Henry Still Jr. will spend years in prison for the part he took in what Circuit Judge Thomas Head called a "callous and stupid" act.

Jan. 30, 2001 10 PM

Officials ready to crack down on unpaid garbage bills

Pike County residents who haven’t paid their solid waste bills may find themselves facing criminal charges in court.

Jan. 30, 2001 10 PM

Seniors to host ‘Gala’ event

A "Gala"event has been planned for the fun and enjoyment of the "senior" community at 6:30, April 20.

Jan. 30, 2001 10 PM

Troy’s downtown black businesses to celebrate progress

Troy’s downtown businesses will proudly present the 4th Annual Black History Celebration at 3 p.m., Feb. 4, at the New Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Linwood.

Jan. 30, 2001 10 PM

State prisons contribute to local jail problems

State prisoners have been causing a headache for county jails.

Jan. 29, 2001 10 PM

Jobless rate shows healthy economy

Alabama’s 4.6 percent unemployment rate for December was a slight decline over the previous month’s 4.7 percent rate.

Jan. 29, 2001 10 PM

King named ERMC’s top employee

Ethel King wiped tears of joy from her eyes as her named was called as Edge Regional Medical Center’s Employee of the Year 2000 on Thursday.

Jan. 29, 2001 10 PM

County seeks funding for new jail

There is no doubt Pike County needs a new jail, but finding the money to build it is another matter.

Jan. 27, 2001 10 PM

Pike Co. Jail feels the squeeze

Pike County Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. Doug Wheeler uses two words to describe the Pike County Jail, a facility he is charged with supervising for Sheriff Russell Thomas, "old and overcrowded."

Jan. 27, 2001 10 PM

Relay board salutes Pike Co.

The Pike County board of the American Cancer Society met Wednesday to congratulate Pike County on a successful Relay for Life 2000 and they should have given themselves a pat on the back also.

Jan. 28, 2001 10 PM

Neighbor: Griffin achieves lifelong dream

If Cornelius Griffin could have written a script for his rookie season in the National Football League, he probably would not have dared to pinnacle it with a trip to the Super Bowl.

Jan. 25, 2001 10 PM

Highway 29 wreck claims life of Troy teen

A 17-year-old Troy girl is dead as a result of a Thursday afternoon accident on Highway 29 eight miles from Troy.

Jan. 25, 2001 10:00 AM

Hawkins, other higher ed officials fight proration

MONTGOMERY ­ Proration is inevitable, but those involved with higher education spent part of Thursday making their case to Alabama legislators.

Jan. 25, 2001 10 PM

P.C. Reading Council sponsors TES ‘Young Author’s Conference’

Some of Pike County’s youth may be getting their start toward freedom next Saturday.

Jan. 25, 2001 10 PM

Sign-up begins for hay assistance program

U. S. Sen. Jeff Sessions handed a big $5 million check to Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Charles Bishop at a news conference at the Department of Agriculture and Industries Jan. 8. The purpose of the big bucks was to extend an emergency feed assistance program started by Bishop last June.

Jan. 24, 2001 10 PM

Lockheed announces $3.8 billion expansion

Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations has given Pike Ccounty plenty to celebrate ­ about $3.8 billion worth.

Jan. 24, 2001 10 PM

March of Dimes kicks off annual event

Pike County is taking steps to save the lives of babies.

Jan. 24, 2001 10 PM

Guitar duo will perform Friday

The award winning guitar duo of Douglas Back and Michael Johnson will present the concert "Grand Guitar and Brilliant Banjo" at Troy State University Friday, Jan. 26.

Jan. 24, 2001 10 PM

City gets on a roll for Heart Association

When it comes to the American Heart Association, the city of Troy employees are on the ball and soon they’ll be on a roll.

Jan. 23, 2001 10 PM

Brundidge landfill battle nears its end

BRUNDIDGE ­ Years of waiting are over for the Brundidge City Council.

