By J. Mays

HAMILTON - On New Years Eve a two vehicle automobile accident claimed the lives of two Marion County residents and injured a third.

The automobile accident occurred on Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 11am on County Highway 49, just a couple of miles north of Hamilton.

Officials with the Alabama State Troopers office stated a 1992 Dodge driven by Casey Allen Tooley, age 21 of Hackleburg and a 1994 Ford driven by Roger Mitchell, age 52 of Hackleburg were involved in the automobile accident. Joshua Purser, age 22 of Hamilton, who was a passenger in Mr. Tooley's vehicle and Roger Mitchell were both pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Tooley was transported by RPS ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center in Hamilton where his condition was unknown at time of this story.

State trooper officials stated that the automobile accident is still under investigation and no further information was released.

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 By J. Mays

 GUIN - At 11:53 pm on Monday, January 1^st Guin Police Department received a call from 911 Dispatch that a neighbor saw someone lurking around the rear of McGuire Drugs which is located at 141 12^th Ave West in downtown Guin. When Guin police officer Willie Mills arrived he found, Richard Vince Estes, 39, prying on the rear door and stopped him from gaining entry into the business. Mr. Estes, who is a Winfield resident, was charged with burglary 3^rd degree, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglary tools, and resisting arrest. Assisting officer Mills in the arrest was Guin police officer Doug Webb and Marion County Drug Task Force Agent Kenny Hallmark.

Estes was released from the Marion County Jail on $16,500 bond.

(All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are merely an accusation unless otherwise stated.)

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A Snowman In Hamilton?

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The Twin Fire & Rescue Service recently place a new brush truck into service, replacing a state loaned vehicle which was donated to the them by the Winfield Fire Department. Designated as Engine 112, the truck is a 1994 Chevy extended cab 4 wheel drive which has a 250 gallon water tank, a 75 gallon per minute pump and is fully equipped with wildland firefighting equipment such as pulaski axes, fire rakes, fire flaps, backfire torch, 2 power saws, hose and other tools. “The vehicle was donated to us well over a year ago by one of our members but we were only recently able to equip it after receiving the grant” says Twin Fire Chief Russell Bull. Funding for the equipment was received from a $3600 grant awarded to the department in 2006 by the Alabama Forestry Commission through their Hurricane Ivan Recovery Project, 2006 Statewide Wildland Fire Prevention and Suppression Grant.  The truck will be used not only on grass and woods fires but can be used during storm clean-up and other activities as well.

 In addition to equipment, the department received funding through the grant to purchase wildland personal protective gear for the firefighters. “The protective gear used on wildland fires is much lighter than what we use in fighting structural fires but offers all the protection a firefighter needs” says Bull. “Wearing structural protection gear on a wildland fire is extremely strenuous due to the fact that you’re in the woods climbing through thick vegetation and working for extended periods of time and the gear is heavy. Structural protective gear just isn’t designed for this”, says Bull.

 The protective gear consists of a flame resistant coat and pants with reflective trim, hardhat and leather gloves, all of which are specifically designed for wildland firefighting. Members will supply their own leather work boots to wear with the gear. “From what we’ve seen already it’ll be much easier on the guys wearing this on grass and woods fires” according to Assistant Fire Chief Phillip Markham. “The gear is much lighter and easier to get around in”, says Markham.

The department received yet another grant in 2006 to purchase wildland fire prevention material and equipment from the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments. “We were able to purchase a new computer to create our own fire prevention materials on, a new TV and VCR/DVD player and wildland fire prevention tapes and DVD’s to use in the community. We plan to start a Wildland Fire Prevention campaign very soon and residents of the department’s response area can expect to see firefighters going door-to-door passing out prevention materials and talking with residents about what they can do to prevent wildfires on their property”, says Board of Director’s President Doug Barnes.

 According to both Bull and Barnes the department has been extremely fortunate in receiving a number of grants in order to purchase needed equipment in the past 3 years. “Researching, locating and applying for all these grants is a pretty much a full-time job and we’ve got someone that stays on top of it for us. Every grant we receive is that much less money the department and community have to spend on equipment and the better equipped we are to serve our residents. It’s safe to say that we’re probably one of the best equipped departments of our size anywhere around and we’re extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short period of time.”

 The department would like to make residents aware of the fact that their services are available to perform prescribed burning on their property if requested, free of charge. “This past winter the department conducted prescribed burning on about 60 acres in the department’s response area in cooperation with the Pea Ridge Fire Department. “In the past landowners routinely burned wooded areas to lessen the chance and severity of fires and to rid the woods of thick undergrowth . If you’ve been watching the news you see that folks in the Western US ,where they do little if any prescribed burning, have been having more fires and they are much more severe than we have here in the Southeast where burning has been a widely accepted practice for years. And for hunters, prescribed burning also increases food and wildlife habitat as well” says Bull.

 Residents who are interested in having the department perform this service for them are urged to contact the department at 468-8554 or any department member.  “There are a number of things that must be done in order to do a burn. It’s not something you go out and do without a lot of prior planning and work” says Bull.- 01/24

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A Hazardous Materials Exercise was held recently to test the response capabilities of local fire and rescue units to these type incidents. The Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Guin Fire Department and Twin Fire & Rescue Service all participated in the exercise which was held Saturday February 17, 2007. Department personnel responded to a mock vehicle accident between a tanker truck carrying hazardous materials and car. The exercise was held on Scufflegrit Road north of Corridor X. 

“We had been discussing this scenario for sometime and had already had a couple of accidents involving tanker trucks on the Corridor but luckily they weren’t carrying any hazardous materials”, said Pea Ridge Fire Chief Jason Langley. “We decided it would be good if we tested our response to one of these type incidents and worked out the problems ahead of time so that our response would be more safe and effective”, said Langley.  

According to Twin Fire Chief Russell Bull the exercise was a success. “We had outside observers from other departments to participate and be “judges” to make note of any mistakes we made. Winfield Fire Chief Keith Waldrop, Assistant Fire Chief Mark Loden and Brett Burleson of the Marion County Hazardous Materials Team were the observers and gave us feedback after the exercise was completed and their participation and suggestions were appreciated”, said Bull. “We tried to make this as realistic as possible so our firefighters could get a feel for what the real thing might be like”, said Bull. 

“I thought the whole exercise was a success and was well conducted”, said Winfield Fire Chief Keith Waldrop. “It is important that departments hold these type exercises from time to time to test their capabilities to ready themselves for the real thing.  

Also participating in the event were Marion County EMA Director Matt McCracken, Marion County District 5 Commissioner Bob Burleson and Trish Campbell, a representative from Air-Evac. “We appreciate Tommy Howe Petroleum for allowing the use of a tanker truck to create the mock incident. We would also like to thank everyone that participated in the event”, said both Langley and Bull. Without their participation the exercise would not have gone as smoothly as it did.”2/17/07

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HAMILTON – Northwest Alabama will be well represented at the upcoming Jerry Brown Arts Festival. Melissa Miles of Guin, Emogene Lenard and Ron Morris of Fayette, Catherine Brown, James Brassfield, Kathy Ballard, and Jerry Brown of Hamilton will be joined by artists from throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia at this year’s festival.

Designated as one of 50 top arts events for the 2007 Year of Alabama Arts and as a Top 10 event for the month of March in all categories by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel, the anticipation for this year’s festival has been tremendous. This year’s group of artists is believed to be the best to date in the festival’s young history, with several participants having displays in the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History.

Sponsored by the Northwest Alabama Arts Council, the fifth annual Jerry Brown Arts Festival has grown into one of the most prestigious juried arts festivals in Alabama . This year's festival will be held at the E.T. Sims Neighborhood Facilities Building in Hamilton . Saturday, March 3, festival hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4, festival hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission to the festival.
Additional activities for this year's festival include the elementary school arts competition "Molding Hearts, Hands & Minds," and the high school arts competition "Sketching the Future.”

A new addition to the festival is the Jerry Brown Arts Festival Family Concert which will be held on the first night of the festival, Saturday, March 3, starting at 6 p.m. at the Bevill Business & Community Center in Hamilton . Headlining the concert will be Joseph Baldwin of Vina. Also performing will be Rock Creek of Belmont, Mississippi, Detroit resident Bob Moody, and Just Friends, of Hamilton . The family-friendly concert will be a continuation of the festival theme of “Reflections of the South” and will be country, bluegrass, folk, and gospel music.

During the concert, awards for the artists participating in the juried arts festival and the high school and elementary arts competition winners will be announced. Immediately following the concert, there will be a meet-and-greet session with the performers. There is no charge for admission to the concert.

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FREE CONCERT ADDED TO JERRY BROWN ARTS FESTIVAL WEEKEND

HAMILTON – In its fifth year, the Jerry Brown Arts Festival has added something new to its lineup – a concert.  On the first night of the festival, Saturday, March 3, the Northwest Alabama Arts Council will host a free concert starting at 6 p.m. at the Bevill Center in Hamilton.

 Headlining the concert will be Joseph Baldwin of Vina.  Joseph is the 2006 Panhandle Star winner and newest addition to Nashville's Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.

 Also performing will be Rock Creek of Belmont, Miss. who will be performing gospel, folk, and bluegrass music.  Detroit resident Bob Moody will be performing gospel, bluegrass, and country music.  Just Friends, a gospel and country music group of Hamilton, will also be performing.  Concessions will also be available at the concert.

JBAF Public Relations Chairperson Marla Minter stated, “Since its inception, the theme for the Jerry Brown Arts Festival has been ‘Reflections of the South.’   This concert provides a continuation of our festival’s theme.  What greater heritage do we have in the South than music passed down from generation to generation?  By adding the concert to our festival weekend and by making it free to the public, the arts council felt we could give back to our community and share another art form during this festival weekend – the art of music.” 

 During the concert, awards for the artists participating in the juried arts festival as well as the high school and elementary arts competition winners will be announced.   

Immediately following the concert, there will be a meet-and-greet session with the performers, and concert-goers will have the opportunity to obtain autographs, photographs, and purchase CDs from the performers.

Minter added, “We would encourage everyone to come out, have supper with us, sit back, relax, and enjoy a wonderful evening of Southern heritage music.”

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FREE CONCERT ADDED TO JERRY BROWN ARTS FESTIVAL WEEKEND

HAMILTON – In its fifth year, the Jerry Brown Arts Festival has added something new to its lineup – a concert.  On the first night of the festival, Saturday, March 3, the Northwest Alabama Arts Council will host a free concert starting at 6 p.m. at the Bevill Center in Hamilton.

 Headlining the concert will be Joseph Baldwin of Vina.  Joseph is the 2006 Panhandle Star winner and newest addition to Nashville's Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.

 Also performing will be Rock Creek of Belmont, Miss. who will be performing gospel, folk, and bluegrass music.  Detroit resident Bob Moody will be performing gospel, bluegrass, and country music.  Just Friends, a gospel and country music group of Hamilton, will also be performing.  Concessions will also be available at the concert.

JBAF Public Relations Chairperson Marla Minter stated, “Since its inception, the theme for the Jerry Brown Arts Festival has been ‘Reflections of the South.’   This concert provides a continuation of our festival’s theme.  What greater heritage do we have in the South than music passed down from generation to generation?  By adding the concert to our festival weekend and by making it free to the public, the arts council felt we could give back to our community and share another art form during this festival weekend – the art of music.” 

 During the concert, awards for the artists participating in the juried arts festival as well as the high school and elementary arts competition winners will be announced.   

Immediately following the concert, there will be a meet-and-greet session with the performers, and concert-goers will have the opportunity to obtain autographs, photographs, and purchase CDs from the performers.

Minter added, “We would encourage everyone to come out, have supper with us, sit back, relax, and enjoy a wonderful evening of Southern heritage music.”

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(Double Click Picture to see Larger Picture.)

NORTHWEST ALABAMA ARTS COUNCIL ESTABLISHES ELEMENTARY ARTS PROGRAM

HAMILTON - On January 19, nine students along with principal Dr. Sherry Armstrong from Hamilton
Elementary School traveled to Jerry Brown Pottery to participate in the new "Molding Hearts, Hands & Minds" program, a new two-session arts program created by the Northwest Alabama Arts Council.

A total of 25 students were selected from the fourth grade at Hamilton Elementary School to participate in this special program. Selection was based upon the
student’s interest in art and exhibited skill level. Students will receive three hours of instruction from local potter Jerry Brown and his wife, Sandra.

The Browns will share with these students the craftsmanship and old-fashioned knowledge of pottery-making that have been handed down from generation to generation in the Brown family since the 1700s. The students will be shown how Brown digs his
own clay and uses his mule, Blue, to grind and mix all of the clay used in making his pottery, how Brown hand turns and hand decorates each piece of pottery, to include firing most of his pottery in a brick kiln.

Ed Minter, Vice President of the Northwest Alabama Arts Council stated, "This was one of our goals when this organization was created, to provide art education and art programs to our local schools. We have a treasure in our community in Jerry Brown. It is imperative that we as an organization make sure his skills are passed on to a new generation of artists. We are excited about this pilot program and look forward to providing this opportunity to other area schools each year leading up to our festival."

The highlight of the program, in addition to the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Smithsonian artist, will be each student's opportunity to make their own piece of pottery by actually working on Brown’s wheel and molding clay into their own artistic masterpiece.

Each student will have their piece of art exhibited at this year's Jerry Brown Arts Festival, to be held on
March 3rd and 4th, in Hamilton. Similar to the professional artists displaying at the festival, each
student's piece of pottery will be judged, and the top five participants will receive scholarships to the Bevill State Community College Arts Camp scheduled forth summer.

Additional information can be obtained at www.nwaarts.org and www.jbaf.org. 01/30

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(Double Click Picture to see Larger Picture.)

ARTS COUNCIL HOLDS OPEN HOUSE

HAMILTON – On Sunday afternoon, January 28, the Northwest Alabama Arts Council officially opened its doors for business at its newly renovated office in Hamilton City Hall.  Funding for the renovations was secured through a grant obtained from the State of Alabama “Support the Arts” License Tag Committee. 

 Arts council president Deb Cochran stated that “The support of Mayor Ray Harper and the council, Annette Sherrill, McDavid Franks, Scotty Sanderson, Richard Gann, and Shane Stidham has been outstanding.  We could not have done this without them.  We thank them for the privilege of having our office centrally located in city hall.  This will be a tremendous advantage to our organization as we recruit artists, vendors, and entertainers from all over the United States to participate in our festivals, our concerts, and in our art education programs.” 

The Northwest Alabama Arts Council’s primary event is the Jerry Brown Arts Festival held annually the first weekend in March.  Additionally, the arts council is now supporting arts programs on both the elementary and high school levels.  Formed in 2004, the NWAAC is a nonprofit, voluntary organization formed to promote art and artists in our area.   

In addition to Cochran, others serving in leadership roles with the arts council are vice president Ed Minter, secretary Tyna Vines, and art education program coordinator Belinda McRae.  Jerry and Sandra Brown serve as special advisors to the council. 

The official website of the arts council is www.nwaarts.org, and the official website of the Jerry Brown Arts Festival is www.jbaf.org.  Additional information can be obtained through these two websites or by calling (205) 921-9483.

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Important news about the story above is that each student who participated in this program will have their piece of art exhibited at this year's Jerry Brown Arts Festival, to be held on March 3rd and 4th, in Hamilton.

Similar to the professional artists displaying at the festival, each student's piece of pottery will be judged, and the top five participants will receive scholarships to the Bevill State Community College Arts Camp scheduled for the summer.

Additional information can be obtained at www.nwaarts.org and www.jbaf.org. 01/30

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Hamilton - The Marion County Extension Office will be holding a free seminar entitled:

"Vegetable Garden Basics"

Nelson Wynn, Regional Extension Agent will be at the Marion County Extension Office (Located in the Court House Annex) for a Vegetable Garden Basics Seminar on March 15, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.. 

Please register by March 13, 2007.  For more information please call 205-921-3551 or visit:  www.aces.edu/Marion/files/vgbasics.pdf     or

www.aces.edu/counties/Marion

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February 23, 2007

Governor Riley Calls Legislature into Special Session

MONTGOMERY—Governor Bob Riley has called the legislature into a special session. The special session will begin Monday, February 26, at 5:00 p.m.
 

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-2/23/07

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Winners

"Molding Hearts,

 Hands & Minds"

The winners from the "Molding Hearts, Hands & Minds" elementary school arts program.

First place: Meredith Knight
Second place: Katie Perry
Third place: Denise Carter
Fourth place: Lorra Carter
Fifth place: Paige Box

Twenty-five Hamilton Elementary fourth-graders spent two sessions learning from Jerry Brown and then created their own pottery piece, which was judged and displayed as part of last week's Jerry Brown Arts Festival.

In addition to ribbons and certificates, these top five artists were awarded scholarships by the Northwest Alabama Arts Council to attend Bevill State Community College's Summer Arts Camp to be held in June at its Hamilton Campus.

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Shown is Sandra Brown with Mark Williams, a potter from Bogart, GA, who won Best in Show at the 2007 Jerry Brown Arts Festival. Also shown is Jerry Brown.

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Photos of Rebekah Jackson at the Jerry Brown Arts Festival.

Rebekah Jackson, daughter of Steve and Cindy Jackson (Owners of TV 8 in Hamilton) enjoys her Roasted Corn offered by one of the several Vendors on hand at the recent Jerry Brown Arts Festival held in Hamilton, Alabama.  Rebekah is also shown with her mom and dad.

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click picture to enlarge

Left to right:  David Jones, John Helms, Baldwin, and Ricky Reed.

Shown above is Joseph Baldwin and his band performing at the JBAF Family Concert on Saturday night, March 3, at the Bevill Center.

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Menu Foods pet food with ChemNutra wheat gluten voluntarily recalled

TORONTO, April 5, 2007

 /PRNewswire/ - In response to a news release - issued by ChemNutra Inc. during the evening of April 3, 2007 - Menu Foods today voluntarily expanded its pet food recall for selected "cuts and gravy" pet food products, manufactured back to November 8, 2006.

ChemNutra Inc., a former supplier of wheat gluten to Menu Foods, announced a recall of all wheat gluten it imported from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. in Wangdien, China. As a result, Menu Foods today announced an expansion of its recall to include all products manufactured with wheat gluten purchased from ChemNutra Inc. which Menu

Foods' records show was first used on November 8, 2006 and last used on March 6, 2007.

As a result of actions previously taken by Menu Foods, the vast majority of the products affected by this expansion are already off retailers' shelves. No new brands have been added. A total of 20 varieties have been added to the recall list and the additional varieties are listed below. All Menu Foods products not made with the recalled wheat gluten are safe to consume.

A complete and updated list of recalled products is available at the Menu Foods website at http://www.menufoods.com.

Click the above link to see a detailed list of label contents for the recalled products.

For Science Diet (TM) information, click here.

jmays 4/6/07

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Recent Recalls of Popular Brands of Pet Foods!

Go to the site listed below to see if your favorite pet food is on the recall list.  Follow the prompts.

http://www.menufoods.com/index.html

Go to the links below to read about pet foods on our local grocery shelves which should be safe to feed your pets.

9Lives Not Affected By Recall. Click Here For More Information.

Friskies® is not affected by the Menu Foods pet food recall.

A Message from Nestlé Purina PetCare Company About the Menu Foods Recall

Purina Product is Listed in the Pet Food Recall.  See below for that link.

Purina to voluntarily withdraw Mighty Dog® 5.3 ounce pouch products in response to Menu Foods recall

NEW! 3/30/07

Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall

Website:

www.menufoods.com

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Recent Recalls of Popular Brands of Pet Foods!

Go to the site listed below to see if your favorite pet food is on the recall list.  Follow the prompts.

http://www.menufoods.com/index.html

Go to the links below to read about pet foods on our local grocery shelves which should be safe to feed your pets.

9Lives Not Affected By Recall. Click Here For More Information.

Friskies® is not affected by the Menu Foods pet food recall.

A Message from Nestlé Purina PetCare Company About the Menu Foods Recall

Purina Product is Listed in the Pet Food Recall.  See below for that link.

Purina to voluntarily withdraw Mighty Dog® 5.3 ounce pouch products in response to Menu Foods recall

NEW! 3/30/07

Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall

Website:

www.menufoods.com

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Photos from the truck hit by a log truck at the main red light in Hamilton.

Truck driven by Dennis Gann, an employee of Sitel of Hamilton, was hit as he sat at the main red light in Hamilton.

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Photos from the March 21, 2007 truck accident near Ragsdale Creek Bridge.

Story and Pictures by JMays
Staff Writer

HAMILTON - March 21, 2007 - A two vehicle accident involving a car and a tractor-trailer was cause for alarm for local firefighters.

Police, Paramedics and then Firefighters were called to the scene of the accident where a fire was reported from one of the vehicles involved. No injuries were reported in the accident at the intersection of County Highway 29 and US Highway 43 North near the Ragsdale Creek Bridge.

The accident occured at 1:05 p.m. A 1995 Chevy Lumina, driven by Hamilton resident, Rhonda Burleson, was struck as she entered the South-bound lane of US highway 43 from County Highway 29 by a 2000 Peterbilt belonging to Black Trucking out of Garden City, AL. The 2000 Peterbilt was driven by Dennis Maines of Hanceville, AL.

The accident was not cleared and traffic was not flowing freely until after midnight, Thursday morning. HAZMAT Teams had to be called in to assist Firefighters and Marion County EMA in clearing any debris which might have been released into Ragsdale Creek.

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TORONTO, ONTARIO
NOT FOR RELEASE OVER US NEWSWIRE SERVICES

Attention Business/Financial Editors

Menu Foods Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:MEW.UN) today expressed confidence that its “cuts and gravy” style pet food outside the recalled period is safe and healthy for consumption by North America’s cats and dogs.

The Fund’s announcement followed a news conference by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, during which it identified that melamine has been found in wheat gluten imported from China. This is the wheat gluten in the recalled pet food that caused illnesses and deaths.

Melamine has not been found in other Menu Foods pet food, nor is it present in the wheat gluten from the other suppliers used by Menu Foods.

“The pet food that we have manufactured after March 6 is safe and healthy,” said Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, at a news conference on Friday.

“How do we know this? First, it contains no melamine. Secondly, it contains none of the suspect wheat gluten. Thirdly, all of the testing that has been conducted, including the routine taste tests that were underway prior to the discovery of this problem, have demonstrated that those products not associated with the suspect wheat gluten performed very well and in a manner consistent with historic norms.”

“Quite simply, one supplier’s product was adulterated with a material that is not part of any known screening procedure for wheat gluten,” Henderson said. “The important point today is that the source of the adulteration has been identified and removed from our system.

“As a result, I can say with complete confidence today – to consumers, to our customers, to governments – that Menu Foods continues to uphold the high standards for which we have been known since 1971,” he said.

“Our products are safe. We continue to engage in the highest levels of monitoring and testing in the pet food industry. These tests will be expanded as a result of this experience,” said Henderson.

Menu is the leading North American private-label/contract manufacturer of wet pet food products sold by supermarket retailers, mass merchandisers, pet specialty retailers and other retail and wholesale outlets. In 2006, the Fund produced more than one billion containers.

Contact information:

Consumers
1-866-895-2708

Website:

www.menufoods.com

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Friday, March 30, 2007

Police Seek Family of Shooting Victim Speights

Authorities need help locating relatives of a man fatally shot early Tuesday in western Birmingham.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Jay Glass said that someone shot into the pickup truck that Martin Speights, 46, of Lithonia, Ga., was driving. He drove to a parking lot in the 1200 block of the Bankhead Highway and was pronounced dead on the scene there at 1:09 a.m.

Anyone who is related to Speights is asked to contact the coroner's office at 205-930-3603.

Further information from Birmingham police was not immediately available.

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Tragedy at Virginia Tech

3:45 p.m., April 16, 2007

Campus remains closed; convocation Tuesday 3:45 p.m., April 16, 2007

Virginia Tech remains closed on Monday, April 16, 2007. Vehicular entrances to campus are severely restricted to essential personnel only. Additional security remains on campus as the investigation continues.

Counseling assistance for students is available at West Ambler Johnston and McComas Hall until 9 p.m. Monday night. Students are encouraged to utilize these services. Counseling for faculty and staff is available in the Bowman Room on the fourth floor of Jamerson Athletic Center, accessible from Jamerson or the Merryman Athletic Facility. Students may also gather at the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center.

The university will also be closed on Tuesday, April 17. Essential personnel are to report for work. Classes are canceled.

A public gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at Cassell Coliseum at 2 p.m. (a time change from the originally scheduled gathering).

All students are urged to contact their parents as soon as possible to let them know they are safe.

Students, faculty, and staff who may have any information related to the incident at West Ambler Johnston Hall and Norris Hall are encouraged to go to the Blacksburg Police Department to make statements, or call 540-231-TIPP (8477), or 231-6411

Parents with concerns are asked to call the Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787.

Individuals injured in the two shootings have been taken to area hospitals.

