CULLMAN - The North Alabama Agriplex is offering a variety of programs for the month of January. Register online at www.agriplex.org. The facility has a new pre-pay incentive for children's programs; if pre-paid, registration is $2 off. All programs are at the North Alabama Agriplex Heritage Center, located at 1714 Tally Ho Street in Cullman.
Here's what's coming up for...
A participant reacts after taking the plunge in 2015.
CULLMAN – Cullman City Parks and Recreation’s third annual Community Wellness Day will be held at the Wellness and Aquatic Center (CWAC) on Saturday, Jan. 7. Attendees can try classes, peruse the booths at the Community Health Fair and participate in the popular Polar Bear Plunge.
“The center will be open to...
CULLMAN - This is a continuation of our New Year’s series, in which we asked local leaders to comment on the memorable things they encountered in their positions in 2016, as well as their visions for 2017. We have already heard from Cullman Fire Rescue Chief Edward Reinhardt, Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett, Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan...
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council met Monday evening, in spite of the rough weather, to discuss the monthly matters of the community. The minutes from the last meeting were read, then corrected. Next, the council read the financial report, and found it acceptable. The council then opened up to public comments, and the only person in...
CULLMAN - The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)-established system to monitor the academic achievement of all of Alabama's public schools is called the Alabama Accountability System (AAS). The AAS recently released the long-awaited and controversial 2015-2016 ALSDE “A-F Report Card,” albeit without letter grades assigned. There is a website, however, where parents can see percentile results by state,...
Wallace State Community College Physical Therapist Assistant students work on skills required to treat patients. Physical Therapist Assistant is of the nation’s fastest growing occupations projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and one of several occupations taught at Wallace State to make a list compiled recently by the Wall Street Journal. Using information provided by the Dale Carnegie...
2017 Cullman County Fair Association, Board of Directors
(Left to right), seated: Lion Richard White, Lion Dennis Berse, Lion Charles Childers, president, Lion Steve Cartee, vice president and Lion Steve Singleton, treasurer. Standing: Lion Charlie Powell, Lion Carey Thompson, Lion Rickey Peek, Lion Doug Spradlin and Lion Tommy Warhurst, secretary.
Not pictured, Lion Tim Scott, director
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Fair...
CULLMAN - We continue our series, asking area leaders about their memories of 2016 and their visions of 2017. They were asked not for recollections of their personal lives, but for views based on experiences in their professional positions.
Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson
1. What is the best thing you will remember about 2016?
"Completing our first school year...
FAIRVIEW - The Fairview Town Council held its regular meeting Monday evening, with Mayor Keith Henry, all council members and Town Clerk Debbie Shedd present.
After the invocation and pledge, the last meeting's minutes were approved without discussion before the council moved into old business.
Old business included three matters:
Henry gave an update on the town's senior center, noting that while...
JOHNSON'S CROSSING - A Hanceville man died last night in a three-vehicle incident on U.S. Highway 31 near Johnson's Crossing. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick identified the victim as Steven Parris, 56.
According to troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the crash happened at approximately 5:05 p.m. Parris was driving a 1993 Chevrolet truck. Troopers say he...
BATTLEGROUND - A 75-acre camp located near Battleground in eastern Cullman County, known as Camp Liberty, offers a youth leadership development program known as "Extreme Military Challenge" (XMC) The summer, holiday and weekend program, which operated for years on the campus of Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, relocated to the former Stoney Creek Christian Camp (15719 Alabama Highway...
Cullman Fire Rescue Chief Edward Reinhardt, Jr., left, and Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett
CULLMAN - The year 2016 was an eventful one in Cullman County. As we reflect, the Tribune asked some Cullman area leaders to respond to a brief survey about what they saw in 2016 and what they hope to see in 2017, in their particular professional...
CULLMAN - In January, the Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) will return to Cullman to present "Treasure Island" at the Cullman Civic Center, in partnership with Cullman City Parks and Recreation (CP&R). As with previous MCT productions, they'll be looking for local talent.
