The Greene County Democrat

Category: Health

  • Eutaw City Council approves purchase of 200 new water meters to replace those that are not working properly

    The Eutaw City Council met on February 10, 2026, for its first regular meeting of the month. Mayor Cockrell and all council members were present.
    The Council approved purchase of 200 new Neptune Procorder R9000 water meters for the Water Department at a cost of $34,400 or $ 172 per meter. These meters will be used to replace meters that were installed improperly and meters that are not functioning properly. This will insure that the Water Department will be getting accurate readings and can bill residents correctly for the water they are using.
    The Council also approved $16,000 for purchase of an 8 inch UME Machid R900 water pump for the well no.4 on the Lower Gainesville Road. The pump meter had to be replaced to insure a continuing flow of water into the system. This is the type of continuing maintenance and repair that the Water Department is responsible to make and pay for out of water bill revenues.
    The Council heard from a representative of ETA Data Systems on their software to operate the Water Department billing. The Council is trying to see which software and billing system is most compatible and cost effective for their operations. It was the consensus of the Council members that both companies bring a demonstration of their system and allow the staff that will actually be using the software, to test it out and determine which will serve their needs in the best way.
    The Council voted to accept a lease addendum on property owned by the City and Long and Huffed Farms, for $3,000 annually, for the location of a Ferrell Gas Company Tank on the Lock 7 road. The details of the lease were worked out by the parties in consultation with Zane Willingham, the city’s legal counsel.
    The Council tabled action on a resolution to engage Shuyron Macon of Knight and Day Group LLC, a Houston, Texas based law firm, specializing in municipal bond financing for smaller size cities, like Eutaw, Alabama, to do a study of the economic feasibility and constraints on the city in issuing bonds to finance longer term repairs to roads, infrastructure and buildings in the city. The City’s legal counsel also had some questions and concerns about the agreement, which need to be worked out. Council members agreed to consider these issues in the next work session, which is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved Mandatory Skidcar Training for Police officers on February 23 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
    • Approved voting delegates for the Alabama League of Municipalities. Mayor Cockrell will be the Voting Delegate, Tracey Hunter will be first alternative and Carrie Logan will be second voting delegate.
    • Approved payment of bills including a revised AT&T invoice for telephone services.

    Mayor Cockrell reported that he was working on a master plan for the repair of roads, bridges and drainage in the city. He is also working on a plan to improve the buildings and infrastructure owned by the city including City Hall, Lock 7 Park, the Robert H. Young Community Center and the National Guard Armory. More information on these plans will be provided as they are developed and funds are identified and secured to finance the updating and repairs to these city owned assets and properties.

  • UA Aims to Double Nursing Enrollment to Address Statewide Shortage

    UA Aims to Double Nursing Enrollment to Address Statewide Shortage

    Expansion Plan Will Place UA Among Largest Nursing Programs in the Nation

    TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama faces one of the most severe nursing shortages in the nation. According to the Alabama Board of Nursing, approximately 39,000 nurses indicated retirement plans by 2027, leaving a projected statewide shortage of 14,000 nurses.
    To combat the urgent and growing need, The University of Alabama has unveiled a transformative plan to double the enrollment of the Capstone College of Nursing and graduate more than 550 new nurses every year through its on-campus bachelor’s program. The expansion, developed in close partnership with The University of Alabama System and the UAB Health System, mobilizes the combined strength of these institutions and statewide leaders to address the state’s most pressing health care workforce challenge. When complete, this strategic growth initiative will position UA as one of the nation’s largest nursing programs.
    “This announcement reflects The University of Alabama’s commitment to all 67 counties of Alabama,” UA President Peter J. Mohler said. “Every community in our state — rural and urban — depends on a strong, stable nursing workforce. This expansion is possible because of our deep partnerships with our public leaders across Alabama who share our vision for improving health outcomes and strengthening the future of our state.”

