New Emergency Alert System to Replace Code Red; All Fiscal Court Members Wish Everyone Happy Thanksgiving

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

The Lawrence County Fiscal Court met in regular session Tuesday, Nov. 17, with several items to be discussed and voted on.

Among those were the Lawrence County Sheriff’s 2026 budget and Lawrence County Clerk’s budget and with almost no changes from last year they were approved.

Lawrence County Emergency Director Travis Hughes introduced a new emergency system to replace Code Red for the community to have on their phones (landlines and mobile) to warn against weather emergencies and give alerts.

The cost of the service Hyper-Reach IVR is $5,450 annually for the county and free to all citizens.

Hughes said all counties around us have made the switch and so far, there have been no bumps or negative feedback on the change.

As of now, Code Red is costing the county over $6,500 per year but since it has gone under new ownership, the cost at the beginning of the year will be over $10,000.

The court voted for the switch and Hughes said once they get everything in place it will take around 30 days to make the switch and urges everyone at that time to get their phones activated on the system just as they did for Code Red.

“We will make plenty of announcements through social media, The Big Sandy News and radio stations when it’s time for people to start getting in the system and how to do it,” said Hughes.

Also, during the meeting, County Judge Phil Carter announced due to illness Gene Davis resigned from two county boards leaving vacancies.

The court appointed Paul Walker to the NorthEast Board and Les Gray to the Louisa Fire Board.

Before going to State Legislation, the fiscal court must vote on adding names to the Country Music Highway sign.

During the meeting they unanimously voted to add David and Teresa Prince aka Laid Back Picker and Honey, Adam Chaffin and Noah Thompson to the sign.

Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Katie Webb who was in attendance at the meeting announced school will be out for the whole week of Thanksgiving.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.