Archive for March 2013
04/02/2013 – Tuesday, April 2nd – H.C.O.C. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Stop Market
The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce requests your presence at the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Stop Market, located at 2915 Bexar Avenue West in Hamilton, on Tuesday, April 2, at 12 p.m.
Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The manager is Jay Lawler. The phone number is (205) 921-0009.
The Stop Market offers a full-service, cook-to-order deli featuring chefs Anthony Yoro and David Harris.
03/27/2013 – Marion County, AL Sheriff’s Dept. Weekly Report – Sheriff Kevin Williams
1 – DC-Alias
1 – TR-Alias
1 – CC-Alias
1 – Public Intox
1 – Marijuana 2nd
FELONIES
Name: Carla Gezelman
Age: 29
Address-City: Hamilton, AL
Charges: Theft of Property 2nd
Fraudulent Use Credit Card
Date of Arrest: 03/20/2013
Amount of Bond: $12,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: Hamilton
Name: Ronald Camp
Age: 34
Address-City: Winfield, AL
Charges: Attempt to Elude/Death
Reckless Driving
Failure to Stop at Stop Sign
Reckless Endangerment
Date of Arrest: 03/25/2013
Amount of Bond: $13,300
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: County
All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are merely an accusation unless otherwise stated.)
(Copyright ©2006-2013 www.49CountyNews.net. All Rights Reserved. Any reprint or copy of this article must include the aforementioned Copyright in its entirety.)
03/27/2013 – Hamilton, AL Police Department Weekly News Report – Chief Ronnie Vickery
Date: March 20-26, 2013
Wrecks – 1
Incident / Offense –
1 – Attempt Suicide
1 – Domestic Violence 3rd
2 – Harassment
1 – Resisting Arrest
1 – Attempt to Elude
1 – Theft of Property 2nd
1 – Theft of Property 3rd
1 – Criminal Mischief 3rd
Arrest / Citation –
2 – Speeding
1 – DUI
4 – License Suspended
7 – No Insurance
1 – Improper Lane Change
1 – No Seatbelt
5 – No/Improper Tag
1 – Public Intoxication
1 – Harassment
1 – Theft of Lost Property 2nd
1 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
1 – Fraudulent Use of Credit/Debit Card
1 – Alias Warrant
Felony Report
Dates: March 20-26, 2013
Date of Arrest: March 20, 2013
Name: Gezelman, Carla Ann
Age: 29
City: Hamilton, AL
Charges: Theft of Lost Property 2nd
Fraudulent Use of Credit/Debit Card
Status: Jail
The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
04/05/2013 – Wrestling – VINA LITTLE LEAGUE Presents “PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
VINA LITTLE LEAGUE
presents
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
“STAR WARS OF WRESTLING”
FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH – 7:30 pm VINA HIGH SCHOOL GYM
MIXED GENDER MATCH!
THE TEXAS HANGMAN
VS
BLONDEZILLA (OVER 250 LBS)
US HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE!
“ROOKIE OF THE YEAR” JOEY KIDDMAN
VS
“DIRTY” JAKE SLAYTOR
SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY “DOINK THE CLOWN”
AUTOGRAPH PARTY FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH FROM 3:30 – 5:30pm @ THE VINA PARADE STATION – REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS
03/22/2013 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at River Road Meat Market – March 25, at 10 a.m.
The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for our newest member, River Road Meat Market, on Monday morning, March 25, at 10 a.m.
The business is located at 1850 County Highway 35, just west of the Fulton Bridge Industrial Park (in the former River Road Center & Mouldings Unlimited building).
Hours of operation will be 8 am. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday. The telephone number is 921-1123.
03/20/2013 – Marion County, AL Sheriff’s Dept. Weekly News Report – Sheriff Kevin Williams
1 – DC-Alias
2 – TR-Alias
1 – CC-Alias
1 – DUI
2 – Public Intox
1 – Probation Violation
1 – Non-Support
3 – Domestic Violence 3rd – Assault
1 – Illegal Possession Prohibited Beverage
1 – Fugitive From Justice
1 – Bondsman Process
FELONIES
Name: Harrison Cascio
Age: 18
Address-City: Bossier City, LA
Charges: Theft of Property 1st x2, Theft of Property 2nd, Theft of Property 3rd x2, Burglary 3rd x4
Date of Arrest: 03/18/2013
Amount of Bond: $15,000
Date of Release: 03/19/2013
Arresting Agency: Unk.
Name: Hollis Cox
Age: 44
Address-City: Haleyville, AL
Charges: Shoot Into an Occupied Vehicle
Assault 1st
Marijuana 2nd
Paraphernalia
Date of Arrest: 03/17/2013
Amount of Bond: $43,000
Date of Release: 03/19/2013
Arresting Agency: County
Name: James Gray
Age: 47
Address-City: Bear Creek, AL
Charges: Manufacture 1st
Marijuana 1st
Possession Controlled Substance
Paraphernalia
Chemical Endangerment of a Child
Date of Arrest: 03/15/2013
Amount of Bond: $25,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: Bear Creek, AL
Name: William Lee
Age: 40
Address-City: Hamilton, AL
Charges: Escape 3rd
Date of Arrest: 03/19/2013
Amount of Bond: $2,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: Unk.
