December 15, 1999

Monday burglaries hit north end of county

One or moves thieves went on a Pike County rampage in the early morning hours Monday, keeping the Pike County Sheriff’s Department hopping along U.S. Highway 231 near the Montgomery County line.

Brundidge student places third in state pageant

Jenny Davis didn’t come home from the Miss Alabama Agriculture Pageant in Mobile driving a brand new red Mustang GT convertible but she did come home with a top finish and a resolve to try again in a couple of years.

Mail Christmas packages early

Proper packing and planning ahead will help your Christmas gifts and cards get to their destinations by Dec. 25.

Brundidge PD seeks warrant for Saturday stabbing

A Saturday night stabbing in Brundidge has police anticipating an arrest for second degree assault.

December 16, 1999

‘Los Tres Compadres’ to open at Colley Senior Complex Friday

The Senior Colley Complex has quickly become the hub of community activities for the over-50 gang and, if that wasn’t enough, the Complex has taken on somewhat of a cultural swagger.

$12,500 grant awarded to Pike Chamber

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s goal of economic development got a boost Wednesday from a $12,500 grant from the Southeast Alabama Gas District.

Heritage of South featured on new car tags

The Confederate Battle Flag may not be flying over the Alabama State House anymore, but is likely to be displayed on cars of some Alabama drivers.

Recycling Center gears up to take old Christmas trees

Take advantage of the services of the Troy Recycling Center and save yourself some trouble and save our natural resources.

Donation still needed for Salvation Army kettles

Bells are still ringing and pocket change is clinking in the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles around town.

PCCP needs volunteers to distribute food, gifts

Children’s Christmas presents are wrapped, and their holiday dinners are bought.

December 17, 1999

Alabama education leader to speak to TSU grads

State Superintendent of Education Ed Richardson will speak today at Troy State University’s last commencement of the century.

New year brings changes in vehicle taxes

The new year will bring a change in procedure to how property taxes are paid on vehicles in Alabama.

Thrash seeks to brings back

the old days for her customers

Years ago when a woman wanted to get all prettied-up, she would take a stroll down to the local beauty parlor and get her hair done.

United Way hits $110,000 for 1999

The Pike County United Way has successfully met its goal of $110,000 for the 1999 campaign.

December 19, 1999

Graduation ceremony is TSU’s last of century

Troy State University held its last commencement ceremony of the 20th century Friday, with 365 students receiving degrees.

Water, sewage rate hike considered

In an effort to cover operation and maintenance costs of its water system, the City of Troy is proposing an increase in water and sewage rates

Holiday joy marred by theft

If there are levels of thieves, then surely it was the lowest among them who broke into a little boy’s home and took his most prized possession.

Scrap tire permit deadline extended

People in the tire business have one last opportunity to obtain a scrap tire license before facing a penalty.

December 21, 1999

ERMC names new marketing director

If Cindy Hancock were any more excited about coming to Pike County, she couldn’t stand it.

Locals believe Christmas miracle saved life

Dot King of Troy believes angels were sitting on the shoulder of her niece last week when the young woman’s life was saved by a college student who put himself and his small Toyota Tercel in harm’s way to stop a runaway Jeep Grand Cherokee.

New year party awaits in downtown Troy

Tons of fun await those who decide to ring in the new year in downtown Troy.

Winn Dixie expansion expected to

result in additional job openings

Although the name of its location fools some customers, Winn Dixie at Troy Marketplace Shopping Center will be "a regular store" until the end of 2000.

December 22, 1999

Brundidge seeks to resolve PCES traffic difficulties

Brundidge City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to regulate traffic at Pike County Elementary School at its meeting Tuesday.

Local offices plan Christmas schedules

The Christmas holidays not only give students at area schools a short vacation, but city and county employees also get a break.

Local offices plan Christmas schedules

The Christmas holidays not only give students at area schools a short vacation, but city and county employees also get a break.

Merritt named ERMC employee of quarter

When James Merritt was six months old, he contracted polio and his left side was completely paralyzed. But when he was about eight years old, his prayers were answered and he walked for the first time.

Messenger wants your historical pictures

To commemorate the closing of the 20th Century and the dawn of a new millennium, The Messenger will publish a special edition to be released at midnight on Dec. 31.

Pearson wins $500 Christmas shopping spree

Cynthia Pearson is blessed. "I don’t say I’m lucky, because luck runs out – I just say I’m blessed," said Pearson, winner of The Messenger’s Great Get-Away Give-Away grand prize of $500 in merchants’ cash. "Right now, at Christmas time, I am truly blessed!"