Jan. 23, 2001 10 PM

Street Talk: Roe v. Wade battle rages still rages on

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the contraversial Roe v. Wade ruling.

Jan. 23, 2001 10 PM

Rebecca Doss will mount gentle giant this weekend

When people think of Belgian horses, they usually think of the "Budweiser" horses pulling a wagon through the Christmas snow.

Jan. 23, 2001 10 PM

County seeks legislative help with new jail

Pike County commissioners told area legislators they want a new jail and believe a new sales tax is the only way to pay for it.

Jan. 22, 2001 10 PM

Subdivision regulations eyed by Pike Commission

An issued that has plagued the Pike County Commission for weeks may soon be coming to a close.

Jan. 22, 2001 10 PM

Pike County March of Dimes kicks off 2001 campaign

The Pike County March of Dimes and area residents will take the first step toward saving babies in 2001 during a team captain kickoff on Wednesday.

Jan. 22, 2001 10 PM

ERMC names employees of the quarter

Martha Shipman and Kay Garrett came to work at Edge Regional Medical Center in a round about way. However, they both quickly found their way and their places in the world of heath care and, on Friday, they were rewarded for jobs well done.

Jan. 20, 2001 10 PM

Rotary sponsors Valentine fundraiser

Valentine’s will mean more than just hearts and flowers, this year.

Jan. 20, 2001 10 PM

County school officials fear more state cuts

Pike County Schools Superintendent John Key is wondering what’s next.

Jan. 20, 2001 10 PM

Messenger web growth on par with national numbers

In the wake of reaching an all-time high in the amount of Internet traffic driven to The Messenger’s website, www.troymessenger.com, research indicates that newspaper websites are attracting a substantial web audience.

Jan. 20, 2001 10 PM

Visit teaches Banks students to breathe easier

BANKS ­ Students at Banks School were given the weapon of knowledge to fight the Tar Wars.

Jan. 18, 2001 10 PM

Census leads legislature to special session

Legislators are still just over two weeks away from going back to work on the state’s business and are already planning a special legislative session this summer.

Jan. 18, 2001 10 PM

Alabamians credited for embracing seatbelt laws

It appears more people are buckling up when they get into a vehicle.

Jan. 18, 2001 10 PM

Neighbors: Friends of Battery C stick together

Imagine walking into a room full of "friends" whom you had not seen for 30 or more years.

Jan. 18, 2001 10 PM

Pike County kicks off heart walk in February

Consider this ­ heart disease and strokes killed almost 1 million Americans last year.

Jan. 17, 2001 10 PM

County officials discuss garbage situation

County officials are talking trash.

Tuesday night, members of the Pike County Commission met with the head of Mark Dunning Industries, Inc. of Dothan to discuss problems with county garbage pickup service.

Jan. 17, 2001 10 PM

SACS inspects Troy St. next week

A leading higher education official will visit Troy State University next week as the university prepares for the critical process of reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Jan. 17, 2001 10 PM

TPD seeks license for juvenile holding facility

Troy Police Department officials are hopeful that a walk-through of the city’s holding facility for accused lawbreakers will meet standards to allow them to detain juveniles.

Jan. 17, 2001 10 PM

Pike Pioneer Museum changes its name

The only thing constant is change and a change has occurred at Pike Pioneer Museum.

Jan. 16, 2001 10 PM

Volunteer fire fighters will get raise in Brundidge

BRUNDIDGE ­ Volunteer fire fighters in Brundidge will be making more beginning next week.

Jan. 16, 2001 10 PM

SSSI responds to airplane accident

Tony Scott’s fear proved to be correct Sunday morning.

Jan. 16, 2001 10 PM

‘Vigorous ballet’ to be held at Troy State

A night of culture, excitement, and lots of dancing is coming soon for Troy State students and Troy residents.

Jan. 16, 2001 10 PM

Jet crashes, burns at airport

Federal Aviation Administration officials spent much of the day Monday examining the wreckage of a Lear jet owned by Dallas Cowboys football organization owner Jerry Jones at the Troy Airport.

