, 2026

Altheria Wilder, CFO, gave a financial report on the County’s funds as of January 31, 2026 The County has a total of $12,599,817 in funds in Citizens Trust Bank and Merchants and Farmers Bank Of these funds: $4,676,849 are unrestricted and $7,922,968 are restricted There is an additional total of $1 909,209 in Certificates of Deposit and investments In January 2026 the Commission paid out $3 452 992 for payroll and bills Another $82 794 was paid in electronic transfers for payroll taxes and retirement All County agencies are operating close to budget projections for the first four months of the fiscal year and have close to 67% of projected budgets remaining The Commission approved the financial report At the Commission Work Session on February 4 2026 the Commission heard a report from Rodgerick Williams, Administrator of the Greene County Health System, which includes the hospital, nursing home and physicians clinic He said that he has been at the facility for two months and has acquired some new equipment to monitor patient vital signs, a baby warmer and renovated two rooms in the Nursing Home With help from the County Commission in advancing tax funds has helped stabilize the finances of the Greene County Health System Williams invited the Commissioners and the public to visit the health care facilities and use them when they are needed

District Attorney, Rachel England, for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Greene Sumter and Marengo counties came to the Work Session to request $20 000 be included in the county s budget for a major crimes unit for personnel, supplies and trainings to make the unit operational Commission Chair Garria Spencer asked the District Attorney to put her plan and request in writing for further action by the Commission

The Work Session also heard a presentation by Charles Gomez, contractor for revitalizing the Greenetrack facility which is now owned by the county Gomez suggested that $2 7 million would be needed for repairs to the facility to make it available for lease by gaming, restaurants and other businesses The County Commission is scheduled for a site visit to Greenetrack on February 11, 2026 to see what work Gomez has done and what is still needed for the property

The Greene County Board of Education will meet in regular session on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 4:30 p m in the Central Office Auditorium

March 2- Pine Grove Baptist Church Sixteen Section Road will host their Pastor ’ 15th Pastorial Anniversary at 2:00 p m Reverend Jessie White, Pastor of the Trinty Baptist Church, Alilceville, AL will be the guest speaker The public is invited Rev Derrick Wright is Church Pastor

GIANT KILLERS: MORE THAN TWO (2) BILLION DOLLARS FOR CLIENTS

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Don’t

Gr eene County High holds Signing Day

Johnni Str ode Mor ning honor ed at Stillman r eception

Submitted by Johnni

Strode-Morning

On Friday night February 5th 2026 Johnni Strode-Morning a '72

Graduate of Stillman College and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated was recognized at the Stillman College President s Donor Reception, Yolanda W Page, Ph D President held at the Historic Drish House Tuscaloosa, Alabama for her dedication and commitment to scholarships for deserving students at her Alma Mater Stillman College Scholarships are provided by the Barbara Bigham Memorial Scholarship of the Super Fine Fifteen, FALL 71 Line, of the Epsilon Eta Chapter Stillman College, Tuscaloosa Alabama College alumni and supporters gathered for the evening for a beautiful President’s Donor Recognition Reception thanking all of the donors and supporters for the continued generosity strengthens Stillman’s Legacy Stillman College located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a four year HBCU College providing transformative educational opportunities advancing access to higher education and serving as a vital anchor institution in West Alabama with 17 major programs commitment to technological innovation, and partnerships spanning early childhood through graduate education Stillman College Honors its rich heritage while building for the future Local members of the Fall '71, Epsilon Eta Chapter Line, Super Fine Fifteen

are Loydleetta J Wabbington and Johnni Strode-Morning, both graduates of Stillman College

ANNOUNCEMENT

MACEDONIA CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BOLIGEE, AL WILL BE HAVING ITS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026 AT 2 P M MR DANNY STEELE, OWNER OF VAN HOOSE AND STEELE FUNERAL IN TUSCALOOSA, AL AND A MEMBER OF BAILEY TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF TUSCALOOSA, AL IS THE GUEST SPEAKER BAILEY C M E MALE CHORUS IS THE GUEST CHOIR WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE AS WE CELEBRATE “A CENTURY OF BLACK HISTORY COMMEMORATIONS,” HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CELEBRATION FOUNDED BY DR CARTER G WOODSON IN 1926 DINNER WILL BE SERVED REV JAMES WILSON, PASTOR

February 4- Families,friends and community leaders came out to celebrate Signing Day 2026 at Greene County High School. Congratulations to our student-athletes: **Khamari Young** signed to **Texas College **Ronald Wilder, Jr ** signed to **Troy State University** Newly selected Superintendent Thurman was also on hand to give words of encouragement We are proud of you both and can’t wait to see you succeed at the next level

Personalize Florist”

Call Now or Stop In Place Your Order Early OPEN Thursday Feb 12th, Friday Feb 13th and Saturday Feb 14th All Day 7 a m until Fresh Flowers Arrangements Dish Garden Plants Roses * Balloons * Candy Stuff Animals * Daily Delivery

T he Fir st Amendment and Black Jour nalists

contest a pre-textual arrest

T he fight to pr eser ve Black Histor y is a fight to save America

by Marc H Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League

(TriceEdneyWire com) -

A core memory for nearly four generations of Americans the first time their teacher announced at the beginning of February that it was time to honor Black History Month

Lesson plans highlighted the work of Thurgood Marshall to desegregate the very classrooms they sat in The words of Martin Luther King Jr adorned hallways' cork boards serving as a reminder to build character and to respect people regardless of race And the contributions of Mae Jemison, Lewis Latimer, and George Washington Carver encouraged us to lean into our ability to wonder and shape the world around us

A year ago, those lessons, the landmarks of those contributions, and the way we tell those stories in our schools, workplaces and museums came under attack

On the new administration’s very first day in office, it issued an executive order to strip funding from programs aimed at diversifying the federal government and the military It hit institutions that received federal dollars like a tidal wave pushing them to abandon even recognizing Black leaders and contributors out of precaution of being sued

Our schools, colleges, hospitals, and workplaces began to retreat from commitments to advance our nation forward by supporting marginalized communities and in some cases any mention of Black history at all Museums like the Smithsonian were quickly targeted and monitored for

By Julianne Malveaux (TriceEdneyWire com) -

Don Lemon knew he was going to be arrested

On January 18, he flew from Minneapolis to Chicago to emcee the MLK Breakfast for PUSH Excel the next morning He was expert and gracious, as always but he also dropped a couple of quiet bombs Lemon all but said he was under siege He didn’t list every case or name every colleague He didn t have to The message was clear: his arrest was coming Lemon understands power He understands pretext And he understands that when Black journalists challenge the state, dominant media narratives or official police accounts especially during moments of racial crisis the First Amendment does not disappear It becomes conditional, enforced through discretion rather than principle

promoting woke ideologies” that may make white Americans “feel bad” about the sins of this nation’s past, like slavery, redlining, and Jim Crow

After 15 years, a bust of Martin Luther King Jr was removed from the White House

And in the last month the administration removed a memorial honoring people enslaved by George Washington in Philadelphia

