Update 3-21-18 at 11:10 a.m. We have just spoken to the United Way of Cullman County. As we reported, they do have a fund. They are working this morning to coordinate with other agencies to see how to best help everyone, including those who need help with broken windshields. Anyone who calls in to request assistance will be logged...
CULLMAN - The Cullman City School Board, in a special-called meeting on Tuesday, declared an "emergency situation" so that Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson can proceed with the repair and replacement of damaged roofing at West Elementary School. City schools are in session tomorrow.
"There is no danger to students," said Patterson. "Based on the (school) architect's assessment there is no...
Cullman Fire Rescue was set to cut the ribbon on Fire Station 3 today, but it was postponed due to the weather. / Brian Bradberry
CULLMAN - Cullman Fire Rescue Division Chief Brian Bradberry released the following statement Tuesday afternoon concerning plans to hold an official opening of the city’s new fire station Tuesday:
“Due to the extensive storm damage in...
The Cullman County Sheriff's Office reported damage to at least 20 of its vehicles from Monday night's hail storm. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission, in a specially called meeting Tuesday morning, declared a State of Emergency for the county, shortly after Gov. Kay Ivey declared the same for the state of Alabama, in response to the...
CULLMAN - Donna Ruttkay from the Cullman County Animal Shelter introduces us to Copper, The Cullman Tribune’s Pet of the Week.
“This is one of the kindest dogs I've met!” exclaimed Ruttkay.
“Copper is a hound/boxer mix. He is neutered, approximately 2 years old. He is safe, warm and dry and is available for adoption. He is quieter than most. He...
A tarped home in the Carroll Acres subdivision on the southeast side of the city of Cullman / Nick Griffin
NOTE: The story photo is not associated with any scammer. It was chosen at random from the selection of storm damage photos our reporters have taken over the last several hours.
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department is advising victims of...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 16-18. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Anderson, Steven Matthew, 39
possession of drug paraphernalia
unlawful possession of a controlled substance
second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
Burns, Jeffery Kie, 18
third-degree theft of property
Campbell, Joshua Adam, 34
fourth-degree receiving stolen property
Carreker, Kayla Marie, 21
menacing
reckless endangerment
Cavanaugh,...
Chasity McRae / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
Updated 3-19-18 at 11:23 a.m.
VINEMONT - A Vinemont teacher has been arrested for one count of engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19. Chasity McRae, 35, was taken into custody on Thursday, March 15. She was a counselor at Vinemont Elementary School. The student involved is an...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama on Friday called for entries in the 2018 Congressional Art Competition.
“I am pleased once again to be a sponsor of the United States Congressional Art Competition for high school students within the 4th District. This is an annual nationwide event that recognizes and encourages the artistic talent we have in our...
Hanceville held its first Irish Heritage Celebration on Saturday. The city hopes to make it an annual event. / W.C. Mann
HANCEVILLE - On Saturday, the city of Hanceville observed the St. Patrick’s Day holiday with a downtown celebration of its own. The shopping district was decked out in shamrocks and other things green, and a fiddler played while children...
Eric Lamar Caffey was shot Friday night when Hanceville Police officers discharged their weapons after Caffey attempted to flee a checkpoint. He was treated and released from UAB. / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
Updated 3-17-18 at 8:10 p.m. with mugshot
HANCEVILLE - The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred around 11...
HANCEVILLE - In recognition of National Women’s History Month, Wallace State Community College will host a Forum on Leadership on Thursday, March 22, at 9:30 a.m., in the Bailey Center auditorium.
A number of women in leadership roles will share their thoughts on leadership, success, and what it takes to break the glass ceiling, including Wallace State Community College President...
UPDATE: http://www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/03/17/update-sbi-investigating-officer-involved-shooting-hanceville
HANCEVILLE - The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred around 11 p.m. Friday evening at a driver's license checkpoint at Alabama Highway 91 and County Road 747. The incident involved the Hanceville Police Department.