Name: Shelia Murray
Age: 46
Address-City: Bear Creek, AL
Charges: Manufacture 1st
Issuing Worthless Checks
Possession Controlled Substance
Marijuana 1st
Paraphernalia
Chemical Endangerment
Attempt to Commit Controlled Substance Crime
Date of Arrest: 03/15/2013
Amount of Bond: $26,000
Date of Release: 03/19/2013
Arresting Agency: Bear Creek
Name: Gwendolyn Weeks
Age: 44
Address-City: Marberry, AL
Charges: Possession Forged Instrument 2nd x2
Date of Arrest: 03/18/2013
Amount of Bond: $10,000
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: Unk.
(All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are merely an accusation unless otherwise stated.)
(Copyright ©2006-2013 www.49CountyNews.net. All Rights Reserved. Any reprint or copy of this article must include the aforementioned Copyright in its entirety.)
03/15/2013 – Miss Hamilton – Helping Hands 5K & Fun Run – Hamilton, AL April 13th, 2013
Be sure to sign up for the Miss Hamilton Helping Hands 5K & Fun Run – To be held in Hamilton, Alabama April 13th, 2013! See the attatched picture of the handbill for more information!
03/14/2013 – Discover Historic Decatur by Foot
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Melinda Dunn, President & CEO
Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau
PHONE: 256.350.2028, 800.524.6181
mdunn@decaturcvb.org
Discover Historic Decatur by Foot
Decatur, Ala. – The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau announces the return of free guided walking tours in the month of April. Residents and visitors are invited to step out on a casual stroll through Old Decatur Historic District learning about the architecture and history of this charming neighborhood.
Scheduled for April 6, 13, 20, and 27, the one-hour walking tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Old State Bank located at 925 Bank Street Northeast. Knowledgeable guides will escort participants through the Old Decatur Historic District, sharing neighborhood history, entertaining stories and even some “tall tales” from Decatur’s past.
Reservations are not required and tours are held rain or shine. For more information, call the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 256.350.2028 or 800.524.6181.
About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at http://www.decaturcvb.org.
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03/14/2013 – Motorcyclists Invited to VIP Bike Night at the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Vicki Morese, Event Coordinator
Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
PHONE: 256.905.0700
vicki@alabamachickenandeggfestival.com
Motorcyclists Invited to VIP Bike Night at the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
Moulton, Alabama – In 2012, the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival expanded to three days adding a special VIP night for motorcycle enthusiasts. Set for April 12, the Friday Night Bike Night returns in 2013 bringing with it an evening of live music, plenty of good food, and VIP bike parking.
Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and special, secured VIP parking is available to all motorcycle riders at the entrance to the A. W. Todd Coliseum located at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton. A bike parade is planned and riders are encouraged to meet in the Walmart parking lot at the intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 24 at 5:30 p.m. and follow a police escort to the festival.
Friday’s headliner on the Logan Pharmacy Stage is legendary Muscle Shoals group Shenandoah with a guest appearance by Marty Raybon (www.shenandoahband.com). Shenandoah was founded in Muscle Shoals in 1984 and has released nine albums, with several certified gold. The band’s sound is defined by country, bluegrass and gospel influences and it’s been said they forged its reputation on a soulful gospel-and-bluegrass, with lead singer Marty Raybon’s searing sincerity making even the most trivial song about small-town Southern values memorable. Also slated to perform prior to Shenandoah are The Goat Hill String Band (www.goathillstringband.com) and Muddy Walker’s Band.
Along with great music, judging begins for the sanctioned poultry show where fancy fowls will be competing for a Grand Champion title. In between musical acts, festival goers can browse through aisles of hundreds of exotic chickens and talk with poultry enthusiasts to learn more about show birds.
Along with the Friday Night Bike Night, motorcyclists are also invited to take part in the Motorcycle Poker Run set for the following day, Saturday, April 13th. Anyone registering for the Motorcycle Chicken Poker Run on Friday evening receives two wristbands for free admission to the festival for the entire weekend.
Sponsored by WTAK and the Burch Agency, the Motorcycle Chicken Poker Run offers a scenic ride through North Alabama and a chance to win $100. This year’s ride is set for 10 a.m., April 13, beginning at Rocket Harley Davidson (15100 Highway 20 West in Madison) with stops at the Courtland Heritage Museum (252 College Street in Courtland), Shelton’s Jif E Mart (16798 Market Street in Moulton), Billy Mitchell Jewelry (1 County Road 101 in Moulton), and ending at the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival. All riders must be at the Festival by 2:30 p.m. with winners to be announced at 3:15 p.m. The winning hand will receive $100, with $50 for the 2nd best hand and $100 for the worst hand. Local merchants will also offer a variety of door prizes.
Cost for the Poker Run is $20 per person (which includes two wristbands for free admission for all three festival days). On-site registration will also be available at Rocket Harley Davidson the day of the ride beginning at 9 a.m. at $20 per person. The first 100 riders to pre-register will receive a free t-shirt. To download a registration form or for more information visit http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com and click on “Contests”. Proceeds benefit the Lawrence County Arts Council.