The most sinister part of this effort to erase Black History is the posturing Announcing a list of Black iconic figures who will be featured in the proposed National Garden of American Heroes will dismantle the work they did to advance voting rights for all Americans Honoring Muhammad Ali while waging unjust and unconstitutional wars in foreign lands is hypocrisy Recognizing Coretta Scott King while removing mentions of her father in the White House is disgusting And lauding the work of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman while sending armed masked agents into our cities and homes without warrants to terrorize and kidnap Black immigrants is criminal

Recognizing Black History Month has been about more than slapping a kente cloth label on a packaged good or passive social post with a still shot of the March on Washington It’s an opportunity for humanity to reflect on what can be accomplished in the face of state-sanctioned oppression It s a reminder of what s at stake in this nation if we disregard hatred and extremism And it’s a call to action to defend our Democracy defeat poverty and demand diversity everywhere in this country

The National Urban League is no stranger to this fight

We supported A Philip Randolph’s 1941 March on Washington Movement to combat discrimination against blacks during World War II, and advocated for the integration of labor unions under the leadership of Lester Granger

His detention on thin politicized grounds will cost him time, money, and energy, but it is unlikely to end in conviction That outcome is not justice It is insulation And insulation is rare

Lemon did not name Georgia Fort an independent Black woman journalist who was also arrested while doing her job Fort lacks the structural protections that often determine whether constitutional violations are challenged or quietly absorbed She does not have a corporate employer a national platform or a legal war chest She was live-streaming when she was taken into custody Her arrest did not dominate cable news No emergency panels were convened to debate its implications for press freedom That omission matters

police conduct, challenging official narratives recording public events can be protected speech or criminalized behavior depending on who performs it and who stands behind them Credentials function as shields Independence functions as exposure

This is not an aberration; it is a pattern The state does not need to silence all journalists to chill speech It needs only to arrest the least protected drain their resources interrupt their work, and allow the rest to absorb the lesson This is how constitutional rights erode in practice: not through formal repeal, but through discretionary enforcement; not through censorship but through deterrence

tory repeats itself

The question is not whether Lemon will survive this moment he likely will

The “good news ” if one can call it that is that Lemon is a man of means He has elite legal representation and the resources to

Because when Black journalists are targeted, institutional backing determines whether an arrest is treated as a constitutional crisis or as collateral damage A famous journalist s arrest is framed as a First Amendment test case An independent Black woman journalist s arrest is treated as an unfortunate footnote if it is acknowledged at all Fort s arrest is not incidental to Lemon s It is the point Her case illustrates how press freedom is rationed through selective enforcement The same act of journ a l i s m d o c u m e n t i n g

Black journalists have been disciplined for exercising First Amendment rights since the 19th century From Ida B Wells to Georgia Fort, the pattern is consistent When Black journalists are arrested surveilled sued or financially depleted, the issue is rarely the alleged offense It is discipline It is viewpoint discrimination enforced through pretext It is the strategic narrowing of who can safely speak

The First Amendment has never applied evenly For Black journalists, it has always been provisional recognized in theory, contested in practice and withdrawn precisely when it is most needed

Don Lemon knew what was coming because his-

The question is whether we are finally willing to tell the truth about press freedom when Black journalists like Georgia Fort are the ones exercising it That question matters especially during Black History Month, a century after Carter G Woodson created Negro History Week to confront the deliberate erasure of Black truth The intimidation of Black voices is not new What is new is the brazenness: retaliation politics dressed up as law enforcement, grievance masquerading as governance and power exercised as erasure We have walked this road before Copies of the Chicago Defender were confiscated rather than allowed to circulate in the South Ida B Wells was not alone in having her press destroyed The pattern is familiar because the principle has never changed The First Amendment is not under threat when it is loudly proclaimed It is under threat when it is selectively applied

And when Black journalists are punished for doing their jobs, silence is not neutrality It is complicity

Dr Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author juliann e m a l v e a u x @ a o l c o m "

Black Histor y Month and the power that holds democr acy together

(TriceEdneyWire com) -

Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson has emerged as a clarion voice for American democracy in turbulent times

The values he represents reflect the voters who elected him They remind us of the power of the Black community and the White, Asian American, Latino, and Native American voters who believe in multiracial democracy Together they help ensure our country ultimately remains a place defined by a deep commitment to achieving freedom and opportunity for all

Yet events at home and abroad show how fragile that path can be As Black History Month begins let us rise to this moment again Let us take stock of what has made the Black community the

In the 1950’s, we lobbied President Dwight D Eisenhower to urge the enforcement of the 1957 Civil Rights Act We participated in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights with Dr King other civil rights organizations and labor unions to discuss the progress of a new civil rights bill on Capitol Hill

backbone of movements that strengthen democracy

Our strength has never been our size Our strength has been that we hang together Since we first won the ballot Black voters have stood remarkably united Often 80 percent or more have chosen the same candidate and the same vision of fairness That unity has given us influence far beyond our numbers

It is no surprise that those who attack democratic rights try to break our voting bloc They come for civil rights They come for workers’ rights They come for equal pay and fair treatment I have helped lead coalitions to defend our community from those attacks I have faith we can see through them

What keeps me up at night is quieter It is the slow erosion of the cohesion that fuels our power

Our political unity reflects our community life

For generations we were held together by congregations by family reunions by Sunday phone calls that crossed state lines Cousins recognized one another by a reunion T-shirt Even relatives we rarely saw were still close kin Those bonds

And we hosted meetings with the planners of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at our headquarters in New York As we celebrate 40 years of Black History Month being recognized by federal law, we are reminded of how quickly the tide can turn against us and how we

helped us resist the divisions that split others apart

That cohesiveness was not magic It was history

The Black community remained confined to segregated towns and neighborhoods long after White America began to suburbanize We built economically mixed communities out of necessity In them, elders especially grandmothers and greatgrandmothers kept the circle tight They did it in church basements after service They did it around kitchen tables late at night

From coast to coast, Black children heard the same maxim: “To whom much is given, much is expected Elders organized the reunions They made the long calls between holidays They told the stories that reminded us who we were That love became political power It lifted leaders from Shirley Chisholm to Jesse Jackson to Brandon Johnson leaders who speak clearly for democracy and equality

But the elders who held us together are disappearing One by one Funeral after funeral

They were born into communities that were in-

tegrated by necessity

Many of us were born into communities divided by class, except in a few sacred spaces, often the church on Sunday As we entered the broader economy we absorbed its class lines as well This Black History Month, let us hold our community together by holding our families together Replicate the reunion Make the phone calls the elders used to make Tell the stories they told us

Democracy is under pressure That pressure should remind us we need one another We must hang together so our children can live better lives than we have Let us never forget that the elders we are burying have already shown us how to keep this country free by keeping our families connected, in tough times and even across great distance Ben Jealous is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania former national president and CEO of the NAACP and author of Never Forget Our People Were Always Free

must double down in our fight to preserve and advance our progress 60 years after the March on Washington, we stand in solidarity with our peers in civil rights fighting back against the assault on diversity anti-Democratic plans to nationalize our elections, and guard ballot boxes with armed, untrained, violent agents, and policies that threaten to impoverish millions, leaving them uninsured, hungry, and facing homelessness

