Selma Day News

12 hours ago

Jack's Family Restaurants Announces Easter Dinner Deals

Foot Soldiers Park Awards $8,000 in Scholarships to Local Graduates

20 hours ago

Foot Soldiers Park Awards $8,000 in Scholarships to Local Graduates

Foot Soldiers Park awarded the Jo Ann Bland Legacy Scholarship to four graduated seniors on Wednesday, May 27. Dallas County High School graduates Dereke Furlow and Kennedi Brooks and Selma High graduates Samarion Woods and Cedriauna Eaton received $2,000 each to use toward their higher education pursuits. Furlow is set to attend Alabama State University to pursue a degree in criminal justice and later a career in law enforcement. Brooks will attend Huntingdon College to study early childhood education, while Woods and Eaton both plan to attend the University of Alabama to study engineering. Foot Soldiers Park CEO Kimberly Smitherman said the awardees were chosen based on their involvement and efforts to make a difference within the Selma/Dallas County community. Smitherman said this year marks the second year that FSP has awarded scholarships. The idea came from the late Jo Ann Bland, the founder of FSP who was passionate about helping local youth. “It’s important for us to continue her legacy since she passed away,” Smitherman said. “Last year we awarded two scholarships and this year we were able to award four.” Smitherman said FSP was able to double the number of scholarships offered thanks to the generosity of the community. She asked the community to continue donating to FSP’s scholarship fund so they can continue to increase the numbers of kids they can help each year. Visit footsoldierspark.org and click on the donate button in the top right corner of the homepage.

2 days ago

Church Street UMC Sunday Bulletin – June 7

Sunday Bulletin 6/7/26June 4, 2026Church Street Methodist Church Bulletin 6-7-26 – small bulletin – communionDownload

community

2 days ago

AmesFest for Hope brings Selma community together to support Carmichael family

The Selma community is coming together through music and art at AmesFest for Hope, a fundraiser benefitting Amy Carmichael as she faces another battle with cancer. AmesFest is a music festival featuring live performances and local vendors, set for June 20 at Kenan’s Mill. The festival got its name from Carmichael’s nickname, “Ames.” There will be several opportunities to donate to the Carmichael family by purchasing artwork, t-shirts, posters, stickers, and more, said Selma native and Carmichael family friend Josh Dumas, who is co-hosting the festival with Rick Carter. While talking to Carmichael and learning that her breast cancer had returned for the second time, Dumas said organizing a fundraiser for her was something that he felt led to do. “For more than 20 years, Amy has been more than just a friend to me—she’s been family, and music has always been at the heart of that connection,” Dumas said. “I’ve also had the privilege of knowing her husband, Clay, since high school. We became friends through that same shared love of music. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to see firsthand the kind of people they are: generous, selfless, and always willing to step up for others, no matter the circumstance. Amy and Clay have also poured so much into the Selma community over the years, always giving back and helping others—even strangers—without hesitation. This festival is more than just a fundraiser—it is a way for our hometown of Selma to come together and show the same love and support to a family who has given so much of themselves to others. Now, it’s our turn to show up for them.” Amy’s battle with breast cancer began in 2020 when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive and fast-growing type of breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and a double mastectomy. She’d been in remission for five years when the cancer returned. It first appeared on her scalp with what she thought was a cyst, but it quickly got into her bloodstream and spread to her lungs, neck, and brain. She underwent a week of brain radiation and started a new type of chemotherapy. Her treatments leave her feeling very fatigued and have affected her memory, but she refuses to give up. Upcoming scans will show if the treatments have been effective, but even if her tumors have dissolved, Carmichael’s oncologists have told her that she will need to continue with chemotherapy for the rest of her life due to the aggressiveness of her cancer. “My prognosis isn’t the best, but we believe in miracles,” she said. Unfortunately, Amy’s cancer diagnoses are not the first for her family. Her father died of lung cancer in 2023, and her mother is currently battling a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Over a year ago, her husband Clay, Selma’s Ward 3 Councilman and a board member for Blackbelt Benefit Group, was diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his lymph nodes. “It was rough for a little while with us both having cancer at the same time,” Amy said. Clay Carmichael is now in remission after being treated with immunotherapy. Despite the overwhelming challenges her family has faced, Amy Carmichael is still holding on to hope. “I have hope even in the dark times of life,” she said. “That’s why the festival is called AmesFest for Hope — I hope this event is a sign of hope for others who may be going through similar things.” The proceeds from the festival will be used to help cover medical expenses such as integrative care not covered by insurance. Carmichael said she’s grateful and humbled by the outpouring of love from the community. “I never expected this much support,” she said. “It makes me cry to think about, and it really does help keep my spirits up.” As a lover of music, Carmichael said all of the musicians performing are people she already knew and are friends with. “I was surprised by how quickly it all came together,” she said. “Everybody has said yes to whatever was needed. No one has said no.” Performers include Cliff May, Larry Mitchell, Phillip Morgan, Wilks Chittom and Naomi Reed, Megan Lea, Dumas Warren Brown Trio, BBQ Ensemble, Ashey Miller, and Donna Hall, Stan Foster and Rick Carter with special guest Richard Tabor. The event will also feature a poetry reading by Amy Carmichael. The event begins at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 1 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are requested. Those who cannot attend but would still like to donate to the family can do so through the family’s GoFundMe, https://tinyurl.com/4wtvj6ju. Donations can also be sent via Venmo to @Ames-Carmichael.