~

Statement by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger

12:10 p.m., April 16, 2007

The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. There were two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities. The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus. I want to extend my deepest, sincerest and most profound sympathies to the families of these victims which include students There are 22 confirmed deaths.

We currently are in the process of notifying families of victims. The Virginia Tech Police are being assisted by numerous other jurisdictions. Crime scenes are being investigated by the FBI, University Police, and State Police. We continue to work to identify the victims impacted by this tragedy. I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act The university will immediately set up counseling centers. So far centers have been identified in Ambler Johnston and the Cook Counseling Center to work with our campus community and families.

Here are some of the facts we know:

At about 7:15 a.m. this morning a 911 call came to the University Police Department concerning an event in West Ambler Johnston Hall. There were multiple shooting victims. While in the process of investigating, about two hours later the university received reports of a shooting in Norris Hall. The police immediately responded. Victims have been transported to various hospitals in the immediate area in the region to receive emergency treatment.

We will proceed to contact the families of victims as identities are available.

All classes are cancelled and the university is closed for the remainder of today. The university will open Tuesday at 8 a.m. but classes are cancelled. The police are currently staging the release of people from campus buildings.

Families wishing to reunite with the students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. We are making plans for a convocation tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy.

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Tragedy at Virginia Tech

3:45 p.m., April 16, 2007

Campus remains closed; convocation Tuesday 3:45 p.m., April 16, 2007

Virginia Tech remains closed on Monday, April 16, 2007. Vehicular entrances to campus are severely restricted to essential personnel only. Additional security remains on campus as the investigation continues.

Counseling assistance for students is available at West Ambler Johnston and McComas Hall until 9 p.m. Monday night. Students are encouraged to utilize these services. Counseling for faculty and staff is available in the Bowman Room on the fourth floor of Jamerson Athletic Center, accessible from Jamerson or the Merryman Athletic Facility. Students may also gather at the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center.

The university will also be closed on Tuesday, April 17. Essential personnel are to report for work. Classes are canceled.

A public gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at Cassell Coliseum at 2 p.m. (a time change from the originally scheduled gathering).

All students are urged to contact their parents as soon as possible to let them know they are safe.

Students, faculty, and staff who may have any information related to the incident at West Ambler Johnston Hall and Norris Hall are encouraged to go to the Blacksburg Police Department to make statements, or call 540-231-TIPP (8477), or 231-6411

Parents with concerns are asked to call the Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787.

Individuals injured in the two shootings have been taken to area hospitals.

~

Statement by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger

12:10 p.m., April 16, 2007

The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. There were two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities. The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus. I want to extend my deepest, sincerest and most profound sympathies to the families of these victims which include students There are 22 confirmed deaths.

We currently are in the process of notifying families of victims. The Virginia Tech Police are being assisted by numerous other jurisdictions. Crime scenes are being investigated by the FBI, University Police, and State Police. We continue to work to identify the victims impacted by this tragedy. I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act The university will immediately set up counseling centers. So far centers have been identified in Ambler Johnston and the Cook Counseling Center to work with our campus community and families.

Here are some of the facts we know:

At about 7:15 a.m. this morning a 911 call came to the University Police Department concerning an event in West Ambler Johnston Hall. There were multiple shooting victims. While in the process of investigating, about two hours later the university received reports of a shooting in Norris Hall. The police immediately responded. Victims have been transported to various hospitals in the immediate area in the region to receive emergency treatment.

We will proceed to contact the families of victims as identities are available.

All classes are cancelled and the university is closed for the remainder of today. The university will open Tuesday at 8 a.m. but classes are cancelled. The police are currently staging the release of people from campus buildings.

Families wishing to reunite with the students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. We are making plans for a convocation tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy.

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Archive item preserved from the 2007 story list. Additional text or photos can be added here.

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Sixth Annual NEIGHBOR DAY CELEBRATION

HACKLEBURG - The Sixth Annual Neighbor Day Celebration will be held this coming Saturday, April 28th, 2007 in Downtown Hackleburg, Alabama.

It was reported that "home-town" personality, and legendary singer/songwriter "Sonny" James Loden will be in town to sign autographs for the celebration!  That will be quite a treat!

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TWO PEOPLE DEAD AFTER CRASH IN CULLMAN CO.

Two people died Thursday Morning, April 12, 2007, around 2:00 a.m. when a tractor trailer and a car collided in Cullman County on Interstate 65 between Cullman and Hanceville, AL.

A witness, who happened upon the crash just after it occurred, told this reporter that the Alabama State Troopers were asking the press not to take any pictures of the vehicle because it was so badly damaged that they couldn't even tell how many people were occupying it.

Workers from the State Department of Forensic Sciences were called to the scene to help determine the number of fatalities.

State Troopers now say two people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, they were 18 year old, Justin Hubbard of Lynette, AL and 64 year old, Evelyn Farow of Valley, AL.  Police were not sure who was driving.

The driver of the Tractor Trailer was transported to Cullman Regional Medical Center. Although his exact condition is not known at this time,  it is believed that he did not have life threatening injuries.

story by jmays

4/13/07

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picture by gmays

Texaco Havoline Show Car Comes To Hamilton

By Wayne Mays

On April 19, 2007 the Texaco Havoline Race Show Car made a stop at Mac's Minit-Mart in downtown Hamilton. Shown above is Scott with Texaco Havoline Racing. He has been traveling the State of Alabama with the Texaco Havoline Show Car promoting the racing team. The trip will continue to Anniston next and end at the Talladega Super Speedway arriving in time for race weekend on April 28th and 29th. They also had a pit time trials car set up to demonstrate the pit stop times. The #42 Texaco Havoline Car is driven by Juan Pablo Montoya. 4/19/07

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Michael Jackson Announces Resignation as Youth/Associate Minister

Michael Jackson, who has been the youth/associate minister for the Winfield church of Christ since November, 2003 announced his resignation recently. Jackson has accepted the multi-role of Distance Education Librarian/ Director of Christian Service/Adjunct Professor position at Heritage Christian University in Florence , Alabama .

Michael is a 1999 graduate of Winfield City High School , a 2004 graduate of Heritage Christian University and is scheduled to receive a master’s degree from Freed-Hardeman University on May 12, 2007.

Michael currently serves on the City of Winfield ’s Library Board after having replaced Randy Brown after Brown’s election to the City Council. He is also a Greek instructor in the Gus Nichols School of Biblical Studies in Jasper.

Michael Jackson achieved nationwide recognition through the mention of his name and his youth minister’s position in the “Headlines” portion of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Jackson is married to the former Stacey Tidwell of Hubbertville who is in her first year of teaching at Winfield Elementary School . He is the son of Kenneth and Judy Jackson.
 

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By Wayne Mays

HAMILTON - On Friday, April 20, 2007, at about 8:55 am, an automobile accident occurred at North Fork on Hwy 43 North about 5 miles north of Hamilton, claiming the life of Allen Verdell Kerr, age 40, of Hamilton, AL.

The accident involved a 1993 Chevrolet S-10 pickup driven by Allen Verdell Kerr, age 40, of Hamilton, AL and a 1999 Freightliner driven by Daniel Palmer, age 39, of Jacksonville, AR. Mr. Palmer was not injured in the accident.

Sources with the Alabama Department of Public Safety stated that the cause of the accident is still under investigation. 4/23

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By Wayne Mays

HAMILTON - At approximately 2pm on April, 20, 2007 a two vehicle accident occurred on County Hwy 11 involving two Hamilton residents.

The accident involved a 1988 Chevrolet driven by Vester Holloway, age 41, of Hamilton, AL and a 2002 Chevrolet driven by Jennifer Cribbs, age 32, of Hamilton, AL. Both sustained injuries and the extent of their injuries was unknown at the time of this story.

Sources with the Alabama Department of Public Safety stated that the cause of the accident was still under investigation. 4/23

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By Kenneth Jackson

 The Winfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday April 5 and by a unanimous six to zero vote reappointed Tracy Estes to the Winfield City School Board.  Estes will begin his third five year term with the board in June, 2007.  Estes currently serves the board as its vice-chairman.

          In other council business:

A.     Set a city wide Clean- Up day for Saturday April 14, 2007. Two dumpsters will be available for use of inert items.

B.      Authorized the purchase of a Dodge Charger police car at the state bid prize.  With modifications the car will cost approximately $20,000.

C.     Changed the next council meeting to Tuesday April 17 at 6 p.m.

 kjackson@watvc.com

4/6/07
 

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Marion County Connection To Hallmark Channel's "Married In America 2"

By J. Mays

In 2002 Amber and Scott married and shared the happy event on public television. Now, 5 years later, we can watch them as they continue their life together.

Wednesday night, May 23, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time on the Hallmark Channel, watch the continuing story of Amber and Scott and 8 other couples who shared their life stories with us. This would not be such a significant event except for the fact that Scott is one of our own. He is from Hamilton, Alabama.

I had the opportunity to meet Scott last year when his dad was running for political office. I found him to be a delightful young man with a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Scott Howell is the son of Wyatt and Cindy Howell from Hamilton, Alabama. Wyatt is a local attorney and Cindy, a school teacher. Scott's grandmother is Lilly Mae Howell, a retired school teacher also from Hamilton.

Watch "Married In America 2", Wednesday May 23, 2007, 9 p.m. Eastern Time, 8 p.m. Central Time, on the Hallmark Channel (Channel 54 on our West AL TV Cable in Hamilton and Winfield).

More to come on this story later....jmays

 
To view a clip of Scott and Amber or to purchase a CD of the show, click on the link below:

www.marriedinamerica.com

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Winfield Wal-Mart construction site.

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( L to R - Donna Pemberton and Betty Blaine )

HAMILTON - A certificate of appreciation was awarded to Kent Cochran for his special efforts in assisting the Marion County Humane Society in the 2006 Hamilton Christmas Parade. This event was the Marion County Humane Society's first public function since it's inception in June 2006. Accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Cochran was Betty Blaine and presenting for the Marion County Humane Society was Donna Pemberton. 

 5/5

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June 22, 2007

News Channel 19's Carson Clark reports:

Two people were seriously injured today in a plane crash this afternoon in Cullman County.

The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. at Folsom Field, off Highway 31. An employee at the field tells NewsChannel 19 that the pilot radioed to Huntsville and said there was a fire on board. He also radioed Cullman to ask permission to land there. When he did, it looked like they had trouble with their landing gear and tried to take off again, but crashed.

The Cullman County Emergency Management Agency says a man and woman were hurt. Both were flown by helicopter to Huntsville Hospital. The man is in critical condition. The woman is in better shape.

The plane crashed at the north end of the runway at the Cullman airport.

Note:  The plane is registered to John Kerr II of Hamilton, AL.

Later reports said that both passengers were awake and alert and were being transported by helicopter to a Huntsville hospital where they were placed in the Intensive Care Unit.

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Hamilton - Memorial Day - May 14 - June 3, 2007 was "Buckle Up In Your Truck" & "Click It or Ticket".

A report was released from the City of Hamilton Police Department on Tickets issued during the weeks of May 14th - June 3rd of 2007 as follows:

1 - DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

68 - Seatbelt

6 - Child Restraint

8 - Speeding

8 - No Insurance

6 - Driver License Violations

9 - License Suspended or Revoked

1 - Misdemeanor Arrest

1 - Driving Violation

6 - Other Violations

A Total of 114 Tickets were issued.

6/7

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Photos from the 2007 Relay for Life in Hamilton.

2007 Relay for Life

Friday, June 8, 2007

Hamilton's annual Relay For Life Will Be This Week-End

The annual Marion County Relay for Life is scheduled for Friday, June 8, 2007. The theme for this year’s event will be "Castaway Cancer".

The event starts with the Survivors' dinner reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Hamilton High School Lunchroom. The Survivors' dinner is sponsored, this year, by the Northwest Regional Cancer Center. Parking passes are available for survivors who drive from the lunchroom to the walking track.

The Relay will be held at the Hamilton Walking Track. The Track is located at the junction of Highway 17 South and 6th Street S.W., behind the Hamilton Fire Department. The Relay Walk will officially begin at 7:00 p.m. with the first lap being walked by cancer survivors. The ceremonial lighting of the Luminaries, which honors all cancer patients and survivors, will take place at 9:00 p.m.

Sponsors for the event includes NTN-Bower, Sitel, Northwest Medical Center in Winfield, Continental Conveyor, Alabama Power Company, Aseracare, Northwest Regional Cancer Center, First National Bank, Winfield Rubber, State Bank and Trust, Buccaneer Homes, and Marion County Treatment Center.  jmays

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report

This past week, the Alabama Senate 18 Democrats again broke through the Republican led filibuster and were able to take care of the taxpayers business. We passed the largest school bond construction bill in the history of the state. This one billion dollar bond issue will provide millions of dollars in capital construction and maintenance needs within every school system in the State. I was proud to support this bond issue, where 75% of the one billion will go toward the K-12 schools and the remainder to the two-year and four-year colleges. This is a good bill which is needed to help us continue to improve the quality of schools we have in this area and throughout the state.

The breakdown of how it will be used in K-12 for our senate district is as follows:
$2,767,321 for the Fayette County School System
$2,790,601 for the Franklin County School System
$2,149,863 for the Lamar County School System
$4,800,194 for the Lawrence County School System
$3,224,345 for the Marion County School System
$2,377,826 for the Winston County School System
$1,639,901 for the Haleyville City School System
$2,242,709 for the Russellville City School System
$1,304,677 for the Winfield City School System

 
The breakdown for Higher Education in the senate district is as follows:
$2,585,012 for Bevill State Community College
$1,962,249 for Northwest Shoals Community College

 
We were also able to pass a 7% pay raise for our teachers, which will go into effect on October 1 as well as 3.5% pay raise, which will also begin October 1, which will be followed by a 3.5% pay raise next year, for our hardworking, active state employees. I believe our teachers and state employees are professionals, they are trained as such and ought to be compensated for it.

In addition, we were able to pass the special education trust fund budget, which was at a record amount of $6.7 billion. This is an increase of $461 million or 7.4% over this past year’s budget. This will provide an almost 12% increase for K-12 and two-year colleges and 15% for universities. The senate passed budget would double the funding for distance learning programs in public schools to $20 million. The Education Trust Fund Budget will also increase the money for the State of Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative by 2/3 from $22 million to $35.8 million.
I am also pleased to report to you that we passed a very good general fund budget in the amount of $1.8 billion. One of my goals was to be able to help the Alabama Department of Human Resources increase payments to families caring for foster children and as such, I was able to place a $1 million line item in the budget to accomplish that.

 
We also increased medicaid spending by $70 million so that our seniors and children can be covered with their healthcare needs under medicaid.
We were able to place $300,000 in Commissioner Ron Sparks budget to create two new centers of which one is for the State Agriculture Department, which will promote alternative fuels and the other for rural economic development.
In addition, we were able to pass a bill that will provide retired, education employees and state workers with a pension of a $1.00 per month for each year of service. Historically, we do a cost of living increase, but, Dr. Bronner has come out against that and as such, we were not able to accomplish that this year.

 
We were able to pass many other significant bills as well to help improve the overall quality of life here in Alabama.

 
The last day for the 2007 regular legislative session will be June 7. It is my hope it will be a productive day and we can complete the taxpayers’ business at this time.

 
This coming week, on June 5, there will be a special election regarding some important amendments. These amendments will allow us to recruit high paying jobs to our area and includes money that would be used to help get the steel plant in Mobile as well as other areas. It is important to note that approval of these amendments will not cause an increase in taxes. It will allow us to borrow money from the oil and gas money from the Gulf and float bonds for industrial development.

 
Congratulations goes out to Northwest Shoals Community College on being awarded a $63,932.11 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the implementation of the Alcohol Enforcement Equipment Project. This project involves purchasing Alco Sensor Portable Breath Testers which will be used by law enforcement to detect the presence of alcohol among drivers.

I want to wish the best to two fine individuals who announced their plans to retire in Marion County. The first is Principal LeAnne Burns of Guin Elementary School who retired officially on June 30 of this year. I appreciate her fine service to the students of Guin Elementary and to the staff, faculty and parents as well. I know that you all join with me in wishing her a good retirement.

 
The second individual is Bobby Wallace who retired June 1 as the Marion County Cooperative Extension Coordinator. I appreciate Mr. Wallace’s service in this area especially to area gardeners and farmers for the past twenty-eight years. I know that he will be missed.
I also had the pleasure of attending the Coalfest in Brilliant this past weekend. They do such a good job there. I had a great time and enjoyed playing Larry Pollard. He is such a fine checker player. I am pleased to report to you that of the seven players, I was the next to the last one to be beat. We all know we cannot beat him but, the trick is to last as long as you can and not get beaten before the other six players.

 
It was a pleasure for me to be able to see one of our own local bankers and civic leaders, John Bostick, was approved in committee to be confirmed to the State Board of Banking. This is a very prestigious board and it is an honor to our senate district to have someone of John’s statue serving in that important capacity.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers.
 

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State House
Suite 730
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862

Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 370
Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880

Fax:256-332-7821

Email: senbedford@aol.com

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Joseph Baldwin

LOCALS TO PARTICIPATE IN

 HELEN KELLER FESTIVAL

THIS WEEK-END

The 29th annual Helen Keller Festival is being held this weekend in Tuscumbia. JBAF participant George Jones will be one of the demonstrating artists participating in the Festival of Arts.

Also, locals performing in the entertainment portion of the festival, Brianna Lawler Dean will be performing tonight (Thursday) at 7:15 p.m., and Joseph Baldwin and the Rowdy Knights will be performing Saturday at 2 p.m. There is a $2 charge for admission for the music portion of the program on Friday night and Saturday.

Additional artists include four of the famous Gee's Bend quilters. There are over 60 artists who will be participating in the festival. There is no charge for admission to the arts portion of the festival.

If anyone is planning on attending and would like some of our JBAF brochures to take with them, please call Ed or Marla at 921-3632 to obtain these brochures.

For more information:

What: Helen Keller-Festival of the Arts,-hosted by the Tennessee Valley Art Association in conjunction with the annual Helen Keller-Festival

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Spring Park, Tuscumbia
Cost: Free admission
Details: tvaa.net or (256) 383-0533

Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

jmays 6/22/07

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Photos from Hamilton Bassmaster's Kid's Fishing Contest at Marion County Lake.

Below are the three top category winners of this week-end's Hamilton Bassmaster's Kid's Fishing Contest held at Marion County Lake between Hamilton and Guin.

5 - 7 Age Group

In the 5 - 7 year old category, we have the 3 top winners, they are Dalton Flippo in 1st Place with a catch of 2.9 pounds; Kaleigh Smith in 2nd Place with a catch of 2.6 pounds and Olivia Robison in 3rd Place with a catch of 1.9 pounds.

8 - 10 Age Group

In the 6 - 10 year old category, the top 3 winners were, 1st Place Johnny Gann, 2nd Place Charles Goggans, and 3rd Place ?

11 - 13 Age Group

In the 11 - 13 year old category, the top 3 winners were, Hagen Weeks with 1st Place, Seth Carter with 2nd Place and Blake Young with 3rd Place.

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Pictured: (L to R ) Devin Henry, Dustin Henry & Drake Henry

Hitting Practice With Dad

By Wayne Mays

HAMILTON – Dustin Henry was showing some dedication to his team by practicing hitting with his dad, Devin Henry, just a few hours before they were set to face off against the Sulligent Blue Devils. Dustin had his little brother, Drake Henry, there to help field the balls. Dustin plays in the 7 & 8 year old baseball league in for the Hamilton Aggies.

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By Wayne Mays 

On my way to the office today I started noticing that people just don’t wave like they used to. I remember when I just starting driving all the way back in 1989. It annoyed me to no end to feel obligated that I had to wave at everybody that I met on the highway. But being 16 years old I guess we were all like that at one point in our lives. Now I look back and see how friendly this town was back then and I genuinely miss it. Hamilton has always been a town where you felt like you were at home even if you weren’t from here.

Back to my story, as I was traveling to work I began to notice that maybe 1 out of 15 cars had a driver that was paying attention enough to wave at me as I was meeting them on the highway. I noticed drivers talking on cell phones, brushing their hair, and genuinely not paying attention to their surroundings. I also noticed that a lot of the people that were waving at me were quite a bit older than me and that most of the ones that were not were of a younger generation than me. They were the ones talking on the cell phones and etc.  I’m not complaining about anything. I just want some things to go back the way they used to be. So parents, please teach your kids to wave as they drive down the highway. It teaches them to be courteous to other drivers on the highway and maybe will become a good habit one day.

My main concern is that people be safe while they drive because accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and cause irreparable damage to life and property. Life being the key word! Remember property can be replaced. So as you travel today and in the future, remember the drivers around you and give them a wave as you pass because you never know when that wave might mean a good deed is sent your way. They might be having a bad day and you might make it better by being nice!

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Hamilton's New Red Light

By Wayne Mays

HAMILTON - Hamilton's newest red light is nearing full operation. It is hoped that this will ease the traffic expected to enter and exit Hamilton's newest business, which is also near completion............Our Wal-Mart Supercenter.

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Picture Compliments of

Ronnie Garner

Double-Click to Enlarge Picture

Alligators?

In Marion County....

By Wayne Mays

This picture was taken by Ronnie Garner of Hamilton, AL.

HAMILTON - If you plan on golfing at Pikeville Country Club in Hamilton anytime soon just beware of loosing your ball in the water hazard on the 17th hole. It could cost you more than a good Titlist. Although the members of the Pikeville Country Club seem to not see any danger of  this amphibian sharing they're space, they do stop and feed him some bread every once and awhile. It was stated that the alligator is about 5 ½ feet in length and the weight is unknown.

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The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is proposing a new rule dealing with antler buck and turkey harvest for the State of Alabama. These rules are currently on file for public comment. I wanted to share this rule with you so that should you have any comments about them, you may present them to the Department of Conservation. The contact person at the Agency is M.M. Corky Pugh, Director of the Division Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 5th Floor, 64 North Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. All views should be turned in by August 6.


Under the proposed rule any person hunting deer or turkey, whether required to be licensed or not, shall maintain and have in his or her possession an "antler buck and turkey harvest" record, which shall be in a specific form provided by the State. Hunting license holders who have a harvest turkey record form on their licenses shall be required to utilize the harvest record form located on their license. All other persons shall utilize a form similar to the one put out by the State. Yes, I agree with you that this is going to cause a great deal of confusion. Apparently, Alabama, under Governor Riley’s leadership, is proposing to do away with the ability to hunt deer and turkeys without permits and tags.

The new requirements state that anyone whom harvest antler buck or turkey will have in their possession the harvest record of that antler buck or turkey until it is processed and stored in a cooler or freezer at ones residence or delivered to commercial processing plants. It shall be a violation of this regulation to obtain, possess or utilize duplicate harvest record forms or provide false information on harvest record forms for the purpose of avoiding this new law. Of course, there are stiff penalties.


Should you support or oppose this measure please send your written comments in or you may appear in person at the Agency at the Folsom Administrative Building on North Union Street, Montgomery, Alabama at 10:00a.m. on Monday, August 6. This is the time of the public hearing on installing a tag system in Alabama.


The State of Alabama Department of Transportation will be holding a public meeting on August 2, 2007, from 5:00-7:00p.m. to gather input for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The meeting will take place at the Alabama Department of Transportation Fifth Division Auditorium, 2715 Skyland Boulevard, East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35405. The proposed STIP can be viewed at the DOT offices located in Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Carrolton, Maplesville and Greensboro. I would encourage all interested parties to attend this meeting where you will be able to offer your comments regarding the plan. You may also send your comments to Mr. Robert J. Jilla, Transportation Planning Engineer, Alabama Department of Transportation, PO Box 3050, Montgomery, AL 36130-3050.


I had the pleasure of attending the dedication ceremony for the Russellville Historic Marker this past week. The marker is located at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Lawrence Street in downtown Russellville. It was good to see so many of our community leaders at the dedication including Councilman Tinker Malone as well as members of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Franklin County Archives.


It is always a pleasure to announce when the Department of Transportation is doing more road work in our senate district. Two highway projects will be let in our senate district on July 27 in Franklin County. The first one is the resurfacing of County Road 524 from County Road 41 to County Road 36 and County Road 36 from County Road 524 to State Road 24.


The other project will be the resurfacing of County Road 36 from State Road 24 to State Road 13 also known as U.S. Highway 43. Both of these resurfacing projects are greatly needed and I am pleased to get these grants for our area. It will provide safer transportation for our citizens.


Lamar County received good news this past week with the announcement that Emergystat is planning on building a $1,900,000 facility in Vernon to be located on 12th Street, SW. To assist with the project the City of Vernon will issue bonds in the amount of $100,00, the Lamar County Commission will issue bonds in the amount of $200,000 and the Vernon Industrial Board will issue bonds in the amount of $1,600,000. The facility will be used by Emergystat as an administrative and office center. There will be a public meeting regarding this matter on July 31 at the Lamar County Courthouse beginning at 9:00a.m. At the meeting, individuals can express their concerns regarding the proposed bond issuances.


