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Yearly Archives: 2018
Thousands enjoy Desperation Church’s fireworks festival at Heritage Park
Fireworks capped off the night's festivities at Heritage Park. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - In what has become a local tradition, thousands gathered...
Ashley Mercantile, ‘modern day general store,’ coming to Warehouse District
Ashley Mercantile will occupy the building left vacant when Rumor's Deli moved to its new location. (Andrew Cryer for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - Arguably the...
Holly Pond’s Wes Rakestraw appointed interim director of Wallace State’s Oneonta campus
Wes Rakestraw
ONEONTA - Wallace State Community College this week announced the appointment of Wesley (Wes) Rakestraw, of Holly Pond, as interim director of Wallace...
Holly Pond talks paving, lights, Brooklyn Road
The Holly Pond Town Council (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council discussed leveling and resurfacing projects for several...
‘Pray for Nick Brown’: joyful homecoming with ‘Alabama family’
Nick Brown greets a well-wisher at Tuesday’s VFW luncheon. Brown suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2015. (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - An...
4th of July: here’s where you can see some fireworks
8 a.m. Smith Lake Park Fireworks and Music Festival ($5 per person for park admission)
This day-long celebration kicks off bright and early at 8...
Fairview’s Col. Donald Fallin reaches 800-mile mark on Appalachian Trail
At McAfee Knob, just beyond the 700-mile point in Virginia
FAIRVIEW - The Tribune has been following the journey of retired U.S. Army Col. Donald...
Vinemont 12U softball team headed to Dizzy Dean Fastpitch World Series
The Vinemont 12U softball team and coaches are headed to the Dizzy Dean Fastpitch World Series next week. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Evans Johnson)
VINEMONT...
Baileyton Town Council faces challenge over senior center bus
The Baileyton Town Council (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
BAILEYTON - On Monday evening, the Baileyton Town Council held its regular meeting, dealing with a...
Suspects in Daniel Osborn murder seeking youthful offender status
Tyler Hudson, left, and Andrew Maresh, right, were arrested and charged with the murder of Daniel Ray Osborn II, center, after Osborn’s body was...
3 separate drug busts net total of almost 127 grams of meth, 124 pills,...
Left to right: Chasidy Kirkland, Daniel Peek and Kristy Self (Cullman County Sheriff’s Office)
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) last Thursday through...
Arrest report: July 2
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for July 2. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
Milo’s celebrating 1 year in Cullman; giveaways July 5-7
Milo's opened in its current location in Cullman on July 6, 2017. (Tribune file photo)
CULLMAN - Milo’s Hamburgers is celebrating the first anniversary of...
40 years in: meet the CPD’s only remaining Vietnam veteran, Terry Heaton
Cullman Police Officer Terry Heaton poses for a photo at the department last week. Heaton is the CPD’s only remaining Vietnam veteran. He also...
R.E. Garrison Trucking dedicates truck to veterans, hands keys to veteran driver
Military veterans from the Cullman Police Department get their picture taken with the truck and Garrison executives. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - On...
Smith Lake Park Fireworks & Music Festival all day Wednesday, July 4
CULLMAN – This year’s Smith Lake Park Fireworks & Music Festival kicks off at 8 a.m. this Wednesday, July 4. There will be arts...
2 dead following Vinemont wreck
LATEST UPDATE: (Update) Elderly couple dies following Vinemont wreck
http://www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/07/02/update-elderly-couple-dies-following-vinemont-wreck
VINEMONT - Two people have died following a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 31 North in...
Arrest report: June 29-July 1
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 29-July 1. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure...
4th of July: City and County closings, sanitation schedules
CULLMAN - All City of Cullman and Cullman County offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Sanitation routes
City residential...
Guests enjoy Garden City Freedom Celebration, back after a break
The Garden City Freedom Celebration was back Sunday night after not being held last year. (Andrew Cryer for The Tribune)
GARDEN CITY - After taking...
‘Igniting Hope’: combating suicide and depression in Cullman County
Karen Cook, founder of Cook Ministries, records a video of Justin Lynch, co-founder of Preventive Action of Cullman, during an Igniting Hope event at...
Bremen man dies after motorcycle crash
CULLMAN - A Bremen man has died as a result of a Saturday motorcycle crash.
Joseph Andrew Hopkins, 46, was injured when the 1994 Honda...
American Legion kicks off area’s 4th of July celebrations
Guests enjoyed bingo games before the fireworks. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
GOOD HOPE - To kick off this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, Cullman’s...