This Black History Month is a reminder that the Urban League is fighting for you

Tr ump’s ‘Af for da bility Crisis’ is catching up to Republicans as Black and Br own voter s shift

(TriceEdneyWire com) -

Donald Trump won 48% of Latino voters in 2024 – the best Republican showing in half a century Fourteen months later, 70% disapprove of his performance as President What changed? The price of groceries Pew Research found 68% of Latinos say things are worse for them today than a year ago – the first time most Hispanics said this in nearly 20 years of surveys Trump's support among Hispanics has fallen to 28%, down 13 points since February, said The Economist/YouGov And the U S Hispanic Business Council reports 42 percent of Latino business owners say things are worse for them under Trump Black working-class voters face the same squeeze Trump's support with Black voters has fallen to just 10% reports the New York Times Among Blacks, high prices now poll higher than civil and voting rights concerns When Black and Brown families can't get ahead economically, social justice issues like civil rights and immigration tend to fall on their priority list When rent hikes eat up raises or grocery bills climb 20% while pay stays flat, social issues become a luxury instead of a necessity Democrats used this to their advantage in 2025 to reverse Trump’s gains with Black and Brown voters In key races across Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats focused on high prices and showed pocket book messaging works strongly when it s centered rather than mentioned as an addon to social issues Latino voters swung hard toward Democratsbacking Democratic governors by 37 and 34 point margins in New Jersey and Virginia Kamala Harris only carried Latinos in these states by a razor-thin 3-point margin in 2024 Among Black voters 89% voted for Democrats for governor in New Jersey and 86% in Virginia, while Harris carried Black voters by a much smaller margin at 68%, according to the Pew Research Center Trump is many things, but he is not politically oblivious He sees the data He sees working-class voters frustrated by debt traps and high prices And he sees Democrats gaining trust by offering real answers to high prices, while he pivots to foreign policy side shows like military action in Venezuela – an issue that doesn't pay anyone's rent But if Democrats remain disciplined and deliver re-

sults, Trump s recent pivot to affordability won’t be enough Republicans still oppose the very policies that could lower costs Take insulin prices Democrats capped costs at $35 per month for Medicare saving diabetic seniors thousands yearly House Republicans voted against it 215 times When voters see one party cutting prices and another blocking them, the choice becomes clear Republicans can’t run as champions of working-class families while protecting the corporations that squeeze them Voters are increasingly sophisticated about that contradiction and this creates an opportunity for Democrats Republicans are realizing affordability is not a niche issue or a Democratic hoax It is the issue It cuts across race, ideology and geography When people feel economically trapped, they will abandon any party that seems indifferent no matter their personal feelings on cultural or identity politics

Republicans built gains with working-class Black and Brown voters by presenting themselves as insurgents against an unfair system But when the bills keep rising, and their party offers no real relief that image collapses Democrats meanwhile have rediscovered that when everyday life becomes unaffordable cultural politics cannot cover the bill The working class doesn’t experience inflation rent hikes or creditcard interest rates as abstract economic data, nor do they have the luxury of worrying about cultural issues when bills are due And across the country, affordability is beginning to reshape political loyalties including among groups of working-class Black and Brown voters where Republicans had been steadily gaining As we head into the 2026 midterms Democrats must remember we won t win back Black and Brown working-class voters by becoming more progressive or more moderate We win them back by becoming more relevant to daily life And that is what now has Trump scrambling Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel are veteran Democratic strategists with over 100 political campaigns between them, including the past five presidential elections and several congressional races They co-host Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast ”

Senate Sketches #2016.....by Hank Sander s All Boots on the Bridge!

All Boots on the Bridge

All Boots on the Bridge is the Theme of year 2026

Bridge Crossing Jubilee It embodies so much from unity to action to mission to people to change to time All Boots on the Bridge

My firstborn daughter asked me to do a video with boots and a t-shirt for social media I have not worn boots since I was in law school and only then on limited occasions In fact I used a pair of Army boots to kick in a window when we were taking over a building at Harvard College in 1969 I am not a boot person I am not a tshirt person When I ran for office I generally did not wear my own campaign tshirt However on this occasion I agreed to wear the boots and a t-shirt to make the video All Boots on the Bridge

All Boots on the Bridge springs from the boots on the ground concept Boots symbolize Marching Marching symbolizes unity of purpose mission and action On the ground symbolizes people being present and active in carrying out the mission Bridges symbolize overcoming tremendous obstacles by connection and transition Bridges unite two or more desirables separated by big obstacles Bridges are powerful symbols all over the world All Boots on the Bridge

All Boots on the Bridge has a spiritual symbolism for Selma and the Bridge Crossing Jubilee It’s all tied up with a powerful moment in history It is a historical moment that helped bridge a mighty gulf that separated the American flow of democracy All Boots on the Bridge

In 1965, there was a mighty struggle between two opposing sides The struggle started decades before One side had nearly everything representing power: all the voters and votes; all the elected officials and other leaders; all the banks and money; all the businesses and jobs; all the newspapers radio stations, and television stations; all the institutions of education and community; all the everything! The other side had virtually nothing in the usual sense of power All Boots on the Bridge

Those with virtually nothing took powerful ideas of freedom and democracy and embarked on a great mission They took what they had and made what was needed They took marching feet, singing songs praying prayers and courageous caring to forge a great victory All Boots on the Bridge

The moment came together physically spiritually, historically and conceptually in one place and time in Selma, Alabama It came together on a real bridge that symbolized and symbolizes universal bridges All Boots on the Bridge

A lot of Black peoples and some White peoples, had been fighting nonviolently for Black people to have the right to vote wherever they lived in these United States of America There were powerful voter rights movements in Alabama Georgia Louisiana Mississippi, South Carolina and other states But the movements came to a head in Selma Alabama All Boots on the Bridge

A rare night march took place in Perry County, Alabama People normally would never march at night because it was a lot more dangerous This march the night of February 18, 1965 was to save the life of Rev-

erend James Orange of SCLC He was in the Perry County jail and word was that the KKK was going to snatch him out of jail that night and lynch him Black Folk, who had been marching for the right to vote marched to save his life They intended to march to the jail and stand vigil all night In the process Alabama State Troopers and other law enforcement beat the marchers A State Trooper shot Jimmie Lee Jackson twice in the stomach Jimmie Lee was just trying to get his injured mother and grandfather to the doctor Both had been beaten by the State Troopers, other law enforcement officers and their cohorts Jimmie Lee died in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Selma eight days later He was 26 years old All Boots on the Bridge Movement Leaders decided to put boots on the ground They would march from Marion in Perry County to the State Capitol in Montgomery with the body of Jimmie Lee Jackson and place his body on the Capitol steps to challenge Alabama Governor George Wallace and all of America The marching for 75 miles with the body would speak of the determination to maintain life and to achieve freedom After some deliberation, the length of the March was reduced to 50 miles by starting from Selma where Jimmie Lee Jackson died rather than Marion They would go without the body of Jimmie Lee Jackson because it was now buried in the grave But the spirit for life and freedom manifest in the marching All Boots on the Bridge

