Times-Journal

The Times-Journal is a daily newspaper based in Fort Payne, Alabama, catering to the DeKalb County area. It is part of Southern Newspapers. The Times-Journal was formed in 1959 when the Fort Payne Journal, which began its journey in 1878, merged with the Times-New Era. The Times-New Era itself was created from the 1951 merger of The DeKalb Times and The Collinsville New Era.

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Sean of the South: The book on my coffee table

6 days ago | times-journal.com | Sean Dietrich

Whenever I am feeling sad and blue, I visit my living room coffee table. I sit on my sofa, which is adorned with chew toys, claw marks, canine hair, exposed couch stuffing, and various upholstery springs, and petrified trails of dog drool that resemble evidence of past slug races. There, I consult a book that sits on my coffee table. I open this book and almost always feel better. I consult this book whenever life starts to feel heavy.
DeKalb County: All-State softball selections

6 days ago | times-journal.com | Heath Hambrick

The Alabama Sports Writers Association has released the All-State softball team for the 2025 season for each classification. Four players from DeKalb County have been selected for this year's team. Ider junior shortstop Makinley Traylor and Plainview junior center fielder Abby Williams were named first-team All-State in their respective classes Ider senior pitcher Miklyn Troxtel and Plainview junior utility player Faith Odom were each named second-team All-State.
Earnhardt story resonates: Fathers, sons, and sports

6 days ago | times-journal.com | Heath Hambrick

Recently the documentary series “Earnhardt” was released on Prime Video. The four-part series provided a never-before-seen look at seven-time Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt. The series is a collection of videos, interviews, and stories told by the people who knew Earnhardt the best. One aspect of the series that I wasn’t expecting was the very personal stories from Earnhardt’s children, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelly Earnhardt Miller.
McCurdy and Davis make cut at State Amateur

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Heath Hambrick

Two rounds have been completed in the 109th Alabama State Amateur at Robert Trent Jones Capital Hill in Prattville. After rounds of 68 and 71, Fort Payne’s Will McCurdy is tied for fourth at 6-under five shots back of Alabama commit Bailey Sutter. Former Fort Payne Wildcat and Mississippi State Bulldog Harrison Davis followed up his first-round 68 with a round of 74 on Thursday. Davis sets tied for 18 at 1-under par, ten shots back of the leader.
McCurdy and Davis in the hunt after day one

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Heath Hambrick

After day one of the 109th Alabama State Amateur at Robert Trent Jones Capital Hill in Prattville, Fort Payne native Will McCurdy finds himself just two shots back of the lead. McCurdy posted a 5-under round of 67. Fort Payne’s Harris Davis is just two shots behind McCurdy and just four shots off the lead after posting at 3-under 69. JP Groat was even par through 15 holes then double bogey 16 and bogey 17. Groat finished with a 3-over 75 and is tied for 57 overall.
Wildcats compete in Alabama State Golf Amateur today

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Heath Hambrick

Golfers from all across the state of Alabama -- 156 total -- gathered in Prattville at Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill (Senator) Course on Tuesday for practice rounds in preparation for this week's 109th Alabama State Amateur Championship. Fort Payne will be well represented with four golfers competing in the event. And for two groups this week it will be a Wildcat family affair.
Solar power coming to Plainview

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Donna Thornton

The DeKalb County Board of Education heard from representatives from Schneider Electric at its May 22 meeting about rebates that will return to the school system because of tax credits, and a plan to incorporate solar energy at Plainview. The board approved a Guaranteed Energy Cost Savings Contract for the next phase of work from Schneider, which will include the work at Plainview and other exterior lighting.
Rainsville paving project approved

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Donna Thornton

There will be more paving in Rainsville, after approval last week of a project including several streets. Council member Rickey Byrum had asked for an estimate of the cost to finish paving the remaining tar-and-gravel roads in the city.
Fort Payne grads set records, board approves raises

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Donna Thornton

Fort Payne High School’s Class of 2025 “broke every record I’ve seen in 29 years” in education, Superintendent Brian Jett said, in congratulating the latest graduating class. The biggest number was the scholarship haul. Jett said FPHS students received a new record total of scholarship fund offers, and the $16,759,000 total might not be complete. He offered other stats: 25 percent or 68 students will be attending a four-year school.
Sean of the South: Why do I write?

1 week ago | times-journal.com | Sean Dietrich

I can’t write. I don’t know why. Every time I sit down, I can’t do it. Namely, I keep asking myself “Why are you writing this?” Then I get up and go outside. I’ve been writing professionally for upwards of a decade. And suddenly, I don’t know why I’m doing it. What’s wrong with me? Since my wife and I finished walking the Camino de Santiago, life just feels different. I don’t mean “different” in a woo-woo, spooky way. I mean in a practical way.