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PAGE 5A February 2026
Rural Health Group Holds First Meeting Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently participated in the first meeting of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Advisory Group, which she established by Executive Order to advance policy development and implementation of Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP). The advisory group’s first meeting is a major milestone since the state was notified by the Trump Administration of its $203,404,327 award for year-one funding to support the ARHTP. The inaugural meeting was "an important step toward implementation of our rural health strategy,” said Governor Ivey. “The Trump Administration has entrusted Alabama with significant funding to make generational reforms to an important but struggling portion of our health care system. We have an excellent group of legislators to help us be successful, and I am excited to see what they come up with.” Members of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Advisory Group include House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, Sen. Greg Albritton, Sen. Clyde Chambliss, Sen. Donnie Chesteen, Sen. Bobby Singleton, Rep. Anthony Daniels, Rep. Jamie Kiel, Rep. Rex Reynolds and Rep. Pebblin Warren. During the meeting, advisory group members selected Sen. Chesteen and Rep. Kiel to serve as chair and vice chair. An overview of the program was given by Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the agency responsible for administering the program. Members also asked questions and discussed processes, timelines and potential legislative action to support the state’s implementation efforts. Governor Ivey added, “In addition to ensuring our healthcare investments are efficient and sustainable, I hope this group will help develop legislative and other policy changes to ensure our initiatives are effective long- term. To turn around our rural healthcare system – to make it financially sustainable and available to deliver lifesaving care to all Alabamians – we must rethink how things have always been done. That means thinking critically about policies, regulations and even the way healthcare providers operate.” During her state of the state address on January 13, Governor Ivey said, “And to our healthcare leaders in the state: I challenge you to work with us in thinking outside the-box and identifying new partners as we strive to improve health care in Alabama.” The federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Congress approved and President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025. “The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen healthcare access in our rural communities,” said Sen. Chesteen. “By bringing together legislative leaders and healthcare stakeholders, we are positioning Alabama to make smart, sustainable reforms that will improve patient outcomes and ensure rural hospitals and providers can continue serving families across our state. I look forward to working with Governor Ivey and my colleagues to turn this historic investment into lasting results for the people of Alabama.” The RHTP is a five-year, $50 billion program that empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery system. “Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program is about ensuring that every Alabamian, no matter where they live, has access to the quality care they deserve,” said Rep. Kiel. “We want to build a stronger, healthier future for our rural communities and I am proud to support an initiative that ensures Alabama remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.” Alabama’s program submission, which was awarded the federal funding, is known as the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP). It includes 11 targeted initiatives to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in rural Alabama. School Bus Crash Injures Five A multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus at approximately 7:06 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, resulted in five injuries. According to Alabama State troopers, the crash occurred when the 2020 Freightliner Bus driven by Thomas S. Edwards, 56, of Trafford, was struck by the 2014 Nissan Rogue driven by Tanner E. Endaz, 33, of Locust Fork. After initial collision, the Freightliner left the roadway and overturned. A third vehicle, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma driven by Wesley D. Green, 37, of Hayden, left the roadway, struck a culvert and then overturned. Endaz was injured and transported to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) St. Vincent’s Hospital in Oneonta for medical treatment. Four juvenile passengers on the bus were also injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Green was not injured during the crash. The crash occurred on Alabama 79 near Fred Terry Road, approximately three miles south of Locust Fork, in Blount County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
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Fort Payne Police Report The following crime report was provided by the Fort Payne Police Department. All persons are presumed innocent until his or her guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. January 30, 2026 Incidents • Scam – Occurred at 2914 Whippoorwill Road NW, a phone scam occurred, valued at $550.00 • Three Arrests • Snead State Community College President Dr. Joe Whitmore recently congratulated the high school juniors participating in the 2026 Marshall DeKalb Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Pictured from left are Bryson Cook, Fernanda Vega, Sophie Bearden, Dr. Whitmore, Daisy Guzman, Evelyn Cuc, and Braden Phillips. SSCC Awards Scholarships to MDEC Youth Tour Participants Marshall DeKalb Electric Cooperative had six high school juniors to participate in the 2026 Youth Tour program. The group visited Snead State Community College on Friday, Jan. 30, to be interviewed for an opportunity to receive scholarships to SSCC and a trip to Washington D.C. The six students already qualify to attend the Alabama Youth Tour in Montgomery in March, where they will participate in leadership activities, educational sessions, and opportunities to engage with students from across the state. The students are Evelyn Rocio Cuc Tajiboy of Douglas High School; Braden Phillips of Boaz High School; Bryson Cook of Geraldine High School; Sophie Bearden of Geraldine High School; Daisy Guzman of Crossville High School; and Fernanda Vega of Crossville High School. The students were evaluated through a three-part selection process conducted by Marshall DeKalb Electric Cooperative in partnership with Snead State Community College. The process includes the submission of an essay titled “Why Should I Be Chosen to Attend the Youth Tour,” a formal interview, and each student’s interaction and participation during the Montgomery Youth Tour. Following the essay and interview process, four were given a one-year tuition scholarship to Snead State Community College, presented by President Dr. Joe Whitmore. The four scholarship recipients are Braden Phillips, Daisy Guzman, Evelyn Cuc, and Fernanda Vega. The participants in the National Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., will be selected following the Montgomery Youth Tour trip. The Youth Tour program provides students with a firsthand look at government in action while helping them develop leadership skills and a deeper understanding of civic responsibility.