Festival goers on Friday night will receive free admission with the donation of two or more cans of chicken soup. Sponsored by Lawrence Medical Center and Huntsville Hospital, the food drive will benefit the Good Samaritan, a food pantry serving the citizens of Lawrence County.
For more information on the Motorcycle Poker Run and Friday Night Bike Night, contact Coordinator Johnny Turner at johnny@alabamachickenandeggfestival.com or for more information on other festival activities, call Event Coordinator Vicki Morese at 256.905.0700.
About the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is an interactive agricultural experience offering old-fashioned family fun. The ninth annual event is scheduled for April 12-14, 2013 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton, Alabama. Daily admission to the festival is $5 per person and children 5 and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Jamie Hood Jewelers located at 1690A Beltline Road in Decatur, Ala., and at 2504 East Avalon Avenue, Suite A in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Highlights include a chicken clucking contest, where the audience selects the winner; egg toss competition, a favorite among children; eating contests where contestants stuff their faces with chicken wings and hard boiled eggs; and a Down on the Farm area featuring agriculture exhibits, antique tractors, and southern folk life artists such as quilters, saddle makers, farriers, potters, blacksmith and basket and broom makers. Other activities include an egg roulette competition, Motorcycle Chicken Run, and Little Chick Pageant, a preliminary to the Little Miss Alabama pageant.
Sponsors committed for the 2013 festival consist of Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Commission, Lawrence County Board of Education, Stovall Marks Insurance, Logan Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Marshall Durbin, CB&S Bank, International Paper, Billy Mitchell Jewelry, Bank Independent, Joe Wheeler EMC, Pepsi-Cola, Golden Flake, Cackle Hatchery, Southern Printing, City of Moulton, Alabama Farmers Co-op, Huntsville Hospital, Lawrence Medical Center, The Burch Agency, Dr. Don Beach, NHC Healthcare, Lawrence County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Regions Bank, Jamie Hood Jewelers, John’s Bar-B-Que, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Southern Arts Federation, National Endowment for the Arts, Manna Pro, Tractor Supply, Pointer’s Lawn and Tree Care, Alexander Lumber, Lockheed Martin, Roden Surplus Imports, and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Education Partners are University of Alabama in Huntsville Engineering Department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University Poultry Science Department. Media sponsors include WAAY 31 TV, WALW 98.3, Moulton Advertiser, 100.3 The River, WDRM 102.1, WTAK 106.1, Hot Stuff, WQAH 105.7, and 103.1 WEUP.
For more information, visit http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com or follow the event on Facebook, @alabamacef, and http://www.MySpace.com/alabamachickenandegg.
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03/14/2013 – Senator Roger Bedford – Capitol Report for March 14, 2013
Senator Roger Bedford’s Capitol Report for March 14th, 2013:
You would think that if we were going to fundamentally change education in Alabama that you would want the tax payers, local school boards, parents and elected officials to have a discussion about it. You would at least want the legislature to have an opportunity to debate education reform and have meaningful input from the school boards and superintendents of education throughout the state. In fact, it would only make common sense to expose an issue as important as school vouchers, charter schools, and removing tenure from teachers to a lot of sunshine, accountability, and transparency so that the people who pay the taxes in this state to fund the schools would know what was going on.
However, the Alabama Republican Supermajority wanted no one to know what was about to happen to our schools except the few sitting in the smoke-filled room that hatched the plot. It was a classic bait and switch that resulted in terrible legislation. During the course of debate on a bill to allow flexibility to local school boards a consensus was reached. It was a bill that 105 House members and 35 Senators worked on, along with countless others concerned about education such as teachers, school board members and superintendents of education across the state. Dr. Bice at the State Board of Education was involved in the 8 page bill which was sent to a conference committee. This 8 page bill, which had been debated, viewed, read and agreed upon emerged from a conference committee as a completely different animal. The 8 page bill grew to a 28 page bill crafted in secret by two Republicans Senators and two Republican House Members with no input from educators. The bill rammed through by the Republican Super Majority without any debate. In fact, no one had even seen the bill until after the Republican’s voted to allow no amendments and no debate on the bill. After 20 minutes of chaos, the bill was rammed through. The chaos was caused by Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey’s incorrect ruling on the Senate Rules and Procedural Motions. At first, she had all the Democrats mad at her. Then, she hit the gavel and ruled that we were adjourned and all the Republicans went crazy. Everyone in the Senate was on their feet trying to get recognized, about 2 dozen house members had come up to watch the circus. With Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey unable to get control of the Senate or to issue a correct ruling from the chair, the chaos continued for 20 minutes. At that time, the procedural vote, which had been taken by the Republicans to not allow debate or amendments kicked in and the bill, was passed. This Bill includes vouchers, tax crediting private charter schools and the possibility of removal of tenured teachers in Alabama.
It was such a bad Bill that the Legislative Fiscal Office, which has the responsibility of determining how much a change in the law would cost, could not even figure the hundreds of millions dollars it will cost the tax payers.