community

2 days ago

AmesFest for Hope brings Selma community together to support Carmichael family

Mr. Russell N. Minor of Selma

Mr. Russell N. Minor of Selma, AL, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Ellwood Community Church, 1 Bell Rd., Selma, AL. Interment in Zion #1 Community Church Cemetery, 2309 Main St., Cecil Jackson Bypass, Selma, AL. Randall Miller Funeral Service and Crematory directed.

Mr. Keonzavion Andrews of Selma

HomeNewsSportsOpinionObituariesClassifiedsPublic NoticesE-EditionSectionsHomeNewsSportsOpinionObituariesClassifiedsPublic NoticesE-EditionServicesContact Us {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Mr. Keonzavion Andrews","datePublished":"2026-06-03T16:44:49.108Z","dateModified":"2026-06-03T16:44:49.108Z","description":"Mr. Keonzavion Andrews of Selma, AL, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026.","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Staff Report"}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Selma Times-Journal","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://public-assets-prod.pubgen.ai/brand_a1f3cbc0-543c-43e2-ae91-b727530afdc0/asset_cd0f9f66-fff9-4743-adb4-a271c64bd081.svg"}},"inLanguage":"en-US","articleSection":"Obituaries","isAccessibleForFree":true,"url":"https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/obituaries/mr-keonzavion-andrews-37107b08","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/obituaries/mr-keonzavion-andrews-37107b08"}{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.selmatimesjournal.com"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Obituaries","item":"https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/sections/obituaries/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Mr. Keonzavion Andrews","item":"https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/obituaries/mr-keonzavion-andrews-37107b08"}]}ObituariesJune 3, 2026Mr. Keonzavion AndrewsMr. Keonzavion Andrews of Selma, AL, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026.Staff ReportMr. Keonzavion Andrews of Selma, AL, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026. Services are incomplete. Randall Miller Funeral Service & Crematory directing.

Mr. Ronald Wade Bell

Mr. Ronald Wade Bell of Thomaston, GA, formerly of Dallas County, AL, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove C.P. Church, 6451 County Rd. 189, Marion Junction, AL. Interment in the church cemetery. Randall Miller Funeral Service and Crematory directed.

Ms. Adella Jackson of Selma

Ms. Adella Jackson of Selma, AL, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at noon at Miller's Chapel, 608 St. Phillips St., Selma, AL. Interment in Miller's Memorial Garden, 500 Hooper Dr., Selma, AL. Randall Miller Funeral Service and Crematory directed.