The March on Sunday March 7, 1965, now known as the Bloody Sunday March, was destined to not reach Montgomery It came face-to-face with all who opposed the people determined to maintain life to achieve freedom and to be included in this democracy The place was the Edmund Pettus Bridge named after the Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan All Boots on the Bridge

The forces of power, as represented by the Alabama State Troopers the Sheriff his Deputies and his Posse some on horses and some on foot shed the blood of the forces who had nothing but willing minds, caring hearts and full spirits marching for life, freedom and democracy It was so bloody that the street poets immediately dubbed the day as “Bloody Sunday ” It looked like the forces of power had vanquished the forces fighting for freedom and democracy All Boots on the Bridge

However the bloody moment on the Bridge would not be the final battle Thereafter came the following: The Turnaround Tuesday March; the fight in Federal Court; the Selma to Montgomery March; the great speech by President Lyndon Baines Johnson; the passage of the Voting Rights Act by the U S Congress; the signing of the 1965 Voting Act into law by President Johnson; and so many subsequent battles to implement the Act All Boots on the Bridge

All Boots on the Bridge is a celebration and a commemoration of how we got over great obstacles But it is more than a celebration and commemoration; it is a call to action The fruits of the powerful Voting Rights Struggle including the 1965 Voting Rights Act the expansion of the American democracy, and the expansion of freedom are currently under the greatest

attacks since the American Civil War All Boots on the Bridge calls all of us to resist these attacks with the same spirit and courage as those who put Boots on the Bridge on Bloody Sunday 61-years ago All Boots on the Bridge

Now on to the Daily Diary

SATURDAY, January 31, 2026 – I handled many matters as I worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Faya Rose Toure of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Alabama New South Coalition President Everette Wess; Former Alabama State Senator Malika Sanders Fortier; Azali Fortier and Ayira Fortier of Twenty First Century Youth Leadership Movement; and Olimatta Taal of Gambia, West Africa

SUNDAY – I hosted the Sunday School Lesson with Faya Rose Toure on Facebook Live and Z105 3 FM Radio Station I then handled many matters as I worked into the late evening before making remarks at a birthday celebration and participating in a Night Alabama New South Coalition conference call Among others I communicated with the following Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; Dr Ron Daniels of the Institute of the Black World; Asa Fortier of Selma on his birthday; and Reverend Franklin Fortier, Ayyanna Fortier and Asha Fortier of Selma

MONDAY – I handled various matters, attended another birthday celebration and worked into the night Among others, I communicated with the following: Allen Garner of Dallas County Greg Chestnut of Spire; Marilyn Cosby and Karen Jackson of Selma; Dorothy Hulett of Lowndes County; Selma Foot Soldier Betty Boynton; Yomi Goodall of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee who was celebrating a birthday; Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton; Dr Bernard Lafayette and wife Kate Balls Lafayette of Tuskegee; Sabrina Marie of Montgomery; and Thurgood Marshall School of Law Professor Kindaka Jamal Sanders

TUESDAY – I handled many matters as I worked into the night Among others, I communicated with the following: KC Bailey of Selma; Rebecca Marion of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Talladega Businessman Roger Sims; Joe Espy of Mongomery; Jonathan Raulston of Birmingham;

Steve Thomason of Montgomery; Andy Marks of Washington, D C ; and Greg Francis of Orlando Florida

WEDNESDAY – I chaired a 7:30 a m Zoom meeting handled many matters traveled to Montgomery to help handle a matter and returned to Selma Among others, I communicated with the following: Retired College President Dr James Mitchell and wife Priscilla Mitchell; Wallace Community College President Dr Donitha Griffin; B Marie Jones of Hattiesburg, Ms Liz Rutledge, Khadjah Ishaq Dr Ernest Okeke and Yolanda Howard of Selma; Latonia Tisdale of Alabama Power; and Brenda Wheeler of Lowndes County

THURSDAY – I was at my office before 6:00 a m where I handled various matters traveled to Montgomery arriving at 8:00 a m handled a matter, returned to Selma and worked deep into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Lowndes County School Superintendent Samita Jeter and Board President Steve Foster; Bobby Segall of Montgomery; Dr Carol Prejean Zippert and John Zippert Co-Publishers of The Greene County Democrat; and Greene County Interim Superintendent Darryl Aikerson

FRIDAY – I handled many matters as I worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Dr Charles Lett of Selma; Latonya Cockrell of Greene County; Former Selma City Councilman Yusaf Salaam; and Tim Drono Drane; Charlene Williams and Junior Oliver of Selma

EPILOGUE – Please come to the Bridge Crossing Jubilee Please come from all parts of this country and the world Please come prepared to struggle with your mind-boots and heart-boots and spiritboots! All Boots on the Bridge!

EarthTalk® From the Editors of EThe Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: How did India double its wild tiger population in just a decade and what can conservationists learn from this success story? -- Patsy Wilson, New York, NY

India’s doubling its wild tiger population in just 10 years is one of the most significant conservation success stories in modern history In 2006 India’s tiger population had fallen to just 1,411 individuals By

2022, that number had climbed to more than 3,000, due to a coordinated multilevel strategy combining law enforcement, habitat protection, community participation, and sciencebased management an approach that offers important lessons for conservation efforts worldwide

A cornerstone of this success is Project Tiger, launched in 1973, which established a nationwide network of protected areas dedicated to tiger conserva-

tion Today, India has 53 tiger reserves covering over 75 000 square kilometers Buffer zones and wildlife corridors help reduce human-wildlife conflict, allowing tigers to move between habitats reducing inbreeding and strengthen genetic diversity across populations

Poaching has historically been one of the greatest threats to tigers, but India has made major gains in combating it The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 im-

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to New York at the age of two and was raised by what she affectionately refers to as “the Amazons” a family of strong, single women who were deeply involved in healthcare and unions Her first exposure to the labor movement came through the nurses union and AFSCME s CSEA in New York This early influence clearly set the stage for what would be a lifelong commitment to labor rights and leadership

Reflecting on her path to this esteemed position Brown shared “I cut my teeth in our policy shop and I had to learn about our core issues and our core values I literally spent my entire career fighting on behalf of our members across so many sectors

The USW under Brown s leadership will be setting the tone with what she believes is a much-needed representation change Brown emphasized, “We are the most diverse union in North America we’re cradle to grave and have everything in between ”

With a membership boasting varied backgrounds Brown s leadership is a reflection of this diversity, as the board she is set to lead will be its most diverse in the union s history