The Tribune is awaiting a statement from Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long.
Here's what we know...
Droves of runners turned out for East Elementary's second annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run Saturday morning. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - It was a wet and overcast start to Saturday morning, but that didn’t scare off any of this year’s Shamrock Shuffle participants. East Elementary Principal David Wiggins embraced the weather, saying he was happy the runners...
Hanceville’s Irish Heritage Celebration will take place in downtown Hanceville today, Saturday, March 17, from 2-4 p.m. / Nick Griffin
HANCEVILLE - Hanceville is going to be debuting a new tradition this St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish Heritage Celebration. Mayor Kenneth Nail has had the idea presented to him in the past and he, along with a few other...
Harrison Outdoors employees Ricky Cone, customer service representative; Gaynell Partain, customer service representative; Patrick Stark, parts manager; Ross Harrison, owner; Chris Edmondson, service manager/technician and Alex Parker, technician, pose for a photo on Friday at the store’s new location. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - Friday morning was the grand opening for Harrison Outdoors, formerly Greencraft Mowers, and customers found their way...
Brittney Hudson, Roger Steele / Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Submitted by Leah Bolin, president and CEO of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Chamber hires Hudson as director of community development
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Brittney Hudson as director of community development at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor...
East Elementary School Principal David Wiggins is excited for Saturday morning’s second annual Shamrock Shuffle. The run starts at 8 a.m. at the school. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - The second annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K/ 1-Mile Color Run is upon us and it will get started at East Elementary Saturday morning at 8. The East Elementary School PTO sponsors the...
The alleged victims of Cullman attorney Randy Hames came to the hearing as a group, wearing matching shirts emblazoned with a barcode, which has become a common symbol in anti-human trafficking movements. At their request, the victims themselves were not photographed. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - On Friday afternoon, Madison County Circuit Judge Donna Pate held a status hearing in...
James Reaid / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit on Thursday arrested James Michael Reaid, 67, of Vinemont for trafficking in methamphetamine, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police say Reaid sold more than an...
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit on Thursday arrested Ronall Jason Brannon, 45, of Vinemont for trafficking in methamphetamine and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Police say Brannon sold more than an ounce of methamphetamine.
Brannon remains incarcerated in the Cullman County Detention Center.
Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 15. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Berry, Crystal Gail, 38
probation violation- false Medicaid statements
Boyd, Lucas Andrew, 30
FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
FTA- first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana for personal use
FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
Hammons, Angelia Carol, 40
FTA-...
CULLMAN - When it saw the increased number of suicides in Cullman County in 2017, a small group of concerned citizens started looking for something it could do to make a positive difference in the lives of people who are hurting. Founding members Justin Lynch, Jerica Jones and Cliff Powell (a 2015 CullmanSense Citizen of the Week and author...
Fair Queen contestants are Desmarie Moore, Sydney Newton and Madi Isbell. / Cold Springs High School
BREMEN - Cold Springs High School will hold its Fair Queen and Miss Cold Springs Pageants on Friday, March 16 in the school’s downstairs gymnasium. The pageants begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
Fair Queen contestants are Desmarie Moore, Sydney Newton and Madi Isbell.
Vying...
Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette poses with Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and the system’s School Resource Officers Thursday at the Cullman County School Board meeting. / W.C. Mann
HOLLY POND - In the wake of recent violent school tragedies across the country, the Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) took time out of its meeting at Holly Pond...
Cullman attorney Randy Hames, shown here in his mugshot from Monday, March 5, 2018 / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
CULLMAN - Two more civil lawsuits have been filed against disgraced Cullman attorney Randy Allan Hames. According to court documents obtained by The Tribune, the plaintiffs are Doris M. Watson and Alisha Cobb; the complaints were filed on March 13, 2018....
Dana Adams will be presented with the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty award at the AACC annual convention on April 28-May 1.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State math instructor Dana Adams has been named a recipient of the inaugural Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty award, as presented by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
Adams is one of only 50 community...