Mr. Shan Lesure of Selma

Mr. Shan Lesure of Selma, AL, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Graveside services were held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Lorenzo Harrison Memorial Gardens, 802 S. Race St., Selma, AL. Randall Miller Funeral Service & Crematory directed.

Selma Named Main Street Alabama Designated City: New Opportunities for Downtown Revitalization

Selma Named Main Street Alabama Designated City: New Opportunities for Downtown Revitalization

The City of Selma has joined the ranks as a Main Street Alabama Designated City. The achievement was announced by Main Street Alabama on June 2. Selma, along with Dothan, are the newest communities selected for designation. “Main Street Alabama designation requires thoughtful preparation, strong local collaboration, and long-term commitment,” said Mary Helmer Wirth, President and State Coordinator of Main Street Alabama. “We’re proud to work alongside communities as they build sustainable revitalization programs focused on economic development, historic preservation, and ongoing community engagement.” Selma, with a population of 17,971, joins the program with a downtown district centered on Water Avenue and Old Town Historic Districts, which together contain some of the state’s most significant historic resources. Selma’s downtown includes historic commercial buildings, museums, churches, hotels, arts spaces, and civic institutions connected to the city’s role in Alabama history and the Civil Rights Movement. The community’s priorities focus on adaptive reuse of historic structures, expansion of loft housing, streetscape and pedestrian improvements, business development, tourism promotion, and increased use of downtown parks and riverfront assets. Recent public and private investment projects include infrastructure improvements, restoration work along Water Avenue, redevelopment planning efforts following the January 2023 tornado, and continued rehabilitation of historic buildings including the St. James Hotel and multiple Water Avenue properties. Being a Main Street Alabama Designated City gives Selma access to resources aimed at furthering revitalization efforts. With the creation of a local Main Street board, the city will begin working on goal setting, work planning, market studies with economic development strategies, targeted design assistance, and training related to district development. Main Street Alabama is a private non-profit and state coordinating program of Main Street America. The National Main Street Four Point Approach is a nearly 50-year model that focuses work in four areas: organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome. “Community input and market data help shape achievable goals, but the real strength of revitalization comes from bringing people to the table and working together toward a common vision,” said Wirth. Dothan and Selma join Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Atmore, Birmingham’s 4th Avenue Business District, Birmingham’s Woodlawn District, Calera, Centreville, Columbiana, Decatur, Demopolis, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Florence, Foley, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Heflin, Jasper, LaFayette, Leeds, Madison, Marion, Monroeville, Montevallo, Montgomery, Opelika, Oxford, Russellville, Scottsboro, South Huntsville, Talladega and Wetumpka in using Main Street’s comprehensive and incremental revitalization approach. Each Designated community listed above reports their success by tracking their reinvestment statistics. Main Street Alabama’s Designated communities have reported 1,539 net new businesses, 4,645 net new jobs, $1,169,960,165 in private investment, $247,681,891 in public improvements, and 266,961 volunteer hours in their districts collectively since June of 2014. Main Street Alabama Application workshops are held in January each year. Communities interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to join the Main Street Alabama Network. Communities must be in the Main Street Alabama Network program for a minimum of one year before being eligible to apply for designation.

