Home-bound residents can sign up for COVID-19 vaccine

UPDATE: Home-bound residents of Marengo County who have not been able to get vaccinated for COVID-19 now may have a way.

Chairman Jason Windham reported to the Marengo County Commission Tuesday that the county’s Department of Public Health is accepting names for a list of home-bound people who require shots. Plans are being made now to visit each person to administer the vaccine.

In his report EMA Director Kevin McKinney said the county had reported only 12 cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks.

“I remember the day they were approaching 300,” he said.

McKinney received the okay to submit a letter of intent to apply for a Hazard Mitigation Grant. The county would be eligible for $207,000 and would provide a 25 percent match.

In a discussion of the possible grant, members of the Commission seemed to favor the idea of building community storm shelters. McKinney said those run about $100,000 each. Individuals in the county also can apply for a grant, drawing from the funds allotted to the county. Residents must pay for the storm shelter and then will get a 75 percent reimbursement, he explained.

The Commission voted to move its funds from First Bank of Linden to Sweet Water State Bank and Robertson Banking Company. First Bank of Linden is converting to a credit union, and state law prohibits public funds from being placed with credit unions.

After an executive session, the Commission approved the purchase of body cameras for Sheriff’s Deputies, buying a vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department off the state bid and holding a public hearing at the May 11 meeting for the closure of Old Highway 80 in Faunsdale.

The only other order of business was to approve an addition to the Marengo County Personnel Policy.

Tammy Davis, site manager, and Kerry Howell, municipal representative, for Waste Management assured the Commission that garbage pickup will be better now that WM has purchased Advanced Disposal.

Davis said the company retained all the employees, and Howell promised service will be improved. “The ultimate goal is to provide excellent service,” he said.

Tommy Campbell, editor of “The Leader,” asked the Commission to consider purchasing an ad in his publishing company’s new magazine “River’s Edge.” It will focus on “whatever’s important to the people” in the 15 counties along the Tombigbee River in Alabama and Mississippi.

The first issue is expected in August and will be distributed throughout the southeast.