Updated 3-15-18 at 7:15 p.m.
WALTER - Two people were killed in a head-on collision near the community of Walter Thursday morning, confirmed Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick, who identified the victims as Michelle Denean Hicks, 45, of Hanceville and Natasha Nicole Byrd, 31, of Hanceville.
The wreck happened in the 30000 block of Alabama Highway 91 near County Road...
Seated, (left to right): Lilly Nassetta and Alison Gongre; Standing, (left to right): Ashley Morris, Gabrielle Bennett, Claudia Fallin, Abigail Curtis and Riley Holmes
CULLMAN - Saint Bernard Prep School cheerleaders are conducting a shoe drive fundraiser from now until April 24, 2018, to raise funds to attend cheer camp. Cheerleaders will earn funds based on the total weight of...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 14. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Armstrong, Jason Eric, 42
third-degree domestic violence
Boatner, Joseph Dewayne, 31
non support/writ of arrest- child support
Buchanan, Joshua Lee, 34
FTA- third-degree domestic violence- harassment
Cole, Nicholas J. 34
third-degree domestic violence- harassment
driving while suspended
improper lane usage
possession of...
Updated 3-15-18 at 10:50 a.m.
WALTER - Two people were killed in a head-on collision near the community of Walter Thursday morning, confirmed Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick.
The wreck happened in the 30000 block of Alabama Highway 91 near County Road 653 around 7:30 a.m. according to Alabama State Trooper Chuck Daniel.
The Walter Volunteer Fire Department was first dispatched...
Students from Holly Pond, Good Hope, Vinemont and Fairview practice together Tuesday afternoon in preparation for their trip to Universal Studios in Orlando next week. / Heather Mann
CULLMAN - For the first time in the history of each school, band members from Holly Pond, Good Hope, Vinemont and Fairview will join together as one “superband,” which will march in...
Terry Thursby, Jr. / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - A Cullman man was arrested on Tuesday by the Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence.
According to the CPD, officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Terry Wayne...
Lauren Harvey / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) on Tuesday arrested Lauren Alexandra Harvey, 21, of Cullman for one count of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance for allegedly selling methamphetamine. She was also arrested on a warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Harvey was...
The Colony Town Council met on Tuesday night. / W.C. Mann
COLONY - At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, the Colony Town Council heard about plans for a repeat of last year’s summer programs and moved forward on matters of community improvement.
At the request of Councilwoman Mary Parker, finance committee chairwoman, discussion of Colony’s proposed budget was once again tabled....
Probate judge candidate Carol Berry (third in line) with her campaign supporters Tuesday night in Vinemont / Heather Mann
VINEMONT - Tuesday’s meeting of the Vinemont Town Council welcomed a special visitor: Carol Berry, founder of Restoring Women Outreach and candidate for Cullman County probate judge. Berry discussed her hopes for the future of the office, as well as her...
Cullman High School Bearcat Band members model the band’s new uniforms. / Photo courtesy Mary Hovater/CHS Band Boosters/CHS “Southerner”
CULLMAN - After years of fundraising including a hard push at the end to cover cost overruns, the Cullman High School Bearcat Band finally has its new uniforms. Members recently got to have their pictures made for the yearbook in a...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 13. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Allen, Jennifer Renae, 42
driving while suspended
improper turn
illegal possession of prescription medicine
Chalmers, David Wayne, 46
FTA- establishment of residence SORNA
Hays, David Andrew, 31
third-degree criminal trespassing
Hunkeapillar, Hunter Glenn, 24
possession of drug paraphernalia
FTA- possession of drug...
Bob Wallace Appliance Co-Owner Chris Haygood, left, accepts a plaque from John Keys of O'Rourke Sales, the distributor of Speed Queen appliances in the Alabama area on Tuesday. Bob Wallace Appliance was named 2017 Speed Queen Dealer of the Year. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - The ribbon was cut, and the doors were officially opened, at Bob Wallace Appliance in...