Jan. 15, 2001 10 PM

Mayor seeks deer defense at airport

In the aftermath of a Sunday plane crash, the sight at the Troy Airport could have best been described as carnage.

Jan. 15, 2001 10 PM

PCBOE members get pat on the back

Members of the Pike County Board of Education were recognized for "giving their time to service to the community" during a meeting Monday night.

Jan. 15, 2001 10 PM

TSU goes green for St. Patty’s celebration

March in Troy will be unlike any other March residents have ever seen, and it looks like everything will be coming up green.

Jan. 15, 2001 10 PM

County awaiting approval for bridge work

Pike County officials have submitted their plans, but it will still be some time before citizens see any bridge work.

Jan. 13, 2001 10 PM

Breakfast kicks off annual Heart Walk

A Wednesday morning breakfast will kick off fund-raising efforts for the American Heart Association.

Jan. 13, 2001 10 PM

Local artists to be featured at ‘Ecletic Artists’ exhibit

Local artists have finally found a place they can call home in Troy, but before they move into their new home they have have an exhibit and reception to tend to.

Jan. 13, 2001 10 PM

Banks teacher to participate in NASA experiment

Tammy Goss has just been given the opportunity to participate in something truly out of this world.

Jan. 13, 2001 10 PM

Chamber hosts ‘Taste of Pike County’ March 8

Something is cooking in Pike County.

Jan. 11, 2001 10 PM

Successor named for PLAS’s Delaney Kervin

In a matter of months, Delaney Kervin will be saying goodbye to a career spanning more than 30 years in the same school.

Jan. 11, 2001 10 PM

‘Identity theft’ bill part of legislative 2001 agenda

Bipartisan supporters are working to pass legislation that will protect Alabama consumers.

Jan. 11, 2001 10 PM

Neighbor: Messick running to Senior Olympic Games

Luther Messick was the third of 15 children. He only got to go school five years before taking his place behind a mule and a plow. He never got to participate in any sports so he didn’t know he had a talent for running until he served in the military during the Berlin Crisis.

Jan. 11, 2001 10 PM

Car, train collide; no one injured

No one was injured Wednesday when a 1985 Pontiac driven by a 25-year-old Troy man collided with a slow-moving train at a Troy railroad crossing.

Jan. 10, 2001 10 PM

Troy Police Dept. locks up suspected rapist

In just 24 hours an accused rapist was put behind bars.

Jan. 10, 2001 10 PM

Band director Smith will leave TSU Sept. 1

Troy State University’s Sound of the South is losing its director.

Jan. 10, 2000 10 PM

TSU implements new campus bicycle patrols

When students returned to the Troy State University campus this week, they may have noticed something a little unique.

Jan. 10, 2001 10 PM

Alabama Power contributes to city’s beauty

Troy officials are working to improve the beauty and environment of the city.

Jan. 10, 2001 10 PM

Council opens discussion on sales and use tax

Troy officials are looking into making a change that could bring in extra money to the city.

Jan. 9, 2001 10 PM

County still facing garbage pick-up problems

Problems first brought to light in the fall still continue to be just that.

Jan. 9, 2001 10 PM

Landowner says cows are

starving because he’s ‘landlocked’

GOSHEN – Herbert and Myrtle Wingard fear that a slow court system, confusion over land laws and an unsympathetic pair of neighbors may be responsible for the deaths of 18 of their cows.

Jan. 9, 2001 10 PM

Back-to-school means a lot to Romanczuk

After a three-week vacation from the classroom, some students pulled the cover over their heads Tuesday morning and begged to stay home just one more day. However, most were anxious to get back to school and see their friends and, of course, learn new things.

Jan. 9, 2001 10 PM

Cancer Society offers golf pass ‘fore’ fun

With spring-like weather, hopefully, just around the bend, many thoughts are turning to "tee" time.