The 8 page “Flex Bill”, which everyone had debated and read, became a 28 page voucher bill containing very fundamental changes in the way public education is run in this state. It means that a student can move from one school district deemed to be failing with a school voucher or tax credit to another school. Just one of the problems with the Bill is that the new school does not have to accept the child if they don’t want to. One can only imagine what type of recruiting opportunities this will be for high schools when it comes to high school sports from football to baseball and all sports in between for both men and women. In other words, a child wanting to leave a school deemed failing, because of its low academic standing, might not get to leave that “failing school” because the new school could decide to take the quarterback but refuse the student with a straight A average.
I am also very concerned about too are the Special Education students. Many schools will not take the special education children when they want to transfer because of the additional cost of dealing with a child with special needs, however, the school will not tell them that is why they are not being allowed in because that would be against the Federal Law.
This is the type of legislation that should have been debated, read, talked about in school board meetings, as well as, town hall meetings. In short, the Republicans decided rather than to fix public education they would try to tear it apart and allow public dollars to pay for private, for profit, corporate schools. Yes that’s right, under this bill a child could enroll in a private school and your tax dollars would pay for it.
As I am writing to you, this bill is currently before the Alabama Supreme Court. The Alabama Education Association went to court to try to stop this Bill because it broke the Open Meetings Law, as well as, other procedural laws. The Circuit Judge, Judge Price in Montgomery, issued a temporary restraining order, ordering the House Clerk not to transmit the bill to the Governor for signature until a hearing could be held on it. The Republicans have appealed the order to the solidly Republican Supreme Court to try to get the Court to over turn the ruling and to back this injustice to our public education system in Alabama. I believe we should support our schools and fix the ones that are having problems rather than putting school vouchers in place like the Republicans have done.
I appreciate all of you that have contacted me thanking me for my opposition to this bad legislation.
We are continuing to urge Governor Bentley to do the right thing and accept the Medicaid Expansion. The Medicaid Expansion will be funded 100% by the Federal Government for the first 3 years. It will cover what is commonly called the working poor in Alabama. These are people who are working and paying taxes but they can not afford health insurance or it is not available to them at work.
This would be a huge economic engine for Alabama. Over the course of seven years, Alabama would invest $771 million in the program, and in return, the Federal Government would send us $20 billion dollars to pay for it. It’s estimated that this expansion would help create ten thousand jobs all across Alabama because of the increased need for health services. These 350,000 Alabamians that would be covered by Medicaid expansion could not get preventive care rather than showing up at an Emergency Room needing acute care which is vastly more expensive. By getting preventive care, children can go to school healthy and the mom and\or dad can go to work rather than having to stay home with a sick child. Governor Bentley is a doctor; he knows how important it is to have preventive health care. I hope that he will do what so many other Republican Governors are doing across the country and accept the roll out of Medicaid expansion to help working families in this state receive health care benefits.
You may rest assured that I will continue to push for this important program which will not only improve the quality of life in our state for 350,000 Alabamians but also create new jobs and additional tax monies through economic growth.
I am pleased to announce that the following grants were awarded in our Senate District this past week. $635 to Red Bay Elementary School’s Camera System, $500 to Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts, $500 to Red Bay High School Beta Club Class Trip, $1500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals Red Bay Buddies Program, $700 Red Bay High School Softball team, $500 Vina girls track team, $1500 Red Bay Football Program, $1500 Phil Campbell Tip Off Club, $1500 Russellville High School Tennis Program, $500 Tharptown High School Baseball program, $500 Tharptown High School Softball program, $500 Vina High School Varsity Cheerleaders, $1500 Russellville High School National Honor Society class trip, $1,000 Tharptown High School student council and drama club class trip, $800 Belgreen High School Annual Staff, $1,000 Belgreen High School Special Education Program, $1500 East Franklin Jr. High School Baseball Program, $1500 East Franklin Jr. High School Softball Program, $1500 Shoals Symphony at UNA, $1500 East Lawrence High School Baseball, $1500 Russellville High School Baseball, $100 Vina High School PTO and $1000 to Russellville High School Singers.
Please continue to contact me at the following address.
Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State House Russellville Office
11 S. Union Street, Suite 738 P.O. Box 370
Montgomery, Alabama 36130 Russellville, Alabama 35653
Phone 334-242-7862, Fax 334-242-9202 Phone – 256-332-6966 Fax 256-332-6967
Email: senbedford@aol.com Website: http://www.RogerBedford.com
—
Amanda Hovater
Assistant
Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State Senator District 6
Roger Bedford & Assoc., P.C.
