BY GENA HUFF, Editor
After a local arrest involving a dog fighting charge and the multiple disappearances of puppies and large dogs in Sapps and neighboring communities, citizens of Pickens County are concerned and appalled at the idea of such a barbaric and abusive practice happening in the community, right under their noses.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
The Aliceville City Council approved the application for new police officer cadet, Kimberly Manning, at their latest meeting on June 27. “Chief (Tonnie) Jones and myself have reviewed several applications,” Aliceville Mayor Marva Gipson told the council. “We have one applicant and we need to approve for her to take a pre-qualification test.”
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
The CVS SMART model for schools is a public/private partnership developed between CVS Health, Ginn Group Consulting (architects of the model), school districts, and a partnership with local medical providers. The model was launched nationally in 2013. Its purpose is to provide preventive care to students — with parental consent — to enrich academic performance, achievement, and attendance.
The Reprint Company Publishers, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, has recently reissued its earlier printing of History of Pickens County, Ala. From Its First Settlement in 1817 to 1856 by Nelson F. Smith. This classic work was originally published in 1856 in Carrollton and was reprinted by the Spartanburg publisher in 1980. That 1980 reprint has been out of print for a number of years. This latest reprint is a hardback book printed on archival quality paper and is now in a Print On Demand format.
Michael Hayes Clanahan and Taylor Lynne Curtis
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Curtis of Bradford, Ohio announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Taylor Lynne Curtis, to Michael Hayes Clanahan, son of Jim and Bet Clanahan, of Buford, Georgia.
The bride elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Edward Kuhns of Ludlow Falls, Ohio and Mr. and Mrs. Woodford Curtis of Troy, Ohio. She graduated cum laude from Lee University with a BS in Business Administration. She is currently in a management trainee position with Enterprise in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
A newly-released rating published by US News and World Report has tapped Aliceville Manor Nursing Home as one of the best nursing homes in Alabama. The publication used data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s (CMS) Nursing Home Compare website, where nursing homes are rated “poor” to “top-performing” on a scale of 1 to 5.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director, Laketha Bell, has been approached by representatives of the Pickens County 911 Board to discuss possibly merging the two director jobs into one. 911 Board Chairman, Keith “Booty” Cox, spoke to the Pickens County Commissioners at the Commission’s June 21 administrative meeting about the possibility. Since technically, both organizations work for the Commissioners, it needed to be brought first to them and to see if they would consider the merger.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
On May 30, Governor Kay Ivey announced the installation of the Alabama Sentry Program in school systems throughout the state. This program would permit administrators at schools without a School Resource Officer (SRO) to maintain a firearm on campus, in a secured safe, in case of an active-shooter situation.
Dr. James Gentry with his wife Debbie and grandchildren Kenley Gentry and Hudson Jost.
BY BRIAN HAMILTON, Correspondent
Dr. James (Jim) Gentry, Jr. has decided to hang up the stethoscope after working as a surgeon at Pickens County Medical Center (PCMC) for the past 33 years. Dozens of friends, family members, and colleagues gathered at PCMC last Sunday to recognize Gentry for his service to the hospital.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
Bridgette Gentry Marshall, wife of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, was found the morning of June 24 in her apartment in Murfreesboro, Tenn., dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a statement released by the Attorney General’s office on that day, it was stated Mrs. Marshall “passed away this morning after a long struggle with mental illness.”
Mollie Bailey (right) and her grandmother Sue Yarbrough (left) with the quilt Yarbrough sewed of Abby’s dresses.
By Brian Hamilton, Correspondent
Ever since Carrollton resident Sue Yarbrough can remember, she has been sewing matching dresses for her granddaughter Mollie Bailey and her doll Abby. Mollie is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of three. Mollie is very passionate about Abby, while Yarbrough is very passionate about sewing and making dresses for Mollie and Abby.
The Aliceville Police Department wants to add additional officers to its force.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
The Aliceville Police Department is looking for new officers to add to the force. Current officers have been pulling a lot of overtime and recruits for small-town forces with small-town pay are few and far between. Especially certified and trained officers. Especially officers with experience. That experience and training is key to a well-rounded police department.