    A College on the Rise

    Since 2023, Capstone College of Nursing has seen a 55% increase in enrollment across graduate programs and a 25% increase across bachelor’s programs. The College currently enrolls 1,704 students in undergraduate and graduate clinical courses.
    Under the new expansion plan, Capstone College of Nursing will grow to a total enrollment of 3,436 by 2030, effectively doubling the number of practice ready nurses graduating from UA.
    “We’re proud of our graduates and the exemplary programs that prepare them to make a difference in health care,” said Dr. Julie Sanford, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. “This bold vision for enrollment growth is essential to addressing Alabama’s pressing workforce shortage and will transform health care in our state.”

    Commitment to Statewide Success

    According to the Alabama Board of Nursing, the Capstone College of Nursing boasts a 99.6% National Council Licensure Examination pass rate among its 2025 graduates, far exceeding national averages. To support growth while maintaining student success, UA will add new faculty positions, expand simulation and clinical training facilities, and increase clinical partnerships across the state. In-state recruitment for the College will also expand.
    The UA System Board of Trustees recently approved plans for a physical expansion of the College to aid in student and faculty growth. The expansion will renovate more than 31,000 square feet of existing space and add 50,100 more. It includes research space, classrooms, state-of-the-science simulation labs, offices and other support services to develop future nurses.
    Current plans also include a pedestrian bridge over University Boulevard connecting the College with DCH Regional Medical Center where many students earn valuable clinical experiences.

    UA will also work with UAB Health System to increase the number of clinical placement opportunities for UA students.
    “This initiative reflects the strength of The University of Alabama System and our commitment to improving the lives of Alabamians,” UA System Chancellor Sid Trant said. “This partnership between UA’s Capstone College of Nursing and UAB Medicine, home to one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, expands opportunities for students and addresses a critical workforce shortage with a unified and strategic approach that will benefit the entire state.”

    UAB Health System Chief Nursing Executive Terri Poe says this model for clinical placements is already proven.

    “We have seen for many years how the clinical placements of UAB School of Nursing students and graduates benefit UAB Medicine, the students and our patients, as well as communities across the state,” Poe said. “With the nursing shortage we are facing, bringing in more students to work and learn alongside some of the best healthcare professionals in the state will increase those mutually beneficial outcomes.”

    While Alabama is in the midst of a roughly 20% nurse vacancy in hospitals across the state, according to the Alabama Hospital Association, Capstone College of Nursing plans to lead the charge in supplying highly qualified and compassionate nurses to the state’s workforce.

    More information on UA’s Capstone College of Nursing is available at nursing.ua.edu.

  • Michael E. Gaines seeks County Commission seat District #1

    Michael E. Gaines seeks County Commission seat District #1

    My name is Michael E. Gaines, and I am honored to run for County Commissioner for District #1. As a lifelong member of this community and a proud graduate of Eutaw High School, Greene County is not just where I live it is home.

    For 37 years, I have been blessed to share my life with my wife, Caroline Gaines. Together, we have built a strong family rooted in faith, hard work, and service. I am a proud husband, father, and grandfather, and an active member of First Baptist Church, where I have faithfully served as a deacon. Service has always been at the heart of who I am.

    After retiring from my career, I felt a renewed calling to give back to the community that has given so much to me. District #1 including Knoxville, Jena, Mantua, Snoddy, Union, and our neighborhoods in Eutaw deserves leadership that listens, cares, and works diligently for the people.

    I am committed to strengthening our neighborhoods, improving opportunities for our families, and making sure every citizen’s voice is heard. Together, we can build a future rooted in unity, opportunity, and progress.

    I humbly ask for your support and your vote for County Commissioner, District #1.

    Vote Michael E. Gaines

    Let’s Rise and Succeed Together.