Cullman Fireworks Festival July 4 at Heritage Park
This year's Cullman Fireworks Festival will take place on Wednesday, July 4 at Heritage Park. (Photo courtesy of Desperation Church)
CULLMAN – The seventh annual...
ALDOT 4th of July holiday travel update
MONTGOMERY – As an added precaution during the heavily traveled Fourth of July holiday, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is doing its part...
Agricultural history on display in Hanceville
Most of the show’s entries were restored tractors. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
HANCEVILLE - History was on display on the campus of Wallace State...
TRIBUNE COLUMN: News from the Pond, June 30
Holly Pond Civitan Club members with their two guest speakers at their recent meeting; Julia Floyd, secretary; Kay Stewart, local club president; Megan Mindel,...
Troopers report 2 motorcycle wrecks, 1 fatality
Alabama State Troopers report that two serious motorcycle crashes happened today, one in Limestone County and one in Cullman County.
The three-vehicle crash in Limestone...
Local author, artist, teacher present live art
Sharon Drake reads “The Reluctant Topiary” while author Ben Johnson South displays illustrations and artist Jack Tupper looks on. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN...
4th of July celebrations big and small: events kick off today
There are multiple Fourth of July events happening around the Cullman area this year. (Tribune file photo)
CULLMAN - Independence Day is Wednesday, but celebrations...
‘The most innovative park in the state of Alabama’: Connected Playground opens
Children play at the new Connected Playground at Ingle Park, while adults tour the new facility. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - Years of...
Porter resigns from Hanceville council; tractor show Saturday
Hanceville City Council members discuss council business during Thursday’s meeting at Hanceville City Hall. (Hayden Hyatt for The Tribune)
HANCEVILLE – The Hanceville City Council...
Arrest report: June 28
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 28. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
Ivey announces GE Appliances Decatur expansion, creation of 255 jobs
DECATUR – GE Appliances plans to invest $115 million in an expansion of its manufacturing facility in Decatur, adding 255 full-time jobs, Gov. Kay...
Moss Service celebrates staff longevity
L-R: Alabama Funeral Directors Association President Heath Bowen, 50-year pin recipient Keith Patillo, 25-year pin recipient Gary Murphree, Martha Mosteller (who received a 25-year...
Local students named to Dean’s, President’s Lists for UA Spring 2018 Term
TUSCALOOSA - A total of 11,347 students enrolled during the 2018 spring semester at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean's List...
Wallace State’s men’s basketball team named NJCAA Academic Team of the Year
Wallace State’s men’s basketball team is the 2017-2018 NJCAA Academic Team of the Year for earning a 3.48 GPA.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s men’s basketball...
(Bonus) Pet of the Week: pick this Blueberry!
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Animal Shelter’s Donna Ruttkay introduces us to The Cullman Tribune’s (bonus) Pet of the Week:
Blueberry is a German Shepherd/Husky...
‘Cullman Challenge’ cut short due to weather
Swimmers from Cullman, Jasper, Sheffield and Florence swim teams race for the best time during the Cullman Challenge Swim Meet at the Cullman Wellness...
Arrest report: June 27
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 27. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
New medical clinic opens in West Point
Nurse practitioner P. Diana Wilhite speaks to guests who came out for Thursday morning’s ribbon cutting at the new West Point Family Medical Practice....
Troopers urge motorists to buckle up this 4th of July
Image credit: Pixabay
MONTGOMERY - Alabama State Troopers are encouraging motorists to buckle up this 4th of July.
According to Lt. J.R. Ward II, “In 2017...
Met-South celebrates grand opening in Hanceville
L-R: Met-South owners Cathy and Don Jesse, Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail and Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer pose for a photo on...
(UPDATED) MISSING PERSON: CCSO searching for missing Cullman girl, 13
UPDATE: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reports that the missing girl has been located and is safe.
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office is...
Cullman man charged with three counts of selling meth
Jason Herron (Cullman Police Department)
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department's Crime Suppression Unit on Tuesday arrested a Cullman man for allegedly selling methamphetamine.
Jason Edward...
Ivey: Ridesharing law effective across Alabama July 1
Gov. Kay Ivey and supporters at the March 1, 2018 statewide ridesharing bill signing ceremony. The law goes into effect on Sunday, July 1....
Arrest report: June 26
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 26. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
LG Electronics to open Alabama solar panel plant in Huntsville, creating 160 jobs
MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that LG Electronics, a leading provider of residential solar panels in the United States, plans to invest...
Cullman council approves special events, recognizes police officers
Officer Jack Springer shakes hands with Councilman Andy Page after being recognized for 50 years of service with the Cullman Police Department at this...
