Bernie Delinski

FLORENCE — The National Weather Service has placed eastern Lauderdale County under a severe thunderstorm warning until 2:30 p.m.

FLORENCE — A Minnesota metal distribution and processing company plans to build a facility in Muscle Shoals and hire 40 people.

FLORENCE — The Lauderdale County Commission has created the community services department to improve the quality-of-life programs operated by the county.

FLORENCE — Mayor Ron Tyler said it likely will be November before the fiscal 2026-27 general fund budget is approved.

CLOVERDALE — A Wednesday afternoon house fire caused extensive damage to a residence on the 8600 block of Alabama Highway 157, but nobody was injured, authorities said. The fire gutted the small concrete block house, although the house remained standing. The residence is just south of Lauderdale County roads 274 and 11. Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dwight Bogus said authorities are trying to determine the cause of the fire but are looking into the possibility of it involving a wiring issue. Bogus said the call was received at 4:36 p.m. He said firefighters from Underwood-Petersville, Zip City and Central volunteer departments also responded to the call, as did members of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office and Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency.

FLORENCE — University of North Alabama President Ken Kitts believes a surge in economic development is emerging locally, particularly in the national defense realm, and he wants the university to be a leader in that trend.

FLORENCE — Utilities relocation work that was needed for the proposed REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel project has been completed well ahead of schedule, Electricity Department Manager Mary McDuffa said.

FLORENCE — Oscar Meredith extended his left hand forward to show off the gold ring with the crimson stone which adorned it.

MUSCLE SHOALS — Nicole Mealback called her father and told him he was getting a package from her and to be looking for it.

FLORENCE — An Alabama cottage food law training session is 3-5 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.