The Tribune spoke with event coordinator Waid Harbison to find out more. He shared a little about the...
HANCEVILLE - You’ve no doubt watched the famous ball drop in Times Square on your television on New Year’s Eve. Well, last night, a crowd gathered to watch another ball drop…in Hanceville.
To help celebrate the new year, Life Church of Hanceville hosted a ball drop complete with games, refreshments and live entertainment. While waiting for the countdown to the...
Top row, l-r: Blake Wilhight, Wilson Blaylock, Joshua Mentzr and Cheryl Powell
Bottom row, l-r: Tony Waldrop, Michelle Milsap, Delitha Marchman, Nancy Harrison and Karen Campbell
CULLMAN - It’s New Year’s Eve, and people are reflecting on the year past; “New Year, New Me” appears to be in full swing. We visited the Cullman County Courthouse on Friday to find out...
CULLMAN - New Year's Eve is here, and if you're looking for some place to ring in 2017, here are three great local options.
Goat Island Brewing New Year's Eve Party
This party will feature live music from local favorite Round 2 and one of Goat Island's signature brews, Thrill Hill Vanilla Porter.
As for eats? Freddie Day Catering will be serving...
Wayne White and Robin Yates, owners of The Middle of Nowhere
HOLLY POND - Holly Pond recently became home to another new business, and the owners are local folks. In November, The Middle of Nowhere, an antique shop and boutique, opened at 28 Brooklyn Road, behind the Chevron station at the town's main intersection. Wayne White and Robin Yates, along...
CULLMAN - An early-morning house fire near Cullman Middle School resulted in a total loss of the structure, but no fatalities or injuries, according to Cullman Fire Rescue Chief Edward Reinhardt, Jr.
The fire occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. at 109 Eighth St. NE, which is between the school and the railroad crossing.
Reinhardt says that initial reports were that a...
CULLMAN - The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Cullman County will kick off the 2017 fundraising season on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church of Cullman, marking the 24th year for the local fundraiser organized by a group of local volunteers.
The 2017 Relay For Life of Cullman County...
Mike Wolfe, Danielle Colby Cushman and Frank Fritz
If these faces look familiar, you must be a fan of the History Channel's “American Pickers." The cast and crew will be filming in north Alabama soon and would love to help you thin out your collections. If you have items that are unique and would like to sell them, please contact...
CULLMAN - A Hartselle man, Joshua Earl Hanners, 28, was arrested in Cullman on Tuesday and charged with unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hanners was arrested by Cullman City Police Department (CPD) Officers Trey Higginbotham and Philip Botelho after the two observed a Ford Explorer traveling on Childhaven Road with...
CULLMAN - Altoona resident Russell Howard Rich, 44, was arrested in Cullman on Dec. 22 after he allegedly sold drugs to officers in an undercover operation. Rich was arrested by the Cullman Police Department (CPD) for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
CPD Narcotics Investigators Justin Craft and Chris Thomason conducted the operation, during which Rich allegedly sold the officers...
CULLMAN - According to the Cullman County Revenue Commission, on-time property tax collections end Dec. 31. Property taxes are due each Oct. 1 and may be paid with no penalties or interest through Dec. 31.
All 2016 property tax payments must be paid in-full and (if mailed) postmarked by Dec. 31, 2016 to be considered on-time.
However, because Jan. 1, 2017...
CULLMAN - Students from the Cullman community are preparing to showcase their talents to benefit nursery and pediatric care at Cullman Regional on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. in the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre at Wallace State.
The 2017 Bownes Memorial For Kids’ Sake Variety Show celebrates the variety of talent among the youth in our area. The program...
Photo taken Dec. 13: Colony Town Council members are (front) Julian Fields, (center) Jamelle Dimbo, (back, l-r) Mayor Donnis Leeth, Tam Malcolm, Myra Twitty and Curtis Johnson.
COLONY - Due to the absence of three council members during the Christmas/New Year holiday, the Colony Town Council did not hold its regular meeting this week. The Tribune did, however, catch up...