Wallace State’s Kaitlin Richards, Ryan Ratliff selected as NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars
Wallace State students Kaitlyn Richards, left, and Ryan Ratliff have both been selected to travel to NASA’s Stennis Space Center this summer to participate...
Funding for economic development of abandoned mine lands to be available soon; Cullman Co....
MONTGOMERY – Cullman County is among those eligible to apply for grant money to reclaim and develop abandoned coal mine land. Sec. of Labor...
Pet of the Week: Thumbnail looking for his forever home
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Animal Shelter’s Donna Ruttkay introduces us to The Cullman Tribune’s Pet of the Week:
Thumbnail is a mixed breed dog...
County settles with Werner Enterprises over bridge damages
The Cullman County Commission met Tuesday morning. (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission Tuesday morning settled with transportation and logistics...
Arrest report: June 25
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 25. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
Victoria’s Hope: new area charity serves single parents
April Bowen German and sister Heather Hankey with their mother Victoria Hammond Hankey last Christmas. (Photo courtesy April German)
CULLMAN - After Victoria Hammond Hankey...
History made: Berlin holds first town council meeting
Berlin’s first government: (L-R) Councilmen Don Bates, Matthew Blair, Jimmy Quick and Donald Gunter with Mayor Patrick Bates (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
BERLIN -...
Good Hope steps closer to ordinance affecting CR 437
The Good Hope City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
GOOD HOPE - A brief...
‘Incredibles 2’ a must-see this summer; 8/10
Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Writer/director Brad Bird, along with the main voice cast of “The Incredibles,” have returned 14 years later to...
Joppa man arrested for selling meth
Nathan Powell (Cullman Police Department)
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit last week arrested a Joppa man for allegedly selling methamphetamine.
Nathan Alan...
Arrest report: June 22-24
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 22-24. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
Archers gather in Cullman to shoot for a cure
Matthew Burns, an archer, releases an arrow toward a 3D bear target during the 11th annual Shoot for a Cure 3D Archery Tournament at...
Standoff in city of Cullman ends peacefully
Cullman Sheriff's deputies can be seen on the scene of a standoff in the northeast part of the city of Cullman early Sunday evening....
Wallace State Singers to present “Sing America Sing!” July 5-7
Wallace State Singers prepare for their upcoming show, “Sing America Sing!” which will be held July 5-7, at 7 p.m. nightly, at the Betty...
6 months in, Grace Place thriving
For me personally, Grace Place ranks equal to being involved in the Good Samaritan Health Clinic. I receive infinitely more than I give. It...
PROFILES IN FAITH: Northbrook Baptist calls Keith Warden as pastor
Northbrook Baptist Church Pastor Keith Warden (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - After more than a year of searching, Cullman’s Northbrook Baptist Church called...
‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ brings the action, not the characters; Griffin’s score: 6/10
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is directed by J.A. Bayona, stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas-Howard and picks up the loose threads left by “Jurassic...
FEATURE: Inside Cullman Police Aviation
The Hughes 369A/OH-6A Cayuse, known to Vietnam veterans as the “Loach,” was designed to be a highly maneuverable light observation helicopter. (W.C. Mann for...
‘Connected Park’ to open next Friday, June 29
The Connected Playground at Ingle Park features equipment for children of all ability levels. The playground’s grand opening is Friday, June 29, 2018. (W.C....
Rotary Club awards scholarships
From Brian Bradberry, Cullman Rotary Club:
We were so proud to award Leah Smith from West Point High School and Hayden Hovater from Cullman High...
Summer fun
Kids in Colony’s summer enrichment program met Smokey Bear on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Patricia Ponder/Colony Town Hall)
COLONY - On Wednesday, kids enrolled in Colony’s...
3 injured in Jones Chapel tornado ‘are OK’
This mobile home near Jones Chapel was destroyed by a tornado Friday evening. (Courtesy of Phyllis Little)
JONES CHAPEL - The tornado that struck a...
Cullman Regional Urgent Care welcomes Cindy Hawkins, CRNP
Cindy Hawkins, CRNP
CULLMAN - Cindy Hawkins, CRNP, has joined Cullman Regional Urgent Care staff. Hawkins is a certified family nurse practitioner as well as...
Infant specialty store, Rattles & Rhymes, opens in Cullman
Owner Ann Still with daughter Emily Almonte and grandson Shepard Almonte (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - Since Christmas, Ann Still and her daughter...
Arrest report: June 21
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 21. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
WaLLi members enjoy friendly competition in ice cream contest
Winners in the WaLLi Ice Cream contest are, from left, Linda Pearson, 3rd place, Chocolate Chip with Almond; Wanda Creel, 2nd place, Vanilla; and...