The Outdoor Alabama magazine is sponsoring a photo contest with the winning entries to be featured in their February 2008 issue. There will be seven categories including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, other native wildlife, scenic/pictorial, nature-based activities and wild native flora. All photos must be taken with the last two years and must have been taken in Alabama with all species of animals being native to the state. The photos may be done in 35mm slides or larger format transparencies, 8X10 inch color prints or unaltered, high quality (300dpi) digital images. No black and white photos will be accepted. All entries must be received by Outdoor Alabama by 5:00p.m. on October 31, 2007. For more information and the rules of the contest please call them at 1-800-262-3151, write them at Outdoor Alabama 2008 Photo Contest, 64 N. Union St., Suite 106, Montgomery, AL 36130 or e-mail them at . Information about the contest can also be found on the Alabama Department of Conservation’s website at I encourage all interested parties to please look into this and participate as it is a great opportunity to experience the great Alabama outdoors and share your experience with others.


It is hard to believe that the start of our area schools is just around the corner with many schools starting back as early as August 9. I know that many of our students have had busy summers practicing cheerleader and band routines as well as participating in football practice as well as other activities such as Girls and Boys State. I appreciate the great job which the parents, sponsors and teachers as well as administrators do in preparing for the upcoming school year. It is my hope that all of our area schools will have a great academic year as well as having a good time with the many extracurricular and athletic programs offered throughout the senate district.


Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone:334-242-7862,     Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: 256-332-2880    Fax:256-332-7821


website: http://www.rogerbedford.com

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Photos from the July 14, 2007 fire at Jim's Country Mill Sausage Plant in Hamilton.

Huge Fire Engulfs Jim's Country Mill Sausage Plant in Hamilton, AL.

About 11:00 A.M. Saturday morning, July 14, 2007 a local resident, Curtis Zuber, had started to town on a routine trip to the grocery store when he noticed smoke over the Jim's Country Mill Sausage Plant.

At first, he didn't think too much about it, but then he noticed the Hamilton Fire Department there. As time went on the smoke became worse and other local fire fighters from other fire departments, Winfield, Hodges, Haleyville, Shottsville, Byrd and Shiloh, Fire Engines, Pumper Trucks, Boom Trucks, Fire and Rescue, Police and Ambulances started to arrive.

As Curtis watched from the Marion County Health Department parking lot across the street. He watched the flames spread and the smoke column get wider and taller. At one time, he witnessed a fireball he described as about 100 feet across and about 200 feet tall burst from the building and go skyward. (Possibly gasses from inside the building escaping when the fire burst through the roof.)

I found Curtis still watching the firefighters and emergency personnel fight the fire when I arrived about 1:00 P.M.

Buddy's Sausage Plant was reported to have caught fire about 2 days ago and restoration had been in progress by Mr. Kenneth Moore, Manager of Jim's Country Mill Sausage.

Story by Judy Mays
Pictures by Wayne Mays

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Photos from Red Bay's 100th birthday and community landmarks.

Celebrates

It's 100th Birthday!

July 17th, 2007
 

Hamilton to Red Bay
 

My cousin, Susie, and I had to go to take care of some business in Red Bay, Alabama Monday,
July 16 so I decided we should visit our good friend, LaVale Mills at the Red Bay News.

I guess that we were about the last people she expected to see walk in the door! But when we
entered the office of the 'Red Bay News' and asked the nice gentleman (the Editor Keith
Ledbetter, I found out later) behind the counter if LaVale was in, we heard from over behind the
partition, "Come on in" in a very familiar voice.

No matter how long it has been since I've seen LaVale 'Kennedy' Mills, she is always the same
sweet, gracious person. She made us feel as if we were the most important people in the world! I just love her for it.

LaVale is Publisher of the 'Red Bay News' for those of you who don't know her. She is a writer
and published author in her own right. I know the name of the first one of her books and I believe
she might just be about to write another! 'Peach Orchard Revival', was her first book, and there are at least two more. If you haven't read them, you should. They're great and straight from her heart!

Anyway, to make a long story short, LaVale told us all about Red Bay, Alabama celebrating it's
100th Birthday! July 17, 2007, there will be a ceremony in the park there to commemorate the
historical event. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The pictures I have are of the Park, the mural depicting the history of Red Bay and a beautiful
monument erected to honor the Veterans. If you haven't visited Red Bay lately, you should. You
will see that everybody is taking time and sprucing up the town. Even the old Redmont Hotel is
being restored. I love history and I love it when people take an interest in and restore their
historical buildings. Remember, once they're gone...they're gone!

Those of you who love trains will be interested to know that one of the main reasons that Red Bay
was formed was because of the railroad that goes through the town. Now, they also have Tiffin
Motor Homes, known all over the world for their beautiful Motor Homes.

Be sure and say hello if you get up to Red Bay, it's a friendly town.

Click Here to see Pictures.

Story By Judy Webb Mays
 jmays@49countynews.net

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By Kenneth Jackson

The Winfield City School Board met on Monday at noon at the board office with all current members present as well as the recently resigned board member Bill Carothers. Carothers was there to receive special thanks and recognition for years of service.

The board is awaiting the appointing of a member by the Winfield City Council to fulfill Carothers term.

In Board Business:

1. Approved leaves of absences for Tammy Box, Tabitha Mays, and Tara Cook.

2. Posted a 3 ½ hour per day part-time cafeteria worker for the elementary school.

3. Approved a band trip for late April to Panama City .

4. Approved the 2007-2008 school calendar which includes two weeks and two days for Christmas Break. This school year’s Christmas break was only 8 school days. The last day of school for 2008 is May 30^th.

5. The board also heard an outstanding superintendents evaluation from the evaluator Dr. Neil Hyche and reviewed the latest report for the Winfield City Schools from the State Board of Education.

Set the next meeting for Tuesday March 13 at 5 p.m.

^{kjackson@watvc.com}

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             By   Kenneth Jackson

The Winfield City School Board met on Tuesday March 13^th at 5 p.m. in the system offices.  The board welcomed new board member Michael Box to his first board meeting since replacing Bill Carothers.  Board member Chuck Spann was not present.

Superintendent Terrell Kirkpatrick presented the board with some plans for a proposed elementary school classroom addition.  The financing would come from an upcoming state bond issue.  A decision was tabled for further review.

The board went into executive session for some twenty minutes at the beginning of the meeting for what Kirkpatrick said concerned a legal matter.

The board heard and received a presentation of the Fiscal Year 2006 audit by CPA Vangie Rasbury.  She reported a “clean” audit with the net assets for the school system increasing some $400,000 over the previous year.

In other business-

1. Approved the resignation of Vicki Humber as middle school custodian and posted the job.

2. Approved the employment of Tiffany Porter as part-time elementary school lunch room worker.

3. Approved catastrophic leave for Cindi Holt with an amendment attached.

4. Approved a resolution in opposition to a uniform state school calendar or mandatory start date.

 kjackson@watvc.com

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ALABAMA TO MOVE UP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY?
 

Alabama's 2008 presidential primary is expected to be moved up to Saturday, February 2, 2008, to avoid the crowd of states voting on February 5, 2008.

Democratic and Republican leaders are said to be working together on a bill to move the primary away from the February 5, 2008 date, which happens to fall on Fat Tuesday, a major Mardi Gras holiday on Alabama's Gulf Coast.

House Majority Leader Ken Guin of Carbon Hill said February 2nd will distinguish Alabama from the growing number of states choosing February 5, and will test how Alabamians like voting on Saturday rather than the state's traditional Tuesday voting day.

Arkansas, Delaware, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah are already planning primaries for February 5. California, New Jersey, Illinois and other states are looking at moving up to early February 2008. jmays-2/13/07

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March 30, 2007

State Unemployment Rate Remains Low at 3.3 Percent

STATE OF ALABAMA

Office of the Governor

BOB RILEY
Governor

Press Office

MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley on Friday announced that Alabama’s unemployment rate remained a low 3.3 percent in February, unchanged from January.

“Alabama’s economy continues showing growth and strength,” said Governor Riley. “With the middle class tax cuts and pro-growth tax incentives I’ve proposed, we can sustain this growth, which makes our economy even stronger and results in more funding for schools. Anyone who says tax relief and tax incentives hurt education funding is absolutely wrong. The only way to increase education funding is to stimulate more economic growth.”

Wage and salary employment increased by 11,000 in February, while the number of unemployed Alabamians dropped from 73,848 in January to 73,584 in February. In the last 12 months, employment increased by 35,800 in the state.

Alabama’s unemployment rate remained below the national unemployment rate, which was 4.5 percent for February.

 For a summary of Governor Riley’s pro-growth tax incentives, go online to:

 www.governor.alabama.gov/SOS_07.htm

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March 20, 2007

Committee to Hold Hearing on Governor Riley’s “Teacher Protection Act”

MONTGOMERY – Several Alabama teachers are expected to testify in support of Governor Bob Riley’s “Teacher Protection Act” on Wednesday when a Senate committee holds a public hearing on the bill.

The Teacher Protection Act would provide teachers with professional liability insurance. This insurance would provide teachers with legal representation and protect them from potential financial ruin if they are sued over issues related to work. Liability insurance is a protection the state already provides to state employees.

“The state provides a form of liability insurance protection to all state employees, but not our teachers. Currently, our hardworking teachers are forced to pay for this protection out of their own pockets,” said Governor Riley. “I believe this protection should be extended to our teachers so they are secure from the financial dangers of work-related lawsuits.”

The state’s General Liability Trust Fund covers state employees from personal liability in lawsuits arising out of their official duties and helps them pay for legal expenses incurred in their defense. It protects, for example, state troopers when they are sued for false arrest, corrections officers when the are sued by inmates, and agency officials when they are sued by disgruntled employees.

If the same protections are extended to the state’s teachers with the Teacher Protection Act, it is estimated Alabama teachers would save about $8 million annually.

The Senate Committee on Education will hold a public hearing on the Teacher Protection Act (Senate Bill 148) on Wednesday. The committee will begin its meeting at 8:30 a.m. in Room 727 of the Alabama State House.

The bipartisan Senate bill is sponsored by Senator Scott Beason and co-sponsored by Senators Ben Brooks, Bradley Bryne, Tom Butler, Larry Dixon, Hank Erwin, Steve French, Rusty Glover, Del Marsh, Larry Means and Jabo Waggoner.

The Teacher Protection Act is part of Governor Riley’s Plan 2010.


Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-3/20/07

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March 15, 2007

State Receives $2 Million Check to Help Enterprise Rebuilding Effort


MONTGOMERY – Representatives from a Boston-based insurance company personally presented a $2 million check on Wednesday to Governor Bob Riley and Enterprise officials as the first installment toward the coverage of two Enterprise schools damaged by a tornado on March 1.

Officials from Lexington Insurance presented the check at the State Capitol. The insurance company participates in the in the State Insurance Fund (SIF), the state’s property insurance program.

The SIF, supported by Lexington and its other excess insurers, will provide additional millions in assistance to the Enterprise school system as it recovers from its devastating loss.

Jim Main, State Finance Director, said, “I am very encouraged by the fact that the state’s re-insurers are responding to the Enterprise disaster without hesitation. Lexington is to be commended for advancing much-needed funds in this manner.”

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-3/15/07

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February 23, 2007
Governor Riley Releases $17 Million for Schools

MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley announced Friday his administration is releasing $17 million to help schools pay for a broad range of basic needs, from utilities to toiletries.

The funding was included in this fiscal year’s education budget as a conditional appropriation, meaning its release was contingent on adequate revenues coming into the Education Trust Fund. That revenue level has been reached and the $17 million is now being released to public school systems across the state.
“Because our economy is strong, we’re experiencing record growth in the Education Trust Fund and can help schools all across Alabama,” said Governor Riley. “We must always remember that more funding for education isn’t possible unless we have a growing economy. And the economic growth plan we’ll consider in special session next week and the tax incentives I’ll be proposing in the regular session will help sustain our economy and result in additional funding for schools.”

State Finance Director Jim Main spoke to school superintendents from across the state this morning and informed them of the Governor’s action.

The $17 million is included in the education budget under the category of “Other Current Expenses,” which schools use to cover basic expenses not otherwise earmarked in the budget.

The additional $17 million brings total funding for OCE to $751.8 million.
Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-2/23/07

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March 23, 2007

Governor Riley Promotes the ACCESS Distance Learning Program

STATE OF ALABAMA

Office of the Governor

BOB RILEY
Governor

Press Office

TARRANT—Governor Bob Riley today visited Tarrant High School in Tarrant to promote the state’s ACCESS Distance Learning program. At Tarrant, Governor Riley sat in on a Spanish II class being taught by a teacher at Douglas High School in Marshall County. A total of 30 students were able to take the class, thanks to the distance learning program.


"We need to continue to invest in ACCESS because it expands learning opportunities our students," said Governor Riley. "For too long, many of Alabama’s students in rural communities or inner cities have been denied the range of courses available in other schools. With ACCESS, we use 21st century technology to change that, and if my budget is approved, more students will benefit from it."


Currently, 44 Alabama high schools have received ACCESS grants, but a total of 117 high schools are currently participating using existing technology. By the end of the year, an additional 150 schools will be using the technology. Governor Riley announced an additional 26 high schools will be added in his 2007 State of the State address, bringing the total number of ACCESS grants to 70 by August 2007. During the next school year, an estimated 10,000 students will take courses through ACCESS, with that number rising to 25,000 by the 2008-2009 school year.


Governor Riley’s budget also provides for an additional 150 schools to receive ACCESS technology. The budget provides for an increase of $14.7 million dollars, for a total of $25 million dollars. If approved, that will mean distance learning will have been implemented in more than half of Alabama’s high schools in just three years.

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March 22, 2007

Governor Riley Lowers Speed Limit for I-65 and I-20-59 Interchange in Birmingham

STATE OF ALABAMA

Office of the Governor


BOB RILEY
Governor


Press Office


MONTGOMERY—Governor Bob Riley today signed an Establishment of State Speed Zone lowering the speed limit from its current limit of 60 mph to 50 mph for all vehicles traveling near the I-65 / I-20-59 interchange in Birmingham.

Temporary signs alerting motorists of the new speed limit will be in place by next week.

"We are working to enhance safety enforcement by increasing the size of our state trooper force”, said Governor Riley. “In the meantime, I am taking this needed step to help reduce traffic crashes and, hopefully, to save lives in an area that has become increasingly dangerous."

On I-59, the speed limit will be lowered from mile marker 123 through mile marker 127. On I-65, it will be lowered from mile marker 259 to mile marker 262, and on I-20 it will be lowered from mile marker 130 to mile marker 129. The speed limit on I-20 will be lowered to 45 mph.

The busy Birmingham interchange has recently seen several accidents caused by steel coils dropping off the back of trucks, damaging the highway. The coils can weigh as much as 46,000 pounds, and on average, cause around $200,000 to $300,000 worth of damage. The Alabama Department of Transportation recommended the speed limit reduction, because excessive speed has been in a factor in most of the accidents.

“I’m pleased to have the support of Governor Riley to enhance the safety of the traveling public in the most heavily traveled interchange in the state of Alabama,” said Joe McInnes, Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation. “We encourage all motorists to adhere to these new speed limits and join us in lowering the vehicle accident rate in Alabama.”

The Alabama Trucking Association also supports the change. ATA’s President and CEO, Frank Filgo, says lowering the speed limit was one of their original recommendations to help reduce the number of accidents in the area. “We are very glad to see the speed limits reduced. Any coil spill is dangerous if the coil leaves the truck bed, and we hope this speed limit reduction will help reduce accidents.”

Several additional state troopers will also be assigned to the area to help enforce the new speed limits.

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Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2007

 

Riley Awards Grant to Provide Improved Assistance to Rape Victims Throughout Alabama

MONTGOMERY—Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $148,000 to a nonprofit agency in Montgomery that helps victims of sexual assault. The grant will improve services for victims across the state through continued training and support of law enforcement, medical and legal personnel.
The Alabama Coalition Against Rape will use the funds to train prosecutors and law enforcement officers on sexual assault issues including dynamics of sexual assault, techniques of interviewing victims and procedures to ensure the successful prosecution of sexual offenders.
The coalition will offer training and technical assistance to medical personnel that will help ease victims’ anxieties and improve the collection of evidence during forensic examinations.
“By educating law enforcement officers, doctors, prosecutors and others on the needs and concerns of victims, the Alabama Coalition Against Rape helps ensure that these crimes are dealt with swiftly and effectively,” Riley said. “I commend the coalition for advocating the kind of professional and compassionate response that victims deserve.”
The grant also will support development of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Sexual Assault Response Team programs, awareness of sexual assault through media campaigns and assistance to faith-based programs that tackle sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
Riley notified Kathleen Connolly, ACAR president, that the grant had been approved. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant from funds provided to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
BOB RILEY
GOVERNOR


OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
DR. TIM ALFORD
DIRECTOR

Contact:
Frank Miles
Larry Childers
(334) 242-5525

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-3/27/07

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March 19, 2007

Governor Riley Appoints Don Lambert to Lamar County Court

MONTGOMERY— Governor Bob Riley announced on Monday that he has appointed Don Lambert, of Vernon, to the Lamar County District Court. Lambert is filling the vacancy left by Judge Ed Gosa, who recently retired.

“I am pleased to appoint Don Lambert to the bench in Lamar County,” said Governor Riley. “He brings a wealth of legal knowledge and experience to the bench, and I am confident he will serve the people of Lamar County with distinction.”

Lambert is an attorney and has been practicing law since 1991. His areas of practice include juvenile court, real estate law, civil litigation, criminal law, domestic relations, appeals and probate. He is a member of both the Alabama Bar and the Federal District Court Bar in the Northern District of Alabama, and is a former Bar Commissioner.

“I am honored that Governor Riley would have the confidence in me to appoint me to the Lamar County District Court,” said Lambert. “I look forward to serving the people of Lamar County to the best of my ability.”

Lambert is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and holds a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s of Laws in Taxation from the University of Alabama.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley3/19/2007

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Monday, March 5, 2007
 

Riley Grant will Help Workers at Tiffin Motor Homes Boost Their Job Skills
 

MONTGOMERY—Workers at a manufacturing plant in Winston County will upgrade their job skills and help their company become more efficient thanks in part to a grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.
Tiffin Motor Homes Inc. will use the $50,000 grant to cover a part of the cost to train 120 workers at its Red Bay facility in techniques to reduce waste and increase production efficiency. The company will contribute $75,290 for the training.
“Alabama’s well-trained workforce is a key component to our recent economic successes,” Riley said. “I am pleased to help these Alabama workers gain new skills that will help them and their company continue contributing to the state’s economy.”
Expansions during the past 25 years have resulted in a disorderly arrangement of manufacturing buildings, inefficient production flow and excessive waste, said officials with Tiffin, which manufactures high-end custom motor homes under the Allegro, Phaeton and Zephyr names. Workers will be trained to apply LEAN Manufacturing, a technique that streamlines production and eliminates waste. The training will be conducted over a 12-month period by Spectrum Consulting.
Riley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Alabama Office of Workforce Development will administer the funds.
OWD Director Tim Alford informed Tim Tiffin, the company’s general manager, that the grant had been approved.

 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
BOB RILEY
GOVERNOR


OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
DR. TIM ALFORD
DIRECTOR


Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers, (334) 242-5525

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley3/5/2007

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February 27, 2007

Governor Riley Announces New Auto Supplier to Locate in Auburn

MONTGOMERY—Governor Bob Riley was joined by local officials from Auburn on Tuesday to announce that two companies – Seohan Auto USA and Seohan Driveshaft USA – will locate in Auburn. The two companies will create a total of up to 170 new jobs and a combined investment of $33 million.

“These companies are yet another example of the quality businesses that Alabama is able to recruit thanks to our excellent workforce, strong partnerships with local communities and a booming economy,” said Governor Riley. “I am proud to welcome Seohan to Alabama and am confident they will find great success in our state.”

Seohan is a manufacturer of front and rear axle assembly for Montgomery’s Hyundai plant. The companies will jointly occupy a 250,000 square foot building in Auburn’s Industrial Park.

Construction of the new facility is expected to begin immediately and production is scheduled to begin by the end of the year.

Seohan Auto USA and Seohan Driveshaft USA are part of the Seohan Group, which is based in Korea.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
BOB RILEY
GOVERNOR


OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
DR. TIM ALFORD
DIRECTOR


Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers, (334) 242-5525

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-2/27/07

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In Case You Missed It!  

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007

Riley Awards Grant to Curb Domestic Violence in Marion County

 

MONTGOMERY—Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $21,777 to the Marion County Commission to support continued efforts in the county to reduce domestic violence.
The Marion County Family Violence Prevention Program, administered by the district attorney’s office, will use the grant to help fund the continued employment of a full-time family violence investigator and a prosecutor specializing in family violence cases.
The program focuses on decreasing domestic violence and abuse by increasing the effectiveness of law enforcement’s response to domestic violence and ensuring that all cases are actively prosecuted.
“Domestic violence is a reprehensible crime that must be punished,” Riley said. “I commend Marion County officials for implementing this program and helping victims find the justice they deserve.”
The program’s investigator and prosecutor organize law enforcement training sessions to help officers understand and properly respond to the physical and mental aspects of domestic violence. The program also reaches out to church groups and civic organizations to raise awareness of the problem and convey the importance of community support for victims.
Riley notified Bobby Boyett, commission chairman, that the grant had been approved. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice. Matching funds of $7,259 will supplement the grant.
 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
BOB RILEY
GOVERNOR


ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
BILL JOHNSON
DIRECTOR

Contact: Frank Miles, Larry Childers, (334) 242-5525

Press Release from Gov. Bob Riley-2/1/07

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The Marion County Farmer's Market Open June 14, 2007

Hamilton -  The Marion County Farmer's Market is finishing the final touches and are getting ready to open it doors on June 14, 2007. The Market will be located in the Old Weston Fire Station building next to Postell's Meat Market. You must have a valid grower's permit in order to sell. The hours of operations are:

Tuesday - 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Thursday - 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday - 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Farmer's Market Senior Voucher sign up will be June 14, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information on this and other topics visit us on the web at www.aces.edu/marion or call 205-921-3551.

Bart McDonald & Dustin Pipkins from McDonald Signs, Guin, Al. are shown installing the new Farmer's Market sign.

Amy Hardin
Administrative Assistant
P.O. Box 400
Hamilton, Al 35570
Phone: 205-921-3551
Fax: 205-921-3018

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Jim Skinner of Jim Skinner Ford Fame Dies

Jim Skinner died Saturday, August 4, 2007, at the age of 87. Patriarch of a Birmingham auto dealership family and sometimes star of a series of quirky television commercials, Skinner founded Jim Skinner Ford more than 50 years ago, and it remains one of Alabama's oldest family-owned car dealerships.  Click here to see Obit.

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Senator Roger Bedford July 27th Capitol Report

This past week, we began the announcement of several economic development grants for our senate district. It was a pleasure for me this past week to attend the announcement of two grants for the City of Fayette. The first was $149,700 and will be used to improve the roadway to the industrial park including a drainage system and erosion prevention measures. The second grand was for $232,200 for improving the water and sewage system at the industrial park including additional water and sewage pipes as well as installing more fire hydrants. Both of these grants will greatly enhance the economic development and growth potential. The money will be available through the 666 Industrial Bond Commission recent industrial bond letting of which I am a member of the board. The monies should become available on or about August 7, 2007 for use on this project. I appreciate the hard work of Mayor Ray Nelson, the city council of Fayette, Probate Judge William Oswalt and the Fayette County Commission as well as Representative William Thigpen in helping with this project as well.


I was also able to attend an industrial announcement in Double Springs in Winston County this past Thursday. Posture Craft Mattress Company announced that it would be expanding its operations there in Double Springs. This is good news for the area. I was proud to help them secure the water grant that helped make this expansion possible. It is important to note that much of our economic growth comes from existing industries expanding their current operations. I want to thank the leadership of Double Springs for their hardwork in this matter.


Congratulations goes to Dr. Harold Wade of Bevill State Community College on being awarded a Workforce Investment Act grant in the amount of $355,332. The grant will be used to provide employment and training services to dislocated workers and adults through the Tractor Trailer Truck Driving Program in North Alabama.

Congratulations also goes out to Keith Jones and the other fine members of the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments, also known as NACOLG, on receiving a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The grant will be used for the implementation and delivery of short-term training opportunities in PLC Electrical Industrial Maintenance. These two grants are very important as we must due all that we can to make sure our workforce receives the necessary training so that they can be competitive in today’s job market.