  • Newswire : House passes SAVE Act, raising alarms over voter access ahead of midterms

    By Black Information Network (BIN)

    House Republicans narrowly passed the SAVE America Act on Wednesday (February 11), approving sweeping changes to federal election rules in a 218–213 vote. All Republicans supported the bill, while Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar was the only Democrat to vote in favor.
    The legislation would require Americans to provide documentary proof of citizenship — such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate — when registering to vote in federal elections. It would also mandate photo ID nationwide for in-person voting and tighten rules around mail-in ballots.
    Federal law already requires voters to attest to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, and election experts have consistently found that noncitizen voting is extremely rare.
    Democrats argue the measure could disenfranchise eligible voters, noting that millions of Americans do not have ready access to citizenship documents and that nearly half of Americans do not hold a valid passport. The bill would also require states to share voter registration data with the Department of Homeland Security to verify citizenship — a provision that has raised privacy concerns among election officials.
    “Let me be clear what this is about: It’s about Republicans trying to rig the next election,” Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said during a hearing ahead of the floor vote, per the AP. “Republicans are pushing the Save America Act because they want fewer Americans to vote. It’s that simple.”
    The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces significant hurdles. It would need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, and several Republican senators — including Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — have expressed opposition, citing concerns about federal overreach into state-run elections.
    President Donald Trump has publicly backed the legislation, continuing to push claims about election integrity despite no widespread evidence of fraud.
    Its future in the Senate remains uncertain.
    The legislation lands amid President Trump’s continued calls to “nationalize” elections — a move many legal scholars say would conflict with the Constitution’s delegation of election oversight to the states. If the bill were to clear the Senate, it could significantly alter voter registration processes just months before voters head to the polls.

  • Newswire : Grand jury fails to indict 6 Congressional Democrats,for video on rejecting illegal orders, rebuking DOJ

    By Sarah Davis, The Hill

    A grand jury on Tuesday, February 10, refused to indict a coalition of Democratic lawmakers over their participation in a controversial “illegal orders” video last fall.
    The failed federal indictment was pursued by the office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, as first reported by The New York Times.

    The lawmakers urged military service members and intelligence community personnel to defy illegal orders in a joint video statement released in November. The video followed the Trump administration’s decision to carry out deadly boat strikes in the Caribbean.

    “We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now, Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens like us. You all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution,” the lawmakers said in the video.

    President Trump called the video “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” in a post on Truth Social. He later suggested the lawmakers should be prosecuted, removed from office, imprisoned and even killed.

    The video featured Democratic legislators with military and intelligence backgrounds, including Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Reps. Jason Crow (Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Chris Deluzio (Penn.) and Maggie Goodlander (N.H.).

    The FBI had previously requested interviews with all six members of Congress, and the lawmakers said in January that they were under investigation by the Justice Department.  The Times reported that federal prosecutors were seeking to indict lawmakers for breaching a law forbidding interfering with the U.S. military’s loyalty, morale or discipline.

    he Hill has reached out to the U.S. attorney’s office for comment.
    Several lawmakers responded to the news on the social platform X late Tuesday night. Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, confirmed she was named in the federal indictment.
    “Today, it was a grand jury of anonymous American citizens who upheld the rule of law and determined this case should not proceed,” Slotkin said. “Hopefully, this ends this politicized investigation for good.

    “But today wasn’t just an embarrassing day for the Administration,” she continued. “It was another sad day for our country. Because whether or not Pirro succeeded is not the point. It’s that President Trump continues to weaponize our justice system against his perceived enemies.”

    Deluzio similarly condemned the Trump administration’s attempts to charge him and his fellow lawmakers. “I will not be intimidated for a single second by the Trump Administration or Justice Department lawyers who tried and failed to indict me today,” he said. “American citizens on a grand jury refused to go along with this attempt to charge me with a crime for stating the law in a way Trump and his enablers didn’t like. They may want Americans to be afraid to speak out or to disagree—but patriotism demands courage in this moment. DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP!”

    Kelly called the indictment “an outrageous abuse of power by Donald Trump and his lackies.” “It wasn’t enough for Pete Hegseth to censure me and threaten to demote me, now it appears they tried to have me charged with a crime — all because of something I said that they didn’t like,” he wrote. “That’s not the way things work in America. Donald Trump wants every American to be too scared to speak out against him. The most patriotic thing any of us can do is not back down.”

