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Washington County Jan. 4 *Ciba Corporation in McIntosh waited to review a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which would require them to clean up a larger area of DDT contamination than was originally planned. *The Leroy High School Lady Bears basketball team took third place in the Clarke County Invitational tournament, which was played in Grove Hill over the New Year's weekend. *A Millry man is charged in a shooting incident which occurred Dec. 22 at a residence in Bigbee. Jan. 11 *There were a few emotional moments when friends and family gathered in the large courtroom of the Washington County Courthouse to bid farewell to outgoing probate judge John Henry Armstrong. Armstrong was defeated for the judgeship by Charles Singleton of Yarbo, who was sworn in Jan. 7. •The Washington County Solid Waste Authority, signed the final documents granting to Advanced Disposal Service of Jacksonville, Fla., the authority to begin the necessary steps for creating a Regional Solid Waste Landfill in Washington County. •A satellite ambulance station was opened at the old Wagarville school for Jackson Emergency Transport Service (JETS). Jan. 18 *Approximately 200 people filled the Chatom Community Center, Jan. 14, to say goodbye to longtime Washington County Sheriff William Wheat, first elected to the position in 1974. *Ground was broken at the Highway 56 site of a planned 10,000 sq. ft. building to house the Washington County Health Department. Jan. 25 With Charles Singleton as the new Washington County probate judge and chairman of the Washington County Commission, his first order of business was to discuss the county's money problems during the Jan. 22 commission meeting. *A search warrant executed at a McIntosh residence produced a considerable amount of stolen property and illegal drugs. *The Washington County Board of Education implemented a state-mandated mileage hike for extra-curricular trips. *The Washington County Domestic Violence Task Force announced that it would establish a domestic violence data base for the purpose of tracking domestic violence abuses, which may show patterns of predictable behavior. Feb. 1 *A hunter was airlifted to a Mobile hospital after being shot during what was thought to be a hunting accident in the Charity Chapel area. *Curtis Stagner and Glenda Armstrong were named Washington County's Teachers of the Year for 2006. Stagner, who teaches at Washington County High School was named Secondary Teacher of the Year and Armstrong, who was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, teaches at Chatom Elementary School. *A photo of former Washington County Sheriff William Wheat was reported stolen from the Washington County Courthouse. Feb. 8 *The Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts recommended that the Washington County Commission establish procedures to eliminate its deficit of $8 million by limiting spending. *A Mt. Vernon woman was killed Feb. 4 in a one-vehicle crash on Red Fox Road between Willard Byrd Road and the Washington County line. *A planned visit to Chatom by U.S. Senator Richard Shelby was announced. *State Public Service Commissioner, Place Two, Susan Parker spoke at a meeting of the Washington County Democratic committee. *Washington County head football coach David Wofford announced he would leave to take a job as head coach of the Baldwin County High School Tigers. Feb. 15 *It was announced that German steel maker ThyssenKrupp Steel AG and ThyssenKrupp Stainless AG was considering a tract of land near Calvert for the location of a large steel manufacturing plant. Two other sites, one in Creola and one in Louisiana, were also being considered. *The bicentennial of Aaron Burr's capture near McIntosh on Feb. 18 was observed. *A small group of citizens attended the Washington County Commission meeting to voice their concerns about a proposed landfill in the Charity Chapel area. *U.S. Senator Richard Shelby addressed a number of national issues during a meeting at the Chatom Town Hall Feb. 10. *Washington County Solid Waste Authority Chairman Allen Bailey reported that for the first time in seven years, the agency was in the black with a balance of $50,199.96. Feb. 22 *Three people were injured in two separate wrecks that occurred in the Wagarville area on Feb. 15 and 19. *The Clarke-Washington Coon Hunters Association conducted its annual show at the old Wagarville School. Proceeds from the yearly event go to support the efforts of St. Jude Children's Hospital. *In a joint effort between the Washington and Mobile counties sheriff's departments, the Washington County Board of Education and Leroy High School administration, drug sniffing dogs were taken to the school Feb. 9, in an effort to find any illegal drugs March 1 *Both the Washington County High School Lady Bulldogs and Mcintosh High School Lady Demons basketball teams won regional championships for the right to participate in the 3A and 1A state championship finals. *Washington County attorney Michael Onderdonk informed the county commission that the 12 mills property taxes designated to the Washington County Board of Education needed to be renewed by public referendum or the schools would risk losing the money. He presented the commission with petitions signed by 200 registered voters, the number necessary to call a special election. *The Friends of the Washington County Public Library conducted its 14th annual art auction and dinner to help support programs offered by the library. *Washington County deputies recovered a pickup truck that had been reported stolen from a north Mobile County paint and body shop. March 8 *The McIntosh Lady Demons won their second straight state championship, defeating the Golden Bears of Hazelwood 79- 67. *Due in large part to a huge county