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 370
Russellville, Alabama 35653
(256) 332-6966 – Direct Line Russellville Office
(256) 332-2880 – Law Firm
(256) 332-6967 – Facsimile
(334) 242-7862 – Montgomery Office
AHovater.RBA@gmail.com
03/13/2013 – Marion County, AL Sheriff’s Dept. Weekly News Report – Sheriff Kevin Williams
2 – DC-Alias
1 – Marijuana 2nd
4 – Drug Paraphernalia
2 – Probation Violation
1 – Non-Support
1 – Domestic Violence 3rd – Harass
1 – Disorderly Conduct
2 – Theft of Property 3rd
2 – Bench Warrant
1 – Bondsman’s Process
FELONIES
Name: Norma Everwein
Age: 44
Address-City: Guin, AL
Charges: Unlawful Distribution
Parole Violation
Date of Arrest: 03/06/2013
Amount of Bond: $10,000
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: County
Name: Kenny Harris
Age: 33
Address-City: Haleyville, AL
Charges: Marijuana 1st
Paraphernalia
Robbery 1st
Theft of Property 1st
Date of Arrest: 03/12/2013
Amount of Bond: $35,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: Brilliant
Name: Sheila Henderson
Age: 47
Address-City: Brilliant, AL
Charges: Possession Controlled Substance
Paraphernalia
Robbery 1st
Theft of Property 1st
Date of Arrest: 03/06/2013
Amount of Bond: $20,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: County
Name: Donna Holliday
Age: 32
Address-City: Brilliant, AL
Charges: Breaking / Entering Vehicle
Theft of Property 3rd
Marijuana 2nd
Date of Arrest: 03/06/2013
Amount of Bond: $20,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: Brilliant
Name: Donald Kilgore
Age: 45
Address-City: Guin, AL
Charges: Robbery 3rd
Theft of Property 3rd
Assault 2nd
Date of Arrest: 03/07/2013
Amount of Bond: $16,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: County
Name: Amanda Pickering
Age: 33
Address-City: Winfield, AL
Charges: Possession Controlled Substance x 4
Bench Warrant
Date of Arrest: 03/06/2013
Amount of Bond: $20,000
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: County
Name: David Reynolds
Age: 32
Address-City: Hamilton, AL
Charges: Manufacture 1st x 2
Paraphernalia
Date of Arrest: 03/10/2013
Amount of Bond: $20,500
Date of Release: 03/11/2013
Arresting Agency: County
Name: Shenna Shirley
Age: 27
Address-City: Hamilton, AL
Charges:Marijuana 1st
Possession Controlled Substance
Paraphernalia
Date of Arrest: 03/07/2013
Amount of Bond: $13,000
Date of Release: 03/07/2013
Arresting Agency: County
Name: Nathan Williams
Age: 21
Address-City: Guin, AL
Charges: Robbery 3rd
Theft of Property 3rd
Assault 2nd
Date of Arrest: 03/07/2013
Amount of Bond: $16,500
Date of Release: In Jail
Arresting Agency: County
(All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are merely an accusation unless otherwise stated.)
(Copyright ©2006-2013 www.49CountyNews.net. All Rights Reserved. Any reprint or copy of this article must include the aforementioned Copyright in its entirety.)
03/13/2013 – Hamilton Police Department Weekly News Report – Chief Ronnie Vickery
Date: March 6-12, 2013
Wrecks – 2
Incident / Offense –
1 – Domestic Violence 3rd
1 – Assault 3rd
1 – Cruelty to Dog 2nd
1 – Burglary 3rd
1 – Theft of Property 2nd
2 – Criminal Michief 3rd
Arrest / Citation –
4 – Speeding
3 – No Insurance
3 – Improper Lights
1 – No Tag
1 – Escape 3rd
(All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are merely an accusation unless otherwise stated.)
(Copyright ©2006-2013 www.49CountyNews.net. All Rights Reserved. Any reprint or copy of this article must include the aforementioned Copyright in its entirety.)
03/08/2013 – Watercolor Society of Alabama to Bring 72nd National Exhibition to Hartselle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Melinda Dunn, President & CEO
Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau
PHONE: 256.350.2028, 800.524.6181
EMAIL: mdunn@decaturcvb.org
Watercolor Society of Alabama to Bring 72nd National Exhibition to Hartselle
Decatur, Ala. – The Hartselle Fine Arts Center will host the Watercolor Society of Alabama 72nd National Exhibition April 7 through May 26, 2013. Over 100 paintings by artists from across the United States will be on display in the juried collection. The Award Ceremony and Opening Reception is set for April 7, 2-5 p.m.
The National Exhibition attracts artists from across the United States who submit artwork inspired by a wide diversity of subject matter. An internationally recognized juror, Stan Miller of Spokane, Washington, will select 110 paintings for this collection of fine art. Each of the 110 works will have its own story to tell through the artist’s own stylistic approach. Miller is an American Watercolor Society award winner, and serves as workshop instructor throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. As an international award winner, his art was granted publication in The Artist’s Magazine’s National Competition; Watercolor Magic Magazine’s National Competition; Best of 2012 American Watermedia Artists; and Pratique Des Arts.
Richard Stephens of Hot Springs, Ark., will serve as the judge of awards. Stephens is a nationally acclaimed award winning transparent impressionistic watercolorist. He served as an illustrator in the Army and now has a commercial graphic design business studio in Little Rock, Ark. He holds signature status in Watercolor West, Missouri Watercolor Society, Southwestern Watercolor Society, and Mid-Southern Watercolorists. His art has been featured in Watercolor Magic and in North Light Books “Splash 2013.”
The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. The Hartselle Fine Arts Center is located at 307 College Street NE in Hartselle. For more information, call WSA Exhibition Chair Shirley Tucker at 256.733.8353.