I also had the pleasure of presenting some grant checks in Franklin County this past week including $750 to the Belgreen Booster Club to assist with equipment and a concession stand, $1,000 to the Belgreen High School cheerleaders, $250 to the Russellville Youth Cheerleaders, $500 to the Russellville Little League, $2,000 to Tharptown High School for their athletic program and $2,000 to the Russellville Middle School football program. I appreciate the students, coaching staff, sponsors and parents for their hard work and dedication in participating in these programs.

I was also able to give a $200 Give A Kid A Chance program which provides school supplies and clothing to children at no costs to the parents. They also provide physicals and haircuts to the participants as well. This is a great program that helps those who cannot afford the many supplies needed to start school.


This past week, it was announced that the Alabama Department of Public Safety will be starting the "Take Back our Highways" campaign the week of August 13. The purpose of the campaign is to focus attention on safe driving practices. Currently, traffic fatalities in Alabama are the highest they have been since 1973. Many of these fatalities are caused from failure of individuals to obey the laws in place including following the speed limit, wearing seat belts and driving under the influence. The officers will be enforcing the posted speed limits on the various roads throughout Alabama as well as seat belt use and various other violations. While this week is designated to emphasis the need to drive safely and an increase in Alabama Department of Safety personnel will be out that week to enforce them, we should always be careful when on the road and obey traffic laws. These laws are there for our protection and to try and save lives.


Thank you for your cards, e-mails, letters and phone calls about issues of concern to you. Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

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A.C.E.S. FALL NUTRITION SERIES

Marion County - Applied Tools For Efficient Cattle Production
Alabama Video Conference Series. Upper Coastal Plains Substation near Winfield, AL.

Meetings will begin July 31, 2007. Series of 5 meetings with a cost of $50.00 for entire series of $15.00 for 1 night.

For more information visit us on the web at www.aces.edu/marion
or call
205-921-3551.


Amy Hardin
Administrative Assistant
P.O. Box 400
Hamilton, Al 35570
Phone: 205-921-3551
Fax: 205-921-3018
 

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Alabama State Troopers Save Lives, Enhance Safety in ‘Take Back Our Highways’ Initiative

MONTGOMERY — A daily average of 510 Alabama state troopers braved record heat logging 22,533 hours and 340,539 miles patrolling Alabama’s roadways this week in a concentrated effort to save lives and increase safety. During the “Take Back Our Highways” initiative, rural traffic fatalities dropped 69 percent and troopers issued 340 percent more traffic citations than during the same period in 2006.

Col. J. Christopher Murphy, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, termed the safety campaign an unqualified success and vowed to continue the agency’s strategic intensive patrol and enforcement efforts. “Alabama’s highways are safer today because of our state troopers and their exemplary work to save lives and increase traffic safety,” said Murphy.

“Take Back Our Highways” placed approximately 200 additional troopers — from all divisions and all ranks — in uniform and on patrol duty Aug. 13-17 to combat Alabama’s increasing traffic fatalities. Murphy said state traffic deaths climbed more than 5 percent in 2006 — to their highest level since 1973 — at the same time that traffic deaths nationwide fell 2 percent.

Partnering with Public Safety in conducting the campaign is the Alabama District Attorney’s Association, whose members are committed to vigorously prosecuting “drivers who have killed or caused serious injuries to themselves and other motorists on the roadways of Alabama due to speeding and aggressive driving,” said District Attorney Richard J. Minor of St. Clair County.

During the week, troopers targeted primary violations and driving behavior that cause crashes and contribute to crash severity, Murphy said. These include speeding, failure to yield the right of way, following too closely, driver inattention, and DUI. The campaign focused on crashprone areas and included line patrols, saturation patrols, driver license checkpoints, and LIDAR details.

Murphy said troopers particularly appreciated Gov. Bob Riley’s first-hand observation of a LIDAR detail on Interstate 65 during the week.

Murphy credited Riley and the Alabama Legislature’s support for hiring additional troopers to supplement the state’s ranks. “Thanks to Gov. Riley and the Legislature, we have a class of troopers in training now, we plan to hire a class in October, and we are implementing a long-term hiring program,” said Murphy.

Here is a statewide tally for the Aug. 13-17 “Take Back Our Highways” campaign:

• Rural crashes: 411

• Injuries: 161

• Fatalities: 4

• Motorist assists: 580

• Trooper traffic arrests: 26,126

• Hazardous arrests: 17,991

• Includes:

• DUI: 140

• Speeding: 11,931

• Following too closely: 684

• Improper lane change: 241

• SB/CR: 4,995

• Non-hazardous arrests: 8,135

• Non-traffic arrests: 620

• Warnings: 1,308

For the same week in 2006, Aug. 14-18:

• Rural crashes: 453

• Injuries: 197

• Fatalities: 13

• Motorist assists: 406

• Trooper traffic arrests: 5,932

• Hazardous arrests: 4,506

• Non-hazardous arrests: 1,426

• Warnings: 2,192

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MARION COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
400 Goldenwood Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570
September 3, 2007

The Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force will hold their monthly meeting on September 27th at Oh!Bryan’s Family Steakhouse at noon. Oh!Bryan’s is located in Hamilton at 390 Rock Cliff Road but sits on Highway 17.

One lucky meeting attendee will win a gift certificate good at Super-Valu in Hamilton. The public is welcome to attend the meeting which usually lasts about an hour.

For more information contact Lynn Brown at 205-412-8772 or email to brown_mcdvtf@yahoo.com.

“Because Everyone Deserves a Home That’s a Safe Place!”

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Living With Fibromyalgia

New Drug Released

Do you live with chronic pain and fatigue?  Have you been told by doctors (in their words or actions) that it's 'All in your head'? 

Well, I do, and I have.  People who've never experienced it simply do not believe you! 

I don't, by any means, wish for them to have to go through what I have experienced.  I just wish for them to understand that it is real and it hurts and there are thousands other people who suffer  with this ailment as I do.

It hurts even more when the people around you don't support you or don't believe you.

I have been fortunate.  I've had support at home.  I found a doctor who understood that it is real and has tried to help.

I have not experienced much relief from the medicines which I've taken.  They have been numerous.  I began feeling the effects of the illness in 1998, shortly after I began working for Liberty National.

I left a very strenuous job at Waverlee Homes and was in fairly good physical shape but the mental stress with my new job must have been the trigger that it took to start the Fibromyalgia.

I recently came across a publication from the FDA that tells of a new drug released, which, it seems, has given some people relief from the symptoms.

I have to tell you that it is between you and your doctor as to whether this 'new drug' will help you but below is the link to the FDA site.

Click Here

Please go and read about another person's struggle with the symptoms.  It made me cry.  The 'one thing' I desired most was that someone give a 'NAME' to the 'thing' that took over my life.

Click Here

If you have experienced any of the symptoms which I have mentioned above, please email me at jmays@49countynews.net and share your experiences.  Sometimes, it just helps to share your burdens, don't you think?   jmays 7/21/2007

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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST ALABAMA ARTS COUNCIL

We received this today from the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the lead story in their August 17 newsletter:

"Y’all Magazine has special section on “The Year of Alabama Arts”
The September edition of Y’all – The Magazine of Southern People has a special 12-page section dedicated to state tourism’s “The Year of Alabama Arts” promotion. Highlighted in the section are: the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art in Auburn, Jack Warner and the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art in Tuscaloosa, Jerry Brown Pottery in Hamilton, “The Miracle Worker” play at Helen Keller’s birthplace in Tuscumbia, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan, and the Quilts of Gee’s Bend. www.yall.com/feature2.shtml "

The article is pretty lengthy and mentions the JBAF. In fact, the photo in the article is one from the festival. When you look at the other individuals and places and events listed above, it is a very prestigious list. What wonderful publicity for the festival!

Hope you enjoy!


Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

Press  Release:  Compliments of  North West Ala. Arts Council

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Claims Information & Latest News On PET FOOD RECALL

Click Here for an update of the Menu Foods Pet Food Recall

07/07/07

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FDA Approves Second-Generation Smallpox Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has licensed a new vaccine to protect against smallpox, a highly contagious disease with the potential to be used as a deadly bioterror weapon.

The vaccine, ACAM2000, is intended for the inoculation of people at high risk of exposure to smallpox and could be used to protect individuals and populations during a bioterrorist attack. It will be included in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile of medical supplies.

A worldwide vaccination program eradicated smallpox in the population. The last case of naturally occurring smallpox in the U.S. was in 1949 and the last case in the world was reported in Somalia in 1977. Known stockpiles of the virus are kept only in two approved labs in the United States and Russia. The CDC considers it a Category A agent, meaning it presents one of the greatest potential threats for harming public health.

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, a virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. It spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects, such as bedding or clothing. There is no FDA-approved treatment for smallpox and the only prevention is vaccination.

"The licensure of ACAM2000 supplements our current supply of smallpox vaccine, meaning we are more prepared to protect the population should the virus ever be used as a weapon," said Jesse L. Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "This vaccine is manufactured using modern cell culture technology allowing rapid and large scale production of a vaccine with consistent product quality."

The symptoms of smallpox typically began with high fever, head and body aches. A rash followed that spread and progressed to raised bumps and pus-filled blisters that crusted, scabbed, and fell off after about three weeks, leaving a pitted scar. The fatality rate historically was about 30 percent, according to the CDC.

ACAM2000 is made using a pox virus called vaccinia, which is related to but different from the virus that causes smallpox. The vaccine contains live vaccinia virus and works by causing a mild infection that stimulates an immune response that effectively protects against smallpox without actually causing the disease.

The vaccine is derived from the only other smallpox vaccine licensed by FDA, Dryvax, approved in 1931 and now in limited supply because it is no longer manufactured.

Although smallpox vaccination ended in the United States in 1972 because it was no longer needed for prevention, the U.S. military resumed vaccination of at-risk personnel in 1999, after concluding that the disease posed a potential bioterrorism threat.

For the rest of the story go here

FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2007
Media Inquiries:
Karen Riley, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

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"NORTHWEST ALABAMA ARTS COUNCIL" nwal.artscouncil@yahoo.com

Just to let you all know that the chamber board did not meet this past Monday night. We will let you know as soon as the chamber board meets and discusses the fine arts section of Fall Fest and our anticipated role(s). We will then schedule a meeting at that point in time.

Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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August 31, 2007 Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report

This past week, I was also able to attend a reception for Dr. Harold Wade for his retirement as President of Bevill State Community College. Dr. Wade has done an excellent job for the faculty and students of Bevill State. Through his leadership, Bevill State has become a strong institute of learning which serves our area well with campuses in Hamilton, Fayette and Sumiton. During his tenure, we have seen the expansion of the nursing programs as well as other areas so that students will be able to obtain the knowledge necessary for the jobs of today and tomorrow. I appreciate his fine service and dedication and wish him well for the future.

I had the opportunity to watch Russellville native, Canaan Farris in action this past Thursday when he played for Millsap University in Mississippi. It was an excellent game made more enjoyable for the shared fellowship at the game. I am very proud of Canaan’s hardwork and I wish him a good football season ahead.

It was good to see a cool down from the 100 plus degree weather we have been having. It is amazing how cool 90 feels after being subjected to 105 and 107 temperatures. I hope some of you have experienced the scattered showers that have passed through. Russellville has seen a few but, not nearly enough. Hopefully, we will soon break this pattern and get wide coverage rain so that this drought can finally be broken.

It is a pleasure for me to announce that the City of Russellville has received a grant in the amount of $2,270 from the Alabama Department of Transportation. The monies will be used to install apron area lighting at the Russellville Municipal Airport. This project will assist with economic growth and development.

It is so hot it is hard to believe winter is just around the corner, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has issued three grants to assist area agencies with weatherization programs for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals to prepare their homes for the colder temperatures. The first grant is for the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, Inc., in the amount of $39,588 which services the communities of Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale Counties.

The second grant is for $30,453 for the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc., which services the communities in Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan and Winston Counties. The third weatherization grant is for $36,543 and is for the Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc., which serves Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa Counties.

Potential good news for our area was announced earlier this week when Indorama Polymers Group, a company based in Thailand, announced that it would build a plant in Decatur. The company will invest approximately $160 million and is expected to employ about 100 workers. Construction is expected to begin in October and should be finished in September 2009. The construction of the plant is expected to employ about 500 people. The company manufactures a chemical used in plastic beverage containers called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and the plant will be the largest producer of it in North America and the first such plant in Alabama. Thanks to the completion of many parts of the new Highway 24, the potential for area workers to commute to Decatur is easier and safer.

We have had dire news from the Alabama Medicaid Agency this past week, when Commissioner Carol Steckel announced that the agency would need an extra $199 million from the State to maintain services for the fiscal year 2009. The reason for the increase is that after FY2008, two federal programs that had put $124 into Medicaid will be cut. If the $199 million cannot be provided there is also the potential of the loss of $398 million in matching federal money. It is hoped that a solution can be found when we go into session next year so that we can avoid any loss of medical service for our elderly and children. You may rest assured that I will do all that I can to see that Medicaid services are not cut so that our elderly and children can continue to receive a good quality of healthcare.

Voices for Alabama’s Children released more discouraging news this past week announcing that Alabama has fallen from 43rd to 48th in the overall national rankings as it relates to the well-being of children. The program uses ten measures to determine its rankings. 2006 was the first year for Alabama to rise above the bottom five in rankings. Alabama saw improvements in the new of teen births which has dropped from 61 per 1,000 births in 2000 to 52 births per 1,000 which is still below the national average of 41 births per 1,000 births. We also a drop in our infant death rate from 9.4 deaths per 1,000 live births to 8.7, which is also below the national average of 6.8. The Voices report’s main objective is to focus local and state leaders attention to areas that need improvement. It is also noted that seven of the bottom ten states are in the Southeast where there is a high poverty rate. In fact, a quarter of all Alabama’s children live below the poverty level, 37 percent live in single-parent homes and 36 percent of children

in Alabama live in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment.

On a more upbeat note, it is good to see so many of our young people practicing and preparing for the football season. Many of area teams had there first game this week. Since, I am writing this prior to those games completion, I hope all are area schools did well and I wish them a good and safe football season, I am also looking forward to the first official football game for the University of Alabama. Just as they have been at the high school level, the college teams have been practicing hard as well and now we are going to get a taste of just how good a team Saban has been able to put together. I am very excited about going down and watching the game not only for the spirit of hope which Saban has brought but, also to enjoy some good times and memories with my family.

I hope all of you also had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. I appreciate all of those in law enforcement for their hard work and dedication in keeping our roads safe.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

7-27-07

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Mays Hired As A Part-Time Policeman in Guin

Guin - Gary Wayne Mays, Jr. went to work as a part-time Police Officer for the town of Guin.

Officer Mays began working, Friday, August 17, 2007 with Officer Larry Webb.

Mays worked his first full day, Saturday, August 18.

G.B. Blaylock is the Police Chief of Guin, AL.

As most of you know, "Officer Mays" is also the Owner/Editor/Webmaster (and anything else necessary) on this website, www.49countynews.net.

He is the son of Judy Webb Mays of Hamilton and the late, Gary Wayne Mays, Sr., and the Grandson of the late Grady L. & Eather Rye Webb of Hamilton, AL., and Mary Nell Mays and the late John O. Mays of Hamilton, AL

He is also returning to College at Northwest Jr. College in Phil Campbell, AL. as a part-time student to take a course in Computer Sciences.

Officer Mays worked for 9 1/2 years with the City of Hamilton PD.

Story by Judy Webb Mays

Aug. 19, 2007

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This story was sent to us from the Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.

Alabama folk artist who painted with mud on board dies at 97

Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

9/6/07

9/5/2007, 11:10 a.m. CDT
The Associated Press

FAYETTE, Ala. (AP) — Jimmy Lee Sudduth, a folk artist known for painting with mud, berries and other elements to create compelling images of people, buildings and his dog, Toto, has died at 97.
Sudduth, who had been in declining health, died Sunday at Fayette Medical Center in the rural west Alabama town where he first gained wide notice in the 1970s and 1980s.
A prolific, self-taught artist who began painting as a child, Sudduth's work has been exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution's Festival of American Folklife, both in Washington, D.C., as well as museums in New Orleans, Birmingham, Montgomery and his home town of Fayette.
"No one can top Sudduth, at his best, for gorgeous surface texture, color sense, or, of course, technical innovation," Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts curator Susan Mitchell Crawley said in an interview with The Folk Art Messenger in 2005, when the museum mounted a major Sudduth exhibit.
Sudduth blended mud with other elements, such as leaves, berries, sugar, coffee, paint or straw, smudging and tracing it on boards, sheets of metal and other found materials.
"You see that black mud? All you got to do is take that black mud and put you a little sugar in it. Stir it up and sweeten it, add a little water and you can paint all day," Sudduth is quoted as saying in a profile of him on the Web site of the Anton Hart Gallery, which features outsider artists. "I don't like to use paint too much."
"He captured the life that he knew, the rural life, the architecture, the people he knew, the people he saw on TV and his dog, Toto, in many forms," said Georgine Clarke, visual arts program manager for the Alabama State Council on the Arts and founder of the Kentuck Festival at Northport.
His death was reported Wednesday by The Birmingham News and The Tuscaloosa News. His first name is spelled "Jimmie" in some exhibits.
Until recent years, Sudduth was a fixture at the Kentuck Festival, which celebrates folk art as well as contemporary and traditional work. He would play harmonica solos and greet visitors with a wide smile.
"People wanted to own his artwork, but I think for a lot of years, people wanted to be close to him, to talk to him, because he brought such a joyful spirit of life," Clarke said.
A wake was scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nelson Funeral Home in Fayette, with the funeral Thursday at 2 p.m. at West Highland Church of Christ in Fayette, followed by a public memorial service at 5 p.m. at the Fayette Civic Center and Art Museum.

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Food Ratings Aug. 27- 31, 2007

Cedar Landing (Winfield) 94

China Buffet (Winfield) 86

China One (Hamilton) 85

Eastside Grill (Hamilton) 92

Foodland Deli (Winfield) 98

Foodland Supermarket (Winfield) 92

Frosty Front (Guin) 90

Hardee's (Winfield) 96

Huatulco Mexican Restaurant (Winfield) 86

Huddle House (Hamilton) 92

Jack's (Guin) 84

Jean and Ann's Tea Room (Hamilton) 98

La Estancia Mexican Restaurant (Hamilton) 89

Mac's Minit Mart (Hamilton) 87

Moore's Super Store (Hamilton) 92

Plaza BBQ (Guin) 93

River Road Citgo (Hamilton) 94

Subway (Hamilton) 97

Sugarbend Shell (Hamilton) 93

Webster's Deli (Guin) 98

Webster's Piggly Wiggly (Guin) 95

Yogi's Quick Stop No. 5 (Hamilton) 95
 

Sam LeMaster
Marion County Health Department
921-3118

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Flags Fly at Half-Staff In Honor of 9/11

Riley orders flags at half-staff to honor Sept. 11 victims
Tues., Sep 11, 2007.

The governor will mark the occasion in part by swearing in 39 citizens enlisting in the Alabama National Guard at the State Capitol on Tuesday.


Gov. Bob Riley has ordered flags be flown at half-staff on state buildings Tuesday in commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"As we remember this tragedy that took the lives of 3,000 of our fellow Americans, we also pay tribute to those who protect our country and our communities every day," said Riley, who will swear in 39 citizens enlisting in the Alabama National Guard at the State Capitol on Tuesday.

With Sept. 11 proclaimed "Patriot Day," President Bush has ordered flags on all federal buildings lowered for the anniversary. Riley is also encouraging local governments and schools to lower U.S. flags on their buildings.

The Alabama National Guard has had about 13,000 Alabama soldiers and airmen called to active duty in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Flags will return to flying at full-staff on Wednesday.

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A Program to Help Feral Cats

Story By Judy Webb Mays

I have been researching humane solutions to helping feral or wild cats.

I found a solution to the problem at:

WEBSITE: www.alleycat.org
PHONE: 240-482-1980
7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814-2525

The following information comes from their site:  Alleycat_Resources_care.

First, a feral cat is a cat who has lived his whole life with little or no human contact and is not socialized, or a stray cat who was lost or abandonded and has lived away from human contact long enough to revert to a wild state. Feral cats avoid human contact an cannot be touched by strangers.

Second, you might ask if stray cats and feral cats are the same.

No, stray and feral cats are not the same, and the terms “stray cat” and “feral cat” are not interchangeable. A stray cat is a domestic cat who was abandoned or strayed from home and became lost. Because a stray was once a companion animal, he can usually be resocialized and adopted. Adult feral cats usually cannot be tamed and are not suited to living indoors with people. They are most content living in their established territory. Feral kittens up to about 8 to 10 weeks, however, can often be tamed and adopted. See Alley Cat Allies’ resources on taming feral kittens at www.alleycat.org/resources.

Third, you might ask the question, how can I tell if a cat is stray or feral?

Observe the cat’s appearance and behavior. A stray cat is likely to approach you, although usually not close enough for you to touch him. If you put food down, a stray cat will likely start to eat it right away. A stray cat is often vocal, sometimes talking insistently, and may look disheveled, as if he is unaccustomed to dealing with conditions on the street. A stray cat may be seen at all hours of the day. A feral cat is silent, will not approach humans, and generally will be seen only from dusk to dawn, unless extraordinarily hungry and foraging for food. A feral cat has adapted to conditions and is likely to be well groomed. If you put food down for a feral cat, he will wait until you move away from the area before approaching the food.

And fourth you might say, I would like to find good homes for the feral cats I have been feeding. Is this possible? Generally, the answer is no. Adult feral cats usually cannot be socialized and will not adjust to living indoors. A great deal of time and effort can go into attempting to tame an adult feral cat, with no assurance of success.*

This time and effort is far better spent sterilizing feral cats to break the cycle of reproduction. See Alley Cat Allies’ Factsheet “Why Trap-Neuter-Return is the Solution to Feral Cat Overpopulation and Trap Neuter Adopt is Not.” Stray cats and kittens up to 8 to 10 weeks of age can usually be socialized and placed in homes.

I see Trap-Neuter-Return as a viable answer to cat over-population and an alternative to trapping and euthanizing or killing feral cats in our area. All that is left to do is find funds and volunteers to implement this program. I am working on that. There are four of these organizations in Alabama, they are:

Fairhope Cat Coalition - Fairhope   Fairhope Cats Coalition
Kayleigh's Haven–Scottsboro www.kayleighshaven.org/
Operation Cat Nap - Auburn Auburn - Operation Cat Nap
Save our Strays - Birmingham www.saveourstrays.org/ **

Here is a link to a video that will fully explain how TNR works. The video is about ten (10) minutes long and is well worth the time. (videos/the_humane_solution)

For a longer but more informative Training video click here. This video is about twenty-four (24) minutes long. (videos/trap_neuter_return)

Are you interested in more information on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) or any subject relating to the humane solution for controlling the over-population of cats and dogs in our area? Then write to me at judymays@yahoo.com or send your comments to jmays@49countynews.net.

Meanwhile here are the sources for the story above and more quality information on TNR.

*http://www.alleycat.org/ (Alley Cat Allies)
**www.alleycat.org/orgs(Get the names of TNR Organizations by state and location)
http://www.pets911.com

9/2/07

(Disclaimer:  This story is the sole opinion of Judy Webb Mays and does not reflect the opinions of any other organization or entity other than my own. Signed, Judy Webb Mays)

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August 27th, 2007

Declared by Gov. Riley as Jeffrey Alan Cook Day

Proclamation on August 3, 2007, by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, designating August 27th, 2007 as Jeffrey Alan Cook Day.

If you remember the group "ALABAMA" you know Jeffrey Alan Cook as one of their members and a native Alabamian.

Click Here for Full Story

Click on Proclamations

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Marion County Restaurant Inspections September 3-7, 2007

Alamo Steak and Fish House (Hamilton) 90

Blue Duck Cafe (Guin) 91

Buttahatchee BBQ (Hamilton) 92

Coop's Bears Den (Bear Creek) 86

Guin Elementary Lunchroom 92

McDonald's (Winfield) 93

Phillips High Lunchroom (Bear Creek) 92

Pizza Hut (Winfield) 92

Shell Food Mart (Winfield) 90

Winfield Senior Center Meal Site 99 

Sam LeMaster
Marion County Health Department
921-3118

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FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM September 2007

This is the schedule for the Food Program Deliveries for the Marion Winston Community Action Committee, Inc.

Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Agency will be in the following locations to distribute food to eligible families.

No applications will be taken at the distribution sites.

DATE SITE TIME

09-17-07 Double Springs Community Center
11:00 a.m. - 12 noon

09-17-07 Addison Community Center
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 pm

09-18-07 Guin City Hall
10:00 a.m. -11:00 am

09-18-07 Brilliant Housing Authority
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

09-19-07 Haleyville Old ARC Building
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

09-19-07 Lynn City Hall
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

09-20-07 Hamilton Recreation Center
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

09-20-07 Winfield Community Center
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

09-21-07 Hackleburg Town Hall
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

09-21-07 Bear Creek City Hall
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

If additional information is needed please call:

Hamilton (205)921-4224, Double Springs (205)489-5448, Haleyville (205)486-7239

(This agency prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex age, handicap, religion or national origin)

 Marion Winston Counties Community Action Committee

P.O. Box 1716

Hamilton , AL
35570
(205) 921-4224
(205) 921-3415 FAX

Judy Webb Mays

9/11/07

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My Story About Dr. Kerr

By Judy Webb Mays - 9/07

I've had a cough for a while so I decided Thursday, that I would see a doctor.