Leading a predominantly male union presents its unique set of challenges Brown noted, “When people think about our union, there’s an image that comes to mind that does not look like me But we are the most diverse union in North America in terms of our sectors and membership She recognizes the importance of transcending stereotypes and advocated for a more inclusive image representing the diversity within the union Amidst the intricate challenges of tariffs and economic pressures uncertainty remains a theme Brown explains “This current environment of tariffs is not strategic and creates uncertainty not just for sectors but for our ability to use the tools we ve relied on for survival Brown is poised to take on these challenges head-on with strategies rooted in education, engagement, and advocacy at all governmental levels She affirmed the union’s commitment by saying “Engage engage engage because we are charged to do that on behalf of our membership In discussing the broader significance of her leadership and that of fellow African American union leaders, Brown reflects, “Leadership should always reflect who is being led I’m opening the door so that others know what is possible ”

Election Materials

According to the New York Times Robb Pitts the chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, explained why the lawsuit was filed at a news conference on Wednesday “We will fight using all resources against those who seek to take over our elections Our Constitution itself is at stake in this fight ” Pitts said Georgia has continually remained a sticking point for Trump likely due to the fact that state officials refused his request to find the votes in a phone call made shortly after his loss in the 2020 election “The president himself and his allies, they refuse to accept the fact that they lost,” Pitts said during the news conference “And even if he had won Georgia he would still have lost the presidency ”

While on the surface the Fulton County raid looks like a move to placate Trump s ego Democrats and election officials have highlighted the chilling, underlying implications of the raid “This case is not only about Fulton County This is about elections across Georgia and across the nation ” Pitts said during the news conference

It was widely expected that the Democrats would retake the House in the midterms as Republicans hold only a narrow majority and midterm elections are usually favorable to the opposition party So Trump made the big brain move of convincing several Red states to undergo rare, mid-decade redistricting efforts

As his redistricting effort hit roadblocks in Indiana and Missouri and Blue states like California successfully implemented their own redistricting efforts Trump has taken a far more authoritarian tone regarding the midterms Last month, he publicly floated outright canceling the midterms Shortly after the raid, he appeared on former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s podcast and called for elections to be “nationalized ”

“Look at some of the places that horrible corruption on elections and the federal government should not allow that Trump said The federal government should get involved What makes all of this particularly crazy is that only a month ago, Trump justified the U S kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by saying he wasn’t legitimately elected Which to be fair according to an independent voting firm Maduro overwhelmingly lost the last election but declared himself the winner It appears that this is yet another episode of rules for thee, not for me,” as Trump is clearly willing to manipulate the midterms by any 1 possible to maintain the GOP’s control of Congress There are even concerns that his willingness to deploy the National Guard to cities with Democratic leadership is a test run for how he might deploy the Guard to polling sites

The Fulton County raid, combined with the Department of Justice s repeated, failed attempts to seize voter rolls from several Blue states, paints the picture of an administration that is actively trying to interfere with a free and fair midterm election It would be such a delight if the Republicans who keep yapping about “voter fraud” would realize that the corruption is coming from inside the house

Bad Bunny

He walked through the maze as people began chopping down the crops passing other hard workers: a jeweler a coconut cart old men playing dominoes a nail tech bricklayers a Piraguas (shaved ice) stand, tacos, and boxers sparring, all of which showed the cultural relevance of Puerto Rico

From there the camera panned to a bunch of people partying on a porch and eagleeyed fans noticed Jessica Alba Pedro Pascal Karol G Young Miko David Grutman Cardi B, and Alix Earle were just some of the people dancing Bad Bunny was on top of the house performing YO PERREO SOLA, as a dozen women twerked in unison on the field in front of him as the song flowed right into the Rauw Alejandro– assisted track “Party ”

After falling through the roof of the house and performing on top of a pickup truck watching a wedding, Lady Gaga emerged on stage with a full band backing her as she sang a new version of her Bruno Mars collab, “Die With A Smile ”

After more dancing in front of elaborately designed bodegas and barbershop, it was time for Ricky Martin to show out who was also wearing a crisp all-white ‘fit

For his last stunt Bad Bunny climbed a light pole before ending his set by marching down the field, but he traded the Puerto Rican flag firmly in his hand for a football that read “Together, We Are America,” as he said, “God bless America ” He followed that by naming dozens of other countries including Panama Canada Paraguay Chile and Bolivia as fireworks went off in the background and the jumbotron read, The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate Is Love

posed strict penalties for wildlife crimes and enforcement continues to intensify Authorities now rely on camera traps, drones and real-time monitoring systems to detect illegal activity As the BBC has reported, tiger deaths from poaching have declined significantly due to these strengthened measures

Recognizing that conservation cannot succeed without public support India has involved local communities directly Villagers are reimbursed for livestock lost to tiger attacks reducing the incentive for retaliation Eco-tourism has expanded around tiger reserves, creating jobs and linking local livelihoods to wildlife protection In some areas, families have voluntarily relocated to safer zones with financial assistance and access to services Science plays a central role in guiding policy Radio

collars, GPS tracking and DNA sampling monitor tiger movement and health

Regular national censuses allow tracking of individual animals and adapting strategies in real time

Despite its progress, challenges remain Human-tiger conflict persists in some regions and expanding infrastructure continues to fragment habitats Sustained funding, political commitment and careful planning will be essential to maintaining momentum India’s tiger recovery shows that species decline is reversible By integrating enforcement, habitat conservation, community engagement and scientific monitoring other countries can apply similar strategies to protect their own endangered wildlife

CONTACT: India’s wild tigers are thriving with smart conservation efforts;

"https://www

thriving-with-smart-conservation-efforts/" \l ":~:text=India's%20tiger%2

egy%20blends,both%20wil dlife%20and%20local%20c ommunities"https://www

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for

"https://earthtalk

“It is not about us alone; it is about what we represent and showing what is possible to our members who look like us,” she said Brown listed some of the products USW members produce:

• Goodyear Bridgestone Firestone and Michelin tires

• Libby glassware

• Starbucks cups

• Paper towels

• Amazon boxes

• Wine bottles and beer cans

• Bourbon bottles Car components, including glass and steel

• Glass on iPhones and Android devices

• Fiber optic cables used for 5G systems

• Oil for powering vehicles

• Cement used in construction

Various pharmaceutical products, including some COVID-19 drugs

• School buses and taxi services in certain areas

• Baskerville coffins and caskets

CFPB Funding

Russell Vought appointed to serve as both Secretary of the Office of Management and Budget and CFPB s Acting Director ordered the agency to close its offices early last year and then months later, chose not to request any funding from the Federal Reserve Unlike many federal agencies subject to annual congressional appropriation, the CFPB receives its funding directly from the Federal Reserve Caught up in this agency role reversal were an estimated 1 400 employees left uncertain whether their jobs could be retained or their collective mission continued

But on December 30, a federal district judge issued a series of rulings that made clear that no administration could ignore or eliminate what Congress previously enacted into law clearing the way for the Bureau to continue its important work

In just two consumer categories – fees for late credit card payments and overdraft – an estimated $15 billion were taken from the pockets of consumers Overdraft regulation that was set to take effect last year was scuttled at a cumulative consumer cost of $5 billion, while $32 monthly credit card late fees took another $10 billion from the pockets of everyday working people

By stopping virtually all work at the Consumer Bureau President Trump is giving financial companies a green light to cheat working Americans out of their hard-earned money,” said Mike Calhoun, President of the Center for Responsible Lending

