Cullman Today - 09-22-2026

0:01 Good morning, Cullman. I'm Crystal Corley, and today is Tuesday, September

0:14 22nd. Coming up, Walmart's Cullman distribution center upgrade rolls on with a new 29.5 million permit. Plus,

0:23 the link is set to become Alabama's 27th Family Resource Center. and Hopes Horses

0:29 moves closer to a fully covered arena. All this pleasure 4 and four, sports,

0:34 weather, and more. First, here are today's top stories. Walmart's modernization of its Cullman

0:44 distribution center is continuing with a building permit valued at about 29.55 million issued July 23rd. The permit

0:53 lists Micon General contractors for work at the South Cullman facility on 7th Avenue Southwest. It's part of Walmart's

1:01 $350 million modernization announced in 2023, adding robotics, automation, and software that Walmart says will

1:09 eventually let the center ship nearly twice as many cases. Economic development officials called it the

1:15 largest single capital investment announced in Cullman County's history. The center employed about 1300 people

1:22 when the project was announced and officials said Walmart planned to re retrain workers rather than cut jobs

1:29 because of automation. Earlier permit values at the site shouldn't be added on top of that 350

1:36 million as separate spending. They were issued during the broader modernization. The link of Cullman County is set to

1:43 become Alabama's 27th accredited family resource center. Executive Director Melissa Bests says the model lets the

1:51 link help with family's whole situation, food, housing, employment, parenting, education, and recovery and move them

1:59 from crisis toward long-term stability. The link has served Cullman County since 2013. It will celebrate the milestone

2:08 Friday at 10:00 a.m. at 708 9th Street Southeast. And you can learn more at

2:14 linkingleman.org. Hope Horses is one step closer to a fully covered riding arena thanks to a

2:22 sponsorship from Cullman Savings Bank. The sponsorship supports the nonprofit's Grow Hope Capital campaign and will help

2:30 reduce weather disruptions to its yearround therapeutic Equin programs. Hope Horses helps children and adults

2:38 build confidence, improve communication and social skills, and reach physical milestones through a queen assisted

2:46 services. You can learn more at the Grow Hope dinner on Thursday, October 8th at the

2:52 Hope Horses facility on Convent Road Northeast or at hopehorsesinc.com. Golfers teed off at Terry Pines's

3:03 Country Club Monday for a good cause. The Alabama Pest Control Association's fifth annual Coffin Classic raised money

3:11 for college scholarships for the children of people in the industry. It named it's named for Butch Coffin, the

3:18 association's longtime secretary treasur. >> My name is Scott Burke. Uh this is the

3:22 Alabama Pest Control Association uh Butch Coffin Classic. Uh this is to raise money for the scholarship fund. Uh

3:34 so this is our fifth annual uh Butch was in the industry and ran this association

3:41 for a long time. So we wanted to honor him with a scholarship. So uh we've

3:46 given out over $30,000 so far. So we're excited to have another good year,

3:52 another good turnout, and uh hoping we can keep raising money and doing a good

3:57 job. The next scholarship application period opens this fall at alabamaapca.com. Some Cullman professionals spent their

4:09 lunch hour Monday learning to make that lunch healthier. The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a free bring

4:16 your lunch and learn led by the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center. >> Hi, I'm Aaliyah Dbor with the Cullman

4:22 Wellness and Aquatic Center. >> And I'm Katie Murphy. Hey, we're here today at the Chamber of Commerce talking

4:28 about healthy eating from simple lifestyle changes that you can do, packing your lunch, meal prepping, uh

4:34 how to calculate your macros, just teaching everyone how to be healthier in their daily lives.

4:40 >> Find the cent's classes and programs at colemanwellness.com. Coming up, a Cullman senior break, 16 minutes in a

4:51 deep field in Huntsville. Cross County is after the break.