CULLMAN - Cold Springs Elementary School Principal Phillip Gay was arrested Sunday evening in Cullman and charged with driving under the influence. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. Christmas evening at Main Avenue and Graham Street. He has been placed on administrative leave.
"I have met with Mr. Gay. As of today, he has been placed on administrative leave...
CULLMAN - If you’re looking for somewhere to dine on Christmas Day, or just want to get out of the house and not have to worry about cleaning the kitchen, there are several restaurants around town that are open today.
Here’s a list of restaurants that are open on Christmas Day:
New China: 10 a.m.-9: p.m.; 1720 Second Ave. SW,...
CULLMAN - At Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in downtown Cullman, one of the most treasured and anticipated traditions of the season features its children: the annual Christmas Eve Children's Mass, featuring the Christmas Pageant. Children from the church and school put on their costumes and become Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds and wise men. There are even animals:...
Bethsadia VFD Chief Buddy Carden, member Cody Bice and Assistant Chief Maurice Reynolds at the Dec. 1 board meeting
BETHSADIA - After a mass resignation of seven firefighters and EMTs on Nov. 28, a tense Dec. 1 Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) board meeting ended with Chief Buddy Carden and resigned Assistant Chief Maurice Reynolds agreeing to meet for breakfast...
The cast at the dress rehearsal Thursday afternoon
CULLMAN - Almost every church, be it high church or low church, traditional or contemporary, from the classical parish hall to the rented storefront, has its Christmas traditions. This time of year, we see "hanging of the green," "carols by candlelight" and cantatas galore.
At Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in downtown Cullman,...
CULLMAN - As Christmas draws closer, many people are still out looking for last-minute gifts. For those who wish to avoid crowded stores, the 10th annual Giant Christmas Sale will be open at the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center until Christmas Eve. The sale is open until 8 p.m. tonight and from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. tomorrow.
Even two days before...
HANCEVILLE - The Hanceville City Council held a regular meeting Thursday evening, passing a resolution which will set in motion the City’s recent half-cent sales tax increase, and addressing urgent road repairs.
In new business, the council passed a resolution to start collection of the recent half-cent sales tax increase at the beginning of the year. The resolution passed Thursday...
HOLLY POND - The Cullman Police Department (CPD) used the department's newly-acquired helicopter to locate a stolen vehicle in Holly Pond on Wednesday. CPD pilot Matt Dean and Investigator Sgt. Scott Sanford located the stolen vehicle off of County Road 698.
The vehicle was reported stolen on Dec. 19 from a business in the city of Cullman. Due to the...
The Cullman community has been fantastic about helping us to provide these services. We couldn’t do this without their support.”
Brenda Thomas, co-director of Daystar House
Image provided by Daystar House.
CULLMAN - Worldwide, it is estimated that there are more than 100 million homeless people. An estimated 800,000 of them live in the United States, and 200,000 of them are children.
Think...
A winning entry from 2016's contest
BIRMINGHAM – McDonald’s of Central Alabama proudly announces the fifth year of the McDonald’s Celebration of Creativity Art Contest. To celebrate Black History Month 2017, 95.7 JAMZ, WBRC FOX6 and McDonald’s are asking students across central Alabama, including Cullman County, to submit unique artwork that expresses their depiction of the civil rights movement and...
Hospice & Home Care Team: The Cullman Regional Hospice Team recently celebrated National Home Care & Hospice Month, which recognizes the compassionate care team that provides excellent in home and end-of-life care.
CULLMAN - It’s hard to believe, it all began with a group of concerned Cullman area citizens, both professional and lay persons, who met at the Cullman Civic...
CULLMAN - A Cullman man was arrested this week for allegedly burglarizing Tobacco Country on U.S. Highway 278 West and Cleveland Avenue. David Eric Sanders, 28, was charged with two counts of third-degree burglary.
On Tuesday, Cullman City Police Department (CPD) Investigators Chris Thomason and Justin Craft, along with Lt. Jody Martin, Lt. Jeff Warnke and Officer Trey Higginbotham, arrested...