    Crow on Wednesday night also confirmed the indictment. “Donald Trump’s DOJ just tried—and failed—to indict me in front of a grand jury, he said in a statement. “Americans should be furious that Trump and his goons tried to weaponize our justice system again against his political opponents. His attempts to intimidate and silence us will always fail.”

    “We will continue to fight back against their rising tyranny, along with all Americans of good conscience. Courage is contagious,” he added.

  • Newswire : Movie ‘Sinners’ sets record with 16 Oscar nominations

    Newswire : Movie ‘Sinners’ sets record with 16 Oscar nominations

    By Daniel Arkin, NBC News

    Ryan Coogler’s Southern Gothic vampire tale leads the pack of contenders for the 98th Academy Awards with 16 nominations, including best picture, setting a record for the most in Oscar history.
    “Sinners” crushed the previous record of 14 nominations held by “All About Eve” (1950), “Titanic” (1997) and “La La Land” (2016).
    Coogler received nominations for best director and best screenplay. Michael B. Jordan, who stars in a dual role as twin brothers who open up a “juke joint” in the Mississippi Delta in the early 1930s, nabbed a best lead actor nod. Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku are up for their supporting performances.
    The film was also recognized for achievement in cinematography, visual effects, sound, production design, editing, casting, costume design, song, score, and makeup and hairstyling. (The casting category is new.)
    In a joint statement, Coogler and his co-producers — Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian — said they were “deeply grateful to be recognized by our peers and alongside so many artists we admire.”
    “What has meant just as much is the way ‘Sinners’ has connected with audiences around the world, the response has been truly humbling,” they said. “This film exists because of the extraordinary collective effort of artists and collaborators who gave everything to the work.”
    “Sinners” was widely expected to dominate the list of nominees after it impressed critics and dazzled audiences. It was last year’s seventh-highest-grossing title at the North American box office, raking in nearly $280 million. It pulled in $88 million more abroad for a worldwide gross of $368 million.
    Coogler and Jordan are frequent collaborators, dating to Coogler’s feature debut, “Fruitvale Station,” in 2013. Jordan starred in Coogler’s “Creed,” a reboot of the “Rocky” franchise, and he played a key supporting role in Coogler’s culture-conquering Marvel epic, “Black Panther.”
    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the voting body behind the Oscars, traditionally shies away from recognizing horror films, but that appears to be changing. “The Substance,” a gross-out body-horror satire starring Demi Moore, landed a best picture nomination last year. “Sinners” continues the trend.
    In this year’s best picture race, “Sinners” and “One Battle” face off against eight other titles: “Bugonia,” “F1,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value” and “Train Dreams.”

  • Greene County Commission receives new equipment to patch potholes; holds meetings to approve grant proposals and other matters

    A group of five people standing together in front of a street maintenance truck with a large hopper, featuring branding and equipment. The scene takes place outdoors with power lines in the background.

    Greene County Commissioners displays new pothole patching machine.


    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, 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 for $5,000 to assist E-911. The Commission agreed to provide E-911 with $5,000 per quarter from the undesignated funds from the Greene County Racing Commission for pari-mutuel gaming at the Palace Entertainment Center in Knoxville, Alabama.
    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.

  • Jonathan “Joe” Benison seeks re-election as Sheriff of Greene County

    A smiling sheriff in a white uniform and black cowboy hat, with a badge displayed on his shirt.

    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. 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

  • Willie Esther Davis announces candidacy for Greene Co. School Board, District 4

    A woman with curly hair, wearing a black dress with white polka dots, poses in front of a brick wall.

    Today, I am formally announcing my candidacy for the Greene County School Board, District 4.
    My name is Willie Esther Davis, I am running for the Greene County Board of Education. I am a lifelong resident of Greene County and a proud native of the Tishabee Community. I am a graduate of Paramount High School and earned my Bachelor’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.

  • Newswire : Fulton County files lawsuit seeking return of seized election materials

    Two individuals entering a building labeled 'Registration and Elections', with a clear glass front and a blue parking sign nearby.

    FBI agents enter Fulton County Georgia voting offices

    By Joe Jurado, NewsOne

    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. 
    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.