With the Alabama Legislature in session this week, finding common ground on a bill sponsored by state Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) is one of the highest-profile measures on the Senate’s near-term to-do list.

GOOD HOPE — The Good Hope City Council approved the sale of the 3.3-acre plot of land next to Good Hope Pharmacy to a buyer who plans to build a new medical development on the site. 

GOOD HOPE — The Good Hope City Council approved the purchase Monday night of the five-acre piece of property containing the former Cotton Gin Restaurant. 

COVID-19 played havoc with last year’s on-site meeting schedule for the Alabama Legislature, and the possibility still persists that the Feb. 2 start of this year’s session may be followed by remote communication and some early down time — though the state has so far made no decision that could affect lawmakers’ efforts to return to normal activity at the Statehouse.

Drivers along Good Hope’s Doss Road will soon have an easier drive as a new bridge on the road nears completion.

The data collection phase of the 2020 Census concludes at the end of this month, and whatever population count is garnered by that time will be the numbers that are used for the next 10 years.

While Cullman County’s new five-member commission form of government has already passed into law, the current three-member setup will be with us for two more years, until the 2022 election when all four associate commission seats — everyone except the chairman — will be on the ballot.

GOOD HOPE — AGCOR Steel is planning an expansion, and the city of Good Hope has approved a tax abatement to help the company cover some of the costs of its $2.3 million investment.

GOOD HOPE — A new fair is coming to Good Hope in July, and the event’s organizers have provided a list of safety precautions that will be in place to try to keep attendees safe from COVID-19.

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Alabama lawmakers missed out on roughly one-third of the 30 legislative days marked for this year’s session, leading to speculation in Montgomery that Gov. Kay Ivey may call a special session to tackle one of the big pieces of business left on the table when the session ended May 18.