Speaking directly to the administration’s refusal to request agency funding Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s 32-page ruling wrote in part:

The defendants interpretation of the Dodd-Frank Act is contrary to the text and intent of the statute and the way it has been consistently interpreted by both the Federal Reserve and the CFPB [N]ot one penny of the funding needed to run the agency that has returned over $21 billion to American consumers comes from taxpayer dollars The only new circumstance is the administration s determination to eliminate an agency created by Congress with the stroke of pen, even while the matter is before the Court of Appeals

The ruling also itemized the duties CFPB “shall” perform:

•Reinstate all probationary and term employees terminated between February 10 2025 and December 30, the date of this order, including but not limited to the Private Student Loan Ombudsman

•No termination of any CFPB employee except for cause related to the individual employee s performance or conduct; nor issue any notice of reduction-in-force to any CFPB employee

•Ensure that employees can perform their statutorily mandated functions the defendants must provide them with either fully equipped office space or permission to work remotely and laptop computers that are enabled to connect securely to the agency server

Ensure that the CFPB Office of Consumer Response continues to maintain a single toll-free telephone number a website and a database for the centralized collection of consumer complaints regarding consumer financial products and services, and that it continues to monitor and respond to those complaints

•Rescind all notices of contract termination issued on or after February 11 2025 and they may not reinitiate the wholesale cancellation of contracts

•For Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and a long-time CFPB champion, reacted to the court ruling saying, “Let’s be clear the Trump Administration’s efforts to defund or dismantle this agency are not about fiscal responsibility they are about shielding their allies on Wall Street and other powerful corporate interests from oversight while working families are left to fend for themselves ”

“At a time when families are already being squeezed by the Trump Administration’s reckless economic agenda weakening the CFPB only makes it harder for people to keep up with rising costs, avoid financial abuse, and stay afloat , Waters concluded

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending She can be reached at Charlene crowell@responsiblelending org"

STATE OF ALABAMA

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE

COUNTY OF GREENE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made under the terms of that certain mortgage executed by Gentrell C Eatman a single man; Cedric Eatman, a single man; and Timothy Eatman, a single man, on the 17th day of November 2021 to Merchants and Farmers Bank of Greene County which said mortgage is recorded in the Probate Office of Greene County Alabama in Mortgage Book 90, at Page 605, and by reason of such default, having declared all of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage due and payable, and such default continuing notice is hereby given that acting under the power of sale contained in said mortgage, Merchants and Farmers Bank of Greene County will sell at public outcry for cash to the highest bidder, before the main entrance of the Courthouse in the City of Eutaw Greene County Alabama at noon or otherwise during the legal hours of sale on March 5, 2026, the following described real estate situated in Greene County, Alabama, to-wit:

Parcel One:

Lots 8 and 9 Block A as shown and designated on the map or plat of Charles Village, which said map or plat is of record in the Probate Office of Greene County, Alabama, in Map Book No 1, page 63; reference to said map or plat being here made for a more particular description of said property

Paracel Two:

A parcel of land located in the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 9, Township 21 North, Range 2 East, Greene County Alabama being more particularly described as follows: Commence at a 1” iron

pipe found and accepted as the southeast corner of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of said Section 9; thence run S 8541 00 W along the south line of said SE ¼ of the NE ¼ for 1012 68 feet to a 1/2” iron pipe found lying on the east right-ofway of US Highway #43; thence run N 1901’51” E along said east right-ofway for 205 22 feet to a ½ rebar marking the Point of Beginning; thence continue N 1001’51” E along said right-of-way for 269 86 feet to a 1/2 rebar; thence run S 7851 43 E for 180 00 feet to a 1/2” rebar; thence run S 190 01’51” W for 217 61 feet to a ½” rebar bar; thence run S 85 41 00 W for 194 20 feet to the Point of Beginning Said parcel contains 1 00 acre more or less The above described property being part of the property described in the deed from Bennie Alford to Gene Eatman and Shirley Eatmon dated October 24, 1981 and recorded in Deed Book 94 page 510

For informational purposes only the street address for the above referenced property is believed to be: 205 Elm Street and 1695 US Hwy 43, Eutaw, AL 35462, which is not a part of the legal description and in the event of any discrepancy the legal description described in this notice shall control Together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging and all fixtures now attached to and used in connection with the premises herein described

Said sale will be subject to the right of way easements and restrictions of record in the Probate Office of Greene County, Alabama, outstanding property taxes, and existing special assessments if any which might adversely affect the title to subject property

Said property will be sold on an “As Is Where Is basis without warranty or recourse, express or implied as to title,

use and/or enjoyment Neither the mortgagee, nor the officers directors attorneys employees agents or authorized representative of the mortgagee make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition including those suggested by Code of Ala ( 1975) §35-4-271, are expressly disclaimed

Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process

Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by the above described mortgage, and the proceeds thereof will be applied as provided by the terms of said mortgage The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit in the amount of $5 000 00 in certified funds made payable to Reynolds, Reynolds & Little, LLC at the time and place of the sale The balance of the purchase price must be paid in certified funds or by wire transfer by 5:00 p m the next business day at the Law Office of Reynolds, Reynolds & Little, LLC at the address indicated below unless prior to said sale Reynolds Reynolds & Little LLC has agreed to a later date or closing location The Mortgagee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate The failure of any high bidder to pay the purchase price and close this

sale shall, at the option of Mortgagee, be cause for rejection of the bid and if the bid is rejected Mortgagee shall have the option of making the sale to the next highest bidder who is able capable and willing to comply with the terms thereof This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation

Merchants and Farmers Bank of Greene County as Mortgagee Ryan R Hendley R E Y N O L D S , REYNOLDS & LITTLE LLC

Attorneys for Mortgagee 2115 11th Street Post Office Box 2863 Tuscaloosa Alabama 35403-2863

Telephone: 205-3910073 File No 66 0318

Publication Dates: February 11, 2026; February 18, 2026; February 25, 2026

Legal Notices

Alabama Department of Environmental Management P O Box 301463 (Zip 36130-1463) 1400 Coliseum Boulevard (Zip 36110-2400) Montgomery, Alabama (334) 271-7700

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

ADEM Fund Code 245 SRF Project No FS010444-03

Greene County

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has made $84,487 00 in financial assistance available to the City of Eutaw using funds from the FY 2024 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) loan program In accordance with State and Federal regulations that govern the program, the Alabama

Department of Environmental Management has conducted a review to assess the potential impacts upon the environment that may result from implementation of this project

The City of Eutaw proposes a project to comply with the Federal-published Lead and Copper Rule Revisions by October 16 2024, which consists of the development of a lead service line inventory

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) from further environmental study under the guidelines specified by the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) which specifically include actions which are solely directed toward minor rehabilitation of existing facilities, functional replacement of equipment, or towards the construction of new ancillary facilities adjacent or appurtenant to existing facilities However, this decision may be reconsidered if significant adverse information concerning the potential environmental impacts of the project is discovered