(Left to right) Kenneth Woods, Stefanie Weaver and Randy Hames have all been charged with human trafficking crimes in Cullman County in the last year. / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
Human trafficking is defined as modern day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. People often confuse...
Cullman County Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker, right, smiles at individuals gathered to attend the commission meeting Tuesday morning. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission Tuesday morning decided to take a step back on the recently-implemented no-cooler rule at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. After public backlash, the commission changed that rule. Now, patrons will be allowed to have...
Cullman Caring for Kids Director Javon Daniel in the CCK food pantry / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - Two years ago, an average of 550 families were receiving some type of service each month from Cullman Caring for Kids (CCK), but in the last year, that number has soared to more than 650 per month. Director Javon Daniel said that up...
Latest update: http://www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/03/13/commission-reverses-no-cooler-rule-stony-lonesome-agcor-steel-project-moves
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission today decided to take a step back on the recently-implemented no cooler rule at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. After public backlash, this morning, the commission changed that rule. Now, patrons will be allowed to have coolers on the trails, but there will be mandatory cooler checks upon entrance to the park...
CULLMAN - An informational meeting for the 2018 Distinguished Young Women of Cullman County Scholarship Program (formerly Cullman County Junior Miss) will be held Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cullman.
High school girls in their junior year who are residents of Cullman County are invited to attend this meeting with a parent. We will...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 12. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Brooks, Jonathan Scott, 31
third-degree criminal trespassing
Cofield, Caleb Craig, 33
second-degree bail jumping- possession of drug paraphernalia
second-degree bail jumping- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
second-degree bail jumping- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
FTA- possession of...
Panelists listen as Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper talks about police response procedures. L-R Joey Orr, John Anderson, Jason Neal, Chris Branham, Gail Swafford and Kay Bell / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - In the wake of the recent tragic school shooting in Florida, and following threats against Cullman area schools (which, fortunately, turned out to be hoaxes, though they did...
Sigma Theta Kappa Spring 2018 inductees
HANCEVILLE - The Wallace State chapters of Mu Alpha Theta and Sigma Kappa Delta recognized new members during a March 1 Induction Ceremony in the Bailey Center Auditorium.
Mu Alpha Theta is the mathematics honor society for community colleges. The organization provides members with various avenues to showcase their mathematical knowledge and talents, while providing...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 9-11. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Brandmire, Jason Anthony, 38
plea agreement- unlawful possession of a controlled substance (2 counts)
Brooks, Jonathan Scott, 31
attempting to elude
resisting arrest
unlawful possession of a controlled substance
Chaffin, Lowell Cowan, 86
harassing communications
Farr, Larry Dean, 57
FTA- third-degree...
Left to right: Joshua Earl Hanners, Heather Seay and Kendra Farley / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit arrested three people recently following the execution of a search warrant on US Highway 31 South.
According to a media release from the CPD, on March 6 officers arrested and charged Joshua Earl Hanners, 29, of Cullman...
Lee Ann Matanane / Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
BERLIN - A Walter woman was arrested on Saturday, March 10, charged with the attempted murder of her estranged husband. Lee Ann Matanane, 54, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree assault.
According to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded...
CULLMAN - It's been 25 years since the Blizzard of 1993, which took place March 12-14, 1993. Cullman had 10 inches of snow. Do you remember?
Here's how the National Weather Service in Huntsville recalls the event:
Event Summary:
The March 12-14 1993 North American blizzard impacted north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee produced heavy snowfall and extreme societal impacts across the Tennessee Valley....
MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday morning that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate is 3.7 percent, down from December 2017’s revised rate of 3.8 percent, and well below January 2017’s rate of 5.5 percent. Cullman County’s January rate is 3.5 percent, up from 2.8 percent in December. Last January’s rate for Cullman County was 5.1 percent. Cullman...