Joy Baptist Temple Shares Teaching on God's Grace

4 days ago

Joy Baptist Temple Shares Teaching on God's Grace

The Gift You Never Earned: Understanding God's Gracious NatureJesse Brady4 days ago5 min read @supports not (contain: inline-size) { @media only screen and (max-width: 440px) { [data-layout-scope=layout-sd3nf9205-440-stack].gQ9ZX { --ricos-internal-layout-display: grid; --ricos-internal-layout-justify-content: auto; --ricos-internal-layout-grid-template: grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); --ricos-internal-layout-cell-min-width: 100%; --ricos-internal-layout-cell-height: 100%; } } } @container (max-width: 440px) { [data-layout-scope=layout-sd3nf9205-440-stack].gQ9ZX { --ricos-internal-layout-display: grid; --ricos-internal-layout-justify-content: auto; --ricos-internal-layout-grid-template: grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); --ricos-internal-layout-cell-min-width: 100%; --ricos-internal-layout-cell-height: 100%; } } What's the most generous gift you've ever received? Not just expensive, but truly generous. Something given to you that you didn't earn, didn't work for, and frankly, didn't deserve? Now multiply that feeling by infinity, and you're starting to glimpse what Scripture means when it describes God as "gracious."When God Describes HimselfIn one of the most intimate moments recorded in Scripture, God reveals His character directly to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7. This isn't secondhand theology or human interpretation—this is God describing Himself in His own words:"The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..."When the Creator of the universe takes time to tell us who He is, we should pay close attention. And notably, among the first attributes He mentions is that He is "gracious."Grace vs. Mercy: Understanding the DifferenceWhile mercy and grace are often used interchangeably, they carry distinct meanings that matter deeply. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve. It's compassion or forgiveness shown when punishment would be justified. Grace, on the other hand, is getting what you don't deserve - favor extended when nothing has been earned.Think of it this way: If you break a traffic law and the officer lets you off with a warning instead of a ticket, that's mercy. If that same officer then hands you a gift card for coffee, that's grace.The Hebrew words behind "gracious" in the Old Testament paint a picture of a gift given with delight and favor; not grudgingly or out of obligation, but with genuine joy. It's the difference between a Christmas present you buy out of social obligation and one you can't wait to give because you know it will bring joy to someone you love.Grace in Action: Biblical ExamplesThe Old Testament gives us beautiful portraits of grace in human relationships that mirror God's character:Jacob and Esau: After years of betrayal and manipulation, Jacob had every reason to fear his brother Esau's revenge. He had stolen Esau's birthright and blessing, taking advantage of him repeatedly. Yet when they reunited, Esau ran to embrace him, showing grace instead of seeking vengeance. Esau gave his brother what he didn't deserve: forgiveness and reconciliation.Esther and the King: When Queen Esther approached King Xerxes to plead for her people, she did so knowing she could be killed for coming unbidden. The king extended his scepter and granted her request. Not because she had earned it, but because of his care for her. He showed her favor, and through that favor, an entire people were saved.These stories give us glimpses of grace, but they're merely shadows of the ultimate gracious gift.The Ultimate Expression of GraceJohn 1:14-17 tells us that "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." This is the pinnacle of God's graciousness - the gift of His Son.The Law, given through Moses, showed humanity God's standards. And here's the uncomfortable truth: none of us can live up to it. Not one. Those precious babies, as innocent as they appear, are born with the same sin nature we all carry. The Law reveals our inadequacy, but grace provides the solution.Jesus didn't come to condemn or to highlight our failures. He came "full of grace and truth" to offer us a way out. Through His sacrifice on the cross, God extended the most generous gift imaginable: complete forgiveness of sins, offered freely to anyone who will accept it.It doesn't matter what you've done. It doesn't matter where you've been. It doesn't matter how many times you've failed. God's grace is available to all - murderers, thieves, liars, the prideful, the selfish, every single person. You cannot out-sin God's grace.This is what it means when God describes Himself as gracious. He's saying, "I know you don't deserve this, but I'm giving it to you anyway because I love you."The Challenge: Are You Taking or Giving?Here's where the message becomes uncomfortable. We're excellent at receiving God's grace, aren't we? We gladly accept His forgiveness, His patience, His endless second chances. We drink deeply from the well of grace.But are we willing to extend that same grace to others?Jesus told a sobering parable about this very issue. A servant owed his master an enormous debt, one he could never repay. He begged for mercy, and the master graciously forgave the entire amount. But then that same servant found someone who owed him a tiny fraction of what he'd been forgiven, and he refused to show grace. He demanded payment and had the man thrown in prison.The master's response was swift and severe. The warning is clear: if we refuse to extend grace to others, God may withhold His grace from us.That should stop us in our tracks.The Grace HoardersHuman nature tends toward selfishness. Even toddlers clutch their toys tightly, unwilling to share. We want to hoard God's grace for ourselves while withholding it from others who, in our estimation, haven't earned it.But here's the question that should haunt us: Have we earned it?The answer, of course, is no. And yet we receive it freely. So why do we demand that others earn what we ourselves received as a gift?Perhaps there's someone in your life you've been withholding grace from. Someone who hurt you, disappointed you, or failed to meet your expectations. Someone you've decided doesn't deserve your forgiveness or favor.But consider this: How can we claim to represent a gracious God when we refuse to show grace? How can we invite others to experience God's love when we won't demonstrate it ourselves?Moving Forward in GraceThe challenge before us is clear: identify where we've been stingy with grace and choose to extend it freely. This doesn't mean ignoring wrongdoing or enabling harmful behavior. It means choosing to give favor, forgiveness, and kindness even when it hasn't been earned.It means treating the difficult coworker with patience. Forgiving the family member who hurt you. Showing kindness to the neighbor who annoys you. Extending second chances to those who've let you down.Why? Because that's exactly what God does for us. Daily. Hourly. Moment by moment.God's grace isn't a limited resource we must ration carefully. It's an endless fountain meant to overflow from our lives into the lives of others. When we hoard it, we misrepresent the very God we claim to serve.The InvitationGod's gracious nature is an invitation, both to receive and to give. Accept the gift of grace He offers through Jesus Christ. Let it transform your life. And then, let it flow through you to a world desperate for the favor and forgiveness that only grace can provide.After all, we're not just recipients of grace. We're meant to be conduits of it.