Updated 12/21/16 at 10:12 p.m.
HANCEVILLE - Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long today announced the arrest of a major area drug trafficker. Long, along with Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail, held a press conference to announce the arrest of Bradley Neal Steele, 33, of Blountsville.
According to Long, earlier this month, officers from the Hanceville Police Department (HPD) received information that Steele...
WEST POINT - West Point Elementary School's playground serves both that school and West Point Middle, as well as being a community park outside school hours. Most of the equipment is more than 30 years old (some more than 40), though, and showing its age in all the bad ways: rusty metal, splintering wood. A group of concerned citizens...
CULLMAN – According to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), fatalities on Alabama highways are up more than 25 percent this year over last year. In Cullman County, that number is closer to 50 percent.
“So far, there have been 23 traffic fatalities in Cullman County this year,” said Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick. “I only had a dozen...
Audience members show their opposition to a rezoning ordinance with a show of hands.
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Council held its regular meeting Monday evening, with a larger and more vocal than usual crowd in attendance. Several measures were on the table, but most of the audience members were there to show their objections to a proposed rezoning of...
CCCDC members Josh Speakman, Bradley Williams, Bill Strandlund (chairman), Joe Golden, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and State Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope
CULLMAN - On Monday evening the Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) met to consider requests for grants, and awarded seven grants totaling more than $160,000 in disbursements. The commission usually retains a $100,000 reserve, but according...
CULLMAN - The Cullman Lions Club presented Cullman Caring for Kids a very special gift Monday evening: a check for almost $19,000.
The club’s meeting, held at the All Steak Restaurant, started with a quick game of Christmas trivia and a few updates on the health of fellow members, followed by President Barry Willingham announcing upcoming birthdays and events. When...
CULLMAN - The Cullman Economic Development Agency (CEDA) and Drinkard Development have announced the coming of three new businesses to the city of Cullman: Harbor Freight Tools, Ashley Furniture and Milo's Hamburgers.
CEDA Project Coordinator Susan Eller forwarded to the Tribune a press release from Harbor Freight Marketing Manager Collin Ozar. The California-based discount tool chain will open its Cullman...
Beautiful Christmas décor on this year’s Christmas Tour of Homes
CULLMAN - This time of year, there is a lot of hustle and bustle, the weather turns sharply colder and people are often preoccupied with their Christmas shopping, parties and trips out of town. But for those in our community who are sick or have relatives who are in the...
CULLMAN - This holiday season marks the 14th annual Cullman Winter Wonderland light display at Sportsman Lake Park, and there are five nights remaining to enjoy it.
The light displays and subsequent activities will continue until the 23rd at 10 p.m. Weather permitting, the Sportsman Lake Winter Express Train will run, as well as carriage rides. Admission to the park...
The original raised bed, shortly after its completion in 2015.
LOGAN - Lea Scott is the librarian and eighth-grade history teacher at Harmony School (HS) in Logan. Not all her educational endeavors keep her cooped up inside, though. She also manages Harmony's "outdoor classroom."
HS is a member of the Alabama Wildlife Federation's Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program, which is dedicated to...
CULLMAN - On Saturday morning, several area kids were rounded up at the Cherokee Avenue Chick-fil-A and transported from the scene by Cullman Police. It's okay, though. They were on their way to Wal-Mart to take part in the Cullman Police Department's (CPD) fourth annual "Shop with a Cop" day. After breakfast, officers took the kids over to the...
FAIRVIEW - On Friday evening the Fairview Lions Club hosted its first Christmas parade, running from the elementary school down to Fairview Town Park, where other activities were planned. The parade itself was a small one, but provided entertainment for the large crowd in attendance. New Mayor Keith Henry served as grand marshal, accompanied by the town council, Fairview...
VINEMONT - The top two items on the agenda for this week’s Vinemont Town Council meeting were the town’s Cary C. Montgomery Scout Community Center, known locally as the “Scout House,” and the possibility of the state purchasing a home for use by the mentally and physically disabled.