You see, I haven't wanted to go to the doctor since Dr. Kerr's accident, but this cough was wearing me down so I decided that I just couldn't wait on him to get better. After all who knew when he would be able to come back to the clinic?

Let me start just a little bit earlier in the day on Thursday, August 23, 2007.

My son, Wayne, and I met at OH! Bryan's around 12:00 Noon to go to the meeting of "Safe Place". It was the first meeting I had attended and it went well until I felt the need to cough. I fought it the best that I could but I still felt like everyone was looking at me. You all know what I mean!

Ok, I made it through without having to get up and leave the meeting. Wayne and I went back to the office and went to work. I pulled out the card I had been meaning to send Dr. Kerr and Sara since the week after their accident. I wrote a few lines on it and sealed it to mail. Realizing I didn't know his address, I looked him up on the Internet. Now, you tell me, isn't that amazing! You can look up just about anybody "on the Net"! Anyway, I wrote his name and address on the sealed envelope and looked for a stamp.

Meanwhile, I was still coughing and coughing. Wayne turned to me and said he was tired of hearing me cough so call and go see whoever was on duty at the clinic! "Okay, Okay", I said, "I'll call."

I called and spoke with Jeannie at the clinic. She said come on down and they would "work me in". I just happened to mention that I had been coughing since the last time I had seen Dr. Kerr and to my surprise, she said "He's here today, he'll get to you." If I hadn't been sitting down, I would have fallen down! I told Jeannie I'd be right down and turned to Wayne. I told him I was going to see Dr. Kerr......His jaw dropped open and his exact words were "NO WAY"! I told him "WAY!" That is just 'new age' talk for "Yes he is there!"

Long story short, Dr. John M. Kerr, II is in the clinic and only 2 months after he and his lovely wife, Sara, had a plane crash!! He looks good and is walkin' and talkin' great! I saw him and this story is just to tell him and everyone how glad I am to see him back!

Of course, he'll have to take it 'easy' for a while but he really is back and I'm so happy to see him! I know everyone else will be happy to see him as well!

Now, I have something else to tell you about Dr. Kerr.

Dr. John Kerr asked his pastor and congregation to allow him to speak about his plane crash, recovery process and some lessons he has learned since the accident. He wants to thank all the people for their concern and the out-pouring of prayers, love and good thoughts that everyone has given to him and Sara.

So, his church, the Hamilton Church of Christ, south of Hamilton, Alabama has given him their auditorium Sunday night, September 23, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

I will remind everyone as the time gets closer so everyone come back to the site and see what's happening.

By the way, if you know of anything goin' on in your City or our County, just email me at jmays@49countynews.net or judymays@yahoo.com.

Thanks for reading!

PART-TWO:

Dr. Kerr

By Judy Webb Mays

Dr. John Kerr, II asked his pastor and congregation to allow him to speak about his plane crash, recovery process and some lessons he has learned since the accident. He wants to thank all the people for their concern and the out-pouring of prayers, love and good thoughts that everyone has given to him and Sara.

So, his church, the Hamilton Church of Christ, south of Hamilton, Alabama has given him their auditorium Sunday night, September 23, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to come hear Dr. Kerr's story and if time permits, he will take brief questions. 

9/22/07

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report  9/21/07

This past week, I traveled down to Montgomery and attend the first meeting of the Joint Interim Patriotic Immigration Commission. The Commission was established to conduct a fact-finding study on immigration issues and to issue a commission report outlining suggestions and proposals to address the issues of illegal and legal immigration in Alabama. While immigration, legal and illegal, is actually a federal issue, the U.S. Congress has shown, as with many other issues such as healthcare, not to be able to develop a cohesive plan to address it. Therefore, it has fallen to the states to try and address the issue. Our final report will be presented at the beginning of the 2008 regular session. As a member of this commission, it is my hope that we will be able to find practical solutions to the issue of immigration which affects all of us.

It is a pleasure to announce that the Lamar County Commission has been awarded a $30,805 grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation. The grant will be used to acquire land for the approach area for the Lamar County Airport as well as for the runway seal, coat and markings. I want to commend the Lamar County Commission on their hard work and efforts in this matter.

Congratulations goes out to Mayor Scott Boman of Sulligent as well as the city council on their hard work in obtaining an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant in the amount of $400,000. The grant will be used to assist the City of Sulligent with sewer improvements on Wolf Road, Adams Street, Pennington Road, Jones Road, Johnny Street and Wadsworth Road. The project will benefit 144 persons who live on these streets of which more than 90% are of low and moderate income.

I also commend the Fayette County Commission on obtaining an ADECA grant in the amount of $400,000 to be used to extend water to County Road 53, County Road 49, Fords Valley Road, Pender Road and Mayfield Road within the Rehobeth Community. One hundred fifty-six individuals, with 78.46% being of low and moderate income, will benefit from this project

The City of Red Bay also received an ADECA grant in the amount of $399,500 to assist in providing adequate storm drainage, water and street improvements in the airport subdivision. Approximately 145 residents, 83.4% of which are low to moderate income, will be served by this. I appreciate Mayor Reid and the fine members of the Red Bay City Council’s hard work on this grant.

The City of Haleyville received $500,000 from ADECA to be used in a neighborhood improvement project in South Haleyville which includes improvement to deteriorated water and sewer systems, the demolition of dilapidated structures and the addition of playground equipment. Approximately 132 residents will be served by this of which 100% are low to moderate income.

Congratulations also goes out to the Town of Phil Campbell for being awarded an ADECA grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist with the installation of new lights for the ballfield complex.

I am pleased to see these grants be awarded in our senate district. I was glad to assist with these funds and I appreciate the hard work of our area local elected officials with these projects. All of these will assist with economic development and growth as well as improve the overall quality of life in these areas.

The Alabama Department of Transportation also announced that bids would be let on September 28 for the resurfacing and traffic striping of State Road 4, also known as Corridor X, from 0.3 mile west of the underpass of County Road 11 to the Buttahatchee River in Marion County. I am pleased to see this as it will insure safer travel on this roadway.

Two grants from ADECA were awarded this week to improve the safety of our roads. Northwest Shoals Community College was awarded $45,180 for the North Alabama Highway Safety Office Community Traffic Safety Program to develop and coordinate implementation of the ADECA/LETS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program to the 68 law enforcement jurisdictions in the 10 county region of Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Morgan and Winston Counties. The goal of the project is to impact driver behavior and reduce roadway crashes, injuries and fatalities.

The other grant was in the amount of $28,080 to Shelton State Community College for the West Alabama Traffic Safety Program (WATSP) to establish and expand the ADECA/LETS program to the West Alabama region of Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Perry, Sumter and Tuscaloosa Counties. I am pleased to see the awarding of these grants. It is important that we do all that we can to improve the safety of our roadways.

This past week also marked the passing of a beloved and talented native of Fayette, the Honorable Jimmy Lee Sudduth. Sudduth known for his folk art using a medium he called "sweet mud", a special mixture of clays and a sugary substance, died at the age of 97. His work has been featured throughout the world including an exhibit at the Smithsonian and on the Today Show on NBC. His work can also be seen at the Fayette Art Museum.

As you all know, Alabama has suffered through a rough drought most of the year. The US Drought Monitor shows that 92% of Alabama in severe conditions, 87 percent under extreme conditions and 73 percent in worst exceptional conditions, with record low stream flows and parched soil. Monitored wells show ground water levels falling and reservoirs at a historic low as well as water temperatures being higher than normal. The report also shows that we have had over 4,000 fires with more than 68,000 acres burnt. The National Weather Service shows that Alabama is in the worth 27 month rainfall totals since records began being kept in the late 1800s. The result of this, of course, beyond crop loss and the need to conserve are water supplies, is also felt on the trees. Between drought and infestations from beetles and other pest, there could be a substantial loss in the forestry market. Currently the National Weather Service says that we might get above rainfall averages for September through November but, expect it to go below average for the remainder of the year through May of 2008 when it is hope that the summer months will return to their normal pre-drought rainfall pattern. There is no doubt this is bleak news. It emphasis again the need for good stewardship of our resources especially water and we must do all that we can to see that it is not wasted or polluted.

It is good to see these cooler temperatures especially in the mornings and evening time. While 85 is still warm, it beat 100+ any time. I am looking forward to the deer hunting season and hope to get in some dove hunting as well.

High school and college football has gotten off to a great start and I wish all our area teams a fun and injury free season.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report Sept. 10, 2007 

It is important that we do all that we can to improve the relationship of children with their parents as the more stable the child’s home life the better they will do in the future.

Congratulations goes out to the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, Inc. on receiving two grants this past week. The first grant is for $8,500 for a new parenting program for mothers. The funds will be used to work with incarcerated mothers as well as with mothers that are referred by the court or the Department of Human Resources. The goal is to explore the choices the choices of the mother that had a negative impact on the mother and child and to work with the mother on parenting skills so she can have a better relationship with her child and/or children. The program now operates out of Lauderdale and Colbert County but, hopes to expand to Franklin County soon.

The second grant is for $35,000 for fatherhood programs that work toward increasing non-custodial fathers involvement with their children and better communication skills between the fathers, mothers and children. The program operates out of Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin County. Both grants were funded from the Children’s Trust Fund. This is a fund I helped to create during my first term in the Senate to help protect our children and promote family values.

Congratulations goes out to Shelton State Community College on receiving a $128,774 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The grant will be used to administer traffic safety projects and grants in West Alabama.

I also want to congratulate Dr. Humphrey Lee of Northwest Shoals Community College on being awarded two grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The first is in the amount of $227,031.73 for the continued implementation of the ADECA/LETS Highway Safety programs in the North Alabama region to include Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion, Morgan and Winston Counties.

The second grant is for $363,000 to be used for the intensive tutoring of basic skills for GED attainment, guidance and assistance in preparation for postsecondary opportunities for out-of-school youths ages 16-21. The program services Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston Counties.

I want to thank Congressman Robert Aderholt on working with local elected officials in acquiring a $100,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the City of Red Bay. The grant will be used to make improvements to the city’s sewer system. The city will provide a $25,000 match. I am pleased to see this much needed grant and I commend Mayor Reid and the City Council on their hard work in acquiring these funds which will greatly enhance the quality of life for the residents of Red Bay.

Hopefully, we will have an injury free football Friday. It is always an exciting time when high school and college football gears up. Also, hopefully, the fall cool weather will soon arrive.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Marion County Restaurant Inspections Sept. 10 - 14, 2007

Cardinal Drive-In (Winfield) 90

Catering by LeAnne (Guin) Passed inspection: Initial permitting inspections do not have scores

Chris's Catfish (Hamilton) 98

Dollar General (Winfield) 98

Emerson Ice Plant (Hamilton) Passed inspection: Food processor inspections do not have scores

Guin Shell (Guin) 91

Jack's (Guin) 97

Kimberly's Restaurant (Guin) 91

Liberty Christian Academy (Guin) 97

Moore's Hwy 129 Shell (Winfield) 94

Oh! Bryan's (Hamilton) 94

Postell's Meat Market (Hamilton) 98

Teresa's Country Cafe (Hamilton) 90

Token No. 4 (Guin Chevron) 92

Token No. 6 (Winfield Chevron) 93

Wal Mart Deli/Bakery (Hamilton) 98

Wal Mart Supermarket (Hamilton) 97

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Photos from Be Sure to Remember This Soldier & Newlywed In Our Prayers On Sept. 23rd - His Departure Day!.

Be Sure to Remember This Soldier & Newlywed In Our Prayers On Sept. 23rd - His Departure Day!

Judy Webb Mays

(Click the Pictures to Enlarge)

As I was passing a restaurant today, Monday, September 10th, 2007, I noticed a small group outside, around a couple of cars. Not too unusual at first glance but upon closer observation, I noticed one of the group had on a military uniform.

(Above:  The Hutsons & Family)

Being naturally curious I turned around from my trip to town. I went back and parked along the road behind the group who were taking turns hugging and smiling at each other and the young man in the uniform.

Long story short, I walked up and asked about the young man and asked if he was going away soon. He said, he was, but that he had just gotten married. He explained that he would be leaving for Korea in 18 days, September 23, 2007, and that he had just married the cute young lady beside him. Her name is Jennifer and his name is Cody Hutson. They are officially, Mr. and Mrs. Cody Hutson. He said he was from Tupelo, Mississippi and someone corrected him and said Amory, Mississippi but really that he was from Cotton Gin Hill, to be precise. It was all in fun but I got the idea.

Cody was such a nice handsome young man and his wife was equally cute and pretty. They were both beaming! I thought to myself, how brave they were to be getting married and then having to separate so soon for him to go half-way around the world to serve his country. I think I am not that brave! But I wished them well and took their picture and asked Jennifer to send me more information on them, their life, and his tour of duty. I will pass it along to you as I receive it.

If I have any of this information incorrect, I trust Jennifer or Cody to let me know and set me straight. It was so hot today, I could hardly stay out in the heat. It affects my thinking!

Well, you've got to blame it on something when you're as forgetful as me!

Anyway, I'm sure you all wish them well as we do and support Cody in his endeavor. We all wish him God's Speed and a safe return to his young bride.

49 County News.Net supports all of our troops both here and in foreign lands. They are the reason we live free and comfortable lives in the United States of America!

God Bless our Country and God Bless our Troops, each and every one!

Thank you for allowing me to tell you my story!

Judy Webb Mays
jmays@49countynews.net
Cell: 205-921-4403

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The Marion County Humane Society Guest Speaker Abi Thornton On Juvenile Diabetes

At our Thursday, Sept. 20th meeting of the Marion County Humane Society, the group was delighted to meet a young lady from Hamilton named Abi Thorton.

Abi Thornton was a guest speaker at our September 20th, regular meeting of the Marion County Humane Society. 

Abi spoke to the group about a program that has started recently which trains rescued dogs from shelters (especially pregnant moms and their puppies) to aid diabetics in detecting onsets of low or high blood sugar in their human owners.

The MCHS meets the 3rd Thursday Evening each month.  The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, October 18th, 2007, at 7:00 P.M. at the Hamilton City Hall.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Abi gave a Power-Point presentation on Juvenile Diabetes and the program called Heaven Scent Paws.

Below, please click to a site on which Abi explains what Type 1 diabetes is all about and some things that can be done to help those who suffer from it.

This is especially important to parents of a child with Type 1 diabetes!

Please Click Here... to read Abi's August Newsletter.

Thank you, Judy Webb Mays

Questions or Comments email me, Judy Webb Mays at:

jmays@49countynews.net

or email MCHS        

9/11/07

Story Revised 9/22/07

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Inspection Ratings Sept.17 - 21, 2007

Burgers and More (Winfield) 91

Byrdnest Daycare (Hamilton) 94

Dinelli's (Hamilton) 96

Guthrie's (Winfield) 98

Hamilton Drive-In 91

Kountry Kitchen (Winfield) 93

Lunch Wagon (Hamilton) 94

Mandarin House (Winfield) 94

Subway (Winfield) 98  

Sam LeMaster
Marion County Health Department
921-3118

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Tue Oct 2, 9:56 PM ET COUPLE CELEBRATE 80th ANNIVERSARY

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. - A Scottsboro couple recently celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary, one of the longest marriages among living people when compared to reports in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records.

Alonzo, 97, and Beulah Sims, 94, celebrated their anniversary a day early Sunday at the nursing home where they have lived since May 2002.

Without their families' approval, the two teens married in 1927, when he was working at a farm,
plowing fields with a mule and picking cotton for 50 cents a day.

The couple, who raised six children, credit their long lives to hard farm work and eating lots of vegetables. They moved frequently to find farm work, going from Paint Rock Valley near Garth to Atchley Bottom in Madison County and then to Woodville in the 1960s.

They said their eight decades of marriage have been virtually free of fussing.

"We've been too busy to fight," Beulah Sims said.

Alonzo Sims retired from farming in 1966 and did janitorial work at Redstone Arsenal until 1972.
They also operated service stations in Paint Rock and Woodville for a few years. Now, they spend
their time visiting other residents at the nursing home, listening to gospel music, and playing bingo.

"After all these years," he said, "I still enjoy being with her."

Information from:                The Huntsville Times

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Alabama Genealogical Society Fall Festival October 13, 2007

The Alabama Genealogical Society (AGS) will hold its annual Fall Seminar on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama.

This seminar, titled "A Potpourri of Military Conflicts," is being presented by author, editor, and professional genealogical and historical researcher, Craig Scott.

Scott, who is president and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 2,800 titles in print, has been a Professional researcher for more than twenty years, specializing in military records. He has authored and co-authored several books relating to national military records and Northern Virginia, was the co-editor of Northern Virginia Genealogy and editor of Scott Genealogical Quarterly. Scott currently serves on the Editorial Board of the National Genealogical Society and is coordinator of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Records' Military Records course, which is held annually at Samford University.

Scott will offer lectures on the following topics:
- Revolutionary War Records
- Indian Wars
- War of 1812
- Mexican War

The seminar will begin with refreshments at 8:30 a.m. in the Milo Howard Auditorium of the Archives building and conclude at 4:00 p.m. Genealogical book, service, and gift vendors will be on hand making their goods and services available to seminar participants. Lunch will be included for attendees who pre-register before October 2, 2007.

The registration flyer may be accessed from the AGS website at: www.algensoc.org.

The Alabama Genealogical Society, Inc. is a non-profit organization chartered in 1958 to assist and support the research of its members by funding, safeguarding, preserving, and publishing records pertaining to Alabama families and their history. It is the only genealogical society in Alabama that serves all 67 counties.

For more information contact:

Marcia K. Smith Collier   AGS Magazine Editor
Telephone:                         334-263-7594 days/        334-567-2006 evenings
Email: marcia@sogensvcs.com

jmays 9/25/07

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Email From: Sarah Miller Safeplace & N.W.AL.  Safe Place Conference - Oct. 15, 2007

This is an accredited course to earn CEUs/APOST Credits Available For: Law Enforcement, Nurses, Attorneys, Social Workers & Counselors (Certificates of Attendance will be awarded to all participants).

Monday, October 15, 2007
Highland Park Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, AL
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Conference will include: 
Donna Montgomery,
*Darkness to Light, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Kathy Connolly, Rape Response,
Sexual Assault, Heath Haddock, Safeplace, Inc.,
Male Victims of Domestic Violence, Eileen Siegel,
Safeplace, Inc., Domestic Violence 101, Steve & Stacy Searcy, ACADV From the Crime Scene to the E.R., Gary Alverson, Former Colbert Co. D.A., Domestic Violence & the Law. 

Session Leaders:
Key Note: Lt. Mark Wynn, Wynn Consulting, Beyond the Obvious, Dual Assault
Victim and Officer Safety
Stalking and Counter-Stalking
$20 includes lunch provided by Lenny's Sub Shop and CEUs/APOST credits.
* Nurses must purchase a workbook for an additional $10 in order to receive CEUs

The email came From:

Sarah Miller
It was Sent: Mon 9/10/2007 3:06 PM To: Safeplace Employees;
safeplaceinc@gmail.com
Subject: October 15th Conference
Attached is a flyer for the Domestic Violence Conference on October 15th. Please spread the word!

Sarah Cabler
Prevention Program Assistant

Safeplace, Inc.
P.O. Box 1456
Florence, AL 35630
Business Line: (256) 767-3076
Crisis Line: (256) 767-6210/(800) 550-9215

Please make $20 check payable to Colbert DVRC and mail with registration to:
NWSCC,                          Attn: Peggy Franklin
P.O. Box 2545,             Muscle Shoals, AL 35662
Payment deadline for all registrations is October 8, 2007. Refunds will not be available after that date.
For more information call (256) 767-3076

Click here for Information Flyer

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September 28, 2007 Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report

Just recently, Red Bay celebrated its 100 years of being incorporated as a city and on October 6, the Town of Hodges will do the same. This is a great accomplishment and I am proud of the fine leadership which Hodges has had over these 100 years. It has been my pleasure to assist Hodges with various grants and projects as the community has grown and developed.

This past week, I traveled to Hamilton and presented a $1,000 check to the Hackleburg High School Jr. High School cheerleaders and a $1,000 check to the Hackleburg High School varsity cheerleaders. I was also able to present $800 for desk and chairs for the 2nd grade classroom at Hamilton Elementary and $1,000 for the Hamilton High School cheerleaders.

I was also able to present checks in Franklin County including a $250 check to the Russellville High School power mentor program, $500 to Russellville Little League, $1,000 each to the Russellville High School junior and varsity cheerleaders, $500 to the Belgreen High School Pre-K program, $300 to the Franklin County Community Education program, $1,000 to the Tharptown PTO for playground equipment and $1,000 to Phil Campbell High School for an Elmo Board.

It was a pleasure for me to be able to assist all of these fine programs in Marion and Franklin County. I believe it is important that we support the academic and extracurricular activities at all of our area schools as we need to continually improve the educational opportunities available to our students. I am also a strong supporter of our various community programs as they help improve the overall quality of life for our citizens as well.

I am pleased to see that Congressman Aderholt was able to assist the Lamar County Commission with a $200,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to assist with the construction of a rail spur to serve the county’s industrial park. The spur will benefit the new steel dust recycling facility in the industrial park. Congressman Aderholt also announced that the U.S. Senate had approved an $800,000 grant for the Lamar County Industrial Park for infrastructure needs. The appropriation request is now in the conference committee of the House of Representatives. It is my hope it will pass through quickly as these are much needed funds for Lamar County to assist them with economic growth and development.

While there has been rumors of a special session, so far, I have seen no problems that could not be dealt with in a few months time when the regular session starts. I will keep you posted.

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone:256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

9-28-07

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October 22, 2007 MCDVTF To Wind Up Month Long Supply Drive

The Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force will be winding up their month long Supply Drive for Safeplace at SuperValu in Hamilton at 2:00 PM on Friday October 26. Donated items will be loaded up and taken to Safeplace. Volunteers will load up their vehicles and caravan to the shelter to unload the donated items.

October was National Domestic Violence Month and each year the Task Force holds their Supply Drive. The Task Force is a group of volunteers that assists Safeplace and works to raise awareness among residents of Marion County about domestic violence, its impacts on the community and the services available to victims.

They meet on the fourth Thursday of the month at Oh! Bryan’s Family Steakhouse in Hamilton at noon.

MARION COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
TASK FORCE
400 Goldenwood Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570
205-412-8772
brown_mcdvtf@yahoo.com


“BECAUSE EVERYONE’S HOME SHOULD BE A SAFEPLACE!”

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GRAVEL SPRINGS

"THOSE WERE THE DAYS"

GRAVEL SPRINGS SCHOOL REUNION

Didn't we have fun last year!  Let's do it again!  Gravel Springs School Reunion Saturday, October 20, 2007, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Location:  E.T. Sims Building (also known as the Rec. Center), Hamilton, Alabama.

Come for a good time of visiting together and sharing memories.

Bring finger foods or dessert if you would like to.  If you want to have lunch on your own and then return to the reunion, Hamilton has a variety of good restaurants.

Bring any pictures or other Gravel Springs memorabilia you have to share.

Bring your memories!  Come, visit with friends and relive those good Gravel Springs Days!

"Those were the days!"

Story, Compliments of Travis Ray Carter, Winfield, AL. 10/15/07

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Marion - Winston Counties Community Action Agency Food Program Schedule

Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Agency will be in the following locations to take applications to participate in the Food Program. All of those wanting to participate need to apply for the upcoming program year.

DATE
SITE
TIME

10-01-07
Double Springs
Starting October 1st on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

10-01-07
Haleyville Old ARC Building
Starting October 1st on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

10-01-07
Hamilton
Starting October 1st on Monday through Friday

10-16-07
Bear Creek City Hall
9:00 - 10:00 p.m.

10-17-07
Addison Community Center
1 p.m. - 2 pm.

10-17-07
Lynn City Hall
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

10-18-07
Winfield Community Center
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

10-19-07
Hackleburg Town Hall
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

10-23-07
Guin City Hall
10:00 a.m. -11:00 am

10-23-07
Brilliant Housing Authority
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.


If additional information is needed please call:
Hamilton (205)921-4224,
Double Springs (205)489-5448,
Haleyville (205)486-7239

(This agency prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex age, handicap, religion or national origin)

Marion Winston Counties Community Action Committee

P.O. Box 1716

Hamilton , AL 35570
(205) 921-4224
(205) 921-3415 FAX

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October 2, 2007 October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force, as part of the awareness campaign, is kicking off its Supply Drive for Safeplace. Since the women and children often come to the shelter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs we try to make life a little easier for them through the supply drive.