5 days ago

Dallas County Tax Collector Offers Records Management

Records Management

Selma Partners with Grand Canyon University to Expand Educational Access

Selma Partners with Grand Canyon University to Expand Educational Access

The City of Selma has officially signed an agreement with Grand Canyon University (GCU) that will allow more access to higher education for city employees, their families and local residents. The partnership is part of an effort by the city to keep workers in Selma and build a skilled workforce to attract new business and industry to the area. “When you’re recruiting business and industry, they look at workforce,” Mayor Johnny Moss III said. “Anytime you can pour into your employees and to your citizens to enhance their skill level, it’s just a win-win for everybody.” Under the terms of the initiative, the tuition discount is remarkably broad. It covers all city employees, their spouses, and their children. The discount is also available to any resident of Selma, as well as people who live outside city limits but are employed by businesses in Selma. The partnership grew out of an existing relationship between the GCU and Selma City Schools. Moss, who previously served as the school board president, said he witnessed local teachers successfully use the university’s programs to earn master’s and doctoral degrees. After connecting with GCU representatives at a Teacher of the Year event in January, Moss and other local officials began discussing a citywide expansion. Selma ambassadors later took an all-expenses-paid trip in February to view the university’s campus, to review the curriculum and structure of the programs. In addition to degree programs, the university will provide the city with professional development resources and economic sponsorships to assist with employee retention. GCU currently enrolls more than 100,000 students online across more than 200 degree programs. University Development Manager Diva Hall said the institution has a history of partnering with cities to provide equitable educational access, a strategy the university initially used to help develop inner-city Phoenix. “It’s really an exciting opportunity to work with the mayor on his education initiative and workforce development here,” Hall said. “We wanted to provide another layer of resources for the entire city because we have been working with Selma for quite some time now.” Local enrollment and the distribution of scholarship forms will be overseen by Dr. Sheree Booker, a GCU university development counselor who services the local region. To qualify for the reduced tuition rates, students must have their local residency or employment status verified through the university.