According to council members, questions have been asked regarding the rental of...
SIMCOE - A house fire on County Road 1635 in the Simcoe community resulted in a total loss of the structure this afternoon. Fortunately, no one was home at the time of the blaze.
"This was a structure fire, but no one was in the house at the time," said Fairview Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Mark West. "They pretty much...
DODGE CITY - Two Dodge City residents were arrested Thursday after a search warrant led to the discovery of drugs and firearms.
Stephen Joshua Hughes, 40, of Dodge City was charged with first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and had two warrants for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Jennifer Hughes, 37, of Dodge City...
Wallace State Quiz Bowl members are, from left, sponsor Christine O’Leary, Ross Wallace, Zakk Waddell, Derik Arendall and Paul Knetter.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s Quiz Bowl team recently accomplished a feat sponsor Christine O’Leary hasn’t witnessed in 20+ years as the coach.
Wallace State’s team, made up of four freshmen, won all three tournaments it competed in this fall, including the...
Newly-elected board member Heath Allbright takes his oath of office.
CULLMAN -The Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) met Thursday evening, presenting awards and giving recognition to several individuals, and also swearing in newly-elected board members.
Recognized were Gene Sullins for his service as CCBOE president, James Thompson for his four years representing District 3 and Wendy Crider for her 12...
FAIRVIEW and HANCEVILLE - On Thursday, representatives of Merchants Bank visited Fairview High School and later met with staff from all three Hanceville schools to deliver John Deere Gator ATVs the organization has donated to the schools.
According to Merchants Bank Vice President Eric Laney, the bank is an "adopt-a-school" sponsor for Fairview and Hanceville.
Bank President Charlie Nesmith said, "A...
Kendra Cummings works as a phlebotomist at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She completed the non-credit Phlebotomy program through Wallace State Community College’s Continuing Education program after graduating high school.
HANCEVILLE - Kendra Cummings of Baileyton once had a fear of needles. But the 2014 graduate of Vinemont High School found a way to overcome her fear and found a career...
Hoss and Elsa went home with Cullman City Police Chief Kenny Culpepper and family.
EVA - Dianne McRea is on a mission. With the help of family, she operates Great & Small Rescue, a nonprofit animal welfare organization whose stated purpose is "To provide a safe and healthy 'NO KILL' shelter for domestic pets; to provide whatever care and training...
Last week the Cullman Alabama Bicentennial Committee met for the first time to discuss the upcoming state bicentennial. The state is branding it “ALABAMA 200.” State director of the event, Jay Lamar, came up from Montgomery to kick off the planning stages of the multi-year celebration, which starts next year and ends in the actual bicentennial year of 2019.
Chairman...
The newly upgraded game room in the Colony Educational Complex, seen in this photo from August, will be open for area children over the Christmas break.
COLONY - The Town of Colony is planning something special for its kids and those of the surrounding area. On Dec. 19, the Parks and Recreation Committee will open a game room at the...
CULLMAN - Cullman City Police Department (CPD) Investigator Chris Thomason, Sgt. Scott Sanford and Sgt. Adam Clark on Tuesday arrested Louie Lauton Farr, 64, of Crane Hill on three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Investigators made three controlled buys from Farr in which Farr allegedly sold them synthetic cannabinoids, also known as Spice/K2 or “fake weed.”
Farr is...
Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Wallace State Community College pose with representatives of Footprints Ministry. Pictured from left, are, in front: Erica Barnhouse (Decatur), Gloria Delaney (Madison), Ashley Acker (Huntsville), Alena Jakway (Cullman), Katie Bowers and her children Pearce and Irene, and Michelle Nali with daughter Skylar; middle: Joy Calloway (Fultondale), Makayla Owens (Moulton), Jeri Todd...
HANCEVILLE - Wallace State Community College’s Future Foundation recently introduced a new option for supporters to help meet the needs of students working toward completing their educations. Fund a Need offers supporters a breakdown of specific needs students can face each semester. These needs range from basics such as food and gas to assistance with tuition and fees.