Collection spots include: SuperValu in Hamilton, Carley’s Playground Day Care in Hamilton, Piggly Wiggly in Hackleburg, Winfield Public Library, and Jane Transportation in Guin as well as Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Winfield and Hamilton United Methodist Church. During the month you will notice purple ribbons on buildings, mailboxes, and light poles as a reminder that domestic violence is a serious problem in all communities large and small.

Between 1 million and 4 million women will experience serious assault by an intimate partner this year. Nearly 1 in 3 adult women experience at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. More women visit the emergency room as a result of domestic violence than from auto.  A woman is more likely to be assaulted or killed by an intimate partner than by a
stranger. Sadly, the children who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to become substance abusers, juvenile delinquents and abusers themselves when they become adults. Domestic violence is a crime and one that often goes unreported.

Safeplace offers domestic violence victims shelter as well as a wealth of programs to assist them in getting their lives and their children’s lives back together. Your donation of the items that victims need to make their daily lives seem a little more “normal” go a long way in the healing process! So join us this month as we seek to show these victims that the community really does care about them.

The Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force is a volunteer organization that works to educate Marion County residents about domestic violence and the programs and services available
to them through Safeplace. The Task Force meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Oh!
Bryan’s Family Steakhouse in Hamilton.

They can be reached by calling Lynn Brown at:
205-412-8772 or by emailing brown_mcdvtf@yahoo.com

Marion County Domestic Violence Task force
400 Goldenwood Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570

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Upcoming Events For October 2007

Sat., October 20, 2007
10:00 AM until 2:00 PM
GRAVEL SPRINGS SCHOOL REUNION
Bring Finger Foods or Dessert
Bring Pictures & Memorabilia To Share!
Location: E.T. Sims Building (Hamilton Rec. Center) Hamilton, AL

Gravel Springs Reunion Update...

If you have pictures or a story to share about the 2007, Gravel Springs Reunion, share them with us and we will publish them online.....Thanks, JMays

email them to: jmays@49countynews.net

or mail to:

49 County News.Net, P.O. Box 2350, Hamilton, AL 35570

Sat., Oct. 20, 2007
10:00 A.M. At The Union Hall
Rally For NTN
There will be Refreshments
You Can Bring Chips & Dip, Dessert or Drinks!
All Elected Officials are invited to attend.


Sat., Oct. 20, 2007
10:00 A.M. Until
New Life Festival
Music-Fun-Food-Games
New Life Fellowship
Hwy. 43 So.
1 1/2 Mi. From Winfield, AL


Thurs., Oct. 25, 2007
12:00 Noon At OH! Bryan's
Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force
Everyone Is Invited to Attend
So. Hwy. 17 Appx. 1 Mile from 78 Redlight
Hamilton, AL


Sat., Oct. 27, 2007
11:00 A.M.
Musgrove Family Reunion
Musgrove Chapel U.M.Church
Winfield, AL


Sat., Oct. 27, 2007
5:00 P.M. 'til
Halloween Carnival
Gun Raffle & Many Other Activities.
Fun, Food & Games For All Ages
Byrd Fire & Rescue Dept.

'Old Hwy. 17' So., Byrd Community

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Oct. 2007 UPCOMING LOCAL FESTIVALS

Just a quick reminder of three upcoming festivals at which we will have local and JBAF "alumni" artists participating. The fall weather is gorgeous, and it would be a wonderful time to get out and travel and enjoy these quality festivals. It would also be a great opportunity to support "our" artists and also solicit new artists for the 2008 JBAF.

October 20 & 21 - Alabama Gourd Festival - Cullman
 
October 20 & 21 - Kentuck - Northport

October 27 - Fall Fest - Hamilton

Enjoy!

Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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October 1, 2007 Winfield Public Library Recognizes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Winfield Public Library recognizes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

The Winfield Public Library is joining the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force in their supply drive for Safeplace. The library will be collecting non-perishable items needed for Safeplace domestic violence shelter and satellite office. Call or stop by the library for a list of items needed. You can drop off the list of items during library hours through the month of October. Please help us help the men, women, and children in the shelter, because home should be everyone's safe place!

For more information contact Regina Sperry 205-487-2484 or via email at:

wpl@dlis.net

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Newsletter From Winfield Public Library

Hello All!

Winfield - Here are a few things going on at the Winfield Public Library:

Our Monthly Story Hour will begin in September on the 13th at 3:30 PM.

'Story Time' is designed for ages 4 to 12 but anyone is welcome. Parents please remember children 10 and under must be with an adult 18 or older at all time while visiting the library.

In the event of rain, the book sale will be cancelled.

Warm Coats for Winter:
The Winfield Public Library will be a drop off for gently used coats that will be distributed by Love For The Homeless. If you would like to give your used coat to someone in need you may drop it in the box located in the library's foyer during regular library hours. You can reach Love for the Homeless at (205) 495-4387

Friends of the Winfield Public Library Sponsor Afghan Raffle:

As a fund-raising effort, the Friends of the Winfield Public Library are selling chances for a hand crocheted afghan. Tickets are $1 each and you choose between a Crimson/White or Orange/Blue afghan. Drawing will be October 15, 2007. You do not have to be present to win.

Purchase tickets at the main desk at Winfield Public Library.

For more information call 205-487-2484.

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MARION COUNTY HUNTING SEMINAR & EXPO October 4, 2007

The Marion County Extension Office presented a Hunting Seminar & Expo on October 4, 2007 at the E.T. Sims Neighborhood Facilities Building, Hamilton, AL. with 167 people visiting with vendors and talking with specialist in the fields of:

Whitetail Deer Nutrition
David Hubbard, REA
Upper Coastal Region

Whitetail Deer Management
Ron Eakes, Wildlife Biologist
Department Of Conservation

Rules, Regulations and the Law
Byron Morrow
Conservation Officer

Click Here to visit the online site and view pictures taken at the Oct. 4th, 2007 EXPO

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Friends of the Winfield Library

Library Meeting StoryTime & Afghan Drawing Announced Winfield Public Library collects 70 warm coats.

Please announce the following:

1) Friends of the Winfield Public Library will meet at the library October 9, 12 noon.

2) StoryTime October 11, 3:30 pm

3) Afghan Drawing October 15, $1 per chance, You do not have to be present to win.

4) Teen Read Week Bookmark Contest:

The Winfield Public Library will celebrate the tenth annual
Teen Read Week from October 14th through 20th. It will join thousands of other libraries, schools, and bookstores across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year's theme, "LOL @ your Library."

This years theme encourages teens to read humorous books and graphic novels just 'for the fun of it'. As part of the celebration, the Library will sponsor a Bookmark Contest, which will begin October 15th
and will conclude December 14, 2007. Teens ages 13 - 19 are invited to enter original bookmark designs. Entries must be submitted on official
entry forms by December 14, 2007 in order to qualify. Contest forms and rules are available at the Library's Main Desk. Winners will be announced on December 28, 2007. The winner's bookmark will be reproduced and made available to all patrons.

5) Winfield Public Library collects 70 warm coats:

Thanks to the generosity of people, the library was able to collect 70 coats for families in need. We would like to express our warm appreciation to everyone who donated to this drive.

We would also like to thank Crossroads Reporter, 97.7 WKXM & 49 County News.Net for helping usget the word around.


Thanks Regina Sperry
205-487-2484
www.dlis.net

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 10/12/2007

This past week was a busy one as I visited throughout the Senate District and Montgomery. I was able to attend the announcement in Franklin County regarding the Tennessee Valley Authority’s commitment of up to $35 million toward the repair of the Bear Creek Dam. As you may know, Bear Creek Dam has been experiencing problems almost since it completion in 1969. The problems, including leakage, were the result of the Dam being built over soil filled limestone caverns which have developed holes. TVA had debated for some time as to what steps to take for the problem including entirely removing the Dam. However, through a strong team effort at the local, state and federal levels TVA has agreed to do the repairs. The Bear Creek Dam is a vital part of economic development for Franklin County and the surrounding area as well as a source of recreation, flood control and for a water supply. It is hoped that the project can be completed by the summer of 2009. I want to thank Congressman Aderholt, Probate Judge Barry Moore, and other local officials for their commitment to this project and I am glad that TVA has reinforced its commitment to our area.

I was also able to travel to Hodges this past week and attend the 100th anniversary of the town’s incorporation. It was a great celebration and I appreciate Mayor Ed Crouch and the town council inviting me to join them in not only commemorating the rich history of Hodges but, also in looking ahead to an even better future for the citizens of Hodges.

I traveled to Colbert County as well and meet with the fine members of the Colbert County volunteer fire departments where I was able to present grant checks in the amount of $1,000 each to the departments including Barton, Brick-Hatton, Cherokee, Colbert Heights, Highway 247, Lagrange, Leighton, Littleville, Locust Shores, Spring Valley, White Oak, New Bethel, and Riverton Rose Trail volunteer fire departments. This was an additional grant for the regular amount provided to the departments through the Alabama Department of Forestry. It was a pleasure for me to be able to assist them because of the fine work which they do in protecting lives and property in our area.

In addition, I traveled down to Montgomery to attend the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission meeting as well as meeting with other individuals and groups in Alabama. This is an important commission which addresses issues affecting the various parts of the manufactured housing industry.

It is a pleasure for me to announce that the Lawrence County Commission has been awarded a $61,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic to be used for the Lawrence County Drug Task Force. These funds are much needed to continue the fight against illegal drugs. While we would wish that these types of grants were not necessary, the reality is that illegal drug use and trafficking is part of daily life and we must do all that we can to provide our law enforcement agencies with the tools necessary to combat it.

While Alabama’s school system is often criticized for everything from its test scores to its rankings in the nation and its funding, we did receive good news recently from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which provides a national report card on schools, showing that Alabama 4th graders are number one in the nation in improving their reading skills. The NAEP report shows a gain of eight points in fourth grade reading which is almost triple the national average. This is good to see and show that investments by the state in education and especially in the accelerated reading programs throughout the state have paid off. We must continue to work to see that this gain is maintained and that we continue to improve are other test scores as well.

I have really enjoyed the cooler mornings which we have been experiencing. I look forward to the coming fall and the upcoming hunting season opportunities.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

website: rogerbedford.com


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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 10/18/2007

I was able to travel around the district again this past week. I traveled to Fayette County and met with the Fayette County Children’s Policy Council along with Judge Clary, Jason Coward, head of Fayette County DHR, Superintendent of Fayette County Schools Reba Anderson and others. We discussed the various issues facing the court systems, our young people and how best to deal with juvenile criminals. It was a good meeting and I was glad to be able to attend.
While in Fayette, I was able to present a $1,000 community grant check to the Fayette County High School Basketball program. It was good to see Coach Dixon again. He is doing an excellent job with the program and I hope that all the members of the basketball program have an enjoyable and safe season ahead.
I met with Mayor Phil Segraves of Guin and others to discuss various projects needed in Guin as well as economic development ideas. I appreciate Mayor Segraves hard work and dedication to the citizens of Guin.
I later traveled back to Guin to discuss the Magnn Project at the First State Bank with a great group of local leaders. It is so encouraging to see our local leaders in a multi county area pulling together for new jobs. I appreciate all of those who attended for coming and discussing this important project.
I was also able to meet with Mayor Johnny Brown, Chad Sears of the Russellville Park and Recreation Department, Coach Jimmy Rea of Russellville High School and Rock Chambless about the much needed improvements to the tennis courts in Russellville.
I had the privilege to speak to the Alabama Association for Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired awards luncheon in Huntsville. I appreciate being invited to deliver the keynote speech. I am proud of the programs which we have for the blind and visually impaired in Alabama as well as for the deaf and I have worked hard on maintaining funding for these important programs that work to help people cope and deal with the challenges they encounter due to their lack of vision and/or hearing.
As many of you know, the regular legislative session will begin on February 5, 2008. As we begin to prepare for this, I have requested legislation to be drafted and prepared for introduction that will add to the list of Schedule I controlled substance list. This substance is called salvia divinorum, a hallucinogen, which has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medicinal use in the United States. Salvia is a member of the mint family which is native in the Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is usually either smoked or chewed with the hallucinogenic effect lasting between 10 minutes to an hour and a half. While not illegal in most states, there are a growing number of concerns about the use of salvia and discussions about how best to legislate it.
After reviewing information on salvia, however, Representative Johnny Morrow and I, with assistance from Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing, decided to move forward with drafting this legislation which we announced this past week at a press conference at the Franklin County Courthouse. It is important that we try and address matters such as these before they get out of hand if at all possible. It is my hope that we can get this bill introduced and passed in the upcoming session before salvia use becomes widespread and a crisis situation.
Congratulations goes out to the Marion County Commission on receiving a grant in the amount of $133,500 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The monies will be used to implement a multi-jurisdictional drug task force for Marion County. The Task Force will coordinate drug investigations and be responsible for drug enforcement in Marion County.
I hope all of you have been enjoying the college and high school football seasons. It has been good to see so many of our area teams do so well. It is hard to believe that the regular season is more than half way through. I wanted to wish the best to all our teams as they complete the regular season and hopefully, for many, prepare for the playoffs.
Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:
Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State House
Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304
Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821
website: rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 10/26/2007

I certainly agree that the Alabama Department of Transportation should look at four-laning the remaining section of the highway between Hackleburg and Hamilton. This has been a very dangerous road for many years. There have been many unfortunate wrecks and even worse, loss of life due to the design of the road and bridge particularly at the Northport Creek between Hackleburg and Hamilton. While it would be good to replace the bridge with a much safer approach, I believe the best long term solution to help with both economic development and safety would be to four-lane that section between Hamilton and Hackleburg. I certainly support this project.
I had the privilege this week to present checks to the fine volunteer fire departments of Lamar and Marion County. The checks were issued from the Alabama Forestry Commission and were for $1,000 each. The monies will be used to assist the departments with equipment needs. I am very proud of all of our volunteer fire departments and rescue squads whose members give of their time and energies to protect their fellow citizens property and lives. You may rest assured of my continued support of their efforts.
Bids will be open November 2 for an Alabama Department of Transportation project in Marion County which involves the installation of lighting for the State Road 4, Corridor X, future I-22, interchange lighting at State Road 129. This is an important project that will help with the safety of this area.
I was pleased to see the rain this past week which brought some much needed relief for the area as well as much cooler temperatures letting us know that fall had arrived. It has been sad to see the devastation wrecked by the many fires in California. I pray the Lord will send them relief soon.
With gas prices rising and natural gas prices expected to rise in many areas, I guess it comes as no surprise to learn that BP Oil was fined and has agreed to pay more than $373 million in settlements for price gouging and other charges this past week including charges to conspire to fix propane prices in 2003 and 2004. In addition, they plead guilty to a felony for its role in a 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery which killed 15 employees and injured 170 more. It is sad to know that they deliberately set out to overcharge consumers and that they were so negligent with the safety of their employees. It is hoped that the government will remain diligent in its efforts to watch out for consumers interest and in seeing that large companies do not take unfair advantage of consumer needs such as gas, food, etc.
It is hard to believe that we will soon be starting the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.
I have already been working on legislation to be introduced when we go in on February 5. I assure you that I will continue to work hard to see that the needs of our senate district are met and that we get our fair share of tax dollars.
Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:
Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State House
Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304
Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821
website: www.rogerbedford.com
10-26-07

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PORTER WAGONER DEAD AT 80 10/28/2007

Nashville, Tennessee, as well as all of his fans are mourning the passing of Country Legend and Grand Ole Opry Star, Porter Wagoner. The rhinestone-clad singer, who helped launch the career of Dolly Parton as his duet partner, passed away of lung cancer, Sunday evening, October 28, 2007 in a Nashville hospice, after being transferred there Friday from a hospital.

In May 2007, he celebrated his 50th year in the Opry. Porter Wagoner was born August 12, 1927 of Irish-German heritage in West Plains, Missouri, located in the Ozarks of Missouri near the Arkansas border. He was 80.

The Grand Ole Opry announced Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, that funeral arrangements would be open to the public. Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2007, at a local funeral home, with a funeral on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at the Grand Ole Opry House.

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Food Inspection Ratings Oct 15-19, 2007
From: Sam LeMaster
Date: Oct 15-19 2007

Food Inspection ratings Oct 15-19, 2007

Galbreath's Country Buffet (Hamilton) 85

Lakeside BBQ (Brilliant) 97

McCracken's (Hamilton) 92

Midway Restaurant (Haleyville) 96

Whitehouse Restaurant (Haleyville) 83

Hardee's (Hamilton) 94

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Marion County Restaurant Inspection Ratings 11/05/07 -11/09/07
From: Sam LeMaster
Date: 11/05/07 -11/09/07

Inspection Ratings

Coop's Bears Den (Bear Creek) 96

Flatwoods Flea Market Snack Bar (Winfield) 97

Jack's (Winfield) 93

Leonelli's Coffee Buzz (Hamilton) Passed inspection for new permit

Phillips High Lunchroom (Bear Creek) 90

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SOMETHING INTERESTING!

Judy Webb Mays

I was sent an article by one of our readers who had found in while 'surfing the net'. It was by Anne Kristoff who writes for Budget Travel.com. and titled ROAD TRIP - 10 Coolest Small Towns, Ala.

She had something interesting to say about a small town in North Alabama. I thought you might like to read it so to keep from getting in trouble with plagiarism, here is the link. Click Here.

There might be a time limit on this article so email me at jmays@49countynews.net, if you miss it, and I will send it to you.

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Local, Missy Miles, Received Ribbons At AL Gourd Festival In Cullman

We received news back from the Alabama Gourd Festival which was held this past weekend in Cullman that "one of our own" Missy Miles received multiple blue, red, and white ribbons for her pieces of work. In addition, she was also was published in the Cullman paper in the Sunday edition, front page with one of her "hippy" mushrooms.

Missy passed along her gratitude of how much it meant to her to have so many of her friends and family come to the show and be so supportive.

The arts council will be in contact with the local media to help publicize her accomplishments and to also promote her participation in the upcoming JBAF.

Congratulations to Missy!

Northwest Alabama
Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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FAMILY MILITARY TRADITION

Judy Webb Mays  11/11/07

On this day, November 11, 2007, Veterans' Day, we set aside time to remember the Soldiers who have fought and died for the freedoms we hold dear. We should FOREVER hold OUR Veterans (for they are ALL OUR Veterans and OUR Heros) and our memories of them near and dear to us. Since I've lived from the time of the Korean "Conflict" up to this present Iraqi "War on Terror", I've known many Veterans.

This is a tribute to one Veteran I knew and respected and was proud to call my friend. It's a story, too, of his two grandsons who are walking in his footsteps, carrying on his tradition of service to OUR country and to theirs.

Rex Arley Avery was born June 7, 1920 in Hodges, Alabama. He was the son of Daniel Webster and Tempie Gowder Avery and the youngest of four sons. His brothers were Grover, Jasper, and Rea Avery.

Rex served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving in the Aleutian Islands just off the coast of Alaska for 30 months.

After his honorable discharge from the Army Air Corp, Rex returned to Hodges where he settled back into civilian life to drive a bus for the Franklin County school system. He was elected and served a six-year term as a member of the Franklin County Board of Education.

In 1955 Rex was hired by the State of Alabama as a Conservation Officer for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1982. Retiring after 27 years as Game Warden, Rex’s career included work with the City of Hamilton as a Meter Reader and Crosswalk Patrolman, Chairman of the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee from 1984 until 1991 and member of the Marion County Board of  Registrars from 1991 until 1995.

He was a member of the Hamilton Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion for over 54 years, where he served as Commander of Post 91 for over 20 years. While serving as commander of American Legion Post 91, Rex spearheaded the effort to erect a veterans' monument on the courtsquare in Hamilton to honor all veterans from Marion County who gave their lives for their country during wartime. This monument was dedicated in August, 1976. After the monument had been damaged by vandals, in 2002, Rex spearheaded the effort for restoration of the monument and its eternal flame and the monument was rededicated in the spring of 2003.

Rex was a member of the Hamilton Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served as the Branch President for nine years from 1989 until 1998. He also served as President of the Hodges School Reunion and the Avery Reunion for many years and he continued to be active in church, politics, veterans’
organizations, and family events until the time of his death October 26th, 2007 at the age of 87.

Rex Avery has three grandsons, Greg Miller, Andy Miller and Hunter Avery**. Two of them, at this time, are carrying on his tradition of military service. Greg Miller, is a member of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry, and is stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Andy Miller is a member of the 101st Airborne and is currently serving in Iraq.

49 County News.Net, takes this opportunity to wish Rex's grandsons, as well as all of our Soldiers serving in our United States Armed Forces, a safe tour of duty and safe and healthy return, to their hometowns, to their families,
and to us.

Please take time to remember and pray for all of our Soldiers and our Veterans, for without them and without the sacrifices they make of their time, time with their families, and sometime even the sacrifice of their lives, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

God Bless Our Soldiers, God Bless Our Veterans and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

LET FREEDOM RING!

49 County News.Net  Gary Wayne Mays, Jr.  Judy Webb Mays &  Don H. Gann

~

**Correction:  In the statement, 'Rex Avery has three grandsons, Greg Miller, Andy Miller and Hunter Miller*.' 

The third grandson was mistakenly listed as Hunter Miller...The third grandson's name is Hunter Avery. 

We apologize for any inconvenience and are glad to correct any misprints or mistakes in names or facts. jmays

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National EB Awareness Week

  Read the story below to hear from Valerie & David Jones, the parents of a Hamilton child with EB...

EB INFORMATION

By

Valerie Jones

HAMILTON - My name is Valerie Jones and I would like to tell you about a very rare genetic disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. But first let me tell you how I came to know about this disease and why it is so important to me.

In Feb I gave birth to my 3rd child. After a scheduled c-section I expected to stay in the hospital a couple days and then take my normal healthy child home just like I had done twice before. However when the doctors delivered my daughter they noticed that she was missing skin from her legs and feet. Without saying anything to me or my husband they whisked her off to the nursery. I thought something was strange since my husband was going to get to carry her there but I didn’t give it much thought. At that time I was given some medicine and things are a little fuzzy for a while. I don’t remember details but I know that someone came and talked to me and told me that my daughter had a disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. I had never heard of it and to say the least was surprised. I was told that she would be transported to Birmingham. I finally got to see her several hours later just before the transport team left with her. I didn’t get to hold her. My husband followed her to Princeton Hospital and stayed with her. No one, even the nurses, knew much about the disease so my mother-in-law got on the internet and got all the information she could find and brought it to me. The nurses even asked for a copy of it.

I left the hospital 2 days later and a day after that I was taken to Birmingham to be with my husband and daughter. She was in the NICU. None of the nurses there had really had any experience with this disease. One or two had seen it but it was a very long time ago. Fortunately there was a nurse in another part of the hospital that had a daughter with the same disease that came and taught us how to care for our daughter. After 17 days we were allowed to bring her home. The last 7 months have been a learning process for our whole family. Still most of the information that I have is from the internet and a wonderful online community of EB families all over the world.

So now you are wondering what this disease is. EB is a genetic skin disease that causes blistering and tearing of the skin. It affects about 1 in 50,000 and affects both sexes and all racial groups equally. This happens because the connecting proteins in the skin are missing or incorrect.

There are several subtypes of this disease. The 3 main ones are Simplex, Junctional and Dystrophic. I’ll try to explain without too much medical jargon. There are 3 main layers of skin, the epidermis, the lamina lucida and the dermis. The 2 forms of EB Simplex affect the upper and lower epidermis which is the top layer of your skin. Junctional affects the lamina lucida or middle layer of skin and dystrophic affects the dermis or lower layer of skin. Simplex and one form of dystrophic are genetically dominant meaning that one parent also has the disease. Junctional and Recessive Dystrophic EB are genetically recessive meaning that both parents carry the gene for the disease but usually do not have the disease themselves.

It is one of these forms that my daughter has. This doesn’t just affect the skin on the outside of the body. Any area that has epidermal cells can be affected. This means all mucus membranes and internal organs. There are many complications with this. One is malnutrition and the anemia that it causes. Some children have to have feeding tubes because they can’t eat due to wounds in their mouth and throat. Another common problem is webbing of the hands and feet and contractures which is where the hands close into a fist. Surgery can be done but is rarely effective. Children with this disease are called butterflies because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wing.

One big thing to remember is that it is not contagious.

Ok so now you know a little about the disease and you are probably wondering what does this mean to me. EB is a very medically intensive disease. Bandages have to be changed daily and new wounds have to be dressed. Blisters have to be drained to keep them from getting larger. Supplies are very expensive and many times insurance won’t pay for them. So far we have been fortunate that ours does. Last month the supply order that I placed cost over $5000. This is an every month thing. That’s just for now while my daughter is small and very mild in the disease. She could get worse and many children are. Like I mentioned before there is the possibility of a feeding tube and other surgeries. Also at this time this is considered a terminal illness. Lifespan is rarely past the 20’s. Infection is a big concern. At this time there is no cure. The only thing that can be done is to treat the wounds and secondary issues.