5:18 Welcome back. Local runners were busy this weekend at two big meets. Cullman senior Henry Crocker led local runners

5:25 at Saturday's Southern Showcase in Huntsville, finishing 34th out of 250 in the championship boys race in 15 minutes

5:33 53 seconds. The Cullman boys placed 23rd of 28 teams with junior Aan Dempsey next

5:39 in 112th. Freshman Maline Stidman led the Cullman girls in 49th out of 160 and the

5:47 Bearcats finished 17th of 19. Cullman Christian's middle school boys placed 11th of 15, led by seventh grader

5:55 Jason Hampton in 14th out of 185. Marbel Brock led the Lions girls in 52nd. And

6:03 the Scottsboro Invitational St. Bernard Prep's Jesus Sha Sanchez posted the area's top finish fourth in the class 1A

6:11 to 3A junior varsity boys race. Still ahead, utility bill help is available today. Goattoberfest is

6:20 Saturday and a walk for MS awareness is coming to Heritage Park. Year four and

6:25 four is next.

6:46 >> >> Now it's time to speed things up with

7:00 your four stories in 4 minutes. First up, need help paying a utility bill? The Community Action

7:10 Partnership of North Alabama is at the Hilltop Community Center on Vine Circle Southwest today from 9 to noon and again

7:17 from 2 to 4. Eligibility is based on gross household income up to 1,995

7:24 a month for one person and up to 5,545 for a household of six. Bring social

7:31 security cards for everyone in the household, a photo ID, last month's proof of income, and your most recent

7:37 utility bill. Those income-based housing should also bring their current utility allowance. Questions? Call CAPNA

7:45 at 2563557843. Goat Island Brewing's 6th annual Goattoberfest is Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at its original tap

7:57 room on John H. Cooper Drive. Expect German food, live music from the Cullman

8:02 German Band, Justin and Tab, the Daltons and Cypy Falls, plus family activities and friendly goats. The 600 p.m. Stein

8:11 hoisting winners qualify for the state championship at the Cullman October Fest. The 2026 Move over MS Walk is

8:20 Saturday, October 17th from 8:00 a.m. to noon on the Olive Street side of

8:25 Heritage Park. The free event supports people and families affected by multiple sclerosis and live music from

8:31 the overtones, free breakfast, and a kids Halloween costume contest. Register free for the MS views and news

8:39 website or call North Central Neurology Associates at 2567391210. And finally, it's harvest season and

8:50 it's National Farm Safety and Health Week. The Alabama Alabama Farmers Federation reminds drivers that most

8:56 farm equipment travels just 15 to 25 mph. So, slow down. Watch for orange

9:02 slowmoving vehicle signs and flashing amber lights. And pass only when it's safe and legal. And a tractor moving

9:09 toward the shoulder may be making a wide turn, not pulling over. And that's your four stories in 4

9:16 minutes. After the break, we'll remember those we've lost this week and take a

9:20 look at one more hot afternoon with storms possible later today. >>

10:05 >> Let's take a moment to pause and remember those we've lost. Janet Lee Deir, 84, of Cullman,

10:16 passed away Thursday, September 17th. Burial will be today at 10:00 a.m. at Cullman City Cemetery.

10:25 Hollis Henry Jones passed away Wednesday, September 16th. His funeral service was yesterday. Derek Lynn Smith, 44, of Athens, passed

10:35 away Friday, September 18th. Luther Ray Roberts, 83, of Cullman, passed away Friday, September 18th. A

10:44 celebration of life service will be Sunday, October 11th at 2 p.m. at Mission Grove Baptist Church. Our

10:50 thoughts are with their family and friends. Now, let's take a look at your forecast.

11:03 Today will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 91 and heat index values up

11:08 to 99. There's a 50% chance of showers and thunder thunderstorms after 1 this

11:13 afternoon. Tonight, a 20% chance of a fewer showers or storms before 1:00 a.m. Then mostly

11:21 clear with a low around 66. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a

11:25 high near 86 and a 20% chance of afternoon storms. Tomorrow night looks mostly clear with a

11:31 low around 63. And that wraps up this Tuesday edition of Cullman Today. Thank you for sharing

11:43 your morning with us and be sure to follow us on social media and visit the

11:46 Cullman Tribune.com throughout the day for the latest from across Cullman County. We'll be back tomorrow morning

11:52 at 6:30, but until then, I'm Crystal Corley with Cullman Today. Have a great

11:57 day, Cullman.