Comments relative to this project should be submitted in writing to Mr John Laney, SRF Section, Permits & Services Division Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P O Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130, no later than 30 days after the date of this public notice The Alabama Department of Environmental Management will not take formal action to proceed with the project without carefully evaluating any public comments opposing the project

Notice is hereby given this 11th day of February, 2026, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management

F

Edward

Poolos Director

N o n d i s c r i m i n a t i o n Statement: The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs 1tcg 2/11

See Legal, p 9

GCHS Scholar s attends UA V ision Day

Greene County High School juniors had an amazing experience at UA Vision Day. Students took part in junior-focused sessions centered on exploring college majors, spending dedicated time with the colleges and career paths they’re most interested in Even better, they were guided on their campus tour by a familiar face

GCHS alum Diamond White who partnered with UA staff to help make the day special We love seeing our former students giving back and inspiring the next generation

Eutaw Primar y salutes Scholar s for the Month of Januar y

Congratulations to the January Scholars of the Month Scholars displayed the following character education traits: Perseverance, Compassion, Tolerance, and Cooperation

Congratulations to each of the scholars who were “Caught Being Good

Scholars received a book from the Book Vending Machine

Mr s. Ber tha Coleman Celebr ates 100th bir tday

February 6, 2026 Mrs Bertha Coleman celebrated her 100th birthday with Family and Friends Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You and many more

Strong Love Your hearts and filled with happiness so great and overflowing You cannot comprehend it for it s far beyond all

Mrs Terra L Thomas

December 28, 1971February 3, 2026

Mrs Terra L Thomas of Forkland Alabama entered into eternal rest February 3,

knowing You wish that your could capture it and never let it go So you might walk forever in its radiant magic glow

But love in all its ecstasy is such a fragile thing Like gossamer in cloudless skies or a hummingbird’s small wing

But love that lasts forever must be made of something strong, The kind of strengthen that’s gathered when the heart can hear no song

2026 at Whitfield Regional Hospital Demopolis Alabama

Funeral services for Mrs Terra L Thomas will be held Saturday February 14, 2026 at11:00 a m from New Generation Church Eutaw, Alabama Interment will follow at Crawford Cemetery Boligee Alabama

Visitation will be held Friday, February 13, 2026 from 1--4:30 p m at the funeral home chapel Larkin and Scott Mortuary, LLC entrusted with arrangements

Happy anniversary to Mr and Mrs Charles and Carol Johnson ‘Nothing is more dangerous than loving Unless its not loving Look He s not promising that it is going to be easy but he says it’s going to be worth it

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Happy birthday to Zakah Ferguson, Dorothy Smith Randall Paulk Jr Prince Niem Young Makayla Knott Yasmeen

Mrs Jennifer Davis Gardner

September 8, 1979February 3, 2026

Mrs Jennifer Davis

Card of Thanks

Woods, Jaylen M Davis, Eric Williams Louise Davis Lewis, Willie Holley Trey Young Harleigh Grace Carpenter, Jeffery Quinnie Nicholas Ware Valentine Spencer, Juanita Polk Geneva French Montasia Strode, Remi Rose Horn Roberta Mack KeAndre Robertson, Anthony Atkins, Jr , Rodrick Polk Norman Weatherspoon

Happy anniversary to Mand Mrs Charles and Carol Johnson

Gardner of Forkland Alabama entered into eternal rest February 3, 2026 at Hunter Creek Health and Rehabilitation Northport Alabama

Funeral services for Mrs Jennifer Davis Gardner was held Sunday, February 8 2026 at 1:30 p m from Lloyd Chapel Baptist Church Forkland, Alabama Interment followed in the adjoining churchyard cemetery Larkin and Scott Mortuary LLC entrusted with arrangements

The family of the late M s I t e l i a B u l l o c k M s I t e l i a B u l l o c k would like to thank everyone for thier thoughts and prayers during our time of bereavement Your special acts of kindness have truly been appreciated May God continue to bless each of you Thanks The Bullock Family

Legal Notices In Re: The Estate of Erma Myrtle Hitt

Deceased Continuance of Hearing and resetting the Date to have the hearing to admit to Probate and instrument pruportin to be the last will and testament of Erma Myrtle Hitt

This Order is being entered due to the fact that the date previously set to hear the Petition for admitting the Last Will of Erma Myrtle Hitt in to probate, being February 8 2026 is having to be continued because the undersigned Judge is required to attend a Judge s Conference on that day

Therefore, the hearing on February 8, 2026, will not be held, rather in is hereby Ordered Adjudged and Decreed by this that the 3rd day of March 2026, at 10;00 o clock, be, and the same hereby is fixed by the Court as the day and time for the hearing on said Petition Same to be held at the Office of the Probate Judge of Greene County, Alabama, 400 Morrow Avenue Eutaw, Alabama 35462 It is furthered Ordered that notice be given to Martha Hitt Woodard who lives outside of Alabama by legal publication in accordance with 43-8-166 of the Code of Alabama that being by a publication for three (3) successive weeks in the Greene County Democrat, a newspaper published in Greene County, Alabama Martha Hitt Woodard is the next of kin to the decedent Said publication shall provide notice of said Petition and of the day and time fixed by the Court for the hearing thereon Done and Ordered by this the 27th day of January 2026

Rolonda M Wedgeworth

Probate Judge of Greene County Alabama

3tcg 1/28, 2/4, 12

Legal Notices

Office of the Greene County Probate

Case No 2025-017

Estate of the

---Le gal Notices---

Charles E Hardy

Deceased

Notice of service by publication to the following heirs of Charles E Hardy: Earnestine Hardy and Carla Hardy non-residents of Alabama, And to any unknown heirs incompetents and minors

The Petition of G Stephen Wiggins for Letters of Administration of the estate of Charles E Hardy, having been filed with the Probate Court of Greene County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that said matter will be heard on the 19th day of February, 2026, at 12:00 p m

G Stephen Wiggins Capell & Howard, PC 1490 Northbank Parkway, Suite 226 Tuscaloosa AL 35406

3tcg 2/4 2/12 2/19

Notice of Completion

PED Services hereby gives notice of completion of contract with Greene County Water and Sewer Authority for the construction of Project No 17-178 Greene County Water Improvements Project- Office Building This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on 02/04/2026 and ending on 02/25/2026 All claims should be filed at Sentell Engineering, 639 Black Bears Way Tuscaloosa AL 35401 during this period 3tcg 2/4, 2/12, 19

Legal Notice In the Probate Court of Greene County Alabama the Estate of Ben Yeager

Deceased Notice Of Appointment of Personal Representative Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to George M Yeager on February 2 2026 by the Hon Rolonda M Wedgeworth Probate Judge of Greene County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to presented same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred

Mark A Scogin Espy Scogin Cain and Hamby, P C

P O Box 2786

Tuscaloosa, Al 35403 3tcg 2/4 12 19

Notice to Contractors

Federal Aid Project No N H - H S I P - F M G R0013(647) GREENE COUNTY ALABAMA

Sealed bids will be received by the Director of Transportation at the office of the Alabama Department of Transportation, Montgomery Alabama until 10:00 AM on February 27 2026 and at that time publicly opened for constructing the Safety Widening, Micro-Milling, Resurfacing (Scrub Seal) Guardrail Installation, and Traffic Stripe on SR-13 (US-43) from a point 1 860 miles north of the junction of CR-42 to the South City Limits of Eutaw Length 8 910 mi

