News · October 1, 2026
Coming Up in October in West Blount
Hayden Day, the corn maze, Hayden football, and more. Here's what's on the calendar, and how to add what we missed.
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News · September 29, 2026
Recent Crashes on Hwy 160 Renew Decades-Old Safety Concerns
Two wrecks in two days on Alabama 160 have residents asking the same question they've asked since 2006: when will the state make west Blount's main highway safer? Here's the history, the numbers, and what ALDOT has - and hasn't - done.
News · September 18, 2026
ADEM Names Hanceville Plant as Potential Source in Mulberry Fork Fish Kill
ADEM says a low-oxygen "slug" of water moved down the Mulberry Fork during the fish kill and names Tyson's River Valley Ingredients plant as a potentially responsible party, but stops short of a definitive cause.
News · August 31, 2026
Hayden’s Triple Roundabout Wins Regional Safety Award After Cutting Crashes in Half
The triple-roundabout interchange ALDOT built where State Route 160 meets I-65 at Exit 284 - the Hayden/Corner exit - has […]
News · August 18, 2026
Hayden Probate Office Reducing Days Due to Staff Shortage
Beginning Sept. 1, the Hayden Annex probate office will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays only, per the Blount County Commission.
News · August 16, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning Issued for West Blount as Heat Index Climbs to 113
NWS Birmingham has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for west Blount County from 9 p.m. tonight through 9 p.m. Monday, with heat index values as high as 113.
News · August 16, 2026
New Poles, New Electronic Sign on I-65: What ALDOT’s Building
New poles and an electronic sign are going up on I-65 between exits 284 and 287. Here's what ALDOT is actually building, and why it isn't a Flock camera.
News · August 15, 2026
West Blount Fire Department Deploys World’s Biggest Pressure Washer
After recent flooding left mud across the Hayden High School parking lot, WBFD's Chief Jones and Captain Watkins grabbed a hose and cleaned it up themselves.
News · August 14, 2026
Heat Advisory in Effect as Triple-Digit Heat Index Grips the Area Through Next Week
NWS Birmingham has issued a Heat Advisory through Saturday, with heat index values up to 109. The pattern holds through nearly the entire coming week.
News · August 10, 2026
Sheriff Mark Moon Won’t Seek Third Term, Says He Intends to Resign
Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon has asked that his name be removed from the November ballot and has told county […]
News · August 9, 2026
Weekend Wreck Snarls Traffic on I-65
A tractor trailer truck flipped on I-65N, just north of our area. Traffic was backed up as far as exit […]
News · August 3, 2026
Sheriff’s Office Releases Details on Hayden-Area Shots-Fired Incident; One Suspect Still Sought
The Blount County Sheriff's Office says the August 2 shots-fired incident began with a trespassing encounter, not a disturbance at the Valero itself. One suspect is in custody, one remains at large, and the stolen vehicle involved has been recovered.
News · August 2, 2026
Bailey Way Reopens After Local Excavating Crew Donates Repair
Bailey Way has reopened after J&J Excavating donated a full day of labor and equipment to restore emergency access for the 11 west Blount County homes the road serves.
News · August 2, 2026
Blount County Schools Releases 2026-2027 Calendar
First day is August 6, last day is May 27 -- the key holidays, breaks, and weather-day plan for the new school year.
News · June 9, 2026
Rickwood Caverns Opens New Entrance Near the Old Reid’s Gap Site
A new road and playground at Rickwood Caverns, and a 110-year-old railroad story resurfacing at the same spot.