Jan. 8, 2001 10 PM

Commission eyes zoning portions of Pike County

A proposed subdivision is a step closer to becoming reality after weeks of discussion among Pike County commissioners.

Jan. 8, 2001 10 PM

County GED standards change at end of year

In this day and age, the importance of a high school education is being realized more and more.

Jan. 8, 2001 10 PM

Dale County Junior Miss has Pike County ties

Aryanez Alburquerque will represent Pike County in the Alabama Junior Miss Program Jan.12 through 21.

Jan. 8, 2001 10 PM

Woman pleads quilty to stealing from residents

A Troy woman will spend the next two years on probation after pleading guilty to charges of stealing from residents of Pike Manor Health Care Center.

Jan. 6, 2000 10 PM

Gas customers feel the heat from the cold weather

Gas customers in Pike County have felt the cold weather, not only in their fingers and toes, but in their wallets, as well.

Jan. 6, 2000 10 PM

Electronic partnership among nation’s first

Consider this scenario.

You are sound asleep and suddenly an alarm goes off in your bedroom. You jump up and read the message on the screen of your radio. A tornado has been spotted in your area. You hustle your family to safety.

Jan. 6, 2000 10 PM

Echinacea takes the fight against the common cold

No matter how many liftoffs there are, most people don’t care much about them unless they "shuttle" back with a cure for the common cold.

Jan. 6, 2000 10 PM

First baby of 2001 arrives at ERMC

Cindy Starks was expecting her first baby Jan. 7. She never entertained thoughts of having a New Year’s baby. In fact, she thought the baby might even come later than expected.

Jan. 4, 2000 10 PM

Nearly 1,000 voters purged from county’s roles

Some 200,000 names are being removed from Alabama voter lists and almost 1,000 of those are from Pike County.

Jan. 4, 2001 10 PM

First-class stamp prices climb

one cent starting Jan. 7

Anyone going to the post office next week will notice a change when the total is tallied on the cash register.

Jan. 4, 2001 10 PM

Neighbor: Spikes appreciates the

importance of ‘Old Christmas’

Jimmie Spikes doesn’t like to admit it, but until four years ago, he had never attended an Old Christmas service.

Jan. 4, 2000 10 PM

NASA joins local strategic planning session

Representatives from NASA showed Pike County that they are about more than just space exploration.

Jan. 3, 2001 10 PM

Firefighters hope fire education will save lives

Fires have claimed the lives of a number of Alabamians in recent weeks and the Pike County Fire Fighters Association wants to make sure that does not happen here.

Jan. 3, 2001 10 PM

Scholarship established for cancer survivors

The Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society (ACS), the nation’s leading voluntary health organization, has established a scholarship program that will award $100,000 in tuition scholarships for young cancer survivors pursuing higher education.

Jan. 3, 2001 10 PM

Senior Complex plans activities for new year

Citizens 50 and older who didn’t make participation in the many activities of the Colley Senior Complex one of their New Year’s resolutions still have time to do so.

Jan. 3, 2001 10 PM

Brundidge working for

solutions with Waste Away Group

BRUNDIDGE ­ Members of the Brundidge City Council are hoping matters with Waste Away Group Inc. will soon be solved.

Jan. 2, 2001 10 PM

Reapportionment top priority in legislative session

In just over a month, the Alabama Legislature will be back in action.

Jan. 2, 2001 10 PM

Pike Manor celebrates New Year’s among friends

The background music was "Auld Lang Syne" but the thoughts of the residents of Pike Manor Health Care Center weren’t of old times, but rather the blessings of the day.

Jan. 2, 2001 10 PM

Pike Co. Junior Miss prepares

for state finals in Montgomery

Aryanez Alburquerque is far more comfortable "hiding in the background" than she is in the spotlight, but when she takes center stage at the Alabama Junior Miss Program in Montgomery Jan. 19 and 20, she hopes she will have found her comfort zone.

Jan. 2, 2001 10 PM