“We see...
Cullman City Schools’ nurses
CULLMAN - It was a night of recognizing outstanding achievements when the Cullman City School Board met Tuesday evening.
First up was the Cullman High School competition cheerleading team, who recently won the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A championship at Wallace State Community College and qualified to participate in the upcoming National High School...
The Colony Town Council members are (front) Julian Fields, (center) Jamelle Dimbo, (back, l-r) Mayor Donnis Leeth, Tam Malcolm, Myra Twitty and Curtis Johnson.
COLONY - Council members couldn't say when the town last had a full town council, but it has one now. At their regular meeting Tuesday evening, the council unanimously voted to appoint local residents to fill...
GOOD HOPE - The Good Hope City Council met this week, fresh off a successful parade and Christmas in the Park event over the weekend.
“It was a huge success,” said Councilman Greg Brown. Mayor Jerry Bartlett commended Brown for his hard work with the event, citing Brown’s ability to raise a large amount of funds that the city can...
BAILEYTON - Hundreds turned out this weekend for Baileyton’s fifth annual Christmas celebration at the Baileyton Senior Center. Free food, drinks, fresh fruit, gifts and a free picture with Santa were provided for all those in attendance. The building was packed to near capacity, with more people coming in every few minutes.
“A lot of these kids need this;...
Representatives from the Cullman County Department of Human Resources address the commission during Tuesday's meeting.
CULLMAN - Tuesday’s Cullman County Commission meeting was a packed house, with a public hearing for Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) funding for the Cullman Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) and the execution of a licensing agreement between the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and...
Pictured are CCCDC member Bradley Williams, Dodge City Mayor Tawana Canada, Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope and Senior Center Director Ann Rice.
CULLMAN COUNTY - The Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) recently awarded two grants.
The Dodge City Senior Center received $12,000 for upgrades to the interior and the purchase of tables, chairs and other items.
Also receiving $12,000 was the...
Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson, Councilman Andy Page, Cullman High School Band Director Christopher Smith, Assistant Director Doug Teuscher and student representatives of the CHS band program (including both marching and symphonic bands)
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Council met Monday evening, with Mayor Woody Jacobs and council members Jenny Folsom, Clint Hollingsworth and Andy Page in attendance. ...
Kirk and Robbie Sue Vantrease
CULLMAN - Kirk and Robbie Sue Vantrease of Cullman are among the nine featured cooks in the just released “Best of Alabama Living” cookbook, published by the Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA).
The Vantreases, members of Cullman Electric Cooperative, are longtime contributors to the recipe pages of “Alabama Living,” the official publication of the electric cooperatives...
Cullman Fire Marshal Chris Chaffin talks fire safety.
CULLMAN - As we approach Christmas, Cullman County fire officials are encouraging citizens to be aware of the unique safety challenges this season brings. Homes often see more clutter, more activity around fireplaces, more cooking, more electrical usage (often with "creative" use of wiring), more people and more distractions.
An informal survey of...
CULLMAN - On Nov. 12 a suicide bomber managed to make his way onto Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. According to Jeremy Hogan, founder of the local veterans’ support organization Saving Forgotten Warriors (SFW), the harm at the base extended beyond the immediate tragedy of lost lives and wounded personnel. Bagram's Post Exchange (PX) was also damaged, which has...
CULLMAN - To quote country music legend Garth Brooks, “It's boots and chaps; It's cowboy hats; It's spurs and latigo; It's the ropes and the reins; And the joy and the pain; And they call the thing rodeo,” and that is exactly what the fans wanted Friday and Saturday night as they filled the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center...
WEST POINT - Ty Parker and the students of the West Point High School Performing Arts program are hard at work. The band may have finished its marching season, but it hardly paused to catch its breath before jumping into its next project: a full-length Christmas program featuring singers, instrumentalists, dancers and even a light show synced to the...
HOLLY POND - On a chilly Saturday afternoon, the Holly Pond Civitan Club put on its Christmas parade with the help of local officials and churches, the Holly Pond and Berlin fire departments, local businesses and organizations and the Holly Pond High School band. Mayor Bill Oliver served as grand marshal.