Wardrobe (Jamie Myers), Cogsworth (Brendan Williamson), Chip (Parker Lawrence), Mrs. Potts (Kim Harbison) and Lumiere (Micah Coucke) get ready for dinner. / W.C Mann, Cullman Tribune
FAIRVIEW - This past week, West Point High School’s Performing Arts Department (WPPA) put on Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” and took the show on the road to Fairview High School’s high-grade auditorium. There...
Good Hope High School Fair Queen contestants are, left to right: Chrissi Smith, Bailey Swann and Lindsey Couch. / Good Hope High School
GOOD HOPE - The Good Hope High School Fair Queen Pageant and Miss Heritage Pageants will take place on Saturday, March 17 in the school’s gymnasium.
The Fair Queen Pageant will begin at 4 p.m. Admission is $10.
The...
Dale Greer / Tribune file photo
CULLMAN - When lots of people are working and unemployment rates drop way down, that’s known as a tight labor market, and right now it is seriously tight! The current US unemployment rate of 4.1 percent (steady since Oct. 2017) represents a 17-year low, meaning that more people are working today than at any...
Cullman attorney Randy Hames, shown here in his mugshot from Saturday, March 10, 2018, has been charged with additional counts of human trafficking. / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
Updated 3-10-18 at 10:05 p.m.
CULLMAN - Local attorney Randy Allan Hames, 75, was arrested again today, Saturday, March 10, and charged with additional counts of human trafficking, according to Cullman County Sheriff...
Left to right: Danny Tucker, Billy Warden and Allen Mickle / Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
CRANE HILL - A search warrant executed at a Crane Hill residence on Friday resulted in three men being charged with trafficking meth, according to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators, along with agents with the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), executed the warrant at...
Fairview Fair Queen Pageant contestants are, left to right: Meagan Miller, Kennedy Chambers and Bailey Parker. Not pictured: Angelina Wallis / Fairview High School
FAIRVIEW - The Fairview High School Fair Queen Pageant is scheduled for Friday, March 16 at 6 p.m. in the Fairview High School auditorium. Admission will be $6. All proceeds go to support Fairview Family, Career...
Daylight saving time in Alabama will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11. Don’t forget to set clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. This is also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Chief Edward Reinhardt took The Tribune on a tour of Cullman Fire Rescue’s newest station on Alabama Highway 157. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - Cullman Fire Rescue Chief Edward Reinhardt recently announced that his department’s newest station, Station 3 on Alabama Highway 157, is near enough to completion for firefighters and staff to begin operations during the week of March...
Guests look over items in the live auction Friday night. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - The Cullman Rotary Club held its 45th annual fundraising auction Friday evening at the Cullman Civic Center. An average of around 175 Rotarians and local citizens have attended recent auctions, and this year’s attendance may have reached 200. The event is the club’s only fundraiser, and...
Dianne Wood was recently named the ACF’s Birmingham Chapter Student of the Year. Wood will graduate from Wallace State in May.
HANCEVILLE – Dianne Wood was ready to pursue a passion.
After two decades of juggling different jobs and being laid off in one industry, Wood decided to enroll in Wallace State’s Academy of Culinary Arts at 45 years old.
She’s flourished...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 8. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Beebe, Davon Treshawn, 19
FTA- no tag/ tag not plainly visible (2 counts)
Diffy, Milton Leon, 47
FTA- owner allows operation of motor vehicle without insurance
Downs, Trevor Clayton, 22
first-degree theft of property
Frederick, David Ryan, 22
possession...
In Cullman, Gov. Kay Ivey and Topre America President Hideo Shimizu cut the ribbon on Topre’s new building, and celebrated the company’s newly-announced $80 million expansion project, on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - Site Selection Magazine has ranked Cullman as the no. 5 micropolitan in the country for 2017. The magazine released its list of 2017...