In conjunction with the National Exhibition, the Watercolor Society of Alabama is sponsoring a watercolor workshop led by Awards Judge Richard Stephens. The three-day event is set for April 4-6 at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. An instructor for many years, Stephens is concerned with technique and mastery of the medium of watercolors. His emphasis is on design, contrast, and brushstrokes of color. Participants will be exposed to information sprinkled with humor and antidotes, entertaining and educational painting demonstrations and one-on-one time with the instructor. Workshop hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $300 for WSA members and $330 for non-WSA members. A $200 registration fee is required to hold a reservation with the balance due no later than March 15. A registration form may be downloaded from http://www.hartsellefineartscenter.org under upcoming events or for more information, call Tora Johnson at 205.423.0922.
About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at http://www.decaturcvb.org.
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03/12/2013 – Marion County, AL – Remembering the Blizzard of 1993
Marion County, AL – Remembering the Blizzard of 1993 – 20 years later , March 12, 1993.
Send us your pictures from the Blizzard of 1993 and tell us about your experiences. We’ll publish them on http://www.49countynews.net.
Send scans of your pics (we realize that digital photography was not around at that time). Send them in .jpg, .gif, .tif or .png format. (.jpg being the most common) and send to jmays@49countynews.net .
Thanks! Judy Webb Mays
Associate Editor
(Be sure that you document their location and that you have the proper authority to share the pictures.)
03/07/2013 – Just for Kids! – Family-friendly Events at 9th Annual Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
Moulton, Alabama – Parents in search of family-friendly things to do in the spring will want to plan a visit to the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival set for April 12-14. The annual event offers activities for children and adults to experience together all while celebrating all things poultry, and with daily admission to the festival only $5 per person and children 5 and under admitted free, families can take in all three days without feeling a strain on their wallet.
For the children, the Bank Independent Stage will feature performances by “Riverboat John” Ferguson, Mala Patterson and performers from Moulton Middle School. In between musical acts, children will be treated to hands-on workshops, sponsored by Bonnie Plants, and chicken bingo, sponsored by Roden Surplus Imports.
Riverboat John (www.riverboatjohn.net) entertains crowds of all ages with his old stories and songs from the past. Heralded by the New York Times and numerous other media as a “True American Minstrel and Folk Lore Storyteller,” “Riverboat John” grew up in Alabama, near the Tennessee River, and received his first banjo at age 5. After graduation from Huntsville High School, he migrated to Greenwich Village, New York, to join the Folk Revival Movement, where he bumped elbows with the avante garde, folk, Blues, jazz, pop, gospel and rock performers of the day. He plays his own style of banjo, guitar and other instruments and can belt out a tune at the drop of a hat.
Performing on all three days is Mala Patterson who will bring her energetic, entertaining, and educational program featuring live, acoustic old-time music and dance. She will be showcasing traditional instruments, such as the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, lap dulcimer and frailing banjo, and homemade instruments, such as the spoons and scrub board. Mala, a member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, is an Alabama Buck Dance champion and will demonstrate clog, buck and flat foot dance. She encourages youngsters to sing, dance, and play rhythm instruments, such as the tambourine, spoons, and bells. Mala has performed at various venues, including Smithsonian affiliate programs, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar city, and events in over twenty states. She placed in the Top 10 in Quizno’s jingle contest and the Top 5 in Waggin’ Train’s jingle contest, and along with her brother, placed in the Top 25 on the first season of CMT’s Can You Duet.
For children who want to get their hands dirty, Bonnie Plants is donating tomato plant transplants and containers for children to plant a tomato plant and carry home to plant into their garden. The workshop will allow children to experience how to properly plant and grow their own tomatoes.
Families can also play chicken bingo, sponsored by Roden Surplus Imports. As letters and numbers are called, kids wait in anticipation to yell bingo! Games are played ongoing throughout the three-day event with winners receiving great prizes from Roden Surplus Imports.
Additional activities for families to experience together include egg toss competitions, photos with mascots Scramble and Nugget, a chicken clucking contest, Southern Folklife exhibits and demonstrations, and more!
For more information, visit www.AlabamaChickenandEggFestival.com or call 256.905.0700.
About the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is an interactive agricultural experience offering old-fashioned family fun. The ninth annual event is scheduled for April 12-14, 2013 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton, Alabama. Daily admission to the festival is $5 per person and children 5 and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Jamie Hood Jewelers located at 1690A Beltline Road in Decatur, Ala., and at 2504 East Avalon Avenue, Suite A in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Highlights include a chicken clucking contest, where the audience selects the winner; egg toss competition, a favorite among children; eating contests where contestants stuff their faces with chicken wings and hard boiled eggs; and a Down on the Farm area featuring agriculture exhibits, antique tractors, and southern folk life artists such as quilters, saddle makers, farriers, potters, blacksmith and basket and broom makers. Other activities include an egg roulette competition, Motorcycle Chicken Run, and Little Chick Pageant, a preliminary to the Little Miss Alabama pageant.