deficit, a group of Washington County citizens began an effort for the return to the unit system of government rather than the district system currently in place. *A Deer Park man was arrested and charged with the alleged sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12. March 15 *A historic joint meeting of the Washington County Commission and Washington County Board of Education was conducted to address the issue of the needed renewal of 12 mills of ad valorem taxes for the county's schools. *It was announced that the decision of whether German steel maker ThyssenKrupp would choose Calvert or a site in Louisiana for a large steel manufacturing plant would be made by the middle of May. *The U.S. Post Office in Sunflower observed 115 years of continuous service to the community March 9. *The Washington County Solid Waste Authority was informed that its approval of a landfill to be located in the Charity Chapel area had been submitted to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for Advanced Disposal, with whom the county commission signed a contract to construct the facility. March 22 *Wildfires plagued Washington County. Many were blamed on the burning of trash and debris getting out of control due to strong March winds. *A second meeting between the Washington County Board of Education and the Washington County Commission took place to discuss the fact that a plan for school board districts was never submitted to the Justice Department for final approval. The commission's districts plan was submitted and approved. *Members of the 2006 Leroy High School 2-A championship football team received their rings March 16. March 29 *A McIntosh man faced multiple charges, including possession of illegal drugs, after leading McIntosh Police on a highspeed chase through parts of south Washington and north Mobile counties. *A McIntosh man faced burglary and theft charges after he allegedly broke into the change compartment of a newspaper rack owned by The South Alabamian, pocketing all of the money. *A fire alert was issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, as wildfires continued to keep firefighters in Washington County busy. *The Washington County Commission adopted a noise ordinance for the county. *A Washington County Official, who at that time remained unidentified by the sheriff's office, was under investigation for the alleged illegal sale of a county-owned tractor. *Bluegrass gospel group, the Sullivan Family, were scheduled to appear on a nationally syndicated radio show in April. April 5 *More than 60 people gathered at the Charity Chapel Fire House to begin efforts to derail the approval of a landfill in the area by the Washington County Commission. *U.S. Congressman Jo Bonner made several stops in Washington County, including the Leroy Fire Department, where he spoke with constituents about national and local issues. *A native of Wagarville lost his life in a motorcycle wreck in Prichard. April 12 *Following the release of his name by an area daily newspaper, a Washington County commissioner kept quiet about his involvement in the alleged illegal sale of a county-owned tractor. *The Washington County School Board approved the recommendation of Superintendent Tim Savage to accept the bids for new gymnasiums at Millry and Washington County high schools at a cost of $4,560,685. The bid was awarded to Rod Cook Construction Company of Mobile. April 19 *Storms swept across the area causing damage to property and downing power lines, leaving a number of homes without electricity. *A second meeting was conducted in Charity Chapel in an effort to stop a proposed landfill in the area or anywhere in Washington County April 26 *Tensions filled the small courtroom of the Washington County Courthouse for a public hearing to get citizen input into the construction of a landfill proposed for the extreme southern portion of the Washington County. *Young and old alike gathered for the 30th Annual "Old- Time Fiddler's Convention" at the old Frankville schoolhouse. *The public was invited to a dessert reception, sponsored by the Washington County Cattlemen's Association, for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Ron Sparks, at the Chatom Community Center. May 3 *Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Department apprehended a Wagarville woman suspected of writing forged checks from Fulton to McIntosh. *A U.S. Congressman, two physicians a nurse and an early statesman of Alabama became the first inductees of the Washington County Hall of Fame. May 10 *A Pine Hill woman was booked into the Washington County Jail accused of stabbing a Grove Hill man in the chest at the Greer's Food Tiger grocery store in McIntosh. *Leroy volunteer firefighters were called out to assist with the extraction of four people from a Jeep Grand Cherokee that ran off of U.S. Highway 43 and overturned. *A decision on the location of ThyssenKrupp's steel plant was expected within the week. *Traffic was halted on the southbound side of U.S. 43 near Malcolm, while a MedEvac helicopter landed in the highway in an attempt to save the life of a man suffering from full cardiac arrest. May 17 *Gov. Bob Riley made the announcement that German steel maker ThyssenKrupp had chosen Calvert over a site in Louisiana for its massive steel plant. *The Washington County Commission approved a regional landfill to be located in the Charity Chapel area. May 24 *The Leroy Bears baseball team brought home their second baseball championship with a two-game sweep of the Hatton Hornets in Montgomery. *Leroy veteran Horace Ball recalled support from the folks back home during World War II. *Washington County leaders and volunteer members of the McIntosh Rescue Squad discussed concerns about providing adequate emergency medical services when the expected influx of thousands