*Do not enter bodies of water if you have cuts or abrasions; if injured, clean wound at once to reduce risk of infection.*
Many harmful organisms are found in lakes, rivers, along the coast, and in other bodies of water. Some bacteria may lead to destructive soft-tissue infections and other illnesses, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) cautions.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
A Pit Bull, trained for dog fighting, has been euthanized after video evidence surfaced of the dog killing a puppy used as a “bait dog.” A “bait dog” is used for the sole purpose of teaching the fighting dog to attack and kill living canines for sport. The puppy’s owners received the video and after watching, notified authorities.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
On Friday night, June 1, between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Daniel Perez, 32, was shot and killed at his residence on Memorial Parkway in Aliceville, two houses down from the Fast Gas gas station and convenience store. Not many details have been added at this time, as the case is still being investigated.
Deep grooves show where the Ford Explorer went off Highway 86 on June 12 and crashed into a tree. Markers placed on the scene help Alabama State Troopers with their investigation.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
A 12-year-old Tuscaloosa boy was killed Tuesday, June 12, when the 2000 Ford Explorer he was riding in left the road, slid down a grassy slope, and hit a tree. The one-vehicle incident happened at about 2:45 p.m. between mile marker 21 and mile marker 22 on Highway 86 East between Carrollton and Gordo. The driver and 3 other minors were also injured in the crash and were transported to DCH Regional Medical Center.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
During the last couple of city council meetings, Reform city council members have had zoning issues brought to their attention. One of them, brought to the council on May 15, was from Dearl Hughes, who wanted to rezone a strip of land currently zoned as residential, but having commercial properties on either side of it.
Black-eyed Susans scatter their blooms along roadsides during most of the summer. The “Susan” is a member of the sunflower family.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
Summertime has arrived. Or, almost, depending on how you look at it.
Astronomically, summertime begins on the Summer Solstice, which can fall anywhere between June 20 and June 22. This year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Summer Solstice starts precisely on June 21 at 5:07 a.m. CDT. That is when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the equator. The summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year.
Family Fun Day attendees take photos with a Gordo Fire Truck.
By Brian Hamilton, Correspondent
Gordo’s Housing Authority hosted its first ever Family Fun Day June 9 in conjunction with the 31st Annual Gordo Mule Day/Chickenfest.
Frank and June Z. Elmore
Frank and June Z. Elmore celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2018. They were married in Gordo, Alabama at First Methodist Church. Rejoicing with them are their children Holli Moss, Kara Griffin, and Josh Elmore, and 16 grandchildren.
Donald B. McCaa and Turkila Shauntell Mayhew
Ms. Mattie Mayhew of Aliceville is pleased to announce the upcoming marriage of her daughter, Turkila Shauntell Mayhew to Donald B. McCaa, son of Adaline McCaa.
The bride elect is the granddaughter of the late Jennie Hopson and Mary L. Barnes of Aliceville.
The prospective groom is the grandson of Mary J. McCaa and the late Ora Bishop of Aliceville.
The wedding and reception will take place on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at 502 Gulfshore Drive, Destin, Fla.
Gary Smith, the owner of B&S Farms, always provides a wide variety of fresh produce that will satisfy the needs of every customer.
By JESSICA JUNKIN, Pickens County Extension Office
The Aliceville Farmers Market, located near City Hall, is open for business every Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. with just the right amount of vendors and activities for everyone to enjoy.
This venue has a large playground area for children, as well as a paved walking track around the covered pavilion. Fresh produce is the main attraction at the market, but other items are also available such as pottery, soaps, meat, and pastries.
Daniel Perez, 32, was shot and killed at his residence on Memorial Parkway in Aliceville, June 1. A suspect has not yet been arrested.
BY GENA HUFF, Editor
Friday night, June 1, between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., an unidentified man shot 32-year-old Daniel Perez once in the chest, with a hand gun, killing him. The homicide occurred at Perez’s residence on Memorial Parkway in Aliceville. Another resident, who was inside during the altercation, went to a nearby store for help. Identification of the assailant has not yet been made public. It is said the intruder was wearing a ski mask and/or hood, and long sleeves. A suspect has not been named.
By Brian Hamilton, Correspondent
Christopher Washington supporters were out in full force last Tuesday night at the Pickens County Courthouse to keep tabs on their candidate’s tightly contested race with Democratic sheriff nominee Tonnie Jones, who is Chief of Police in Aliceville.
Are you new to Medicare?
Questions beneficiaries often ask are; do I have Medicare or Medicaid, Part A or Part B, how do I select the right Part D plan, Medigap or supplemental coverage, managed care or HMO’s? What services does Medicare cover?
If these are a few of the questions in the back of your mind, you are not alone. Medicare is a very complex program and trying to understand your benefits can be overwhelming. Knowing the basics about Medicare is the key to making informed decisions about your coverage.