Sponsors committed for the 2013 festival consist of Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Commission, Lawrence County Board of Education, Stovall Marks Insurance, Logan Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Marshall Durbin, CB&S Bank, International Paper, Billy Mitchell Jewelry, Bank Independent, Joe Wheeler EMC, Pepsi-Cola, Golden Flake, Cackle Hatchery, Southern Printing, City of Moulton, Alabama Farmers Co-op, Huntsville Hospital, Lawrence Medical Center, The Burch Agency, Dr. Don Beach, NHC Healthcare, Lawrence County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Regions Bank, Jamie Hood Jewelers, John’s Bar-B-Que, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Southern Arts Federation, National Endowment for the Arts, Manna Pro, Tractor Supply, Pointer’s Lawn and Tree Care, Alexander Lumber, Lockheed Martin, Roden Surplus Imports, and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Education Partners are University of Alabama in Huntsville Engineering Department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University Poultry Science Department. Media sponsors include WAAY 31 TV, WALW 98.3, Moulton Advertiser, 100.3 The River, WDRM 102.1, WTAK 106.1, Hot Stuff, WQAH 105.7, and 103.1 WEUP.
For more information, visit www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com or follow the event on Facebook, @alabamacef, and www.MySpace.com/alabamachickenandegg.
03/07/2013 – Lockheed Martin and UAHuntsville to Sponsor Egg Drop Competition – Middle school and high school students compete for a $500 cash prize.
Moulton, Alabama – The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is seeking entries for its “Egg Drop for Future Engineers” competition where a cash prize of $500 is on the line. Lockheed Martin is partnering with the UAHuntsville College of Engineering in sponsoring the contest scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2013 during the ninth annual event.
The competition tests students’ skills in building the best contraption to catch a falling egg without it breaking allowing them to experience hands-on engineering challenges through a team approach. The contest is open to both middle and high school students and the winning teams in both divisions receive $500. Teams will be given 30 minutes to construct a device with materials supplied on-site that will cushion the egg. The egg must survive drops from four selected heights, each higher than the previous one.
An application is available for downloading at http://www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com. Registration is free but those wishing to participant must pre-register by March 31, 2013.
For more information, call Lisa Steele at 256.566.6500 or the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival office at 256.905.0700.
About the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival
The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is an interactive agricultural experience offering old-fashioned family fun. The ninth annual event is scheduled for April 12-14, 2013 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Moulton, Alabama. Daily admission to the festival is $5 per person and children 5 and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Jamie Hood Jewelers located at 1690A Beltline Road in Decatur, Ala., and at 2504 East Avalon Avenue, Suite A in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Highlights include a chicken clucking contest, where the audience selects the winner; egg toss competition, a favorite among children; eating contests where contestants stuff their faces with chicken wings and hard boiled eggs; and a Down on the Farm area featuring agriculture exhibits, antique tractors, and southern folk life artists such as quilters, saddle makers, farriers, potters, blacksmith and basket and broom makers. Other activities include an egg roulette competition, Motorcycle Chicken Run, and Little Chick Pageant, a preliminary to the Little Miss Alabama pageant.
Sponsors committed for the 2013 festival consist of Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Commission, Lawrence County Board of Education, Stovall Marks Insurance, Logan Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Marshall Durbin, CB&S Bank, International Paper, Billy Mitchell Jewelry, Bank Independent, Joe Wheeler EMC, Pepsi-Cola, Golden Flake, Cackle Hatchery, Southern Printing, City of Moulton, Alabama Farmers Co-op, Huntsville Hospital, Lawrence Medical Center, The Burch Agency, Dr. Don Beach, NHC Healthcare, Lawrence County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Regions Bank, Jamie Hood Jewelers, John’s Bar-B-Que, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Southern Arts Federation, National Endowment for the Arts, Manna Pro, Tractor Supply, Pointer’s Lawn and Tree Care, Alexander Lumber, Lockheed Martin, Roden Surplus Imports, and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Education Partners are UAHuntsville Engineering Department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University Poultry Science Department. Media sponsors include WAAY 31 TV, WALW 98.3, Moulton Advertiser, 100.3 The River, WDRM 102.1, WTAK 106.1, Hot Stuff, WQAH 105.7, and 103.1 WEUP.
For more information, visit www.alabamachickenandeggfestival.com or follow the event on Facebook, @alabamacef, and www.MySpace.com/alabamachickenandegg. Photos available upon request.
03/05/2013 – SPRING BREAK FUN IN HISTORIC MENTONE, AL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Dersham, Executive Director
DeKalb Tourism
PHONE: 256.845.3957 or 888.805.4740 ext. 35
info@tourdekalb.com
Spring Break Fun in Historic Mentone, Alabama
Fort Payne, Ala. – Set atop Lookout Mountain in the northeastern corner of the state of Alabama, a quiet village awaits spring break visitors who are in search of nature, scenic views, and trendy shops and restaurants. Southern hospitality at its best, Mentone offers family-friendly fun – whether its relaxation, adventure, or something in between – that is affordable and appealing to all ages.
Mentone is overflowing with unique, locally-owned specialty shops providing endless opportunities for picking up a one-of-a-kind gift or souvenirs to take home. The Gourdie Shop offers a unique collection of hand-painted, signed and dated original gourds. Known as “gourdies,” these custom creations are designed and created by local artist Sharon Barron and are registered with the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office.
Housing one of the largest and most diverse collections of Inca Art outside of Peru and Ecuador, Artisans, The Inca Connection located in downtown Mentone represents one family’s 20-year quest of visiting and collecting a wide variety of art including Chulucana pottery, paintings, hand-carved wood sculptures, Tagua Nut carvings, and Inca weavings.