Timothy Paul White, age 50 of Cedar Buff, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia • Brian Douglas Murphy, age 45 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Domestic Violence • Christopher Grant, age 41 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI One Accident with No Injuries February 4, 2026 No Incidents and Three Arrests • Heather Guinn Owen, age 37 of Fort Payne, was arrested on Two Warrants for Retail Theft • Joseph Michael Holmes, age 38 of Lafayette, AL, was arrested on Two Counts of Rape, Two Counts of Sodomy and Two Counts of Traveling to Meet a Child • Romaric Keuyep Kouemo, age 43 of Burlington, KY, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Any Substance Two Accidents with No Injuries February 5, 2026 No Incidents One Arrest • Herman Nelson Holloway Jr, age 37 of Gadsden, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency Two Accidents with No Injuries February 6, 2026 Incidents • Damaged Property – Occurred at I-59 mm 117, a window and grill were damaged on a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, valued at $2600.00 • Theft of Property – Occurred at 2004 Sanders Ave NE Apt A, a ring and $10.00 were taken, valued at $54.00 One Arrest • Timothy Wayne Little, age 60 of Scottsboro, was arrested for Domestic Violence Two Accidents with No Injuries February 7, 2026 Incidents • Damaged Property – Occurred at 1201 Jordan Road SW, a door was damaged on a Volkswagen Jetta, valued at $2000.00 • Damaged Property – Occurred at 2200 Godfrey Ave NE, a mirror on a 2019 Honda was damaged, valued at $300.00 One Arrest • Benjamin Horton Hembree, age 26 of Section, was arrested for DUI One Accident with No Injuries February 8, 2026 Incidents • Criminal Mischief – Occurred at 2002 Adamsburg Road E, two landscape timbers were damaged, valued at $20.00 • Burglary – Occurred at 1809 Grand Ave NW, a PlayStation 4 was taken, valued at $250.00 No Arrests No Accidents
Theft of Property – Occurred at Wal-Mart, miscellaneous items were taken, valued at $120.88 • Damaged Property – a mailbox and post were damaged, valued at $100.00 One Arrest • Eller Jennifer Moore, age 55 of Albertville, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia No Accidents January 31, 2026 No Incidents and One Arrest • Teca Lakeisha Jones, age 49 of Georgia, was arrested for Fugitive from Justice No Accidents February 1, 2026 No Incidents and Two Arrests • Adrian Rosario Madrid, age 45 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI and Obstructing Government Operations • A 17 year old juvenile male of Rainsville, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia One Accident with No Injuries February 2, 2026 Incidents • Damaged Property – Occurred at 403 Airport Road W, a bumper on a 2019 Ford Fiesta was damaged, valued at $300.00 • Theft of Services – Occurred at 1015 Dogtown Road SE, $2125.00 was taken without providing concrete services • Theft of Property – Miscellaneous items were taken, valued at $20.00 • Damaged Property – Occurred at 1800 Prestwood Drive SW, a telephone pole was damaged, valued at $100.00 One Arrest • Tammy Lee Hawkins, age 38 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Appear Two Accidents with No Injuries February 3, 2026 Incidents • Theft of Lost Property – Occurred at 308 Greenhill Blvd NW, a Samsung Galaxy was taken, valued at $697.00 • Theft of Property – Occurred at 103 Greenhill Blvd NW, a package was taken, valued at $575.00 • Burglary – Occurred at 1214 Fischer Road NE, woodworking tools were taken, valued at $3000.00
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