More than 20 entries took part. In addition to...
CULLMAN - Cullman Christian School's Cullman Christmas Festival and Market (previously hosted by St. John's Church) took place on Saturday, boasting more than 50 unique vendors, providing great food and showing off some of Cullman’s top live entertainment groups. Traditional horse-drawn carriage rides gave the day a old-time Christmas feel.
The Cullman High School (CHS) Jazz Band, local entertainer Shannon...
CULLMAN - In the first week of December, the Cullman High School (CHS) theater department, Cullman Theatre, participated in the State Trumbauer Theatre Festival. After winning best-in-show at district with their one-act production “Godspell,” the group went on to state competition on the campus of the University of North Alabama. They performed to a packed house of more than...
GOOD HOPE - The City of Good Hope held its sixth annual Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park celebration on Saturday, with the parade starting at Good Hope High School and proceeding to the park by city hall. Local bands, including Hanceville High and Good Hope High, marched, along with Boy Scouts, horse riders, local church groups and...
Tori Partridge
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Democrats met this week, with local sexual education reform activist, Tori Partridge, as their special guest speaker. Partridge spoke to those in attendance about her work in education reform and about the Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth. After she spoke, the Democrats held their regular meeting where they discussed plans for several events.
Roger...
CULLMAN - Do you have overdue book fines? Now's the time to settle up. The Cullman County Public Library is conducting a "Food for Fines" campaign from now through Dec. 15. For each non-perishable food item you bring in, $1 will be deducted from you total fine amount. All food items received will be donated to local food banks.
Lost...
The winning team
HANCEVILLE - Wallace State Community College hosted the annual Cullman County Scholar’s Bowl tournament on Friday, with county high school and middle school teams converging on the Hanceville campus.
Every year, county schools, along with St. Bernard Prep and Cullman High School, compete against each other in battles of wits and reflexes during the fall semester. Then, just...
Case Graham having fun at Guitars and More, where he works as an instructor.
CULLMAN - Belmont University in Nashville is a pretty high goal for a teenage amateur guitar picker. Its music program is considered the best in the South, and in various polls it ranks among the top 10 in the country. Admission to the program involves academic...
GHMS Robotics team with its robot and recent awards.
GOOD HOPE - While high school robotics is becoming all the rage, some areas of the field are open to middle schoolers with enough nerve to play with the big kids. The BEST program, outlined in part 1 of this series, has a competition category for middle schools, and Good Hope...
VINEMONT - A Vinemont man was arrested for burglary this week by Cullman County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) investigators. Jeffery Lynn Grandstaff, 30, was charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, first-degree receiving stolen property and fourth-degree receiving stolen property.
Grandstaff was arrested with two truckloads of stolen property, which he allegedly obtained by breaking into storage buildings. According to a...
HOLLY POND - On Thursday evening the choir and band of Holly Pond High School put on their annual Christmas concert. The students, 85 choir members and 63 band members (with a few performing with both), gave entertaining performances.
The choir and ensemble, under director and Holly Pond Elementary School music teacher Melissa Roberts, performed several favorites:
“The Little Drummer Boy”
“The...
Wallace State students, from left, Jordan Dover, Zach Brooks, David Hinds, Matt Rush and Lindsey Pope listen to a HudsonAlpha scientist during their visit to Huntsville.
HANCEVILLE – Thanks to Wallace State graduate Casey Smith teaming up with Dr. Jeremy Prokop at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a group of current biology students at Wallace State are getting a leg up...
Dusty the clown and bronco rider Kody Rinehart pose with a young fan.
CULLMAN - The rodeo's in town! The annual Cullman County Sheriff's Office Jimmy Arrington Memorial Rodeo is happening this weekend at the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center. The event, put on by 4L and Diamond S Rodeo Company and the Professional Cowboy Association, will take place Friday...
CULLMAN - A Russellville man was arrested in Cullman County yesterday for allegedly sexually molesting a child.