Kamama Art Gallery is home to an art gallery featuring local artists, antiques, and Twiggs Coffee Shop. While the aroma of freshly made coffee may bring one in, it’s the homemade panini that keeps customers coming back. In addition to these one-of-a-kind shops, the quaint village of Mentone also offers a handmade pottery store, an assortment of antique stores, and a log cabin village featuring eclectic shops and restaurants.
For the more adventure-seekers, visitors can explore the underground world at Sequoyah Caverns or take in miles of hiking and biking trails, sheer rock cliffs, kayak a raging river and fish from several streams and lakes available at Little River Falls, DeSoto State Park, High Falls Park, Buck’s Pocket State Park, and Little River Canyon National Preserve. Local outfitter True Adventure Sports can provide all the necessary equipment and knowledge for a truly adventurous spring break trip.
Situated atop Lookout Mountain among the many scenic waterfalls and majestic overlooks are a variety of accommodations from charming bed and breakfasts to rustic cabins. The Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast offers a wonderful retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life. The March Madness package is available at $258 and includes two nights, morning coffee delivered to the room, full breakfast, a keepsake ornament, bottled water and snacks for two people. The historic village of Mentone is home to the oldest operating hotel in the state – the Mentone Springs Hotel. Listed in the New York Times bestselling book “100 Places to See Before You Die” and on the National Register of Historic Places, it is known as the Grande Dame of Lookout Mountain.
The Mentone Mountain View Inn is Mentone’s only inn perched on the edge of Lookout Mountain offering panoramic views of the valley. Within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants in downtown Mentone is the Mentone Inn featuring 12 rooms each with a private bath and gourmet breakfast buffet. Throughout the month of March, the Mentone Inn is offering two nights for two people with breakfast included for $198 plus tax.
For those in search of a more rustic getaway, visitors can choose to stay in one of seven hand-hewn, hand-built log cabins from Mentone Log Cabin Rentals. Chalet’s of Mentone offers a spacious two bedroom, 1,500 square foot cabin ideal for a restful retreat in the beautiful mountains. The Wilderness in Mentone offers a family-friendly retreat featuring four private cottages complete with a screened porch and fully equipped kitchen. Hiking trails lead directly into the adjoining Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park. Additional cabin and chalet rentals are available at Nut House Cabin, Setaspell by the Lake, Dixie’s Guesthouse, Granny Dollar Holler Rentals, Rock Bluff Rentals, and Mentone Mountain Getaways. For a complete list of accommodations, visit http://www.discoverlookoutmountain.com and click on lodging.
Along with its fine accommodations, Mentone boasts a variety of eateries ranging from casual gourmet to food with a funky country mix. Hardware Café is a cozy little sandwich shop nestled in the heart of Mentone serving lunch only. Their signature sandwiches are yummy as prepared or add the caramelized onion mayo for an extra tasty treat. Locally owned and operated, The Moonlight Bistro offers fresh seafood, hand-cut beef filets, and scrumptious pasta dishes. Favorite among the locals is hands-down the fried green tomatoes. Open Thursday-Sunday, the Wildflower Café and Country Store is best known for its tangy tomato pie. The eclectic café is located a short walk from the brow and, along with their “shabby chic, casual gourmet,” visitors are treated to live music by local entertainers.
The Mentone Springs Hotel serves up two restaurants. The Rusty Fox is best known for its handmade pizzas while Alice’s at the Springs specializes in desserts made from scratch, and following dinner, guests can enjoy sunsets from the Hotel’s wrap around porches. Located at Miracle Pottery and Art Gallery, J Spencer’s Restaurant offers delightful dishes to compliment the beautifully handmade dishes available for sale from artist Valinda Miracle. Situated in a country farm house, Windwood Farms Restaurant serves up hearty sandwiches, delicious steaks, seafood dishes, and salads Thursday through Sunday. For additional restaurants and eateries, visit http://www.discoverlookoutmountain.com and click on dining.
For more information on spring break getaways to Lookout Mountain, call DeKalb Tourism at 888.805.4740 or visit http://www.discoverlookoutmountain.com.
About DeKalb Tourism
DeKalb Tourism is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in DeKalb County. Our mission includes to provide outstanding customer service to all guests; to provide complete and detailed information about DeKalb County, its history and attractions; to leave visitors with a positive experience; to develop strong positive long term relationships with the people and businesses of our communities; and to be a leader in the education and promotion of our county, locally, nationwide and internationally.
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03/06/2013 – Hamilton, AL Police Department Weekly News Report
Hamilton Police Department
Weekly News Report
Date: February 27 – March 5, 2013
Wrecks – 3
Incident / Offense –
1 – Attempt Suicide
1 – Domestic Violence 3rd
1 – Harassing Communication
1 – Motor Vehicle Theft
1 – Theft of Property 2nd
1 – Theft by Deception
1 – Criminal Mischief 1st
1 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Arrest / Citation –
8 – Speeding
1 – License Suspended
1 – Driving with Learner Permit Only
4 – No Insurance
4 – Improper Tag
2 – No Tag
1 – Obstructed Windshield
1 – Running Stop Sign
1 – Fail to Dim
1 – Theft of Lost Property 3rd
3 – Alias Warrant
(All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are merely an accusation unless otherwise stated.)
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