
Opponents of school tax increase speak out
Opposition arguments to a proposed 9-mil property tax increase to support K-12 education at Oneonta City Schools are detailed and comprehensive, ranging from the magnitude of the proposed property tax increase to matters of school need, planning, and operations. But the main thrust of the their case is that the proposed program to meet school needs could be financed in […]
Council accepts Noland’s retirement letter
The Oneonta City Council voted unanimously to accept the retirement letter of 10-year town clerk Tammie Noland. Despite Mayor Ross Norris’s playful call to reject the letter, the appreciative council endorsed Noland’s plans to retire at the end of February. Councilors named employee Amanda Stanfield, who has undergone several months training for the position, as Noland’s replacement. Members hired Matthew […]
Coaches, sponsor approved; A-F report cards released this week
Oneonta City School BoardThe Oneonta City Board of Education approved two coaches and one sponsor at its January meeting Monday. Approved as head coach for the Oneonta High School varsity football team was Phil Phillips. Matilon Nash was approved as volunteer assistant baseball coach for the 2017-2018 school year, and Rachel Self was approved as junior varsity cheerleading sponsor for the 2018- 2019 […]

Man jailed for rape of sister
A Blount County man is in jail after he was charged with raping and impregnating a direct family member. Eric Arthur Williams, 20, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with first-degree rape and incest. According to the court filing, Williams engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, “a female with diminished mental capacity who was also his sister.” Court records […]

Qualifying candidates update
2018 electionsIn the chart below, incumbents for elective offices are denoted by (i). Candidates who have qualified within the last week are shown in italics. A dash indicates no candidates have qualified as yet for the office. Sources for state office qualifiers are the Alabama Republican Party website and the Alabama Democratic Party website. Local qualifying information is provided by the […]
A no vote
The vote to increase our property tax by 20 percent for schools is another overtaxing of the citizens of Oneonta. What about the sales tax increase and the tax from alcohol sales? Where has that money gone? Seems like every time an improvement is needed, the high rollers in town want to raise taxes. What about the retired people who […]
News Briefs
ONEONTA PUBLIC LIBRARY The Plus Ultra Animanga club will meet tomorrow, Feb. 1, and Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m., and watch the anime Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Minecraft Mayhem will be Saturday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. Kids can compete in the building competition to win a 3D printed creeper. The library will have an OPL Seed Library launch […]
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE will be Friday, Feb. 2, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., at the Oneonta Walmart. The need for blood is constant and blood levels are critically low. TOWN OF HIGHLAND LAKE will have a work session at 6 p.m. and the regular council meeting at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Anchor, 612 Lakeshore […]