James Fields talks to county Democrats about his campaign and various platform issues on Thursday night in Cullman. / W.C. Mann
Updated 3-9-18 at 11 a.m. with a response from Sen. Paul Bussman.
CULLMAN - On Thursday evening, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former state representative and minister James Fields took a night off from the campaign trail to stop in Cullman to...
CULLMAN - Why is sleep so important to your overall health? In the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, the ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes,...
Aziz Ihab Sayyed / Madison County
HUNTSVILLE - Earlier this week, a one-count information was filed charging Aziz Ihab Sayyed, 23, of Huntsville, Alabama, with attempting to provide services and personnel, namely himself, to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Sayyed pleaded guilty Thursday.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S....
Saint Bernard seniors Gigi Griffin, of Birmingham and Andrew Sweeney, of Madison
CULLMAN - Two Saint Bernard Preparatory School seniors have advanced as finalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. Gigi Griffin and Andrew Sweeney are now in contention for some of the nation’s top scholarships awarded to high school seniors.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 7. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Cree, Jonathan Dwayne, 29
second-degree bail jumping- possession of drug paraphernalia
second-degree bail jumping- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
second-degree bail jumping- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
FTA- unlawful possession of...
SSGT President Johnny Lee Smith (black shirt) talks about common physical confrontations encountered by law enforcement officers. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - From Wednesday through next week, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is hosting classes to train law enforcement officers from all over Alabama and other states to be defensive tactics instructors in their own departments. Thirty-one officers from...
CULLMAN - Cullman Christian School (CCS) has applied for accreditation with AdvancED, the governing body of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
“This is a significant step for Cullman Christian School,” said CCS Principal, Dr. Wayne Williams. “SACS accreditation will ensure that we have a process in place for continuous improvement as we work to provide our students...
Wallace State’s Quiz Bowl team members are, from left, Elivia Jones, Caleb Still, Zakk Waddell, Paul Knetter, Ross Wallace and Derik Arendall. Not pictured is Brett Hogan.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s Quiz Bowl team finished among the top colleges in the nation over the weekend, finishing seventh overall at the 2018 National Academic Quiz Tournaments’ Community College Championship held in...
Attorney Melvin Hasting, Republican candidate for Cullman County circuit judge, spoke to the Holly Pond Town Council this week. Hasting is running against incumbent Martha Williams in the Republican Primary on June 5. / Nick Griffin
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council spent the bulk of its monthly meeting this week discussing repairs and renovations being performed or...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 6. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Cornelius, Walter John III, 29
manslaughter
Dobbs, Ricky Eugene, 46
judge’s order- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
Guthery, Valerie Danielle, 18
possession of drug paraphernalia
public intoxication
Nunnelley, Jacky Lee, 43
first-degree receiving stolen property
Runyon, Jeremy Alan, 30
possession of...
CULLMAN - Rock the South (RTS) will return to Cullman June 1-2 with an impressive lineup of stars. Headliners Thomas Rhett and Eric Church will be joined by classic country/southern rockers Hank Williams Jr. and the Marshall Tucker Band and some of the current generation’s hottest names, as well as up-and-coming talent.
The lineup, so far:
Lauren Alaina
Eric Church
Riley Green
Marshall Tucker...
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Animal Shelter’s Donna Ruttkay introduces us to our Pet of the Week Jade, an adult shepherd/husky mix. She’s laid back with a low energy level, and submissive.
Ruttkay related that Jade “floats ever so lightly on her leash, sits and gives you her paw… A little girl, maybe 4 years old, and her parents, stopped...
Jerome Flanigan, left, and Kayla Thursby, right, have been charged with the 2016 murder of Leslie Clements. / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - Two people this week were arrested and charged with the September 2016 murder of 33-year-old Leslie Anne Clements.
Jerome Anthony Flanigan, 36, was arrested Sunday night and charged with murder, first-degree theft of property and second-degree arson.
Kayla Sherea...
