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As of Wednesday, the Pike County Courthouse and other county offices are closed to the public but all county services remain operational via online service, mail and drop-off.

“This is as much for the public’s safety as our employees,” said Commissioner Chad Copeland.

Members of the Pike County Commission approved closing of the courthouse, road department and commission office to all foot traffic, but stressed that all county employees remain at work and all services will continue.

“We decided to take this action after we had our first verified case of COVID-19 in Pike County,” said Chairman Robin Sullivan. “We think this is in the best interest of our employees and of the public.”

The courthouse houses the Probate Office, Revenue Commissioner and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Board of Registrars and the Circuit Court and Clerk. Officials had already taken measures to limit the number of residents in the offices at one time, and the courtrooms have been closed for more than a week.

“We will still be able to take care of the public,” said County Administrator McKenzie Wilson.

Wilson shared the following contact information:

• Probate (License, Recording, Tag) 334-566-1246. Website and auto/boat/tag renewals: https://www.pikeprobate.com.  You may also choose to mail your tag renewal paperwork to our office, and we will process the request and mail out your renewal paperwork, usually within 1-2 business days. Driver’s License Renewal online  at http://www.alabamainteractive.org/dl_renewal/welcome.action. Document recording requests will be processed via mail. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request.  Most transactions are recorded and mailed within 1-2 business days.  If you are unsure of the cost associated with our documents, contact our office via phone, and we will assist you.

• Revenue/Reappraisal (property), 334566-1792. Property payments can be mailed or paid online at www.pikerevenue.com. For questions, email mmosleypikerevenue@yahoo.com.

• Road Department, 334-566-4508

• Sheriff, 334-566-4347

• Commission office, 334-566-6374

• Board of Registrars, 334-566-1757.

The City of Troy already had closed city hall to the public, although all city services are still being staffed, including utilities department.

Other closings and cancellations announced this week include:

• South Alabama Electric Cooperative closed its Troy office to the public effective March 25. Members are encouraged to take advantage of a variety of options to pay bills including visiting southaec.com; downloading the SAEC Connect app for the tablet or smartphone; pay by phone at 877-566-0611; or use the SAEC night drop box. For more information, call 1-800-566-2060.

• The Messenger’s office is closed to the public effective March 25. “We’re taking the measure in order to protect the health of our employees and our community,” said Publisher Stacy Graning. “We will continue to staff the office and are available via phone, email or through social media.” Numbers to call include, for inquiries or to make payments, 334-566-4270; for the newsroom, 334-670-6316; or for advertising, 334-566-4270. Email contacts include info@troymessenger.com for general information, submissions, and questions; legals@troymessenger.com; news@troymessenger.com; and ads@troymessenger. “We continue to serve our community and are working to provide you with up-to-date, accurate information throughout this situation through our print editions and our website, troymessenger.com,” Graning said.

• The First National Bank will temporarily suspend its lobby hours effective Friday, March 27th until further notice. Drive-Thru hours have been extended to 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday – Friday) and 8:00 AM – Noon (Saturday – Troy Branch Only). President and CEO, John Ramage, said, “As we adjust services for your well-being, our branches will remain open by Drive-Thru, Appointment, ATM and 24/7 Telephone Banking. In addition, we have a convenient online/mobile banking platform in place to provide uninterrupted banking services, including checking your account status, paying bills, and transferring money. Make sure you are aware of these services FNB offers for your routine banking needs over the next several weeks. And remember that we will use our strength and stability to help our customers navigate this together.” “We’re here to help. The First National Bank has been serving Pike County since 1904, and we care about you, your family, and your business. None of that changes, as we continue to work through this pandemic. We are local bankers, committed to our community and we encourage everyone to find ways to support our local businesses during this time.” If the bank can assist you or your business in any way, or to schedule an appointment, please contact FNB at 334-735-2351 or 334-670-2057

• The Annual SpringFest Arts and Crafts Show in Brundidge has been canceled for 2020. Hopes are that festival’s vendors will return Mother’s Day Weekend in 2021.

• The Pioneer Museum of Alabama will be closed to the public until further notice in an effort to help minimize the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Spring Plantin’ scheduled for Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, is cancelled for 2020.

The museum will reopen as soon as officials deem it is safe to do so. Updates will be provided on the museum’s outgoing phone message, website and Facebook page.  Please check back for updates and we hope to see you soon.”

• The Piney Woods Arts Festival scheduled for April 4 & 5, 2020, on the Enterprise State Community College campus is cancelled. The safety of the public, our artists, and vendors is of primary importance in light of the current Corona Virus health crisis.

The dates for Piney Woods next year are April 17 and 18, 2021. We hope to see everyone then.

• The Miss/Little Miss Brundidge Pageant previously scheduled for Saturday, March 28th has been postponed until Saturday, May 2nd.  The deadline to apply is now April 24th.  Girls from 2 to 21 are encouraged to participate. Applications can be picked up in Brundidge at Troy Bank and Trust, First National Bank, Piggly Wiggly and City Hall.

• No decision on has been made on the status of TroyFest 2020. The committee plans to wait until after April 6 to make a decision.  However, if a decision is made prior to that date, it will be made public.

• The Walking Trail at the Troy Recreation Center is open to the public. However,

the playgrounds are closed. Signs are posted notifying the public that the playgrounds are closed due the coronavirus.

• The House of Hope annual banquet and fundraiser has been moved from March to September. Donations prior to the banquet will be greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Alicia Carroll, House of Hope director, at 205-440-9712.