Cullman County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) investigators arrested Jason Allen McCurry, 38, for sexual child abuse. The arrest stemmed from an investigation that began when McCurry's alleged victim came forward and reported the incident to CCSO investigators. McCurry was indicted by a grand jury...
CULLMAN - Cullman City Primary School teachers Anna Anderson and Amanda Stidham were two of only three Alabama teachers recognized by Athens State University on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Anderson and Stidham each received the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award in Education ("Outstanding Educator of the Year") for going above and beyond their routine duties. They were recognized for using their...
GOOD HOPE - Good Hope Middle School received the highest middle school award presented at the South’s BEST, or Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology, robotics championship held at Auburn University Dec. 3-4. The team received the first-place Middle School BEST Award, which is given to the middle school team that most embodies the concept and spirit of the competition....
BAILEYTON - The Baileyton Town Council held its first council meeting this week since the new council was sworn in last month. On the agenda were the 2016-2017 budget for the town and discussion of the upcoming Christmas celebration.
In old business, the council discussed the lighting situation at the storm shelter located at 112 Fairview Road. During the most...
CULLMAN - An undercover operation lead by the Cullman City Police Department (CPD) on Tuesday led to the arrest of a Haleyville man on charges of trafficking.
CPD Investigators Chris Thomason, Justin Craft, Scott Sanford and Adam Clark conducted an undercover operation in the area of Highway 157 and Interstate 65, where Marvin Edward Grace, 60, was stopped and subsequently...
Larkwood Drive, following the Christmas 2015 flood
CULLMAN - On Christmas Day 2015 the rain was falling...and falling...and falling. Estimates ranged from 8-10 inches in a 24-hour period, rivers and creeks overflowed, roads were washed away and bridges were submerged. Larkwood Bridge in Cullman sat 5 feet below the water line, while the city's wastewater treatment plant suffered more than...
CULLMAN - A Cullman man is behind bars after being arrested Tuesday on charges of displaying obscene material to a minor, according to a report from the Cullman County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
Ray Charles Schultz, 26, was arrested by CCSO investigators after a two month-long investigation. Schultz allegedly sent obscene material to a person he believed to be a minor...
CULLMAN - The David Mathews Center for Civic Life (DMC) held its final forum in Cullman Tuesday evening to not only finalize and recap previous discussions, but also bring heart to action.
“How do we get to where we want to go?” was the question the community discussed in the third forum in the “What’s Next, Cullman?” series. Participants came...
Nineteen farmers from Cullman County attended the Alabama Farmers Federation 95th Annual Meeting Dec. 4-5 in Montgomery. Attendees and elected leaders set organizational policies and raised money for agricultural education. The event also included a keynote address from political commentator Dana Perino, who served as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush; presentation of the Service to...
The Fairview Robotics team attended the South's BEST tournament at Auburn University last weekend.
FAIRVIEW - Robotics is a hot new field, not only of study, but of competition for high schoolers and middle schoolers across the country. For students at Fairview High School (FHS), their studies are starting to pay off in the competition arena.
FHS is involved in a...
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council met Monday evening at the Guy Hunt Library. In attendance were Mayor Bill Oliver, Clerk Linda Pope and all council members: Carla Hart, Gladys Wisener, Paul Brown, Michele Bell and Lou Thomas.
The minutes of the previous meeting, along with the town's financial report, were approved without discussion.
The floor opened to public...
CULLMAN - A project to formalize a community-wide strategic plan to guide the growth and development of the Cullman area is underway. The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Chamber President & CEO, Leah Bolin are pleased to announce the launching of the Chamber’s new five-year strategic plan for the community.
After completing a comprehensive interview process...
CULLMAN - A report of a possible armed subject walking on Denson Avenue near U.S. Highway 278 led to the arrest of a Cullman man for unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance on Monday.
Cullman City Police Department (CPD) Investigators Justin Craft, Chris Thomason and Scott Sanford, along with Lt. Jeff Warnke and Officer Adam Walker, responded to the call,...