of construction workers hits. May 31 *A woman out on bond on previous charges was back behind bars after trying to sneak contraband into the Washington County Jail. *A Memorial Day ceremony at Andrews Chapel in McIntosh honored veterans of the War Between the States. *Washington County voters were urged to go to the polls Tuesday, June 5, and vote to renew the millage tax which provides a great deal of funding to the county's schools. June 7 *Voters in Washington County approved the renewal of school millage taxes, paving the way for a vote to renew the district millage tax. *Leadership Washington conducted the graduation of its third class. *Volunteer Washington County conducted a meeting at the Washington County Public Library to lay groundwork for the new county organization. June 14 *Two people died in an automobile crash on Nathan Jordan Road. *A Calvert store owner was flown to a Mobile hospital after being severely cut during a robbery. *Julia Schell was named Washington County's 2008 Junior Miss. *Two people were arrested at a swimming hole near McIntosh, following an altercation in which one of them was cut. June 21 *Two people were arrested and charged in the robbery of a clothing store near Calvert, during which the store's owner was severely cut. *A Charity Chapel man was arrested in Niceville, Fla. last week and charged in the January shooting of a hunter in the woods near Charity Chapel. June 28 *Residents of the Leroy community were shocked when a local teacher was arrested and charged for allegedly having sexual relations with one of her male students. *Washington County Revenue Commissioner Laura Lee Taylor reported a $449,0000 increase in annual revenue. *A Wagarville home was destroyed by fire. July 5 *Several senior citizens were injured when the van they were traveling in crashed on Highway 17 north of Chatom. *For sale signs began popping up all along U.S. Highway 43 in the south Washington - north Mobile counties area following the announcement of the location of a giant steel plant there by the German company ThyssenKrupp. July 12 *Speculation abounded as to whether or not new McIntosh High School Head Football Coach Larry Boykin would replace Coach Brian Jones, who unexpectedly departed Washington County High School after just three months. *Fourth of July celebrations were conducted in Chatom and McIntosh despite some rainy weather. *The Sugar Association requested a tour of the McIntosh Splenda plant as part of a lawsuit hearing scheduled to take place in a California federal court this coming January. July 19 *Rhonda Wynn was named the new principal at Washington County High School and Major Burrell was chosen to take the reins at McIntosh High School. *Joe Nettles was named the new head football coach at Washington County High School. July 26 *The case of a Leroy High School teacher accused of having sex with a minor was sent to a Washington County Grand Jury. *Two marijuana possession arrests were made in Washington County as the result of separate traffic stops. *ThyssenKrupp executives expressed the desire to get communities involved with its location to the area, by planning several area town meetings. Aug. 2 *Hundreds of people turned out at McIntosh Elementary School to meet with officials from giant steel manufacturers ThyssenKrupp AG. *A Millry man was arrested after he allegedly stabbed another man during an altercation. *A Charity Chapel man's gardening skills landed him in the Washington County Jail after deputies found 17 marijuana plants growing in the woods behind his residence. Aug. 9 *Three Mt. Vernon residents were arrested on drug possession charges after a Washington County deputy found what he believed to be a controlled substance and marijuana during a traffic stop. *The unveiling of the portraits of a number of former Washington County educators at Washington County High School was conducted by former teacher, principal and superintendent of education David C. Howell of Hobson. Aug. 16 *One man was charged with two counts of attempted murder and first degree assault following a shooting incident on Powell Cutoff Road in Leroy, in which one man was wounded. *A special ceremony in Laton Hill dedicated a new war memorial at the Laton Hill Fire Department, honoring all those from the community who have served their country. *It was announced that the Washington County landfill would open sometime in 2008. Aug. 23 *The Washington County Board of Education met for a work session to discuss the many capital-outlay needs in county schools. *During a town hall meeting in McIntosh, U.S. Congressman Jo Bonner predicted huge growth in Southwest Alabama following the announcement of the ThyssenKrupp steel plant location in Calvert. Aug. 30 *Washington County Commissioner Willie Dixon was arrested on a number felony indictments related to the alleged illegal sale of a countyowned tractor. *Thanks to a $30,000 donation from Olin Corporation, new playground equipment was installed at McIntosh Elementary School. Sept. 6 *A young man and woman suspected of at least 50 burglaries in Southwest Alabama were arrested for breaking into a McIntosh home. *A Leroy home, located on Palmer Circle, was destroyed by fire. *Voters were urged to return to the polls Sept. 11 for the renewal of the last of three taxes to support school funding. Sept. 13 *Two people died in separate crashes on Highway 56 in Washington County. *With only 1,454 people turning out to vote on the renewal of a 3 mill ad valorem tax, which goes to public schools, the measure was approved by a margin of 1,260 to 194. *The town of McIntosh asked for the county's help in getting a sewerage system in anticipation of growth due to the ThyssenKrupp steel plant. Sept. 20 *Three Prestwick men faced murder charges after the Washington County Grand Jury returned indictments