The total amount of uncompleted work under contract to a contractor must not exceed the amount of his or her qualification certificate

The Entire Project Shall Be Completed In Seventyfive (75) Working Days

A Bidding Proposal may be purchased for $5 00 Plans may be purchased for $13 00 per set Plans and Proposals are available at the Alabama Department of Transportation, 1409 Coliseum Boulevard Room E-108, Montgomery AL 36110 Checks should be made payable to the Alabama Department of Transportation Plans and Proposals will be mailed only upon receipt of remittance No refunds will be made

Minimum wage rates for this project have been predetermined by the Secretary of Labor and are set forth in the advertised specifications This project is subject to the contract work hours and Safety Standards Act and its implementing regulations

Cashier s check or bid bond for 5% of bid (maximum - $50,000 00) made payable to the Alabama Department of Transportation must accompany each bid as evidence of good faith

The bracket range is shown only to provide general financial information to contractors and bonding

Sagewood Apartments

companies concerning the project's complexity and size This Bracket should not be used in preparing a bid nor will this bracket have any bearing on the decision to award this contract

The Bracket Estimate On This Project Is From $4 233 872 To $5 174 733

The proposed work shall be performed in conformity with the rules and regulations for carrying out the Federal Highway Act Plans and Specifications are on file in Room E-108 of the Alabama Department of Transportation at Montgomery Alabama 36110

In accordance with the rules and regulations of The Alabama Department of Transportation proposals will be issued only to prequalified contractors or their authorized representatives upon requests that are received before 10 AM on the day previous to the day of opening of bids

The bidder's proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished him or her by the Alabama Department of Transportation

The Alabama Department of Transportation, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 78 Stat 252 42 U S C 2000D TO 2000D-4 and Title 49 code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation Subtitle A Office of The Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such act hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race color religion, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award

The right to reject any or all bids is reserved JOHN R COOPER Transportation Director

1,2, & 3

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Rental Assistance For more information call

TDD 1-800-548-2547(V) 1-800-548-2546 (T/A) For The Deaf & Hearing Impaired Only

The institution is an equal opportunity provider

Sanders-Black Apartments

940 West End Street Apartment #1B Eutaw, Alabama On Site Management and Maintenance Spacious 2 bedroom units Energy Efficient Rental Assistance For more information Call 205-372-4947 Monday - Friday 8 a m - 4 p m TDD 1-800-548-2547 (V) This institution is an equal opportunity provider Elmwood Manor Apartments

1100 Demopolis Hwy #09 Eutaw AL 35462

1 2 and 3 Bedroom Units Rental Assistance Features include: washer/dryer connections, laundry room, community room playground Apply on site at rental office or call for more information 205-372-6379

TDD 1-800-548-2547 (V)

1-800-548-2546 (T/A)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

1156 West End Street #100 Eutaw, AL

1 & 2 Bedroom Units Onsite Maintenance Rental Assistance Features include: community room, laundry room Apply on site at rental office or call For more information 205-372-4400 TDD 1-800-548-2574(V) 1-800-548-2546 (T/A) This institution is an equal opportunity provider

$30 Alabama Residents

$35 Out-of-State Residents

Ala-SCAN Central SERVICES

APPLIANCE RE-

PAIR: Prompt local service available for appliance repair

Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Refrigerator

Stove/Oven and all major appliances Certified Insured techs Satisfaction guaranteed Call to schedule your appointment now! 1-877-441-0132

B E A U T I F U L

BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at A F F O R D A B L E PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs Call Now! 1-833-770-0326

SELLING a RV

Tractor or Golf Cart?

A D V E R T I S E STATEWIDE or by region in over 100 Newspapers, reaching over 1 million readers each week! Run your ad in our Classified Network for just $210 per week! Make one call to this newspaper (participating AlaSCAN newspaper) or call 1-800-264-7043 to find out how easy it is to advertise statewide!

WATER DAMAGE

CLEANUP & RESTORATION: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home Our trusted professionals dry out the wet area and do repairs to protect your family and your home's value! If you have water in your home that needs to be dried Call 24/7: 1-

833-879-1371 Have zip code of service location ready when you call!

We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs No fuss Any condition Easy three step process: Call get cash offer and get paid Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-877-3857131

Consumer Cellularthe same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers No long-term contract no hidden fees and activation is free All plans feature unlimited talk and text starting at just $20/month For more information, call 1-844-358-5270

HEALTH/BEAUTY

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators FREE information kit Call 1-833-650-7885

Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed CALL NOW: 1-833-6416606 FOR SALE

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Coverage for 400 plus procedures Real dental insurance - NOT

just a discount plan

Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1 - 8 7 7 - 8 1 7 - 4 6 9 7 www dental50plus co m/alabama #6258

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET If you are overpaying for your service call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833-641-6672

NEED NEW FLOORING? Call today to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring Call Today! 1-833-641-6567

No more cleaning out gutters Guaranteed! LeafFilter is the most advanced gutter protection for your home, backed by a noclog guarantee and lifetime transferrable warranty Call today 1833-683-2005 to schedule a FREE inspection and no obligation estimate Plus get 20% off! Seniors and military save an additional 10% Restrictions apply see representative for warranty and offer details

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-877323-5516 today to schedule a free quote It s not just a generator It’s a power move

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from

BOLIGEE ELECTRICAL

OVER 16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

“CALL US FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS” Store Hours

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Friday RESIDENTIAL * COMMERCIAL * INDUSTRIAL 215 Boligee Street Eutaw, AL 35462 CELL: 205-496-6019 Email : BoligeeElectric@bellsouth net

JOSHUA J SWORDS

Attorney at Law

Tuscaloosa County Office Greene County Office

JSwords@Swordslaw com Phone: 205-409-0673

Facsimile: 205-409-0672 Tuscaloosa, Al 35401

Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military health workers & 1st responders ) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-833-955-3163

AUTOMOTIVE

Donate your car, truck boat RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction! Call Veteran Car Donations at 1-877-724-3049 today!

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? DONATE IT TO PATRIOTIC HEARTS Fast free pick up Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business Call 24/7: 1-833-426-0193

ANNOUNCEMENT Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Pleasant Ridge is in search of a MUSICIAN 1st and 3rd Sunday Contact Dec Floyzelle at 205-496-2910 or 205-372-5821

ACCIDENTS & INJURIES AUTO & TRUCK ACCIDENTS, WRONGFUL DEATH, SLIP & FALL Office-205-933-7533 Cell – 205-901-6129

“I like Big Bucks and I cannot lie” 24 HOUR SERVICE –FREE CONSULTATION OVER 100 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE FRANK S BUCK P C ATTORNEY 2160 14TH Ave South BIRMINGHAM AL 35255