The family of Amanda Gonzales, a member of the U.S. Army who was murdered on a German base in 2001, spoke following the conviction of their daughter’s murderer over 22 years after the crime. In an interview with Blaine Wilson of Andalusia’s WAAO Radio, Michael and Gloria Bates of Wiley, Texas provided their reaction to […] The post Parents of Amanda Gonzales speak following conviction of daughter’s murder after 23 years appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Covington County Board of Education approved 18 personnel matters including the naming of an assistant principal at Pleasant Home School during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 7. Tony Wilson, who has been the counselor at PHS, will move into the assistant principal role beginning in the next school year. He will replace […] The post GALLERY: CCBOE approves Wilson as PHS assistant principal appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation will recognize seven people with the W. Robert Brown Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate award in this fall. The recipients were recommended by the Foundation’s Outstanding Graduate Committee, chaired by Mayor Earl Johnson. The 2024 awards will go to: Bill Tunnell – Class of 1964, who is the retired […] The post AHS Scholarship Foundation announces 2024 Outstanding Graduates; ceremony to be held in the fall appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation recently presented international study fellowships to Ada Short and Rosemary Bass. The AHS graduates will complete four weeks of study at the University of Cambridge International Summer Programme in England. There, they will complete two courses of their choosing each week and have an opportunity to immerse themselves in […] The post AHS Scholarship Foundation presents 2024 international fellowships to Bass, Short appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Andalusia Coterie Club will see the return of its annual Storybook Festival and Coterie Run for Kids on Saturday, May 11. The Storybook Festival at Springdale is free to attend and will be held for the 51st time. Destiny Smith and Kelley Nolan will serve as chairs of the event. Gates will open at […] The post Coterie Club to host Storybook Festival, Run for Kids this Saturday appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation recently presented academic scholarships to 2024 seniors Nyla Crittenden and John Logan Long. The Class of 1948 Tuition Scholarship is awarded to academically motivated and financially needful graduating seniors of AHS. Each scholarship is for $10,000, and is renewable for three additional years if a student maintains a 2.75 […] The post AHS Scholarship Foundation names Crittenden, Long as 2024 recipients appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

An Andalusia man was found guilty Monday for the murder of a pregnant woman in a case that dates back to 2001. Shannon L. Wilkerson, 42, was charged last year with the murder of 19-year-old Amanda Gonzalez on a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Gonzalez was four months pregnant at the time of her […] The post Wilkerson found guilty of second degree murder appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

(Editor’s Note: This story is updated to include additional information provided by the Andalusia Police Department.) Area law enforcement agencies responded to potential threats against area schools and have arrested one juvenile on charges of making a terrorist threat. According to local law enforcement, the threats against one or more local schools — including Andalusia, […] The post UPDATED: Local law enforcement agencies investigate threat against local schools; one juvenile arrested appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

Aveanna Hospice of Andalusia celebrated its volunteers in honor of National Volunteer Month with a luncheon at its office on Wednesday, April 24. According to Aveanna Hospice Executive Director Kim Ray, volunteers help in several ways. “Our volunteers are such an important part of our hospice team,” Ray said. “Direct volunteers visit patients while their […] The post Aveanna Hospice recognizes volunteers at annual luncheon appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

Career coaches across Region 6 collaborated on a joint resume contest and partnered with Southeast Alabama Works to award several scholarship winners to students at local schools. A panel of judges selected one academic-based resume winner and one work-based resume winner from each school. Across Covington County, each school’s academic-based scholarship winner received a $100 scholarship […] The post Jones selected as overall winner of area resume contest appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

LBW Community College’s 2024 Outstanding Alumnus is Wesley Laird, a 1981 associate in arts graduate. Laird transferred to the University of Alabama where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Commerce and Business in 1983 and a Juris Doctorate in December 1985. He began his law firm in Opp in 1987 where he […] The post Laird announced as LBW Outstanding Alumnus 2024 appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Miss Andalusia Pageant was held Sunday, April 28, at the LBW Dixon Center for the Performing Arts with 68 contestants participating. The pageant is a preliminary for the National Peanut Festival Pageant and is a fundraiser for the Andalusia City Schools Parent-Teacher Association. “This year’s pageants would not have been possible without all of […] The post GALLERY: Miss Andalusia Pageant announces 2024 winners appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

LBW Community College will welcome two speakers at commencement on Friday, May 10, 2024: Chief Warrant Officer Four (Retired) Eugene M. Murphy and Auburn University Professor Dr. Leslie Ann Cordie. CW4 (Ret) Eugene Murphy will address students at the 10:00 a.m. commencement for those earning an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) or Certificates. A graduate […] The post LBW announces Class of 2024 commencement speakers appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Covington County Youth Leadership program recognized its 2023-2024 class during a graduation luncheon held in the LBW Community College Seth Hammett Gymnasium on Wednesday, May 1. A total of 32 juniors from all six high schools in Covington County received certificates at the ceremony, which completed its third year. “It’s a great privilege to […] The post GALLERY: CCYL graduates 32 juniors from third class appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

Jim Smith was remembered this week as an excellent boss, a born leader, and a person who made friends wherever he went. Smith, who served for 20 years as CEO of Southeast Alabama Gas District (now Southeast Gas), died this week. A native of Greenwood, S.C., Smith studied electrical engineering technology at Southern Technical Institute […] The post Smith remembered as natural leader, loyal friend appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Asset Management Partners Inc. on Thursday, April 25. Among those in attendance were Jeremy Tankersley, cutting the ribbon; Hope Tankersley, Andrea Norris Cox, Randy Nelson, Heather Murphy, Josh Mullins, Jack Folmar, Daniel Howell, Todd Inabinett, Duston Brannon, Wayne Williams; AACC Executive Director Mellisa King, […] The post Andalusia Chamber welcomes Asset Management Partners for membership appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

With speech and language disorders ranking among the most common disabilities that affect children, families are encouraged to learn the signs of these disorders and to seek an evaluation if they have concerns. It’s a timely message that Andalusia speech-language pathologist Ann Weed is sharing for May, which is recognized as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. “A […] The post Local pathologist encourages intervention for Speech-Language-Hearing Month appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

Sgt. Gregory “Al” McGraw Jr., was recognized Monday night as the Andalusia Police Department’s officer of the year in a program hosted by Opp AMVETS Post 23. APD Police Chief Paul Hudson and his command staff selected McGraw for the award, which was presented by Capt. Brett Holmes, who supervises APD’s criminal investigation division, where […] The post Al McGraw named Andalusia Police Department’s Officer of the Year appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

Congratulations to Covington Casket Company, which celebrated the company’s 100th anniversary with a gala event Friday night at the Kiwanis Community Center. The business began in 1924 when a casket company from Opp joined forces with a casket factory in Andalusia. Originally named Andalusia Casket Company, the name was changed to Covington Casket Company in […] The post Covington Casket celebrates 100 years in business with gala event appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.

Southern Care Hospice celebrated National Volunteer Week with a cookout on Thursday, April 18, with a large group of their volunteers present. The group was treated to delicious food, fellowship, gifts, and door prizes. Southern Care Hospice expressed its thanks to the volunteers for their hard work throughout the year and for all they do […] The post Southern Care Hospice recognizes volunteers at cookout appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.