for a September 2006 shooting that left one man dead. *Wilford "Longhair" Taylor retained his position as chief of the MOWA band of Choctaw Indians during tribal elections. *The United Way of Southwest Alabama's Washington County campaign kicked off its current campaign at the Chatom Community Center. Sept. 27 *A Washington County Jail inmate working with a crew picking up litter along U.S. Highway 43 broke away from the group leading lawmen on a hunt for the rest of the day. *A small child died in a wreck involving an all-terrain vehicle near Millry. *Washington County's Junior Girl Scout Troop 473 participated in the "Coastal Clean-up" on Dauphin Island. *A 150,000 grant was awarded through the governor's office to the Mobile County Commission to support a project to collect, analyze and map crime data to help law enforcement agencies across Southwest Alabama reduce crime. Oct. 4 *A Millry couple accused a man of threatening their lives following a verbal altercation between the two men. *Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer did not need a pair of running shoes to apprehend a suspect riding a bicycle on Courtelyou Road. *Millry Police Chief Larry Harkless showed off new equipment recently obtained by the department. Oct. 11 *A Washington County man confessed to the murder of a St. Stephens man whose body was found Oct. 5. *The Washington County Board of Education approved the use of the state's Professional Development Plan for the evaluation of the county's school principals at the end of each school year. *Washington County's top speller, Chatom Elementary School third grader Macie Jones, was recognized at the Washington County Board of Education meeting. Oct. 18 *With the announcement of the sale of JETS ambulance to LifeLine of Thomasville, it was discussed that the contract between JETS and the Washington County Ambulance Board was not transferable. *The annual "Through the Eyes of a Child," living history event at Old St. Stephens Historical Park was conducted. *Washington County observed Fire Prevention Week with a parade in Chatom and an awards program at the Chatom Community Center. Oct. 25 *Controversy surrounded the decision to cut county tax funds allocated to the volunteer McIntosh Rescue Squad by the county's ambulance board. *Homecoming courts were presented at Millry and Leroy High Schools. Whitney Smith was crowned Leroy High's Miss Football. Brittney Daniels was Millry's Homecoming Queen. Nov. 1 *A third meeting between McIntosh city and Washington County officials was conducted concerning obtaining funding for a sewerage system in the south part of the county. *The Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross observed its 90th year. Nov. 8 *Alabama state officials, including Gov. Bob Riley, and ThyssenKrupp executives conducted a groundbreaking ceremony at the planned site of the company's new steel producing plant. *The Washington County Sheriff's Office hosted a 16- hour training course at the Chatom Community Center, designed to help law enforcement officers learn how to identify methamphetamine and components of the labs which produce the illegal drug. Nov. 15 *Four Washington County residents and one Clarke County resident faced charges for illegally trapping and selling live coyotes and foxes. *Several wrecks plagued the Leroy area during the first two weeks of the month, keeping local firefighters and emergency personnel busy. *The Washington County Domestic Violence Task Force looked to reduce the number of domestic violence incidents by participating in the state's domestic violence database. *Two McIntosh High School students were charged with bringing a firearm onto school property. *The Washington County chapter of the NAACP reorganized with the intent of assisting County Commissioner Willie Dixon, who faces charges related to the alleged illegal sale of a county-owned tractor. Nov. 21 *The Washington County Sheriff's Department arrested 11 Washington and Mobile counties residents who were accused of participating in activities at an alleged illegal gambling house in Calvert. *Washington County nurse Stacy Rivers was recognized as the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads' Citizen of the Year for her efforts in saving the life of a heart attack victim. *The McIntosh Rescue Squad took the top trophies in five categories of competition during the annual Alabama Association of Rescue Squads convention in Decatur. Nov. 29 *A Leroy High School teacher accused of having sexual relations with one of her students was turned over to federal authorities following a bond revocation hearing. She allegedly had illegal contact with the student during a football game in Leroy. *The Washington County Solid Waste Authority met Nov. 26 and announced that garbage pickup rates would increase during the new year. *The Leroy High School Class of 1957 donated money for improvement at the school and hung its class photos in the hallway. Dec. 6 *Leroy High School teacher Charlene Schmitz, 55, was denied bail in a federal court, following her arrest at the Washington County Courthouse by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents. *A high-speed chase that began in McIntosh and ended near I-65 in Creola, resulted in the arrest of three Florida residents. *Thanks to a new grant, archaeological work at the site of Old St. Stephens resumed and has already produced many new artifacts. Dec. 13 *The Leroy High School football team won its second consecutive 2-A state title by defeating Fyffe 25-20. *SouthWest Bank, with locations in McIntosh, Leroy, Chatom and Jackson, sold to Captstone Bancshares, Inc.
*The McIntosh Rescue Squad presented its annual awards during its Christmas party at the Olin Guest House, naming Steven Griffin EMT of the Year.
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