Nicholas Aderhold / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit on Monday arrested a Cullman County man for allegedly selling methamphetamine.
According to the CPD, Nicholas Heath Aderhold, 39, of the Logan/Bethel area was charged with two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. The department said Aderhold sold methamphetamine on two separate occasions.
Aderhold’s...
Walter John Cornelius III / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
CULLMAN - A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of 21-year-old Hannah Nicole Bates. Walter John Cornelius III, 29, of Altoona was arrested on Tuesday, March 6.
Bates was killed in an incident at Stony Lonesome OHV Park on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. She was a passenger...
Jennifer Fortner, left; Kenneth Fortner, right / Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Updated 3-7-18 at 4 p.m.
HOLLY POND - A man and woman from Holly Pond have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse following the death of a juvenile.
Kenneth Allen Fortner, 37, and Jennifer Denise Fortner, 37, were taken into custody on Monday.
According to a media release from the...
Kayla Thursby, top left, and Jerome Flanigan, bottom left, have both been charged with the September 2016 murder of Leslie Clements, right. (Mugshots courtesy of the Cullman Police Department. Photo of Leslie Clements courtesy of Facebook)
LATEST: http://www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/03/07/update-flanigan-thursby-charged-2016-murder-leslie-clements
CULLMAN - A second person has been arrested and charged with the September 2016 murder of 33-year-old Leslie Clements. Kayla S. Thursby was...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 5. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Bowers, Richard Lynn, 62
possession of drug paraphernalia
Duke, Donna Marie, 34
first-degree bail jumping- first-degree theft of property
Fortner, Jennifer Denise, 37
aggravated child abuse
Fortner, Kenneth Allen, 37
aggravated child abuse
Garner, Toby Christian, 37
FTA- public intoxication
FTA- possession...
Jerome Flanigan, bottom left, has been charged with the September 2016 murder of Leslie Clements, right. Flanigan was taken into custody by the Cullman Police Department on Sunday night, top left. / Nick Griffin
LATEST UPDATE: 2nd person arrested for murder of Leslie Clements; Kayla Thursby picked up in Tuscaloosa- http://www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/03/06/update-2nd-person-arrested-murder-leslie-clements-kayla-thursby-picked
CULLMAN - A Cullman man was arrested Sunday night, charged...
Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman is up for re-election this year. Bussman said his main accomplishments have been in economic development, infrastructure and education. If re-elected, he said his focus will be on education. / Tribune file photo
CULLMAN - As the 2018 campaign season gets into full swing, The Tribune spoke with Sen. Paul Bussman, R- Cullman, the incumbent candidate...
Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett talks to the Cullman City Council about an incentive plan to re-locate AGCOR Steel to Good Hope. The plan requires concessions from the City of Good Hope, the City of Cullman and Cullman County. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett addressed the Cullman City Council Monday night, requesting that it hold...
CULLMAN – “In order to better serve our members, patrons and the community, the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center (CWAC) will be expanding its hours of operation effective immediately,” said a press release from Cullman Parks and Recreation on Monday.
CWAC’s fitness center, walking track and basketball gym will be now be open Monday-Friday 4:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m.-9...
CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 2-4. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.
GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear
Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
Barnett, Jonathan Wayne, 46
third-degree domestic violence
Beard, William Joseph, 55
harassment
Boone, Timothy Aaron, 23
FTA- altered/mutilated DL
FTA- driving while suspended
FTA- failure to signal
Conrad, Jacob Samuel, 21
DUI- .08 BAC or greater
Cooper, Joseph Dewayne, 34
FTA- driving while...
Cullman attorney Randy Hames, shown here in his mugshot from Monday, March 5, 2018, has been charged with two counts of second-degree human trafficking. / Cullman County Sheriff's Office
CULLMAN - Local attorney Randy Allan Hames, 75, was arrested today and charged with two counts of second-degree human trafficking, a Class B felony. The new charges stem from the circumstances...