All that leads to this. Last December, Congress signed into law National EB Awareness Week. It is the last week of October. This year is the first one and there are lots of events planned for that week. There is a relay that will cross the US from New York to California. Since I can’t attend that I am trying to raise awareness in our area.

There was once a time when no one knew what breast cancer was. Now you hear the words and automatically know what is happening. I hope one day the same is true for EB. However beyond that I hope that there is soon a cure. Research is being done all over the world. Right now at Stanford there is a trial in the works for a cure. They are still waiting on FDA approval to begin testing on humans. As you know medical research is very expensive. This research is relying very heavily on public donations. People like you who feel that this is an important cause. Children and adults are suffering in pain every day and many of them die from this disease. This doesn’t have to be. There can be a cure. Knowledge is power. The more you know the more you can tell others. I look for the day when the EB Walk-a-Mile-in-My-Shoes Relay is a big as the Relay for Life. Please learn all you can about this disease. Now that you know about us this is something that affects you too. We are all a community. Tell everyone you know about this disease.

Funds for research are a big deal. But there are also the people I mentioned who either don’t have insurance or whose insurance won’t pay for supplies. There is an organization called Debra or Dystrophic EB Research Association. This organization is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting research for treatment and a cure and providing information and support for families dealing with EB. Debra has a wound care clearing house that sends donated supplies to families in need. They also give financial support for those with unreimbursed medical costs. They are also the largest source of EB information available. Please check out their website at debra.org.
Another organization is the EBMRF or EB medical research foundation. Its sole purpose is to raise money for research to find treatments and ultimately a cure for EB. Their website is ebkids.org.

Please also check out the ebrelay.org site for information on this year’s relay and rally. Also you may come to South Hamilton Baptist Church on October 28th at 6 pm to hear a presentation on this. I hope you all will try to understand this disease and what it does to families.

Knowledge is power!

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The Hackleburg Church of God youth group, "Consumed" has been in the top four in the national CMT Homegrown Video Contest.

 Today, Thursday, September 27th, 2007, the winner was announced!  The Hackleburg Video by Zach Anglin and the Hackleburg Church of God youth group,  "Consumed" won the contest.

I promise you'll get a 'kick' out of it.  These 'kids' are so cute!

For a story by Bernie Delinski in the Quad-Cities' Times Daily.com  Click here...

Story by J Mays 9/27/07

*Excerpt taken from www.cmt.com                          CMT HOMEGROWN

Hamilton-Hackleburg - I had the privilege of meeting a young man named Zach Anglin.  Zach, Josh Weatherly, Jordan Dollar and Tailor Anglin were a group, about to do an interview Monday night (Nov. 5) with Chris Hamrick on his local TV show "Fresh Air".*

Zach seemed to be surprised that I knew him and I was quick to point out that I had written a story on him and his Video back before they won!  I had even voted for him! 

I was impressed by how shy he seemed after viewing his Video.  He must be a good actor!  He was very polite as were the others who were with him. 

Be sure to watch the replays of the interview on Chris's "Fresh Air" on TV 8*.  Steve and Cindy will replay it this week.

Join Zach Anglin, Josh Weatherly, Jordan Dollar, and Tailor Anglin in Hackleburg Friday, November 16th and support them when CMT comes to town.

Zach and the group won a recent contest with CMT's "Homegrown" that was entered by folks all over the country!

Josh Weatherly organized, directed and edited the video.

See the story below and you can watch the Video that won Zach and his group top honors in the contest.

Thanks to Zach Anglin's humorous take on small town life, CMT tallied the votes of country music fans online and they named  Hackleburg, Alabama as the best Hometown in America!

See the story below and click on the link to view Zach's Video!

We need to support our youth and this is just one way we can do it.

See you in Hackleburg, AL., Friday, Nov. 16th!!

Judy Mays

jmays@49countynews.net

*"Fresh Air" airs on Steve & Cindy Jackson's TV 8.  TV 8 occupies Channel 8 on West Alabama TV Cable of Winfield, Fayette and Hamilton.

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Christmas shopping has already started:

Here's an email that was passed along to me and goes along with the Veteran's Day Story on Rex Avery:

I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always
my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long
the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from
their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing
at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up
for military duty? By law, they are required to hold
their jobs open and available, but nothing more.
Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits
as a result of being called up.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries
and maintaining all benefits, including medical
insurance and bonus programs, for all called up
reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen
and should be recognized for its contribution. I
suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a
manager to tell them why we are there so the company
gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I
sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer
Service Department:

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it
is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become
one very good source of advertisement for your
company. I know I would go out of my way to buy
products from Sears instead of another store for a
like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.

This is their answer to my e-mail:

**************

Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears. The information is
factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.

Sears regards service to our country as one of
greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make.
We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they
bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care webcenter@sears.com

1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs
to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and
we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate
what they are doing for our military!!! ~ The story above was received in an email and you can check it out for yourselves at www.snopes.com

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Third Annual Open House Announced

Ron and Anita Morris will be hosting their Third Annual Ron's Pottery Christmas Open House on Saturday December 1st from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at their residence at 921 13th Street Northwest in Fayette, AL.

Gifts will be available for purchasing and light refreshments will be served.

Contact info:

E-mail: ronspottery@hotmail.com
Phone: (205) 242-9975

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Sorry We Missed This Open House But Jerry Brown Is Still Open For Christmas Shoppin'!

Jerry Brown Pottery Annual Open House 166 Boyett Drive in Hamilton

November 23 and 24 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November 25 - 1 pm. to 5 p.m.

Jerry will be demonstrating with Blue and also on the wheel.

Online purchases can be made at jerrybrownpottery.com
Or Phone: (205) 921-9483

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 11/02/07

The cost of the War on Terror is not something felt just elsewhere but, here at home in our great State. It is felt by all of our citizens but, especially the family members of those who are serving in harm’s way and by those whose military family member has made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. On November 6, Governor Riley and others will come together to dedicate a memorial for all of those who have fallen while defending us in the War on Terror. They will come together to remember their valor, their sacrifices and their commitment to fight for freedom and for the protection of all of us who cannot fight. Those who serve in the military are often under appreciated and I want to thank all of them and their families for their service and dedication. It is my hope that we can soon end this conflict and bring our fine men and women home so that they can be with their loved ones and friends and rest from their labors. I hope all of you will take the time to remember all of our military persons, both past and present, as we draw close to Veterans Day as well as the holiday season. They sacrifice much so that we can enjoy our freedoms and go home every night to our families.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is going to be hosting a free trade agreement briefing this coming week to discuss three pending agreements with Colombia, Panama and Peru and to discuss ways Alabama businesses can maximize export opportunities as well as build new trade and investment relationships. The seminars will be held November 6 in Huntsville, November 7 in Birmingham and November 8 in Mobile. To learn more about the seminars and to register please call 334-242-0450.

This past week, it was announced that a new program would be started in our area. The program is called Project Community and is a model educational program focusing on natural resources and providing Alabama’s teachers with special training and instructional materials to support state academic standards and requirements in science, particularly, the natural sciences. The objective of the project is to improve our students understanding of natural resources and natural systems especially in light of the changing, global environment while promoting the area of science and boosting students’ test scores. The project is sponsored and funded by grant support from the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts in cooperation with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and will be administered jointly by Discovering Alabama and the Alabama Museum of Natural History. More information on this project can be gotten by calling Beth Stevens, Coordinator of the Project at 205-348-9077.

I had the pleasure to travel down to Haleyville this past week and present some grant checks for Haleyville High School, one for $500 for classroom supply needs and $300 for the JAG program. I also was able to present $1,000 to the Haleyville School System for the teacher in-service drawing held each year to assist teachers with extra school room expenses and $495 for the Haleyville girls softball program.

While in Haleyville, I was able to tour the Haleyville Technical Center. I enjoyed seeing the improvements to the facility. It has been my pleasure to assist them with funding in the past and I appreciate the faculty including Mr. Batchelor and Mr. Warren allowing me to visit with them.

I was also able to meet with Commissioner Hayes, Representative Millican, Stan Watson and others to discuss important projects for Haleyville.

It is a pleasure to announce that our senate district has been awarded grants from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security to assist with the purchase of specialized terrorism related equipment, training and exercises. The following grants were awarded:


Colbert County: $44,919.25

Fayette County: $47,919.25

Franklin County: $34,919.25

Lamar County: $34,919.25

Marion County: $34,919.25

Winston County: $34,919.25

Lawrence County: $45,000.00

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 11/16/07

This past week, we had the opportunity to celebrate Veterans Day honoring so many of our fine veterans. I hope that all of you had an opportunity to participate in the many events going on in our senate district and state as a whole. We must always remember to pay tribute to our veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. We all know that freedom is not free and thanks to the sacrifice and personal hardships endured by our veterans and their families, America is still free.

We certainly had a bonanza this past week of grants announced throughout our senate district. I always enjoy working hard in Montgomery to see that we get our fair share and then some if we can. The following CDBG we were able to obtain through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs:

- Town of Cherokee, $250,000
This is for the construction of a multipurpose center for the citizens of Cherokee.
This is a wonderful project which I have been working on for many months with Mayor Willis.

- Winston County Commission, $250,000
This is for the construction and paving of 11 dirt/gravel roads in Winston County. The roads chosen were Winston Co.
Mayor moulton small part support and sheffield bumps against our district
waymon fields help w/ industrial recruitment
remember as kid playing on light and use canteen, etc.
We certainly want to congratulate all our local officials on their hard work in helping obtain these grants which I fully support.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report November 12, 2007

Thanksgiving was started as a day to gather with our friends and loved ones to give thanks to our good Lord for our many blessings. Now, it seems that Thanksgiving is all about the food, who is going to prepare what dish, who will be at the meal and where it will be held. It is difficult to see our blessings sometimes especially recently as we seem to be bombarded with negative stories about our economy, our environment and the war as well as other troubles throughout the world. However, a moment’s reflection can be all it takes to show us that we do have many wonderful blessings in this nation including our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech and the many others that so many in the world do not have. We also tend to forget that there are those who do not have the resources to have a "traditional" meal with all the trimmings. To some, just making day to day expenses is hard and there is no extra. I want to thank all the community organizations and churches who worked to help address this issue not only during the holidays but, on a daily basis.
I hope that all of you had an opportunity to gather with friends and family and I hope that you took time to remember and pray for the fine men and women of our armed forces who are serving overseas and did not get that opportunity. While they no doubt miss their families on a daily basis, the holiday season is an especially difficult time as many will not even get to see their families at Christmas either.
Lamar County received good news this past week with the announcement from the Alabama Department of Transportation that they will be opening bids on December 7 for three projects. The first will be for work on the bridge and approaches on County Road 31 at Watson Creek. The second is for the bridge replacement on County Road 122 at the Mud Creek Tributary and the third is for safety improvements on State Road 17 north of County Road 8 south of Detroit. I am pleased to see these important projects being done as they not only help improve the safety of our roads but, improve economic growth opportunities.
Congratulations also goes out to the Colbert County Commission on receiving a $1,418,040 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to assist in the location of National Alabama Corporation by providing funds for sewer improvements. The company is constructing a new manufacturing plant in the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park. The company will create 850 new jobs of which at least 51% will be for low and moderate income persons.
I also had the pleasure of presenting two $2,500 grants to the Fayette County Children’s Policy Council to assist with the Vista program as well as other equipment needs. I am proud of all of our area Children’s Policy Councils who work hard to improve the quality of life and the justice system for our young people.
The regular session in February is getting closer. Many of you have already contacted me regarding proposed legislation for this session and I appreciate this greatly as it is important that I know of your concerns as well as thoughts on how to improve the quality of life in Alabama.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report December 12, 2007

As I am writing this, there are only thirteen days until Christmas. It is hard to believe that 2007 is almost over. I hope that it has been a good year for most of you. We have all had to suffer from lack of rain and increased fuel costs but, it is my hope that 2008 will see more rain for our State as well as the entire Southeastern region and that we can continue to explore alternative fuel sources that will reduce our dependency on foreign oil as well as reduce the overall cost of fuel.

I had the pleasure to travel to Fayette this past week and present $1,000 each to the volunteer fire departments of Fayette County. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the members of not only the Fayette County Volunteer Fire Departments but, all the departments throughout the State.

I was also able to present $1,000 to the Fayette Historical Society to assist with various project needs.

I was also able to travel to Winfield this past week for an industrial announcement by Winfield Rubber Company. The company is planning to expand its existing plant with an investment of $3.5 million which is expect to create some 20 new jobs. I am pleased to see this growth in our area and I appreciate their commitment to the City of Winfield.

I am pleased to announce that the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Board of Directors of Industrial Access Road and Bridge Corporation met and approved $200,000 to construct turn lanes and acceleration/deceleration lanes along High way 96 in Lamar County to benefit Steel Dust Recycling.

The Board also approved $360,000 for the City of Vernon to fund improvements to 12th Street including widening, drainage improvements and resurfacing of the road to accommodate industrial traffic to Omni International and Southland Health Services.

Congratulations goes out to the local officials of Lamar County and the City of Vernon for their efforts in obtaining these grants.

This past week, the Governor’s Council on Pre-K Policy released its report on Alabama’s Voluntary Pre-K Initiative. The Council was established in September 2007 and its goal was to develop an expansion plan for Alabama’s existing Pre-K program. The goal is provide access to quality Pre-K educational programs for all four years olds in the State. Currently Alabama and North Carolina are the only states that have met all 10 benchmarks for their Pre-K Program.

Pre-K is a chance to prepare children for further educational opportunities as well as reduce the drop out rates of students, lower crime rates and reduce welfare rolls. It is my hope that we can get the Pre-K program established throughout Alabama for the benefit of our children.

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Senator Roger Bedford Capital Report 12/21/07

I hope that all of you had a blessed and wonderful Christmas season and that 2008 will be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for you. 2007 brought us many challenges including a record drought not only in Alabama but, throughout the southeast. We saw ups and downs in the stock market and in the Middle East as well as increases in oil and other prices. However, we saw many good things as well especially in our senate district including the 2.8 million in bond money which helped with many industrial projects in the area as well as many ADECA grants which went to help with the various needs of our district.

It is my hope that we will have an even better year for grants in 2008! We will be going into the regular session on February 5 and will be doing budget hearings in mid January. We have many important issues facing us including insurance for children including medicaid funding. It is important that our children receive adequate healthcare especially preventive medical treatments such as vaccines. You may rest assured that I will do all that I can to see that our citizens receive this much needed care.

Christmas came early for several of our area municipalities this year with the awarding of grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The first one was for the Town of Littleville, the Town of Brilliant and the City of Winfield each received a grant in the amount of $25,000 to assist with the purchase of a patrol vehicle for their fine police departments. The City of Red Bay also received a $25,000 grant to be used to purchase upgraded equipment for the police department. Congratulations also goes out to the Town of Arley who received $25,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for police safety improvements and to the Town of Double Springs for receiving $25,000 to purchase cameras for police vehicles. It is great to see our local law enforcement agencies get these much needed grants so that they can improve the quality of services which they provide. I hope all of you remember our fine law enforcement community especially during the holiday seasons. I appreciate all that they do to protect our lives and property.

It was a pleasure for me to be able to present some grant checks this week in Franklin County to the Franklin County Community Education Program for $250, Faith Mission Outreach for $500, Franklin County Department of Human Resources for $250 and $250 for West Elementary to assist those in need during the holiday season.

In conclusion, let me wish you all the best and I hope that all of you will continue to contact me in 2008 about issues of concern to your families and you. God Bless.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

12/21/07

website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Subject: Inspections for Oct. 29 - Nov. 01, 2007
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 16:55:50 -0500


Hamilton Elementary Lunchroom 97

Hamilton High Lunchroom 96

Huddle House (Hamilton) 92

Moore's Super Store (Hamilton) 92

River Road Citgo (Hamilton) 94

Whitehouse Cafe (Haleyville) Passed inspection for new permit

Note: These "passed inspection" statements refer to inspections when a rating is not assessed because such inspections are for newly opened establishments that are not yet operating.

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Subject: Inspection ratings for Oct 22-26, 2007
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:54:23 -0500


Asian Wok (Hamilton) 85

China One (Hamilton) 90

Eastside Grill (Hamilton) 96

Hamilton Senior Center (Hamilton Rec Center) 100

La Estancia (Hamilton) 91

Mac's Minit Mart (Hamilton) 85

Parker's BBQ (Hamilton) 97

Piggly Wiggly (Hamilton) 96

Piggly Wiggly Deli (Hamilton) 86

Subway (Hamilton) 98

Sugar Bend Shell (Hamilton) 98

SuperValu Foods (Hamilton) 89

Note: Both the Wal Mart supermarket and deli/bakery of Winfield were left off last week's list. Both these passed inspection for their permits.

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Food Inspection Ratings 11/12/07 -11/16/07
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: 11/12/07 -11/16/07

Inspection Ratings

Bassville Restaurant (Haleyville) 94

B&B Deli (Winfield) 94

Car Lot BBQ (Winfield) 93

Harper's Junction (Hamilton) 87

Ivie's Supermarket (Winfield) 91

Northwest Medical Center Cafeteria (Winfield) 98

Plantation Steak House (Guin) 96

Sparerib BBQ (Winfield) 87

Yampertown Steak and Seafood (Winfield) 96

Yogi's Quick Stop (Hamilton) 90

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Food Inspection Ratings for Dec 3-7, 2007
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: 12/03/07 -12/07/07

Inspection Ratings

Burgers and More II (Winfield) 87

Buttahatchee BBQ (Hamilton) 88

Catering by LeAnne (Guin) 97

Chris's Catfish (Hamilton) 98

Frosty Front (Guin) 94

Hardee's (Winfield) 90

Pizza Hut (Hamilton) 83

Plaza BBQ (Guin) 92

Token No. 4 (Guin Chevron) 94

Wal Mart Deli/Bakery (Winfield) 95

Wal Mart Supermarket (Winfield) 100

Webster's Deli (Guin Piggly Wiggly) 96

Webster's Piggly Wiggly (Guin) 87

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Food Inspection Ratings Date: 12/10/07 -12/14/07
From: Sam LeMaster


Clifty Creek (Hamilton) 95

Dinelli's Pizza (Hamilton) 95

Hamilton Drive-In (Hamilton) 90

Jean and Ann's Tea Room (Hamilton) 94

KFC (Hamilton) 82

Lunch Wagon (Hamilton) 91

Marion Regional Medical Center (Hamilton) 96

Oh! Bryan's (Hamilton) 93

Panther Mart (Hackleburg) 90

Piggly Wiggly (Hackleburg) 86

Tersa's Country Cafe (Hamilton) 88

Winfield Elementary Lunchroom 99

Winfield High School Lunchroom 94

Winfield Middle School Lunchroom 100

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SWAMP JOHN’S Hosted by Hamilton Band Boosters

Tuesday December 4, 2007

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Hamilton

SUPER-VALU Parking Lot

(Band Hall in case of inclement weather)

Choice of Fish, Shrimp, or Chicken Finger Plate

Includes: Fries, Slaw, Hush Puppies & Tea $8.00
 

They cook it "on the spot" to fill your order.  It's good food and it's fresh and it raises funds for your favorite Charitable Organization.

Come on down, get your dinner to go, and help the Hamilton Band out at the same time.

Sponsored by Hamilton Band Boosters

'THE GIFT' South Hamilton Baptist Church

6 p.m. Tonight, Dec. 2nd, 2007

South Hamilton Baptist Church


Bro. Keith Box and the Congregation

INVITES YOU

Sunday, December 2nd at 6:00 p.m.

To See

'THE GIFT'

The church is located at
1805 Military St. S.
Hamilton, AL

For more information call
Bro. Keith at 205-921-7358

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CMT Country Music Television In Hackleburg!! Friday Nov.16th!!

Story Revised 11/19/07 to correct some facts! Hackleburg - Hamilton - Well, they finally came to Hackleburg, CMT, I mean! Zach Anglin and Sonny James too!  And Mayor & hometown friend of Sonny James Loden, Douglas Gunnin.

I must say, Sonny James Loden is one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet!  "He just has a way about him", as my daddy used to say, "that makes you feel at ease with him."  I think the admiration the people feel for him is returned 110% from Sonny James Loden, native of Hackleburg, Alabama. 

Sonny James Loden graciously shared the spotlight today with a young man names Zach Anglin.  I think Zach is the kind of boy who will carry on the "Southern Gentleman" charm for which Sonny James has been known so long.  Zach certainly is a charming young man.

Today, Friday, November 16th, 2007, CMT came to Hackleburg, Alabama.  They came to film their "Top 20 Countdown" show because of the video which won Hackleburg, AL, the title of  "The Best Hometown In America", according to the voting by Country Music Television fans across the country! 

CMT and Zach Anglin, (alias "Bucky"), Josh Weatherly (producer & director of the video, along with his wife, Karen, who was the camera operator) and the rest of the group from the Hackleburg Church of God youth group responsible for the video that won CMT's  "Homegrown" contest came together in Hackleburg today to make history for Hackleburg, Alabama.

Zach is normally a quiet boy according to his dad, Rodney and mother, Kerry Ballard Anglin.  She says he hides behind his 'acting'.  He does it quite well, I think.

Zach's dad, Rodney said the video was originally a project for school for Josh Weatherly's wife, Karen Weatherly.  She must have made an A...or wouldn't the teacher be embarrassed if she/he didn't give her an A!

The 2 minute video (Watch it now) of the youth group was edited down from about 30 minutes to about 2 minutes by Josh Weatherly.

According to Josh, he saw the contest on CMT.  After talking to his wife, and the kids who had participated, he  edited the tape to send into the contest.  "The rest is history" as they say! 

Rodney Anglin, Zach's dad asked Zach what he, Zach, was going to do if CMT, came rolling into town one day....Well Guess What...!!

I asked Zach if he felt like a 'Star' yet...He replied, "Not really!"

Wayne and I got several pictures and a lot of video today and we will have it online as soon as we 'sift' through it.

The show 'airs' this week on CMT's Top 20 Countdown so be sure and watch Thursday!  If you don't have CMT on your television set then maybe you can get with someone who does.

We sure enjoyed the day with Zach, Sonny James Josh Weatherly and the CMT crew.

The word from Hackleburg Mayor Doug Gunnin was that all the people he had talked to today said that everything went like 'clockwork' and he wanted to say Thank You to everyone who helped set up for CMT's visit today.

                    judy webb mays Revised 11/19/07

THE

WINNERS!!

THANKS TO

ZACH ANGLIN &

THE HACKLEBURG

CHURCH OF GOD

YOUTH GROUP!

September 27th

CMT HOMEGROWN

Click the above link to view Zach Anglin's     WINNING VIDEO!

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Lest We Forget!

"Attack at Pearl Harbor, 1941," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1997).

In Honor of Pearl Harbor, HI

Although we ran the story below a while back on "All Things Scottish" by John Brownlee, I thought it would be appropriate to run it today, December 7, 2007 in honor of all the casualties and survivors of this day in history!  It is the 67th anniversary of the attack. 

We tend to put it so far back in our memory that we forget to think there are any survivors of this terrible tragedy.  This is the story of meeting one of those who survived.

You can click on the picture above and read about a survivors recollections of the day.  It was not Mr. Sasse's but could have been...

Story by John Brownlee - HE'S BACK! With a story about a Pearl Harbor Survivor...

When I arrived back into Tupelo on 3rd September this year (2007) I was accompanied on the plane by a Pearl Harbor survivor. He is an elderly gentleman of 95 now and was in a wheelchair through the airport although able to negotiate the aisle on the aircraft. The stewardess, Deedee, was good enough to announce his presence to us all.

He was met at the airport by a young man (about my age, 50ish, sorry I did not get his name) who said Clarence had adopted him. I gather from my fairly short conversation that we had a nice chap who had done his duty for his country during the war but also after it, the stewardess said he served for 40 years. Judy who picked me up at the airport was given permission to take a photograph of Mr. Sasse before he headed off.

Clarence Sasse Chief petty officer at the time of the Pearl Harbour attack and I believe he described his duty then as " leading turret captain" he was on board USS Phelps DD360. See citation below:

Click Here to read more about C.P.O., Clarence Sasse.

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1982 HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNION

The Hamilton High School Class of 1982 will hold its its 25th class reunion on Saturday, December 15, starting at 7 p.m. at the RiverFront Restaurant in Hamilton.

Contact person is Leann (Riggs) Jones.  (205) 921-3126.

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Gourd Show Winner Missy Miles Brings Home 12 Ribbons!

Northwest Alabama Arts Council member Missy Miles brought home twelve ribbons from the Ninth Annual Alabama Gourd Show held last month in Cullman. Seven of those twelve ribbons were blue ribbons or first-place ribbons.
She also was awarded three red ribbons for second place, and two white ribbons for third place.