Holly Pond business leaders talk growth
Brian Poole, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce director of business development, third from left, speaks with Holly Pond business and organizational leaders during a...
Gudger buys lunch for community at Busy Bee
Senator-Elect Garlan Gudger, left, with The Busy Bee Café’s Kitty Spears at the restaurant on Thursday. Gudger bought lunch for the community. (Andrew Cryer...
‘Feeding the body and the soul’: Church 212 starts community garden to feed the...
Church 212 members work in the church’s community garden in early June (Photo courtesy Robert Taylor)
GOOD HOPE - Right down County Road 437 from...
U.S. Supreme Court says states can require online-only retailers to collect sales and use...
MONTGOMERY - In a landmark ruling in the case of South Dakota v. Wayfair, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a 26-year-old decision...
City school board approves early adoption of 2.5% pay raise for teachers; open house...
East Elementary Principal David Wiggins addresses the Cullman City School Board Thursday morning (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - The Cullman City School Board...
Arrest report: June 20
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 20. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
(Updates) ALDOT inspecting damaged I-65 bridge in Cullman County
An 18-wheeler dump truck's bed came up and caught the bridge on I-65 at the 300 mile marker at the Guy Hunt rest area...
A new calling: meet Good Samaritan’s new nurse practitioner
Stephanie Barnett is the new certified registered nurse practitioner at the Good Samaritan Health Clinic in Cullman. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - Good...
Car show raises more than $3K for child hunger program
Scott Spitzer, Brenda Allison and Laurie Legg (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - Pentastar South Car Club partnered with Cullman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram...
Wallace State has school-record 51 student-athletes recognized by NJCAA for academic achievements
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State athletics had a school-record 51 student-athletes recognized recently for their academic achievements during the 2017-2018 year in list released by...
ALERT: Utility termination scam targeting Cullman-area businesses
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department has recently received complaints from local businesses about delinquent power bill phone scams.
According to Sgt. Todd Chiaranda, businesses...
Cullman Swim Team easily puts away Albertville, 490-230
Swimmers take flight at Tuesday's swim meet at the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center, where the Cullman Swim Team took on Albertville. (Hayden Hyatt...
Arrest report: June 19
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 19. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
Bremen man charged with intent to distribute meth
Donald Holder (Cullman Police Department)
BREMEN - A Bremen man was arrested recently after officers with the Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) and...
WSCC student Brye Forbes 1st Academy of Culinary Arts SkillsUSA gold medal winner, preparing...
Brye Forbes is the first Wallace State student from the Academy of Culinary Arts program to win a gold medal at the state SkillsUSA...
FEMA registration period ends next Monday
ANNISTON - If you are a survivor of the tornadoes and severe storms that struck Alabama’s Calhoun, Cullman and Etowah counties March 19-20, you...
Cullman library to host premiere of original Ben South children’s story at ‘book walk’
“The Reluctant Topiary” was written by Cullman’s hometown author and playwright, Ben Johnson South.
CULLMAN - If you’re looking for something fun and original (and...
Cullman County Democrats discuss future events, campaign support
A selection of stickers was available for attendees. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN - The June meeting for the Cullman County Democrats saw heavy...
12U Cullman Cats win world series title; players look to be part of tradition
The 12U Cullman Cats won the 2018 Playmaker World Series in Hoover last weekend. (Photos courtesy of Cresha Bradley)
CULLMAN - The 12U Cullman Cats...
Arrest report: June 18
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for June 18. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to...
West Point’s Hwy. 157 turn lane project officially begins
WEST POINT - Mayor Kenneth Kilgo and the West Point Town Council met with T&K Construction at West Point Town Hall on Tuesday to...
Dr. William E. Smith, Jr. named Cullman Regional’s first chief medical officer
Dr. William E. Smith, Jr.
CULLMAN - William E. Smith, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. has been named Cullman Regional’s first chief medical officer (CMO) by Cullman...
Baileyton man arrested for selling meth
Brian Smith (Cullman Police Department)
CULLMAN - A Baileyton man was arrested last week and charged with selling methamphetamine, according to the Cullman Police Department.
Brian...
Pet of the Week: MacGyver will figure out how to win your heart
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Animal Shelter’s Donna Ruttkay introduces us to The Cullman Tribune’s Pet of the Week.
MacGyver is a hound/Anatolian Shepherd mix...
Garden City announces Freedom Celebration, upcoming paving projects
The Garden City Town Council meets on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
GARDEN CITY - Keeping...