CULLMAN - With Cullman Regional’s expansion projects nearing completion, the hospital is adding more career opportunities in nursing. Nurses who are interested should join Cullman Regional on Saturday, March 17 for an RN Recruitment Open House.
Nurses who attend the open house will have the opportunity to meet with directors and hiring managers from several departments including the Critical Care...
Three little cowboys look on at this weekend’s Stars and Stripes Rodeo. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - On Friday and Saturday evenings, the West Point High School band boosters hosted their annual Stars and Stripes Rodeo at the Cullman County Agricultural Center.
Said West Point Band Director Ty Parker, “This is our West Point Warrior Band’s 35th annual Stars and Stripes...
Saturday morning’s featured speaker was Rick Pate, who is running for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. / Nick Griffin
CULLMAN - It’s campaign season, which means the monthly Cullman County Republican Party breakfasts are even more popular than normal, and Saturday’s was no exception. Judge Terri Willingham Thomas of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals kicked things with a...
Holly Pond High School 2017-18 Bronco Band / Courtesy Holly Pond HS/Facebook
HOLLY POND - Sunday is a bad time for poultry in Holly Pond, as the Bronco Band is hosting its semi-annual chicken dinner. Band Director Evan Curtis hopes to move a lot of birds, because the band is ready for new uniforms.
Said Curtis, “This is a traditional fundraiser...
Lions and Leos form a meal assembly line in the Cullman Middle School lunchroom for Saturday’s annual Fish and Ham Dinner. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN - Saturday was a beautiful day for a fish fry, and that’s exactly what went down at Cullman Middle School. The Cullman Lions Club, with plenty of help from the Cullman Lioness Club and local...
CULLMAN - As Cullman continues to grow, finding its workforce and population places to live is becoming more of a challenge. Even the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a study, according to its website, “to counter the area's significant housing shortage.” Plans are in the works for an apartment complex on the city’s north side, and...
Tonya Monk Beasinger, left; Steven Keith Graves, right / Cullman Police Department
CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) this week arrested two people for allegedly selling methamphetamine.
Tonya Monk Beasinger, 43, of Vinemont was arrested on Wednesday and charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Beasinger, who was on probation at the time of her arrest,...
Left to right: Jacky Lee Nunnelley, Tyler Mark Hankins, Alexander Douglas Quick / Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
CULLMAN - Three local men were arrested this week in connection to multiple vehicle thefts. The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said Jacky Lee Nunnelley, 43, of Holly Pond; Tyler Mark Hankins, 23, of Fairview; and Alexander Douglas Quick, 23, of Cullman were...
AREA safety manager Michael Kelley, left, and AREA president and CEO Fred Braswell, right, congratulate Keith Twitty, center, on his recent Certified Loss Control Professional (CLCP) designation.
MONTGOMERY - Keith Twitty of Cullman, who works as a safety specialist with the Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA), recently earned the Certified Loss Control Professional (CLCP) designation. It is an intensive program...
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Business Development Brian Poole and Cullman County Economic Development Director Cherrie Haney listen to Hanceville business and organizational leaders at a meeting on Friday. / W.C. Mann
HANCEVILLE - On Friday afternoon, a dozen Hanceville government, business and organizational leaders met with Cullman County Economic Development Director Cherrie Haney and Cullman Area Chamber...
Guests peruse items at last year's Cullman Rotary Club Auction. / Tribune file photo
CULLMAN -The 45th annual Cullman Rotary Club Auction will be held on Friday, March 9 at the Cullman Civic Center. Doors will open, and the viewing of auction items begin, at 4:30 p.m. The silent auction will take place from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The live...
New stop signs greet motorists approaching Edmondson Road on Alabama Highway 91. / W.C. Mann
HANCEVILLE - Crews from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on Friday installed stop signs to create a four-way stop at the notorious intersection of Alabama Highway 91 and Edmondson Road on Hanceville’s east side. The move is a response to three deaths that occurred...
