The Times-Journal has been looking back on the top stories of 2016. Here’s a look at memorable stories from September, October, November and December.

September 2016

TEACHER CHARGED

WITH SEX CRIMES

Selma High School teacher Charlaina Lee Wilson, 33, of Knoxville, was arrested following an investigation that started after a sexually explicit video of her was circulated among students at the school. Wilson was charged with school employee engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19, rape second degree, sodomy second degree, transmitting obscene material to a child by a computer and distributing material harmful to minors.

THREE INMATES ESCAPE

Michael Christian, 46, Jeremy Swann, 31 and Derrick Washington Jr., 19, escaped the Dallas County Jail after overpowering a corrections officer. All three were eventually recaptured.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

International Paper Riverdale Mill celebrated 50 years of operations.

MELTON, ANOTHER,

SHOT AT

At the time, mayoral candidate Darrio Melton and another man were shot at following the Barbecue on the Green event at Sturdivant Hall. Neither man was injured.

Police, Fire get 10

percent raise

The Selma City Council approved a $17.4 million budget that included a 10 percent raise for the police and fire departments.

October 2016

MELTON ELECTED MAYOR

Darrio Melton was elected mayor after a runoff with former mayor James Perkins Jr. Melton received 61 percent of the total vote. Melton had 4,054 votes to Perkins’ 2,549.

TWO CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER

Carlous Levon Seals, 36, and Kennedy Lewis, 19, were arrested for the murder of Tavaris Dion Williams, 23 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Old Montgomery Highway.

SWIFT DRUG MARKS

100 YEARS

Swift Drug Company was given multiple awards from all over the community, including Congresswoman Terri Sewell, in honor of the business being open for 100 years.

BUSH HOG CELEBRATES

65 YEARS

For 65 years, Bush Hog has manufactured its product in Selma, and the company celebrated those years with a birthday celebration.

November 2016

BUTLER TRUAX CLOSING ITS DOORS

After opening in 1845, Butler Truax Jewelers announced it would soon close its doors. The business is owned by Doris Butler Truax, who took over the business from her father. The store has been a Selma staple on Broad Street for more than a century.

BODY FOUND ON RIVER ROAD

The Selma Police Department identified a body found on River Road by a landowner as 17-year-old Derrick Nichols. The teenager was found in the woods by someone preparing their land for hunting season. Nichols died of a gunshot wound to the head.

MELTON SWORN IN AS NEW MAYOR

Darrio Melton, who was elected in a runoff against former Mayor James Perkins in October, was sworn in as Selma’s new mayor. Melton took the oath of office at the Selma Riverfront Amphitheater.

MAN DIES DURING STANDOFF

Rykemp Giles, a 21-year-old Selma man that was being booked for domestic violence charges, shot and killed himself at the police department after wrestling a gun away from an officer.

REUBEN ELECTED TO COUNTY COMMISSION

Valerie Reuben beat out incumbent Connel Towns to become the first female elected to the Dallas County Commission. She took her oath of office and started her term as commissioner for District 1.

December 2016

VAUGHAN BRINGS BACK TREE TRADITION

Vaughan Regional Medical Center brought back an old tradition when it lit up a nearly 30-foot tall Christmas tree on its front lawn. It was a tradition the hospital hadn’t done in years.

MOTHER, DAUGHTER

DIE IN ARSON

Katrina Moore, 44, and Coleman Moore, 20, were killed after their Pettus Street home was set on fire. The mother and daughter were two of five people inside the home when it went up in flames. Katrina was on in-home dialysis and Coleman suffered from cerebral palsy.

BROCK steps down

Selma Police Chief John Brock announced his retirement after he said newly elected Mayor Darrio Melton asked him to step down. Brock was appointed chief by former Mayor George Evans in September 2015.

SAINTS MARCH IN

PEACH BOWL parade

The Selma High School marching band was invited to Atlanta to play in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl Parade, where the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Washington Huskies.