Selma Launches Major Partnership with UAB's LiveHealth Alabama to Transform Community Health

Selma Launches Major Partnership with UAB's LiveHealth Alabama to Transform Community Health

The City of Selma has officially entered into a partnership with LiveHealth Alabama, a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) initiative, to improve public health through community-wide infrastructure upgrades and expanded medical access. The partnership, funded in part by a $2.47 million gift from Novo Nordisk, makes Selma the first expansion site for the program outside of the Birmingham area. The initiative focuses on making good health simple by addressing the social determinants of health, including physical activity, nutrition, and preventative care. “This is a collaboration that we are very excited about because it’s not just about a single event; it’s about changing the lifestyle and the environment for our citizens,” said Debra Mosley, Executive Assistant to Mayor Johnny Moss III. “We are working hand-in-hand with UAB to ensure that these resources reach every corner of our community.” The partnership has already resulted in significant improvements in Ward 8, specifically around the East Selma Community Pond and Park, including the restoration of walking trails, the installation of a new fountain, and the repair of over 4,000 feet of sidewalks. In addition to infrastructure, the program provides free health screenings with a mobile wellness van and pop-up clinics at local churches. Early data from these screenings revealed that 20% of participating Selma residents were uninsured, while 32% lacked a primary care provider. “The data we are collecting is vital,” Mosley said. “It allows us to see exactly where the gaps are. When we see that a third of our people don’t have a regular doctor, it tells us that the mobile units and the community health coaches aren’t just a luxury, they are a necessity.” The partnership also includes the LiveHealth Alabama Designation, a program that encourages local businesses, schools, and faith-based organizations to adopt healthy standards. To earn the designation, organizations must meet specific requirements, such as offering healthy vending options, providing nutritional information on menus, or hosting annual educational sessions on wellness. According to program guidelines, the designation process involves a tailored assessment to evaluate an organization’s current health strategies and develop a timeline for new initiatives. “We want our local businesses and churches to lead by example,” Mosley said. “By becoming designated partners, they are helping to create a culture of health that will last for generations.” The initiative has also partnered with the Alabama Department of Insurance to provide “Strengthen Alabama Homes” grants. So far, 40 homeowners in East Selma have received grants of up to $10,000 each to make home repairs and improvements, helping to stabilize the neighborhood’s housing stock alongside the health-focused renovations. Looking forward, the City of Selma and LiveHealth Alabama plan to expand the program to other wards. The city hopes the model used in East Selma, combining built environment improvements with direct medical outreach, will serve as a blueprint for rural health reform across the state.

Dallas County IT Department Overview

The IT Department is responsible for providing technology services and support to all county departments.

Sunday Bulletin 5/31/26

Sunday Bulletin 5/31/26May 28, 2026Church Street Methodist Church Bulletin 5-31-26 bulletin – Trinity Sunday.pubDownload

Sunday Bulletin 5/24/26

Sunday Bulletin 5/24/26May 21, 2026Church Street Methodist Church Bulletin 5-24-26 – bulletinDownload

Restoration Place Church Leaders

Home About Us Our Leaders Ministries New Life Student Ministries RPC KIDS RPC Food Pantry RPC Outreach Team Donate Events Location Contact our pastor & Ministry teams OUR PASTOR Jon Chappelle Pastor Jon Chappelle has more than 20 years of experience in pastoral and evangelism ministries. He is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) as well as a Lee University Scholar. Jon has been married to his wife Rebecca since 2002. Together they have two children Hannah and Elijah. Pastor Jon and Rebecca have a vision to love and equip people, and to see whole communities and families changed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Where You Find Hope, Healing, and Family. Online Donation CONTACT INFO MAILING ADDRESS2004 West Highland Avenue, Selma, Alabama 36701 HOURSSunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM | Wednesday Night: 6:30 PM CONTACT US[email protected] | (334) 872-8657 Youtube Twitter GET UPDATES Receive the latest news and updates.