December 23, 1999

Police plan heightened patrols for holidays

With additional traffic expected over the Christmas holiday, area law enforcement officers are asking all motorists to ensure safe travel by buckling up, obeying all traffic laws and not drinking and driving.

1999 property taxes due by Dec. 31

Pike County Revenue Commissioner Curtis Blair reminds all citizens that it is time to pay property taxes.

Truck stolen in string of burglaries recovered

The Pike County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate a string of thefts which they believe occurred through in the early morning of Dec. 13 along U.S. Highway 231 near the Montgomery County line.

‘Oh, Christmas Tree’: An evergreen tradition

Bringing home the Christmas tree has long been an American tradition. Times and circumstances have changed the way the tree comes home.

December 26, 1999

Ester Gibson has fond memories of Christmas

You never get too old to believe in Santa Claus.

Recycling Center will pick up trees

The Troy Recycling Center’s annual "Let’s Recycle Christmas" program saves city residents time while conserving natural resources.

YMCA offers progams in Pike County

Members of the Troy Rotary Club learned what YMCA has to offer local youth when the agency’s marketing director spoke at the group’s luncheon meeting Tuesday.

Water Authority takes precautions for Y2K

While the wary are storing gallons of water, the Pike County Water Authority has been working to make sure it doesn’t need it.

December 28, 1999

Troy sets square for millennium party

The City of Troy’s Year 2000 Millennium Celebration Committee is planning a night of family fun on the downtown square Friday.

Area faces shortage of foster care families

According the Pike County Department of Human Resources and the area Family Finders program, Pike County falls well short of its need for potential foster care homes.

Wish comes true with return of photographs

Christmas brings out the best in the worst of us.

December 29, 1999

Sheriff’s Dept. nabs robbery suspect

The Pike County Sheriff’s Department had a restless Christmas, but were been able to put an accused armed robber behind bars due to the short holiday.

Troy’s Millennium Torch spins

true thanks to perfect symmetry

Carrying the torch into the new Millennium is one thing. Building it is another.

Videotape leads TPD to arrest in store burglary

A Troy man found that being on television wasn’t glamorous when a recording device caught him on tape stealing goods and cash from a local convenience store.

Troy raises water bills effective February 1

Residents of the city of Troy can expect to see a slight increase in their water bills come February 2000.

Sheriff returns boy’s computer

Corey Redmon, a seven-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, is once again sitting in front of his computer after Pike County Sheriff’s Department officers solved a string of burglaries and returned many of the stolen items to victims.

December 30, 1999

Barn building the old-fashioned

way takes muscle and sweat

Back around the 1870s people had more muscle than money and that’s exactly what it took to build a barn out of hand-cut, hand-hewned logs. And, that’s what it’s taking to put it back together again the old way.

Three charged for recent burglaries

Things aren’t looking up for Christopher Ray Bachelor, 17, of Lot 27 Royal Oak Trailer Park, Troy, who stands accused of robbing an area business at gunpoint.

Sheriff returns boy’s computer

Corey Redmon, a seven-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, is once again sitting in front of his computer after Pike County Sheriff’s Department officers solved a string of burglaries and returned many of the stolen items to victims.

ERMC gets ready for Y2K with increased personnel

Any concerns that anyone might have about Edge Regional Medical Center’s readiness for Y2K can be laid to rest.

TPD prepared for New Year’s weekend

Tonight’s New Year’s event don’t rally have the Troy Police Department worried, but they are stepping up security just in case something comes up in the city this weekend.

December 31, 1999

Hoopla raised over CHHS tourney schedule

The Sidney Lanier Poets boys’ basketball team were without an opponent in Tuesday’s first round of the Blue-Gray All Invitational in Montgomery. That fact had the Poets’ head coach, Floyd Mathews, pointing his finger at the Charles Henderson High School Trojans.

Godwin’s work to be unveiled at dedication

A Pike County artist will be central to the excitement in Montgomery next week when the Pavilion Park and Wall of History are dedicated.

Gerry Pouncey: On the front lines

of battle against smoking

Where there’s a will, there’s a way but Gerry Pouncey hasn’t found it yet.

TPD prepared for New Year’s weekend

Tonight’s New Year’s event don’t rally have the Troy Police Department worried, but they are stepping up security just in case something comes up in the city this weekend.