The Cullman Show had five different divisions of gourds for judging: dried gourds, current season gourds, crafted
gourds, youth, and masters. There were a total of 70 categories for the five divisions.

Among Miles' blue-ribbon winners were a Viking-inspired egg-shaped gourd; a gourd entitled "Bella Bella Bird
Mask;" a Martin house with stone foundation & plumbing;
a teapot entitled "Teapot 6;" and a completely covered gourd category in which she entered seed-covered gourd
with a medallion design. In her design on a land animal, reptile, or insect constructed from gourd, Miles' "Ala gator"
placed first in its division.

Her "Cracked chrome gourdom" hat won two awards, a blue ribbon in the gourd parade and a red ribbon in judging.

She also placed second in the gourd with the largest circumference, and in the
Land of the Misfits category, which is a gourd that does not fit into any other category, Miles' entry of "My Neck of the Woods" she placed third, receiving a white ribbon. And in the gourd mask parade, Miles received a white ribbon for her
Jaguar Mask.

A relative newcomer to gourd art, Miles has quickly become very respected among her peers for her unique and creative works. She has participated in the past two Jerry Brown Arts Festivals, and she will be participating in the upcoming Women's Conference at Bevill State Community College-Hamilton Campus on December 7, and the
2008 Jerry Brown Arts Festival set for March 1st and 2nd in Hamilton.

Miles and her husband Tommy have their shop, and a gourd patch, just west of Hamilton. She will soon be launching
her new website at soggybottomcreations

.com, which will display and sell her pieces of art to the general public. Miles has gourds for all price ranges, and she also has many pieces for sale, to include holiday-themed
gourds. She also encourages anyone who would like to visit her shop or order a custom-made piece made to
please contact her at (205) 921-1193.

Thanks to the NWAAC for this article and especially to Marla Minter for keeping us up to date on the latest news on our local artists!

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HMS art show now Monday! NWAAC meeting also Monday!

We have just been informed that HMS Principal Steven Deavours made a last-minute change to the date of the HMS Art in the Middle program from Tuesday, December 18 to Monday, December 17 due to a conflict with testing schedules. The times remain the same, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Hamilton Middle School. Please attend if at all possible.

We would also like to thank Belinda McRae and the Journal Record for the wonderful half-page picture and write-up on the upcoming program and recognition of the students, NWAAC, and State Council on the Arts.

Also, a reminder that the Northwest Alabama Arts Council will hold its regularly-scheduled meeting Monday, December 17, 5:30 p.m., Hamilton City Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!


Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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ANDY MILLER SENDS US CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM IRAQ

Marla & Ed Minter sent 49 County News.Net this link for everyone who knows their son, Andy Miller.  Andy sends his personal Holiday Greetings via Media Player and the Internet.  Andy is pictured above with his brother, Greg and their grandfather, Rex Avery, who just recently passed away.  This photo was taken in July 2007.

Andy's Family Readiness Group from the 101st Airborne has just posted online a short video of Andy's Christmas greeting. If you would like to see and hear Andy, here's the link:

CLICK HERE

Simply scroll down and and you will see his name and hometown (233519. Miller, Andrew PFC Hamilton Army Active Iraq) , and click on the media player. This is not a restricted website so you can share it with others.

In case the link does not work, go to www.dvidshub.net and click on "Holiday Greetings" and then select the State of Alabama on the map. Then scroll down to his name and click on the media player.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Marla & Ed

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Photos from Santa At Sports Gallery!.

Santa At Sports Gallery!

Merry Christmas! & A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year From

Sports Gallery

&

49 County News.Net

We love you Santa and We Believe!

Photos by Staff Photographer    Story - JMays

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Photos from Ice Storm Pictures From Kenneth Lowe In Choctaw, OK.

Ice Storm Pictures From Kenneth Lowe In Choctaw, OK

Choctaw, Oklahoma - Kenneth "Kenny" Lowe, a Hamilton, AL native, sent pictures of the ice storm which has hit parts of Oklahoma, Missouri and other parts of the Midwest all the way up to Chicago, IL.

The pictures shown below are from Ken's own yard, just yesterday.  "These are some pictures of the ice storm that hit my house here this week. Almost all the trees had damage," he said.

I was reminded of the big Ice Storm which we had a few years ago.  I am not sure of the year, but I think it was about 1985.  I remember staying in the house for three days and could not step onto the front porch.  I was afraid of falling! 

I was one of the fortunate few who lost power for only about 30 minutes!  And it was a good thing, too, because I had electric heat!  "All Electric" was what they called our houses at the time.  The gas lines had not been run out to my neighborhood yet.  A few folks had propane, but not my house! 

Does anyone else have any stories to tell about that one?

Take a look at Ken's pictures and let us pray that it doesn't come "down south"!

Just click on the pictures to view them large and life-size!

pictures courtesy of Kenneth Lowe Choctaw, Oklahoma - story by JMays  12/12/07

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Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Agency

M-WCCAA will be in the following locations to distribute food to eligible families.

No applications will be taken at the distribution sites.

DATE
SITE
TIME

12-17-07
Double Springs Community Center
11:00 a.m. - 12 noon

12-17-07
Addison Community Center
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 pm

12-18-07
Guin City Hall
10:00 a.m. -11:00 am

12-18-07
Brilliant Housing Authority
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

12-19-07
Haleyville Old ARC Building
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

12-19-07
Lynn City Hall
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

12-20-07
Hamilton Recreation Center
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

12-20-07
Winfield Community Center
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

12-21-07
Hackleburg Town Hall
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

12-21-07
Bear Creek City Hall
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

If additional information is needed please call:
Hamilton (205)921-4224,
Double Springs (205)489-5448,
Haleyville (205)486-7239

(This agency prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex age, handicap, religion or national origin)
Marion
Winston Counties Community Action Committee

P.O. Box 1716

Hamilton , AL
35570
(205) 921-4224
(205) 921-3415 FAX

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a song called" WALKING IN HIGH COTTON" - Yesteryears by Joel Palmer


I have not heard this song in several years.The words have a real
meaning to us "old Geezers"born back in the 1920s.that understand that one
has to do their own work in order to make it in this world, and after
doing their own hard work they have the right to" WALK IN HIGH
COTTON".Young folks may not understand the meaning of the words of this song.

We didn't know times were lean, around our house the grass was green.It
didn't seem that times were all that bad.I bet we walked a thousand
miles chopping cotton following a plow,learning how to give it all we
had.As life went on and years went by I saw the light in Daddy's eye and
felt the love in Mama's hand.They kept us warm and kept us fed and
taught us how to look ahead.Now looking back I understand.


WE were walking in high cotton.Old times were not forgotten.Those
fertile fields were never far away.We were walking in high cotton.Old times
were not forgotten.
leaving home was the hardest thing I ever did.

When Sunday morning rolled around.WE dressed up in hand me downs just
in time to gather at the church.Sometimes I think how long its been and
how it impressed me then.It was the only day my daddy didn't work.
CHORUS:
WE were walking in high cotton.Old times were not forgotten.Those
fertile fields were never far away.We were walking in high cotton.old times
were not forgotten.Leaving home was the hardest thing I ever did.

Joel Palmer, said,"Trust me young folks when I tell you that 75 to 80
years are not as long as you think."Come lord Jesus and help us,we are
making a mess out of life here.May each of you earn the right to WALK IN
HIGH COTTON. jp

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Dec. 14, 2007 Local Man Dies After NiSource Gas Pipeline Explodes Near Delhi, Louisiana

BY KEITH BENMAN
kbenman@nwitimes.com
219.933.3326 Tuesday, December 18, 2007

A motorist in Louisiana was killed when a large natural gas pipeline owned by NiSource Inc. exploded along Interstate 20 near Delhi in the state's northeast corner.

Corbin Fawcett, 47, of Haleyville, Ala., died of injuries he sustained when a section of the Columbia Gulf natural gas pipeline exploded at 1 p.m. Friday and his pickup truck crashed, according to Louisiana State Police. A passenger sustained minor injuries.

Columbia Gulf was able to keep all its major customers supplied throughout the weekend, according to company spokesman Brent Archer. Columbia Gulf supplies natural gas to Columbia of Ohio and other utilities that deliver natural gas to homes and businesses in the Midwest, Southeast and East.

The pipe where the explosion took place was shut down as were two parallel ones. The parallel ones were reopened once they were checked for safety, Archer said. The pipe damaged by the explosion remains shut down for repairs.

A U.S. Department of Transportation investigation is underway but the cause of the blast has not yet been determined, Archer said.

Columbia Gulf and Columbia of Ohio are both owned by NiSource, which has its headquarters in Merrillville. NiSource also owns NIPSCO, Indiana's largest utility. NIPSCO customers were not affected by the incident.

Fawcett's death is the first ever for a non-employee of the company due to an incident on the Columbia Gulf system, according to Archer.

The westbound lanes of I-20 were closed for about five hours and eastbound lanes for about eight hours by the blast and cleanup effort, according to state police. The Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, U.S. Department of Transportation and Columbia Gulf all responded to the scene.

Link to Story Source

Map

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Photos from Wreck - 4:20 P.M. Friday Dec. 14, 2007 In Weston.

Wreck - 4:20 P.M. Friday Dec. 14, 2007 In Weston

Hamilton (Weston) - An automobile accident  occurred Friday, December 14, 2007 at the intersection of Chestnut Circle (West) and Old Hwy 78 West in front of Galbreath's Country Buffet.

The two car accident caused quite a bit of damage to the automobiles involved but no injuries were reported at the time of the accident and names of those involved were not known at this time.

Photos by Staff Photographer Story -

jmays@49countynews.net

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SHB Church & Angel Food Ministries

South Hamilton Baptist Church is providing a service for Marion County
called Angel Food Ministries.

They provide food at a greatly reduced price . . not dependent on income.
Please click here to view next month's menu.
 

Email: shbc.angelfood@

yahoo.com for more info.

Check out the national website at http://www. angelfoodministries

.com/

Many Thanks to
Doug Puckett

For the information!

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Photos from The Solar Miner IV Stops In Hamilton.

The Solar Miner IV Stops In Hamilton

Solar Miner IV

Makes A Stop

In

Hamilton

Story and Some Photos
By Wayne Mays
Contributed Photos by Chaz

HAMILTON- Representatives from University of Missouri-Rolla Solar Car Team made a stop at Southside 66 in Hamilton, AL today.

University of Missouri-Rolla will soon be changing it's name to Missouri University of Science & Technology on Jan 1, 2008.

That doesn't keep them from still competing in the American Solar Challenge ( Click Here To View Webcams of Solar Miner VI Being Built ). Solar Miner VI will be competing in the 2008 American Solar Challenge.

The car featured above won the American Solar Challenge in 2003, which is a race from Chicago to LA traveling along Famous Route 66, in an elapsed time of 51 hours 47 mins 39 sec with a top speed of 65 mph.

The features of Solar Miner IV

Body: Foam and Kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: ~340lbs
Tires: Bridgestone (3 tires)

Batteries: Lithium-ion polymer
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells: gallium-arsenide, 1400W

Neat fact about the Solar Miner IV is that it can operate all day long and only use the same amount of electricity that it takes to power a hairdryer.
 

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Conversation With John Mark Karr

CLICK HERE To Read

My Conversation With and a Letter From John Mark Karr Concerning His Recent Visit to Hamilton...Dec. 10, 2007

Judy Webb Mays jmays@49countynews.net

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DEC. 30, 2007 Air Evac Helicopter Crashes During Search;

No Survivors Reported

An Air Evac helicopter searching for a lost hunter crashed early today in a wooded area of Colbert County. There were no survivors, authorities said.

The crash happened at about 3 a.m. just off Mount Mills Road. The crash scene is south of Barton.

It was unclear as of 4 a.m. how many people were inside the helicopter. Officials said Air Evac normally uses three-man crews.

Air Evac is an air ambulance service, which also assists in search and rescue missions.

Emergency management personnel began searching for the hunter at about 1 a.m., according to Mike Melton, director of the Colbert County Emergency Management Authority.

One man involved in the search said the Air Evac crew had spotted the man just before 3 a.m. and were holding a spotlight on him to show ground searchers where to find him. Suddenly, the helicopter crashed, causing a huge explosion.

The hunter was uninjured, officials said.

Melton said investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Security Board were dispatched to the scene just before 4 a.m. and will handle the investigation into what caused the crash.

Click Here for the full story at Times Daily.com
 

By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer,   TimesDaily.com

Last Updated: December 30. 2007 4:19AM
Published: December 30. 2007 3:30AM
Last Modified: December 30. 2007 4:19AM

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Gone But Not Forgotten In 2007

This is a list (but not all inclusive) of people we have known and grown up knowing.  I thought you might like to see who we have lost in the year 2007.  You might recognize some...Most have been household names since television came into our living rooms. If I've left off any names that you want to see included, just email them to me at the email below and I will include them in the list. jmays@49countynews.net
If you want to read more about any name, just copy and paste the name into the Google search bar at the top of our front page.

~

January 8 - Yvonne De Carlo, Born 9/1/1922, Peggy Yvonne Middleton, actress, Most famous for her role al Lilly Munster on TV's sitcom "The Munsters" and as the wife of Moses in the classic movie "The Ten commandments", age 84

January 10 - Carlo Ponti, producer ("Doctor Zhivago") and husband of Sophia Loren, age 94

January 14 - Darlene Conley, Born 7/18/1934, actress (Sally Spectra on "Bold and the Beautiful") age 72

January 16 - Ron Carey, Born 12/11/1935, TV actor most famous for his role as Officer Carl Levitt on TV series "Barney Miller" age 71

January 17 - Art Buchwald, columnist for the Washington Post, age 81

January 19 - Denny Doherty, singer in the original Mamas and the Papas, age 66

January 20 - Sen. George Smathers, former U.S. Senator and confidant to several Presidents, age 93

January 27 - Tige Andrews, Born 3/19/1920, actor (Capt. Adam Greer on "Mod Squad") age 86

January 29 - Barbaro, thoroughbred race horse injured at 2006 Preakness, age 4

January 30 - Sidney Sheldon, author, producer ("The Other Side of Midnight" and "I Dream of Jeannie") age 89

February 4 - Barbara McNair - Born 3/4/1934, Singer and actress. Starred with Elvis Presley in Change of Habit.

February 6 - Frankie Laine, singer (theme to "Rawhide") age 93

February 8 - Anna Nicole Smith, Born 11/28/1967, Playmate, Reality TV star, tabloid maven, age 39

February 19 - Janet Blair - Born 4/23/1921, TV and and film actress, she was most famous for role co-staring with Rosalind Russell in My sister Eileen

Fenruary 24 - Lamar Lundy, defensive lineman and part of the "Fearsome Foursome" of the L.A. Rams of the '60s, age 71

February 24 - Bruce Bennett - Born 5/19/1906, Starred as Tarzan in the 1930's under the name Herman Mix. Later changed his named and appeared in such famous movies as Mildres Pierce, Dark Passage and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Also won an Olympic silver medal in shot-putting in 1928.

February 28 - Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. Historian and Kennedy family confidant, age 89

March 4 - Sen. Thomas Eagleton, briefly a Vice Presidential nominee under George McGovern in 1972, age 77

March 8 - John Inman - Born 6/28/1935, British actor starred in the TV Series Are you Being Served? as Mr. Humphies

March 9 - Brad Delp, lead singer of Boston ( "More Than a Feeling" and "Long Time" ) age 55

March 10 - Richard Jeni, comedian, ( HBO special "Richard Jeni: Good Catholic Boy") age 49

March 11 - Betty Hutton, actress ("Greatest Show on Earth" and "Annie Get Your Gun") age 86

March 15 - Bowie Kuhn, former Major League Baseball commissioner, age 80

April 3 - Eddie Robinson, head football coach for 56 years at Grambling State University, age 88

April 7 - Barry Nelson, actor ("My Favorite Husband" and "What's My Line") age 89

April 11 - Kurt Vonnegut,author ("Slaughterhouse-Five") age 84

April 11 - Roscoe Lee Browne, Born 5/2/1925, Emmy award winning actor and director, he played cook, Jedediah Nightlinger, in the 1972 John Wayne Movie, The Cowboys

April 14 - Don Ho, singer/performer ("Tiny Bubbles") age 76

April 17 - Kitty Carlisle Hart, actress ("to Tell the Truth") age 96

April 23 - David Halberstam, author ("The Best and the Brightest" and "The Fifties") age 73

April 23 - Boris Yeltsin, Former Russian President, age 76

April 25 - Bobby "Boris" Pickett singer "Monster Mash"), age 69

April 26 - Jack Valenti, former White House aide and long time president of the Motion Picture Association of America, age 85

April 28 - Tommy Newsom, bandleader called "Mr. Excitement" by Johnny Carson on the "Tonight Show", age 78

April 28 - Dabbs Greer, Born 4/2/1917, played Rev. Alden on TV show Little House on the Prairie

April 30 - Tom Poston, Born 10/17/1921, actor (Cliff Murdock on "The Bob Newhart Show") age 85

May 3 -Wally Schirra, Original Mercury 7 astronaut who also flew in the Gemini and Apollo programs, age 84

May 15 - Rev. Jerry Falwell, Founder and Chancellor of Liberty University, age 73

May 15 - Yolanda King, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eldest child, age 51

May 25 - Charles Nelson Reilly, Comedian and Tony winner actor/director best known as a panelist on the TV game show Match Game.

June 12 - Don Herbert, The beloved Mr. Wizard from children's Television show

June 14 - Ruth Graham, beloved wife of Rev. Billy Graham

June 26 - Liz Clairborne, fashion designer, age 78

June 29 - Joel Siegel, longtime movie critic for "Good Morning America", age 63

July 2 - Beverly Sills,Brooklyn-born opera diva, age 78

July 11 - Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, former First Lady of the United States 1963-1969, age 94

July 20 - Tammy Faye (Bakker) Messner, fomer wife of TV preacher Jim Bakker, age 65

July 29 - Tom Snyder, TV talk host ( "Tomorrow," "Late Late Show" ) age 71

July 30 - Ingmar Bergman, famed Swedish director ("The Seventh Seal" ) age 89

July 30 - Bill Walsh, legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers, age 75

August 4 - Jim Skinner, 87. Patriarch of a Birmingham auto dealership family and sometimes star of a series of quirky television commercials, Skinner founded Jim Skinner Ford more than 50 years ago, and it remains one of Alabama's oldest family-owned car dealerships.

August 8 - Charles Lane - Character actor who was seen one hundreds of TV and movies

August 12 - Merv Griffin, talk show host, game show creator ("Jeopardy", "Wheel of Fortune") and casino owner, age 82, - Born 7/6/25.

August 13 - Phil Rizzuto, New York Yankee shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer, age 89

August 18 - Michael Deaver, close advisor to President Ronald Reagan, age 69

August 20 - Leona Helmsley, New York hotelier known as the "queen of mean," age 87

August 28 - Miyoshi Umeki, Academy Award winning actress most known for her role as Mrs. Livingston on the TV series The courtship of Eddie's Father

September 2 - Marcia Mae Jones, Child actress most famous for her roles with Shirley Temple in the movies Heidi and The Little Princess

September 4 - Michael Evans, actor (Col. Douglas Austin on the "Young and the Restless") age 87

September 6 - Luciano Pavoratti, legendary Italian tenor, age 71

September 10 - Jane Wyman, actress - Born Sarah Jane Mayfield on January 5, 1917, in St. Joseph, Missouri. (Angela Channing on "Falcon Crest") and 1st wife of Ronald Reagan, age 90.  Died in Palm Springs, California, USA (complications from arthritis and diabetes).


September 15 - Brett Somers, actress best known as a panalist on the TV game show Match Game

September 21 - Alice Ghostley, Born 8/14/1926, actress (Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women" ) age 81

September 21 - Rex Humbard, Born 8/13/1919, TV Evangelist ("Cathedral of Tomorrow") age 88

September 22 - Marcel Marceau, legendary mime, age 84

September 29 - Lois Maxwell, Born 2/14/1927, actress (Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond films) age 80

October 9 - Carol Bruce, Born 11/15/07, actress, Broadway and TV actress best known as Mama Carlson on TV series WKRP in Cincinnati

October 16 - Deborah Kerr, Born 9/30/1921, actress ("From Here to Eternity" and "The King and I"), age 86

October 17 - Joey Bishop, Born 2/3/1918, age 89, actor, comedian, best known for The Joey Bishop Show, last surviving member of the Rat Pack, (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop)

October 17 - Teresa Brewer, singer ("Music! Music! Music!") age 76

October 26 - Friedman Paul "Chef Tell" Erhardt (chef/writer) -- Died of Heart failure/diabetes, Born November 5, 1943. Philadelphia-based chef whose short cooking clips were syndicated across America during the '80s and '90s.

October 28 - Porter Wagoner, Country singer, Grand Ole Opry star, died of Lung cancer, Born August 12, 1927, "Green, Green Grass of Home", helped launch the career of Dolly Parton, had a long-running TV show, age 80

October 30 - Robert Goulet, Born 11/26/1933, Tony award winning singer/actor (Sir Lancelot in "Camelot") Died of Pulmonary fibrosis (died awaiting a lung transplant) His magnificent voice led to being cast as Lancelot in the original Broadway Camelot; married to Carol Lawrence during the '60s and '70s, did some funny commercials for Emerald Nuts in the months before he died at age 73

November 1 - Gen. Paul Tibbets, World War II pilot of the Enola Gay which dropped the A-bomb on Hiroshima, Born 3/23/1915, age 92

November 6 - Hilda Braid - Born 3/3/1929, English actress best known for her roles on TV series Citizen Snith and East Enders

November 10 - Laraine Day (actress), Born October 13, 1917. Foreign Correspondent, Nurse Lamont in many Dr. Kildaire movies, married to Leo Durocher for thirteen years.

November 10 - Norman Mailer, author, Born 1/31/1923, died of kidney failure, Controversial, pugnacious writer, acclaimed for his first novel The Naked and the Dead, he was considered counter-cultural in the '50s and helped found The Village Voice ("The Executioner's Song") age 84

November 11 - Delbert Mann, writer, Born 1/30/1920, died of pneumonia, directed Marty, Seperate Tables

November 13 - Ira Levin, Born 8/27/1929, Died of a heart attack, writer, wrote Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives and Deathtrap

November 19 - Dick Wilson, Born 7/30/1916, in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK, actor best known as "Mr. Whipple" in over 500 Charmin commercials, age 91

November 27 - Sean Taylor, safety for the Washington Redskins, and before, the Miami Hurricanes, age 24

November 27 - Dr. Robert Cade, Born 9/27/1927, medical researcher at the Univ. of Florida (Gators) researcher who invented Gatorade in 1965, age 80

November 30 - Evel Knievel, legendary motorcycle daredevil, age 69

 December 4 - David Edward "Chip" Reese (March 28, 1951 – December 4, 2007) was an American professional gambler from Centerville, Ohio. Card star who won one of the biggest cash games in the world and three World Series of Poker championships. He was 56.

December 12 - Ike Turner, Born November 5, 1931, controversial Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, age 76

December 13 - Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman (musician/actor) -- Died of Leukemia. Born August 17, 1936. Dances with Wolves, Hildago, Northern Exposure, performed with artists like Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson, founded the Eyapaha Institute.

December 16 - Dan Fogelberg (singer/songwriter) -- Died of Prostate cancer. Born August 13, 1951. Sang and wrote classic pop, like "Leader of the Band", "Longer" and "Same Auld Lang Syne".

December 14 - Judith Meuli (writer) Died of Multiple myeloma. Born February 15, 1938. A founder of the Feminist Majority, active in NOW, edited The Feminist Chronicles with longtime partner Toni Carabillo.

December 23 - Michael Kidd (choreographer) -- Died of Cancer. Born August 12, 1915. Choreographed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hello Dolly! and many Broadway musicals.

December 23 - Oscar Peterson (jazz pianist) -- Died of Kidney failure. Born August 15, 1925. Won a major talent contest when he was 14, continued performing for nearly 70 years, a Founder Award Winner from the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

December 27 - Benazir Bhutto (politician) -- Died by Assassination. Born June 21, 1953. Western-educated, former prime minister of Pakistan forced out on corruption charges, shot while campaigning for another term.

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Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 Governor Riley Awards Grant for Guin Police Department

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $25,000 to boost law enforcement for the Guin Police Department. The grant will enable the department to purchase a police vehicle.

"Law enforcement agencies across Alabama are called upon daily to protect and serve those in their communities and often they are required to place their lives in danger," Riley said. "It is essential that we supply them with reliable equipment and transportation enabling them to efficiently perform their jobs."

Riley notified Mayor Phil Segraves that the grant had been awarded.

The grant was awarded from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant.


STATE OF ALABAMA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

BOB RILEY GOVERNOR

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

BILL JOHNSON DIRECTOR

Dollie Burkhalter Larry Childers
(334) 242-5525

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